The Purpose of Gala - Galvanizing Adolescents Towards a Legacy of Achievement

This year, America has witnessed many tragic acts in childhood education. The events of Sandy Hook Elementary School have taken a way the opportunity for innocent children to live their dreams through education. As this devastating event has captured the heart of our nation, elementary school students in our own backyard of Philadelphia also struggle to receive an education. It is our time to give back to the community.

The Philadelphia Learning Center, located in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has helped elementary school students of G.W. Childs Elementary School develop useful skills, positive characters, and attainable dreams, despite negative circumstances. This year, the Black Wharton Undergraduate Association will be honoring the US Dream Academy Program. The Dream Academy Program is a six-week summer program that offers golf lessons, photography, dance, and music programming in addition to Dream Academy program standards:  skill, character, and dream-building activities. 

This year, join us at the 2013 GALA - Galvanizing Adolescents Towards a Legacy of Achievement, on Friday April 5th at 7pm at the Inn at Penn on 36th and Walnut. Help us recognize the US Dream Academy Program. Together we can make a difference. 

Buy your tickets here: 

http://bwuagala2013.eventbrite.com/

2011 GALA slideshow

2010 GALA slideshow

Power of Wealth - BWUA Collaboration with BSL

On March 20th, 2013, students learned how to transform their ideas into a reality through entrepreneurship. In collaboration with the Black Student League, BSL, the Black Wharton Undergraduate Association hosted 3 entrepreneurs, Kesi Gibson, Amarachi Enwereuzor, and Daniel White, as well as the moderator, Marvis Burns, in a panel discussion about entrepreneurship. Each of our guests brought forth an interesting perspective on the subject. Together, they explained that students should embrace the opportunities that follow them after graduation, to use each opportunity to help them to develop a strong business skill set, and make smart business decisions.

Nonetheless, the conversation between the panelist and the audience led to 3 powerful statements. The first from Enwereuzor who said, "Roll where you are planted." This lesson meant that if you ever feel like you are just a number or no one is helping you become succeed, you are more likely to leave that environment. The second quote was from White who said, "You can't build a sandcastle without wondering where the tides come in." White was inferring to the fact that no idea is unique and therefore you should be vocal and execute your idea to the best of your abilities. The final quote, which was repeated multiple times by our panelists, was, "Pursue your passion." They then explained that your passion was your commitment to your goals. You should not be afraid to test your abilities or seek out mentors to give you guidance. Also, its never a good idea to do what everyone else is doing: do what pushes you. The session ended with members asking panelists question over pizza from Allegro's Pizza.

If you have an interest in entrepreneurship, or any additional questions, please feel free to contact our panelists and moderator by email.

Kesi Gibson
kesig@wharton.upenn.edu

Daniel White
whitedan@wharton.upenn.edu

Amarachi Enwereuzor
amarachi@wharton.upenn.edu

Marvis Burns
marvis@wharton.upenn.edu

Coach Avery Johnson: The Business of Basketball

Excitement was in the air as a classroom in John M. Huntsman Hall reached capacity as more than 150 students gathered to hear the words of NBA Coach and former ESPN Analyst, Avery Johnson. The discussion began with Penn Sophomore, Christianne Johnson introducing her father to the audience. Avery Johnson then took the stage and gave the students background information on his own career and his progression from a 14th man on a 14 person team, a collegiate record holder, an award-winning NBA star, and ultimately an NBA Coach. Unfortunately, as many of us know, Avery Johnson's involvement with the NBA this season was not as he anticipated; however, he is optimistic that his participation with the NBA and basketball is far from over. Furthermore, Johnson continues to give back to the community with his organization, Just Say Yes, which gives inspirational presentations to high school and middle school students throughout the United States.

Austin Josiah then led the interview with Avery Johnson for the remainder of the session. Through the interviews, we learned more about Johnson's transition as a coach, his opinion on contract negotiations, the strenuous schedule of an NBA coach, and his views on basketball operations. The part of the discussion that students have taken away from the most was Johnson's three pieces of advice that concluded the session. Firstly, be competent about the field in which you are interested. He encourages students to study their field and develop a depth knowledge about their interests. Secondly, know the different levels of communication. Johnson believes that there are multiple forms of communication that each person must understand, such as their angry voice, disciplined voice, motivated voice, angry voice, and loving voice. Lastly, as a leader, it is more important to demonstrate a care for the people you are working with, then the end result of your work. He believes that if you show affection and respect for those that are collaborating with you, the ultimate result of your project will be greater. The session then concluded, and students took the time to ask individual questions and take pictures.

The Black Wharton Undergraduate Association would like to thank the Undergraduate Sports Business Club for hosting the event.

BWUA Minority Report: Being Black in the Business World

On February 26th, 2013, forty members of the Black Wharton Undergraduate Association gathered to hear realistic advice on what it truly means to be an African-American in the business world. Guided by University of Pennsylvania professor, Guthrie P. Ramsey, students listened attentively to a panel of successful individuals from Pennsylvania. This included Brittany Jean-Baptiste, Class of 2010 of Penn State University and Employee Engagement and Inclusion Coordinator at Comcast; Alan-Michael Hill, Class of 2011 of the University of Pennsylvania and First-Year Law student at Penn Law; and Luke Chernosky, Graduate of Cornell University and MBA Candidate at the Wharton School Class of 2014.

As our members indulged in Chipotle, they listened attentively to advice from our panelists. First, students learned how to present themselves both physically and online as companies are actively looking for well-presented and responsible employees. Members also became actively involved in our discussion of discrimination in the workforce. Our panelist unfortunately and unanimously agreed that there was racism in the workforce; however, they also provided the audience of students with ways to combat it. Hill supported that simply putting one's head down and working harder than one's coworkers allows one to produce a greater product and later gain superiority. Meanwhile, Chernosky supported that today's generation is now competing against people all across the world, and that minority students must take advantage of the opportunities that await them in African countries. In addition, both Hill and Chernosky believed that one should look to friend people who are similar to them, whether its height or skin tone; however, one cannot forget that though they are an ally, they are also your competition. Furthermore, Jean-Baptiste eluded to confronting those who were disrespectful by asking them to elaborate when they question your work, or wishing that they had not disrupted you during a speech as their question would have been answered later in the presentation.

Ramsey then brought the discussion to a close as our members applauded the panelists and waited to ask them further questions individually. BWUA Freshman member, Rachel Palmer, said, "It was great! The moderator was quirky and the panelists were interesting and insightful." Our members left the GBM feeling educated about the hidden truths of the business world. Nonetheless, the panelists inspired the students to continue working hard in school, and sparked the confidence to overcome all barriers in the work force.