Greetings from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

Dear BIG members and supporters,

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proud to support and co-sponsor the 43rd Annual Blacks In Government National Training Institute (NTI) in Cleveland, Ohio. This year’s theme, “BIG 2022: Training in a Transformed Workplace –Providing Innovative Professional Development,” represents our current workplace environment and the agency’s continued partnership with BIG.

As EPA Administrator, I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done and continue to do to fulfill a central priority of the Biden-Harris Administration: advancing equity and racial justice. Our mission at EPA cannot be achieved until we correct the injustices of past policies and place communities that have disproportionally borne the burden of these injustices at the top of our agenda.

EPA is committed to being one of the nation’s largest employers to model diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and build an inclusive workforce. As part of our commitment, EPA implemented an Interagency Working Group in accordance with Executive Order 14045: White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans. This DEIA group identifies resources and opportunities available across the Federal Government to increase educational and economic opportunities for diverse communities under the Administration’s broader equity agenda, which includes removing systemic barriers. I’d like to send a special thanks to EPA’s BIG Chapters across the agency as well as the Black Employment Program Managers who continue to promote the African American Initiatives agenda which addresses African Americans participation, recruitment, and retention at EPA. We look forward to hosting our annual EPA Leadership Development Forum at the NTI. The forum will explore opportunities for personal growth, networking, and career development. Now more than ever, EPA's success depends on its ability to recruit, develop, and sustain a highly skilled and results oriented workforce. Participation in BIG’s National Training Institute (NTI), will help broaden employees' abilities to drive organizational results, enhance leadership skills, serve communities, build teams, and partnerships.

Thank you, Blacks In Government, for letting us be part of this training event. Our mission is to transform communities and advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, and civil rights of African American communities. Through our collaboration, we can implement programs in our communities that help reach and impact millions.

Thank you, Michael S. Regan U.S. EPA Administrator