Past, Present, and Future

        The idea of organizing a National Hispanic Business Association originated along with the idea of the Hispanic Business Leadership Conference (HBSLC) in the 1989-90 administration of the Hispanic Student Business Association at the University of Texas at Austin.

        The goal of the conference is to unite Hispanic-oriented organizations across the Southwest, and eventually, nationwide, into a network that would serve to voice the concerns of both the Hispanic student and the Hispanic professional. This incorporation would also help Hispanic business students enhance themselves culturally, academically, and professionally. It would also serve as a recruiting network for major corporations. The conferences have provided inspiring speakers and a series of workshops facilitated by corporate representatives have prepared Hispanic students with issues which they will encounter in the corporate world. In addition, the conference has provided students with the opportunity for one-on-one contact with business professionals.

        Efforts to organize the first conference started in June 1989. After several conferences, it was realized that an organization was necessary to execute the HBSLC. In February 1994, at the fourth annual HBSLC, the National Hispanic Business Association was created. The purpose of the organization is to execute the annual HBSLC as well as create a network between Hispanic student organizations throughout the nation. Since 1994, the National Council, consisting of coordinators and national representatives, has met to discuss the goals and purposes of NHBA. This year, the meeting was in Los Angeles, California and was hosted by Loyola Marymount University. The Executive Board of NHBA operates out of Austin, Texas, the site of the HBSLC.

        Currently, the NHBA family boasts a network of 47 student organizations in over 20 states, as well as 47 corporations. The effort by schools within the organization has caused NHBA to grow rapidly. After attending HBSLC ’96, the NHBA members at Michigan State University took it upon themselves to hold a regional conference in their area in the Fall of the next school year. This year will mark the second anniversary of the Midwest Hispanic Student Leadership Conference. It will be held in Chicago, Illinois.

        In the future, NHBA would like to expand it’s family by recruiting more student organizations, as well as more corporate sponsors. NHBA would also like to encourage other schools to hold regional conferences in their area in order to bring the resources of NHBA to more students.