With Washington, D.C., as the backdrop for the 46th annual National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Conference, the city proved once again to be a hub for inspiration, opportunity and growth.
The NBMBAA Conference was held from September 17-20, 2024, at the Washington Convention Center and served as a transformative experience that affirmed the power of collective impact and provided opportunities for Black professionals to career pathways to professional development. The conference, a premier event for Black professionals, students, and early-career individuals, drew over 9,000 from across the country. It brought together an impressive array of companies, including Marriott, LVMH, Nationwide, FedEx, Navy Federal, McCormick’s, Constellation Brands, and Target, each eager to connect with and recruit top talent.
The slate of powerful keynotes designed to engage and empower conference attendees included Stacey Abrams; Fawn Weaver of Uncle Nearest, Morgan Stanley’s Carla Harris, and JP Morgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon. Each speaker delivered a unique yet universal message of knowing who you are, what’s your value and what’s your why. “This was my second year at the conference, so I came with a game plan to tackle the career floor and making some strategic openings to attend the keynote luncheons” explained Lydia Dominique, a second-year Howard University MBA student. “I was also able to co-present a meet up with some Rice University students based on a connection I made at conference.”
In addition to over 275 companies on the career expo floor and over a dozen panel discussions, the conference offered unparalleled networking opportunities through its career fair, leadership workshops, and industry-specific sessions. Attendees engaged with some of the country’s top business leaders and gain insights into leadership, financial growth, and entrepreneurship as well as each other.
The Washington, D.C., chapter of the NBMBAA, the host chapter for this year’s conference, played a critical role in ensuring its success. Under the leadership of Chapter President Dr. Carletta S. Hurt, the D.C. chapter contributed over 1,000 volunteers, dedicating more than 500 hours of service to support the event. From registration to logistics, these volunteers were instrumental in providing a seamless experience for attendees.
“Our chapter was honored to host this year’s national conference,” Dr. Hurt shared. “It was a powerful moment for us to demonstrate the strength and resilience of our community. The balance of operations, combined with the dedication of our volunteers, staff, and the host committee, was truly the glue that held everything together. This is our version of a family reunion serving as an opportunity for professional advancement, along with community building and creating lasting connections that will push us forward.”
The conference also highlighted the role of Black professionals in industries where diversity is still a challenge, providing critical conversations around inclusion and pathways to leadership in corporate America. Several exhibitors, such as LVMH, Wells Fargo, and lululemon, hosted sessions on leadership and development, with an emphasis on creating pipelines for underrepresented groups.
“This conference was about more than just career advancement,” Dr. Hurt stated. “It was about showing the next generation that we belong in every boardroom, at every table, and that we have the skills, knowledge, and determination to lead.”
The NBMBAA conference remains the premier event for Black professionals, serving as a reminder of the power of community and collective progress. The 2025 conference is theme Transformative and will take place in Houston, Texas.