A student organization that became inactive around 2020 has returned stronger than ever, creating new opportunities for students across the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
The University of Illinois chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) was revived during the 2024-25 academic year by a group of students determined to rebuild what had been lost and create something even stronger. In just one year, the chapter has grown to more than 70 members, earned multiple campus and professional awards, and established itself as one of the most active student organizations at Illinois.
Founded in 1969, NABA works to increase representation and opportunity in accounting, finance, and business by connecting Black students with career opportunities, professional development resources, and a supportive professional community. The organization’s mission is built around five pillars: engage, empower, educate, enhance, and elevate. From its earliest days, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chapter has embraced those principles.
The chapter’s success was recognized across campus during the 2025-26 academic year. NABA was named Student Organization of the Year by the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center at the Ebony Excellence Awards. Chapter President Titus Lee also received the Emerging Student Leader Award at the Ebony Excellence Awards, while Vice President Grace Griffin earned the Best Presenter Award at the NABA Chicago Case Competition.
The Central Black Student Union further recognized the chapter’s impact, honoring NABA with both Most Impactful Organization of the Year and Startup Organization of the Year at the Black Acknowledgment of Excellence Award Ceremony.
Those recognitions reflect an extraordinary year of growth and activity. NABA has grown from no active membership to more than 70 members in just two years. Throughout the academic year, students organized nearly 30 professional development events, collaborated with more than 10 student organizations, engaged with several offices across Gies Business, partnered with corporate hosts and sponsors, launched the first NABA Week on campus, and traveled to Chicago to participate in programming through NABA’s regional network.
Beyond the awards themselves, the chapter has created opportunities for community building, professional development, and increased visibility for Black accounting and business students at Illinois.
That level of growth and recognition does not happen by accident. It takes leadership, commitment, and a shared vision.
The chapter’s seven-member executive board includes President Titus Lee, Vice President Grace Griffin, Marketing Chair Christiana Booker, Communications Chair Muhais Olatundun, Social Chair Aaliyah Polite, Treasurer Ryan Lewis, and Secretary Oluwajimi (Jimi) Ogunyoye. Through intentional programming, a strong social media presence, and a clear sense of purpose, the student leaders have transformed a blank slate into a recognized organization on campus and within the national NABA network.
The Chicago chapter of NABA played an important role in the organization’s early growth, providing mentorship and support as the University of Illinois students rebuilt the chapter. That relationship remains alive and active today, and NABA has expanded its connections to chapters across the country, helping members develop a national network that extends well beyond graduation
Now, the chapter is focused on its next phase of growth: building formal company partnerships and talent pipelines.
“One of our main priorities this semester is to continue building partnerships with companies,” said Lee. “We want to build talent pipelines that feed directly into the workforce development efforts of our partners. With their sponsorship and our commitment to building quality professionals, everyone affiliated with NABA will win in the 2026-2027 school year.”
The chapter’s ambitions are supported by strong student outcomes. Members of the executive board have secured internships with KPMG and Deloitte, earned scholarships from the Illinois CPA Society and the AICPA, and competed successfully in regional business competitions. These accomplishments reflect the professional development opportunities available through the organization and the potential value of future corporate partnerships.
Throughout the chapter’s growth, Joshua Herbold, teaching professor at Gies Business, has served as the faculty advisor and an important liaison supporting the organization’s development.
“The students’ successes this year are 100% due to their own creativity and hard work,” Herbold said. “I’ve helped them when and where I can, but this is their thing, and they’re doing amazing work.”
That student-led approach has been a defining characteristic of the chapter’s revival. What began as an effort to rebuild an inactive organization has become a thriving community that is creating meaningful opportunities for students while strengthening connections between Gies Business, the University of Illinois, and the broader business community.
For students at Gies Business and across the University of Illinois, NABA offers a place to develop professional skills, build community, and connect with a national network of Black business professionals. The chapter’s rapid growth demonstrates the impact of those opportunities and the demand for them among students.