Pa. Guard celebrates Black History Month with Army’s highest-ranking Muslim

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig | U.S. Army Col. Chaplain Khallid Shabazz, U.S. Central Command chaplain and the highest-ranking Muslim in the U.S. military, spoke through video conference to approximately 100 Pennsylvania National Guard members as part of Black History Month Feb. 13 at Fort Indiantown Gap. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig)  

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, UNITED STATES

02.14.2023

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig 

Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – The Pennsylvania National Guard held its first annual official Black History Month event, organized by the Black Advancement Special Emphasis group, part of the State Joint Diversity Council which focuses on improving diversity and inclusion, here Feb. 13 that featured the Army's highest-ranking Muslim.

U.S. Army Col. Chaplain Khallid Shabazz, the U.S. Central Command chaplain, spoke through video conference to approximately 100 Pennsylvania National Guard members and Department of Defense civilian employees.

“Our leadership is a sermon we must be careful how we preach it,” said Shabazz, introducing the theme of his motivational talk.

Shabazz movingly recounted how he struggled to overcome childhood traumas, repeatedly failing in school and struggling with discipline in the early years of his career in the Army, until a sergeant major told him that he believed in him.

Since that time, Shabazz has earned four master’s degrees, two doctorates, written three books, and uses his knowledge and experience to mentor and motivate others.

Speaking from his experience, Shabazz advised leaders and future leaders to not pretend they do not see differences in race gender, religion; but acknowledge them and motivate Soldiers to work as one team while respecting our differences.

Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh, the Pennsylvania National Guard's deputy adjutant general – Army, anticipated Shabazz's theme in her introductory remarks.

“There is no American history, there is no Pennsylvania history, indeed there is no Pennsylvania National Guard history, without black history,” said McHugh. “Despite prejudice, African Americans have been serving with honor in the Pennsylvania National Guard since before the United States even declared our independence and have served in all of America’s wars since long before they could serve on an equal basis with white Americans.”

Shabazz said that creating a more diverse and inclusive military is an ongoing process and that leaders should embrace innovative ways to achieve equity. He also offered advice to younger, junior Soldiers who submitted questions.

“When you walk into a room, believe the people there are for you and not against you,” he said.

Shabazz’s experience shows the impact leaders that value people with diverse backgrounds and experiences and practices inclusiveness can have on one individual’s life and on the force as a whole.

“I personally challenge each member of the Pennsylvania National Guard to be ambassadors of diversity, to not only put forth examples of equality and inclusion, but to champion them when they occur,” said McHugh, who is also the co-chair of the State Joint Diversity Council. “Let us take the focus and momentum of Black History Month and put it into action going forward.”

• Date Taken: 02.14.2023
• Date Posted: 02.14.2023 16:05
• Story ID: 438462
• Location: FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, US