Pacific West Area : African-American Program

Special Emphasis Program Manager –

African-American Program

CHANDRA HOLIFIELD COLLINS

    Soil Scientist

USDA-ARS-PWA

Southwest Watershed Research Center

2000 E. Allen Road

Tucson, AZ 85719

Phone: (520) 670-6380 x 159

Fax: (520) 670-5550

chandra.holifield@ars.usda.gov

Greetings! Welcome to the African-American Special Emphasis Program website. As a Special Emphasis Program Manager, I work to identify and eliminate barriers present in the recruitment and retention of African-Americans and individuals from other traditionally underrepresented groups. Please contact me if you have suggestions, questions, or would like help finding resources or opportunities for increasing diversity at your location

BLACK HISTORY MONTH – FEBRUARY

Dr. Carter G. Woodson the “Father of Black History” was a distinguished author, editor, publisher, and historian who believed “those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” His many books and magazine articles focused on the role of Black Americans and their positive contributions to the development of America. His overall message being Blacks should be proud of their heritage and other Americans should also understand it. To this end, he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) in 1915. In 1926, he established Negro History Week, the first celebration of which was held on February 12, 1926. For many years the second week of February was set aside for this celebration in order to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976 the week was expanded into Black History Month. In 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99-244 which designated February 1986 as "National Black (Afro-American) History Month.” This law noted that February 1, 1986 would “mark the beginning of the sixtieth annual public and private salute to Black History.” The law further called upon the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United Statesto observe February 1986 as Black History Month with the appropriate ceremonies and activities. Since then, U. S.presidents have continued to proclaim February as National African-American History Month every year.