Since its founding in 1992, EB’s Black Engineering Council (BEC)* has been working to foster a diverse environment that promotes the advancement of Black professionals at Electric Boat at all levels. The BEC’s work has been focused on the recruitment and retention of Black employees and by collaborating with community organizations in our region.
As part of this work, each year the BEC encourages excellence by awarding scholarships to accomplished, self-identified Black/African American New London County seniors, based on their academic achievement, extracurricular activities and an essay submission. These scholarships provide needed financial support to students as they pursue their education goals at the college or university of their choice. An annual award banquet is held to recognize these students and celebrate their achievements. Due to COVID-19, the BEC decided to host a virtual Scholarship Award Banquet instead of cancelling or postponing the event.
An audience consisting of BEC’s officers, members, 2020 scholarship recipients and EB leadership gathered via Zoom webcast on Friday, July 31 for the 25th Annual BEC Scholarship Award Banquet. The program kicked-off with remarks from BEC President Wilmer Lambert, followed by a welcoming and congratulatory message from EB President Kevin Graney.
“To our BEC scholarship recipients—congratulations on a job well done,” said Graney. “Each of you is here tonight because, along with your stellar academics and activities, you wrote a compelling essay on the theme “Each One Teach One.” I can’t emphasize enough the kind of impact you’ll have on the world if you regularly practice this. During the last few years at EB, we’ve seen a tremendous demographic shift in our population, with many shipbuilders retiring. Just about half of our population is now folks with less than five years of service. Our success hinges on our seasoned employees sharing the many lessons they’ve learned with our next generation of shipbuilders. You’re already doing this, which tells me our future is in great hands.”
This year a record nine New London County high school seniors were awarded scholarships at the banquet. Each recipient had the opportunity to share a few words and express their goals moving forward.  Francesca Ledoux shared, “Because of your generosity, my dreams of pursuing my education at the next level at Eastern Connecticut State University have now been realized.”  Brown University, Albertus Magnus College, Three Rivers Community College, Providence College,  and University of Connecticut represent a few of the institutions that these scholars will attend in the fall.
2020 BEC Scholarship Recipients:
Alex Dufort, Norwich Free Academy: $3,000
Francesca Ledoux, New London High School: $2,000
Desiree Johnson, Science and Technology Magnet High School of SECT: $1,000
Ashley Seldon, Montville High School: $500
Dimitri Joseph, New London High School: $500
Monn Pierre, Norwich Free Academy: $500
Raphael Ledoux, Science and Technology Magnet High School of SECT: $500
Sephora Lamarre, New London High School: $500
Natasia Chandler, New London High School: $500
Following the presentation of awards, audience members heard from Keynote Speaker General Lester Lyles, retired General of the U.S. Air Force and retired member of the General Dynamics Board of Directors. General Lyles offered invaluable insight into his personal career growth, experiences and achievements along the way. He stressed to scholarship recipients the importance of finding mentors along their journey in higher education and life and not limiting themselves to mentors that look just like them.
BEC President Wilmer Lambert closed the event, noting that “the ability of the BEC and EB to come together for the community and provide nine scholarships to deserving high school seniors is very inspiring. It shows that no matter what life throws at us, when we work together for a cause greater than ourselves, our resiliency comes through on top. I am very proud of the EB community, especially our BEC members for working hard under difficult circumstances and a quick turn-around to put together another successful scholarship award banquet event: our first virtual banquet.”
*The Black Engineering Council of Electric Boat is an employee-run professional organization established in 1992 by EB employees with the support of Human Resources. The organization is dedicated to fostering a diverse environment within Electric Boat for African Americans / Blacks to succeed professionally through recruitment, retention and career development while positively impacting the community.  The Council is open to all salaried and hourly Electric Boat personnel regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.
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