Black History Month Employee Reflections: Warren Harding

Warren Harding G.R.E.A.T. Program Manager delivers a G.R.E.A.T. briefingWarren Harding, Jr. works in the Diversity and Inclusion Branch of ATF’s Office of Human Resources and Professional Development. He manages the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program, the nation’s only federal law enforcement anti-gang community outreach program.

As a National Training Team instructor, Harding certifies law enforcement professionals to teach the G.R.E.A.T. program, manages ATF’s interagency G.R.E.A.T. program agreement with DOJ’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), coordinates with state and local law enforcement partners, and develops lesson plans and materials for the program.

He also teaches the G.R.E.A.T. program to middle and elementary school students in Philadelphia, PA and Baltimore, MD. Harding describes Black History Month as a time that allows him to acknowledge and honor the great accomplishments of our African American ancestors.

During Black History Month, Harding also talks with local churches and students in the G.R.E.A.T. program about the greatness that can be found in their DNA. For example, he encourages kids to reflect on their ancestors’ intellect, labor and sacrifices that helped build this country.

Harding reminds us that Black history is part of our everyday lives. According to Harding, if we don’t recognize our gifts and talents to reach our full potential, we disregard the sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate price for progress, such as Emmett Till, Thurgood Marshall, Malcom X, Dr. Martin Luther King, and many others.

 

Last Reviewed February 23, 2022