Black History Month Employee Spotlight

The Special Emphasis Program aims to enhance education and awareness among all employees through various avenues, with the employee spotlight being one of them. During each observance month, we make it a point to highlight a Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services employee. This initiative allows us to gain insights and perspectives from individuals who represent the featured ethnic group. As an organization committed to supporting diversity and inclusion, we strive to promote engagement by honoring and appreciating the unique perspectives of our employees related to the current observance. This February, in honor of Black History Month, we celebrate the remarkable contributions, triumphs, and achievements of African Americans/Blacks. This year’s theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” underscores the rich tapestry of African American art, which reflects the diverse experiences of African, Caribbean, and Black American cultures.

Name: Niyoka Williamson

Profession: Environmental Protection Specialist

Location: Eglin AFB, FL

• Can you tell us about yourself? I enjoy shopping, traveling, and researching family online.
• Describe your job in a sentence or two. I started out as a contractor for two years, then moved on to become a materials examiner and identifier for six years, and now I am currently serving as a contracting officer representative, environmental protection specialist.
• How long have you worked for the federal government including military service? 14 years.

• How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services? I have worked for DLA Disposition Services for 14 years. 
• What is your favorite thing about your line of work? Supporting the warfighter and processing manifests.
• What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? The best piece of advice I received from my mom was that I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me.

• What do you think about when you hear Black History Month? I think about the contributions, milestones, and sacrifices that were made as well as the triumphs and adversities that are an indelible part of our country’s history.
• The theme for the BHM Observance is “African Americans and the Arts.” In your words, briefly explain what this means to you? I like African American and the Arts theme because it educates me on how African, Caribbean, and the Black American history is preserved for community memories as well as empowerment. The infused art expresses a strong message about black culture such as lived experiences, film, music, literature, fashion, language, folklore, architecture, culinary and so much more cultural expressions.
• Tell us something unique about your heritage or country of origin. A unique part about my heritage is that multiracial Americans are at a cutting edge of social and demographic change in the U.S.
• What is one thing you’d like others to know about your heritage. One thing I would like someone to know about my heritage is that African Americans have played a central role in shaping U.S. history. The population of the U.S. in 1870 was 4.8 million. In 2020, the census reported a new rising of over 40 million Black Americans.
• Why is it important to you that we celebrate Black History Month? The importance of celebrating Black History Month is to focus the attention on the contributions of African Americans in the United States.

• What challenges do Black’s/African Americans face today and how can understanding history help us overcome them? Systemic racism is a challenge that Black/African Americans face today and the more we educate ourselves and our children about racism, hopefully we are less likely to repeat history.
• Who’s your biggest influence? My biggest influence is Michelle Obama.
• Name your favorite/recent book(s) you have read. My favorite and most recent book that I have read is “Becoming” by Michelle Obama. 
• Tell us something that most people might not know about you or your directorate? I am a board member of a historical museum called Carver Hill Memorial Historical Society which was an all-black school in 1954 before schools were integrated. I help with coordinating events for the society as well as assisting youth with college fundraisers.
• What was your first job? My first job was a property disposal technician.
• What is your best memory of working here? My best memory of working here was being apart of the tiger team to assist other DLA sites with reducing backlog property.

• What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was younger, I wanted to become a flight attendant.
• Who is your hero? My hero is my mom, she makes many sacrifices for me, and I love her with all of my heart.
• If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? If I could choose to do anything for a day, it would be to visit Dubai.
• What is your favorite quote? My favorite quote is: “Nothing beats a fail but a try.”
• What are your hobbies? My favorite hobbies consist of traveling, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.