Have You Heard?
One of the most powerful things about history is that its voice can be heard in each moment of our present. At UCLA Anderson, we seek to amplify this voice, helping each living generation to better hear, remember and reap the benefits of history’s messages. Read on for our students’ latest shout-outs to the black heroes and sheroes that have powerfully influenced their lives.
Entertainment
Tessa Mae Thompson
I'm shouting out Tessa Mae Thompson because of her advocacy and representation as a black queer woman. From her scene stealing character of Valkyrie from Thor Ragnarok, to starring...
Tessa Mae Thompson
I'm shouting out Tessa Mae Thompson because of her advocacy and representation as a black queer woman. From her scene stealing character of Valkyrie from Thor Ragnarok, to starring in Janelle Monae's Dirty Computer, Tessa Mae Thompson is badass anytime she's on the screen. She openly talks about her queerness and advocates for women representation in the entertainment industry. At Sundance this year she announced the 4% challenge which works with the "Time's Up" on challenging Hollywood to hire more female directors as currently only 4% of directors are female. Shout out to Tessa Mae Thompson for using her fame for advocacy and living proudly as a queer black woman
By Lauren Wong (’21)
Human capital management
Victoria Sosina
My freshman roommate, Victoria Sosina, is my black (s)hero. She is a first-gen college student and was the first person from her high school to get into Harvard. We ended up studying sociology...
Victoria Sosina
My freshman roommate, Victoria Sosina, is my black (s)hero. She is a first-gen college student and was the first person from her high school to get into Harvard. We ended up studying sociology together, and I always appreciate her perspective in our conversations about educational and racial inequality. She inspired me to work at a charter school in Brooklyn the next year. Since graduating from Harvard, she went to the Dominican Republic on a Fulbright Fellowship, taught through Teach for America for two years and is now pursuing her Ph.D. in sociology of education at Stanford. We were bridesmaids in each other's weddings, and I am so thankful for her friendship and positive impact on my life!
By Debra Chang (’19)
Class of 2020
bell hooks
My hero is bell hooks. Through her work, I came to understand black feminism and intersectionality on theoretical, personal and political levels. Her writing has shaped....
bell hooks
My hero is bell hooks. Through her work, I came to understand black feminism and intersectionality on theoretical, personal and political levels. Her writing has shaped my worldview and inspires me to take action against oppression and in support of marginalized people every day.
By Ezra Glenn (’20)
Consulting/tech
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Is a powerful Nigerian female writer who advocates for girls and women all over the world. Most recognized for her inspiring TEDx talk "We should...
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a powerful Nigerian female writer who advocates for girls and women all over the world. Most recognized for her inspiring TEDx talk "We should all be feminists," Adichie has become a symbol of the feminist movement. Adichie's words have even been sampled in Beyonce's iconic female anthem "Flawless." She defines feminist as "a person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes."
By Adi Rajapuram (’19)
Consulting
Robert and Shelia Johnson
The Johnsons are the co-founders of Black Entertainment Television, the preeminent entertainment brand serving African Americans and consumers of black...
Robert and Shelia Johnson
The Johnsons are the co-founders of Black Entertainment Television, the preeminent entertainment brand serving African Americans and consumers of black culture. In 1999, they sold their company to Viacom for $3 billion, making them America’s first black billionaires.
By Charles F. Fields (’19)
Class of 2019
Bryan Stevenson
My black hero is Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption and modern-day civil rights activist. I've always had difficulty connecting...
Bryan Stevenson
My black hero is Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption and modern-day civil rights activist. I've always had difficulty connecting the heroes of the past to my modern-day realities, but Bryan Stevenson showed me what modern-day heroism and leadership look like. It means proximity. It means not judging people by the worst day of their lives. And it means doing what is immensely difficult, because it's simply the right thing to do.
By Jason Cheung (’19)
EMBA 2020
Zara Neale Hurston
Zara Neale Hurston wrote the paragraphs that are unreachable by the clever writer, because she wrote from the alchemy of vision that makes a master writer!...
Zara Neale Hurston
Zara Neale Hurston wrote the paragraphs that are unreachable by the clever writer, because she wrote from the alchemy of vision that makes a master writer!
By Wambui Waiganjo (’20)
Ph.D. student
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was the first to integrate an all-white school in Louisiana and has been a lifelong civil rights advocate....
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was the first to integrate an all-white school in Louisiana and has been a lifelong civil rights advocate.
By Jon Bogard
FEMBA 2019
Coach Ben Parks
He was a legendary and inspirational figure. He was my high school coach for wrestling but more than that was a powerful role model...
Coach Ben Parks
was a legendary and inspirational figure. He was my high school coach for wrestling but more than that was a powerful role model. His inspiration and coaching went far beyond wrestling, focused on life and the importance of helping others. Specifically for me, he taught me the discipline I needed to succeed in life. There have been times in my life I have thought of quitting something, that I couldn't do it and I remember his voice and mantra of "never give up". Below are some news articles that go more into his background. Thank you for your time.
By David Sequeira
Community Stories
Changing of the Guard
Juggling business school and weekends in the California Army National Guard, Rhian Rogan (’20) considers a career in academe
From The Blog
Facebook Develops Tech Solutions to Meet Client Challenges
Gene Alston (J.D./MBA ’97) and his team help businesses grow by building new communities and attracting new customers.
