In honor of Black History Month (BHM), we will be introducing you to Black Engagement Council (BEC) Executive Board members throughout the month of February. More information about Black History Month and the 2021 BEC BHM Celebration is included at the end of this Member Profile.
Name: Fatima Issa
Heritage (Nationality or Ethnicity): Ghanaian-American
Favorite Black Historical Figure: W. E. B. Du Bois
Years at EB: 1
Department: 429
Title/Position at EB: Systems Engineer
Title/Position in BEC: Secretary
Who is Fatima Issa?
I am a Biomedical undergraduate and a Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participant recipient from the University of Rhode Island.  I interned at Electric Boat for two consecutive years and then accepted an offer to work as a full-time Systems Engineer. I am Ghanaian-American from Worcester, Massachusetts. I’m part of the National Black Society of Engineers (NSBE) professional chapter, enjoy soccer and I’m a food enthusiast.
Why do you like working at Electric Boat?
I like working at Electric Boat because everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the same mission. I feel a sense of accomplishment when we deliver exceptional work due to our commitment to excellence, consistency, innovation, transparency, and success.
Why does the BEC matter to you?
The BEC matters to me because it allows me to network with incoming and experienced members while learning about new cultures. It’s a platform that serves as a safe space for work related issues. The BEC actively and positively impacts the community through volunteering, providing scholarships, mentorship and much more to ensure that we continually give back by investing in the community.
Black History Month is an annual celebration, originating in the United States, where a specific time is set aside to recognize and acknowledge the many accomplishments and contributions African Americans have made to the scientific, educational and social justice fabric of our country. Globally, it is a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora.
Black History Month began in 1926 as a week-long event encouraging the coordinated teaching of the history of Black Americans in the nation’s public schools. A specific week in February was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and of Frederick Douglass on February 14; both of which are dates Black communities had celebrated together since the late 19th century. After initial lukewarm response, the celebration grew to a month-long celebration in February–44 years later. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio in 1970.
The Black Engagement Council (BEC) is celebrating BHM with a series of events and information posted to Homeport. Check the Homeport Calendar and EB Community News to learn more about Black History and upcoming events. For more information, contact EB_BEC@gdeb.com.
