By Ian Saunders, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Markets, Western Hemisphere, International Trade Administration Black History Month provides us an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing struggle for racial justice, and I took this time to think about my own journey as a Black man. As a native of Washington D.C., a predominantly Black city, I never expected that I would someday work in a...

By Michele Lee, Intern, Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Affairs Every February, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as a part of Black History Month. Black Americans have been integral to the development and advancement of innovation in the United States, with more than 30% employed in management, business, science and arts occupations...

By James O. Wilson, Assistant Regional Director of the Midwest Regional U.S. Patent and Trademark Office I entered the Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in January of 1989. I was hired and inspired by one of the first African American female examiners in the examining corps, Mrs. Johnnie Brown. I have loved the ability to engage, support, and nurture...

The Department of Commerce recently appointed Ines Hernandez as the first-ever Counselor for Equity. In this newly created role, Hernandez will work across the Department’s 13 bureaus to institutionalize equity across all workstreams and advise senior leadership on policy design and implementation strategies that help advance the equity agenda within the Department’s programs and strategic...

By Michael Morgan, Ph.D. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Protecting lives, livelihoods, and property for all people in this country through the use of continually improving observations and predictions - that’s the essence of my job description and one I take to heart. Especially the part about...

From February 6-9, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves traveled to Puerto Rico to meet with members of academia, public policy, government, community-led organizations, and the private sector -- including leaders of the construction, manufacturing, banking segments -- to discuss the outcome of December’s Puerto Rico Economic Dialogue. While in San Juan, the Deputy Secretary joined Puerto...

By Iris Fan, Intern, Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Affairs Today marks the 120th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce was originally the U.S. Department of Commerce and Labor, originating on February 14, 1903. Two days after its creation, President Roosevelt nominated his personal Secretary, George B. Cortelyou, as the first...

By: LaTisha I. White, Risk Manager, Geography Division, U.S. Census Bureau To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required (Luke 12:48) Each year, Black History Month reminds me of the rich heritage, sacrifice and contributions of African Americans. My Black history began in Prince George’s County, Maryland. As a young girl, I was heavily influenced by my mother, who began her government career as a GS-2...