Black MBAs celebrate 32nd anniversary; innovative group seeks larger role

Additionally, Brown says he'd like to see the association have regional offices to better tap into and develop resources for constituents. Malveaux and Brown agree that the association must work harder to be a globally recognized group with increasing relevance in the Black community and beyond.

"My vision is that the organization becomes a symbol of true leadership for our community," Malveaux says. "Not so much by who belongs, but by who we impact through our programming and through issues that affect African-Americans and business education ... We're not an advocacy group. But my vision would be that, in time, we would become one, that we would take our true seat and deliver on the responsibilities that we have."

Brown says he wants to see a day when the National Black MBA Association is the first major organization on economic policy, jobs, entrepreneurship, affirmative action in business and education and diversity in corporate leadership.

"In short, my vision is to see the National Black MBA Association go to the next level--making sure that we empower our members, our MBA entrepreneurs to become--for example--the next CEO of American Express," says Brown, who received his MBA from Jacksonville University. "I see us moving in a direction where we become the premier organization that corporate America looks to for talent--not entry-level, but CEOs, senior managers and top executives."

Brown says that the group needs to expand into new urban and rural markets, attract more funding, assist more students, help provide even more programs for its members and continue to strengthen the board. This generation should know "economic empowerment in the real sense of the word."

"We're a young, voluntary organization and like anything else, it takes time," Brown says. "When we empower our own, they support the organization, and that's how we grow."