Professional Associations

PROFESSIONAL & TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

African American Professional Groups
Whether you're an African American accountant, attorney or astrophysicist, there's probably a related professional organization. Joining an association can provide education in your field, networking opportunities and advocacy -- all with a focus on issues important to African Americans. Find the right one for you by checking out this list of national groups:

Business

BDPA: Organized in 1975. More than 40 chapters. Open to African Americans in data processing and related fields.
National Association of African Americans in Human Resources: A national organization of human resource professionals with 36 local chapters; includes consultants and students.

National Association of Black Accountants: Founded in 1969. Goal is to represent the than 200,000 African American professionals in accounting and finance.

National Black Business Trade Association: A self-help resource and networking group founded in 1993 that provides businesspeople with information, products, services and technologies.
National Black MBA Association: A 8,000-member professional organization made up of African American graduates with MBAs and advanced degrees. Established in 1970, its mission is to increase the number and diversity of African Americans in business.
National Sales Network: An association of African American sales and sales management professionals. Organized in 1992, with more than 2,000 members in 16 chapters.

Engineering and Science

American Association of Blacks in Energy: Founded in 1977; 36 chapters. Specialties include energy policy, technology and the environment.

National Organization of Minority Architects: We are pleased and very excited to announce the launch of our newly-designed, and feature-rich, NOMA Career Center, catering specifically, to job seekers and employers in the architectural community. To access the Career Center, please go to this link

National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers: Organized in 1972 to build a community of minority scientists and engineers; 39 professional and university chapters.
National Society of Black Engineers: Started in 1975, it now has more than 35,700 members, more than 390 college, precollege and technical professional chapters nationwide and overseas. The group's mission is to increase the number of African American engineers, as well as help them succeed professionally and to give back to their communities.
National Society of Black Physicists: The largest organization of African American physicists; 16 sections ranging from astronomy, astrophysics and nuclear physics to technology transfer, business development and entrepreneurship. Its mission is to promote the professional well-being of African American physicists within the international scientific community.

Food Services

BCA: Incorporated as the Black Culinarian Alliance in 1998 and now known by its acronym. A national educational and networking organization that serves African American and other minority professionals working in hospitality and food services.

General

100 Black Men of America: Founded in 1963; now 110-plus chapters with more than 10,000 members. Its mission includes leadership, mentoring, education, health and economic development.

Government

Blacks in Government: Members are civil servants at the federal, state, county and municipal levels. Founded in 1975; more than 50 chapters include the Departments of State and Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, and the National Institutes of Health.

Healthcare

National Black Nurses Association: Organized in 1971; 80 chapters represent more than 150,000 African American nurses in the US, Caribbean and Africa.
National Medical Association: The oldest (founded 1895) and largest national professional organization for African American physicians. A leading force for parity in medicine, it provides educational programs and conducts outreach efforts.
Student National Medical Association: The largest organization focused on the needs and concerns of African American medical students and residents.

Law and Criminal Justice

National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice: Organized in 1974; state and local chapters across the US. Members include law enforcement personnel, corrections officers, court employees, social services workers, academics and clergy.
National Bar Association: An advocate for social justice since 1925; promotes professional development for African Americans in the legal profession. More than 20,000 member lawyers, judges, educators and law students.
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives: Founded in 1976. Public service organization serves as the "conscience of law enforcement."

Media

National Association of Black Journalists: A professional organization for African Americans working in print, radio, television, new media and related areas; founded in 1975.

Real Estate

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, (NAREB), is a Real Estate Professional trade organization. We have local chapters across the country who embrace our ideals and mission of “promoting democracy in housing”. While our name suggests an organization of Real Estate Brokers, it is a professional real estate organization which includes membership from multiple disciplines in the real estate industry. We welcome professionals in all areas of real estate to join us and help promote our mission.

ADDITIONAL IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

1iMall
Black Business America
Black Business Association – Los Angeles
Black Business Association of Memphis
Black Business Investment Fund
Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Black Data Processing Associates
Black Dermatologists
Black Enterprise Magazine
Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association
Black Music America
Black Trade Lines
Blacks in Government
California Association of Black Attorneys
California Black Chamber of Commerce
Center for Black Business History
Greater L.A. A A Chamber of Com.
Los Angeles Black Business Expo
Magic Johnson Enterprises
Nat'l. Assoc. of Minority Contractors – So. CA
National Association for the Advancement of Black Americans in Vocational Education
National Association of African-American Studies
National Black Chamber of Commerce
National Black MBA Association
National Black McDonald's Operators Association
National Black Owned Broadcasters Association
National Black Public Relations Society
Small Business Exchange