AFROGRAMAfrican American Advisory Group

Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 6 June, 2012

NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Ca. 94035

AAAG FY11-FY13 Officers

Chair – Rose KingVice Chair- Denise Snow

Secretary – Gilena MonroeTreasurer – Paula Harris

Communication OfficerRay Gilstrap

Sergeant-at- ArmsGreg Bennett

Newsletter

Rose King - EditorWeb Site Ray Gilstrap

Contact:

AAAG Website aaag@ratogi.org

Meeting: Last Tuesday of the month bldg N241/237

Former AAAG Chair Retires from Ames

Former AAAG Chair James Busby, celebrated his journey into retirement on May 8, 2012 at Tee Minus One, Moffett Field Golf Course. Many of his friends , colleagues and members of the AAAG attended. He received numerous gifts and awards as well as lots of kind words. He was serenaded by his wife, Frances Busby to the tune of Whitney Houston’s “I’ll Always Love You.”

AAAG Supports the National Coalition of 100 Black Women

Members of the AAAG attended the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Jazz Brunch on May 6 2012. NCBW advocates on behalf of women of color through national and local actions and strategic alliances that promote its national and international agendas on leadership development and on gender equity in health, education and economic development.

www.ncbwsiliconvalley.org/

First row left to right: Brittany Williams, Sherry Patterson, Denise Snow, Paula Harris

Second row: Rose King, Melody Miles, Sheila Johnson, Karen Bradford, Carla Broadway-Snow and Deborah Feng

 On October 17, 2008, it was announced in a centerwide message from Ames Center Director, Pete Worden that Lewis S.G. Braxton III had been confirmed as Ames Deputy Center Director, to be effective October 12, 2008 making Mr. Braxton the first African American to hold the position of Deputy Center Director at Ames.

It was also noted by both the Center Director and then Chair of the Ames African American Advisory Group (AAAG) James Busby, the many accomplishments of Mr. Braxton.

Mr. Busby said in a purposed message, “Mr. Braxton has been a pioneer for the African American community at Ames, he was a contributor to the Ames Research Center African American Advisory Group’s original Strategic Plan that was developed in May 1991, he has served as Ames' Chief Financial Officer and the Director for Center Operations, and was the first African American to hold those positions.”

To commemorate this historical event in Ames’s history, it was proposed by Mr. Busby and various members of the AAAG that on June 12, 2009 the Ames African American Advisory Group in conjunction with Juneteenth would host the first annual Lew Braxton Golf Tournament to celebrate Mr. Braxton’s elevation to Ames Deputy Center Director. Since Mr. Braxton is an avid golfer, the proposal was a fitting tribute.

The tournament is now in its fourth year. It has since evolved into a fourfold celebration. The event celebrates, Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, Father’s Day weekend, and Mr. Braxton’s birthday. Thus, the Braxton Golf Tournament/Juneteenth Celebration was born.

The ongoing success of the tournament is due to the hard work and support from the players, the AAAG members, volunteers from the various advisory groups, the Ames family and the many contributors to the event. Without them, the Braxton Golf Tournament would not have grown to what it has become today. On behalf of the AAAG, we thank you for your continuing support. 

Rose King, AAAG Chair

AAAG Celebrates the 4th Annual Braxton Open/Juneteenth

June 15, 2012

History of the Tournament

AAAG Outreach 2012

No 2 Speaks to Green Scholars

Chief of Staff Wows Students and Ames Family

Dr. Melissa Kirven-Brooks, Ames’ resident Scientist gives Green Scholars “Food for Thought.”

On Monday June 18th at the Space Encounter Center, Ames’ Deputy Director Lewis Braxton, III spoke to the Green Scholars, giving them a glimpse in the world of NASA. He told of the challenges that NASA faced. When asked how he became No 2 he replied, “I am competitive. I found out all I could about NASA and I showed my boss how I helped others. To become a leader you must learn three things, how to manage resources, manage people and manage things.”

AAAG Supports ODEO “Bring your Family to Work Day”

AAAG members volunteer to speak at schools and support various academic programs. These outreach activities serve as avenues to raise the awareness of NASA career opportunities with the ultimate goal of increasing NASA’s pipeline of talented minority youth.

“Space Days” Westlake Middle School Super Saturday Career Day at Laney College

AAAG Member and Chief of Staff Karen Bradford, gave a very inspirational speech on Tuesday June 19th as a part of the Ames Director’s Colloquium on how we fit on the “Meatball” Now I know I am a part of the “swish”.

A Look Ahead

Final Notes: If you would like to be on one of the committees, please contact any officer. Please come to our weekly meeting Tuesday, June 26, 2012 bldg TBD

AAAG Appreciation Day

NACC, Bldg 3

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

11:30 – 1:00pm

Please Come out and help us celebrate who we are and those who have supportedAAAG throughout the year.