For more than 100 years, African American leaders in the Department of Commerce have been making significant, innovative contributions to our collection of data to help us better understand our country and our world. Through locations across the country, the Commerce Department provides services crucial to deploying connectivity, data, and information to businesses, American communities, and...

By Edward Parkinson, CEO, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Broadband has become the lifeblood of our economy. It is also essential to our national security and public safety, a fact that first responders recognized many years ago. The tragedies of September 11 th revealed fundamental problems with the communication systems used by our nation’s first responders. They needed a...

Joint blog by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the International Trade Administration Every February, we celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans. Black History Month reminds us that the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are critical to the success of the Department of Commerce’s mission. It is also an opportunity to spotlight some of the many...

Black History Month is a time to show appreciation for the achievements of the Black scientists, educators, creators, activists, and others who have contributed to our nation’s greatness and continue to propel this nation forward every day. From astronomer Benjamin Banneker to NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, Black innovators have made countless discoveries throughout American history that...

The following is a cross-post from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) NOAA’s fleet of advanced satellites are essential for predicting weather and climate, and last year they also helped rescue 330 people from potentially life-threatening situations throughout the United States and its surrounding waters. Of the 330 U.S. rescues, 195 were water rescues, 29 were from...

The following is a cross-post from the U.S. Census Bureau To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week (then called “Negro History Week”) nearly a century ago. The event was first celebrated during the second week of February 1926, selected because it coincides with the birthdays...

The following is a cross-post from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) This blog is a part of the First Responder Network Authority’s #FrontlineVoices series, a collection of stories from first responders serving on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can learn more about FirstNet supporting the pandemic response at firstnet.gov/pandemic. First responders have...

The following is a cross-post from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)is accepting applications from eligible organizations to operate Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in Kentucky, Nebraska, Rhode Island and South Dakota. NIST will award...