The Black Business Students Association (BBSA) and its members have a rich tradition of leadership at Columbia Business School and in the broader business community. Today’s business landscape features many BBSA alumni leading some of the country’ most prominent companies. Many of those individuals cultivated their leadership capabilities during their tenures at Columbia Business School. Currently, the BBSA and its members are some of the most visible and active contributors to the campus community.

• Our board members are widely recognized as camps leaders, holding executive positions in several major student organizations.
• The Annual Conference is the longest tenured student run event at Columbia Business School. Last year was the 27th annual conference and it was a special event for the organization and was heralded as one of the best conferences in recent memory. This year’s Conference will be on Friday, November 20, 2009, with the theme “Blurring Boundaries: The Changing Paradigms of Race & Business “, is a reflection of the unprecedented times we now face. This year the conference will explore the ways in which the shifting paradigms manifest themselves within our society and the opportunities that arise as a result. The conference aims to incorporate the viewpoints and concerns of black Americans and welcomes attendees of all backgrounds to foster an open dialogue reflective of diverse perspectives.
• The Annual Auction is the second-longest tenured student run event at Columbia Business School. It is consistently one of the school-year’s best attended events and one of the largest student run fundraisers, raising over $30,000 for the school’s General Scholarship Fund this past year and well over $500,000 since its inception.

The BBSA’s programming supplements the tremendous education and resources Columbia Business School already provides our members, to ensure they are best prepared to succeed in their careers and add value to the organizations they join. The Real Deal Series and mentorship programs give students in-depth exposure to the necessary steps for success in various fields of interest, while the Resume and Interview Workshops prepare them to secure jobs in those fields. Fireside Chats and Brown Bag Lunches give both the students and sponsoring companies incredible opportunities to learn more about each other in an intimate setting. The financial modeling workshops and additional tutoring services help to ensure the members are prepared to excel in the classroom and their post-MBA careers. The extensive menu of Membership and Alumni events help to foster a strong sense of fellowship and create a powerful network amongst current students and alumni that serves as a critical source of support, knowledge, mentorship and opportunities for our constituency.

In the 2009 — 2010 academic year we intend to continue putting together these great events and programs while focusing on a number of new initiatives we believe will provide additional benefits to current members, alumni, the school and our sponsors.

Please take a moment to browse the site and learn more about our organization. Feel free to contact any of the executive board members listed within for more information.