Impact, Resource and Leadership with National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals

Tell us about the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP).
The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) is a non-profit organization dedicated primarily to the training needs of African American meeting planners. The organization is committed to the improvement of the meetings, events, conferences, exhibitions, and conventions they manage. NCBMP has made a significant impact in the hospitality industry by identifying the sizable purchasing power and impact of African American meetings and events and using this as an advocacy tool for equitable representation in leadership and executive positions across the industry. 

What is it that makes the NCBMP viable in today's climate?
NCBMP remains one of the few resources available for Black people who are building their careers as members of the meetings and events industry. The organization provides an opportunity for sincere connection and networking as well as a space to advance business goals and objectives. NCBMP also is an important voice in the ongoing conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. 

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What keeps you motivated in such a competitive industry?
I am motivated by the continued opportunities to bring new innovation to meetings and events. I love that this industry, while competitive, is extremely resourceful.  I still love the challenge of taking on a major meeting or event and the thrill of executing it in a way that provides a unique, memorable experience for all attendees. 

Tell us about a success story of someone who has been a member of the NCBMP.
At NCBMP, we truly believe in doing business with those we know, like and trust. To put it in simpler terms - we do business with our friends. There are countless stories of members in our organization who joined and found a supportive network that allowed them to meet or exceed their business objectives, navigate promotion and advancement opportunities,  or simply gain new and fresh knowledge from the extensive network the organization has been able to cultivate in its 40-year existence. 

What can people expect from the NCBMP in 2024?
You can expect an organization that will continue to build on its mission to be a resource for meeting professionals. As the phrase, "meeting professional" continues to evolve, so will this organization by welcoming all to join and be supported by this network. I look forward to seeing new, talented, innovative planners and executives become a part of our organization and allow them to have a voice in the room and seat at the table. 

About Nicholas I Wiggins
Nicholas I. Wiggins is one of the most talented, respected, and admired creatives in America today.
The New Jersey native is managing director at Values Partnerships, the country’s largest 100% Black owned social impact agency. He is also founder and principal of NIW Design, offering client-centered services to advance profiles and brands through highly efficient and effective event management, strategic visioning, and image consulting.
In a six-year tenure at the NAACP, the George Washington University alumnus assisted in the planning and execution of the NAACP Image Awards and the organization’s Annual Convention; served as the lead on its NAACP Experience expo and Leadership 500 Summit; and developed the external relations strategy for the chairman and board of directors.
Nicholas began his career as a member of the faculty of the Newark Boys Chorus School (NBCS), an independent school for young men in Newark, New Jersey. An alumnus of the school, he offered students in grades fifth through eighth a daily dose of American and African American history, world culture, and civics. He currently serves as member of their Board of Trustees.
Nicholas remains civically engaged and makes a difference in several ways. He is a co-founder of the 4 The Culture Brunch, a space where creators, entrepreneurs, and influencers network and connect around Black culture. He serves as Chairman of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals. He is Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the NAACP Image Awards Committee, a volunteer body that helps ensure the show’s success. He also serves as a member of the NAACP Foundation Board of Trustees and as Co-Chair of Emerge America’s Black Leadership Circle. He maintains membership in the NAACP, National Urban League, Southern Poverty Law Center, Human Rights Campaign, and as an ambassador to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.