Join
Donate
About NOBCChE | NOBCChE History

NOBCChE History

Learn about the initiatives that have defined NOBCChE's history.

Discover the visionaries and trailblazers who laid the foundation for NOBCChE, shaping it into the dynamic force for diversity, excellence, and empowerment that it is today.

Empowering the Future: NOBCChE's Transformative Journey Through Time

Explore the evolution of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) through history. From a visionary Ad Hoc Committee to an enduring force for diversity and excellence, trace the path that has shaped NOBCChE into the dynamic organization it is today.
Founding Visionaries and Financial Genesis

In April 1972, the seeds of NOBCChE were sown with a visionary Ad Hoc Committee, each founder contributing $200. Financial backing, including grants from the Haas Community Fund and Drexel University, propelled the committee through its nascent stages, laying the groundwork for a transformative mission.

Inaugural National Meeting
December 1973 marked a pivotal moment as NOBCChE’s Executive Board orchestrated the organization’s inaugural national meeting in March 1974, held in the vibrant city of New Orleans. This milestone event provided an unprecedented platform for Black chemists and chemical engineers to engage in substantive discussions, present technical papers, and collectively shape the trajectory of the organization.
Formalization and Ongoing Impact
With its official incorporation in 1975 under Georgia’s laws, NOBCChE solidified its commitment to professional excellence. Maintaining tax-exempt status as a non-profit professional society, the organization has etched its impact annually through transformative national meetings, serving as a catalyst for progress, diversity, and innovation in the scientific landscape.

Our Founders

Dr. William Guillory
Dr. James Porter
Chemical Engineer, Professor, MIT
Dr. Charles Merideth
Chemist, Chancellor, The Atlanta University Center, Inc.
Dr. Henry C. McBay
Chemist, Professor, Morehouse College
Dr. William Guilory
Chemist, Professor, Drexel University
Dr. William M. Jackson
Chemist, Professor, Howard University
Dr. Lloyd Ferguson
Chemist, Professor, California State University
Dr. Joseph N. Cannon
Chemical Engineer, Professor, Howard University

Our Presidents

After the first annual meeting held in in New Orleans in 1974 Dr. William Guillory was elected as the first President of NOBCChE. Since 1974, NOBCChE has had 14 presidents, 9 males, and 5 females.
Dr. Bridgette Shannon
Current President
Dr. Rena Robinson
Dr. Murrell Godfrey
Dr. Emanuel Waddell
Dr. Talitha Hampton
Dr. Judson Haynes III
Dr. Victor McCrary
Dr. Joseph Francisco
Dr. Marquita Qualls
Ella L Davis
Winifred Burks-Houck
Dr. James Evans
Dr. Edward D Walton
Dr. John B. Sapp, Jr.
Dr. William Guillory

Timeline of Early NOBCChE Milestones

1972

An Ad Hoc Committee was formed with a grant of $850 provided by the Haas Community Fund and a $400 grant administered through Drexel University to look at the advancement of black chemists and chemical engineers.

1974

First NOBCChE Conference held in New Orleans.

1978
Graduate student participation begins with 2 MIT ChE grad students: Jennie Patrick, and Yaw Yeboth.
1987
NOBCChE establishes first student fellowship sponsored by Eastman Kodak.
1989
First National Science Bowl held. Science Bowls continues to present.
1993
Winifred Burks-Houck became the first female president of NOBCChE. Dr. Linda Meade -Tollin was first female National Chairperson; and Florence Smith was first female National Treasurer.
1995
National Planning Committee established to assume responsibility for Annual Meeting. Prior to this, Regions rotated the responsibility.
1995

NOBCChE AM Technical Program exceeds 100 technical papers.

