NSBE's mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.

NSBE is comprised of more than 250 chapters on college and university campuses and more than 50 Alumni Extension chapters nation wide. These chapters are geographically divided into six regions. NSBE had its genesis at a national conference planned and hosted by the Society of Black Engineers at Purdue University in April 1975 Black Engineering students from the United States and Canada attended the event. From this meeting of concerned students and educators, NSBE was born. In 1976, NSBE was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of Texas.