WHAT WE DO

The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs,

Inc. founded in 1935, emerged as a national non-profit organization in light of the need to promote and protect the interest of women business owners and

professionals.

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The late Emma Odessa Young, a realtor from New York City and a member of the New Your Club of Business and Professional women, conceived the idea of a national organization of business and professional women in 1934. In July of 1935, Mrs. Ollie Chinn Porter, president of the New York Club, extended an invitation to local clubs, organized as Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, to join and form a national organization.

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Elected as the first National President was Mrs. Ollie Chinn Porter. The aim of

this newly formed national organization was then, as it is today, to attract

women of high caliber to organize similar clubs within their communities.

Facing the realities of the times, their daring and inspiring goals were to share

their experiences and exchange information; to protect their interest and to

encourage and develop opportunities for Black women in businesses and

professions.

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The Founders were owners, managers, college graduates, and other

professionally licensed women, who had managed to realize some measure of

personal success, at a time when there was not a national movement to improve the lot of Black Americans; where there was no Black capitalism program, nor any Black Studies Curricula. Still, these women felt prepared to offer leadership.

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Over the years, NANBPWC, Inc. has grown in numbers and scope, conducting

many needed community service activities that go far beyond the original

purpose. Women have come a long way and so has NANBPWC, Inc. The

National Association is a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization. Some of our

affiliations include being a United Nations Non-Government Organization

[NGO] Member, an approved charity of the National Black United Federation

of Charities #10458; and a strong affiliation of The Black Women’s Agenda,

Inc. [BWA]