Throughout the school year and summer, the BBSA hosts several events with the support of the Business School, our Corporate Sponsors, alumni and current students. These events help achieve our objectives and carry out our organization’s mission. Whether it’s inviting top black CEOs and professionals to speak on campus, celebrating Black History Month or planning a networking event, Columbia’s Black Business Students Association enriches all areas of graduate school life. The descriptions and photos below describe some of our events. Don’t forget to also check out the calendar, to learn specific dates, times and locations.

The Annual BBSA Welcome BBQ — An annual event held during the first weeks of orientation before school begins, it is generally our first meeting and welcome event as an organization. Each year it brings together alumni, second years and first years to discuss what it means to be a member of our community and the value of the organization within the experience of Columbia Business School. This year’s event was held on Monday, September 7 in Central Park from 2pm to 5pm.

The Annual BBSA Boat Cruise — An annual event held during the fall semester. Each year it brings together alumni, second years, first years, and friends of the BBSA to sail around Manhattan while enjoying drinks, appetizers, and conversation. This year’s boat cruise was held on September 12, 2009.

The National Black MBA Association National Conference — This event helps to kick the year off both professionally and socially. We trek to whichever city is hosting the conference as one massive group of first and second years on a mission to meet with potential employers: over 15,000 students from other business school programs and alumni – all in the span of three days! This year the event was held in New Orleans and next year it is planned for Los Angeles.

The Mentorship Program — This effort pairs second years with first years who wish to gain a bit more insight into how best to manage the daunting trials that business school and the job search can represent. Unlike other mentoring programs, however, ours is structured to take advantage of the value that both participants bring to the table – participants are paired along past experience, future career aspirations or both, which means that the roles of mentor and mentee are flexible. In this way, everyone involved benefits to the fullest extent. We are also implementing a new mentorship program which matches alumni with students so current BBSA members can get advice from recent graduates

Various Social Activities — Every Thursday, the student body intimately networks at Happy Hour in Uris Hall, but the Columbia BBSA has been known to plant our property and equipment on balance sheets all over New York City.  From the Meatpacking District to the Financial District, we best leverage our considerable social capital and establish synergies with attractive partners/venues.

Co-Sponsored Events —Although we love to spend time together, we also recognize that building a successful network means forging alliances with others who have similar goals and interests. To that end, the BBSA co-sponsors events throughout the year with parallel organizations both on and off the Columbia University campus. For example, we’ve hosted events with the Columbia Black Law Students Association, Fordham Black Law Students Association, the NYU School of Law Black Allied Law Students Association and the NYU Stern Association of Black and Hispanic Business Students.

This is only a snapshot of the numerous events the BBSA hosts and participates. It is difficult to communicate through words the pride that comes with being part of an organization with the history and purpose of one like ours. Instead, we invite you to experience our community for yourself!