The National Society

of Black Engineers:

Our History

In 1974, Edward Coleman, Anthony Harris, Brian Harris, Stanley L. Kirtley, John W. Logan Jr., and George Smith the “Chicago Six”, along with a host of other Purdue Engineering students and professor Arthur J. Bond, Ph.D. formed the first chapter of the, then, Society of Black Engineers. After contacting the other 288 accredited engineering schools, the Purdue SBE held its first annual meeting in April 1975 with 48 students from 32 schools. It was at that meeting that they unanimously voted to form the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).

In 1976, NSBE was incorporated as a 501 c(3) national non-profit, and John Cason became the first elected president of the organization. Two years later in 1978, Virginia Booth became the first female national chair and the first chair to serve two (2) terms. Since then, NSBE Alumni (now NSBE Professionals) was formed in 1989, and, in 1990, the first NSBE Jr. chapters were formed, setting a firm foundation to realize the NSBE mission.

Throughout its history, NSBE has had an incredible journey of successes and has been supported by the likes of Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman to run for President of the United States in 1979, and launching its first international chapter in London, England in 1992. It has grown from six (6) founding members to over 30,000 at its height, and from one (1) chapter to more than 790 chapters. As the guiding principles suggest and as the logo symbolizes, then to now, NSBE members continue to have a burning desire (flame) to achieve engineering excellence and have a striking impact (lightning bolts) on society and industry for generations to come (torch).

Give Today!

Even during this difficult time, NSBE is working hard to support our 30,000 members. Do your part to help build and sustain your future by helping us sustain ours!

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