Subject IndexWednesday, May 6, 2009

You are in:

 Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Electronic Information and Publications Office > Photo Gallery > Photos by Regions and Topics > Black History Month > Black History Month 2009
Darlene Young

Office of Civil Rights
Washington, DC
February 2009

 


Date: 02/10/2009 Description: Black History Month, 2009: Darlene Young State Dept Photo

Darlene H. Young is an Information System Security Officer/Information Specialist in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Her expertise in the computer field has given her the opportunity to travel worldwide to places such as Belarus, Egypt, Italy, Thailand, Greece and Burkina Faso. Her responsibilities range from designing and building to configuring and installing various hardware and software products for our Federal Government affiliates. She has been employed with the State Department for more than 29 years. Over the years she has been the recipient of numerous Franklin Awards.

Ms. Young attended the University of the District of Columbia and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information and Systems Science in 1984.

One of her greatest accomplishments was to become the Blacks in Government (BIG) National President from 2005-2008. During her tenure as president Ms. Young established a partnership with the USDA Graduate School by having Individual Development Plan sessions at the 2006 National Training Conference and the creation of the Young Leadership Academy (YLA) which will cultivate leaders for BIG and enhance members’ professional development. Over 100 graduates completed the YLA program - producing leaders for the public (federal and state) and private sector workforce - including the State Department. This is important as the federal government, as a result of retirements, is experiencing a mass exodus of employees. She was also instrumental in forging relationships and getting support from multiple government agencies that promote BIG.

Ms. Young is a current member of the Carl T. Rowan Chapter of BIG.

February is Black History Month.  Carter G. Woodson, also known as the "Father of Black History," initiated in 1926 the celebration of Negro History Week, which corresponded with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

In 1976, this celebration was expanded to include the entire month of February, and today Black History Month garners support throughout the country as people of all ethnic and social backgrounds discuss the black experience.

Learn more about the African-American firsts at the State Department.

View the entire 2009 Black History Month gallery.

The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.