The Maneuver Support and Sustainment Test Directorate of the Operational Test Command gave more than 50 Soldiers a chance to observe African-American History Month Feb. 23 through the words of motivational speaker Michael Williams.

Williams, a former chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, was the guest speaker for the event hosted by MS2TD. He discussed the importance of African-American history and the origins of African-American History Month.

“We celebrate today the progress won by our ancestors and recognize the achievements of African-Americans who were essential in shaping the story of America,” Williams said.

The origins of the event was new information to some audience members.

“In 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse Moorland founded the ASNLH (Association for the Study of Negro Life and History) … just a half century after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the U.S.,” Williams said. “The group sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926 and they chose the second week of February to coincide with Abraham Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays.”

“I really learned the specific details of how this month started and the people responsible for it,” Sgt. 1st Class Darius Dunem, a human resources noncommissioned officer-in-charge with OTC, said.

Williams, as chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, was the first African-American in Texas history to hold an executive statewide elected post. His presentation brought African-American history to life for many of the Soldiers attending.

“Hearing him (Williams) speak today made me proud of my African-American heritage,” Dunem said. “Learning the history we (African Americans) have in Texas gives me a sense of pride and accomplishments because I didn’t know the impact we had before. Today was a great way to observe the accomplishments so many great people had in history.”