National Society of Black Engineers

National Society of Black Engineers is a nonprofit organization that aims to increase the number of African Americans in the field of engineering. Founded in 1975 by Arthur J. Bond, Bryan W. Dickerson, Stanley L. Dixon, John C. Logan, George A. Smith, Edward A. Coleman, and Pierre D. Johnson at Purdue University, the organization has grown to include over 500 chapters and more than 30,000 members worldwide, including National Aeronautics and Space Administration engineers, General Electric employees, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology students. The organization is supported by major corporations such as 3M, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin, as well as government agencies like the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. The society also collaborates with other organizations, including the Society of Women Engineers, the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference, and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.

● History

The National Society of Black Engineers was founded in 1975 at Purdue University by a group of six students, including Arthur J. Bond and Bryan W. Dickerson, who were determined to increase the number of African Americans in the field of engineering. The organization's early years were marked by rapid growth, with the establishment of chapters at Howard University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and University of Michigan. The society's first national convention was held in 1976 at Tuskegee University, and it has since become an annual event, featuring keynote speakers such as Neil deGrasse Tyson and Mae Jemison. The organization has also been supported by prominent figures, including Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Michael Jordan, as well as companies like Google, Microsoft, and Intel.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of the National Society of Black Engineers is to increase the number of African Americans in the field of engineering and to promote academic excellence, professional development, and community service. The organization's objectives include increasing the number of African American students who pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, providing professional development opportunities for its members, and promoting community service and outreach programs, such as partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. The society also aims to increase the number of African Americans in leadership positions in the field of engineering, and to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry, through collaborations with organizations like the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

● Organization_and_Structure

The National Society of Black Engineers is a nonprofit organization with a national headquarters located in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization is led by a national executive board, which includes a chair, vice chair, and secretary, as well as representatives from each of the society's six regions, including Region I, Region II, Region III, Region IV, Region V, and Region VI. The organization also has a number of committees, including a membership committee, a programs committee, and a finance committee, which are responsible for implementing the society's programs and initiatives, such as the NSBE Fellows Program and the NSBE Scholarship Program. The society's members include students, professionals, and educators from a variety of institutions, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and California Institute of Technology.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The National Society of Black Engineers offers a number of programs and initiatives to support its members and promote academic excellence, professional development, and community service. These programs include the NSBE Fellows Program, which provides funding and mentorship to graduate students pursuing degrees in STEM fields, and the NSBE Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to undergraduate students majoring in STEM fields. The society also offers a number of professional development programs, including workshops, conferences, and networking events, such as the NSBE Annual Convention and the NSBE Regional Conference. The organization also partners with companies like IBM, Cisco Systems, and Northrop Grumman to provide job opportunities and career development resources to its members.

● Conferences_and_events

The National Society of Black Engineers hosts a number of conferences and events throughout the year, including the NSBE Annual Convention, which is the society's largest event and features keynote speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities. The society also hosts a number of regional conferences, which are designed to provide professional development opportunities and networking events for members in specific regions, such as the NSBE Region I Conference and the NSBE Region II Conference. The organization also participates in a number of external events, including the USA Science and Engineering Festival and the White House STEM Education Summit, and collaborates with other organizations, such as the National Science Teachers Association and the American Society for Engineering Education.

● Notable_Members_and_Alumni

The National Society of Black Engineers has a number of notable members and alumni, including Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space, and Guion Bluford, the first African American to travel in space. Other notable members and alumni include Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist and science communicator, and Mark Dean, a computer engineer and inventor who holds over 20 patents, including IBM and Microsoft employees, as well as NASA engineers and Department of Defense officials. The society's members and alumni can be found working at a variety of institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, University of California, Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon University.