National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers

The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers or NOBCChE (pronounced No-be-shay) is a nonprofit, professional organization. NOBCChE's goal is to increase the number of minorities in science, technology, and engineering fields. The organization accomplishes this by creating bonds with professionals working at science-related companies and faculty at local school districts in order to get more minorities to pursue a career in science and engineering fields. NOBCChE focuses on establishing diversity programs for the professional development of young kids and to spread knowledge in science and engineering. NOBCChE chapters can be found nationwide.

History NOBCChE was co-founded in 1972 by a group of chemists and chemical engineers. Initially, the organization was financially aided by the Haas Community Fund and Drexel University. After receiving positive feedback and interest from other black chemists and chemical engineers, the founders decided to expand on their idea and set up a structured idea of what they wanted the society to emphasize. Two years later, the first national meeting was held in New Orleans. At the conference, black chemists and chemical engineers found that they could discuss career-related issues with others who were in similar fields. Today, the national conference features various workshops, research presentations, and high school science bowls. NOBCChE also presents the Percy L. Julian Award, given to African-American scientists who have made significant contributions to the areas of pure or applied research in science or engineering.

Founders of NOBCChE Joseph N. Cannon, Chemical engineer and professor - Howard University Lloyd Ferguson, Chemist and professor - California State University William M. Jackson, Chemist and professor - Howard University William Guillory, Chemist and professor - Drexel University Henry C. McBay, Chemist and professor - Morehouse College Charles Merideth, Chemist and chancellor of the Atlanta University Center, Inc. James Porter, Chemical engineer and professor - MIT

Presidents The President has the overall responsibility for affecting the objectives of NOBCChE, oversees the day-to-day activities of the organization, and is the official representative of the organization. For over 45 years, professionals from industry, academia, and government have volunteered their time to lead the organization in the mission of encouraging education and careers in STEM for people of color. Each NOBCChE President develops his or her own set of goals with corresponding initiatives and events. Year National president Affiliation*11974–1980William GuilloryDrexel University21981–1984John B. Sapp Jr.Texas Southern University31984–1986Edward D WaltonUS Naval Academy41986–1989Phillip MerchantExxon Mobil51989–1993James EvansLawrence Livermore National Laboratory61993–2001Winifred Burks-HouckLawrence Livermore National Laboratory72001–2003Ella L. DavisPQ Corporation82003-2005Marquita QuallsGlaxoSmithKline92005–2007Joseph FranciscoPurdue University102007–2013Victor McCraryJohns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory112013–2015Judson Haynes IIIProcter & Gamble122015–2017Talitha HamptonAstraZeneca132017–2019Emanuel WaddellUniversity of Alabama in Huntsville142019–2021Murrell GodfreyUniversity of Mississippi152021–2023Renã A. S. RobinsonVanderbilt University162023–2025Bridgette Shannon3M172025-PresentTyrslai M. Williams-CarterLouisiana State University

*Affiliation at the time of election

References

External links NOBCChE: Welcome to NOBCChE NOBCChE Midwest Regional Homepage National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)