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The National Society of Black Engineers

founded 1975

BiographyThe National Society of Black Engineers is a non-profit organization established in 1975 and currently has more than 500 chapters and almost 16,000 active members in the US and across the world. The idea to form a society of Black engineers was first put forward by two Purdue University students Edward Barnette (deceased) and Fred Cooper. Their idea was successful, and the organization was established with Edward Barnette as the president. Anthony Harris, one of the original members of the organization when it was first founded also became the president and changed the organization’s name from the Black Society of Engineers to the Society of Black Engineers. The name later got changed to the National Society of Black Engineers during the first national meeting of the organization in Purdue in April,1975. The organization’s aim is to “increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” The NSBE has 515 active chapters, 288 collegiate, 82 professional and 145 pre-collegiate all in six geographic locations. The button is from the 2006 convention held at the David Lawrence Convention Center.

“NSBE History.” Nsbe.org, National Society of Black Engineers. Last accessed 6/27/2018. http://www.nsbe.org/home.aspx

Referenced from Accession report with catalog number 2006.56.1.