I began working with the DoD in 2014, and have had a variety of government roles and positions since then.

Below is a piece I wrote during my time with the Recruitment Office at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, as their Recruitment Communications Program Manager.

The article was first posted to my LinkedIn on February 8, 2020, and the original piece can be found on here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ringing-black-history-month-alfred-street-baptist-churchs-l-reid/

Ringing in Black History Month at Alfred Street Baptist Church’s 18th Annual HBCU festival

Written by: Brittany L. Reid, Recruitment Communications Program Manager NGA Talent Acquisition Center February is Black History Month and while we spend the month recognizing the epic that is African American culture, we also mustn’t forget that the next chapter of the story is currently being authored by today’s generation. An abundance of programs throughout the country aim to provide today’s black youth the tools they will need to succeed in the future. For instance, Alfred Street Baptist Church recently hosted its 18th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Festival. The event was held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, MD and took place on January 25, 2020. While at this event, I was blown away by the massive number of students and parents that attended. Bowie State University’s “Symphony of Soul” drumline kicked off the engagement with a rhythmically stellar performance. The band ignited an energy of excitement that continued to buzz throughout the entirety of the event.  The festival provided high school students opportunities for on-site scholarships, internships, and admittance into HBCUs from across the country. It also offered workshops and seminars on how to successfully navigate one’s academic and professional careers. Advice ranged from providing tips on preparing resumes to educating students about what industries are currently looking for in potential candidates for today’s job market. There were about 70 HBCUs featured at the event and over 10,000 high school students in attendance.

In speaking with students and parents throughout the course of the day, I decided to see just how much trivia they knew about two African American STEM pioneers—Katherine Johnson and Benjamin Banneker.   While many knew that Johnson and Banneker were mathematicians and astronomers, few were aware that their legacies have greatly impacted the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). I relayed to attendees that NGA has a connection with both historic figures. The agency played a role in building the simulators that astronauts used in preparation for the Apollo Moon Landing—the mission in which Johnson’s calculations played a critical role.  In addition, because NGA relies so heavily on maps and geography, the organization holds Banneker’s work with producing almanacs in high regard, and even has a conference room named after him.  This information served to further pique attendees’ interest in an agency they had heard so little about before that day. Participants at the festival received the opportunity to learn more about NGA from the agency’s Deputy Director, Dr. Stacey D. Dixon. 

Caption: (Left to Right) Me with my colleagues Latoya Smalls, Dr. Stacey Dixon, and Jessica Branch, as we enjoy ourselves at the Alfred St. Baptist Church 18th Annual HBCU Festival. Sisters in STEM and Sisters in GEOINT! 

Dr. Dixon was a panelist during the seminar entitled, “Secure Your Future: Scholarships, Internships, and Careers.” She encouraged students to leverage what they were currently learning to further elevate themselves. “Use your leadership skills and engineering skills to learn new things and seek out opportunities to move around and grow,” said Dixon. She also highlighted how the Intelligence Community (IC) is proactively moving toward making its workforce look as diverse as the rest of the world. This goal can be achieved with the upcoming generation bringing their broad knowledge and perspectives to the table. The panel also discussed various degrees students should consider pursuing; steps on how to become a competitive candidate; technological skillsets that candidates should hone; and more The HBCU festival featured many different organizations, including several sororities and fraternities such as Alpha Kappa Alpha and Iota Phi Theta; corporations like Microsoft, Facebook, and McDonalds; varying branches of the military; and Federal and Intelligence IC agencies such as CIA, DIA, NSA, and FBI (to name a few). One attendee, Ms. Kathy Suber, was very enthusiastic about the event. When I asked her what she enjoyed most about the festival, she echoed Dr. Dixon’s sentiments. “It’s heartwarming to see so many people being engaged and to see the community supporting them,” Suber said. “I hope that we will continue to see significant improvement in providing opportunities so the IC profile will look more like a demonstration of the United States.

Caption: (Left to Right) Ms. Kathy Suber stands with fellow HBCU Festival attendee, Mr. Torland Wingfield Sr.

By the end of the day, featured HBCUs gave away over $5,400,000.00 in scholarships and waived fees.  A small event that initially started in the basement of a local church in 2003 has grown to such an enormous stature that it now serves as a prominent, influential factor in helping to propel the next generation forward. I even came away from the event with several prospective new mentees, and I am looking forward to passing on my guidance and wisdom to help them excel!  I’m thrilled that I got to be part of such an impactful engagement!

  To learn more about the work of NGA’s Special Emphasis Programs like the Black Advisory Council, and their initiatives for promoting opportunities for a diverse, agile, and quality workforce, visit www.intelligencecareers.gov/nga.