# Black History Month Employee Spotlight: Monique Young

/ Published Feb. 23, 2023
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 
The Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime recognizes Black History Month in February. This year’s theme is “Inspiring Change.” The African American Employment Program highlights employees throughout the month in honor of their enduring contributions to the agency’s global mission of logistics support to America’s warfighters.

**What is your position title, role, and responsibilities?** I’m currently the lead business analyst for operations in DLA Finance Columbus. I lead a group of six business analysts in assisting in the formulation and execution of financial requirements for the Land and Maritime supply chains.

**How long have you worked with DLA Land and Maritime?** I’ve worked for the federal government 36 years. I’ve worked for DLA Finance for 27 of those years. I started as a GS-5, and I am currently a GS-13.

**This year’s theme for Black History Month is****Inspiring Change****. What does this theme mean to you?** Never become complacent on where you are at in life. Yes, there have been many things that have changed for the better for African Americans since the 1960s, but there are things that still can be changed. We finally were able to witness the first African American president and now the first African American woman vice president, but we should all be inspired to make this a normal occurrence where it doesn’t have to be a first anymore.

**In your view, how has the role of changemakers in the African American community evolved over the years?** I think it has evolved where there is a bigger platform to reach people via social media.  Through the years, you had to rely more on word of mouth and things maybe being televised.

**How would you describe the change that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired through his involvement in the civil rights movement?** Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted the same rights for African Americans as people of other colors had.  If he hadn’t lived and died for what he believed in, I would not be where I’m at today. We as African Americans would not have the right to vote, the same jobs as people of other colors, etc. If he was not inspired to create a change, I’m not sure where we would currently be as African Americans.

**Black History Month was created to give not only respect, but a voice to the community. What does Black History Month mean to you?**It means a time of the year that we can take pride as a community on what we have accomplished as a people. It is also a time of the year that other people who are not of color can learn of our history, but it doesn’t have to be just the month of February. Everyone should learn about the history all the time.

**In your opinion, what do you see as the greatest challenge to the African American federal workforce, and can you suggest any recommendations to overcome these challenges?** I think the greatest challenge right now is still having more African Americans in leadership positions. Yes, the federal government is hiring more African Americans, but hiring them into Senior Executive Service positions can still be worked on. When you look across certain demographics it is still a low number. I think more education should be offered to the workforce, and if offered, let people attend even if it specifically doesn’t have to do with their job, still let them go to learn and grow.

**What do you see as the future of African Americans in the federal government?** I still believe that working for the federal government is still a good place to work for African Americans, just getting them to stay for longevity is hard. Young people of all nationalities do not stay at jobs anymore for long, they are chasing the dollar and not retirement.