National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers
Encyclopedia
The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (or NOBCChE is a nonprofit, professional organization. NOBCChE's goal is to increase the number of minorities in science, technology, and engineering fields. The organization accomplishes this by creating bonds with professionals working at science-related companies and faculty at local school districts in order to get more minorities to pursue a career in science and engineering fields. NOBCChE focuses on establishing diversity programs for the professional development of young kids and to spread knowledge in science and engineering. NOBCChE chapters can be found nationwide.
. After receiving positive feedback and interest from other black chemists and chemical engineers, the founders decided to expand on their idea and set up a structured idea of what they wanted the society to emphasize. Two years later, the first national meeting was held in New Orleans, LA. At the conference, black chemists and chemical engineers found that they could discuss career-related issues with others who were in similar fields. Today, the national conference features various workshops, research presentations, and high school science bowls.
History
NOBCChE was co-founded in 1972 by a group of chemists and chemical engineers. Initially, the organization was financially aided by the Haas Community Fund and Drexel UniversityDrexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
. After receiving positive feedback and interest from other black chemists and chemical engineers, the founders decided to expand on their idea and set up a structured idea of what they wanted the society to emphasize. Two years later, the first national meeting was held in New Orleans, LA. At the conference, black chemists and chemical engineers found that they could discuss career-related issues with others who were in similar fields. Today, the national conference features various workshops, research presentations, and high school science bowls.
Founders of NOBCChE
- Dr. Joseph Cannon, Chemical Engineer, Prof. - Howard University
- Dr. Lloyd FergusonLloyd Noel FergusonLloyd Noel Ferguson is an African American chemist.As a child in Oakland, California, Ferguson had a backyard laboratory in which he developed a moth repellent, a silverware cleanser, and a lemonade powder...
, Chemist, Prof. - California State University - Dr. William M. Jackson, Chemist, Prof. - Howard University
- Dr. William Guilory, Chemist, Prof. - Drexel University
- Dr. Henry C. McBay, Chemist, Prof. - Morehouse College
- Dr. Charles Merideth, Chemist, Chancellor, The Atlanta University Center, Inc.
- Dr. James Porter, Chemical Engineer, Prof. - MIT