Black at Johnson

ODI works closely with the Black Graduate Business Association and Johnson Africa Business Society and maintains partnerships with organizations such as the National Black MBA Association, Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, and Robert Toigo Foundation to offer funding opportunities, engaging personal development programs, and foster community among our students from the African diaspora.

Check out the resources available to Black Johnson students in the sections below, as well as Cornell’s HR guide for Diverse Living in Ithaca, to learn about the multicultural community that is Ithaca.

Programming

Melanin Mixer

During Black History Month, BGBA and JABS invite other Black graduate and professional clubs to the graduate space at Cornell, the Big Red Barn, for a mixer.

Black History Month

ODI collaborates with BGBA and JABS to host a variety of events to celebrate Black history. We host an annual Sage Social, a Fiery Chat, related to Black and African Diaspora issues, an African American alumni panel, plus many other educational and social events.

Jollof Wars

Jollof Wars is a competition hosted by JABS and BGBA to see which group’s style of this staple West African rice dish is the best. The event also features authentic African food by a local Ithaca caterer.

Black Graduate Business Association

The Black Graduate Business Association (BGBA) at Johnson is dedicated to the recruitment of students of African descent. Additionally, the organization is committed to the professional, academic, and social development of its membership. BGBA members have the unique opportunity to initiate and execute key events in the Johnson community, interact with corporations on an individual basis, and coordinate with faculty, staff, alumni, and students in programs that shape our community.

Johnson Africa Business Society

The Johnson Africa Business Society (JABS) is an all-inclusive organization that provides a solid platform for Cornellians who have a strong interest in issues, events and business opportunities related to Africa.

Resources

Black Hands Universal

Business Leaders of Colors (BLOC)

Civic Ensemble

Community Unity Music Education Program (CUMEP)

Diversity Consortium of Tompkins County

Dorothy Cotton Institute

Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC)

Groundswell

Khuba International

Multicultural Resource Center

Mutual Aid Tompkins

My Brother’s Keeper Ithaca

Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources

Southside Community Center

The Village at Ithaca

Ultimate Reentry Opportunity (URO)

Unbroken Promise Initiative

The National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) is the premier business organization serving Black Professionals.

The mission of the National Black MBA Association is to lead in the creation of educational, wealth building, and growth opportunities for those historically underrepresented throughout their careers as students, entrepreneurs and professionals. Empowering visionaries intellectually and economically to create a world where diversity and inclusion are universal.

NBMBAA hosts an annual Conference and Exposition that many Black students at Johnson attend each year. The 45th Annual Conference and Exposition is September 12-16, 2023 in Philadelphia, PA.

ODI offers travel funding to all women, veterans, Black, Indigenous, Latinx/Hispanic, and LGBTQ+-identified students to attend professional development opportunities such as conferences, case competitions, leadership summits, and early recruiting. Information about this will be shared with students at Mosaic orientation.

Johnson joined The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management in 2009 and continues to support its mission of enhancing diversity and inclusion in global business education and leadership. Consortium member schools, like Johnson, aim to reduce the significant underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans among their enrollment and, therefore, among the global business landscape.

Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who can demonstrate a commitment to The Consortium’s mission may apply for admission using The Consortium’s common application.

Learn more about The Consortium and The Consortium Family at Johnson.

Johnson partners with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) to offer coaching and connections for African American, Latino/a, and Native American MBA candidates before they begin their MBA journeys. MLT’s 10-month MBA Prep program connects prospects with an MLT coach to help prepare a stronger MBA application. You’ll have access to MBA admissions officers, attend seminars, and receive GMAT guidance and support.

If you’ve been accepted to Johnson’s Two-Year MBA program, you’re eligible for MLT’s MBA Professional Development program. This 12-month, pre-MBA program will help you hit the ground running with coaching, access to top employers, and the chance to interview for internships three months before beginning your MBA curriculum.

Before you start your MBA, apply for MLT’s MBA Prep or MBA Professional Development program directly with Management Leadership for Tomorrow.

The Robert Toigo Foundation aims to advance the careers and leadership potential of underrepresented talent by creating opportunities for inclusion from the classroom to the boardroom. As education is a central part of Tiogo’s mission, the foundation awards fellowships to incoming MBAs who meet the criteria outlined above.

Since 1994, Johnson has welcomed Toigo Fellows who attend training sessions and receive leadership development resources, access to more than 1,300 minority MBA graduates working in finance, and a partial merit award. Combined with Johnson’s close community, Toigo Fellow alumni, and powerhouse finance faculty, fellows will graduate with the tools and support system needed to excel in the finance industry.

Accepted MBA students can apply for the Toigo MBA program here.

Students eligible for a Robert Toigo Foundation Fellowship must:

identify as an underrepresented minority (U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is Black, Indigenous, or Latinx/Hispanic
be accepted into a Two-Year MBA program
plan to pursue a career in finance

Johnson Diversity Hosting Weekend

Johnson Diversity Hosting Weekend is our premier diversity hosting event scheduled in the fall in Ithaca, NY open to women, underrepresented candidates, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and allies.

Learn More