Our History

The History & Mission of NSBE

In 1971, two Purdue undergraduates, Edward Barnette and Fred Cooper, founded the Black Society of Engineers (BSE) with faculty advisor, Arthur J. Bond. The BSE was established in response to the alarming 80% dropout rate of black freshmen in engineering programs during the 1960s. The purpose of the organization was to improve the recruitment and retention of Black engineering students. Bond noted the isolation black students felt, stating, “you would never see another black student from the day you entered Purdue until you graduated. So, we didn’t know what other black student was studying engineering,” underscoring the need for a society that could enhance representation and support.

Barnette went on to serve as the first president of BSE. The group gained momentum in 1974 with Bond’s guidance and the active participation of what would later be known as the “Chicago Six” – Anthony Harris, Brian Harris, Stanley L. Kirtley, John W. Logan, Jr., Edward A. Coleman, and George A. Smith. Encouraged by their on-campus success, Anthony Harris, then president of the Purdue chapter, reached out to the presidents and deans of every accredited engineering program in the country. He explained the concept of BSE and asked for support, resulting in responses from approximately 80 schools.

The Purdue chapter held the first national annual meeting in April 1975, with 48 students representing 32 schools. During this historic meeting, the group was renamed the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and formally incorporated as a nonprofit organization. At this meeting the familiar NSBE symbol, an “N” with lightning bolts, was chosen. The torch symbolizes members’ everlasting desire to achieve success and positively impact society, while the lightning bolt represents the striking impact of the contributions and accomplishments made by NSBE members.

NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” This mission has driven the organization to continually expand its reach and influence. NSBE’s growth continued with the formation of a Professional sector and a Junior sector. The NSBE Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) is now in its 18th year, helping elementary school students enjoy the world of engineering. The first international chapter was launched in 1992. Today, NSBE has chapters at more than 700 universities and colleges in the United States and internationally, with a membership that has grown from six to over 31,000.

NSBE’s annual meeting has evolved into the Annual National Convention, hosting over 8,000 attendees. NSBE currently has 99 active NSBE Jr. pre-college, 250 student, and 68 alumni professional chapters. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., NSBE offers academic excellence programs, scholarships, leadership training, professional development, and access to career opportunities for thousands of members annually. With over 2,000 elected leadership positions, 18 regional conferences, and an annual convention, NSBE offers unparalleled opportunities for success.