Joining a professional association can be a great way to connect with people in your field/industry and get advice from people who do the work you are interested in everyday! The organization listed below are for individuals who identify as Black and/or African-American that have opportunities to make connection, engage with online resources, and house job boards. Some of these organizations have a membership fee listed at the end of the organization description, these fees are annual unless otherwise noted. Many organizations have free resources to non-members or offer collegiate chapters. Information for starting a student org at CSU can be found here.
Business
- National Association of Black Accountants: The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA, Inc.), is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap for black professionals in the accounting, finance and related business professions. ($35 student membership)
- National Association of African Americans in Human Resources: NAAAHR exists to provide a unique global forum for the career development of Black and African American human resources professionals. ($30 student membership)
- National Black MBA Association: The mission of the National Black MBA Association® is to lead in the creation of educational, wealth building, and growth opportunities for those historically underrepresented throughout their careers as students, entrepreneurs and professionals. ($30 undergraduate and $45 graduate student membership)
Design
- Organization of Black Designers: OBD is a national professional organization of interior, industrial, architectural, fashion and graphic designers dedicated to promoting the visibility, empowerment, education and interaction of its membership and the understanding and value that diverse design perspectives contribute to world culture and commerce.
Engineering and science
- American Association of Blacks in Energy: Since its founding in 1977, the AABE organization has always been committed to building the pipeline of minority energy professionals. (Denver Membership is $50)
- National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers: NOBCChE is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to assisting black and other minority students and professionals in fully realizing their potential in academic, professional, and entrepreneurial pursuits in chemistry, chemical engineering, and allied fields. ($20 student membership)
- National Society of Black Engineers: NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” ($15 student membership)
- National Society of Black Physicists: NSBP is the largest and most recognizable organization devoted to the growth, development, and advancement of the African-American physics community. ($25 undergraduate, $35 graduate, $45 postdoctoral membership)
Food services
- BCA: BCAGlobal empowers people of color across diverse cultures through a mindfulness approach to food, coupled with practical skills in the hospitality & culinary industries, leading to meaningful connections that further a vision of a beloved community. ($100, must be working in the field for membership)
General
- 100 Black Men of America: Through its intentional focus on mentorship across a lifetime, 100 Black Men of America’s local chapters prepare young men and women to realize their highest potential, by creating viable solutions to address local and national issues affecting African American communities. ($300 annual, they also have collegiate chapters)
Government
- Blacks in Government: BIG MISSION: Enable all present and future Black employees in Local, State, and Federal governments to have the ability to maximize their career opportunities and provide a mechanism for inclusion, growth and advocacy. ($20 student memerbship)
Healthcare
- National Black Nurses Association: NBNA mission is to provide a forum for collective action by African American nurses to represent and provide a forum for black nurses to advocate for and implement strategies to ensure access to the highest quality of healthcare for persons of color. ($20 student membership)
- Student National Medical Association: The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians. ($31.65 for medical student or $313.50 for a lifetime membership)
Law and criminal justice
- National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice: Created in 1974, the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) has made a goal of achieving equal justice for blacks and other minorities ($50 student membership)
- National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives: Their missions it to ensure equity in the administration of justice in the provision of public service to all communities, and to serve as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action. (If a student chapter is created, there is no membership fee)
Media
- National Association of Black Journalists: The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of Black journalists worldwide. ($40 student membership, $79 alumni membership)
Tech
- BDPA: Founded as the Black Data Processing Associates in 1975, BDPA was created to bring underrepresented minorities together who were working in the information technology and computer science field for the purpose of professional development and academic enrichment. ($25 student membership)
- Blacks in Technology: Blacks In Technology is a global platform for Black people in technology. BIT serves members through community, media and mentorship. We provide resources, guidance and challenge members to establish new standards of innovation. ($45 student membership)
Women
- Black Career Women’s Network: Black Career Women’s Network (BCWN) is a national career development enterprise dedicated to fostering the professional growth of African-American women. (There are free and paid for memberships)
Additional organizations can be found here.
