National Organization History

The National Organization of Blacks In Government Inc.® (BIG) was established in 1975 and incorporated in 1976 by a group of African Americans at the Public Health Services which was a part of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in the Parklawn building in Rockville, Maryland. The organization was viewed as essential to the Black civil service employee, based on a wide assortment of racially motivated problems faced by the HEW Black employees in Rockville. Initially, it was thought that the umbrella organization would address only the problems at the Federal level. However, it was soon determined that State, County, and Municipal Black employees were faced with the same general type of employment problems.Thus, Blacks In Government was organized in 1975 and incorporated as a non-profit organization under the District of Columbia jurisdiction in 1976. BIG has been a national response to the need for African Americans in public service to organize around issues of mutual concern and use their collective strength to confront workplace and community issues. BIG's goals are to promote EQUITY in all aspects of American life, EXCELLENCE in public service, and OPPORTUNITY for all Americans.

Chapter History

The Greater Orange County Chapter was conceived by Tonya Davis in early 2007. By April 2007, she had contacted several government employees and started an interest group. The interest group met, elected officers and established its by-laws. An application for a chapter charter was submitted to the Regional Directors for presentation to the Board of Directors. On August 12, 2007 at the National Delegates Assembly in Nashville, Teneessee the chapter was presented with its charter. As of October 2007 the Chapter had 19 Life Members (7 Gold Plus) and 14 Regular Members.