Office of Resolution Management, Diversity & Inclusion (ORMDI)
Black/African American
Black/African American Program
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proudly leads the effort to build a diverse workforce and cultivate an inclusive work environment. We do this by developing and implementing policies and programs that promote diversity and inclusion in our workplace as we strive to ensure that VA’s workforce is drawn from the broadest segments of society so that it is poised to meet the present and future needs of our Nation's Veterans, their families and beneficiaries.
VA’s Black/African American Program was strengthened through Executive Order 11478, Equal Employment Opportunity in the Federal Government, which established the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. It is the policy of the Federal government to provide equal opportunity in employment to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or age. Management Directive 715 provides policy guidance and standards for establishing and maintaining effective affirmative programs of equal employment opportunity under Section 717 of Title VII (Part A) and effective affirmative action programs under Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act (Part B).
The purpose of VA’s Black/African American Program is to help identify and eliminate actual recruitment and employment inequities (if any exist), which may adversely affect African American employees and applicants, and to identify areas with less than expected participation of African Americans in VA’s workforce. See 29 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 1614.102(b)(4) for additional information.
Within this framework, some of the specific program objectives include:
- Identify and address any barriers to the hiring, development and advancement of African Americans.
- Assist to develop and implement special program initiatives that will enhance the employment and advancement of African Americans.
- Identify ways to ensure equal consideration of African American employees for promotions, training, and awards.
- Monitor separations and disciplinary actions for African American employees.
- Serve as liaison between recruiters and internal/external organizations which can assist in recruitment efforts and activities.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with community, professional and national organizations, college and universities.
Executive Orders
- Executive Order 11478 – Equal Employment Opportunity in the Federal Government
- Executive Order 13256--President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Executive Order 13511 – Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
- Executive Order 13562 – Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates
- Executive Order 13583 – Establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce
- Executive Order 13779 – The White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Executive Order 13985 – Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
- Executive Order 14035 – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce
- Executive Order 14041 - White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Affinity Organizations
MOUs and Partnership Agreements
VA maintains Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the following affinity organizations:
External Affinity Conferences Approved for VA-wide Participation
(VA External Affinity Conferences Memo [PDF])
For more information on external affinity conferences approved for VA-wide participation, please visit the following:
- African American Federal Executive Association (AAFEA) Annual Leadership Development
- Blacks in Government Inc. (BIG) Annual National Training Institute
- National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week Conference
Observances (VA SEP Observances Memo [PDF])
ORMDI provides a SEP Observances Toolkit as guidance to field facilities on implementing activities for special observances, including the following:
- Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday (January 15)
- Black History Month (February)
- Juneteenth (June)
Plans and Reports
- Annual Agency Plan on Executive Agency Actions to Assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Employment
ORMDI does not offer or conduct employment services. Please visit the following:
- VA Careers
- Veteran Employment Program (VEP)
- National Diversity Internship Program (NDIP)
- Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
- Pathways at VA
- Department of Labor, Career One Stop
Internal Resources
- Center for Minority Veterans
- National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics
- VA Benefits and Programs for Minority Veterans
External Government Resources
- African American History Month
- African Americans in the U.S. Air Force [PDF]
- African Americans in the U.S. Army
- African Americans in the U.S. Coast Guard
- African Americans in the U.S. Marine Corps
- African Americans in the U.S. Marine Corps [PDF]
- African Americans in the U.S. Navy
- Blacks in the Military
- Census, African American Data Links
- Department of Health and Human Services, Minority Health, Black/African American Profile
- National Archives, African American History
- National Archives, Black History
- National Archives, Veterans Service Records
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Veterans History Project, Black or African American
Other External Resources
Program Contact
Ms. Tynnetta Lee, VA’s Departmental Black/African American Special Emphasis Program Manager, ORMDI.
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