Black excellence. Black success. Black service.
Positive attributes were on full display on March 18–22, as more than 13,000 participants energized downtown Baltimore, Maryland, during NSBE’s 2026 Annual Convention (NSBE2026). Our first-ever convention in “Charm City” kicked off the Society’s 52nd year of collective striving “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers….”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore; Maryland Lt. Gov., and civil engineer, Aruna Miller; Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott; Calvin Young, a former NSBE national chair now serving as Baltimore’s deputy mayor for Community and Economic Development; NSBE member Shannetta Griffin, CEO of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport; and Marcus Mitchell, vice president of Engineering, Core Site Reliability Engineering, for Google, were among the many high-profile officials who spoke to audiences at Baltimore’s Convention Center during NSBE2026.
The theme of the event, “Advancing S.T.E.M.,” centered the dozens of items on the agenda, including workshops, plenary sessions, panel discussions, networking activities, tech and science competitions, awards celebrations and more.
“NSBE has shaped my story in ways I never could have imagined,” said Jazmine Bullock, chair of the 2026 Annual Convention Planning Committee (CPC), in her invitation to the event. “From a quiet girl from Delaware who once questioned whether she belonged in engineering spaces, I’ve grown into someone who proudly carries the torch for the next generation. With the theme ‘Advancing S.T.E.M.,’ we are challenging our members to go beyond the acronym and embrace the values that drive our movement: Shaping the future, Transforming communities, Empowering excellence and Mobilizing innovation.”
Among the many Convention highlights:
- A check presentation by Bechtel, a 51-year partner with NSBE, during the Opening Session: the company announced its $300,000 investment in the sustainability of NSBE’s Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (NSBE SEEK) as a part of the 20-year refresh, to further 3rd–5th graders’ interest in STEM careers;
- The NextGen Innovation Expo, a reimagined Convention career fair experience that integrated career exploration with innovation and culture: features included the Black STEM Experience Stage, where leaders discussed topics such as equity, leadership and navigating careers in science and technology;
- A Health & Wellness Fireside Chat — featuring NBA Hall-of-Famer Alonzo Mourning, a Vertex Pharmaceuticals nephrologist, and the president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund — was moderated by NSBE CEO Janeen Uzzell;
- Black on Purpose (BOP), a high-energy festival at Baltimore’s Power Plant Live!, where thousands of Convention attendees enjoyed live entertainment, local vendors, interactive tech demos, great food, conversations with industry professionals and more;
- The 29th Annual NSBE Golden Torch Awards (GTA), hosted by Toyota: our signature Convention closing ceremony recognized excellence in academic achievement, professional success and community impact and celebrated the brilliance and leadership of outstanding NSBE members; and
- The election of NSBE 2026–27 national officers, including Casey Williams II, the Society’s national chair-elect.
“Life this year has not been easy,” said NSBE CEO Janeen Uzzell during Opening Session. “But through all the work, the struggle, the times of exhaustion, NSBE sustains, NSBE uplifts, and NSBE brings us to moments like this, where we come together to celebrate our excellence, our success and our positive impact on Black communities — and on ALL communities — in the U.S. and around the globe.”
“…To our attendees: thank you for trusting us with your time, your energy and your Convention experience,” said CPC Chair Jazmine Bullock on stage at the NSBE Golden Torch Awards. “I hope you leave here empowered. I hope you leave here inspired. And most importantly, I hope you leave here ready to continue advancing STEM in every space you enter.
From Baltimore, in Region II, NSBE’s big event moves on to Boston, in Region I, for the 53rd Annual Convention, March 31–April 4, 2027.
