FBLA

Martha Crawford

Betsy White

Future Business Leaders of America

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) is a nonprofit educational association of students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. The association has four divisions:

• FBLA for high school students
• FBLA-Middle Level for junior high and intermediate students
• PBL for postsecondary students
• Professional Division for businesspeople, educators, parents, and anyone who supports the goals of the association.
  

The FBLA concept was developed in 1937 by Dr. Hamden L. Forkner of Columbia University.

In the fall of 1940, official sponsorship of FBLA was accepted by the National Council for Business Education.  On February 3, 1942, the first high school chapter was chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee.  In 1958, the first Phi Beta Lambda chapter was chartered in Iowa.

More than 240,000 active members participate in more than 13,000 chartered chapters in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, U.S. Territories, Canada and Department of Defense Dependent Schools worldwide.

FBLA-PBL is financed primarily through membership dues.  Corporate and foundation grants also play an important role in the association's financial base.

FBLA-PBL is endorsed by A Presidential Classroom for Young Americans; American Management Association; American Vocational Association; Career College Association; Johnson and Wales University; March of Dimes; National Association of Parliamentarians; National Association of Secondary School Principals; National Business Education Association; National Management Association; and the U.S. Department of Education.