African-American youth have recently received a lot of negative publicity, but with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) coming to Indianapolis, hopefully people’s view of young Blacks will do an about-face.
NSBE will hold its 39th annual convention at the Indiana Convention Center March 27 – 31. This year’s theme is “#NSBE2013: Honoring Our Past Driving Our Community Forward,” a reference to NSBE’s origins. The society was founded in 1971 on the campus of Purdue University.
“We are excited to return to Indiana,” said Whitney Gaskins, the NSBE 39th annual convention planning committee chairperson. “Nearly 40 years ago, 48 students held our first convention at Purdue. It is amazing to now be able to bring over 7,000 people back to where NSBE began its historical journey.”
NSBE is a student-managed organization that promotes leadership among its young members. It is spearheaded by 24-year-old Calvin Young, NSBE’s national chair. NSBE’s vision is reflected in this year’s convention.
Carl Mack, executive director of NSBE said that vision has translated into conducting the business of the organization, providing advancement opportunities and allowing members to network, fellowship and showcase their skills while in Indianapolis.
One of the main highlights of the convention is a career fair, which will be held March 28 and 29. More than 200 of the nation’s largest employers will have recruiters at the fair to meet prospective interns and employees, collect resumes, conduct interviews and, in some cases, hire attendees.
Also, representatives of more than 60 academic institutions will work as exhibitors at the convention’s Graduate School Fair and College Fair, recruiting students for their respective programs.
Attendees will also hear from renowned speakers including Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations for the U.S. Navy; Roland Martin, TV One commentator and CNN analyst; Ryan Mack, president of the Optimum Institute of Economic Empowerment Inc.; and Randal Pinkett, founder, chairman and CEO of BCT Partners among others.
During the convention, NSBE’s youth members will be participating in various competitions and workshops.
The assembly is also the site for NSBE’s Golden Torch Awards, which recognizes individuals and organizations that exemplify academic excellence, professional success and dedication to the improvement of the Black community.
This year, some convention events are open to the public such as a forum, which will address issues in the science technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM fields. All are also welcome to the NSBE opening session, where Roland Martin will speak, a health fair and a 5K run.
Proceeds from the convention will go toward college scholarships.
More than 9,000 people are expected to attend this convention and the City of Indianapolis is proud and excited.
“Having hosted the National Society of Black Engineers in 2001, we are honored to welcome this important organization back to Indianapolis,” said Chris Gahl, Visit Indy vice president of marketing and communications. “Our guests will generate an estimated $10.2 million in economic impact over the convention’s duration. Attendees are future leaders and we hope to showcase the city as a thriving place to attend college, enter our workforce, and visit again with their family and friends.”
Although all are eager to get the conference under way, this annual event is a small part of NSBE’s big agenda.
With close to 30,000 pre-college, collegiate and technical professional members in the U.S. and abroad, NSBE is one of the world’s largest membership organizations for Black students and professionals in engineering and other STEM fields.
Signature programs include the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids or SEEK program. This free three-week program is open to third through eighth grade students and is designed to be a fun and engaging educational experience, led by NSBE engineering students and technical professionals.
“Unfortunately Black kids aren’t encouraged to do math and science but if you get kids excited about math and science early, they will pursue engineering, become math teachers or do other things, but they will have the STEM background,” said Pamela Sharif, publisher of the NSBE Magazines.
NSBE is also prepping to begin an African-American girls summer engineering program.
For college students, NSBE has created the Retention Program. Sharif said oftentimes, Black students attend college and declare engineering as their major, but struggle in calculus, physics and chemistry classes. Due to the difficult course load, many will change majors. The Retention Program acts as a mentoring and study group program to provide support for struggling engineering students.
“Black folks, we will party together but study alone. We’re changing that,” said Mack.
After graduation, NSBE has a bevy of corporate partners to connect grads to internships, jobs and co-ops. Once in the job field, NSBE professionals have access to certification programs and other incentives.
NSBE programs are steps toward fulfilling their goal – increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. Most importantly they aim to end the underrepresentation of Blacks in engineering.
“If you ask most Black people about 10,000 Black engineers they couldn’t probably tell you one. It’s important for us to take ‘A&E’ and change it from athletics and entertainment to academic excellence and what better way to show that than at this convention,” said Mack.
For more information, call (703) 549-2207 or visit nsbe.org.
