African American Federal Executive Association

Name

African American Federal Executive Association

Legal name

African American Federal Executive Association, Inc.

Website

https://aafea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Organizational Culture & Values-Based Leadership (EDABAAAE)

Keywords

• Executive leadership development
• Federal executive association
• Professional membership services
• Leadership mentoring programs
• Executive coaching services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual and biennial membership dues collected from active and retired federal employees at various grade levels. Dues range from $50/year for retired GS-13-15 employees to $275 for 2-year SES memberships.
2. Program Fees: Separate program fees apply to selective programs including the AAFEA Fellows Program, ECQ Bootcamp, and Executive Mentoring Program. These fees support the delivery of intensive leadership development experiences.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from signature events including the Annual Awards Gala, Leadership Development Workshop, and various social events. Fees vary for members versus non-members.
4. Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate partnerships at three tiers: Strategic Partners ($25,000+/year), Program Investment Partners ($10,000-$20,000/year), and Community and Small Business Partners ($3,500+/year). Event sponsorships also contribute revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AAFEA is a national non-profit professional association that provides membership-based networking, executive leadership development, mentoring, advocacy, and community support services to African American federal senior executives and those preparing to enter the Senior Executive Service. It sells tiered annual and biennial memberships, selective paid leadership development programs (Fellows Program, ECQ Bootcamp, Executive Mentoring, Next Generation), signature annual events (Awards Gala, Leadership Development Workshop), and corporate partnership packages.

