Meeting the changing needs of black MBAs - effectiveness of National Black MBA Association - Masters of Business degree

Black Enterprise, Oct, 1993 by Dawn M. Baskerville

NBMBAA scored high marks as a professional organization addressing the needs of its membership when measured by its original objectives. Now as a leaner, more inclusive organization dedicated to economic and educational parity, NBMBAA finds itself playing "catch up" in offering courses and services to satisfy a more diverse and demanding membership.

MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES

The benefits of NBMBAA affiliation attest to its strong, nearly quarter of a century existence. For a $100 annual fee, members get a membership directory, a quarterly newsletter and discounts and preferential treatment in the group's career development and continuing education programs, the caliber of which have become the backbone of the revamped organization. Covering all phases of professional development, NBMBAA now has offerings that benefit preschoolers and Ph.D.s alike.

* For example, a year-old joint initiative with Junior Achievement links kindergarten and elementary school students with corporate volunteers who serve as role models and provide exposure to basic business management techniques.

* The Boston chapter has been successful with NBMBAA's "Leaders of Tomorrow" program, targeting marginal high school students with demonstrated but untapped leadership potential. Members expose the teenagers to the business world, while developing their untapped leadership skills. Students of the program, now in place in five chapters, also attend the annual conference.

* "Destination MBA," sponsored jointly with the Graduate Management Admissions Council in Princeton, N.J., offers potential degree candidates exposure to MBA students and working MBAs, who, in turn, encourage and advise them.

* Meanwhile, the Executive Development Institute, now in its second year, has gained wide praise and is in great demand. Offered at the NBMBAA's Annual Conference and Exposition, this program provides senior-level development strategies and skills for members in corporate or entrepreneurial environments.

The annual convention itself is the organization's most successful venture. Held each fall in a different city, the conference alone generates 85% of the NBMBAA's $2 million budget. A significant portion of this budget is distributed among local chapters to support programs and scholarships, according to director of operations and chief operating officer Antoinette Malveaux. A fair portion of that comes from "corporate partners," who pay $500 (for nonprofits and educational institutions) to $10,000 (for VIP corporate partners) to participate in the conference.

"This group provides an important demographic market that Marriott wants to tap into," observes Michael A. Mobley, senior director, internal audit for Marriott Corp., and an NBMBAA member. In addition to hosting the conference at one of its properties, Marriott has pledged $200,000 to NBMBAA's scholarship fund.

A seedbed for networking and professional development opportunities, NBMBAA's 15th annual conference, held in Atlanta in September, attracted more than 1,500 participants. At these conferences, members make important career connections, participate in developmental seminars and rub elbows with the likes of Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and Congresswoman Maxine Waters (as they did last year).