- Named after Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett, an educator, abolitionist, and civil rights activist
- U.S. first African-American diplomat as Minister Resident and Consul General in Haiti from 1869 to 1877
Criteria
The Bassett Award recognizes career members of the Senior Executive Service and non-career senior federal officials for distinguished service to our nation in-accordance with the following criteria.
1. Career Member of the SES who:
- Has a distinguished career of service to our nation.
- Advocates for diversity in the SES.
- Promotes the professional development and advancement of African-Americans into and within the senior ranks of the U.S. Government.
- Serves as a role model for others through their consistent and exemplary behavior that models the performance expected of a member of the SES.
- Serves as a mentor to African-Americans seeking to enter the SES.
- Enhances opportunities for African-Americans to serve our nation in senior level positions.
2. Non-Career Member of the SES (e.g., a political appointee) whose notable leadership accomplishments have significantly advanced the objectives of AAFEA, which is to promote the development and advancement of African-Americans into and within the senior ranks of the United States Government. Recipients must have demonstrated their accomplishments, by example, direct action, development of significant policy initiatives, or other substantial efforts, which may include:- Achieving Results - Highly effective in achieving positive results/change in the numbers of African-Americans within the senior ranks of the United States Government as a direct result of the individual’s contributions and efforts.
- Leading People - Cooperative collaboration and teamwork across the organizational, directorate, agency, government and/or industry level to accomplish results of a substantial nature.
- Influencing Change - Innovative approaches used in the conception, design, or execution of projects, programs, initiatives, and activities (work represents a high degree of creativity or fundamental departure from usual practice) that advance the mission of the Executive’s agency or other organization.
- Role Model - Through their consistent and exemplary behavior, models the performance expected of a member of the SES, which due to their position, significantly advances the public’s positive perception of an SES official.
How to Submit:
2023 Recipients
Dr. Janice Underwood
Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (ODEIA)
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Kerry K. Neal, Esq.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition (SPE), Grants, and Risk Management
US Department of Education (DOE)
Shirley A. Jones, Esq.
National President
Blacks in Government (BIG)
Past Recipients
2022 - Byron Adkins, Jr., Department of Interior Business Center
2022 - Honorable Marcia Fudge, US Department of HUD
2022 - Ret. Gen. Dennis L. Via, Booz|Allen|Hamilton
2021 - Tia N. Butler, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
2021 - Wilmer J. Graham, U.S. Department of HUD
2021 - Gisile Goethe, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
2021 - Tony D. Williams, Bureau of Labor Statistics
2020 - Tinisha L. Agramonte, Motorola Solutions, Inc.
2020 - Samuel C. Jones, U.S. Census Bureau
2020 - Claudia J. Postell, Social Security Administration
2019 - Clarence C. Crawford, USPTO
2019 - Johnathan M. Holifield, WH HBCU Initiative
2019 - General Colin L. Powell, US Army General (Ret)
2019 - Rachel Torres, Department of Labor
2018 - William G. Bostic, Jr., SES Retired
2018 - LTG Nadja West, US Army Surgeon General (Ret)
2017 - Georgia Coffey, VA
2017 - Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming, EPA & DHS
2016 - Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden, Jr., NASA
2016 - William A. Brown, Sr., Army Corps of Engineers
2016 - Sam Coleman, EPA
2014 - Dr. James Meng, Navy
2013 - John Berry, OPM
2013 - Lisa P. Jackson, EPA
2012 - Leslye M. Fraser, EPA
