National Society of Black Engineers pulls conference out of Florida because of DeSantis' attacks on DEI

The National Society of Black Engineers is moving its annual convention out of Florida, citing the state's attacks on diversity and inclusion as the reason.

The National Society of Black Engineers announced its 2024 convention will no longer be held in Orlando next spring after participants voiced their concerns about the state's political climate and safety.

The following message was sent to NSBE members:

Dear Members, 

Shortly into our journey to celebrating 50 years of NSBE’s annual conventions, we were faced with the responsibility of deciding how to convene in a way that is authentically us, and that honors the basis of our organization’s existence and mission. 

After careful deliberation, our National Executive Board voted to move #NSBE50 out of Florida and relocate to Atlanta, GA where we will be able to provide the full NSBE convention experience. The context of what this decision entailed is detailed below. 

Unified Voice for Social Impact & Change + Sustaining NSBE’s Legacy

Our Society originated during the Black Power Movement, a time when racial pride and truthful expression of the Black experience were amplified and at the forefront. Since then, NSBE members, advisors and staff alike have carried the torch with a goal “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."

With such a longstanding history, we had to take into account that the political climate in Florida seeks to undermine what we stand for and would prohibit us from existing and congregating the NSBE way.

The Pivot 

These occurrences were catalysts to the #NSBE50 location pivot, and were compounded by logistical 1 challenges, which altogether created a circumstance that would inevitably hinder us from providing an expansive, complete, and authentic NSBE convention experience. Indeed, because of the referenced occurrences and other actions – on May 20, the NAACP issued a formal travel advisory for Florida, which states, in part, “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.” Other civil rights organizations, among them the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Equality Florida and the Florida Immigrant Coalition, have expressed support for the NAACP’s action and/or have issued travel advisories of their own. Florida is at the forefront of efforts across the nation to ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and therefore it is important that these unified voices be heard loudly there. 

As a Black organization working towards equity for Black STEM students and professionals, we stand in solidarity with efforts and advisories from Black legacy organizations like the NAACP, especially on matters that directly affect NSBE and our mission – such as the aforementioned.

Refocusing on Celebrating NSBE50 

As we begin to shift our focus back to the joys and meaningful impact of #NSBE50, we will have a centralized focus to (1) maintain a unified voice for social impact and change; (2) support Region III and all members of the NSBE family – right where they are as well as on a national and international level; and (3) remain true to NSBE’s legacy and mission. 

We are also actively working to help our members who are directly impacted by attacks on DEI. For those of you who need assistance, we encourage you to apply for NSBE’s Chapter Relief program which is in place to address and mitigate issues like these. 

Please know that this decision was not made lightly – we approached it with thoughtfulness, care and all things considered – but ultimately with you, our stakeholders, and the integrity of NSBE in mind. We will share more details about relocating as they become available.

Sincerely, Avery Layne, 

NSBE National Chairperson 

Janeen Uzzell, NSBE CEO