To close out NSBE's Professional Development Conference, set sail on the historic Potomac River onboard of the Odyssey DC as you network with fellow conference attendees and local professionals for a cause. Enjoy panoramic views of DC's iconic landmarks while indulging in delicious brunch fare. Connect, collaborate, and cruise in style to benefit the Edward E. Barnette Jr. Community Impact Scholarship.

Your participation in this event gets you brunch with bottomless mimosas while vibing to the music provided by the onboard DJ.

Boarding will begin at 10:45 AM
Cruise will depart at 11:15 AM

Edward E. Barnette Jr. was an ambitious leader who set high goals for his life and pursued them with uncommon passion and energy. He chose to study industrial engineering at Purdue University, during a time when eight of 10 Black freshmen dropped out of the program every year. As an incoming senior, he and other Black seniors felt a responsibility to help underclassmen. In 1971, Ed Barnette went to Arthur J. Bond, an electrical engineering Ph.D. candidate, and asked for help in creating an organization to assist. Bond wrote a constitution for the group and agreed to serve as the faculty advisor. Then Barnette moved forward and became the founding president of Purdue’s Black Society of Engineers. Among those, Barnette was determined to help were six Black freshmen, later to be known as the “Chicago 6,” founders of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). The goal of the Edward E. Barnette Jr. Community Impact Scholarship Program is to recognize outstanding contributions to the community along the entire length of the STEM pipeline and, thus, throughout our membership. The 4 scholarship areas are High School Seniors, Collegiate Students, Nontraditional and Postgraduate.