A First-of-Its-Kind Industry Benchmark
The State of Black Professionals in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) – 2026 Survey & Report is a flagship research initiative led by the National Association of Black Compliance and Risk Management Professionals (NABCRMP). This effort represents a critical step toward building a data-driven understanding of the GRC profession—one that has historically lacked comprehensive, disaggregated insights on the experiences of Black professionals.
This study is designed to establish the first industry-wide benchmark examining key dimensions of the GRC workforce, including representation, organizational structure, career mobility, compensation, workplace experience, and emerging trends such as the adoption of artificial intelligence in compliance and risk functions.
By capturing both quantitative and qualitative data across a diverse cross-section of professionals, the survey will provide a nuanced view of:
- Where Black professionals are represented across industries and leadership levels
- How governance and reporting structures influence professional advancement
- The pathways, barriers, and opportunities shaping career progression
- Workplace conditions impacting inclusion, retention, and burnout
- How technological change is redefining the future of GRC roles
This initiative is not only about measurement, it is about creating a foundation for accountability, transparency, and informed decision-making across the profession. The insights generated will support organizations, leaders, and practitioners in developing more effective strategies to strengthen the GRC workforce and foster sustainable career growth.
Findings from this research will be compiled into the State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Report, which will serve as a foundational resource for the profession. The report will be formally unveiled at the NABCRMP Annual Summit, establishing it as a cornerstone of the organization’s annual programming and thought leadership.
Over time, this initiative will evolve into an annual benchmark, enabling the tracking of trends, progress, and emerging risks within the GRC profession, positioning NABCRMP as the authoritative source for workforce insights in governance, risk, and compliance.
Here's How You Can Get Involved
- Become a Survey Participant (Coming Soon!)
- Join the Research Advisory Council
- Subscribe to Our Newsletter to Receive Updates!
Why this survey matters
In today’s data-driven world, what is not measured is often overlooked.
Despite the critical role that governance, risk, and compliance professionals play in protecting organizations and shaping ethical business practices, there is little to no comprehensive data capturing the presence, experiences, and advancement of Black professionals in the field. Without this data, their contributions, challenges, and opportunities remain largely invisible in industry-wide conversations.
This lack of visibility has real consequences.
Without data:
- Organizations cannot accurately assess representation or identify gaps in leadership pipelines
- Industry benchmarks fail to reflect the full diversity of the profession
- Barriers to advancement remain anecdotal rather than actionable
- Workforce trends impacting retention, burnout, and mobility go unaddressed
The State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Survey & Report is designed to change that.
By collecting and analyzing data across key areas such as representation, career mobility, workplace experience, and organizational structure, this initiative brings clarity to where the profession stands today—and where it needs to go.
More importantly, it transforms individual experiences into collective insight, ensuring that Black professionals in GRC are not only present in the workforce, but visible in the data that shapes decisions, policies, and the future of the profession.
This survey is not just about research.
It is about visibility, accountability, and building a foundation for meaningful progress.
