RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
A quiz game, a breakfast featuring a panel of pioneer Black aviators, a ball featuring a silent auction and a gospel music festival are four February "Black History Month" events at Randolph touching on a national theme for 2010 -- "A History of Black Economic Empowerment."
"We want as many of the events as possible to educate people about the economic advances African-Americans have made," said Maj. Bill Collins,
African American History Month committee chair and Air Force Personnel Center chief, developmental engineer officer assignments.
The month-long celebration of African-American achievement will start with a 7:30 a.m. 5K Run/Walk on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at Eberle Park. Sign-ups will begin at 7 a.m.
"It's an opportunity to kick off a month of educational opportunities in a physical, healthy way that keeps you 'fit to fight,'" the major noted.
Later that week, the African-American History Month committee is sponsoring a "Knowledge Bowl" for middle and high school students at Randolph High School.
Major Collins said the quiz-show style event Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. will test students on Black economic achievements and empowerment by questioning their knowledge on packets of information they were given to study. The committee is seeking three judges for the event.
"What's good about this is that the adults in the audience will probably learn as much as the students," Major Collins said.
The major added those wanting to be educated about African-American achievements would do well to attend the Tuskegee Airman Breakfast Feb. 8 at 8 a.m. at the 99th Flying Training Squadron in Hangar 12. There, after the meal, there will be an open forum where questions will be asked of the nine pioneer Black World War II Tuskegee aviators who will be in attendance.
The last two events for Team Randolph's celebration of Black History Month are the first annual Military Legacy Ball, an evening of dinner, music and education, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Marriott River Center; and Gospel Fest, featuring local gospel choirs, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m. at Chapel 1.
All proceeds from the Military Legacy Ball, where there will be a silent auction held, will benefit the George Gervin Youth Center. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased through Tech. Sgts. Letosha Shepherd at 652-6658 or Miranda Drummond at 652-2672.