Our new theme is “Looking Back and Moving Forward.” As a result of NBAC’s 30 years of history, we are wiser and more determined than ever to continue to make a major impact on the issues we face as a nation, but more particularly as African Americans.

As Chairman of the Board, I am clear about NBAC’s direction and its mission―to create a road map that will keep NBAC on course with its primary objective of being the only nationally organized advocacy council of African Americans, devoted to educating and ensuring access to quality, culturally competent, and evidenced-based services.

As NBAC moves forward as a training and advocacy organization, we will intensify our focus in three critical areas:

• Strengthening of chapters through innovative programs that will create positive and lasting impact in our communities

• Intensifying marketing efforts to more widely disseminate information that we can offer to members, community organizations, and the general public

• Developing measurement tools to evaluate our success towards achieving these goals

I am extremely proud that NBAC is continuing to offer National trainings that include The Black Alcoholism & Addictions Institute (BAI), Blacks Against Drunk Driving (BADD), and Black/Children of Alcohol and Drug Addicted Parents (B/COADAP).

We are at a pinnacle looking at new paradigms, which include adopting new ideas and approaches that will increase national exposure. The first of these programs to expand will be a mini version of the Black Alcohol and Addictions Institute (BAI). Other programs slated for expansion are the People of Color Conference (POC), HIV/AIDS programs, Black/Children of Alcoholic and Addicted Parents (B/COADAP), and Suicide Training programs.

I have always taken great pride as I travel around the country to talk about NBAC and the great innovative things that we are doing. This has greatly increased awareness of NBAC and has helped rejuvenate areas that have not been as active, as well as create new chapters.

We are excited about the agenda we have set for the future of NBAC. My major goal as Chairman of the Board is to assist NBAC in recruiting more people to become involved, informed, and able to reach and teach our communities so that we can better understand and effectively respond to the issues of alcohol, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS. So as we celebrate the future of NBAC, think about how you can support us in these efforts. Please commit to joining NBAC as a member or send a donation that will help us in our endeavors to make our communities stronger.