Befittingly, our annual conference of the NBMBAA was held in our nation’s capital this year. All the highlights are too numerous to mention; however, let me share some moments which attendees were privy to. On the opening evening at The Grand Affair, the family of H. Naylor Fitzhugh was afforded special recognition. Naylor had been a Catalyst for Change in the Areas of Target Marketing, Business, Community and Education. He left an enduring legacy of reaching forward and backward to help us achieve in business and in life. During that same evening, General Colin Powell shared chapters from his history underscoring that “service without compromising integrity” is possible. It wasn’t long after the conference that Gen. Powell endorsed Sen. Barack Obama as the preferred next President. And yes, he’s one of us having received his MBA degree while serving in the military.

In addition, my contemporaries from the sports world were on hand. Their presentations were a testimony to the power of our diverse talents and interests. Kareem Abdul Jabar’s emerging literary and production talents were much appreciated. Magic Johnson addressed a full audience at the Career Fair, reflecting his ability to transfer his innate marketing attributes from the hard court to the business arena. They both highlighted the value of life after “points on the score board.”

As Friday got underway, Kenneth D. Lewis, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Bank of America shared with us the reality of our current economic condition. He didn’t soft peddle the story. Given the breadth of economic challenges we face and the integral role we play in the international marketplace, these are unprecedented times. He didn’t suggest a quick fix. It will take all of us time to work through this era. Yes, We Can!

The Reunion Track session was of particular interest to me for the obvious reasons. Sponsored by the NBMBA Foundation, it punctuated one of their objectives to keep the Black MBA “veterans” engaged. Given over three decades of history, many of us met for the first time and shared updates from our renewed relationships. The speaker presentations let us know how to help make this time in our lives interesting as well as rewarding for ourselves and others.

The Foundation’s reception that evening provided the opportunity to reinforce the role that each of us plays to keep the legacy alive. Bill Qualls shared “giving” highlights and solicited our cheerful giving. Both our CEO/President Barbara Thomas and NBMBAA Board Chair Bill Wells gave their enthusiastic support to the Foundation’s current efforts.

Now that 2009 is upon us, what’s in your giving plan for the Foundation? I know that we are not exempt from the consequences of the “financial crisis” era. However, I’ve tended to be a “both/and” rather than an “either/or” kind of person. In this regard, I believe we can constructively manage the “crisis” and give to the Foundation and be better off as a result.

In the previous newsletter article, Dr. Alexander Gabbin, Treasurer of the first conference at University of Chicago in 1970, earmarked where we’ve come from financially. Let the NBMBA Foundation “Investing in the Excellence of Our Youth” be reflected in your giving this year.

God willing, Bill Qualls, Barbara Bostick, Alexander Gabbin, and I will be looking for you in New Orleans later this year. I know you’ll have a good story and good money.