About Us

    Our Mission

 
  HISTORY

An Ad Hoc Committee for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers was organized in April 1972. The establishment of the committee was assisted financially by a grant of $850 provided by the Haas Community Fund, and a $400 grant administered through Drexel University. The committee then surveyed Black professionals to ascertain their interest in establishing a formal organization dedicated to the professional advancement of Black chemists and chemical engineers. Enthusiastic questionnaire responses prompted the committee to expand and reconvene in September 1972 to setup a structured organization and to devise a means of securing funds to finance its development.

In December 1973, the Organization's Executive Board met to plan the first national meeting which was held in March 1974 in New Orleans. The national meeting provided a rare opportunity for Black chemists and chemical engineers to discuss issues of significance to their careers, to present technical papers, to formulate priorities and topics for future meetings. Practical and theoretical goals began to coalesce, and a national program was developed. The Organization has held national meetings since 1974.

The official name is the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. The official acronym is NOBCChE (pronounced No-be-shay). NOBCChE was incorporated in 1975 under the laws of the State of Georgia and has tax-exempt status as a non-profit professional society.

  ORGANIZATION

NOBCChE is a nation wide organization with local chapters in five regions of the United States. The regional divisions are Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and West. Professional and student chapters are the primary mechanisms for carrying out the purpose of the Organization. They provide the opportunity for:

• Networking

• Supplying professional role models

• Introducing science and technology to students at all educational levels

• Assisting Black professional in realizing their full potentials

Local chapters meet at least once a month. Regional meetings are usually scheduled during the fall and the national annual meeting is during the spring.

  LOS ANGELES CHAPTER

Originally the chapter was located in Los Angeles County.  Currently our members work and reside across 3-4 counties. To help with the expansiveness of the city, NOBCCHE-LA is divided into a main chapter and an extended chapter.   The main chapter is located in Los Angeles County. The extended chapter is located in Riverside/Orange County.  The president will preside over both chapters.  The extended chapter will have its own vice president, and secretary. 

NOBCChE is committed to the discovery, transmittal, and application of knowledge in the fields of science and engineering. The mission of NOBCChE therefore is to build an eminent community of scientists and engineers by increasing the number of minorities in these fields. To this end, NOBCChE will establish educational partnerships with school districts, municipalities, businesses, industries, other institutions and organizations in the public and private sectors.

 

  Why we need your Support

NOBCChE is a professional society of approximately 4000 scientists, engineers, and others dedicated to promoting the disciplines of chemistry and chemical engineering within the minority community. Seven forward- thinking individuals, who recognized the necessity for an association whose primary purpose was to serve the needs of black scientists and engineers, created the organization thirty-two years ago. Today, we are divided into five regions with over twenty-seven professional chapters and twenty-five universities and college chapters.

NOBCChE's objective of implementing programs that assist minorities in realizing their full potential in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering is a year round process which culminates at our national conference. Our national conference is more important today than it has ever been to our nation, because it serves as a focal point to create synergy between minority scientists, academia, government, and industry. We continue to exist primarily to support the process of preparing our young people to excel academically and to pursue careers in science and technology. Our next most important activity is to support our African-American scientists and engineers in their career development and advancement.

Proceeds raised for NOBCChE are used to help support NOBCChE's national programs such as:

Local and national Science Bowl Competitions
Local and national Science Fair Competitions
Professional Development Training for K-12 Teachers
Adopt-a-School Program
Training secondary students for Proficiency Tests
National Science Academy

Funds raised for the conference will support:

  Undergraduate/Graduate Student   Sponsorships

Support students attending the conference to present technical papers, poster presentations, participate in technical seminars and workshops, and to meet and interview with companies for internships and employment. Sponsorship includes airfare, lodging and meals

  High School Student Sponsorships

Students from across the United States participate in the Science Fair and Science Bowl. Sponsorship includes airfare, lodging, and meals

  Teacher Sponsorships

Teachers from the local area will convene at the conference for a one -day workshop that will provide skills and knowledge for science teachers. The workshop will include a discussion on issues and needs of secondary teachers in the next millennium. Funds will be needed for registration, luncheon and training supplies

  Scholarships

Funds to assist and encourage secondary students, undergraduate and graduate students to attend institutions of higher learning and to seek careers in science to include, chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineers, and other related scientific disciplines.