NABA INC.

Happy Independence Day! The longstanding tradition of fireworks and flag-waving on the 4th of July resonates differently for Black communities. While many celebrate America's freedom, for us, July 4th highlights ongoing struggles for true equity and justice. Today, we acknowledge our ancestors' relentless pursuit of freedom and civil rights. We invite you to reflect on how their courage and determination enable us to access the resources and knowledge needed to excel, break down racial barriers, and live out their wildest dreams. In the spirit of unity and progress, NABA Inc. remains committed to empowering Black Business Leaders at every stage in their journey. Learn more about our initiatives at nabainc.org as we strive for a future of true freedom and opportunity for all.

ACAP Season is here! Thank you to all the volunteers, program administrators, staff, and students who dedicated a week of their summer to fostering a more diverse and equitable future for the next generation of Black Business Leaders. If you are visiting or participating in ACAP this summer, remember to tag NABA Inc. in your posts! #ACAP #NABAInc #FutureBlackBusinessLeaders #DiversityInLeadership

To the future CPAs taking exams this month -- Keep pushing forward! Every step you take brings us closer to a more diverse and inclusive profession. Believe in yourself and stay focused—you got this! #BlackCPAs #CPAExam #RepresentationMatters #BreakingBarriers #NABAInc #Inspiration

Electronic Arts (EA), a partner of NABA Inc., was thrilled to participate in the NABA National Convention in Las Vegas last week! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to enjoy our gaming stations, pick up some awesome swag, and cheer on Stuart Canfield and Herschel Frierson in a friendly F1 race.   A special shoutout to Mala S. and Stuart Canfield for leading an insightful CPE session that left everyone inspired and ready to take on new challenges in the world of gaming. 
We can’t wait to see you all again next year! 

Insight 2024: FLOW may be over, but we are just getting started, NABA Nation! Get ready! Our regional conferences, NABA Link, are bringing the energy to a city near you this Fall. September 28: Washington, D.C. October 24-27: Chicago, IL October 31 - November 3: Atlanta, GA The countdown is on for NABA Link! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details. We look forward to seeing you there!

CLA, a partner of NABA Inc., was honored to be wellness sponsor for Insight 2024: FLOW. From new connections to treasured relationships, thank you for making it a memorable experience. Didn’t get to meet CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)? Learn how we create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities as the eighth-largest accounting firm in the United States: CLAconnect.com.

What an incredible time we had at the Insight 2024: FLOW MONN sessions, sponsored by KPMG. Together, we built bonds, shared stories of triumph, and grew as leaders throughout three inspiring activations. Thank you to our incredible hosts, presenters, speakers, and panelists, including Herschel Frierson, Stephen Metoyer, Arturis Spencer, Theodore Bunting, Dean Bell, Cornell Hall, CPA, Steven Harris, DeMaurice Smith, and James H. Moore, Jr., Ph.D. Your energy and insights made these events truly special. Here's to the connections made, the knowledge shared, and the memories created. #IN24Flow #FindYourFlow #NABAFlow

