This list of Black Professional Associations is a great way to see what others are doing in the field, connect with professionals who have accumulated a wealth of experience, and get information about job lists. Joining and participating in groups such as these allow you to see how other Black professionals are using the knowledge to uplift the Black Community and inform you of the ways in which Black history and innovation have contributed to their fields.
I recommend visiting each Association’s website and doing the pertinent research for information on membership costs and requirements. These membership-based associations serve the interests of fellow black professionals across a variety of industries and occupations. Each association will contain information on trends, jobs, webinars, and workshops to continue your professional growth after graduation.
The list is below:
- American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity (AAAED) is the association of professionals managing affirmative action, equal opportunity, diversity and other HR programs.
- American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) ensures the input of African Americans into the discussion and development of energy policies, regulations, R&D technologies and environmental issues.
- American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE) is a membership-based organization dedicated to serving as the voice for African Americans in higher education.
- Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is a non-profit organization that offers individual membership and empowers its members through advocacy, professional development, and collaboration.
- Association of Black Business Coaches & Consultants (ABBCC) is a membership organization dedicated to building the skills and business networks of its members.
- Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) is a membership-based association for physicians, scientists, clinical care associates, cardiologists in training, medical students and more.
- Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) promotes and advances the profession of African Psychology.
- Association of Black Sociologists (ABS) is a membership organization for black social science leaders committed to research, teaching, mentoring, service, and social justice.
- Association of Black Women Physicians (ABWP) is an organized network of black women physicians committed to the improvement of public health and health equity.
- Black Beauty Association (BBA) is a membership-based organization dedicated to serving beauty professionals.
- Black Caucus of American Library Association serves as an advocate for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources to the nation’s African American community; and provides leadership for the recruitment and professional development of African American librarians.
- Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) is an organization for black professionals in IT including programmers, analysts, engineers, managers, instructors, and entrepreneurs.
- Black Marketers Association of America (BMAA) is a membership-based organization for African American marketers of all industries and experience levels.
- Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE) is a membership-based organization for African American females who have degrees in the sciences, math, and engineering.
- International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) is dedicated to cultivating and maintaining professional competence and establishing unity among black professional fire fighters.
- National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) is dedicated to empowering African-American insurance professionals.
- National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) is devoted to the success of the nation’s children, particularly children of African descent.
- National Association for Black Veterinarians (NABV) is dedicated to supporting African-American individuals within the field of veterinary medicine.
- National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) is an inspirational and unique career development and networking powerhouse.
- National Association of African American Studies (NAAAS) serves as a resource for scholars in the field doing research related to the African and African American experience.
- National Black Doula Association is the #1 Black and BIPOC Doula directory and training organization in the world.
- National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) is the leader in expanding the influence of minority professionals in the fields of accounting and finance.
- National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) is comprised of African Americans in law enforcement, judicial admin, juvenile justice, institution-based corrections, and more.
- National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment (NABFEME) empowers women of color in recorded music, sports, media and related entertainment industry fields.
- National Association of Black Geoscientists (NABG) is a nonprofit organization established to encourage and support African American geoscientists.
- National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide.
- National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NABLEO) is a national organization serving as an advocate for the concerns of law enforcement officers of color throughout the US.
- National Association of Black Legal Assistants & Paralegals (NABLAP) is a membership-based organization for black legal assistants and paralegals within the legal field.
- National Association of Black Male Educators (NABME) promotes the professional advancement of black and minority male educators.
- National Association of Black Narcotics Agents (NABNA) is devoted to furthering the hiring, training, and retention of minority DEA employees.
- National Association of Black Physical Therapists (NABPT) is a membership-based organization for African American physical therapists and physical therapy assistants.
- National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) is committed to enhancing quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry.
- National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) is a membership organization for African-American music and musicians, performers, educators, students, administrators, and enthusiasts.
- National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) the nation’s oldest and most historic black real estate membership-based professional association.
- National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP) is the premier non-profit organization for minorities and women in the securities industry.
- National Black Association of Speech Language and Hearing (NBASLH) is a membership organization representing certified black speech-language and hearing professionals.
- National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NBCFAE) focuses on networking, education, volunteering and leadership through aviation based careers.
- National Black Contractors Association (NBCA) addresses the needs of African Americans in construction, women and other under-represented contractors.
- National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) leads in the creation of educational opportunities and economic growth for African Americans.
- National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) is a forum for black nurses to advocate for and implement strategies to ensure access to the highest quality of healthcare for persons of color.
- National Black Postdoc Association (NBPA) provides space for the exchange of information and opportunities to enhance the social well-being, research advancement, and professional development of its members.
- National Black Professional Lobbyists Association (NBPLA) is dedicated to promoting the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the arenas of lobbying, advocacy, legislative and government affairs.
- National Black Prosecutors Association (NBPA) is the only professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of African Americans as prosecutors.
- National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS) is a membership-based organization for black professionals in the public relations, media relations, and corporate communication fields.
- National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) is a non-profit organization dedicated primarily to the training needs of African American meeting planners.
- National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL) is an association of lawyers, scholars, judges, legal workers, law students and legal activists.
- National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS) is organized to study, enhance, and promote the political aspirations of people of African descent.
- National Dental Hygienists’ Association (NDHA) is committed to serving minority dental hygiene practitioners of African American descent and bringing the community together for betterment.
- National Economic Association (NEA) offers membership to minority professionals and graduate students in the field of economics and a wide array of related disciplines.
- National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) is a professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of black leadership in the public sector.
- National Medical Association (NMA) is the collective voice of African American physicians and the leading force for parity and justice in medicine.
- National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) welcomes black and minority professionals in chemistry and chemical engineering.
- National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN) is a professional organization of African-American dietetic and nutrition practitioners.
- National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) represents black chiefs of police, sheriffs, and command level law enforcement agency personnel.
- National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) fosters justice and equity in communities of color through outreach, professional development and design excellence.
- National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) is a membership-based association dedicated to representing minority pharmacists on critical issues affecting healthcare and pharmacy.
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is dedicated to serving culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.
- National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) promotes the professional well-being of African American physicists and physics students.
- Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of minorities in all aviation and aerospace careers.
- Society of Black Archeologists (SBA) is a membership-based association dedicated to serving African American archaeologists.