The Milwaukee VA took on the issue of black education during observations of Black History Month Wednesday.

Milwaukee native and author Deniece Fields was among the featured speakers.

"We're in a state of emergency in urban education everywhere," said Fields who is an expert of education and is a motivational speaker.

Spoken word poetry and music were also part of the program in the VA's continuing efforts to engage Veterans in society.

"If every person encountered one person every day who made them believe that they were worthy, things would be much better,"Fields told CBS 58 News. "Things would be different."

Fields says the key is convincing each person that they have a responsibility to contribute something.

It's a sentiment not lost on her audience of military men and women who already know the importance of serving...still.