NAAIA is dedicated to empowering African American insurance professionals currently in the industry as well as celebrating their accomplishments. NAAIA is also committed to attracting talented individuals to the insurance industry. Through our work and affiliation with other organizations we are dedicated to increasing the awareness of opportunities and the attractiveness of careers in the insurance industry. NAAIA is engaged in the sharing of information for personal growth and professional development. The organization provides opportunities for networking, continuing education, and for building mutually beneficial connections and partnerships. Along with our partners, NAAIA sponsors and hosts talent competitions for college students as well as provides numerous scholarships annually to deserving students. NAAIA's involvement is local, regional and national. The association has strong relationships with traditional insurance industry trade associations and other organizations focused on the interests of people of color and on diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry. History Founder Jerald L Tillman Founder Jerald L Tillman The National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) was founded by Jerald L.Tillman, LUTCF, in 1997 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Early in his career he realized through his involvement with professional organizations, that there was a disconnect, amongst fellow Black insurance professionals within the insurance industry. As a result, he began pondering the idea of establishing an association for Black professionals involved in all area of insurance. After twenty years of juggling between building his insurance agency and a national network of black insurance professionals, NAAIA was charted in Cincinnati, Ohio March 5, 1997. As a tax-exempt association under IRC section 501 c6.