Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) hosted a celebration for Black History Month, Feb. 26 on the barge mess decks.

More than 50 Sailors and ship leaders attended the event held to recognize contributions made by African-Americans throughout history.

Michael L. Irby, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility project superintendent for Carl Vinson’s ongoing maintenance and the celebration’s guest speaker, discussed the importance of celebrating African-American culture and history.

“I think the focus of Navy leadership in regards to African-American contributions to our military has been more broadcasted than ever before, but we still have a long way to go,” said Irby. “It’s going to take all Americans to better the status of diversity so that we can become stronger as a whole.”

Irby noted junior Sailors and future leaders must strive to maintain a positive mindset if they hope to reach their goals.

Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Victorya French-Williams, an attendee and member of Carl Vinson’s diversity committee, said Irby’s message on staying positive resonated with her.

“If you’re constantly thinking about yourself as less than, then that’s where you’re going to be,” said Williams. “People often have a poor mentality of their current circumstances and it holds them there, but no one has to stay there forever.”

Carl Vinson crew members acknowledged achievements made by African-American pioneers during the celebration, which also included a cake-cutting ceremony.

Logistics Specialist 1st Class Sebastian Agbo, another diversity committee member, talked about how he used the month to reflect on past African-American struggles and also on improvments made throughout the country over time.

“Where we are now is a direct result of the paths paved by our ancestors,” said Agbo. “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come.”

USS Carl Vinson is currently pierside in its homeport of Bremerton, Washington undergoing scheduled maintenance.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from USS Carl Vinson CVN 70, visit www.navy.mil/local/CVN70/.