The 2024 NABA Awards Gala was a spectacular showcase of excellence within our community. Thank you to our leaders, volunteers and allies for your exceptional contributions to NABA Nation. Your dedication is vital in our journey towards creating a more just world for Black Business Leaders. We are proud to honor our award recipients: Chairman Award: James Watson, CPA, Toi Eshun, MBA, Mark Baer, Dawnella Johnson, Brenda Torres, and Greg Haghn Core Values Award: Alfonzo Alexander Board of Directors Member of the Year: Noel Bowers DEI Leader of the Year: Katie Patel Ally and Advocate of the Year: Connie Askin and Lara Abrash ABASA: President Linda Maqoma presented with a ceremonial gift President Award - Higher Education Partner of the Year: James Hodges and Jean T. Wells, Esq., CPA of Howard University President Award - Exemplary Leadership: E. ZeNai Savage, CPA and Kimi Ellen, CPA President Award - Staff Members of the Year: Kim Williams and Tunisia Carter, CAP Company of the Year: Deloitte, accepted by Tasha Austin-Williams, Ph.D. Frank Ross National Outstanding Member of the Year Award: Jeremiah H. Earl Biggett National Achievement in Education Award: Lynette Wood, Ph.D., CPA George Wallace National Achievement in Non-Profit Award: Jessica E. McClain, CPA/CITP, CISA, PMP, CGFM Ronald Benjamin National Achievement in Public Accounting Award: Malven Takudzwa Rumhungwe, CPA Kenneth Drummond Community Service Award: Cassandra E. Burney, DBA Donald Bristow Rising Star Award: Monterius Rush, MAcc, MBA Michael Winston “Walking the Road Less Traveled” Award: Sheila Taylor CPA- CFO of the Year: Seun Salami Chapter Presidents of the Year: Demetria J. (Southern Region), Innocent Obi (Western Region), KEVIN WEEMS (Eastern Region), and Jody James (Central) Student Chapters of the Year: University of Central Florida (Southern Region), Texas State University (Western Region), UConn NABA (Central Region), and NABA-UMSL at University of Missouri - St. Louis (Eastern Region) Outstanding Service Members of the Year: Brandon Alexander (Southern Region), Dr. Theresa A. Hammond (Western Region), Danielle S. (Eastern Region) and Michael Wade ,CPA, CGMA,MBA, MAcc (Central Region) Join us in celebrating their remarkable achievements and congratulating them on their well-deserved recognition!

Feeling energized and inspired after attending last week's NABA INC. Convention, where I had the chance to learn, connect and get a sense of where our profession is headed.    My main takeaway from the event: there’s limitless possibilities when everyone has a seat at the table. The convention was full of bright minds, innovative ideas and passionate people. If we continue to bring together different perspectives and open opportunities for everyone, there’s no telling what we can do! 

Vegas Electrified! NABA INC. Convention 2024 was on 🔥 How do you capture a whirlwind of inspiration, connection, and celebration? It's tough, but here are some of my highlights from the NABA Flow Convention in Las Vegas. The convention was beyond awesome under the visionary leadership of NABA President and CEO Guylaine Saint Juste St. Juste and Chairman Herschel Frierson. NABA has grown to 55 professional chapters and over 192 student chapters, and our financial position is stronger than ever. Our organization's growth is truly remarkable, propelling NABA to new heights. We celebrated our first NABA Juneteenth together - epic! Shoutout to our amazing partners who are truly invested in our successes! The men and women of NABA are equally incredible. Our professional and student leaders are amazing. Dr. Tasha Austin-Williams, Ph.D. continues to inspire as do our passionate and emerging students. The historical digital NABA museum was educational, and I was honored to make a small cameo on the screen. Lunch with students was as fulfilling as last year’s experience, and every student and young professional I met was engaged, energized, and motivated. The future is incredibly bright for all. I also had a fantastic time a session with Dr. Dessie Nash, PhD, Gen AI: Evolution or Revolution? Don’t Be Complacent. The speakers and presenters on the numerous fireside chats filled us with professional and personal development nuggets. Here are some of my memorable quotes from the event:     •   “It can be done.… if not, change the game and get it done.”     •   “Tell the stories.”     •   “Every single day, try to get better at what you do.”     •   “You can be anything you want; nothing is wrong with us.”     •   “Our students and professionals are bold, brilliant, and beautiful.”     •   "We don't plant trees anymore; we plant forests."     •   “Take care of yourself. Find your flow." FLOW - fostering leadership, opportunities, and wealth. Feeling incredibly energized and inspired by the collective power of NABA. Here's to continued growth, leadership, and a future filled with opportunities for everyone! #IN24FLOW #FindYourFlow #NABAFlow #LasVegas #Accounting #Leadership #Inspiration #BlackExcellence #NABAInsightFlowConvention #Leadership #Flow #Networking #ProfessionalDevelopment