There's Finally An African American Marketing Association

The African-American Marketing Association (AAMA), a new organization geared towards African-Americans in the marketing industry, announced the launch of the organization and its website AA-MA.org.

AAMA was founded with the goal of providing resources, opportunities, and connections to help empower Black marketing professionals across the country, and eventually around the globe.

The organization finds its base in the dynamic and innovation rich Houston, Texas, the fourth largest city in the U.S. “Houston serves as a stellar backdrop for AAMA to create a collaborative community among professionals,” said Michelle Ngome, President of AAMA.

“I have watched marketing evolve over the years and it is time to create our own narrative. I want AAMA to serve as a hub for professional and business growth within our community.”

Is Your Marketing Team Diverse?

With the influence of technology, marketers face many obstacles navigating an ever-changing industry. “I think one of the greatest challenges that all marketing professionals, but specifically African American marketing professionals face, is access to resources and awareness of opportunities,” said Andrea Brown, Vice-President of AAMA.

“Hopefully, AAMA can help remedy those issues. The truth is we need more African American voices at the table, helping to make decisions about the way companies market their products and services. That only happens when African Americans are equipped for their roles.”

For more information on AAMA and how to collaborate, visit the website: aa-ma.org.

Black Girls Allowed Talks to Michelle Ngome – President of AAMA

BGA: Your leadership team are all Black women. Tell us how you all successfully came together to create AAMA?

Michelle Ngome: AAMA was an idea that stemmed, years ago. In Houston, we have 20 Black professional organizations that serve the community. I knew there was an immediate void here, but I wasn’t ready.

I needed time to develop leadership skills, my network, and several other qualities to position me for this moment. For the past 5 years, I would Google “Black marketing” or “African-American marketing” with nothing appearing in the search results. In 2018, I knew it was time to get AAMA off the ground.

My team consists of amazing women that are genuinely interested in making an impact in our community.

African American And Diverse

What was a seed of an idea, we have been working to develop over the past six months. We have a diverse team from new grads to well-versed experts with an array of business experience.

I think a diverse background is important when it comes to staying current within the industry and the people making sure we start off right and remain in alignment with our members and community.

READ: Michelle Ngome – Making Black History in 2018 with Line 25 Consulting

BGA: Please tell me some of the benefits that a Black-owned business will receive by joining AAMA?

Michelle Ngome: AAMA’s mission is to foster the growth and professional development of African-American marketing professionals. Marketing is a very broad topic as everyone needs a certain aspect of marketing in their lives at some point.

This may be personal branding for career negotiations, thought leadership, SEO for your retails space, social media ads, the list is endless. Our goal is to have monthly meetings addressing these topics to benefit individuals for career growth or their entrepreneurial endeavors.

As a new organization, the overall benefits are monthly trainings, quality networking, industry news, business opportunities, and resources. Please keep in mind, we are a brand new organization based in Houston.

We are receiving interest from all over and we are trying to find ways to provide value to all interested party until we can create affiliate chapters in the near future.