Message from the Black Business Alliance

The Black Business Alliance (BBA) works to promote dialog and activities that will increase the SOM community's awareness of and responsiveness to issues of importance to minorities. The initiatives of the group fall into four categories: networking, alumni relationships, recruitment, and mentoring. It brings alumni and other speakers to campus, and organizes other professional and social events. BBA is currently led by three members of the Class of 2011: IseNiki Banigo, Braynard Brown, and Meredith King.

The BBA has been very active this year, hosting and coordinating activities that impact its membership, the entire SOM community, the greater Yale community, and the city of New Haven. Most recently, BBA partnered with SOM’s Student Government and Yale’s Black Graduate Network to offer subsidized bus trips to and from the Harvard-Yale football game in Cambridge. Although our team ended up losing in a very close game, we successfully contributed to this long-standing tradition and connected with our Harvard counterparts. Earlier that week, BBA partnered with Yale’s Black Law Student Association at the home of Professor Heidi Brooks (Yale SOM) and Professor Richard Brooks (Yale Law School) for a delicious dinner and a night of camaraderie. Professor Brooks is very involved in the SOM community and she even volunteered during the Community Service Day organized by BBA and the Consortium. Our first annual Community Service Day was a success, with more than 40 SOMers working with children, cleaning, landscaping, and providing other services to four local nonprofit organizations.

"Our members have come to the Yale School of Management not only for academic and professional advancement, but also to foster community within Yale University and New Haven," said Aminah Abdul-Majeed '11, a member of the BBA and the Consortium.

In late September, many BBA members attended the 32nd Annual National Black MBA Association Conference in Los Angeles where they attended panels, workshops, and a career fair. BBA also hosted a social event with our Southern California alumni, strengthening bonds not only within but across generations of SOM students.

We hope that this article provides a glimpse into the SOM community. We encourage you to visit campus to learn more and to experience the level of diversity first hand.