AAERG celebrates Black History Month
2015-02-17
In observance of Black History Month, the African-American Employee Resource Group (AAERG) is highlighting the important contributions of African-Americans in art, literature, science, sports and pop culture throughout February.
The entire JSC community is invited to join the AAERG on Feb. 18 for a New Orleans-themed Mardi Gras celebration in the Building 3 Collaboration Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Building 3 café will be serving a creole-inspired menu, and the AAERG will have king cake for those who join the festivities.
New Orleans native and self-taught artist Ted Ellis will be exhibiting some of his artwork as well. Ellis has been driven by his passion for art since his childhood. The essence of New Orleans plays as a backdrop in many of his pieces as he captures images from his youth.
“I paint subjects that are representative of the many facets of American life—particularly particularly, African-American culture and history as I know it,” Ellis said. “I like to think of myself as a creative historian. My sole purpose has always been to educate through my art.”
The AAERG will close Black History Month celebrations with a program on Feb. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Building 30 Auditorium. Kwatsi Alibaruho, Director of Enterprise Program Management at UTC Aerospace, will serve as keynote speaker at this event. For the third year in a row, the AAERG partnered with a local Links chapter for science, technology, engineering and math outreach to a local Houston school, Gregg Elementary. This year, the Gregg Elementary Science Fair winners will be honored at the JSC Black History Month closing program.
All AAERG Black History Month activities:
Employee Engagement and Development:
Feb 10: Keeping It Real 3, with Ellen Ochoa and Kirk Shireman
Feb. 12: JSC Development Programs Overview, presented by Janelle Holt of the Human Resources Office
Special Observances:
Feb. 18: Celebrate African-American art, music and cuisine! Join the AAERG for a lunchtime celebration featuring creole cuisine and king cake
African American artist Ted Ellis will have a selection of his fine art on display, and there will be a presentation from Docent Chaney Ellis.
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Venue: Building 3 collaboration area
Feb. 25: African-American History Month Closing Program
Keynote speaker: Kwatsi Alibaruho, Director of Enterprise Program Management, UTC Aerospace, and a special presentation to the Gregg Elementary Science Fair winners.
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Venue: Building 30 Auditorium
Community Outreach:
Jan. 13 to Feb. 20: Gregg Elementary School science fair outreach
Thanks to all those who volunteered and supported Gregg Elementary students as they worked on science projects! The science fair judging took place on Feb. 20 (judges provided by the Society of Women Engineers).
Feb. 17 to 20: Pilots & Professionals in Schools
The AAERG has partnered with several organizations, including the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals and 100 Black Men of Houston, for Pilots & Professionals in Schools. If you’re interested in sparking the interest of young students in the various careers found in the Aerospace Industry, then this opportunity is for you.
Dates/times: Feb. 17 to 20. School visits are all in the 9 to 11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. blocks. All events are in V-CORPs. Because these events are only a few days away, we encourage interested volunteers to sign up as soon as possible.
The entire JSC community is invited to join the AAERG on Feb. 18 for a New Orleans-themed Mardi Gras celebration in the Building 3 Collaboration Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Building 3 café will be serving a creole-inspired menu, and the AAERG will have king cake for those who join the festivities.
New Orleans native and self-taught artist Ted Ellis will be exhibiting some of his artwork as well. Ellis has been driven by his passion for art since his childhood. The essence of New Orleans plays as a backdrop in many of his pieces as he captures images from his youth.
“I paint subjects that are representative of the many facets of American life—particularly particularly, African-American culture and history as I know it,” Ellis said. “I like to think of myself as a creative historian. My sole purpose has always been to educate through my art.”
The AAERG will close Black History Month celebrations with a program on Feb. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Building 30 Auditorium. Kwatsi Alibaruho, Director of Enterprise Program Management at UTC Aerospace, will serve as keynote speaker at this event. For the third year in a row, the AAERG partnered with a local Links chapter for science, technology, engineering and math outreach to a local Houston school, Gregg Elementary. This year, the Gregg Elementary Science Fair winners will be honored at the JSC Black History Month closing program.
All AAERG Black History Month activities:
Employee Engagement and Development:
Feb 10: Keeping It Real 3, with Ellen Ochoa and Kirk Shireman
Feb. 12: JSC Development Programs Overview, presented by Janelle Holt of the Human Resources Office
Special Observances:
Feb. 18: Celebrate African-American art, music and cuisine! Join the AAERG for a lunchtime celebration featuring creole cuisine and king cake
African American artist Ted Ellis will have a selection of his fine art on display, and there will be a presentation from Docent Chaney Ellis.
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Venue: Building 3 collaboration area
Feb. 25: African-American History Month Closing Program
Keynote speaker: Kwatsi Alibaruho, Director of Enterprise Program Management, UTC Aerospace, and a special presentation to the Gregg Elementary Science Fair winners.
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Venue: Building 30 Auditorium
Community Outreach:
Jan. 13 to Feb. 20: Gregg Elementary School science fair outreach
Thanks to all those who volunteered and supported Gregg Elementary students as they worked on science projects! The science fair judging took place on Feb. 20 (judges provided by the Society of Women Engineers).
Feb. 17 to 20: Pilots & Professionals in Schools
The AAERG has partnered with several organizations, including the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals and 100 Black Men of Houston, for Pilots & Professionals in Schools. If you’re interested in sparking the interest of young students in the various careers found in the Aerospace Industry, then this opportunity is for you.
Dates/times: Feb. 17 to 20. School visits are all in the 9 to 11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. blocks. All events are in V-CORPs. Because these events are only a few days away, we encourage interested volunteers to sign up as soon as possible.
A famous Ted Ellis artwork piece of President Obama.
