Welcome to the 2021-2022 NSBE Year

Dear NSBE Family,

Greetings! I hope that all of you are doing well and welcome to the 2021-2022 NSBE term! For those of you that do not know me, I am Elliott Locke. I will be serving as the President of our Research Triangle Professionals (RTP) Chapter for the 2021-2022 NSBE year.

This is my third time being President (third time’s a charm) and I am very excited to have another opportunity to lead the chapter. I served as President from 2017-2019, and President Emeritus from 2019-2021 while participating in the Region II Professionals and other local RTP NSBE Executive Board roles.

Having now been in Executive Board leadership since 2013, where I first served as Pre-College Initiative Chair at NC State, most people ask me how or why I have continued to participate on the Executive Board. I have been burned out, discouraged, and tired at times. NSBE has highs and lows, successes, and failures. However, I am always drawn back because the value provided to the community significantly outweighs any of those obstacles faced. NSBE has continuously provided me and others the opportunity to continue developing as leaders while making an impact on the community.

NSBE Professionals seek to “inspire the next generation of technical professionals and serve as a catalyst for transforming the culture of engineering.” This goal is achieved by empowering the organization’s members to grow technically, academically, and professionally, and continue to represent the success of NSBE’s mission, “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."

Ever since I joined, I have truly enjoyed helping others. I believe in the pipeline and investing as a Professional into the lives of the current and future generations.

The NSBE pipeline consist of our target areas of:

Pre-College Initiative (PCI):

The Pre-College Initiative (PCI) Program is the focus of NSBE’s effort to promote college, academics, technology, and leadership to pre-college students. Our primary goal is to encourage students in grades K–12 to develop interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

College Initiative (CI):

The College Initiative (CI) program is designed to assist our collegiate members in excelling academically and succeeding professionally through hosting professional workshops or events to assist them in preparing for success during and after college matriculation.

Professional Development:

Since NSBE was founded, leadership, community impact, and technical excellence has been a focus within the organization. The NSBE Professionals are the culmination of community minded academic excellence with technical expertise. We know that learning does not end after graduation and here, you will find a variety of resources to enhance and increase your technical abilities as you embark on your career journey.

Employment Opportunities – Post your resume free of charge for viewing by top engineering employers in NSBE’s Career Center. Search for internships, co-ops and full-time jobs.

Leadership Development – Receive exceptional training at NSBE regional conferences, NSBE’s Annual Convention and through your local chapter. You can also seek to serve on a Regional or National Executive Board.

Technical OutReach Community Help (TORCH):

Technical Outreach Community Help (TORCH) is NSBE’s signature community service program aimed to use our members’ technical backgrounds to positively impact the community.

TORCH is an umbrella program of NSBE which encompasses outreach activities that impact non-NSBE members and NSBE members alike, especially pre-college youth in the Black community. Although increasing membership may be a result of these activities, T.O.R.C.H. programs seek to provide services ahead of promoting membership.

TORCH’s signature initiative includes A Walk for Education, A single day outreach activity aimed at encouraging youth to be better prepared for higher educational opportunities in STEM fields, and in general.

With those target areas outlined, there is great opportunity as we are in a TIME of change and need for social and cultural responsibility. Not coincidentally, TIME is the acronym that represents the National Directives of NSBE this year, the guidance designed to move us toward the achievement of our strategic goals in Game Change 2025 and toward the fulfillment of our mission. TIME represents: Transform NSBE Influence and Advocacy, by making our organization the central ecosystem for innovative Black leaders across industry, academia and public policy; Innovate NSBE Programs and Benefits, by restructuring our programming and resources to be membership-centered and holistically representative; Mobilize NSBE Membership, by activating members through personalized experiences, increased collaborations and cohesive branding; and Evolve NSBE Operations and Governance, by streamlining all operations with a data-driven approach and by modernizing governing and documented elements.

Take heed of the opportunities to fuel the NSBE pipeline. Be a part of the Game Change 2025 plan and help us fulfill the National Directives as a Chapter. NSBE is a student-run organization, meaning the highest leadership position is always filled by a student. However, often NSBE Professionals forget to give back. We need all NSBE Professionals, those that were once the NSBE Collegiate to make a pledge towards giving back now more than ever. RTP NSBE is a vessel for you to make an impact in those areas and more. Full and official membership is just a renewal or registration away by completing your National and Local Membership. We encourage you to get involved by being active and volunteering to serve your community. In these unprecedented times, NSBE needs you more than ever, it is #TIMEtoENGAGE. Please become an official and active member today!

Looking forward to serving and uplifting with you all.

Sincerely,

Elliott N. Locke

RTP NSBE President, 2021-2022