Established in 1975 at a national conference held at Purdue University, the National Society of Black Engineers was created to increase the number of African-American engineers. Their mission is to train black engineers who “excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community”. The NSBE has more than 30,000 members spread across 233 college chapters, 65 alumni extension chapters and 89 pre-college chapters.

In 1974, six members of Purdue’s Black Society of Engineers — Anthony Harris, Brian Harris, Stanley L. Kirtley, John W. Logan, Jr, Edward A. Coleman and George A. Smith — sent letters to every accredited engineering programme in the United States, asking for black student leaders who would be interested in a national organisation. After finding interest, the six leaders scheduled a conference to be held from April 10 to 12, 1975. At this time, the Black Society of Engineers’ president, Brian Harris, changed the organisation’s name to the Society of Black Engineers. Forty-eight students representing 32 colleges attended the first conference. An affirmative vote was cast to create a national society. In 1976, the NSBE was officially incorporated as a nonprofit organisation under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The NSBE has a national communications network (NSBENET), two national magazines (NSBE Magazine and NSBE Bridge), an internal newsletter and a professional newsletter (The Career Engineer). The organisation also offers scholarships. The NSBE also publishes résumé books and has the National Leadership Institute, a year-round development and training initiative to improve the leadership skills of its members. In addition, the NSBE hosts an annual national convention, inviting students and professionals from across the country.

“A Walk for Education” started in 2006 and is an annual event where teams of NSBE members go door-to-door in neighbourhoods, pass out literature at local businesses and inform local youth about career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths, emphasising the importance of finishing high school and going to college. The outreach to the community continues after the event, as NSBE members enlist interested people in Technical OutReach Community Help, its year-round mentoring and tutoring programme.

•Sources: NSBE Mission Statement and Objectives: http://national.nsbe.org/AboutUs/TheMission/tabid/67/Default.aspx; Yoo In Sung, “Percentage of Black Students Graduating in Engineering is Rising,” USA Today, April 20, 2004; Robert L. Jamieson Jr., “Seattle is Losing a Voice of Righteous Passion in Carl Mack,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 24