Take an inside look into the MCLB’s Black History Month Program
ALBANY, GA. -- The MCLB’s Black History Month Program featured Sharon Smoot, the Executive Director for Logistics, Maintenance and Industrial Operations of Naval Sea Systems Command.
She says it’s important to not only learn and know black history, but to pass it on to younger generations. “What I look at is, are we doing the best that we can for our children, and our schools, and the education systems? Do they really understand the sacrifices that were made by our ancestors? Do they really understand when we say that we stand on the shoulders of giants?” says Smoot.
The main message shared at the event was ‘dare to dream’, ‘be a leader’, and ‘go for your goals’, but don’t forget the history that has allowed you to do so. “Our generation won't get it unless we tell them how far we've come, and how far we have yet to go” says Smoot.
More than 100 marines and civilians attended the event and marines we spoke with say they enjoyed the event.
The Marine Corps Logistics Base is making modern day black history of its own. Out of the entire Marine Corps there are 26 black colonels and three of them work at the MCLB.
Base Commander Colonel Terry Williams is one of those 26 black colonels and says he’s always aware of that status. “Being a colonel in the Marine Corps right now and a black colonel puts you in a small number. We know that any black marine is looking at that rank to see if he or she can get that far” says Williams.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWFXL