History

2015

NBCSL President Sen. Catherine Pugh hosts Inaugural Swearing- In Ceremony and holds Executive Committee Meeting. President Barack Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration is blocked by federal district court judge. Thousands convene in Montgomery, AL to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Read More

2014

President Barack Obama creates a new initiative called “My Brother’s Keeper,” (MBK) which focuses on improving life outcomes for young men of color in several areas including education, mentorship, justice, and employment. MBK creates partnerships with government, philanthropic organizations, business Read More

2013

President Barack H. Obama is sworn in for a second term as the 44th President of the United States. Tennessee State Representative Joe Armstrong is installed NBCSL’s 10th president. President Joe Armstrong (TN), President-Elect, Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), Vice President, Read More

2012

President Barbara W. Ballard (KS) is honored with a Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) Phenomenal Women of Leadership Public Service Award during its National Women of Power Summit. She also serves on a panel moderated by Susan Taylor, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Read More

2011

Kansas State Representative Barbara W. Ballard is elected NBCSL’s eighth president. NBCSL President Barbara W. Ballard and Immediate Past President Calvin Smyre attend President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. President Barbara W. Ballard meets with Read More

2010

7.0 M Earthquake tears through Haiti killing 230,000, injuring 300,000, and causing 1,000,000 to become homeless. President Obama signs sweeping healthcare reform legislation, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, expanding coverage to over 30,000,000 Americans. President Calvin Smyre attends Read More

2009

President Calvin Smyre, Vice President Barbara Ballard, Executive Director LaKimba DeSadier and NBCSL members attend the historic Inauguration of President Barack Obama as he is sworn in as the first African American President and the 44th President of the United Read More

2008

NBCSL, NHCSL, and the Council of State Governments convene their last health meeting in conjunction with the Centers for Disease and Prevention Control (CDC) a three year partnership called “Healthy States” in Florida. NBCSL and the National Medical Association (NMA) Read More

2007

Georgia state Representative Calvin Smyre is elected NBCSL’s seventh president. NBCSL and the National Medical Association continue their tradition of meeting to discuss health disparities and the way elected officials and medical practitioners can work together, this meeting is sponsored Read More

2006

NBCSL legislative members urge displaced voters to participate in New Orleans mayoral election. NBCSL supports efforts to remove barriers to voter participation in the New Orleans elections. NBCSL condenses policy committee structure from 22 to 12 policy committees and institutes Read More