NAMD Chairman, NAMD Board of Directors Message

Deborah J. Crable

Chairman, NAMD Board of Directors

In life, we are sometimes called to respond to a mission that exceeds all that we envision for ourselves. The election by peers to join the NAMD national leadership team as Chairman of the NAMD Board of Directors is an unexpected high honor that I humbly embrace. Through the leadership team’s collective synergistic genius, we will continue to build upon the legacy of this organization and execute NAMD’s primary objectives:

a) Heighten awareness of African American wealth and market value

b) Provide support services for industry professionals

c) Develop the next generation of industry leaders through scholarship initiatives

d) Preserve one of the nation’s oldest professional African American organizations.

Our challenge today, is to retain the African American consumer as a profitable target market. Current trends indicate a process of annihilation through absorption into generic market models threatens our market value and position as viable contributors to the nation’s cultural diversity. NAMD aims to counter this phenomenon through industry and consumer awareness campaigns that define the impact of the close to one trillion dollar African American economy. Embracing the spirit of Moss Kendrix, founder of both NAMD and National Press Week, we seek to disseminate this empowerment message in alliance with the Black Press, Urban Radio and other outlets. Most importantly, NAMD’s education and scholarship initiatives remain a top priority. NAMD trailblazers and legends are called upon to inspire and prepare the next generation of industry leaders

Preserve and honor the treasures of our ancestors

The founders of this organization were the first to identify and define a profitable African American market that moved Blacks into the economic mainstream as powerful consumers. In turn, these early marketing pioneers empowered civil rights leaders with black consumer information, which they leveraged to secure social and political gains. In addition NAMD served as an umbrella organization where marketing pioneers gathered to share experiences, information and develop marketing strategies. Illuminating NAMD’s pivotal role in the 60’s is crucial for appreciating the organization’s relevancy today.

NAMD moves into the 21st century on the trajectory of its rich history. We honor the founders’ vision to offer empowerment by amplifying the significance and value of the African American market through the NAMD Urban Consumer Market Report. We aim to expand the founding mission, to impact how new and emerging African American and African Diaspora markets are cultivated with integrity. We continue to effectively respond to the personal development and support service needs of career professionals dedicated to advancing these markets.

A call for unified action

Our new millennium tasks are great. Active NAMD membership is need to strengthen our movement that ultimately ensures multi-generational growth of Black wealth, power and identity.

In service,

Deborah J. Crable