Page 7 - BEQ Magazine Iss 23 FINAL v3

By KJ WARD

stronaut Jessica Watkins made to speak with an executive who is one of only three
headlines in April following the signatory authorities that can execute procurement
policies and procedures on behalf of the United States
A announcement that she would be Federal Government.
the first Black woman to serve a long-duration Karla Smith Jackson is Assistant Administrator
mission on the International Space Station. for Procurement, Senior Procurement Executive,
and Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer for NASA. She
This news is certainly an example of growing shared with BEQ Pride how NASA’s Equity Action Plan
equity in space exploration, but the National (released in April 2022) is helping the organization
Aeronautics and Space Administration’s rethink and reshape the landscape of the adminis-
tration’s contracts and partnerships by enabling “the
(NASA) commitment to access and oppor-
agency to track progress toward improved, equity,
tunity extends well beyond this high-profile inclusion, and accessibility both internally and exter-
example. nally….”

So much happens beyond the flight deck at NASA REACHING LGBTQ+ TALENT
to make its earth and space research and expeditions Along with women, minority, and veteran-focused
possible. NASA partners with an incredibly large businesses and research institutions, the LGBTQ+
number of professionals, companies, and institu- community is one of the underrepresented and
tions in the delivery of products and services from underserved communities that Jackson is committed
space-systems equipment and R&D to facilities and to connecting with, but she shared with BEQ Pride
logistics to custodial and food services. This range that making inroads with this community has pre-
of procured services amounts to 80% of NASA’s $25 sented unique challenges, particularly the seeming
billion budget, and BEQ Pride had the opportunity
invisibility of LGBTQ+ talent:

SUMMER 2022 7
BUSINESSEQUALITYMAGAZINE.COM