Our Story
Formed in 2020, the nonprofit National Black Postdoctoral Association (NBPA) is committed to ensuring the professional success of Black postdoctoral fellows. The NBPA was officially incorporated and became a nonprofit organization in March 2021. In April 2023, the NBPA became a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
Our Mission
The NBPA provides space for the exchange of information and opportunities to enhance the social well-being, research advancement, and professional development of its members.
Meet the Team
Governing Board
Frankie Heyward, PhD
Harvard
Chair
Heather K. Beasley, PhD, MS
Vanderbilt
Vice Chair
Cynthia Tchio, PhD
Harvard
Treasurer
Anthony Williams, PhD
University of Chicago
Secretary
Keisha Hardeman, PhD
UT Southwestern
General Board Member
Members Relations
Michelle Thompson, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
General Board Member
Chair, Local Black Postdoc Association
Mykel D. Green, PhD
UT Austin
General Board Member
Chair, Research Showcase
Andre B. Toussaint, PhD
Columbia University
General Board Member
Tigist Tamir, PhD
MIT
General Board Member
Committee Chairs
Dayna Patterson, PhD
Northwestern
Co-Chair, Outreach
Valene Barry, PhD
Washington University
Co-Chair, Outreach
Cellas Hayes, PhD
Stanford
Chair, Emergency Support
Jonnelle Glenn, PhD
Case Western
Chair, Social Media
Bylaws Committee
Frankie Heyward, PhD
Anthony Williams, PhD
Tigist Tamir, PhD
Melinda Ruth
Taylor Buchanan