The National Bar Association (NBA) is the oldest and largest association of African American attorneys and judges in the United States. It was founded in 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa, by a group of black lawyers who were excluded from the segregated American Bar Association. The NBA was established to combat the racial discrimination and barriers that black legal professionals faced in the legal profession.

Throughout its history, the NBA has been instrumental in advocating for civil rights, social justice, and equality under the law for African Americans. The organization has played a key role in landmark legal battles, including supporting the legal team in the Brown v. Board of Education case that led to the desegregation of schools in the United States.

The NBA has also been a trailblazer in promoting diversity in the legal profession and providing a supportive network for black lawyers and judges. The organization offers mentoring, networking, and professional development opportunities for its members and works to address issues of racial bias and inequality within the legal system.

Today, the National Bar Association continues to be a powerful voice for African American legal professionals, advocating for justice and equality in the legal profession and beyond.