About National FBLA, Inc.
Each year, thousands of students launch promising and rewarding careers through participation in Future Business Leaders of America, Inc., a vocational student educational association listed under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) for nonprofit organizations. Through its divisions – Middle Level, High School Level, Collegiate – FBLA helps members bridge the gap between classroom and the business world by giving them an opportunity to learn first-hand about the business community. Consequently, every FBLA program, service, and activity has been designed to achieve one or more of the primary objectives (goals) of FBLA.
FBLA involves nearly 250,000 members in over 13,000 chartered chapters in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, China, Haiti, Hungary, Tanzania, Cananda, and Department of Defense Dependent Schools worldwide. Local chapters are chartered by the National Association and operate under the supervision of a state chapter. All local and state chapters function within the framework of the national organization.
National Affiliations
FBLA is officially endorsed by American Management Association, Association for Career and Technical Education, Career College Association, March of Dimes, National Association of Parliamentarians, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Business Education Association, National Management Association, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Membership
FBLA is made up of three (3) membership divisions. These include:
FBLA Middle Level – Membership in this division is open to students in grades 5-9. This division provides an opportunity for members to explore a range of career skills. Members gain foundational leadership skills through academic competitions, leadership development, and educational programs.
FBLA High School – Membership in this division is open to students in grades 9-12, enrolled in a business or business-related course. This division helps high school students prepare for careers in business through academic competitions, leadership development, and educational programs. Experiences are tailored to individual members to ensure that they gain knowledge, skills, experiences, and behaviors they need to be successful after high school.
FBLA Collegiate – Membership is open to post-secondary students with the underliyng themes of: honing 21st century skills, developing individual vision, building relationships with mentors, being a mentor, networking, and understanding that business principles are a part of every sector.
The previous Professional Division was transformed into the FBLA Network as of August 2021.
FBLA-PBL National History
1937- Hamden L. Forkner of Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City, proposes to business teachers across the country that a national organization is needed for the thousands of business clubs in the nation’s high schools and colleges.
1940-The National Council for Business Education (now known as the National Business Education Association) sponsors the proposed student organization. Committees are appointed to formulate the organization’s general plans. The name “Future Business Leaders of America is selected for the organization.
1942-An experimental chapter is chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee, on February 3. Second chapter is started two days later in St. Albans, West Virginia. By the end of the year, 39 chapters are added; and for the next three and one-half years, another 38 chapters join.
1946-The United Business Education Association assumes sponsorship of FBLA. Headquarters office for FBLA is established at the National Education Association Center in Washington, D.C.
1947-Iowa becomes the first FBLA state chapter. Indiana and Ohio quickly follow. Within the next three years, FBLA state chapters total ten.
1958-The post secondary division, Phi Beta Lambda, is created. The University of Northern Iowa is the first PBL chapter.
1969-FBLA-PBL is granted independent status as a nonprofit educational student association under Internal Revenue Code 501c(3). FBLA-PBL, Inc. acquires its own board of directors and full-time staff.
1973-FBLA-PBL, Inc. appoints Edward D. Miller as the association’s first full-time executive director.
1979-The Board of Directors approves establishment of the FBLA-PBL alumni division.
1981-The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation purchases 1.6 acres of land in the Center for Educational Associations, Reston, Virginia, as the site for a future national FBLA-PBL headquarters.
1987-FBLA annual membership tops 200,000 for the first time.
1989-The professional division is formed to include alumni and professional businesspersons.
1990-The ground breaking ceremony is held for the FBLA-PBL national headquarters.
1991-The grand opening of the FBLA-PBL national headquarters is held.
1994-The FBLA-Middle Level division is formed for students in grades 5-9.
1997-Edward D. Miller retires as president and chief executive officer of the National Association. Ms. Jean Buckley is appointed president and chief executive officer.
2001-National headquarters mortgage retired following a successful capital campaign.
2016-FBLA-PBL celebrates 75 years.
2019-Jean Buckley retires as president and chief executive officer of the national association. Alexander Graham is appointed president and chief executive officer.
2020-FBLA-PBL was one of only a few CTSOs to adapt its National Leadership Conference to serve as an online event, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to meet student members despite restrictions on in-person gatherings. More than 10,000 attendees convened for the virtual experience.
2021-Still in the midst of the global pandemic, FBLA-PBL hosted its National Leadership Conference online; yielding more than 12,000 student attendees. FBLA-PBL transitioned its Professional Division to an Alumni and Professional Network, in order to emphasize and support the student member experience at the core of its mission.