BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT Region XI

Virtual Youth (Oratorical/STEM) (June 2023) The Youth Oratorical/STEM Competition provided students the chance in a public environment the opportunity to develop speaking and presentation skills demonstrating their knowledge and creativity orally and in science. Certificates of participation and Region XI awards were presented for first, second, and third place winners. Students from the 9th to 12th grades participated in the competition. The Oratorical/STEM programs were designed by the BIG National Organization to enhance the communication and technology skills of school students. The Oratorical Theme: Are Voting Rights Essential for the 21st Century America? Why or Why Not? The STEM Theme: The Water Crisis In America, How Do We Repair It? These Oratorical/STEM themes were for 2023.

Legislative Committee: BIG Region XI Attended the Congressional Black Caucus - Annual Legislative Conference. Heard from various speakers such as Congressman Glen Ivy, Congresswoman Sewel, Senator Cory Booker, and Congresswoman Lucy McBath on topics such as SCOTUS Ruling on Race Considerations Post SCOTUS ruling, Gun Violence Reform, AI and Black America: Harnessing the Promise and Mitigating the Harms, and the topic on Gun Sense Takes the Nation: How Black Leaders Are Working To End Violence. BIG Region XI also, attended candidate debate for Maryland U.S. Senate candidates running for office in 2023.

Community Service Outreach: Provided donations and distributed items to area food banks and shelters such as The Arc of Southern Maryland. BIG Region XI made a monetary donation to this charity. Also, BIG Region XI purchased 132 pairs of socks and donated them to the FORT Washington Rehabilitation Center, other organizations that BIG Region XI made donations to were S.O.M.E (Some Others May Eat), Capital Area Food Bank, the Safe Sisters Center.

BIG Region XI Members Appreciation and Recognition Service to honor those members who have contributed to the activities of advocacy, professional development, personal development, and community outreach regarding the organization.

BIG Region XI Membership recruitment and retention of dissolved chapters and member at large.