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171st Air Refueling Wing Hosts African American Heritage Luncheon

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michaela J. Diallo
  • 171ARW/PA
This year on Feb. 27, 2015 the 171st Air Refueling Wing celebrated the 32nd Annual African American Heritage Luncheon where unit members, local high school students, distinguished guest and entertainers gather together to celebrate black history month and the accomplishments of African Americans in the military. This year, Dr. Marcia M. Studivant, President and CEO of the Negro Education Emergency Drive (NEED) was the key note speaker. NEED is the oldest community-based, non-profit, minority, higher education assistance program in Pennsylvania. NEED's vision is to unlock the power of education by helping youth meet their highest potential and enhance their quality of life, thereby strengthening the Pittsburgh regional economy.  Local talent also impressed the audience as Stacia Abbott , Quinton Monteiro and Logan McCarthy provided live music for the luncheon.  The event also provided a platform for recruiting, as local high school students learned more about military life and the possibility of joining. In sum, the African American Heritage Luncheon is long standing tradition that unit members look forward which celebrates diversity in the military and strengthens the bond between the unit and the local community.