About us
Who we are
NABVETS, initially the “Interested Veterans of the Central City (IVOCC),” was established and incorporated by seven Vietnam combat Veterans in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1969). In 1973, it was reorganized (1973) to become the National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS) – a membership service organization – with the charge to address issues concerning Black and other minority Veterans. On April 2, 1998, NABVETS was certified as a national Veterans Service Organization by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). NABVETS was certified “for the purpose of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.” Little did we realize at the time, that in every city and town around the country, there were carbon copies of the original seven returning Vietnam Veterans that were equally dissatisfied with the lack of attention that was given to their unique needs, namely Less than Honorable Discharges, High Unemployment, higher incidents of PTSD, Chemical Dependency, Homelessness and lack of equal VA claims assistance. NABVETS accomplishes its veterans service leadership role through partnerships through community-based veterans’ organizations, federal, state, and local governments, human services agencies, and concerned citizens. Today NABVETS has grown into one of the strongest black veteran’s organization in the country. There are presently over one thirty-three (135) chapters nationwide with many state commands.
NABVETS is dedicated to one single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of our heroes and on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. This mission is carried forward by:
- Providing free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies of government.
- Representing the interests of veterans, their families, their widowed spouses and their orphans before Congress, the White House, and the judicial branch, as well as state and local government.
- Extending NABVETS’s mission of hope into the communities where these veterans and their families live through a network of local chapters.
- Providing a structure through which veterans can express their compassion for their fellow veterans through a variety of volunteer programs.
Our approach
Our Mission
The purpose of NABVETS is to uphold and maintain the Constitution and the laws of the United States; To cooperate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and all other public and private agencies devoted to the cause of improving and advancing the condition, health, and interest of all Veterans.
NABVETS serves as a leader to address the unmet concerns of minority and low-income veterans for more than 40 years through direct services, empowerment training, and collaborative partnerships. Those veterans who need assistance filing for disability compensation, pension reimbursement, educational benefits, etc. can utilize NABVETS claims service representatives, who guide veterans through the entire bureaucratic process.
NABVETS, was chartered by Congress in 1989 to work for the physical, mental, social, and economic rehabilitation of wounded and disabled veterans and to obtain fair and just compensation, adequate and sympathetic medical care, and suitable gainful employment.
Our Vision
It is admirable to see an organization like NABVETS, Inc. committed to addressing the unmet concerns of minority veterans, low-income veterans, and all veterans through direct services designed to address their holistic issues. The book "Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War: An Oral History in Particular and in General of All Wars" by Wallace Terry sheds light on the unique struggles that black veterans of the Vietnam War faced, and it is important that organizations like NABVETS, Inc. work towards addressing these issues. With a mission to "Create a Positive Lifestyle for Veterans," NABVETS, Inc. has provided direct services to over 800,000 veterans, which is a remarkable achievement. The fact that the organization is recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs is a testament to its commitment to serving veterans.
Our Partners
