NABA Mission and History NABA Mission The mission of the National Association of Black Accountants is to address the professional needs of its members and to build leaders that shape the future of the accounting and finance professions with an unfaltering commitment to inspire the same in the successors. Local Chapter History The Atlanta Chapter was founded in 1974, and in the same year hosted its first Awards Dinner honoring J.B. Blayton, the first African-American CPA in the state of Georgia. The Atlanta Chapter is extremely involved in Regional and National issues. Five of six Chapter Presidents have gone to serve on the National Board of Directors. In addition, NABA Atlanta has actively participated in several community programs, established a number of scholarships, and several national conferences. NABA ATLANTA CHAPTER FOUNDERS FOUNDING OFFICERS Linwood Hill, President Robert Drake, Vice President Virgil Carr, Treasurer Gwen Morris, Secretary FOUNDING MEMBERS Reginald Banks Eddie Collier Arnsil Collier Jackie Collins Gordan Drennan Gregory Ellison Steve Elmore Sharon Gary Finney Millwood Hobbs Milton H. Jones Marshall Mitchell Brenda Peters James Pittman W. E. Richardson Percy Smallwood Langston Walker Glenda Watkins National Organization History In December 1969, nine African-Americans met in New York City to discuss the unique challenges and limited opportunities they faced in the accounting profession. In that year, there were only 136 African-American Certified Public Accountants (CPA's) out of a total of 100,000 in the United States. This group wanted to establish an organization to address the concerns of minorities entering the accounting profession and to make a commitment to professional and academic excellence. The following nine individuals who met that month were determined to "make a difference" and let their voices be heard. NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOUNDERS Ronald Benjamin Earl Biggot Bertram Gibson Frank Ross Richard McNamee Michael Winston Kenneth Drummond George Wallace Donald Bristow In 1970 NABA chartered its first professional chapter, located in New York City. From these humble beginnings, NABA has become a nationwide membership organization. The goals of the Association include, but are not limited to, the following: To represent the interests of current and prospective minority accounting professionals; To encourage and assist minority students in entering the accounting profession; To promote and develop the professional skills of our members; To provide opportunities for members to fulfill their civic responsibility; and To ensure long-term financial stability and provide adequate resources to implement chapter, regional, and national programs. The national and local programs offered are designed to support the overall goals and objectives of the Association. These programs provide support to, and create opportunities for, professionals and students seeking levels of accomplishment in the fields of accounting and finance. Today, through the efforts of NABA and other interested groups, there are now over 200,000 African-Americans participating in the field of accounting, of which over 5,000 are CPAs. As a leader in the business community, NABA continues to create opportunities for the purpose of enlarging the pipeline of African-Americans into every level of accounting and finance.