HUD Archives: News Releases

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ADDRESSES NATIONAL BLACK MBA CONFERENCE
Alphonso Jackson Makes Keynote Remarks on African American Leadership and the Economy

NASHVILLE, TN - The National Black MBA Association, the world's largest organization of black business professionals dedicated to promoting higher education and entrepreneurship among African Americans, today welcomed the Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Alphonso Jackson as he made keynote remarks during the group's 24th annual conference at Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

Jackson highlighted the Bush Administration's commitment to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, by 5.5 million by the end of the decade. Jackson also announced that this week the Administration awarded $10.7 million in community development grants to 22 historically black colleges and universities in 12 states.

"This is indeed a banner week for our organization," said NBMBAA chair, Alvin Brown. "Not only were we able to present an award to the nation's top MBA, President Bush earlier this week, but we were also fortunate enough have Alphonso Jackson, an influential advocate on a range of issues that effect cities across the country, to share the Administration's vision with us."

"I'm very proud to participate in the National Black MBA Association's Conference this year," said Jackson. "Their efforts to promote leadership and increase skills through the conference workshops and Career Fair are critical to the development of the next generation of talented and successful black executives."

The NBMBAA's two-day Career Fair, one of the highlight's of the weeklong conference, provides participants the chance to discuss job opportunities with more than 1,000 human resources professionals representing some 300 top corporations. During the event, held Thursday and Friday, corporations have the opportunity to recruit the nation's top candidates for business and technical jobs.

The National Black MBA Association, headquartered in Chicago, has more than 6,000 members and represents more than 95,000 MBA graduates. The association has 39 chapters in the United States, a sister organization in the United Kingdom and a growing presence in Europe. Since its inception in 1970, the not-for-profit business organization has become the premier organization for tapping black executive talent, championing black business professional development and promoting black career advancement.

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Content Archived: April 9, 2010