Boston – The National Association of Black Journalists and the National Society of Black Engineers have both signed contracts with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority to bring their gatherings to Boston in 2014 and 2016, according to James E. Rooney, executive director of the MCCA.
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) will make Boston the host city for its 2014 convention and career fair from July 31 – Aug. 2, 2014. It marks the first time the NABJ will visit New England. The 2,400 journalists from across the country are expected to create $2.8 million in economic impact in Boston and the region.
The National Society of Black Engineers has agreed to bring their convention to Boston from March 23 – 26, 2016. The event expects 10,000 attendees and is expected to create $9 million in economic impact. The group last came to Boston in March 2005.
“Over the last several years, the MCCA and city leaders have made a concerted effort to recruit minority events to come to Boston, allowing people from across the country and around the world to see our city in a new light,” said Rooney. “And it’s working. After the National Urban League and Blacks in Government events in 2011, perceptions about our city are positively changing. The NABJ and NSBE events continue this effort, marking Boston as a welcoming destination for the world.”
“I’m proud of the leadership role we’re playing in attracting these groups to Boston and changing perceptions about our city,” said Michelle Shell, MCCA board chair. “This is an amazing citywide collaboration. The MCCA’s role is strong, but we rely on the coming together of the city in doing this work. And the more we can showcase the Boston of today, the better we’re able to promote our deserved role as a world-class city.”
“NABJ is excited about going to Boston in 2014 for our 39th annual convention. It is a fabulous city with the right mixture of a prime location, hotel price, convention space and leisure activities to make a great convention for our members,” said Gregory Lee Jr., NABJ President and former sports editor and reporter with the Boston Globe. “NABJ has never held a convention in Boston. We look forward to this convention and partnering with a city that celebrates culture and tradition.”
In recent years, Boston has played host to other minority and journalism conventions, such as The National Urban League, Blacks in Government, the Online News Association, and the Asian American Journalists Association.
“All of these events, from the National Urban League to the National Association of Black Journalist, prove that perceptions about Boston are changing, paving the way for this historic city to welcome diverse events from around the world, and make them feel welcome and engaged with all Boston has to offer,” said Darnell Williams, President/CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.
NABJ is the largest annual gathering of journalists of color in the nation. The 2014 convention expects upwards of 3,000 journalists to be in attendance. The convention annually attracts newsmakers such as Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton; Vice President Joe Biden; Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice; and Sen. John Kerry.
An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide.
“This is NSBE’s third time going to Boston, a city where science, technology and engineering thrive and where our members have been treated with dignity and respect,” said Carl B. Mack, NSBE executive director. “I meet with three or four cities per year to identify potential sites for NSBE’s s annual convention, and Boston stands out, from Michelle Shell’s chairing the MCCA board to my first stay at an African American-owned hotel. Boston is making some very progressive moves, and I am delighted that NSBE is coming back.”
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has more than 29,900 members and is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the country. Founded in 1975, NSBE includes more than 394 college, pre-college and technical professional/alumni chapters in the United States and abroad. NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”
The National Society of Black Engineers has agreed to bring their convention to Boston from March 23 – 26, 2016. The event expects 10,000 attendees and is expected to create $9 million in economic impact. The group last came to Boston in March 2005.
“Over the last several years, the MCCA and city leaders have made a concerted effort to recruit minority events to come to Boston, allowing people from across the country and around the world to see our city in a new light,” said Rooney. “And it’s working. After the National Urban League and Blacks in Government events in 2011, perceptions about our city are positively changing. The NABJ and NSBE events continue this effort, marking Boston as a welcoming destination for the world.”
“I’m proud of the leadership role we’re playing in attracting these groups to Boston and changing perceptions about our city,” said Michelle Shell, MCCA board chair. “This is an amazing citywide collaboration. The MCCA’s role is strong, but we rely on the coming together of the city in doing this work. And the more we can showcase the Boston of today, the better we’re able to promote our deserved role as a world-class city.”
“NABJ is excited about going to Boston in 2014 for our 39th annual convention. It is a fabulous city with the right mixture of a prime location, hotel price, convention space and leisure activities to make a great convention for our members,” said Gregory Lee Jr., NABJ President and former sports editor and reporter with the Boston Globe. “NABJ has never held a convention in Boston. We look forward to this convention and partnering with a city that celebrates culture and tradition.”
In recent years, Boston has played host to other minority and journalism conventions, such as The National Urban League, Blacks in Government, the Online News Association, and the Asian American Journalists Association.
“All of these events, from the National Urban League to the National Association of Black Journalist, prove that perceptions about Boston are changing, paving the way for this historic city to welcome diverse events from around the world, and make them feel welcome and engaged with all Boston has to offer,” said Darnell Williams, President/CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.
NABJ is the largest annual gathering of journalists of color in the nation. The 2014 convention expects upwards of 3,000 journalists to be in attendance. The convention annually attracts newsmakers such as Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton; Vice President Joe Biden; Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice; and Sen. John Kerry.
An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide.
“This is NSBE’s third time going to Boston, a city where science, technology and engineering thrive and where our members have been treated with dignity and respect,” said Carl B. Mack, NSBE executive director. “I meet with three or four cities per year to identify potential sites for NSBE’s s annual convention, and Boston stands out, from Michelle Shell’s chairing the MCCA board to my first stay at an African American-owned hotel. Boston is making some very progressive moves, and I am delighted that NSBE is coming back.”
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has more than 29,900 members and is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the country. Founded in 1975, NSBE includes more than 394 college, pre-college and technical professional/alumni chapters in the United States and abroad. NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”