BBSA Conference Advances Diversity in Times of Adversity
Kenneth Acuna
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: Inside Ross
The Alfred L. Edwards 32nd Annual BBSA Conference and Alumni Weekend was an event to be remembered by the Ross community. The theme of this year's conference was Advancing Diversity in Times of Adversity, and the conference addressed new challenges in diversity sparked by the passage of Proposal 2 (which outlawed affirmative action in Michigan). Additional challenges include the cutting of diversity programs in hard economic times. All the hard work that the BBSA put into organizing the conference paid off, and current business students, alumni, prospective students, and professionals were all treated to an extraordinary event.
This year's event was dedicated to Dr. Alfred L. Edwards, who was a Professor Emeritus at the Ross School of Business, with a career that extended over 40 years. Joining the business school faculty in 1974, Dr. Edwards was a driving force in recruiting top minority students to Ross and added to the history of excellence at the University of Michigan. He was influential in the lives of many, and although he passed away in 2007 and could not physically contribute to the conference, his presence was felt in the electric and powerful atmosphere of the conference.
By Friday night's much anticipated Biz Markie Welcome Party sponsored by Grey Goose (aka "the tightest party this year…correction…the tightest party ever)," everyone knew that the BBSA Confererence hit the next level. The conference was highlighted by the Booz Allen Hamilton Case Competition, various workshops, and keynotes by Ramsey Jay Jr, Associate Analyst at Ares Management; Carla Harris, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley; and Ed Gordon, Journalist and TV personality.
While motivating and interacting with the crowd, Ramsey Jay Jr, who was selected as one of EBONY Magazine's "Top 30 Young Leaders Under 30," discussed how he refused to give in to people's expectations and always followed his goals. He talked about how he managed his time between being an NCAA track athlete and a top business student. He noted that when someone doubts you and tells you your goal is not possible because it has not been done you must ask, "Who told you that?" and stay focused.
This year's event was dedicated to Dr. Alfred L. Edwards, who was a Professor Emeritus at the Ross School of Business, with a career that extended over 40 years. Joining the business school faculty in 1974, Dr. Edwards was a driving force in recruiting top minority students to Ross and added to the history of excellence at the University of Michigan. He was influential in the lives of many, and although he passed away in 2007 and could not physically contribute to the conference, his presence was felt in the electric and powerful atmosphere of the conference.
By Friday night's much anticipated Biz Markie Welcome Party sponsored by Grey Goose (aka "the tightest party this year…correction…the tightest party ever)," everyone knew that the BBSA Confererence hit the next level. The conference was highlighted by the Booz Allen Hamilton Case Competition, various workshops, and keynotes by Ramsey Jay Jr, Associate Analyst at Ares Management; Carla Harris, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley; and Ed Gordon, Journalist and TV personality.
While motivating and interacting with the crowd, Ramsey Jay Jr, who was selected as one of EBONY Magazine's "Top 30 Young Leaders Under 30," discussed how he refused to give in to people's expectations and always followed his goals. He talked about how he managed his time between being an NCAA track athlete and a top business student. He noted that when someone doubts you and tells you your goal is not possible because it has not been done you must ask, "Who told you that?" and stay focused.
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