Black History Month
During Black History Month, we are sharing the experiences, challenges and triumphs of Black American Veterans by telling their stories. Check back each week during February for new content. This month, and every month, we honor Veterans for their courage, sacrifice and perseverance with thanks for our freedoms.
NVMM Reads: “Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman”
This month, we’re highlighting, “Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman,” as…
Inspiring Story of Service: Serbennia Davis
In honor of Black History Month, we connect you to the inspiring story of service…
The Role of African Americans in World War I
African Americans have served the U.S. military in every conflict our country has fought. While…
African American Heroism in World War II
African Americans have served the U.S. military in every conflict our country has fought. While…
The Red Tails: African American Pioneers
African Americans have served the U.S. military in every conflict our country has fought. While…
A Conversation with Black Vetrepreneurs [Rally Point]
On February 5, we welcomed U.S. Army Veterans James Howell of BK Smokehouse, Jeff Price…
Celebrating Black History with the Veterans Portrait Project
“Freedom and the recognition of individual rights are what our revolution was all about. They…
NVMM Reads: “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History”
In an effort to inspire young girls and women to reach for their dreams, author…
Inspiring Story of Service: General Colin L. Powell, U.S. Army (Retired)
This month’s Inspiring Story of Service honors the late General Colin L. Powell, U.S. Army…
Inspiring Story of Service: Jon Jackson
Jon Jackson, 2021 | © Beau Simmons An excerpt from “The Twenty-Year War” “My name…
Who was the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment?
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect granting African American…
World War II Pioneer: Lieutenant Colonel Harriet West Waddy, U.S. Army
Since the founding of the United States of America, women have served beside men both…
Saluting General Lloyd Austin III, U.S. Army (Retired)
As February comes to a close, we continue to celebrate the service, sacrifice and contributions…
The Tuskegee Airmen at Selfridge Field, Michigan | Images by Gordon Parks
In our ongoing celebration of Black History Month, we pay tribute to those men and…
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient: Corporal Freddie Stowers
During World War I, thousands of African Americans joined the fight to defend their country….
Siah Hulett Carter: USS Monitor Sailor
Siah Hulett Carter, given name Josiah Hulett, was born and grew up as a slave…
A Conversation with a Tuskegee Airman [Rally Point]
We welcomed Col. Harold Brown (Retired), one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen for our February…
Honoring Black History Month
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum honors the service, bravery, sacrifice and achievements of African…
Inspiring Story of Service: Montel Williams
You may recognize Montel Williams as an Emmy-Award winning talk show host for 17 years….
Inspiring Story of Service: Serbennia Davis
In honor of Black History Month, we connect you to the inspiring story of service from U.S. Army Veteran and photojournalist, Serbennia Davis. She shares her path to the Army and what Black History Month means to her.
A Conversation with a Tuskgee Airman
We welcomed Col. Harold Brown (Retired), one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, for our February Virtual Rally Point. Now in his 90s, Brown told his mother when he was in the sixth grade during segregation that he would become a military fighter pilot. Col. Brown will share his experience as a member of the Red Tailed Angels escorting bombers over Europe as well as being shot down and held as a POW in Germany. He and 25,000 other prisoners were rescued by forces led by Gen. George S. Patton on April 29, 1945.
A Conversation with Black Vetrepreneurs
We welcomed U.S. Army Veterans James Howell of BK Smokehouse, Jeff Price of PLAN Logistics Solutions and Sizzle of Crafted Culture Brewery, for a conversation about the impact of military service on their drive to build businesses. Join us for the journey of transition from military service to business owner.
Trailblazers in Leadership
We welcomed Lt. General (Retired) Nadja West, the 44th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. Learn how she led the way as the highest ranking woman to have graduated from the United States Military Academy, the first black female major general in Army Medicine, and the first Army black female lieutenant general.
The 30th Anniversary of Desert Storm
We welcomed Gen. Colin L. Powell, U.S. Army (Retired) to share his insights on the 30th anniversary of the U.S. and Coalition victory in Operation Desert Storm. The “Powell Doctrine,” formed during the Vietnam War, guided U.S. military intervention through Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq respectively.
Civil War Veterans
In honor of Black History Month, Museum Educator Taylor Shaw shares the story of U.S. Navy Veteran Siah Hulett Carter who served on the USS Monitor during the Civil War. You can also learn more in our 2021 blog post: Siah Hulett Carter: USS Monitor Sailor.
WWI and WWII Veterans
During World War I, thousands of African Americans joined the fight to defend their country. These heroes risked their lives for a country that refused to admit that they deserved the same equal opportunities and rights as their fellow white soldiers.
Museum Educator Samantha Brooks expands on Corporal Freddie Stowers’ inspiring story in our 2021 blog, World War I Medal of Honor Recipient: Corporal Freddie Stowers.
