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Professional organizations in your field of focus, study or work could afford you many more opportunities then just “climbing the corporate ladder.” With perks like networking, leadership programs, scholarships and paid career programs, joining a professional organization could be just the association you need to reach the next level in your career.
Here are 12 professional organizations specifically for African-Americans and professional and student minorities that are nationally recognized and could prove to be beneficial to your success!
National Association of Black Journalists
As one of the most popular national African-American associations in the communications field, the National Association of Black Journalists is a great professional and student organization that has various perks. Besides hosting notable members like CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, TVOne’s Roland Martin and more, NABJ strives to provide an outlet for black journalists through various programs and conventions. From college members to famous members, NABJ is the main hub for African Americans in the media, and their members are well recognized in their respective fields with honorable awards and mentions for their journalistic work. They also provide career leads and internships to their members!
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National Urban League
“Empowering communities, changing lives” is the motto for this national organization, founded in 1910 to help serve minority communities through public policy, research and various programs. The National Urban League serves 300 communities and is perfect for the African-American philanthropic professional to get involved with. NUL members get involved on a local and economic level, with programs for financial literacy in African-American communities, career fairs and more. Their powerful partnerships with various companies like Nationwide Insurance also makes them a contender as a great national organization to always follow along with.
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Association of Black Foundation Executives
If you are philanthropic African-American professional looking to expand your network and promote effective community philanthropy, the Association of Black Foundation Executives might be for you. This professional, philanthropic organization seeks to solve the disparities of giving in the African-American community through learning opportunities for its members, leadership programs and networking opportunities as well.
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National Association of Black Accountants
If you are a professional accountant, the National Association of Black Accountants is a great professional organization to get involved with. This organization supports its minority professionals in accounting and finance through various programs like its annual conference, student chapters and financial partnerships with heavyweight companies like Walmart. Their perks do not slack for their members either. NABA offers a discount with Liberty Mutual, as well as a career center for their members only.
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National Black MBA Association
For the African-American MBA professional, the National Black MBA Association should not go unnoticed. This organization provides networking opportunities and resources for African-American MBA professionals. Along with their notable Entrepreneurial & Leadership Conference every year, the National Black MBA Association offers scholarships to undergrad and graduate minority leaders looking to pursue a degree in entrepreneurship, business or to a graduate MBA program. This scholarship program has awarded more than $5 million to various students to achieve their MBA goals. Find a local chapter here. Besides the perks of their scholarship program, being a member also affords various discounts to Black Enterprise subscriptions, United Airlines discounts and more!
National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications
For professionals in the communications and media industries, NAMIC is a professional organization that provides great networking opportunities with other minority professionals. NAMIC hosts various awards for outstanding minorities in the field of communications, media, marketing and more, as well as networking meet-ups, an annual conference as a part of Diversity Week and professional development programs like the Executive Leadership Development Program, open to mid-level and senior executives of color.
100 Black Men of America, Inc.
For the black men (and women too!), 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is a great professional organization that strives to uplift the minority communities through mentoring programs, education and health initiatives. Those interested can sign up to become a volunteer or could donate to the organization’s causes by visiting their site.
National Black Nurses Association
Nurses also have a professional organization just for them, the National Black Nurses Association. This association, formed in 1971, serves African-American nurses and their desire to solve the health disparities in the African-American community. With over 350,000 nurses as members, NBNA hosts an annual conference, a National Black Nurses Day on Capitol Hill, research programs and awards to outstanding African-American nurses in the field.
National Society of Black Engineers
The National Society of Black Engineers is a professional and collegiate organization designed to supports AfricanAmericans in this demanding career focus. NSBE has student chapters in various colleges, along with a professional level that helps black engineers gain scholarships, partnerships and network with other African-American engineers. If you are interested in exploring the engineering field either as a student or professional, try joining NSBE and get involved with those who can teach you about the field best!
The National HBCU Alumni Association
If you are an alumni of a historically black college or university, you should think about joining the National HBCU Alumni Association. This professional and educational organization focuses on providing adequate funding and projects for these historical colleges that are so much a part of our culture’s history. Without adequate funding for many of these colleges, especially during the college loan debt crisis, many of these schools could face closures or less financial aid to offer their students, such as the looming budget trouble at one of the most notable HBCUs in the country, Howard University.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The NAACP is well known in our communities, since its formation in 1909. As the leading national civil rights organization for African-Americans, the NAACP has been on the front lines for many of the nation’s civil right’s movements, including during the eras of Jim Crow, boycotts to end segregation alongside leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and others and more recently, the fight for LGBT rights in America. You can find a local chapter of the NAACP in your area to participate with, and with youth and adult memberships, almost anyone can join and help the fight for education and minority civil rights.
The National Black Business Council, Inc.
The National Black Business Council is a council of business professionals who strive to create and growth African-American businesses within our community. As a 501 (c) (6) non-profit, this organization is dedicated to forging relationships with Fortune 1000 companies to support black-owned businesses in the economy. Some of the organization’s notable partners include Verizon and Raytheon. This professional organization also participates on a federal and legislative level, helping minority-owned businesses thrive and making a difference in businesses within the community.
