09/25/2026
From NABVETS NATIONAL!
Please take the time to read. There is something that may assist you, interest you or something that you will be the representative for 0054.
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This edition of the NABVETS NCC Newsletter, September 2026, is a special Post National Convention Newsletter and is dedicated to the seven founders of NABVETS: Thomas Wynn, William Sims, James William, Charles Kimbrough, Robert Bell, Jerry Berry and James Credle.
The Convention Theme, “Preserving the Promise of America, 1776 – 2026” encompasses the hopes and aspirations of the “forgotten Patriots” and their descendants who have stood on the wall and defended American Democracy. No other ethnic group’s contributions to building and maintaining the American Experiment exceeds those of African Americans who defended this nation long before the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Negro Mountain, in Western Maryland and Western Pennsylvania is a testament to the extraordinary sacrifices of people of color who could not enjoy the liberty and freedom they promoted and defended. The nation recognizes Crispus Attucks as the first to die in the struggle against British Colonialism. Approximately 9000 more will join the fray on the side of the Americans while more than 20,000 will fight for Great Britain who offered freedom to all those who were loyal to the Crown. It is appropriate that their dedication be revisited during the celebrations for the 250th Anniversary.
The War of Independence will end on September 3, 1783 (Treaty of Paris) and Chairman Clarence “Tiger” Davis encourages NABVETS members to pursue a two-year celebration of African Americans in Defense of the Nation with a focus on the War of Independence and conclude on September 3, 2028 with a huge celebration. He further advises that it is our responsibility to tell our story!
FROM THE CHAIRMAN�Mission Achieved
The 2026 NABVETS National Convention coincides with celebrations of the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of the United States (13 Colonies), the Experiment in Democracy and the American Promise. After much debate and discussion, revisiting the founding of NABVETS was also determined to be appropriate. Central to all activities, reclaiming the historical mission of NABVET as a community-based organization rooted in the struggle of African People in America would be the foundation of this convention. NABVETS is related to and is an adjunct to the civil and human rights initiatives of major black organizations. Another tenet would be the provision of guidance, instructions and training for successful pursuit of mission. A third objective was facilitation of a trajectory to the next level of engagement for NABVETS – Economic Empowerment. And finally, this convention will recognize and preserve the extraordinary valor and heroism of African Americans from the War of Independence and before to current wars and conflicts. All of the objectives are consistent with the vision of community-based leadership to include national organizations, i.e. NAACP, National Urban League, fraternal, sisterhood, faith community, and etc.
The 2026 NABVETS National Convention began with a “Meet and Greet” Reception on the evening of August 26th and concluded with an Awards Gala that instilled a sense of pride, accomplishment and enthusiasm for moving America towards “a More Perfect Union” and the preservation of the American Promise.
ACCOLADES FOR UNITY AND SERVICE�Georgia Eaves, Convention Coordinator
First, I wish to thank my Assistant Coordinator, KT Tyler, for stepping up to the plate and utilizing his excellent technical and professional skills to enhance efforts to plan and implement a national convention – second to none. Forever faithful Brenda Jamison provided an array of services to include gratis DJ contributions for the Awards Gala. Shay Weems, Joe Wynn, Adobolia Buford, Rodney Little, Harry Robinson and Coakley Workman developed and coordinated workshops that were utilitarian – for chapters and their desire to develop to the maximum of their potential. I personally extend a “shout out” to Andy Pierre who came to the convention’s aid and worked overnight to provide graphics for the program journal.
Ken Watts, Larry Dugger, Nolan Lewis, Darry Brown, Lisa Moss, Mike Beal and a host of other loyal members went beyond the call of duty, assessed convention needs, and filled many gaps to bind the various components of the convention. And finally, Chairman Clarence “Tiger” Davis – a pain in the you know what, was indispensable in his vision and commitment for a successful convention. In the end, the Convention Committee produced a product that was above the norm. I am proud to have worked with and lead the Convention Committee. It was difficult and often times stressful but commitment by our members elevated the mission above self. Thank you, Team NABVETS!
ELECTIONS
Pursuant to Sections 4 and 5, Article VII, NABVETS By-Laws, elections were held to elect a National Commander and National Vice Commander. Dr. Darry L. Brown, Sr. was unanimously elected, with no competition, as National Commander for a two-year term. Larry D. Dugger was elected as Vice Commander. Both took the oath of office at the NABVETS Annual Award Gala which concluded the 2026 National Convention.
FROM THE DESK OF THE NATIONAL COMMANDER
Dr. Darry L. Brown, Sr.
