Bruce Thompson, Board Chairman, NBMBAA, stated, “This move provides an opportunity to renew ourselves as an organization as we continue our mission to expand opportunity, build wealth for our community and prepare our youth for success.”
Sarah Elizabeth Reed, Mayor Kasim Reed’s wife, spoke in his absence. Reed welcomed the NBMBAA to the city of Atlanta, saying, “Atlanta is a city that specifically cares about those in business. We try to create an environment where those [businesses] are successful… ”
Ceasar Mitchell, Atlanta City Council president, said, “We are excited. This organization is providing greater opportunities in business and for African Americans in business or whatever profession they are in to find success. This is something I support and as City Council president … ”
Brian Mitchell, associate dean at Emory University, stated that the dean of the Goizueta Business School, Dr. Erika H. James, is very excited that the organization has moved to Atlanta and is eager to extend a partnership. This is also a great opportunity for the other schools like Clark Atlanta and Kennesaw State that have MBA programs.
Nzinga Shaw, chief Diversity and Inclusion officer for the Atlanta Hawks, shared that she too looks forward to working with the NBMBAA.
On hand also were other board members and a couple of students from the NBMBAA Leaders of Tomorrow Program.
The NBMBAA is one of the largest professional member-based organizations in the country, serving more than 9,800 members with 45 professional chapters. The new office of the NBMBAA is located at 400 W. Peachtree St., Ste. 200, Atlanta, GA 30308.
