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News | Feb. 7, 2020

Black History Month spotlight: David P. Donald

By DLA Energy Public Affairs

Editor’s note: February is Black History Month and this year’s Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute theme is “Honoring the Past, Securing the Future.” Throughout the month, we will spotlight Defense Logistics Agency Energy employees who are honoring their history and making a difference through their accomplishments both in their workplace and community.

Describe your job: I am a contract specialist managing overseas fuel storage facility contracts for DLA Energy Bulk Petroleum Supply Chain Services. I have worked at DLA Energy for nine years.

What makes you proud about your job? As a U.S. Army veteran, it gives me great pride to know that I can still support the Warfighter. The young soldiers stationed around the world are reason enough for me to come to work to ensure they receive the fuel to keep our country safe. Also, I work with a group of wonderful people who bring incredible knowledge and talent to the table.

What was your most recent professional success story? I was honored to be selected to be a mentor for an employee in the DLA Pathways to Career Excellence program. I’ve introduced him to different DLA Energy leaders and helped with his aspirations to deploy overseas.

What would you consider your greatest accomplishment? Obtaining my graduate degree. It was something that I never believed that I could achieve, but through my faith and family support, I earned my Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

How do you make a difference? I am active in many community activities. I am the President of the Tabernacle Baptist Church Boyz2Men Mentoring Ministry for young men between the ages of 5 and 18. I am also the Chairman of the TBC Men’s Scholarship Program that awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors attending a 2-year college, technical or vocational school.  

I serve on the Community Transformers Foundation Board of Directors in which our mission is to advance health and social equity issues. The foundation promotes wellness and equality in historically underserved and underrepresented communities focusing on healthcare, food insecurity, financial stability, and education. 

How do you honor your past? I honor my past by ensuring that African American history is not lost. As part of the Boyz2Men Mentoring Ministry, I hold a variety of training and roundtable discussions where the young men research and give presentations on unsung heroes of our past and present. I want them to learn about the accomplishments and the struggles that have allowed them to enjoy their freedom and equality.

Do you have any family members that were pioneers in the civil rights movement? No one from my immediate family participated in the great March on Washington.  I had family members who were local activists in my hometown of Greenville S.C., participating in local marches and sit-ins.