Envisioning the Future: Black Professional Associations

1. Envisioning the Future: Black Professional Associations Sheila V. Baldwin, Ed.D. & Iris L. Outlaw, M.S.A. 2006 AAC&U Faculty Hyatt at McCormick Place Chicago, Illinois

2. 1960s Social unrest in United States Black nationalists Black Power Self Determination Black Professionals Associations: Career Advancement Student Assistance Networking

3. This absence of the black presence in the (white) literature that Cone read caused him to create, Black Theology Black students often ask the same question.

4. James H. Cone Black Theology Doctoral studies caused confusion�between Black religious experience that he received during his childhood upbringing White theological literature that he was studying at Northwestern University

5. This study will look at: 12 black professional associations to see: Why the associations were formed? What commonalities do they share?

6. Why Were They Formed? Reasons: �alternative to the segregated AMA� (National Medical Association) Sensitize �all media to the importance of fairness in the workplace for black journalists� (National Association of Black Journalists)

7. Per Williams, Coming together: the founding of the association of black psychologists, (1997): APA was ineffective and insincere Never a division of American Psychology Association (APA) Not an act of protest

8. The accounting field was �not very diverse�predominately populated by white males� �stepped out on faith, established a support base for other Black accountants� (Jenkins, 2004) (National Association of Black Accountants)

9. Associations & Their Purpose

15. Commonalities All have: Networking opportunities Annual meetings Publications Community Outreach

16. All have pipeline initiatives due to: Declining number of students in higher education. Student Support Internships Career Fairs Mentoring Programs Partners and Corporations Other Educational Initiatives: High school (NBA) through fellowships (NABA, NABJ) and post doctorates () Have educational programs, i.e., testing (GMAT, MCAT) seminars (SNMA, NABA)

17. Structure: All have elected boards All are financially supported by: Membership Dues Educational & Business Partners Foundations Corporations Membership: Sizes range from 120 (NAFEO) to 100,000 (NBMAA, 2004) Types range from administrative, faculty, support staff (clerical�maintenance)

18. Questions for Further Study What challenges did they face after they separated from the mainstream association? What challenges are they facing? Is there a difference with the students from the past compared to today�s students? Is there still a need for black professional associations?

19. Thing(s) That Make You Say: Hmmmm� NABJ: Gives scholarships to anyone who attends a 4-year accredited U.S. institution or candidates for graduate school�students can be foreign or American-born. American Association of Higher Education (AAHE) had a diversity focus�but its practices & actions constantly called us (ethnic caucuses) to questioned its authenticity.

20. References Williams, B. H. (1997). Coming together: The founding of the Association of Black Psychologists. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, St. Louis University. Jenkins, Norman. (2004). Lifting as we climb: National Association of Black Accountants. The Practical Accountant, 8(37), 48-50.

21. Contact Information Sheila V. Baldwin, Ed.D. Professor of English English Department Columbia College Chicago 600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605 312-344-8105 sbaldwin@colum.edu Iris L. Outlaw, M.S.A. Director, Multicultural Student Programs University of Notre Dame 210 LaFortune Student Center Notre Dame, IN 46556 574-631-6831 outlaw.2@nd.edu