Product overview

AAFEA offers a unified portfolio of professional development programs supporting African American federal leaders across their entire executive career journey. The core offering includes the 12-month AAFEA Fellows Program and 5-month Next Generation Program for leadership readiness, the ECQ Bootcamp for SES qualification preparation, and the Executive Mentoring Program in partnership with The Training Connection. These are complemented by ongoing engagement through the President's Leadership Forum, Coffee Talks, Leadership Webinars, and Executive Circle Dialogues. The annual Signature Leadership Weekend anchors the year with the Awards Gala and Leadership Development Workshop, while the Scholarship Program provides financial support up to $2,500. The organization operates through a membership platform for access to these programs, events, and member-only resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AAFEA Fellows Program A rigorous 12-month cohort-based leadership development experience preparing high-performing federal leaders for Senior Executive Service roles through executive mentorship, ECQ development, mock interviews, and capstone projects. Designed for African American federal leaders at GS-13 through SES levels.
• AAFEA ECQ Bootcamp A focused 90-day virtual acceleration program for GS-15 and SES candidates to develop competitive Executive Core Qualifications narratives aligned with current OPM standards.
• AAFEA Executive Mentoring Program Structured mentoring program managed in partnership with The Training Connection, matching GS-13 through SES leaders with experienced executives for leadership growth and career navigation. The program runs April through September supporting GS 13 through SES leaders.
• AAFEA Next Generation Program A five-month leadership development experience preparing professionals for senior leadership roles within the federal government.
• AAFEA President's Leadership Forum Monthly virtual forum hosted by the National President on the fourth Tuesday of each month, providing organizational updates, strategic context, and member dialogue.
• AAFEA Coffee Talks Monthly informal virtual conversations with senior federal leaders sharing candid executive experience and practical career guidance.
• AAFEA Leadership Webinars Bi-monthly virtual professional development webinars on executive readiness, leadership presence, and career strategy for Executive Pathway and Senior Leader members.
• AAFEA Executive Circle Dialogues Quarterly confidential peer dialogues for executives and retired executives to engage in candid conversations about leadership responsibility and stewardship.
• Signature Leadership Weekend Annual two-day leadership experience featuring the Awards Gala, Leadership Development Workshop, and Fellows Graduation and Scholarship Awards Luncheon held each fall.
• AAFEA Annual Awards Gala Premier recognition event honoring African American federal executives and partners whose leadership advances excellence in public service, featuring the Ebenezer Bassett Award, Tracey Pinson Trailblazer Award, Dr. Lenora P. Gant Community Partner Award, and Samuel C. Jones Mentor Award.
• AAFEA Leadership Development Workshop Flagship annual learning experience convening federal executives for candid dialogue on real-world leadership challenges with executive-led panels and facilitated sessions.
• AAFEA Scholarship Program Scholarship awards including the William A. Brown, Sr. Scholarship Award and National Security Executive Professional Association Scholarship, offering up to $2,500 for higher education and professional development applied directly to learning and development providers.
• AAFEA Membership Annual and biennial membership providing African American federal executives and aspiring SES leaders with access to the national network of federal executives, structured SES readiness programs, scholarship opportunities up to $2,500, monthly President's Leadership Forum and Coffee Talks, discounted rates to signature events, vacancy notifications from federal agencies, mentorship from Career SES members, and ECQ narrative development. Tiered by federal grade: Active GS-13 to GS-15 ($125/year 1-year, $225 2-year); Active SES ($150/year 1-year, $275 2-year); Retired GS-13 to GS-15 ($50/year); Retired SES ($75/year).
• AAFEA Corporate Partnership Program Corporate partnership program at three tiers offering engagement with AAFEA's leadership community through sponsored programs and visibility opportunities: Strategic Partners at $25,000+/year, Program Investment Partners at $10,000–$20,000/year, and Community and Small Business Partners at $3,500+/year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Scholarships up to $2,500 available to eligible GS and SES members
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Training ConnectioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for the AAFEA Executive Mentoring Program. The Training Connection manages the structured mentoring engagement, providing orientation, guidance, and oversight for mentor-mentee matching aligned to leadership goals. The program runs April through September supporting GS 13 through SES leaders.
• Management ConceptsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization listed in AAFEA's community of sponsors and partners supporting leadership development initiatives.
• NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing incentives for AAFEA members. Association representing retired federal employees.
• WAEPA (Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance provider partner offering member benefits and incentives to AAFEA members.
• Blacks in Government (BIG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization offering member incentives. National organization dedicated to justice, equity, and civil rights for federal, state, and local government employees.
• Senior Executive Association (SEA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization offering member incentives. Represents and advocates for Senior Executive Service members.
• University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner supporting AAFEA's mission of executive development and leadership readiness.
• Young GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting AAFEA's leadership development and community-building initiatives.
• DeloitteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm partner supporting AAFEA's signature events and leadership initiatives.
• BetterUpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive coaching and development platform partner offering member benefits.
• FEIAA (Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization providing financial assistance and educational support to federal employees.
• American Management Association (AMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional development and training organization partner supporting AAFEA's leadership programming.
• Our Public Service (Partnership for Public Service)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization dedicated to revitalizing the federal government by inspiring a new generation of public servants.
• Aetna FedsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth insurance provider partner offering benefits to federal employees and AAFEA members.
• Executive Women in GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional network supporting women in federal leadership positions.
• Federally Employed Women (FEW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization dedicated to ensuring equal opportunity for women in federal employment.
• Asian American Government Executives Network (AAGEN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork supporting Asian American leaders in federal government executive positions.
• The City Club of WashingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner hosting monthly SES Coffee Talks and Board Meetings in the Washington metropolitan area.
• Eskaton ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner supporting AAFEA's leadership development initiatives.
• LTMC TrainingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner supporting AAFEA's professional development programming.
• Model LeaderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership development organization partner supporting AAFEA's mission.
• Multicultural CoachingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoaching organization focused on multicultural leadership development.
• The Wealth SyndicateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial services partner offering wealth management resources to AAFEA members.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Blacks in Government (BIG): National membership organization dedicated to justice, equity, and civil rights for federal, state, and local government employees. Directly comparable to AAFEA in mission (African American federal employee advancement) and product (membership, events, advocacy, leadership development), and is listed as an AAFEA reciprocal partner.
• Federally Employed Women (FEW): Federally Employed Women is dedicated to ensuring equal opportunity for women in federal employment and operates a parallel demographic-affinity, federal-focused model to AAFEA with membership, training programs, and annual events. Listed as AAFEA reciprocal partner.
• National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE): NARFE is a national association representing retired and active federal employees, providing advocacy and member benefits. Comparable to AAFEA in membership-association model and federal-employee focus, and is an AAFEA reciprocal partner offering member incentives.
• Senior Executive Association (SEA): Professional association representing and advocating for Senior Executive Service members across the federal government. Directly comparable to AAFEA in targeting SES members, providing policy advocacy, and operating as a member-supported organization, and is an AAFEA reciprocal partner.
• Asian American Government Executives Network (AAGEN): AAGEN supports Asian American leaders in federal government executive positions through networking, leadership development, and advocacy. Directly parallel to AAFEA in demographic focus, federal executive target market, and program structure, and is an AAFEA reciprocal partner.
• National Academy of Public Administration: Independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization chartered by Congress to improve the quality of public administration. Comparable to AAFEA in federal-leadership development focus and professional-association structure, with broader and more academic positioning.
• Partnership for Public Service: Nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the federal government by inspiring a new generation of public servants. Comparable to AAFEA in mission orientation toward federal leadership excellence, with broader non-demographic scope and named as an AAFEA partner.
• Young Government Leaders (Young Government): Young Government Leaders focuses on next-generation federal employee leadership development. Comparable to AAFEA's pipeline programs (Fellows, Next Generation, ECQ Bootcamp) in targeting emerging federal leaders, and is an AAFEA reciprocal partner.
• Executive Women in Government: Professional network supporting women in federal leadership positions. Directly comparable to AAFEA as a demographic-affinity federal executive association offering networking and development programs, and is an AAFEA reciprocal partner.

Others

• American Management Association (AMA): AMA is a broad professional development and training organization providing management education across industries. Comparable to AAFEA as a content and training provider for executive-level professional development, and is listed as an AAFEA partner, though it serves a much broader private-sector audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AAFEAINC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aafea
• Instagraminstagram.com/_aafea

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about African American Federal Executive Association