TLDR: The National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) has announced the formation of an AI Advisory Council and the NBMBAA AI Academy. This initiative aims to equip its members with essential AI knowledge and tools, ensuring equitable participation and leadership for underrepresented professionals in the rapidly evolving AI-driven economy, while actively addressing potential biases in technology.
ATLANTA, October 23, 2025 – The National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) today unveiled a significant strategic move in its mission to foster workforce development by establishing a distinguished AI Advisory Council and the NBMBAA AI Academy. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to empower the organization’s members with the critical tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to thrive and lead in an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Championed by Interim CEO Orlando Ashford, this program underscores NBMBAA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring equitable participation in the digital revolution. The AI Advisory Council comprises a diverse group of prominent leaders who are actively shaping the future of artificial intelligence. Their collective expertise will be instrumental in guiding the curriculum and partnerships of the AI Academy, including collaborations with collegiate institutions.
Interim CEO Orlando Ashford emphasized the profound impact of this initiative, stating, “We want our members to understand their superpower and what enables them to show up as their best self at work, armed with the knowledge to pivot—whether that means leveraging AI in a current role, seeking a new one, or pursuing that entrepreneurial idea you have.” He further highlighted the Council’s crucial role in identifying resources that genuinely ‘see’ the community, acknowledging that societal biases can often be embedded within new technologies. “The Council will help ensure these tools are programmed, tested, and used by all of us to actively combat existing inequities,” Ashford added.
The formation of the AI Advisory Council solidifies NBMBAA’s position as a proactive leader, dedicated not only to career advancement but also to confronting systemic inequities within emerging technologies. This ensures that underrepresented and underestimated professionals are at the forefront of AI innovation, development, and oversight.
Among the inaugural members of the AI Advisory Council is Angle Bush, CEO of Black Women In Artificial Intelligence™. Her visionary leadership and advocacy are expected to be pivotal in shaping the academy’s direction.
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This announcement aligns with NBMBAA’s broader strategic vision, as evidenced by their upcoming ‘TRANSFORM 2025’ conference in Houston, Texas, from September 24-26, 2025. The conference agenda includes a dedicated day for ‘AI and Technology,’ further demonstrating the organization’s commitment to integrating AI literacy and leadership into its core offerings.
