The history of the association goes back to 1978, when he began to fulfill his vision of creating an organization that would bring more African-Americans in the insurance industry together, Mr. Tillman. The reason, he said, was because he saw few minority agents engaging with national associations.

Over the years, the group has grown from its fledgling beginnings in Cincinnati, where Mr. Tillman's agency, J.L. Tillman is based. The group now has 350 members.

NAAIA recently announced the launch of its Chicago chapter.

Mr. Tillman said NAAIA is looking to grow "quality" chapters through reaching out to individuals and helping them to recognize the benefits of creating a national voice.

The association, he said, is looking to reach out to existing organizations, local African-American agent associations and larger associations, such as the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc., to form partnerships with them. The NAAIA and IIABA shared conference space this year, as they have in the past. The NAAIA held its conference just prior to IIABA's InfoXchange conference here.

"We are looking to connect with others," said Mr. Tillman. "That's the main reason why we are here."

He noted that percentage of African-American's working in the insurance industry is small compared to the rest of the industry and "the numbers need to be improved. We want to impact those numbers."

To accomplish this, he said, the association must start at the grass roots, by encouraging younger people to get into the business. This means, he said, that those minorities already in the business must visit high schools and talk to students about the industry and get them to consider it as a career.

"Few minorities know about insurance," observed Mr. Tillman. "It is incumbent upon us to share what we know of this business with others. It is about what you can accomplish and what you believe."

"Why is it tough to recruit minorities to the insurance industry?" he asked. "Because they don't know enough about the insurance industry."

He said there are a number of other African-American professional associations, but no high-profile national insurance association to promote a positive image to others of African-Americans in the industry and make a commitment to improving their communities.

"I've always asked why African-American's in insurance have not gotten together as a whole and do things for their community," he said. "Let's get together to succeed."

He, and other association officers attending the workshop, emphasized that NAAIA is not exclusively an association of agents, but is looking to get all members of the industry involved.

"We are not happy where we are today," said Mr. Tillman speaking to those in the room. "We want to push our association to the next level and we need your help to take us to that next level."

Roosevelt Haywood III, NAAIA chairperson, said African-Americans in the insurance industry need to feel "the spirit" of building a national association and understand "what we are doing for ourselves," in growing a strong voice within the insurance industry. Mr. Haywood, who is also president of Haywood & Fleming Associates in Gary, Ind., said the only way to accomplish this is by building the association, "chapter by chapter," adding, "We have the mechanisms in place."

One thing chapters do need in the very beginning to succeed, he emphasized, is committed people.

"We have tremendous opportunities here," he said, noting that the pool of African-Americans joining the industry is growing.

To further promote that voice, NAAIA has met with the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C., to discuss matters of concern to African-American insurance agents and the African-American community on a number of issues such as redlining, affordability and availability.

According to Eileen A. Frank, NAAIA board member and president of J.P. West Inc. Insurance & Risk Management in New York City, the association is seeking to develop a political action committee to increase its voice with the Congressional Black Caucus and ensure those issues of concern continue to be heard.

More information about NAAIA, including registration, is available at www.naaia.org.