St. Louis Chapter of Black MBAA hosts event
By Brandon Gilliam
For the St. Louis American
“Everyone seems to be really excited about the program,” said Merri Jeffries, a volunteer from the Professional Organization of Women, about the St. Louis Empowerment Initiative that the St. Louis Chapter of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) presented on Thursday, May 19 at the St. Louis Marriott Downtown.
The motivational event included an empowering day of strategies for leadership and career development. As part of the three-city initiative, author, educator and business consultant Stedman Graham hosted a workshop based on principles outlined in his best-seller You Can Make it Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success. The workshop was followed by a book-signing with Graham.
Graham outlined strategies to strengthen personal and professional development and establish one’s position in the marketplace by investigating career growth, networks and business relationships. Graham said he wants to help people find who they are.
“African Americans need to work harder to develop equality in the areas of business and finance,” Graham urged.
Graham also addressed students at Metro and Vashon High Schools in conjunction with the organization’s “Leaders of Tomorrow” program. In the past five years, the St. Louis Chapter has mentored eight young leaders who are national scholarship winners.
“The program has focused its attention on our children,” said Graham.
“Making our youth aware of making good business and financial decisions is very important. Our society is becoming a global village, and we have to be able to compete internationally.”
“Through the Empowerment Initiative, St. Louis can evaluate and adopt the nation’s best practices for enhancing leadership, motivating youth and achieving superior professional standards,” said Samuel L. Gradford, president, NBMBAA-St. Louis Chapter.
The event’s agenda also included a financial planning seminar, VIP reception, NBMBAA Employment Network Job Fair for members-only and a professional job fair that was free to the public.
The St. Louis Chapter of NBMBAA celebrated its 21st anniversary as it hosted the 12th annual NBMBAA St. Louis Career Fair as part of the initiative. The professional job fair involved locally based corporations and companies seeking to hire diverse executive and professional talents.
Through the initiative, the National Black MBA Association also aimed to strengthen its communications with its local chapters. One of the most active local organizations and the “Midwest Chapter of the Year” in 2002, the St. Louis Chapter was chosen to pilot NBMBAA’s ambitious effort to reach more individuals, organizations and communities and share its expertise and resources with them.
“For 21 years we have been dedicated to networking, professional development and access to education for African Americans in St. Louis,” said Gradford.
“We are proud to be partnering with Stedman Graham, as well as our own national office to create such a rich and expansive program. We also want to thank the corporate partners who are stepping forward to participate.”
