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Diverse mentoring roundtable scheduled

  • Published
  • By Lauren Russell
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Personnel from Air Force Materiel Command and Hanscom Air Force Base will partner to host a diverse mentoring event here Oct. 27 from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom.

The roundtable event will be AFMC’s first tailored-demographic mentoring effort that will discuss how Hanscom employees can learn more about mentoring, and how a mentor can help them progress in their careers.

Officials said that while the event will be geared toward Black employees, it is open to everyone interested in diverse and cross-cultural mentorship.

“This event will really discuss the basics of mentoring in a diverse world,” said Steve Ober, Hanscom’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Cell chief. “The speakers will cover topics such as what to look for in a mentor, the benefits of having one, and how employees feel race should be discussed.”

Members from Hanscom’s DEI Cell will facilitate the forum alongside Alphonso Thomas, a member of the Senior Executive Service, who will serve as the premier mentor for the event. Thomas, who is the director of Engineering and Technical Management at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, will share his personal experiences with mentorship throughout his career.

“A mentor can be a spark for you in times when you can’t find the drive to pursue something that seems out of your reach,” wrote Thomas in a memo about mentorship. “The right words from the right mentor at the right time can change your life.”

According to AFMC officials, the command will host other mentoring sessions throughout fiscal year 2022 for other affinity groups.

“We need to have these conversations and be comfortable with the uncomfortable,” said Ober. “It helps us understand where people are coming from and what they’re going through so we can make sure everyone succeeds.”

Personnel can attend the mentoring event via Zoom at www.zoomgov.com/j/1611677458?pwd=MnNjanFWaURCckMzR0RSa3RwNWFWdz09. Meeting ID: 161 167 7458.

Officials ask that questions for the speakers be submitted to AFMC.A1DC.TrainingNeedsAssessments@us.af.mil by Oct. 22.