Our Why

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This initiative seeks to honor and preserve the legacies of BIPOC military servicemen and women, whose contributions have shaped the course of American democracy.   

Dr. King often said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” He felt that justice was the birthright of every human being in the Beloved Community. “I have fought too long hard against segregated public accommodations to end up segregating my moral concerns,” he said, “Justice is indivisible.”   

Sources:  

- Dr. King's Letter from Birmingham, Alabama jail, April 16, 1963 http://www.thekingcenter.org/archive/document/letter-birmingham-city-jail-0 - U.S. National Park Service https://www.nps.gov/mlkm/learn/quotations.htm#:~:text=Quotations%20%2D%20Martin%20Luther%20King%2C%20Jr.  

In keeping with Dr. King’s teachings, Congressman John Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020) wrote an essay which appeared in the New York Times shortly before his own death, intending for it to be published on the day of his funeral (July 30, 2020). His words, “We are all complicit when we tolerate injustice. It is not enough to say it will get better by and by.  Each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up, and speak out.  When you see something that is not right, you must say something, you must do something. Democracy is not a state, it’s an act, and each generation must do its part to build what we call, The Beloved Community. A nation and world society at peace with itself.  Ordinary people with extraordinary vision, can redeem the soul of America, by getting in what I call, good trouble, necessary trouble.”   

Source: 

- Morgan Freeman reads John Lewis’ Essay on "The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell" (MSNBC, July 30,2020 / 05:57) https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/morgan-freeman-reads-rep-john-lewis-last-words-89332293780   

These words, a final call to action from Congressman John Lewis, was the catalyst inspiring us to manifest the Fostering A Beloved Community initiative. This is a commitment to foster equity, remembrance, and restorative justice. 

Despite serving their country with distinction, many BIPOC veterans were denied equal treatment and recognition. Historic units such as the Tuskegee Airmen and The Port Chicago 50 exemplify both the valor and the systemic injustice these individuals endured. Their sacrifices are foundational to the freedoms we enjoy today—yet their stories are often minimized or forgotten.

Quantifiable Examples

Port Chicago 50 (WWII)

• Incident: A massive explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in California killed 320 sailors, most of whom were Black.
• Aftermath: When 258 Black sailors refused to return to the unsafe, segregated conditions, they were charged with mutiny, and 50 were found guilty—the largest such trial in U.S. Navy history. 
• Legacy: In 1994, only one of the 50 men (Freddie Meeks) was granted a presidential pardon.  Due to 80 years of collective, restorative justice efforts,  the Navy eventually officially exonerated all 258 men impacted by the mutiny trial and subsequent aftermath. (July 17, 2024)

Tuskegee Airmen (WWII)

• Service: Over 1,000 African American pilots trained at the Tuskegee Institute between 1941–1946.
• Combat Record: They flew more than 15,000 sorties and earned 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, yet were subjected to segregated facilities, lower pay, and limited advancement opportunities. 
• Discrimination: Despite an exemplary record, none were initially allowed to command white units, and they faced skepticism from military leadership purely due to race.

The Borinqueneers (WWI, WWII, Korean Conflict)

• Formed in 1899 as the Battalion of Porto Rican Volunteers following the U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico. It was later incorporated into the Regular Army and participated in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
• The regiment earned numerous awards for valor during the Korean War:

               - 1 Medal of Honor (awarded to Master Sergeant Juan E. Negrón)

               - 10 Distinguished Service Crosses
              - 256 Silver Stars
              - 606 Bronze Stars

               - 2,771 Purple Hearts

• Segregation: The Borinqueneers were a segregated unit during their service. 
• 1952 Court-Martial Incident: In late 1952, 123 Puerto Rican soldiers faced court-martial for refusing orders to attack, stemming from miscommunication and declining morale. The soldiers were sentenced to various prison terms.
• Exoneration: Following public outcry and advocacy, the U.S. Army granted clemency or pardons to these soldiers, with many returning to military service.
• Despite facing systemic injustice and segregation, the Borinqueneers exemplified valor and dedication. Their legacy continues to inspire and is commemorated through memorials, such as the Borinqueneers Memorial Tree and Plaque at Arlington National Cemetery.
• In recognition of their service and valor during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, the Congressional Gold Medal was formally presented to the unit at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 13, 2016. 

Navajo Code Talkers (WWII)

• Contribution: Over 400 Navajo Marines developed and used an unbreakable code based on the Navajo language, which played a decisive role in U.S. victories in the Pacific theater. 
• Recognition Delay: Their role was classified until 1968, and they did not receive Congressional Gold Medals until 2001, decades after the war.

Japanese American Soldiers - 442nd Regimental Combat Team (WWII)

• Service: Composed almost entirely of second-generation Japanese Americans (Nisei), the 442nd became the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in U.S. military history.
• Contradiction: While they fought bravely in Europe, over 110,000 Japanese Americans (including their families) were incarcerated in internment camps under Executive Order 9066.
• Decorations: The unit earned over 18,000 individual awards, including 21 Medals of Honor—most awarded decades later.

GI Bill Disparities (Post WWII)

• Access Denied: While the GI Bill helped lift millions of white veterans into the middle class, Black veterans were disproportionately excluded:
• In Mississippi, only 2 out of 3,229 VA home loans went to Black veterans in 1947.
• Educational benefits were often inaccessible due to segregated schools refusing to admit them.

Sources:

• History.com
• National WWII Museum 
• U.S. Air Force Historical Support Division
• The Guardian
• Time Magazine
• National Museum of the American Indian
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum
• National Museum of the United States Army
• Arlington National Cemetery

These examples collectively illustrate the paradox of patriotic service in the face of institutionalized racism and exclusion. The contributions of BIPOC veterans were monumental—but recognition, benefits, and justice have lagged far behind, hence our initiative and hope for compassion and equitable change. 

* Support nonprofit organizations advancing restorative and social justice for historically underserved veteran communities.   

* Strategic Co-Branding efforts to help raise funds for educational outreach and historical preservation.   

* Elevate public awareness through storytelling, events, and digital media.   

* Foster cross-generational engagement around service, justice, and equality.

We will assess success through partner impact reports, community engagement metrics, educational reach, and increased public knowledge of key historical figures and events tied to people of color's military service.