Bank Board celebrates Black History Month

Federal Home Loan Bank Board Journal, March, 1984

Bank Board Celebrates Balck History Month

The Federal Home Loan Bank Board last month celebrated Black History Month. On Friday, February 17, the Bank Board and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation co-sponsored a program in commemoration of this event. Present were Chairman Edwin J. Gray; Board Member Donald I. Hovde; Board Member Mary A. Grigsby; Shannon Fairbanks, Executive Staff Director; and Adean King, director of the Minority Affairs Office.

In his remarks, Chairman Gray said that "progress has come hard, but today we are united in purpose. We don't have to look far to see Black heroes who helped make America great.' After being introduced by Chairman Gray for the first time to Bank Board employees, Board Member Grigsby stated that "we all have a pride in our history and we are making history together.' After making brief remarks on Black History Month, Board Member Hovde introduced Rick Walker as the guest speaker.

A native of Cherry Point, North Carolina, Rick Walker graduated from UCLA with a degree in television and communications. He played with the Cincinnati Bengals for a few years before joining the Washington Redskins in 1980. He has established his own businesses, has made many appearances in television commercials, and is a sports reporter for WRC-TV (Channel 4) in Washington, DC. Mr. Walker's speech focused on the significance of Black History Month, the need for people to persevere during tough times, and the importance of always striving to be the best one can be in one's endeavors. After his speech, there was a lively question-and-answer period.

Yvette Cason, a native of the District of Columbia who was 1981 Miss Black America and is a jazz vocalist, sang several selections. In her opening remarks, she said that Black Americans have a rich musical heritage.

In closing the program, Ms. King thanked Chairman Gray, Board Members Hovde and Grigsby, Mrs. Fairbanks, Julie Gould, and Marge Palmquist for their support and assistance in making the celebration a success.

Also during the observance of Black History Month, an exhibit was on display in the east lobby of the Bank Board. This display centered on "Mary McLeod Bethune and Roosevelt's (FDR's) Black Cabinet.' In setting up the Black Cabinet, FDR stated, "There shall be no forgotten men and no forgotten races.' Ms. Bethune was widely known as an adviser to FDR in race relations and she was director of the Negro Affairs Division of the National Youth Administration. At the time of her appointment to FDR's Black Cabinet, she was president of Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Photo: With Chairman Gray, Adean King, and Board Member Grigsby in the background, Shannon Fairbanks opens the Black History Month Program.

Photo: Board Member Hovde speaks during Black History Month program, while Chairman Gray, Adean King, and Board Member Grigsby listen.

Photo: Rick Walker, a Redskins tight end, answers questions posed by the audience, while Adean King listens.