The United States government is encouraging young talented African Americans from all backgrounds to pursue careers in the Foreign Service and work at the State Department and USAID as a way of bridging the gap created between the ‘whites and blacks’ many years ago. Delivering a speech on the Black History Month celebrations in February, U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton said “tell them about the opportunities that we have. Our diplomats-in-residence programs at historically black colleges and universities are doing just that – encouraging talented young people to pursue careers in the Foreign Service”. She indicated further that since recruiting talent is only half of the battle, “we’re also providing mentoring opportunities to make sure that the young people who join the State Department have the support that they deserve”. “And as we work to strengthen existing friendships, we have to demonstrate, by word and deed, our commitment to the full diversity of America, because that is one of our strongest strengths. The diversity of our workforce represents our values and traditions as well as any policy or proclamation ever could. And it enriches the pool of ideas that help shape our agenda here at home and overseas”, Mrs. Clinton pointed out. February of every year has been set aside by the US government “to honour the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens over the most devastating obstacles – slavery, prejudice, poverty as well as their contributions to the nation’s cultural and political life”. The theme for this year’s celebrations; “The History of Black Economic Empowerment”, is said to recognize the lives of successful black men and women like Madam C.J Walker, founder of a beauty empire in the early 20th century and the first African-American woman to make $1 million, Dr. Martin Luther King among others. The month-long celebration, according to American history, is the brainchild of Carter G. Woodson, a noted scholar and historian. He instituted the Negro History Week in 1926 and chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of former President Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. Black History Month was however extended to a month in 1976 where the then President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history”. “Woodson, the son of former slaves in Virginia, realized that the struggles and achievements of Americans of African descent were being ignored or misrepresented”. For this reason, he founded the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH). The Secretary of State noted that having Barack Obama as president did not mean the journey is over because there is much to learn together. “As we call for inclusive governments that reflect the will of their people, we must ensure that our own government at the federal, state, and local level reflects the views and backgrounds of the American people. And as we urge foreign leaders to invest in their people’s future, we must invest in our own people by increasing access to healthcare and education, creating opportunities for our citizens to work with dignity to provide for their families and pursue their dreams. "This work has to continue day in and day out all year long, because we are still building on the accomplishments of the past, still striving to fulfill the vision of Dr. King and Dr. Bunche. And we believe that the State Department has a critical role to play in breaking down the barriers to equality and achievement,” SHE emphasized. Credit: Nathaniel Y. Yankson/Visit Nayank here.