These conference proceedings present an overview of significant activities that took place at the National Association for the Advancement of Black Americans in Vocational Education (NAABAVE) forum during the American Vocational Association Convention in Dallas, December 1-4, 1978. The document is organized in two major sections: (1) the public hearing, with the theme "An Essential Beginning for Blacks in the Search for New Directions in Vocational Education," and (2) an overview of the business meeting. In the first section are these twelve presentations: The Birth of NAABAVE; Education for Everyone; An Overview of the Office of Civil Rights Guidelines for Vocational Education; The Involvement of Blacks in the Vocational Political Process; To Be Black and Qualified within Itself Is Not Enough; Implications of the Bakke Decision for Increasing Black Participation in Vocational Education; Increased Black Participation in Vocational Education Is a Must; Comprehensive Employment and Training Act Youth Programs in Miami, Florida; Realistic Parameters of Technical-Vocational Technical Training Programs within Affirmative Action Concepts; Remarks from the Executive Secretary; Remarks from the Deputy Commissioner; and the Presidential Address. The second section presents the minutes of the general business meeting, as well as reports from these Committees: Nominations; Program; Legislative; Research Development, and Evaluation; Public Relations; and NAABAVE. The financial statement is also provided. (YLB)