There’s something special about being surrounded by people with similar goals and priorities to your own. Professional conferences can push us out of our comfort zones, provide us with tools to getting one step closer to our dreams and open up doors that we previously didn’t even know existed. They’re a jumpstart of motivation and an inspirational opportunity, but narrowing down the seemingly-endless list of conferences to a more tailored list fit for the communities you care about can be an overwhelming task.
Luckily Millions Two One, the largest black business directory in the world, has compiled a list of the top conferences to check out before 2015 is over. Whether you’re into business, journalism, sales, politics or healthcare, there’s a little something for everyone. Check them out below.
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National Association of Black Journalists (August 4 – 9)
NABJ is committed to the following: strengthening ties among black journalists, sensitizing all media to the importance of fairness in the workplace for black journalists, expanding job opportunities and recruiting activities for veterans and young and aspiring black journalists, while providing continued professional development and training. Individuals should attend if they are a journalist, blogger, writer or if they are interested in being in any form of media.
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National Sales Network Conference (August 5 – 8)
Our mission is to meet the professional and developmental needs of sales and sales management professional by providing training and development for sales professionals, providing career development strategies for sales professionals, being a resource center for sales professionals, providing a networking forum for sales professionals and encouraging philanthropy in sales professionals. Individuals should attend if they are looking to network with some of the best African-American sales agents in the country.
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Black Data Processing Associates Technology Conference (August 18 – 22)
BDPA (Black Data Processing Associates) is a non-profit organization of professionals working in or having an interest in the computer science and information technology fields. BDPA has a diverse representation of information technology professionals. Included amongst the organization’s members are programmers, analysts, engineers, managers, instructors and entrepreneurs, to name a few.
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Congressional Black Caucus (ALC) (September 16 – 20)
Congressional Black Caucus’ mission is to advance the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public. CBCF achieves its mission by facilitating the exchange of ideas and information to address critical issues affecting our communities, developing strategic research and historical resources for the public, providing leadership development and scholarship opportunities and developing effective programs and research to address social, economic and health disparities. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with African-American elected officials on every level of government, professionals and entrepreneurs from around the United States.
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National Black MBA Association Conference and Exposition (September 22 – 26)
The National Black MBA Association leads in the creation of educational opportunities and economic growth for African Americans, providing innovative programs to stimulate their intellectual and economic growth and building partnerships with key stakeholders who help facilitate this growth, as well as increasing awareness and facilitating access to graduate management education programs and career opportunities in management fields. Individuals should attend if they are eager to develop partnerships that result in the creation of intellectual and economic wealth in the black community.
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Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Annual Convention (September 23 – 26)
The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA) serves as the nation’s only volunteer organization working full time on a national level to resolve issues surrounding sickle cell disease and traits. Individuals should attend if they have had family or friends affected by sickle cell disease and if they want to assist in combating this disease.
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National Coalition of 100 Black Women Biennial Retreat (October 7 – 11)
Our mission is to advocate on behalf of black women and other women of color through national and local actions and strategic alliances that promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment. Individuals should attend if they are eager to develop relationships to help eradicate financial inequality between men and women in the United States.
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National Alliance of Black School Educators conference (November 18 – 22)
The National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) is the nation’s premier non-profit organization devoted to furthering the academic success for the nation’s children — particularly children of African descent. Individuals in every area of education that are focused on dismantling the education gap should attend this conference.
