Who
We Are

The National Professional Lobbyists Association (NPLA), formerly the National Black Professional Lobbyists Association (NBPLA), was founded in 2019 in response to a reality that many African American government affairs professionals knew all too well: highly qualified Black lobbyists were too often overlooked for opportunities despite their experience, expertise, and proven performance.

 

The organization was born from a pivotal moment when an accomplished Alabama-based lobbyist with nearly 20 years of experience and representation of a global technology company was not even granted the opportunity to present his proposal for a corporate engagement. Recognizing that this was not an isolated incident but part of a broader, systemic challenge, Gregory Jones and John Heath concluded that meaningful change required collective action. They soon joined forces with Yolanda C. Jackson, one of the nation’s most dynamic and respected lobbyists, and together they shaped the vision that became NBPLA.

 

In September 2019, NBPLA was officially incorporated, establishing a national platform dedicated to strengthening opportunity, visibility, and professional advancement for African American lobbyists. As the organization has grown, so has its reach and influence. To better reflect its expanding partnerships, professional scope, and national positioning, the organization is now evolving into the National Professional Lobbyists Association (NPLA).

 

This transition honors the foundation built by NBPLA while positioning NPLA as a forward-focused, professional organization that serves as a bridge between exceptional talent and meaningful opportunity in the advocacy and government affairs industry.