NCOBPS is a professional organization, with a membership of more than 300 political science faculty, students, elected politicians, and policy analysts. Formed in 1969 at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, its members are committed to the study and practice of black politics, both here and abroad.

The scholarly interests of NCOBPS members span the range of political science sub-fields – political theory, international relations, comparative politics, methods, public policy, and American politics. The professional pursuits of NCOBPS members are similarly varied, ranging from public policy analysis to international consultancies to elected office.

NCOBPS holds an annual meeting in one of the following four cities: Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, GA; Oakland, CA; and Chicago, Ill. NCOBPS publishes an annual journal, The National Political Science Review and a bi-annual newsletter.