Advocacy & Research
Changing the Profession
The future of physical therapy is shaped by those who lead.
NABPT is committed to advancing Black leadership through advocacy, scholarship, research, and innovation. We work to ensure Black physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are represented where policies are developed, research is conducted, and the future of the profession is defined.
By partnering with national organizations, supporting emerging researchers, and launching bold initiatives, we are helping build a more equitable, innovative, and inclusive profession for generations to come.
Our Work
Research creates the evidence that moves healthcare forward.
NABPT actively contributes to the profession through scholarly presentations, research collaborations, and initiatives that elevate Black voices within physical therapy. Our organization has presented research and educational programming at national conferences, including ACRM, CSM, and ELC, on topics such as mentorship, diversity, equity, inclusion, leadership, and the social factors that influence health outcomes.
We also encourage members to contribute to the advancement of the profession through research collaborations, surveys, focus groups, conference presentations, publications, and evidence-informed practice.
Our Focus
- Research collaborations
- Conference presentations
- Scholarly publications
- Survey and focus group initiatives
- Mentorship in research
- Evidence-informed practice
Advocacy is more than raising awareness—it is creating influence.
NABPT works alongside national organizations to strengthen representation, advance health equity, and expand opportunities for Black physical therapy professionals.
Through strategic partnerships with organizations including APTA, AAPT, ACAPT, and participation in the National Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission (NEDIC), we contribute to conversations that shape education, workforce development, leadership, and healthcare access across the profession.
Our Focus
- National coalition partnerships
- Health equity initiatives
- Professional representation
- Leadership development
- Educational policy engagement
- Workforce diversity
- Community-informed advocacy
Signature National Initiatives
A National Week of Action.
Launching soon, Advocacy Week is a coordinated national initiative that brings together students, clinicians, educators, researchers, and partners to strengthen advocacy across the physical therapy profession.
The week will feature educational programming, leadership conversations, policy awareness, advocacy resources, and collaborative opportunities designed to equip professionals to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Building the Future of Physical Therapy.
Innovation happens when bold ideas meet collaboration.
The NABPT Hack-A-Thon is a national innovation summit where clinicians, students, educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry partners work together to solve the profession's most pressing challenges.
Participants will collaborate on innovative solutions focused on:
- Healthcare access
- Workforce development
- Education and training
- Clinical innovation
- Technology and AI
- Community health
- Leadership and entrepreneurship
The goal isn't simply to generate ideas—it's to launch solutions that improve patient care, strengthen the profession, and create lasting impact.
Looking Ahead
Advocacy is not a single event.
Research is not a single publication.
Innovation is not a single idea.
Together, they create lasting change.
As NABPT continues to expand its national impact, we remain committed to elevating Black voices, advancing evidence-based practice, influencing policy, and developing innovative solutions that strengthen the future of physical therapy.
Our Impact
We are changing the profession by:
- Advancing research that informs better care.
- Influencing national conversations around equity and leadership.
- Creating opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
- Amplifying Black voices across physical therapy.
- Building a profession where every leader has the opportunity to thrive.
Together, we're not just participating in the future of physical therapy—we're helping shape it.