In support of Black History Month and this year’s theme “Black Health and Wellness”, Team AgLearn is providing the below information to encourage engagement in available events, courses, and resources.

The information below is a portion of content quoted from Secretary Tom Vilsack’s address to all USDA employees on February 01, 2022.

"In honor of Black History Month, we join the President and all Americans in recognizing the innumerable contributions, beautiful legacy, and bright future of Black Americans. Throughout the month, USDA will highlight on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, black Americans, including women, veterans, and disabled Americans who are building upon the work of our Agricultural trailblazers with the help and support of USDA programs and services, as well as create learning and dialogue opportunities across our organization. Our celebration will not end on February 28, and we will continue to value and support the rich and substantive contributions of Black Americans in all our mission areas for many years to come."

President's Proclamation

On January 31, 2022, President Joe Biden proclaimed February 2022 as National Black History Month. 

• Read the entire Black History Month, 2022 Proclamation external site.

Events

The Evolution of the Black Corporate Experience

Date and Time: February 8, 2022, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (EST)
Platform: Skillsoft - Webinar
Description: The Evolution of the Black Corporate Experience is a webinar for employees, leaders, coaches, and HR professionals who are genuinely interested in attracting, developing, and retaining Black talent.
Registration Link: The Evolution of the Black Corporate Experience external site

Black History in DC

Date and Time: February 24, 2022, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EST)
Available to: USDA Wide (FSIS)
Description: Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Civil Rights Community are coordinating with Destination DC to host an observance for National Black History have partnered to feature historic and cultural facts sounding Black History in DC.  The program will feature various speakers from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Parks Service, and Ben’s Chili Bowl a local business. Entertainment will include the history of Go-Go music via a pre-recorded performance.
Link: Black History in DC external site
Need to join via phone only? 888-251-2949 or 215-861-0694, Access Code: 6457557#, Need an international number? Webex Support: 888-793-6118

Courses

Learning resources from LinkedIn Learning

• Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging external site
  Diversity inclusion and belonging (DIBs) is the foundation for equitable workplaces. Learn how to activate DIBs to build a more diverse innovative and productive organization.
  
  
• Leading Your Org on a Journey of Allyship
  When leaders comprehend what it means to be an ally, they can grow a more inclusive workplace with their employees. This course shows you how to do the work to become an ally.
  
  
• Driving Change and Anti-Racism
  Make real change happen by increasing equity and access in your organization. Learn how to drive change and anti-racism on a company-wide level.
  
  
• Discussing Racism with Dr. Christina Greer external site
  Dr. Christina Greer, renowned author, educator, and expert on American history, Black ethnics, and public policy, provides an engaging course intended to show that conversations about race and racism can be healthy, productive, and impactful.

Additional Resources

• Black History Month external site
  This Web portal is a collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
  
  
• African American History Month Resources external site
  The National Archives holds a wealth of material documenting the African American History.
  
  
• An Intimate Conversation with Martin Luther King | David Susskind Meets MLK external site
  Farm Production and Conservation will feature an interview of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which originally aired on June 9, 1963, and discusses the American Civil Rights Movement and a gamut of racial issues, which are still prevalent today. (YouTube Video) 
  
  
• NPS Celebrates Black History Month external site
  Every February during Black History Month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and their partners share stories, rich culture, and an invitation for all Americans to reflect on Black history in parks and communities across the country. 
  
  
• "Twenty & Odd" | Exploring 400 years of the African American Experience external site
  Twenty & Odd is a short National Park Service film, produced by six African American women as part of the 400 Years of African American History Commission Act signed by Congress in 2018. 
  
  
• National Parks Named in Honor of African Americans external site
  African American history is preserved and shared in many national parks with some being created as monuments to remember specific individuals in our nation's history.