NAAAHR METRO-COLUMBIA, SC CHAPTER

Spotlight on the NAAAHR of Columbia, SC

The National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) is a not-for-profit organization which exists to provide a national forum where minority human resources (HR) practitioners can share, gain information and provide leadership on issues affecting their individual careers and the global workforce.  The NAAAHR’s goal is to increase the presence and leadership ability in minority talent at all levels, across all industries, both nationally and globally by facilitating conferences, symposiums, seminars, regional events, career fairs and building strategic alliances.

The NAAAHR has encountered its share of controversy.  In a time where diversity is being taught within companies and across various cultures, many non-minorities have asked why minorities can create an exclusive organization without being labeled racist.  Their argument being that non-minorities are not allowed to band together without being ostracized and attacked or as being labeled a white supremacist hate group.  For example, a little over a year ago a group of white students at Vanderbilt University organized a group called "Youth for Western Civilization." The group made it clear that they were not a racially based group, but rather a group fighting against what they felt was attacks on Western Civilization.  At the first meeting of the “Youth for Western Civilization,” their 9 attendees were physically attacked by at least a dozen students.

The NAAAHR like many minority based organizations was creating on the philosophy that historically, blacks have not been represented in many walks of life, such as education and politics. So, African-Americans and other minorities have banded together to create a safe haven to express their concerns and to share resources into one collective organization that would represent their interests in a nonminority world where African Americans are the minority.  With that said, some South Carolinians have had problems understanding and embracing the NAAAHR and its objectives.

The Metro-Columbia chapter of NAAAHR is a new and growing chapter.  The group is composed of professionals from varying industries with a wide range of human resource knowledge.  The NAAAHR offers a career management program for HR Professionals designed to equip them with the tools required to enhance personal effectiveness, define a strong self-marketing and personal branding strategy and to develop and launch an overall career management strategy. 

The NAAAHR also offers strategic programming designed to provide members with the tools to be a more effective HR and business professional and to gain a competitive advantage.  NAAAHR members become a part of an online forum for collaboration between members to share knowledge and best practices.   Among the numerous opportunities for HR and business professionals, the organization provides an increased professional network, career services, and opportunities to develop leadership skills. Skills designed to assist leaders in their efforts to take their companies, communities and this country to the next level of success.

"America is not like a blanket - one piece of unbroken cloth. America is more like a quilt - many patches, many pieces, many colors, many sizes, all woven together by a common thread." Rev. Jesse Jackson

Written by Theta Thatch, VP of Programs & Planning

NAAAHR Metro Columbia SC Chapter