About NSBE International
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) created its' first National Strategic Plan in 1988, and the vision for an international organization was announced. David Fleming became the National Chairperson from 1989 - 1991 and did much to advance the vision and the reality of an international organization. In 1989, the NSBE International Committee was formed and in 1990 NSBE began the tradition of wearing African Attire at the National Conference Banquet. The first NSBE chapter since the 70's outside of the United States was chartered by McGill University in 1991 and 1992 the 1st European NSBE chapter was founded in London, England.
In 1992, NSBE held its'1st International Summit at National Headquarters in Alexandria, VA, and in the same year, the 2nd International Chapter was chartered at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad. In 1998, Deidra Fair was appointed as the International Committee Chairperson and in that year, NSBE held its 1st Annual International Conference in Ghana, West Africa. That year, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology in Kumasi, Ghana became the 1st officially chartered NSBE chapter on the African continent. The following year, 1999, the 2nd Annual International Conference was held in Ghana, West Africa, and in 2000, David Fleming became the International Committee Chair. Under his supervision, the 3rd Annual International Conference was held in Zimbabwe and South Africa in August 2000, and in March 2001, International Objectives were added to the NSBE Long Range Plan and the National Executive Board approved the official NSBE Expansion Plan.
Today, the International Committee purpose is to drive and coordinate the expansion of NSBE and to establish processes by which the integration of international chapters into the NSBE family can be realized. It is believed that as we increase the number of international chapters, NSBE programs in various countries will result in increased engineers in those locations and drastically increased communication, technology exchange, and cultural development in the areas touched by NSBE. NSBE members around the world will benefit from opportunities to study, work and travel abroad. This prepares NSBE members to take leadership roles in the global economy and impact the global community through NSBE programs.
Ultimately, the goal is that NSBE chapters in every location will use the resources at hand to positively impact their immediate communities and fulfill the NSBE mission.
