BPIA is a charitable, non-profit membership association founded in 1989 to increase the involvement of African Americans and other people of African heritage in international affairs. BPIA fulfills it objectives in education, cultural exchange, economic development, and professional development through public education forums and conferences, referrals, a newsletter, networking and outreach activities, and award of grants and scholarships. As benefits of membership, current members: We are a volunteer association of men and women brought together by our professional involvement or personal interest in international affairs. We aim to increase and enhance the involvement of African Americans and other people of African heritage in the dynamics of political, economic, and cultural relations between the nations and the peoples of the world. To do so, we are committed to linking our efforts to those of groups and organizations that have mutually supportive purposes and goals. Individually, we are public, private, and non-profit sector professionals who live and work in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America. We work at the entry level, mid-level, and senior executive level in government agencies, non-governmental organizations, not-for-profit companies, and for-profit businesses. Our members include educators, diplomats, business owners and operators, public interest advocates, lawyers, international development specialists, and students. We welcome and are intent upon adding to our membership men and women of all ages who represent groups that have not traditionally participated in BPIA's programms and activities. Employers of our current members include the following: Academy for Educational Development