Barbara L. Thomas, president & CEO of the National Black MBA Association, Inc. (NBMBAA), received the 2008 Award of Excellence in Cultural Diversity and Enrichment Leadership from the Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) at its Illinois "Celebration of Hope" dinner last month.
The HDSA created the award to honor community leaders who courageously commit to advancing diverse leadership in the areas of science, sports, arts, philanthropy and business. In her work with the NBMBAA, Thomas has worked diligently with more than 400 corporate partners to collaboratively offer vital resources that open doors of opportunity and eliminate gaps and dead ends as they relate to black professionals and entrepreneurs.
Thomas has dovetailed these efforts by providing NBMBAA members and constituents with opportunities to hone and craft their skills via one-on-one coaching through the organization's Ntential program. In her tenure she has also launched traveling leadership symposiums such as the Local Empowerment Initiative, and the organization has strengthened the offerings of its annual conference and exposition by introducing programming such as the Leadership Institute, the Entrepreneurial Institute and the Career Success Network Center, which help prepare black professionals at all stages of the pipeline.
"It is critically important that businesses of every type and size reflect the diversity of their existing and desired constituents," Thomas says. "The NBMBAA seeks to serve as one of the representative voices of the black community, positioning our members to be catalysts for positive change in their communities and workplaces. I am fortunate to be able to live and work my passion, and I thank the Huntington's Disease Society of America for its recognition of the organization."
"The Huntington's Disease Society of America is proud to acknowledge Barbara Thomas as an example of the commitment and courage that is necessary to advance diversity in various realms of society. Her determined approach has solidified her as a highly respected and accomplished member of the business community, and we applaud her and the work of the National Black MBA Association," says Barbara Boyle, national executive director and CEO of the Huntington's Disease Society of America.
Earlier this year, Thomas was designated as an honorary advisory board member for the "Best of Black Business" (BOBB) Awards -- the honorees she helped identify were recognized at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Leadership Conference, Sept. 24-27. Thomas also serves as a member of the DiversityEdge magazine advisory board, helping to shape credible, resonant content that illustrates the benefits and business case of workplace diversity.
ABOUT NATIONAL BLACK MBA ASSOCIATION
Established in 1970, the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) is dedicated to creating partnerships that result in increased intellectual and economic wealth in the black community through its five channels of engagement: education, career, leadership, entrepreneurship and lifestyle. With more than 40 chapters, an 8000-plus membership and more than 400 corporate partners, the NBMBAA gives its constituents access through programs and services such as the Annual NBMBAA Conference (the nation's largest, professional, African-American exposition of its kind), Local Empowerment Initiatives, etc. To learn more about the NBMBAA, please visit
www.nbmbaa.org MEDIA CONTACT:
Meghan Haynes, Beaman Incorporated
mhaynes@beamaninc.com, 312-751-9689, ext. 15
Visit: National Black M B A Association President Receives Huntington's Disease Society Award
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Posted By: Dante Lee
Friday, October 3rd 2008 at 1:08PM
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