USDA Celebrates Black History Month.

USDA’s Black History Month Opening Ceremony was held on February 1, 2007 in the USDA’s Jefferson Auditorium in Washington, DC. The theme for the event was “From Slavery to Freedom: The Story of Africans in the Americas.”

Dr. Kelsi Bracmort - Agricultural Engineer, Natural Resources and Conservation Service, serves as moderator for USDA’s Black History Month Opening Ceremony.

Margo M. McKay, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, provides welcoming remarks at the USDA’s Black History Month Opening Ceremony.

Members of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church Praise Team lead the audience in the singing of the Negro National Anthem.

Dr. Gerald Foster, Scholar in Residence, United States National Slavery Museum of Fredericksburg, Virginia presents keynote address.

Dr. Gladys Vaughn, Director of ASCR’s Office of Outreach provided closing remarks for the 2007 Black History Month Opening Ceremony.

Assistant Secretary Margo M. McKay gave a token of appreciation to Dr. Gerald Foster, Scholar in Residence, United States National Slavery Museum, for his participation in the program. Also shown are Dr. Vonita Foster, Executive Director of the U.S. National Slavery Museum, and Dr. Vaughn of ASCR’s Office of Outreach.

Program participants (from left to right): Dr. Gladys Vaughn, Dr. Kelsi Bracmort, Dr. Vonita Foster, Assistant Secretary Margo McKay, Dr. Gerald Foster, and Jack E. Nelson (Departmental African American Program Manager and the event coordinator).