Special Emphasis Programs | EEO Special Emphasis Program Objectives | Special Observance Programs | Employee Organizations
Special Emphasis Programs
The Department of Justice strives to ensure that its workforce is drawn from the broadest segments of society so that it is poised to meet the present and future needs of our Nation. The Department supports and encourages recruiting and retaining the best and the brightest citizens from every background and community in this country.
The Department has established Special Emphasis Programs that help to develop a diverse and talented workforce, which can include support for racial/ethnic minorities; women, persons and veterans with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender applicants and employees in various categories and occupations and in all organizational components throughout the Department. EEO Special Emphasis Programs include:
- Federal Women's Program
- Disability Employment Program
- Black Affairs Program
- Hispanic Employment Program
- Asian/Pacific American Program
- American Indian/Alaska Native Program
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Program
Special Emphasis Program Objectives
Analyze agency workforce data, identify potential employment barriers in the areas of recruitment, hiring, promotion, career development, reasonable accommodation and retention affecting the full representation of protected groups (i.e. minorities, women and persons with disabilities), and develop viable solutions to help eliminate identified barriers to employment.
Compile, develop, and disseminate information for managers, supervisors, and employees to increase knowledge and sensitivity in all facts or issues of accessibility and reasonable accommodation of persons and veterans with disabilities.
Develop and conduct EEO and diversity-related programs to provide awareness, sensitivity and understanding of the special issues affecting employment of diverse groups.
Special Observance Programs
The Department of Justice Equal Employment Opportunity Community promotes Government-wide and Department-wide Special Observance Programs to help raise awareness about the rich diversity of our Nation’s population. Through various Special Observance events, the Department acknowledges the invaluable contributions of all Americans to the United States and the Justice Department, and helps to foster diversity and inclusion in all aspects of agency operations.
| Date | Observance |
| January | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Holiday |
| February | National African American (Black) History Month |
| March | National Women’s History Month |
| April 23-29 | Administrative Professionals Week |
| April 24 | Holocaust Remembrance Day |
| May | Asian Pacific American Heritage Month |
| June | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Month |
| September 15 - October 15 | National Hispanic Heritage Month |
| October | National Disability Employment Awareness Month |
| November | American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month |
| November 12 | Veterans Day |
Employee Organizations at DOJ
ATF Hispanic Employees Organization (ATFHEA)
ATFHEA's mission is to encourage fellowship excellence and diversity within ATF, and to promote greater Hispanic representation throughout the Bureau through mentoring, guidance and career development.
Contact: Jennifer Frias, ATF, 862-329-9127
Attorney General’s Committee on the Employment of Persons with Disabilities
Assists in developing initiatives to increase the number of persons with disabilities at DOJ.
Contact Dave P. Adams, USTP, 215-597-2549
Blacks in Government, Edward Woods Jr., DOJ Chapter (EWJ DOJ BIG)
BIG PURPOSE: BIG is an advocate of equal opportunity and professional development for Black government employees at the Local, State and Federal government levels and others dedicated to justice for all. BIG VISION: BIG is a member-focused, world-class enterprise, recognized for excellence. BIG MISSION: BIG enables all present and future Black employees in Local, State, and Federal governments to have the ability to maximize their career opportunities and provide a mechanism for inclusion, growth, and advocacy. BIG GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Be Accountable, Commit to Excellence, Act with Integrity, Take Responsibility, Work As A Team, and Remain Loyal and Dedicated.
Contacts: Darlene Brooks, JMD, 202-616-3970 and Jermaine Cooper, JMD, 202-616-6360
BOP Pride (a chapter of DOJ Pride)
Identifies and addresses issues particularly affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (“LGBTI”), and Allied Employees of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. BOP Pride assists in educating policymakers in order to implement effective policies and best practices. BOP Pride serves as a source of information for all BOP staff regarding LGBTI individuals.
Contact: Ashley Davis, BOP, 256-315-4251
DOJ Association of Black Attorneys (DOJABA)
Identifies, addresses and assists in developing effective policies and practices to increase the number of Black Attorneys in the DOJ workforce and in leadership positions.
Contact Davené Walker, ENRD, 202-353-9213 and Benjamin Grimes, PRAO, 202-343-7490
DOJ Association of Hispanic Employees for Advancement and Development (DOJ-AHEAD)
Assists in meeting and pursuing diversity goals by working with the Attorney General and all Offices, Bureaus, and Divisions to recruit and increase Hispanics participation within DOJ.
Contact: : Jenniffer A. Frias, ATF, 862-329-9127
DOJ Gender Equality Network (DOJ GEN)
Supports the Department in developing and implementing policies and practices to enhance equality of opportunity regardless of gender. DOJ GEN advocates around issues such as: equal opportunities in hiring, recruitment and advancement; sexual harassment and gender discrimination, and flexible work schedules (including parental leave policies).
Contacts: Stacey Young, CRT, 202-305-4154; Melanie Krebs-Pilotti, ATR, 202-307-0662.
DOJ Middle Eastern Alliance (DOJ-MEA)
Helps to expand workplace diversity and serves as a resource for senior leaders interested in enhancing the Department’s relationship with Middle Eastern Americans. DOJ-MEA also seeks to support the development and retention of its members while educating others about the history and traditions of our cultures. Reaching beyond the Department, DOJ-MEA seeks to engage with its communities through advocacy and pro bono opportunities.
Contact: Hana Barkett, DOJ Office of Public Affairs
DOJ Native American Association (JUNAA)
Identifies, addresses and assists in developing effective policies and practices to increase the number of American Indians in the DOJ workforce.
Contact Gina Allery, ENRD, 202-305-0261
DOJ Pan Asia Employees Association Identifies, addresses and assists in developing effective policies and practices to increase the number of Asian American and Pacific Islander employees in the DOJ workforce and in leadership positions.
Contact: Tat S. Shum, ATF, 925-557-2900
DOJ Pride
Seeks to make the Department a model employer for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.
Contact: Adam C. Stickler, OIG, 202-616-4739