Ain’t That A VHIT
An Ode to NFBPA (National Forum for Black Public Administrators)
By Von C. Howard
Some journeys don’t begin with a plan. They begin with a nudge. A conversation. Someone saying, “You’re ready,” even when you’re not completely sure you are. That’s how my path into the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) began, unexpectedly, without a roadmap, but fueled by encouragement. I said yes without knowing exactly where the road would lead. What I’ve learned since is that the road doesn’t always make sense at first, but it stretches you in the ways you need most.
When I first stepped into this space, my focus was simple: growth. Like many Black professionals, I was searching for ways to sharpen my skills, expand my thinking, and make a meaningful impact. NFBPA met me there, not with surface-level networking, but with people who believe leadership is built, not assumed, and that none of us grows in isolation.
As the road stretched, I began to see NFBPA’s footprint across South Florida. Members weren’t just talking about leadership; they were practicing it daily. Inside city halls and county offices, they were shaping budgets, planning neighborhoods, strengthening housing systems, and turning policy into action. Many were deeply involved in local politics, not chasing spotlight, but ensuring decisions were thoughtful, informed, and rooted in community reality. Watching their work reminded me that real influence often happens quietly, long before it’s publicly recognized.
One meaningful stop along the journey was the South Florida NFBPA Leadership eXchange Summit. It felt less like a conference and more like a room full of honesty. Leaders and aspiring leaders came together to share lessons, ask hard questions, and think differently about the future. The conversations were real, forward-thinking, and collaborative. It reinforced a simple truth: progress moves faster when leaders are willing to learn from one another.
That same energy carries into the annual NFBPA Forum, which brings together leaders and future leaders from across the nation. It’s one of the few spaces where experience and ambition sit side by side, where growth happens not only on the stage, but in the conversations between sessions. The Forum makes it clear that leadership is not a finish line; it’s a lifelong journey.
For me, the road took a defining turn when I was selected as one of just 15 professionals nationwide to participate in the 2025–26 NFBPA National Mentoring Program. That moment wasn’t about recognition; it was about responsibility. The experience is challenging me to lead with more intention, to be clearer about my purpose, and to understand that professional growth and personal growth are inseparable.
As the road continues forward, the lesson is clear: when you invest in yourself, you’re also investing in your community. How you lead at work shows up at home. How you grow professionally shapes how you serve personally.
VHIT Reflection:
Growth rarely announces itself. It often shows up disguised as discomfort, challenge, or an unexpected invitation. The stretch isn’t meant to break you; it’s meant to build you.
Call to Action:
To young professionals and those seeking to expand their worth: don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Say yes to spaces that stretch your thinking, sharpen your discipline, and surround you with people who expect more of you. Invest in your development, build relationships that last, and commit to growth that benefits both your career and your community. When you do, the road forward won’t just lead to success, it will lead to purpose.