Unfortunately, due to a family emergency, I am unable to share my vision of the future and growth of NABVETS. First and foremost, I appreciate your confidence in electing me to lead the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) forward, as we continue to “Preserve the Promise of America, 1776-2026.” We will continue to promote one Organization with One Leadership – ONE NABVETS – to leade us into the future. I will be sending my Vision on how we can collectively ensure we are the greatest organization working for the betterment of Veterans. We are no longer taking a back seat for empowering our veterans, but we will LEAD FROM THE FRONT!
FROM THE DESK OF THE NATIONAL VICE COMMANDER
Larry D. Dugger
It was a great honor to be selected as the Vice Commander for the National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.
In this position, I will take the role of assisting the Commander with his vision to bring total unity within the body of NABVETS. I will work with the National Command Council (NCC) to ensure that the mission and purpose of this organization as stated in By-Laws is upheld to its full limit.
As stated at the convention, I will, with the help of the Lord, visit every region during this term in office to meet with the Chapter/State and Region Commander. To assist them in any possible way to improve their ability to assist the veterans and their families in the benefit process. Grow this Association by bringing in more chapters, adding state commands to the regions and speaking with a totally positive attitude to motivate, encourage and inspire the body of NABVETS.
I want to thank all of you that attended the National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. Convention in Baltimore, MD. The convention programming, spirit of unity and fellowship was beyond words to express.
WORKSHOPS
Economic Empowerment
NABVETS came into existence during the 1960s Revolution and the desire of African Americans to control the politics and economics within their community. This remains a necessary concomitant to full equality in America. Political participation, although the right to vote is being compromised, is moving forward. The other pillar – economic empowerment – is essential and must be elevated to the top of the “to do list” for African Americans. Traditionally, veterans have been the catalyst for change in society. Judge Benjamin Hooks, U.S. Senator Edward Brooke, Governor Doug Wilder, Mayor Harold Washington, Mayor Carl Stokes, Congressman Parren Mitchell, and Medgar Evers returned home to build strong political bases which led to the eradication of Apartheid and political subjugation of African Americans. Many, to include Medgar Evers, made the ultimate sacrifice. Sister warriors – Sarah Keys and Dovey Johnson Roundtree made their mark in standing up to police enforcement of discrimination in the Carolina Coach Company (1955) case. Now comes another generation and a new vision of possibilities. Led by Joe Wynn, Adobolia Buford and Rodney Little, the economic empowerment workshop provided a bird’s eye view of the second pillar. Following an inspirational presentation by generational wealth advocate, Sharif Small, who espoused various avenues to wealth building, the interactive workshop enabled members to understand how economic conditions, emerging technology, and artificial intelligence are reshaping employment, entrepreneurship, wealth creation, and community stability. Participants received practical steps they could take to increase income, strengthen financial resilience, use AI responsibly, and create economic opportunities for themselves and their communities.
ACTION ITEM: Participants requested monthly interactive sessions following this convention as a foundation for pursing economic empowerment. The workshop leadership and the NCC will establish monthly webinars/zoom interactive economic empowerment sessions to harness the enthusiasm of participants and provide consultant services to those who wish to engage in economic empowerment.
Grantsmanship
Writing a winning grant proposal is no easy feat; the process can be intimidating and time-consuming. It’s competitive and requires thorough research into the funding organizations’ priorities and guidelines, so you can tailor your proposal to their specifications. The grantsmanship workshop demonstrated how to write clear goals, demonstrate project’s value, and confidently ask for funding for outreach and other work. NABVETS members were provided help to ensure that their grant proposal writing efforts are successful. An outlined process along with tips for streamlining grant application to maximize chances for securing funding was a paramount feature of the workshop training. Participants were provided information on how to: Identify the right funders and partners for their work; create a focused plan with simple, measurable goals; build realistic budget that clearly breaks down costs and demonstrate impact with proof your project works and truly helps people.
Coakley Workman, Grantsmanship Chair, recruited experts to present and respond to questions/inquiries for successful grant writing. Levika “Lev” Graykoyier and Carolyn Coles provided professional services.
ACTION ITEM: Plan and implement periodic grantsmanship workshops to enable all of NABVETS to benefit from this special training.
Quality of Life
It is recognized by most major medical institutions that 80% of a person’s health is determined by the social and economic conditions of their homes and communities, their Social Determinants of Health (SDOH); and the realization that pursuing value-based care must go beyond standard claims and medical data and integrate data sources that measure SDOH to effectively treat the whole person. Establishing interventions for high-risk populations starts with identifying the most critical needs. Leveraging demographic and economic data is the foundation for addressing social determinants, but most organizations are working with an incomplete picture at best. NABVETS will engage!
Quality of Life Issues can be divided into two categories: Physical and Mental/Behavioral Health. This work shop focused on the following:
• Lung Cancer (Tool Kit) – Black veterans face disproportionately higher risks of lung cancer incidence and mortality. Despite this, they are up to three times less likely to complete critical life-saving Low Dose CT (LDCD) screening that white veterans receive.
