To attract a high-quality, diverse workforce was the purpose of Navy Recruiting District (NRD) San Antonio's participation in the 2015 Black Market Expo and Tradeshow held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center, Feb. 8.

The event is the city's only business expo and tradeshow with an African-American focus.

Two recruiters from the NRD attended the event for the second consecutive year.

"It is important for the Navy to be here to promote Navy awareness and provide information on the various types of scholarships the Navy possesses to a diverse targeted market," said Lt. Sasha Smith, a medical programs recruiter with Navy Officer Recruiting Station Bandera and a native of Puerto Rico.

According to Navy Counselor 1st Class Gina Rocha Valdez, NRD's Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship coordinator, the event provided fertile ground for center of influence (COI) attainment.

"We had several outstanding citizens from diverse communities approach us regarding career opportunities for men and women in the Navy."

Terrance Littlefield, principal of Emma Lee Broad Academy of San Antonio spoke with the recruiters to obtain information.

Littlefield said that many students who are enrolled at the academy have inquired about the Navy and other armed services on a weekly basis.

Past President of the Alamo City Chamber of Commerce Christopher Herring, currently the chairman of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce, served as the master of ceremonies for the event.

"For young men and women who are seeking to go to college, the Navy is a great environment for attaining that education through its scholarship programs," said Herring, who served as an Air Force officer recruiter. "African-American families and other minorities need to push their children toward officership opportunities which will provide them an overall boost in life."


For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, visit www.navy.mil/.