1998
NOBCChE establishes a national website: NOBCChE.org

National Conferences

Since our initial conference, the NOBCChE conference has been bringing together, in one meeting, under-represented minority serving institutions, key federal agencies, and industries committed to the increase of diverse persons in STEM fields.
AM Year Site City, State National President NPC Chairs Conference Program
1 1974 New Orleans, LA Dr. William Guillory    
2 1975 Washington, DC Dr. William Guillory    
3 1976 Atlanta, GA Dr. William Guillory    
4 1977 Chicago, IL Dr. William Guillory    
5 1978 Boston, MA Dr. William Guillory    
6 1979 Houston, TX Dr. William Guillory    
7 1980 Washington, DC Dr. William Guillory    
8 1981 Chicago, IL Dr. John B. Sapp, Jr.    
9 1982 New York, NY Dr. John B. Sapp, Jr.    
10 1983 Knoxville, TN Dr. John B. Sapp, Jr.    
11 1984 Houston, TX Dr. John B. Sapp, Jr.    
12 1985 Minneapolis, MN Dr. Edward D Walton    
13 1986 Atlanta, GA Dr. Edward D Walton    
14 1987 San Francisco, CA Dr. Phillip Merchant    
15 1988 Philadelphia, PA Dr. Phillip Merchant    
16 1989 Chicago, IL Dr. Phillip Merchant    
17 1990 San Diego, CA Dr. James Evans    
18 1991 Washington, DC Dr. James Evans    
19 1992 New Orleans, LA Dr. James Evans    
20 1993 Indianapolis, IN Dr. James Evans    
21 1994 Atlantic City, NJ Winifred Burks-Houck    
22 1995 Los Angeles, CA Winifred Burks-Houck    
23 1996 Detroit, MI Winifred Burks-Houck    
24 1997 Orlando, FL Winifred Burks-Houck    
25 1998 Dallas, TX Winifred Burks-Houck    
26 1999 San Diego, CA Winifred Burks-Houck    
27 2000 Miami, FL Winifred Burks-Houck    
28 2001 Baltimore, MD Winifred Burks-Houck    
29 2002 New Orleans, LA Ella L Davis    
30 2003 Indianapolis, IN Ella L Davis    
31 2004 San Diego, CA Dr. Marquita Qualls    
32 2005 Orlando, FL Dr. Marquita Qualls   View
33 2006 Los Angeles, CA Dr. Joseph Francisco   View
34 2007 Orlando, FL Dr. Joseph Francisco   View
35 2008 Philadelphia, PA Dr. Victor McCrary   View
36 2009 St. Louis, MO Dr. Victor McCrary   View
37 2010 Atlanta, GA Dr. Victor McCrary   View
38 2011 Houston, TX Dr. Victor McCrary   View
39 2012 Washington, DC Dr. Victor McCrary   View
40 2013 Indianapolis, IN Dr. Judson Haynes III   View
41 2014 New Orleans, LA Dr. Judson Haynes III   View
42 2015 Orlando, FL Talitha Hampton   View
43 2016 Raleigh, NC Talitha Hampton    
44 2017 Minneapolis, MN Dr. Emanuel Waddell    
45 2018 Orlando, FL Dr. Emanuel Waddell    
46 2019 St. Louis, MO Dr. Murrell Godfrey    
47 2020 Virtual Dr. Murrell Godfrey Dr. Ashley Wallace, Dr. Brian Mosby  
48 2021 Virtual Dr. Rena Robinson+ Dr. Danielle Watt, Dr. Lloyd Munjanja  
49 2022 Orlando, FL Dr. Renã AS Robinson Dr. Viridiana Herrea, Dr. Pamela Brady  
50 2023 New Orleans, LA Dr. Renã AS Robinson Dr. Tyrslai M. Williams-Carter, Dr. Victoria Parker, Dr. Kevin Ileka  
51 2024 Orlando, FL Dr. Bridgette Shannon Dr. ChaMarra Sanner, Dr. Pamela Brady  
Membership
Events
Career Growth
About NOBCChE
Login
Join
Donate
Linkedin Facebook Instagram

© Copyright 2024 National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers
1783 Forest Drive, #316, Annapolis, MD 21403.