St. Louis
Chapter
ABOUT US
Vision-
Through brand awareness and strategic relationships, the NBMBAA -ST Louis Chapter will become a cornerstone network for black professionals and entrepreneurs in the St Louis Region.
Mission-
The NBMBAA-St Louis Chapter creates a pipeline of diverse professionals through five engagement channels: education, career, leadership, entrepreneurship, and lifestyle development. We partner with organizations to create inclusive business practices and facilitate professional development and networking opportunities for the underserved to create wealth and foster successful careers. Our community is stronger because of The NBMBAA-St Louis Chapter.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
If you are looking for a network of business professionals with a commitment to education, career development and promoting the economic wealth of the African-American community… the National Black MBA Association is for you!
The strength of the National Black MBA Association as an organization lies in its extensive network of local chapters. Through its 46 professional chapters nationwide and 28 Collegiate Chapters, the National Black MBA Association keeps abreast of issues affecting members across the country and around the world.
Boasting over 8,000 members, the National Black MBA Association is the most powerful social network of individuals dedicated to increasing corporate diversity and access to capital. We educate. We provide career opportunities. We invest in the empowerment of Black business minds.
Monthly seminars, workshops, corporate receptions, newsletters, community activities, and social events also keep members informed, involved and connected throughout the year. These are just some of the great benefits that we offer to our members!
How can membership benefit you?
Career and life skills training
Scholarship opportunities
Infinite networking possibilities
Executive and student mentoring opportunities
Members-only discounts and events
Career Opportunities
Entrepreneurial training and business support
Reduced registration at the National Black MBA Association National Conference.
Member Program Rates
We offer several membership options based on a professional level and affiliation.
Experienced Professional status includes professionals with 20 plus year experience and/or a graduate degree in any particular field (MBA, MHA, MPA, MS, MA, JD, etc.)
$200 a year
Professional status includes professionals without a graduate degree, but with extensive experience or entrepreneurial success.
$150 a year
Student Membership status includes students enrolled in any graduate degree program (a two-year limit). New/Renewing members need to submit evidence of matriculation into a graduate degree program (i.e. a copy of a current school ID card or registration).
$45 a year (limited to two years)
Collegiate Student Membership status includes an undergraduate student from an approved collegiate chapter. The application will remain pending until approved by headquarters.
$30 a year
What can you do to increase your benefit?
JOIN NOW
Don’t wait. Applications are available online and at all events. Membership operates on a rolling 12-month basis.
PARTICIPATE
We develop programs for you and look for your support to make them successful. Come see what we are about.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
Tell us what you would like to see. Contact your Leadership Team, participate in planning sessions, and complete the survey that will be sent in a couple of months.
GET INVOLVED
You will get out of this organization what you put into it. Join a committee, help organize an event, or volunteer your time. We are all busy and have competing priorities, but anything you can do is appreciated!
ST. LOUIS CHAPTER HISTORY
Established in 1970, the National Black MBA Association is dedicated to developing partnerships that result in the creation of intellectual and economic wealth in the black community. In partnership with over 400 of the country’s top business organizations, the association has inroads into a wide range of industries as well as the public and private sector. Yet all of NBMBAA’s partners have one thing in common: they are all committed to the organization’s goals and values.
The organization gains its strength from a strong belief in community and a commitment to its development through economic and educational development initiatives that support the global African American community.
The National Black MBA Association, Inc. (NBMBAA) St. Louis Chapter is one of 46 professional chapters throughout the United States and Canada. The NBMBAA-St. Louis Chapter has more than 130 members with diverse professional backgrounds in the field of accounting, communications, finance, general management, human resources, information technology, marketing and telecommunications acquired from both public and private sector organizations.
Maria Flores, Jesse Swanigan, and Ruth Teague-Rice formed the chapter along with charter members John Bass, Alfred A. Brown Jr., Rose Neyland, Ken Rowey and Mark Sanford in 1984, and the chapter incorporated in the State of Missouri in 1988. The chapter is a recognized 501©3 business organization with a mission to assist in the professional, entrepreneurial, economic and intellectual development of its members, corporate partners and community-at-large.
For the last 40 years, the NBMBAA-St. Louis Chapter has been a part of the fabric in the St. Louis community and has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of business professionals through offered professional development programs, community outreach programs and signature events—hosting 20 Professional Career Fairs, 14 Golf Tournaments, 8 Black History Mixers, six Trivia Nights and five Entrepreneur Think Tanks. Over the years, these and other fundraising events have enabled the chapter to provide more than $300,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors bound for college as well as area, undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, the chapter has, for more than 15-years, impacted the lives of students participating in its Leaders of Tomorrow program.
The NBMBAA-St. Louis Chapter has a long standing history of chapter presidents who [with the aid of each leadership team] have worked tirelessly to empower visionaries through a commitment to education, career, leadership, entrepreneurship and lifestyle.
Past and Current Chapter Presidents
Ken Franklin – Present Carrie Sanders – Immediate Past President
Dana Townsend – (2017)
Sam Gradford (2015 – 2016)
Jacquie Vick (2011 – 2014)
Amber Simpson (2009-2010)
K. Kalimba Kindell (2007-2008)
Sam Gradford (2003-2006)
Dr. Kelvyn Moore (1999-2002)
Jerry Holliday (1997-1998)
Michelle Page (1995-1996)
James Pinkston (1993-1994)
*Ken Rowey (1990 – 1992)
Mark Sanford (1988-1989)
Jesse Swanigan (1986 – 1987)
Ruth Teague-Rice (1984-1985)
*Deceased
ABOUT US
The National Black MBA Association leads in the creation of educational opportunities and economic growth for African Americans.
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