This year’s conference will convene live and digitally in organization’s hometown of Chicago for a week of innovation and exploration
(Black PR Wire) ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)– The National Black MBA Association® (NBMBAA) is gearing up to host its 43rd annual conference and career exposition with an epic homecoming in Chicago. Open for registration now, the event will be hosted at McCormick Place from Sept. 14-18 under the theme ‘Renew, Refresh & Reset’.
This year, NBMBAA will renew its commitment to restoring today’s Black professionals in the ‘new normal’ of doing business. The event will kick-off on Tuesday, Sept. 14 with a Chairman’s Reception followed by a Chicago chapter reception. The opening session on Wednesday, Sept. 15, dubbed Renew, Refresh & Reset, will set the stage for a week of inspiring conversation, workshops, and networking.
A number of impressive speakers are lined up to deliver presentations throughout the week on topics such as: How Executives Advocate for Change, Reinventing a Career, Technology and the Future of Work, Authenticity as a Business Advantage, The Business of Podcasting, Cutting-Edge Marketing Trends, and more. This year’s host, Angela Burt-Murray, editorial director and screenwriter, Sunshine Group Media, will be joined by other notable names, including:
- Michael Vick, FOX NFL Analyst and co-host of the FOX NFL Kickoff Show
- Nicole Walters, CEO and founder Inherit Learning Company
- Tristan Walker, CEO and founder, Walker & Company Brands
Additional speakers include, Cole Brown, political commentator, writer, Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World, Nzinga “Zing” Shaw, global chief inclusion & diversity officer, Marsh McLennan, Jessamyn Stanley, entrepreneur, author, and acclaimed voice in wellness, The Underbelly, and Peter McGraw, PhD., director of the Humor Research Lab, University of Colorado Boulder. There will also be networking opportunities for those attending the conference in-person and digitally throughout the conference. In-person and digital attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an award presentation for the H. Naylor Fitzhugh Award of Relevance, Silver Torch, Entrepreneur of the Year, Chairman’s, and Academic Partner of the Year. Attendees will also be treated to a welcome reception on the penultimate day, featuring a Taste of Chicago to sample the city’s legendary cuisine.
Touted as the Largest Network of Black Professionals, NBMBAA boasts 41 chapters, over 500 corporate, academic and not-for-profit partners and 20,000 members. The organization offers year-round programming and events to expose members to new topics, ideas and training. Known for its Career Expo, this year’s conference will also offer a digital component for those who cannot attend in-person. The “Renew, Refresh & Reset” Digital Career Expo will take place Sept. 21-22.
“We are thrilled to be back in Chicago for this year’s conference,” said Joe Handy, President and CEO. “Fifty-one amazing years later, this is the city that started it all. After an unconventional year like 2020, we wanted to help our members and conference attendees reset their approach to business. Adjusting to this new normal has shifted the way we, as a society, approach everything, including work. National Black MBA Association has been a beacon of excellence for Black professionals nationwide for over five decades and we are committed to dedicating the next 50 years to building future generations of Black executives.”
Corporate partners for this year’s in-person conference include a host of high-profile brands committed to inclusion, including: 3M, FedEx, Lockheed Martin, Marsh McLennan, PwC, and Toyota. The digital conference is supported by corporate partners, including: American Express, Discover, Fiserv, Nationwide and Wells Fargo.
The 43rd annual conference and career expo will be hosted under strict Covid-19 protocols to ensure the safety of all attendees. Entrance into the in-person conference at McCormick Place will align with order of event registration. Those who are first to register will have first access to enter the career expo floor. Live and Digital Premium ticket holders will also have access to conference benefits including the Career Success Network® Center, Virtual Career Fair, On-Site Interviews, receptions and more. For further details or to register for the event, please visit: nbmbaa.org/conference.
About the National Black MBA Association®, Inc.
NBMBAA® is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) member-based professional organization which leads in the creation of educational, wealth building and growth opportunities for black students, professionals and entrepreneurs. Representing more than 20,000 members, 41 professional and 33 Leaders of Tomorrow® chapters, and over 500 corporate, academic and non-profit partners, the Association is dedicated to developing alliances that create intellectual and economic wealth in the Black community through its five channels of engagement: career, education, entrepreneurship, leadership and lifestyle. To learn more about NBMBAA, please go to: nbmbaa.org, follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
