Rooted in Heritage
Photography by John Midgley
In January 1944, the Navy began an officer training course for 16 African-American enlisted men. To ensure their failure, the normal training period of 16 weeks was reduced to 8 weeks for the black cadets. When they realized that someone in the Navy wanted them to wash out, the cadets covered up the windows of their barracks and studied all night.
When they were tested, the entire group passed with high marks. Disbelief in the chain of command that an all black cadet class could achieve higher scores than an all white one meant that the black sailors had to suffer the indignity of retaking their tests. Again, all 16 passed; the class average at graduation was 3.89. This led to the establishment of the Golden 13—the first African American enlisted men to become commissioned and warrant officers of the United States Navy.
Bevin Elias embodies resilience as a leader, father, and husband, drawing parallels to the Golden 13 who navigated obstacles with unwavering determination.
Jordan and Ashlee Mayfield exemplify leadership by fostering an environment where growth, resilience, and empowerment thrive. Their journey mirrors the Golden 13, who believed true leadership is about lifting others while forging new paths.
The Felipe family, resilience and commitment are a way of life. Inspired by Josh’s uncle and the events of 9/11, Josh joined the military, embodying the perseverance of the Golden 13.
The Tate family embodies the resilience and spirit of the Golden 13. Howard Tate, a storyteller and educator, faced numerous challenges but built a foundation of perseverance that became a guiding force for his family
In partnership with The Brooklyn Circus Founder and Creative Director, Ouigi Theodore, the Limited-Edition Capsule Collection shares the untold story of the Golden 13.
