Over the past generations, African Americans have devoted themselves to serving in the military even while confronting barriers within the very society they swore to defend. From earlier conflicts to more recent deployments, their contributions have significantly shaped the nation’s security and global standing. However, the essence of that duty has often extended beyond the battlefield because, for many Black personnel, their dedication has likewise represented a powerful affirmation of belonging, citizenship, and equal opportunity. And that legacy is particularly evident in the country’s capital — Washington, D.C. — which hosts not only federal agencies overseeing veteran programs but also more than 12,000 people of color who have proudly worn the uniform. While their service is widely recognized, ongoing efforts remain essential to ensure they have seamless access to the care, resources, and benefits they urgently need. Amid recent policy shifts that influenced the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, maintaining and enhancing these support mechanisms has never been more critical to translate acknowledgment into meaningful outcomes.
Persistent Barriers Facing Washington, D.C., Black Veterans
Even after leaving active duty, thousands of Black veterans in Washington, D.C., navigate a complex landscape of post-service burdens. For many, among the most consequential — and often overlooked — stems from prolonged exposure to hazardous substances, such as Agent Orange, mustard gas, lewisite, asbestos, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), lead, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and radiation. These materials have become indispensable in wartime operations, particularly in building and sustaining military facilities, equipment, armaments, vehicles, tanks, trucks, vessels, and aircraft hangars.
In the capital region, one notorious installation severely contaminated with such harmful chemicals was the Washington Navy Yard, which has been classified as a Superfund site after rigorous testing revealed substantial levels of lead and heavy metals in the area. A separate report also indicated the presence of numerous asbestos-containing materials in some of its buildings, while PFAS concentrations in on-base groundwater exceeded 130 parts per trillion due to the extensive use of toxic firefighting foams. Routine contact with these chemicals has long been proven to cause serious illness, including chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions, respiratory ailments, neurological disorders, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
What makes this more troubling is that when these diagnoses surface, the repercussions frequently extend far beyond physical health. Too often, managing chronic disease can limit employment opportunities and increase household expenses, straining finances to the point of housing instability. African Americans have already accounted for more than a quarter of the homeless veteran population in the country, despite comprising only 13% of the total veteran population. Meanwhile, countless veterans have also confronted psychological challenges — specifically post-traumatic stress disorder and depression — which may likewise be exacerbated by other systemic barriers such as segregation, discrimination, and racism. Taking into account these overlapping challenges, it becomes even clearer how the post-service realities facing many Black veterans can reverberate across multiple aspects of their lives.
Fostering Accountability and Sustained Support for Black Veterans
Recognizing the experiences of Black veterans in Washington, D.C., and across the country ultimately requires more than acknowledgment — it calls for continued attention to the structural and institutional factors that shape how support systems operate. This is particularly important as many former service members continue to manage the long-term effects of toxic exposures, chronic health conditions, housing instability, and psychological stress long after their military service has ended. In recent years, federal agencies — most notably the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — have introduced DEI programs intended to better understand and address disparities affecting historically underserved veteran populations. For many advocates, these initiatives exemplified a vital effort to ensure that existing programs were reaching veterans whose needs had sometimes been overlooked.
However, recent policy changes that scaled back several DEI-related efforts have altered the broader framework. Even as federal officials have emphasized that core health care, benefits, and assistance programs for veterans remain intact, the shift has nonetheless raised questions about how equity-focused issues will continue to be monitored within the system. This topic has also drawn more attention after the adjustments coincided with the temporary removal of some DEI-related materials from official platforms, which were restored only after public scrutiny and review by authorities. Also, the Defense Department announced the withdrawal of its support for certain identity-based observances — including National African American and Black History Month — although it later clarified that personnel and organizations may still recognize them independently.
Building on these developments, the experiences of Black veterans underscore the ongoing need for deliberate, sustained attention to equity in veteran services. Moving forward, federal agencies, policymakers, and veteran organizations should implement strategies to ensure that health care, disability compensation, and housing programs remain accessible and responsive to the distinct challenges this community faces — even amid the ongoing regulatory transition. Equally critical is maintaining vigilance over the long-term health impacts of toxic exposures, providing early monitoring and specialized care for those affected. Only through coordinated, consistent, and measurable efforts can the nation guarantee that the service and sacrifices of Black veterans are met with the comprehensive care, stability, and protections they have earned — transforming recognition into meaningful and lasting support.
Cristina Johnson serves as a veteran advocate at Asbestos Ships, a nonprofit that raises awareness of veterans’ exposure to toxic substances.