About

  • About

    Advancing

    The Next Generation

    Ensuring the next generation receives the resources and connections to realize their dreams.
  • About

    Connecting

    Industry Leaders

    Globally across industries, professionals and interests.
  • About

    Creating

    Thriving Pathways

    For professionals to build up the homes and communities they love.
  • About

    1 Million

    Black Professionals

    Providing them the resources and connections to excel and thrive.
Play Video

Join our Newsletter

Get updates on upcoming opportunities to give back! Help us fulfill or our mission to help the next generation of black professionals excel and thrive. 

ABOUT

Black Professionals Network (BPN) is the fastest growing college-to-industry professional pathway organizations in the nation lined with access points, opportunities and community for black professionals; curating programs centered on expanding their network, professional development, and earning potential.

Email chapters@mybpn.org for chapter interest.

Our VISION

Serve 1 Million Black Professionals before 2050 by providing them the connections and resources they need to excel and thrive.

Increase The Household Earning Potential

Problem: Median income for African-Americans is reported to drop to 0 by 2053, source. In 2016, African-American median household income was reported at 61% that of whites, source . Office of Advocacy within the SBA reported that Millennial entrepreneurship is declining, those within this age demographic are least likely to be self-employed, but that is not the case with African-American, Black millennials source (1), source (2). This source also showed that a common source of capital to finance businesses comes from personal and family savings, however, if the median income is more than 50% that of whites the ability for black entrepreneurs to use this as an option is limited. 

 

 

Our Solutions: (1) Extended learning covering financial and personal development through our Money Streams program providing courses on different streams of income. (2) Partnership opportunities to provide the various insights on how to become an accredited investor. (3) Call the Shots program that provides courses on how to establish a small business and secure government contracts. 

Provide Guidance Navigating From Graduation to Career Profession

Problem: Although high school graduation rates are up and there is an increase of African-American students attending college, the exit data shows there is much to be done, source. Black student take longer to graduate, leave with the highest college debt, more likely to be underemployed and have stalled career advancement, source.

 

Our Solutions: (1) Connect prominent industry professionals and alumni with undergraduate and post-graduate students through mentor matching events and platform. (2) Create bridge relationships with Corporate partners to offer industry mentors and internships. (3) Establish by 2022 a continuning education fund by providing grants for exam preparation, certifications, and post-graduate work to stay ahead. 

Improve Career Pathways for Black Professionals

Problem: Hiring discrimination for Black employment hasn’t declined in 25 Years, source. 4.5 million African Americans now hold a four-year college degree, yet are disproportionately represented in management and decision-making roles aka white-collar jobs, source(1), source (2)

 

Our Solutions: (1) Access to job opportunities through our Career Board by connecting our professionals to strategic partners and corporations. (2) Professioanl development workshops and courses to keep on pace with current business and career trends. 

Our mission

The Black Professionals Network (“BPN”) is a non-profit social learning organization with the mission to advance the economic and social capital of our career professionals. We guide our professionals along thriving pathways that expand their influence, knowledge, and networth. BPN achieves its mission in part by providing programming, opportunities and connections. Individuals and companies choose BPN to form a collaborative network under the guiding principle “together each achieves more.”

Our Team

Kenasha Paul, J.D.

Founder and CEO

“They say its not what you know but who you know but we need both. So it was important to create an organization that provided the means to develop social and economic capital for current and future industry leaders to excel and thrive.”

Board of directors