Middle District of Pennsylvania Celebrates Black History Month

Harrisburg –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania joins with the Eastern District of Virginia and other United States Attorney’s Offices across the country to honor the contributions and history of the African American community during this year’s Black History Month.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, for over the last fifty years, the Department of Justice has established Special Emphasis Programs that try to develop a diverse and talented workforce in the Department and United States Attorney’s Offices nationwide.  Today, these programs 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. 

This month we celebrate African Americans contributions in history.  The annual tradition of Black History Month in February is commemorated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, which establishes a national theme for each year.  The theme for 2021 is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.”  The theme acknowledges the rich tapestry of the African American family. 

We echo the sentiment of Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia who stated, “we are deeply committed in EDVA to ensuring that all participants in the legal process—including victims, parties, and members of the Bench and Bar—are treated with respect and dignity as we seek equal justice under the law.  As part of that commitment, we are dedicated to furthering our collective efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in all forms through our hiring, advancement, and community outreach practices.”  His sentiments ring true.  “This February we renew our own commitment in Middle District of Pennsylvania of seeking to promote the goals of diversity and inclusion in both our criminal and civil practices,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brandler.  “We will work with the Department of Justice and the all United States Attorneys Offices across the United States to fulfill this mission.”  

More information about the Department of Justice’s Special Emphasis Programs and commitment to a diverse workforce can be found at https://www.justice.gov/jmd/affirmative-employment-special-emphasis-programs.