About Us

Janie L. Mines entered Annapolis—the U.S. Naval Academy—as the only African American female in the first class of women. She graduated in 1980 after serving in several leadership positions in the Brigade of Midshipmen.

She was later selected to participate in the prestigious Sloan Fellows Program, where she earned an MBA from the Alfred P. Sloan School of Business Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Janie held management positions of increasing responsibility as a Navy Supply Corps officer and in several corporations. She is currently an independent executive management consultant.

Janie served as Senior Adviser, Business Process, Senior Executive Service (HQE-SES) in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy. She currently serves on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS).

Janie founded and managed a non-profit organization for over 10 years.

 Janie has numerous awards and served on several boards.

Janie has maintained her relationship with the U.S. Naval Academy throughout the decades. She continues to positively impact the lives of midshipmen and naval officers through her mentorship and ongoing support.

Janie Mines applies the religious themes taught by her family in a real-world exposé of how those childhood experiences prepared her to enter the class of 1980 at the U.S. Naval Academy. She reveals a painful chapter in American history. It is an insightful, uniquely personal journey of fortitude, faith and resilience told by the young woman who stood alone and forced both the institution and the armed forces to look in the mirror. Janie Mines is one of the strongest women I know. Her story will stir the conscience of the reader and provoke a truly deeper conversation of race and gender relations in our country. Sadly, it reveals how culture can undermine and corrode the best intentions of law, policy, guidance, and the leadership.

—Patrick Walsh, graduate,
U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1977

Janie Mines has taken the extraordinary effort to describe her life journey in service to her country. She takes you on her journey as a pioneer who persevered in faith through some challenging obstacles while keeping focused on her goals. This is a story about faith, about endurance, about dedication, about commitment and about taking advantage of opportunity. A wonderful life story instructive to many generations. 

—Cecil Haney, graduate,
U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1978

Janie’s message of obedience, preparation, and faith resounds throughout this book. She overcame adversity to become the warrior leader we all desire in our Naval Academy graduates. As a former Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy who was an upperclass midshipman during her first two years there, I find her story disheartening for what she faced but inspiring for what she achieved. 

—Jeffrey L Fowler, graduate,
U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1978

A searingly honest personal narrative about her Naval Academy experience put in the context of the lessons learned in her childhood. Her tremendous respect for the institution and the Navy is clear, and her focus is on the wisdom and strength gained through adversity. I am very proud of my friend and classmate!

—Sandy Daniels, graduate,
U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1980

"Coincidences are God's way of remaining anonymous" is a quote that has been shared in numerous versions throughout the centuries. No Coincidences: Reflections of the First Black Female Graduate of the United States Naval Academy dispels this myth of anonymity through a series of personal vignettes rooted in the rural South and the U.S. Naval Academy. As the first black woman to enter and graduate from Annapolis, the author confronts issues of race and gender through a faith grounded in the simple premise that "God has a plan for us all; if we submit to His will, we need not fear. We are prepared and protected."

“I was immensely riveted by Janie’s intensely personal reflections, in her book.  As one of the Naval Academy’s true trailblazers, her life’s internal fortitude and brilliant intellect shines throughout her book. Thank you, Janie, for this MUST-READ powerful personal testimony that honestly shares the very private aspects of your life that have led to all of your achievements! Congratulations!”
—Kerwin E. Miller, Esq., graduate, U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1975

I have known the author almost all of her life and she never ceases to amaze. And, this is no exception … No Coincidences. Order my steps in thy word (as a child): and let not any iniquity have dominion over me (at the Academy), (paraphrasing Psalm 119:133). Insightful and inspiring reflections, this book is captivating from beginning to end. Well done. 

—Gwendolyn Mines Boddie, graduate,
U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1981

It was "No Coincidence" that the woman I sat next to my plebe year in Alumni auditorium for the mandatory basketball game I had been dreading attending was Ms. Janie Mines, the first black female graduate of the United States Naval Academy. I admired her and had seen her picture almost every day the year prior on a poster I had taped to my desk at NAPS. I couldn't believe I was meeting her. She welcomed me with open arms and spoke to me with such love and humility. She has been an angel and a source of strength for so many, especially midshipmen. She always taught us to think outside of ourselves and to try to understand the larger lesson. Thank you so much, Ms. Janie, for being there and pouring into us; I am so glad you are sharing your story. 

—Shuntiyea Langston, graduate,
U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 2016