On August 1, 1925, the National Bar Association (NBA) was incorporated in Des Moines, Iowa. It was founded by a group of African American lawyers and legal professionals as a response to the exclusion of Black lawyers from the American Bar Association (ABA) and other legal institutions of the time. The NBA was created to promote the professional development and advancement of African American lawyers, as well as to improve the legal rights of African Americans in the United States.

The organization focuses on advocacy, legal education, and public service, aiming to address issues of racial justice, equality, and social change. Over the years, the NBA has become a leading organization in advocating for diversity within the legal profession and for the civil rights of African Americans.