ICYMI: The U.S. Department of Defense reports that “prominent African-Americans from all walks of life have served as a bridge between the past and today, as well as a bridge to the future, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said.”  

“The Air Force served the host of the 10th annual Stars and Stripes recognition dinner [on Feb. 6], an event that recognizes top-performing African-American military and civilian leaders in the armed forces.”  

“The dinner is held concurrently with the Black Engineer of the Year Award, or BEYA, STEM conference, now in its 29th year. STEM is shorthand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”