Breaking ground in a field that demands resilience and strategy, Lt. General Julius Becton Jr. has emerged as a significant figure in emergency management. Retiring as one of the highest-ranking Black officers in the Army in 1983, Becton went on to make history as the first Black director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a position he held from 1985 to 1989.
Under Becton's leadership, FEMA was tasked to swiftly and effectively respond to an array of national catastrophes. His command oversaw nearly 100 disasters, ranging from the fury of hurricanes to the devastation of fires. His tenure was characterized by a relentless will to not only meet, but also to rise, above the immense challenges posed by natural disasters, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
