Ms. Asheley Blackford serves as the Program Manager for the Air Force Research Laboratory Minority Leaders - Research Collaboration Program (ML-RCP) working with many universities across the nation. Ms. Blackford has been a part of the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) of the Air Force Research Laboratory since 2009. Prior to working with the ML-RCP, Ms. Blackford was the Deputy Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program Manager for AFRL/RX and has experience in working with small businesses. In addition to working this program, Ms. Blackford also manages other Government contracts for her Directorate and is actively involved in the Junior Workforce Council. She is excited and eager to continue her engagement in working with her scientists and engineers as well as engaging with the universities.