BIG HHS Washington DC/College Park Complex Chapter Core Values

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• Esteemed honesty and integrity among members

• Dedication and commitment to make a difference

• Motivation and self-empowerment for each member

• Passion and devotion toward developing growth and empowerment

• Loyalty from BIG towards the black community and loyalty from the black community towards BIG

• Teamwork to build a cohesive, family oriented community atmosphere

• Reliability and support systems for providing opportunity and growth amongst Black HHS employees and the black community

• Efficiency for the continued growth of BIG

• Unifying our values, goals, and skills to provide selfless service and respect to Black HHS employees and the black community

Blacks In Government (BIG) was established in 1975 and incorporated in 1976 by a small group of African Americans at the Public Health Services which is a part of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (now Department of Health and Human Services). The organization was viewed as essential to the Black Civil Service employees struggling to overcome a wide assortment of racially-related problems at HEW’s Rockville, Maryland, facility. Initially, it was thought that the umbrella organization would address only the problems at the Federal level, and BIG was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the District of Columbia jurisdiction. It became readily apparent, however, that state, county, and municipal Black employees were facing with the same type of employment problems that led to BIG’s founding. Thus, the organization quickly national response to the need for African Americans in public service to organize around issues of mutual concern and use their collective strength to confront workplace and community issues. BIG’s goals are to promote EQUITY in all aspects of American life, EXCELLENCE in public service, and OPPORTUNITY for all Americans.

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