HBCU Network:
Mr. Bland, thank you for joining us today. Can you tell us the mission of the Atlanta Black MBA Association?

CJ Bland:
NBMBAA-Atlanta is a 501c(3) non-profit business organization, and our mission is to lead in the creation of economic and intellectual wealth for the Black community, including educational, entrepreneurial, career and networking opportunities and initiatives.

HBCU Network:
What types of programs has the Atlanta Chapter organized?

CJ Bland:
Normally, we focus on various types of relevant programs and topics during our monthly meetings: economic, investing and wealth accumulation, entrepreneurial, career development, business, political, and international business. We try to start off with a major speaker to set the tone for the rest of the year. For example, former U.S. Ambassador and former mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young, was our featured speaker in January 2001, with approximately 300 members and guests in attendance. That event was sponsored by and hosted by one of our corporate partners, Delta Airlines. At the start of this year, Vernon Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Dekalb County Government was the featured speaker during our January 2002 meeting, which focused on business opportunities in public sectors for minorities and women.

In May, we held a joint meeting with the Black Data Processors Association. Mr. Jean-Michel Ares, CIO of The Coca-Cola Company was the featured speaker. There were about 300 people in attendance. We typically average 125-150 people each meeting. However, special meetings and high profile speakers or topics usually bring in twice that number.

We�ve presented topics on diversity with executives from Delta, SunTrust Bank, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Clark-Atlanta and UGA (from the minority business development arena). Our chapter also hosted a major political issues forum in 2001 featuring current Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and her chief rivals for the mayoral office. We work hard to ensure that the topics we present are of relevance, interest and benefit to our members and guests.

The Atlanta chapter has also hosted top ranking officials in the U.K. government, including Dr. Trevor Hall, the race equality advisor for the British government. We hosted and accompanied Dr. Hall and his delegation twice in 2001 during visits to Atlanta with various individuals in corporate America, government, academia and business, including former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell and Doug Daft, Chairman/CEO, The Coca Cola Company. Dr. Hall and his delegation came to study various programs minorities in the U.S. have implemented over the years that have helped us to achieve senior positions in the aforementioned sectors, and thus were looking to us as examples of how they might do similar things in the U.K.

The Atlanta chapter also traditionally hosts an annual entrepreneurial expo, which has been replicated on a national scale within the organization. Last year's expo featured Mr. Jesse Hill, Jr. as the honorary chair, and former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell, as keynote speaker. The Expo, usually held in August, featured various businesses and agencies, and included workshops on business development, business plans and youth entrepreneurs. There were 1,000+ attendees, including 100+ students. Finally, to close 2001 out, we hosted our annual scholarship reception with distinguished keynote speaker, Susan Scott, Senior VP, The Weather Channel, and with entertainment by acclaimed violinist, Ken Ford of the group Five Men on A Stool.

This August 8th, in lieu of our traditional entrepreneurial expo, we will host a 2002 Economic Issues Summit in conjunction with the 100 Black Men of America. The event will feature national economist and BET and CNN commentator, Dr. Julianne Malveaux as moderator, News Anchor Calvin Hughes as emcee, and former Mayor Bill Campbell, Tommy Dortch and other prominent individuals as panelists. Please visit our web site - www.atlbmba.org for additional information about this and other Atlanta chapter initiatives, and www.nbmbaa.org for general information about the national organization.

CJ Bland:
That's easy - it's one I haven't even mentioned yet. Among our most vital, critical and solid programs is our "Leaders of Tomorrow" high school mentoring, student empowerment and youth development program. The program, capably led by co-Directors, Thomas Brooks and April Lloyd, has 150+ students enrolled, about 40 to 50 mentors, and meets one Saturday each month. Discussion topics include financial literacy, business etiquette, effective networking, sex education, financial aid, youth entrepreneurship, career options, the Internet, public speaking, and more. We firmly believe that it is vital to introduce and educate our youth on such topics at a very young age, with a goal of helping them better prepare for a brighter future. Students travel from all over metro Atlanta to participate and are rewarded for community service, recruiting other students, and parental participation, which is strongly encouraged.

As a part of the program, we have what is called the L.O.T. SAT Academy, which was implemented to help students improve their SAT scores. In fact, some students improved their scores by 300 points as a result of this program.

We are immensely thankful to our local L.O.T. partners for sponsoring the SAT Academy and other L.O.T. meetings, scholarships and initiatives. Our local L.O.T. sponsors include GA Pacific, GA Power, Delta, Agere Systems and Target.

In fact, as a result of local corporate support, we have been able to take 10 to 20 students to the NBMBAA Annual Conference, which last year was held in Orlando and this year will be held in Nashville, TN from September 17th - 22nd. Corporate sponsors covered the students' expenses: Delta, for example sponsored the air travel, while the other companies provided money to support lodging and other incidentals.

CJ Bland:
The Black MBA Assoc. has 39 chapters in the U.S., as well as an international presence in the U.K. Atlanta not only has the largest chapter in the country, but it is also among the most modeled and respected chapters. We have received several awards over the years. Our past president, Arlean Moore, was MBA of the year. We were chapter of the year for three consecutive years 1998-2000. At last count, March 2002, Atlanta had 800 members.

CJ Bland:
We've hosted many fundraisers, including Bill Campbell's outgoing party as the mayor of Atlanta. Excess proceeds went to the Hosea Williams' "Feed The Hungry Fund."

We�ve also hosted multiple an art burning fundraisers with renowned artist, Brenda Singletary. Some of her work appears in the White House and the Georgia governor�s mansion. Such events provide education about art, how to acquire art, and what to look for in the process. The artwork is then put up for bid. If Ms. Singletary doesn't get a reasonable bid, she will burn the art, and hence the term �art burning� fundraiser. Proceeds received from the art that is sold typically goes to the MBA scholarship fund. This year, the chapter will host a scholarship boat ride and reception, shortly after the National conference, on Sept. 28 in Stone Mountain.

CJ Bland:
I initially joined as a student while attending B-school in Houston, and joined the Atlanta chapter in 1995 or 1996. I've been a lifetime member since 1998.

CJ Bland:
I earned my MBA in MIS at the University of Houston at Clearlake in 1995.

CJ Bland:
Actually, we do work closely with several metro Atlanta business schools, including Clark Atlanta, Keller, and Emory. We try and meet their needs in terms of resources, presentations, scholarship funding, advice, support and mentoring.

CJ Bland:
We're really into developing strategic alliances to offer more to our members. We are an advising entity to the Governor's Mentor Protege' Program and the Minority Business Development Agency. I see us continuing to strengthen alliances such as those. I also foresee increased meetings and dialogue with the Atlanta Business League, the National Association of Black Accountants, and the National Society of Hispanic MBA Association. I'm a member of NSHMBA, and their president joined ours.

I also see us hosting more Power Networking Conferences. We can continuously improve our chapter by implementing programs and providing resources by developing strategic alliances with organizations.

CJ Bland:
First of all, membership is not limited to just MBAs, but also to graduate degree holders in any field, entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals who are distinguished in their careers. If you're looking to develop or hone skills, or get involved in one or more of many viable committees, the Black MBA Association is an excellent group to join. I highly endorse it as a premier organization for Black business professionals across the world. We are approximately 7,000 members strong. As a graduate of two HBCUs (Southern University and Dillard University) and president of MinorityProfessionalNetwork.com (MPN), I am deeply honored to have been invited to interview with the HBCU Network. Continued success and best regards!