The Making of a General: U.S. Army Brigadier General Amanda Azubuike | A Leader of African Descent

The Making of a General: U.S. Army Brigadier General Amanda I. Azubuike I A Top Military Leader of African Descent Shares Her Journey in the U.S. Army

Brigadier General Amanda I. Azubuike is the product of parents from Zimbabwe and Nigeria and today serves as a decorated Deputy Commanding General at the U.S. Army Cadet Command stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

0:00 Never thought she would become a U.S. Army general and a military leader

1:45 Importance of her immigrant parents and her Zimbabwe, Nigerian and Igbo heritage

3:39 How college, ROTC and education helped her military career

5:20 Antonio Munera, U.S. Army Cadet Command Major General talks about General Azubuike

6:20 Success in the male-dominated U.S. Army

8:00 A role model for women, minorities, Black women, Black Americans and aspiring military leaders

10:48 End

AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY
Brigadier General Amanda Azubuike is the product of parents from Zimbabwe and Nigeria and today serves as a Deputy Commanding General at the U.S. Army Cadet Command stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. VOA's Grace Oyenubi shares the story of Brigadier General Azubuike, an accomplished military leader. The U.S. commemorates Black History Month every February to honor the history and accomplishments of Black Americans like Brigadier General Azubuike.

FACING THE CHALLENGE
In the documentary “The Making of a General”, Brigadier General Amanda says that “...being that (the Army) is a male-dominated field, you would expect there's going to be challenges. I certainly felt pressure, right, to do well, which made me work harder. I recognize that many times when I enter the room, I'm the only one. I'm the only female or I'm the only person of color in the room. And certainly, I put pressure on myself.”

YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING
“Growing up with my sister, my mom was very strict and very focused on education, so we both were raised to work hard and do well. We also had a really great role model in our mom in that she really instilled in us that if you work hard, you really can achieve anything. And so we both really worked hard.”

PUTTING IN THE HARD WORK
“...I think what's made me successful is the hard work. I was not necessarily the smartest person. I was an A and B student, but I really worked hard. I always tell cadets because they always ask what, what, what do I need to do to be successful? And I always say, learn your craft, master your craft, because once you've mastered your craft, it gives you your competence for one, but that gives you confidence. You need that confidence in order to lead others. And once your soldiers see that you're competent and confident, they'll begin to trust you and you want that trust.”

A SENSE OF PRIDE
“I started in the Army strictly because I needed money for school, but I stayed in the Army because of the opportunities and the people. They paid for both of my master's degrees. I've traveled all over the world. I've met different people, and you really get a sense of pride in serving in the military.”

PAYING BACK THE OPPORTUNITY
“It's something that's bigger than yourself. It's just been a great opportunity. And I also feel like this country has given so much to me and my family. It's a way of paying back.”

#documentary #usarmy #general #fortknox #kentucky #black #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #africanamerican #womenempowerment #women #zimbabwe #nigeria #africandiaspora #voa #voaafrica

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