• Chronic Kidney Disease – Black veterans face a disproportionately high burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD), being nearly twice as likely to develop the condition and progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) compared to White veterans. Though making up roughly 12% of the veteran population, they account for 37% of all patients with end-stage renal disease in the VA system.
• Breast Cancer – Black Women face elevated risks for breast cancer, with younger military women and Black female veterans showing higher incidence rates and aggressive diagnosis like Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) compared to civilians. Appropriate care and treatment can mitigate or eliminate racial disparities, leading to equal or better survival outcomes. Breast cancer in male veterans is also an issue with a significantly higher rate than civilian counterparts.
• Military Sexual Trauma (MST) – Black female veterans face significantly high rates of MST which frequently results in severe PTSD. Research indicates that Black women experience compounded trauma from systemic racism, intersectional bias, and MST. These compounding factors often lead to higher PTSD symptom severity and greater risks for cardiovascular and related physical health complications. NOTE: It was emphasized that male veterans also suffered from MST and resultant PTSD.
• Race Based Diagnosis and Treatment is the controversial practice of using a patient’s race or ethnicity as a biological shortcut to calculate risks or interpret clinical results. Race is a social construct rather than a biological one. This practice leads to systemic health inequities. It is also suspected that adjudication of claims is often race based.
While the workshop concluded without addressing the alarming recent spikes in su***de rates, the issue will receive attention moving forward as an action item. This trend is seen within the young Black adults. For Black veterans, environmental and sociopolitical stressors combine with military-specific trauma, creating a complex web if risks. This issue receives little or no attention.
Shay Weems, Workshop Chair, recruited experts to address these issues beginning with a stimulating keynote address from Dr. Sioban Kirskey, Women Veterans Program Manager, VA Maryland, followed by a presentation by Zelda McCormick, VA Nurse Executive and concluding with Christine Hare, educator and advocate for those suffering from chronic kidney disease. Chair Weems, an expert therapist,addressed the issue of PTSD and various other issues associated with behavioral health.
ACTION ITEMS: (1) Develop and implement webinars to provide access to training for all VSOs and others who interact with veterans to assure competency as it relates to Black Veterans. (2) Provide Quality of Life Issues Advocacy for the broader African American community. It is difficult, given social determinants of health, to separate black veterans from the inequality that exists in the broader society. and (3) Host periodic workshops on wellness and health equity – to include discussions on all of the issues in this report.
The Quality of Life Workshop was divided into two sessions and from both the following combined objectives were discussed:
• Create fair access to care: Ensure every individual – regardless of background, income or identity – can access high-quality health and wellness resources.
• Identify and close health gaps: Use data and community feedback to uncover disparities in health outcomes and take targeted action to reduce them. Goal: a healthier, more equitable environment where wellness is accessible to everyone, not just a few.
• Promote preventive wellness: Encourage regular screenings, healthy lifestyles, and early interventions to prevent illness rather than only treating it.
• Support mental and emotional well-being: Elevate mental health as a core part of overall wellness, expanding access to counseling, support groups, and stress-management resources.
• Advocate for inclusive policies: Influence organizational and community policies so they reflect equity, cultural sensitivity, and the real needs of diverse populations.
• Empower communities through education & building strong partnerships: Provide clear, accessible health information so people can make informed decisions and confidently manage their well-being.
VSO Reimagined
Veteran Service Officers are trained experts who help veterans, family members, and survivors apply for, and manage Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. Their services are completely free of charge. They work for state or county agencies, or non-profit veteran’s groups. For Black Veterans, racism, bigotry, and subjugation still obstruct successful transition, readjustment, and progress in civilian life. NABVETS is returning to its roots – prioritizing the challenges that most directly affect its mission and the communities it serves.
National Commander Darry L. Brown, Sr., organized the issues and secured panelists who were engaged in unique services to veterans. Reverend Chester France, former businessman and USAF veteran, found his life’s mission within the prison system of Maryland. Leaving his prison ministry, he developed a business to provide employment for previously incarcerated citizens and especially veterans which included counseling and mentorship. Lifting Labels, which utilizes the sewing skills and creative ingenuity of formerly incarcerated citizens, is a growing business and seeks to develop and provide a myriad of services prior to a veteran’s release from incarceration.
Commander Brown emphasized the needs of dispossessed veterans requires a fresh look albeit it a review of NABVETS original mission to serve the least served of America’s veterans. Basic needs like housing, jobs, and stability remain critical for minority veterans. Homelessness is widespread and far too many minority veterans avoid services from the VA or any government involvement – often at the expense of their own wellbeing and that of their families. Veterans Court is in dire need of peer counselors as are other possible initiatives. Thus, VSO Reimagined will focus on the real-life needs of minority veterans regardless of the category of need and will assist veterans in navigating the obstacle course of paperwork, delays and lack of readily available records.
