General President - Gregory T. Burrell - View Bio

State of the Association

    Good morning to my colleagues on the executive committee, past presidents, and to the members of NFD&MA, This has been an exciting 1st year as president of NFDMA. The growth of the membership, and paying off the debt on the national headquarters are our primary goals and objectives. Additionally, exposing this organization and enhancing its name and reputation to its rightful place as a powerful voice in black America is also an important goal.

For generations, this association has played a vital and significant role in the history of this nation. Some of our funeral homes have played important roles in the civil rights movement and there have been others who have had the privilege of servicing some of this nations most prominent citizens. However, we cannot continue to rely on our past; It is important that we preserve our role!!

I have traveled extensively over the past year promoting and selling the benefits of becoming a member of NFDMA. However, I am fully aware that if we don’t raise the level of our value as an organization, our programs and our relevance as an association, it will not matter how much I travel. Our very relevance as an organization has been questioned by some of our vendors! In traveling I attended 8 state conventions, 5 funerals, the Bd of Directors meeting, executive committee retreat, by-laws committee meeting, ABFSE committee meeting, all in Atlanta, NFDMA and NFDA joint advocacy meeting, in Washington, the House of Representatives meeting, in Raleigh, the NFDA Leadership Conference in Albuquerque, NM, and the District 1 meeting, in Queens, NY. In addition I was invited by Attorney Daryl Parks, to represent NFDMA at the rally of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, FL. I was invited by Dr. Rahn Kennedy Bailey to represent NFDMA at the installation ceremony as he was installed as the 113th President of the National Medical Association which I attended in New Orleans, LA. I've met with the Thomas Moorhead, President of the national black auto dealers regarding partnering with NFDMA. I have begun to develop and nurture relationships with several other national organizations and made it perfectly clear to all my colleagues, that NFDMA is willing and ready to enhance its place in Black America.

As I shared in my State address in Raleigh, I have started a number of initiatives. NFDMA is taking the lead role in developing a coalition of national organizations to help strengthen the black community. The HBCU partnership with Delaware State University, as Dr. Williams and I learned at the leadership conference in New Mexico there is a major effort underway to require the baccalaureate degree as the minimum criteria for obtaining a funeral directors license. We are restoring our relationship with the religious community and having ongoing discussions with other groups and organizations that will create benefits to this group. They are well under way, and It is my hope to have them all solidly in place and fully functioning by the October board meeting.

Even in the midst of rebuilding ourselves as an organization we MUST remain at the forefront of issues that impact this industry. Representing NFDMA on the American Board, has confirmed for me the importance of this associations participation, not only on this board, but on any board that has potential impact on funeral service. At all cost, we must be at the table to represent our interest for our people.

I still believe and always will believe that NFDMA has not reached its full potential. We all have a role to play in making sure that we preserve what has meant so much to so many for years. I urge all of us as we return to our perspective homes, to do some soul searching. It still mystifies me, that some of us will fly to a place like this, spend $130.00 per night for 5 nights, $400.00 for an airline ticket $200.00 to drink and another couple of hundred dollars to gamble, and we will argue for hours about paying $350.00 dues when there is so much at stake. That's what you call misaligned priorities! As the leader of this organization I would be negligent in my duties and responsibilities if I did not continue to reiterate this message. Now that I have done that I will begin my speech!!

It is vital that we pay down the debt on our headquarters. I want to thank again those of you who made pledges towards this effort. I want to thank those of you who gave when I raised collections during the state conventions. We raised a little more than $10,000.00. I am keenly aware that all these issues can't be resolved overnight, however, it does not mean we shouldn't continue to pursue issues that will grow and keep this association on the cutting edge. We must pursue them aggressively! We are making progress, but there is much work to be done. Let us remain vigilant in our efforts. That is the state of our association!!!

Thank you!

May God bless NFD&MA

Presidents Gallery