Celebrating Black History Month the Altus AFB way

By Airman Jackson N Haddon / Published January 31, 2017

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Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Wallace C. Moore, Buffalo Soldiers 9th and 10th Horse Calvary Association historian, speaks at the Food for the Soul luncheon and exhibit, Feb. 10, 2017, at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The luncheon featured traditional soul food and a presentation on the history of the Buffalo Soldiers as part of Altus AFB’s celebration of Black History Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nathan Clark/Released)

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Airmen serve lunch to attendees of the Food for the Soul luncheon and exhibit, Feb. 10, 2017, at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The luncheon featured traditional soul food and a presentation on the history of the Buffalo Soldiers as part of Altus AFB’s celebration of Black History Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nathan Clark/Released)

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Altus Air Force Base began celebrations for Black History Month with a Fitness Challenge; Feb. 3; 2017; at Altus Air Force Base; Oklahoma. The fitness challenge kicks off Black History Month celebrations and will be followed by the Food for the Soul luncheon; Feb. 10 and the Open Mic Night; Feb. 25. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jackson N. Haddon/ Released)

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U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Alondra Santos; 97th Medical Operations Squadron commanders support staff; watches Stacey Staunton; 97th MDOS secretary of office automation; do pushups for the Black History Month Fitness Challenge; Feb. 3; 2017; at Altus Air Force Base; Oklahoma. The fitness challenge kicks off Black History Month celebrations and will be followed; the Open Mic Night; Feb. 25. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jackson N. Haddon/ Released)

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U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Quanika Bynum, 97th Wing Staff Agency, sings during an Open Mic Night event celebrating Black History Month, Feb. 25, 2017, at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Open Mic Night was the final event for Black History Month, recognizing the various struggles, accomplishments and heritage of the African American community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Dowell/released)

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U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Monise Butler, 97th Medical Operations Squadron public health journeyman, reads a poem about equality during an Open Mic Night event celebrating Black History Month, Feb. 25, 2017, at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Open Mic Night was the final event for Black History Month, recognizing the various struggles, accomplishments and heritage of the African American community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Dowell/released)

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Jordan Miller, musician, raps during an Open Mic Night event celebrating Black History Month, Feb. 25, 2017, at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Open Mic Night was the final event for Black History Month, recognizing the various struggles, accomplishments and heritage of the African American community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Dowell/released)

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Jim Conway, music artist, preforms a free-style rap during an Open Mic Night event celebrating Black History Month, Feb. 25, 2017, at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Open Mic Night was the final event for Black History Month, recognizing the various struggles, accomplishments and heritage of the African American community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Dowell/released)

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- In 1976 President Gerald R. Ford dedicated February as Black History Month to recognize the various struggles, moments and the heritage of African Americans.

“Black History Month is relevant to Altus AFB because it’s a part of American history and as the Air Force we are a big family who’s really diverse,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alison Ablog, 97th Medical Group health care administrator. “This month is special to me because black history is a part of American history. I like to know about our history.”

The base is hosting several events to help promote diversity, raise awareness and celebrate Black History Month.

The first is a pledge based fitness challenge scheduled for Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Feb. 10 a free “Food for the Soul” luncheon with a Buffalo Soldier Presentation is scheduled for 11 a.m., at the Freedom Community Center. The month is scheduled to finish with an open mic night at Charlies, Feb. 25.

Teamwork and cooperation is a priority for the Air Force and recognizing the history and heritage of the people serving helps to accomplish that goal.

“The Air Force recognizes this month because we are a total force not just a force of one ethnic group,” said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Monise Butler, 97th Medical Operations Squadron public health journeyman. “Whenever you go to staff meetings or commanders calls, it’s not just a group of black people or white people or Asian people. It is a group of multi-national, multi-cultural people from all over the world.”

The Air Force promotes healthy teamwork by educating its members about the different cultures and ethnic heritages of its members.

“It’s a celebration of African American heritage, but it’s also a teaching opportunity,” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Ivor Tiwari, 97th Air Mobility Wing director of equal opportunity. “I think the most important part of this month is the education aspect of it. To be able to use diversity and inclusion in the unit you have to know each person’s beliefs, perspective and views. The more people we have participating the more everyone’s going to learn about it.”

Using history and heritage to promote diversity and inclusion makes Altus AFB proud to help celebrate Black History Month. For more information, contact Tech Sgt. Monise Butler at (580) 481-5488.