This week in Black history

Army General Colin Powell became the military's highest-ranking Black on this day when he received Senate confirmation as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the United States. A month earlier Powell, a 35-year career, four-star general, was nominated by then-president George Bush for the post. At 52, Powell became the youngest to serve in this position. The Joint Chiefs is the highest military advisory panel to the president. He served four years in the position. A native of Harlem, NY, Powell graduated from the City College of New York and its ROTC program in 1958 with a degree in geology and an Army commission as a second lieutenant. Following a tour of duty in Vietnam, Powell received an MBA from George Washington University in 1971. On January 20, 2001, the Senate confirmed Powell as Secretary of State under the George W. Bush administration.

September 21, 1989--

Edward Perkins was named director-general of the United States Foreign Service on the day. He was the first Black named to the position, which was one of the State Department's most prestigious diplomatic assignments. He served from 1989 to 1992, and is credited with bringing more minorities into the foreign service. Perkins was also the first Black to be named American ambassador to South Africa. From 1993 to 1996 Perkins served as the first Black U.S. ambassador to Australia. A native of Sterlington, LA, Perkins earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Maryland and his MPA and Ph.D. at the University of Southern California. He presently is the executive director for the International Programs Center at the University of Oklahoma.