A Lifelong Public Servant Celebrates Black History Month

To wrap up our 2024 employee spotlight series celebrating Black History Month, we chatted with Vondakay Hardin, an administrative specialist and decorated Army veteran in our Jackson, Mississippi office. She shared with us what inspires her to serve Mississippi’s workforce, as well as what Black History Month means to her. 

Q: How long have you been a Wage and Hour Division Administrative Specialist? 

I’ve been working here for eight years. I began my career with the Wage and Hour Division in May 2016 after serving 29 years in the US Army.

Q: What are you most proud of in your career so far? 

I am proud to continue my duties as a public servant by assisting the workers of Mississippi and helping them understand their rights.

Q: Who inspires you to do your work? 

I’m inspired by the people we serve in Mississippi, from the workers I help with back wage checks to the employers I educate on the labor laws and regulations we enforce.

Q: What is your favorite part about your job? 

My favorite part about my job is helping workers secure their hard-earned wages. Helping others is my primary motivation.

Q: What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is an opportunity for us as Black Americans to control the narrative of our story. It gives us a platform to teach and have an open dialogue about our lives, our contributions and the challenges we have endured throughout history. It’s also a time to evaluate what we can do better to help others in our communities understand our history, which helps create a more inclusive world and refutes negative narratives about our people. 

#BlackHistoryMonth #WhatInspiresMe #PublicService #Diversity