NAAIA - National African American Insurance Association

Due to the severe impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we have postponed our October 17th Claims Clinic to early 2025 and rescheduled the October Agent Roundtable for November 19th. Our thoughts are with everyone affected as we focus on recovery. In support, the NAAIA Foundation is collecting funds to assist impacted communities and provide aid to NAAIA members. Visit www.naaiafoundation.org and select “Community Redevelopment” to contribute. Evacuation and Assistance Resources: - FEMA Evacuation Centers: www.fema.gov - National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov - Florida Disaster Resources: www.floridadisaster.org We’ll continue to share updates and resources. Thank you for your support and understanding. #HurricaneRelief #NAAIAFoundation #CommunitySupport #NAAIA24

The insurance industry recently celebrated the 10th annual DiveIn Festival, a global industry-wide movement to support the development of inclusive workplace cultures. True Search partner and President of NAAIA - National African American Insurance Association Chicago Brett Carter, MBA, CIC, CPRM shared his insights as part of a panel addressing the talent gap. #NAAIA #DiveInFestival #TalentGap #InclusiveHiring

Someone turn on the Stevie Wonder birthday song! We have a special birthday to celebrate!   Viola Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, turned 110 on May 5, 2024. Surrounded by family and friends, she celebrated with plenty of food, flowers, and music. Mother Fletcher’s remarkable life includes a memoir published at age 109, making her the oldest woman to write one. 

In our previous panel discussion, we continued the momentum with an empowering panel on "Strategies to Empower Women in Insurance." We highlighted that career success is not limited by age or experience but is rooted in harnessing our unique perspectives. Our incredible speakers included Sarah Tighe, EVP at Alliant Insurance Services (Moderator), Joan Bauer, Chief Operating Officer at WKFC Underwriting Managers, Randi Kasongo, Vice President at NAAIA - National African American Insurance Association, Los Angeles Chapter, Lisa Walsh, Senior Vice President at Swiss Re, and Natalie Yuen, VP of Business Development at Arch Insurance Group Inc.. What were your key takeaways? Share your thoughts and stories below! Let’s continue to uplift and support one another! Find out more here: https://hubs.la/Q02Wd2290

Please vote and make your voice heard. 🗳️

🗳️ We’re one week away from the 2024 Election Day! Now more than ever, it’s crucial that each of us exercise our right to vote and encourage our families and communities to do the same. Through #NAAIAVotes, we’re focusing on voter education, protection, and turnout as part of our commitment to civic engagement. As a nonprofit, we don’t endorse candidates or parties, but we fully endorse the power of your vote. In a time of increasing disinformation and challenges to voting access in many communities, NAAIA is proud to help empower each of our members to make their voices heard. Find all the details on voting in your area at Vote.org, and let’s make our voices count! #NAAIAVotes #GetOutAndVote #Election2024 #EmpowermentThroughVoting #NAAIA24

#IBTV: Rhoda Murray-West, Senior Vice President at Marsh, shares her insights on the future of the insurance industry in the first episode of the NAAIA - National African American Insurance Association Meet the Executive Series. From her career beginnings to fostering diversity, she highlights the importance of attracting talent from varied backgrounds. Discover how tech-driven solutions and a customer-centric approach are set to reshape the industry landscape. https://hubs.la/Q02VXj8P0

Omari Aarons-Martin, MDiv is used to being the “only” in the room: only person of color, only LGBTQIA person, only millennial. He understands the responsibility that comes with being a barrier breaker. Omari is on a mission to change that reality. Today, he is executive director and chief operating officer of the NAAIA - National African American Insurance Association. Get to know Omari in today’s profile and check back on Thursday for the full interview! #TheLeadershipProject #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipJourney

Kenneth Byrd, Protective's SVP, Operations and fellow protectors recently attended the NAAIA - National African American Insurance Association National Conference in New Orleans. Kenneth shared his insights as part of the panel, “Claiming Your Space in the AI Race as a Black Leader.” The conference is a premier event for professionals in the insurance industry and focuses on networking, professional development and discussions on diversity and inclusion in financial services.

Big I Illinois presented the prestigious Charles M. Cartwright Award to Bennie Jones, President of Risk Management Solutions of America, Inc. (RMSOA) , during the association’s annual convention in Peoria, IL last week. Jones was presented with the award in recognition of his role as a longtime industry and association leader. Named for Charles Cartwright, editor of the National Underwriter for more than 50 years and champion of associations and the insurance industry, the award recipient is nominated by the past three recipients and the award is presented at discretion of the Big I Illinois Executive committee to the person who has performed the most meritorious service to the insurance industry in Illinois. Bennie Jones has more than 40 years of experience in the industry and has served as a volunteer for the Big I Illinois in numerous capacities over the last ten years, including serving on committees, as a member of the Board of Directors, and as Secretary-Treasurer. He played a valuable role in developing and supporting the Chicagoland Big I chapter and has been actively involved in the Chicago Chapter of the NAAIA - National African American Insurance Association. Jones has been a champion for educating youth on careers in insurance and has modeled mentorship as a path to success. On a national level, Jones served as Chair of the Big "I" Diversity council, working with carriers, multicultural industry groups, state associations and other Big I committees to create an awareness of the opportunities and benefits available by embracing diversity to ensure that the independent agency system can survive and flourish. He has previously been recognized by NAAIA and Insurance Business Magazine for his contributions to the industry. Jason A QUAGLIA Lucas Weber John Hibbett Robert L. Watts Jr., DMin., M.Ed. Gerald Harris II Gerald K Harris Charles Hilson