Thread by @iphoneque

#BlackHistoryMonth is an opportunity to understand Black histories, going beyond stories of racism and slavery to spotlight Black success and high achievement. However, the focus on the past sometimes causes us to overlook the history that Black people make right now today.

There are times that Black History walks among us and we fail to recognize its greatness. My grandmomma used to say, “Flowers are for the living.” That is to say, can’t no dead people smell no flowers! Why do we wait for people to die before we honor them?

Let’s honor them now! While they can appreciate it! And they can know that we appreciate them! And sometimes, Black History is as simple as representation.

Be a Black doctor in a white lab coat. Be a Black airline pilot pulling a pub bag through the airport. Be…well…a Black NFL Head Coach!🙂 The point is that someone simply seeing you do what you do is enough to give that person the notion, “Wow! It’s possible!’

With that said, it is with great pride that I bring you today’s Black History Bonus…

On January 28th, 2022, Anna Morris (@1908Explorer) became the first Black female member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) in Air Force Contracting in the 75 years since the communities inception in 1947.

The Senior Executive Service is a position classification in the civil service of the United States federal government equivalent to general officer or flag officer rank in the U.S. Armed Forces.

It was created in 1979 when the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 went into effect under President Jimmy Carter.

SES was designed to be a corps of executives selected for their leadership qualifications, serving in key positions just below the top presidential appointees as a link between them and the rest of the federal civil service workforce.

Ms. Morris will now serve as Director, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Contracting Directorate.

Lt. Gen. Shaun Q. Morris (no relation), Commander, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Contracting, promoted Morris to the senior executive service during a ceremony at the Minuteman Commons on Jan. 28, 2022.

“This is a big deal. It is a massive accomplishment to be selected to become part of the senior executive service,” Lt. Gen. Morris said. “Anna has done all the things we expect leaders to do.

She has a breadth and depth of experience, and I can’t imagine someone better suited to come here and take over as our new contracting director.”

Anna Morris has over 30 years of defense contracting experience, both as an active duty officer and Department of the Air Force civilian employee. During the ceremony, she recognized her brother Michael, a retired Army combat veteran, as an inspiration throughout her career.

Anna Morris said his service has given her lessons in honor, determination, and excellence, values that will guide her decision-making in her new role.

“To my new community, you should take pride that Hanscom contracting gives America its best effort every single day,” she said. “I’m honored to be given the opportunity to lead the innovators, Airmen, and mission-focused business leaders in our contracting community.”

Previously, Anna Morris served as deputy director of Contracting for the Air Force Sustainment Center, the commander of the Defense Contract Management Agency Pacific in Singapore, and the contract administration services lead for the F-16 maintenance hub in Taichung, Taiwan.

She has also deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Joint Contracting Command.

She has made it her mission to share her knowledge and experience with others through mentoring, which Lt. Gen. Morris said is a testament to her leadership. “Helping others to be successful is her worldview in terms of how she thinks about leadership,” he said.

“And that’s exactly the kind of leader we need in the Air Force, and exactly the kind of leader we need in AFLCMC.”

Anna Morris will lead the Contracting Directorate by providing guidance and contracting oversight for Hanscom’s $4 billion annual budget.

Y’all know TWO things about me: 1) I wore the uniform a long time and 2) I keep it 💯. The @usairforce is absolutely leading the charge on #Diversity, #Equity, and #Inclusion (#DEI) within the @DeptofDefense.

A lot of services talk ‘bout it, but the #AirForce is ‘bein’ ‘bout it. It is NOT a coincidence that Ms. Morris is a retired Air Force Colonel.

Black folks, y’all know how critical we can be. A lot of times; we’ll say, “See! They get in these positions and then they don’t do enough! That’s why we can’t get nowhere!” No, Ma’am! Not this time!

@GenCQBrownJr, the first African American Chief of Staff of the Air Force (#CSAF) (…more #BlackHistory) has implemented - by my standards - quite a comprehensive #DEI program across the @usairforce. He has more than done his part by making the opportunities available...