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: Aderonke Adewuyi
Heritage (Nationality or Ethnicity): Nigerian
Favorite Black Historical Figure: Madame C.J. Walker
Years at EB: 1
Department: 432
Title/Position at EB: Comm Engineer II
Title/Position in BEC: Director of Community Service
Who is Aderonke Adewuyi?
My name is Aderonke Adewuyi. I was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States when I was eight years old. I have always enjoyed playing sports; it has always been a form of therapy for me. I enjoy tennis, softball, basketball and soccer. I also enjoy painting, because it is a way I can relax and really zone into my inner self. I grew up in Maryland and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. During my undergraduate years I became a part of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Through the NSBE I was able to complete community service and mentor younger minority students in the community. I was also able to network with other professionals all over the world. After graduating college, I worked as a clinical engineer in a hospital. After a few months I wanted to pursue other types of engineering, so I started working at Electric Boat in November 2019.
Why do you like working at Electric Boat?
Electric Boat provides their employees with opportunities for professional growth. There are opportunities to move around and work on different projects within the company. There are always new job opportunities for employees that are interested. Electric Boat also provides a sense of community, bringing each employee together in order to deliver the advantage to our sailors.
Why does the BEC matter to you?
The BEC is important to me because it gives me a sense of community. The BEC allows me to connect with other minorities within Electric Boat. It allows networking with experienced employees while connecting me with new employees.
The BEC also has volunteering opportunities within the community, provides scholarship opportunities to the community and mentoring opportunities to the local middle schools. These are just a few things the BEC offers alongside supporting its members mentally and emotionally.
When I found out about the BEC, I immediately knew that it was something I wanted to be a part of. The BEC is an organization that reminds me of the NSBE where they provide community service and mentor the minorities 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.