Action Item: National Commander Brown and the Office of National Commander will host a national webinar (NABVETS) to discuss and develop a response to the dilemma of African American Veterans with a special emphasis on Sister Warriors who remain the primary custodian of our children – our future.
Leadership Development
Assisted by Region Representative (Commander) Lisa Moss and Chapter Commander Wesley Ferguson, Texas State Commander and At-Large NCC Member, Harry Robinson hosted a panel on membership and chapter building. Each panelist spoke to the roles and responsibilities of a commander to include concerns, challenges and insights from their unique perspectives. Attendees were able to experience the dynamic, candid discussion of current issues across various commands and how they affect today’s environment. The interaction proved fruitful as attendees raised questions about the impact of disharmony at the national level and the impact on chapter building. Further, the roles and responsibilities of both region and chapter commanders. National Command Council Chairman Davis was asked to respond to the current crisis. He provided an encompassing historical review of the issues and incidences and the resultant division. He promised to send further information and documentation via email. The workshop concluded on a positive note and all participants were resolved to pursue amicable solutions to move NABVETS forward.
Action Item: Re-establish “Conversations with the Chairman and Office of National Commander on a bi-monthly basis. Small regions can combine while the larger regions would have stand-alone conversations.
POLICY RESOLUTIONS
Six Policy Resolutions were adopted by convention and are as follows:
1 Resolution supporting the Medal of Honor for Doris (Dorie) Miller
2 Resolution supporting a Commemorative Stamp Honoring the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – commonly referred to as “Six Triple Eight.”
3 Resolution supporting the Voting Rights Act.
4 Resolution to Protect Social Security and calling on Congress to take immediate action.
5 Resolution on Compensation for Project 100,000 veterans.
6 Resolution encouraging the NCC to establish an annual assessment/fee per chapter.
Another resolution on Military Human Experimentation with BZ was discussed but deferred. However, all NABVETS members are requested to google BZ Military Human Experiment as there are veterans who may be impacted by the experiment and suffers from its affects.
NABVETS 2026 NATIONAL AWARDS GALA
NABVETS REIMAGINED: Preserving the American Promise, 1776-2026 concluded on a high note with an extraordinary Awards Gala and a special presentation by Jean Fugett, Jr., a descendant of Revolutionary War Patriot, Henry Bakeman, and member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Prior to Mr. Fugett’s presentation, Yvonne Liser, National Chair, Specialty Research Committee and former State Region Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) enlightened attendees on African American and Native American Patriots. She, herself is a descendant of two Patriots and one could tell immediately her love for presenting light and promoting the history of underrepresented Patriots of the American Revolution. She captured her audience and set the stage for Mr. Fugett’s presentation.
Annually, Mr. Fugett recognizes distinguished Americans to receive the award for achievement in Americanism. This year, he collaborated with NABVETS to pay tribute and honor the contributions of MG (Retired) Linda Singh for her pursuit of the American Promise and eradicating racism and the old boy network of the Maryland National Guard. She rose from the travail of life’s struggle to become the first African American to head the Maryland Military Department. She was also one of the first females to achieve this title in the United States. Her achievement enabled a break-through in the archaic system of nepotism and cronyism. She was introduced by MG Janeen Birckhead, a graduate of Hampton University and current Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard whom she had promoted to Brigadier General prior to her retirement. NABVETS presented a special award – Promise of America – to MG Singh in addition to the Fugett Award. The NCC authorized two other awards – the Commanders Award and the National Command Council Award. Georgia Eaves and KT Tyler, respectively were so honored. Certificates were presented to several members who had distinguished themselves with their dedication and commitment to a successful national convention.
The atmosphere was delightful and engaging, the food was delicious and the entertainment, to include both the DJ and Soloist, provided a setting that at times revealed the excitement of the event and the camaraderie amongst all attendees. The convention concluded with photo ops, congratulations and hope for the future of NABVETS!
MG Linda Singh and MG Janeen Birckhead with first Black Pilot in the Marylan d Air National Guard, LTC (Retired) James Betts
Yvonne Liser, DAR and Descendant of Two Revolutionary War Patriots Extols Forgotten Patriots
Jean Fugett, Esq., former Tight End for Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, and Descendant of Revolutionary War Patriot Presents Patriots Award to MG Linda Singh
MG Linda Singh receives the NABVETS’ “A More Perfect Union Award”
Dr. Georgia Eaves Receives the Commanders Award
KT Tyler Receives the NCC Distinguished Service Award
Alvester Brown, WWII, 102 Year Old Veteran Voted Unanimously as Honorary Life Member of NABVETS
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