About Us

NANBPWC, INC. HISTORY

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.

 

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.

 

The Founders were:

Emma Odessa Young

Ollie Chinn Porter

Effie Diton

Bertha Perry Rhodes

Josephine B. Keene

Adelaide Flemming

Goldeana Pearle Flipping

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.