Boston Hosts NABA's Prestigious National Black Business and Financial Services Convention July 8 - 12, 2003.

Business Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2003

Some 2,000 Business, Accounting and Financial Services Leaders of Color Expected to Attend the National Association of Black Accountants' (NABA) 32nd Annual National Convention

On July 8 - 12, nearly 2,000 national business leaders and financial services professionals of color will gather in Boston to focus on such key issues as meeting the challenges of Corporate Governance in today's marketplace, the breakthrough of minority executives in corporate America, and ethical challenges facing executive leaders at the National Association of Black Accountants' (NABA) 32nd Annual National Convention at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel.

With a 2003 Boston NABA Convention Host Committee comprised of some of the Boston-area's key corporate leaders, including Liberty Mutual, FleetBoston Financial, John Hancock, Deloitte & Touche, State Street Bank, Boston's WCVB-TV and Gillette, among many others, attendees are assured an unprecedented Convention program. Together with NABA, corporate partners have created a productive five-day educational, leadership and networking event, which will reinforce the City's strong commitment to professional growth and diversity, as well as highlight the best of Boston.

"The convention is a special opportunity to showcase and attract professionals of color to Boston- a city unsurpassed in its history and a Mecca for world-class cultural, educational and medical institutions," said Edmund (Ted) Kelly, Chairman, President and CEO of Liberty Mutual Group and NABA Convention Co-Chair. "And now with Boston winning the bid for the Democratic National Convention, we're all gearing up to share the treasure of our city with the rest of the country. The NABA Convention gives us our first big opportunity to do so."

This year's Convention will offer a multitude of leadership training and development seminars, technical workshops, and panel discussions addressing timely and important issues facing corporate leaders in today's changing marketplace - hosted by the Boston areas best academic institutions. Together with Harvard Business School, NABA is offering Executive Leadership Development (ELDI) seminars geared toward senior executives and managers. Featured ELDI program leaders include recognized Harvard Business School professors David Thomas, Ph.D., author of the award-winning Breaking Through: The Making of Minority Executives in Corporate America; Scott Andrew Snook, Ph.D., author of Friendly Fire, selected in 2002 by the Academy of Management as the most influential book on managerial thinking; and Michael D. Kimbrough, Ph.D., a former senior auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, among others. Northeastern University will sponsor a MLDI program focusing on challenges faced by mid-level managers as they work to move up the corporate ladder. Both ELDI and MLDI programs offer participants Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.

"The NABA Conference has grown to be one of the nation's best for business professionals who are looking for career enrichment, professional development and unlimited network opportunities," said Kim Griffin-Hunter, CPA, a partner with Deloitte and Touche in Miami and NABA National President.

An organization with a commitment to the advancement of education and leadership, NABA has awarded over $4.6 million in scholarships to deserving students preparing to enter the fields of business, accounting and financial services. The 2003 Convention will offer its existing student members and non-members an opportunity to learn more about the myriad of opportunities and advantages available to its members, including scholarships, ongoing professional training, and access to leading corporations. Included on the program are a Scholarship Luncheon honoring current and past NABA scholarship recipients and featuring keynote speaker, Reverend Matthew Watley, co-founder of blacknoetic. The NABA Diversity and Recruitment Expo will provide attendees with access to some of the country's foremost corporations, as well as exposure to new products and services.

In addition to the numerous professional and networking activities slated for this year's Convention, participants will also be treated to a host of Boston-area excursions and tours - including trips to Martha's Vineyard, the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Casinos, Boston Harbor tours, premium outlet shopping - organized sports tournaments (tennis, volleyball and golf), a gala event, among other entertaining options. For further information on NABA's 2003 Annual National Convention, visit the national NABA website at www.nabainc.org or the Boston NABA Chapter at www.nababoston.com.

About NABA

Nine African-American accountants in New York City founded NABA in 1969. These visionaries instituted a national association to deal forthrightly and effectively with the myriad problems faced by the growing number of African-American professionals in the field of accounting. Today, NABA represents the interests of over 100,000 people of color in accounting, business, consulting, finance, and information technology. For more information about the organization, please visit the NABA website at www.nabainc.org.