SHARING THE ACCOMPLIHMENTS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN NORTHERN NEVADA HISTORY
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Ondra L. Berry, Brigadier General
“Every human being is under construction and has unlimited potential.”
This principle has inspired Ondra L Berry to commit his life to inspire those within his sphere of influence to realize and actualize their hidden potential. Ondra has been a champion of leadership, diversity, organizational change, and individual personal growth for over 25 years.
He is committed to challenging the status quo in human potential and utilized his two decades of experience and studies in the topic of personal leadership and greatness to ignite a movement of unleashing the potential within, one person at a time, worldwide. His goal is to get each person to understand their “Ayoba” the awesomeness and potential that we all have within.
He is co-founder of Guardian Quest, a company committed to unleashing the untapped potential of individuals and organizations through world-class training solutions. Known as a change agent in personal and organizational transformation, Ondra’s vast leadership and training experience spans public and private sectors. His skills were refined in a celebrated 25-year career in the Reno Police Department, where he retired as the Assistant Chief of Police over-seeing the administrative division. He continues his public service to his state and country as a Brigadier General in the Nevada Air National Guard and is assigned as the Assistant Adjutant General for the Nevada Air National Guard.
In his role as consultant and facilitator, Ondra L. Berry has worked all around the county over the past few years and was routinely sought after to bring his expertise to an extensive client list including Fortune 500 companies, military and federal agencies, non-profits, schools and universities. Ondra invests his life energies and passions in the development and delivery of cutting edge training solutions on the topics of diversity, leadership and organizational change.
He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nevada Reno and is a member of numerous non-profit and service organizations. Through his innovative training and keynote addresses, Ondra Berry has spoken in all fifty states, territories, the District of Columbia, and several countries, and is on a quest to leave this world better than he found it! Ondra currently serves as the Vice-President of Diversity and Inclusion and Development for the MGM Resorts International. His responsibilities include the development of the Employee Network Groups, Diversity and Community Councils, the Inspiring Our World show and employee engagement initiatives. Margo and Ondra have three children, Jarel, Dulcenea and Zivy, and are now proud grandparents of Ondra Elijah Berry III and Kai Michael Berry.
First N. Nevada African American Brigadier General
By Staff Sgt. Mike Getten
Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs
CARSON CITY — Brig. Gen. Ondra Berry became the Nevada Guard’s first African-American general in a ceremony at the Nevada Capitol on Nov. 12. He was federally recognized Oct. 17.
Gov. Brian Sandoval presided over the ceremony in the Guinn Room on the second floor of the Capitol. He commented about Berry’s outstanding military service and distinguished career.
“This is a great day for Nevada and the Nevada Guard,” Sandoval said. “You really are a trailblazer, a leader and what I like to call a true Nevadan.”
Berry follows the path blazed by other African-American military leaders including Brig. Gen. Benjamin Davis Sr., the first African-American general in the U.S. military (promoted Oct. 25, 1940) and his son, Gen. Benjamin Davis Jr., the first African-American general in the U.S. Air Force and the second in the U.S. military (promoted to brigadier general on Oct. 27, 1954).
“I know I stand on the shoulders of many who came before me,” Berry said. “Does it bring on additional scrutiny, pressure, spotlight or expectations? Absolutely!
“Every time an Airman puts on this uniform, somebody out there is scrutinizing them and their actions. That’s what people do whether they are the first in their family to go to college, join the military and reach a certain rank or any number of firsts. To whom much is given; much is required, that’s just the expectation.”
Upon his promotion, Berry became the Nevada Air Guard’s assistant adjutant general. The job entails advising the adjutant general on matters concerning the Nevada Air Guard and acting as a liaison for the Nevada Air Guard.
“I am humbled by the promotion and I appreciate the opportunity Brig. Gen. Bill Burks has given me. I will do my utmost to ensure he has made the right decision at the right time for the right person,” Berry said. “My job is to directly support General Burks and help pursue the things the Nevada Air Guard requires to make it successful.”
Berry emphasized his belief that all Airman and Soldiers should aspire to reach their military goals. He quoted Whitney M. Young Jr. during his comments.
“It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one then to have an opportunity and not be prepared. You keep preparing and stay prepared for future opportunities – that’s what I will do,” Berry said.
Historic N. Nevada Accomplishments
- First Assistant Chief Of Police City of Reno I was the first commissioned African American officer for the NV Air National Guard
- First Brigadier General, African American, in the history of the Nevada National Guard
- First President of Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society (NNBCAS)
- First National Airmen of the Year for the Nevada Air National Guard
- First African American and first Reno Police Officer to win the Gary Hayes award for innovation given by the Police Executive Research Forum (Washington DC)
- First 2 time winner of the Officer of the Year for the Reno Police Dept
- First President of the Washoe County Chapter of the NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives)
- One of the founding members of the Northern Nevada George W. Porter Tuskegee Airmen Chapter
- First President of the National Law Enforcement Diversity Officers
- One of the founding members of the NOW No Opportunity Wasted HBCU College Tour
