# News

## U.S. Air Force LogoUnited States Air Force

# Cross Cultural Mentoring Panel highlights mentorship challenges, opportunities

              - Published  Feb. 28, 2022
              -                             By Marisa Alia-Novobilski                                                    
              - Air Force Materiel Command

**WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --  **
The **Air Force Materiel Command** recently hosted its first Cross Cultural Mentoring Panel with the goal to inspire and motivate individuals to seek diverse mentoring relationships as they grow in their careers.Coinciding with the annual Black History Month Observance, the virtual event featured a panel of Black leaders from across the command, including Alphonso Thomas, director of Engineering and Technical Management at the **Air Force Sustainment Center**; Col. Jenise Carroll, 75th Air Base Wing commander, **Hill Air Force Base**, Utah; and Master Sgt. Aaron Trammell, Contracting superintendent, **Tinker AFB**, Oklahoma, who shared their personal experiences and challenges as members of a minority demographic in the mentoring and career realms.
Alphonso Thomas, director of Engineering and Technical Management, Air Force Sustainment Center; Col. Jenise Carroll, 75th Air Base Wing commander, Hill Air Force Base, Utah; and Master Sgt. Aaron Trammell, Contracting superintendent, Tinker AFB, Okla., discuss the importance of diverse mentoring relationships during Air Force Materiel Command’s first Cross Cultural Mentoring Panel, Feb. 22, 2022. The panelists encouraged Airmen to take personal responsibility for their careers and seek the advice of leaders from all demographics, which emphasized reaching across cultural and gender boundaries in mentorship. (Screenshot courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command)
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