Young Professionals Spotlight: ASCEND: The Black Professional Association of Columbus

Each month, the Columbus Chamber spotlights a local young professional or professional organization to showcase what they offer, how to get involved and when to check out their next event. For the month of March, ASCEND: The Black Professional Association of Columbus is featured.

When and why was ASCEND started?

ASCEND began in February 2008 as a monthly networking mixer for young African American professionals in Columbus. The goal was to help individuals develop business and social relationships, and ultimately build a supportive community of entrepreneurs and businesspeople.

Why should I become a member?

If you enjoy meeting new people, learning about resources that will be helpful to your career, and are interested in making a positive contribution in your community, you'll enjoy being a member of ASCEND. Membership is free and open to the public. We still host our monthly roundtable and networking reception, as well as other events throughout the year.

Our events help you build new relationships, and provide information that's helpful to your career or business. If you were to ask a member about what our meetings are like, they'd say that ASCEND is a very welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds and career levels, and that the people you'll meet are genuinely interested in helping you succeed professionally.

How do I become a member?

Membership is free, and our monthly roundtable is open to the public without a registration fee. To become a member, simply visit our website at www.ascendbpac.com, or sign up at one of our events.

Tell me about your upcoming events.

Our March roundtable is going to be a great event for small business owners and entrepreneurs. We'll be presenting information about free resources available online, as well as organizations that provide consulting and development support for small business.

We're working with our partners to coordinate our April and May events, which will focus on marketing and branding tips for small business, and effective career search strategies for young professionals.

What are some successes or cool facts about ASCEND?

ASCEND has been growing steadily since our inception in 2008. We're expanding our focus from networking and relationship, so that we can offer more educational and professional development opportunities for young professionals. We'll also be reaching out to the community at large, by providing information about personal finance and home ownership.

One of the biggest misconceptions about ASCEND is that membership and participation is limited to African-Americans. We're an inclusive organization, and we encourage people of all backgrounds to participate. For business, government, and nonprofit leaders who would like stronger representation and presence in urban neighborhoods, it's a great way to reach key influencers within the city of Columbus. If you're in an HR or recruitment role, we're also a direct connection to diverse, talented young professionals looking to grow in their career fields.

Where can I go to learn more?

Please visit our website at www.ascendbpac.org to learn more about us and to RSVP for our upcoming events. We're also on Facebook and LinkedIn, so be sure to add us to your network.

To learn about nearly 60 other local YP and professional organizations, view the Columbus Chamber's directory of YP and professional organizations.