From The Blog
ECHO: Engaged, Courageous, Humble, Open
Creating a climate for greater equity, diversity and inclusion at UCLA Anderson
From the Blog
Nearly Every Aspect of My Life Is Different for the Better
With graduation just around the corner, Jennifer Obiyo (’19) revisits her 2017 Poets & Quants interview, reflecting on how she's changed and what she anticipates the future to bring
In the News
Dean Osborne Receives Human Dignity Award
Dean Osborne was honored for his work that embraces Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s lifelong commitment to equality, social justice and community service
From the Blog
Checking the Pulse of the Entertainment Industry
The annual conference, presented by the Center for MEMES, featured L.A. Sparks' Danita Johnson, and Jeffrey Katzenberg received the Game Changer Award
"Bumps in the road are inevitable," says Vicente Capital Partners co-founder Jay Ferguson ('94)
Nike Irvin ('89) knows that "doing good" is simply "doing business"
UCLA Anderson taught Jeffery Keys ('96) you can’t be a wallflower in B-school or business
5 Questions
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Read MoreSegun Aluko ('19)
Business Affairs Executive, William Morris Endeavor
Segun Aluko (’19)
Business Affairs Executive, William Morris Endeavor
As an in-house entertainment transactions attorney, I provide legal counsel to the agency’s scripted and non-scripted television groups, which includes negotiating underlying literary rights acquisition, television development, licensing and packaging, as well as on-camera talent agreements.
Why did you decide to get an MBA?
After establishing a career in law, I knew that I would need a broader understanding of business to achieve my goal of running a media company someday. Entertainment has always been a fascination of mine. It is a platform that allows communities throughout the world to visualize possibilities.
What is the most important skill we should be teaching our students today?
Managerial entrepreneurship and leadership. Navigating the nuances of management is more than crafting the best strategy or modeling a DCF valuation. You need to have “soft” skills like interpersonal communications and negotiations. Students who graduate from business school will do well not only to master the traditional business aptitudes, but also to develop their ability to manage and lead as connected and informed individuals.
Who do you admire most in the business world today and why?
I admire anyone in a leadership role who utilizes their position not just to create value for shareholders but also to be a responsible global citizen. Business can be a great partner in driving forward social obligations. The CEO of Endeavor, Ari Emanuel, is a great example of this strategy. His actions clearly support his belief in the benefit of inclusion and diversity to the company’s bottom line.
What advice do you have for students and alumni who may be in milestone situations where they are the first or only African or African-American?
I’ve been quite lucky not to be the first African at anything — other than the fact that I’m the first in my family to have a university degree and a graduate degree. I’ve had people in front of me whose paths have been a guiding light in my career journey. I advise all people of African descent to live their lives consciously because they are role models for those behind them. It’s not a matter of choice.
What lessons have you learned from being a person of color in leadership?
I’ve learned that my actions and success somehow give hope and encourage many people who watch me closely or from afar. When I first moved here from Nigeria, I was a bit naïve, as I came from a place where, if I could dream it, I could do it. That instilled in me an approach to put in the work and pursue my dreams, whatever the obstacle. I am aware that people do observe and notice, so I take my actions seriously and hope that I can be a good role model for others.
Read the AnswersConnie Knight (’98)
Head of Multicultural Content Partnerships, YouTube
Connie Knight (’98)
Head of Multicultural Content Partnerships, YouTube
I manage content partnership strategy and licensing negotiation for the distribution and monetization of video content based on ad-supported and subscription revenue models.
What’s your one-sentence definition of success?
Getting up every day to do something that I’m passionate about, that inspires me, and I can see where my efforts have contributed to changing the world in some way. Fortunately, I get to do that every day at YouTube.
What is the most important class we should be teaching our students today?
I think it’s personal finance. I was surprised that although I was a finance major, I had never been exposed to best practices for managing my own finances. I knew how to make the stock market work for a corporation but I was very uncomfortable and uncertain about what I needed to do to make it work for myself. To my knowledge, business schools don’t teach you that. Also, students need to be up to date with their technical skills —I think that’s a given today.
What three things did you learn at Anderson that have been most helpful to you in your career?
The most important one is to step out of my comfort zone, which is always a challenge for me. I’m a fairly reserved person. But in the real world, you have to involve yourself in the politics of business if you want to move ahead, you absolutely have to make yourself visible. The second is to align yourself with the business priorities of the company to advance your career. I’m very fortunate, in that I’m passionate and excited about what I do; but if I were in a company where my passion wasn’t a priority, I would have to look for another job. Third, Anderson taught me the value of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. I’m in a role that enables me to be an intrapreneur, and I’m really able to present and run with new ideas that have added value to my company and also created a sense of personal fulfillment.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
Be flexible, because your career path won’t necessarily be linear — and mine certainly hasn’t been. Don’t expect that you’ll always be on an upward trajectory. You’ll have bumps in the road that require you to pivot or even take another lane. As long as you work hard, continue to move forward and remain focused, you’ll reach your goals.
What advice do you have for students or alumni who may be in situations where they are the first or only African-American making milestones in a professional role?
It’s funny you asked this question because I just achieved one recently at YouTube. The company had never had an OKR (objective and key result) around diversity in content. Our position as a democratic platform was always that the best content will rise to the surface. But I noticed that we were funneling resources to those creators who had been on the platform since the early days. In general, it wasn’t the smaller creators of color. I’ve worked with other cross-functional stakeholders to implement a companywide OKR at the highest level to ensure that the entire company took responsibility for making sure that YouTube is representative of all the users we serve. My advice is to always support your position with data. Often our viewpoint is dismissed as bias, but metrics and data will always be indisputable.
Read MoreGene Alston (MBA/J.D. ’97)
VP of Marketing Partnerships, Facebook
Gene Alston (MBA/J.D. ’97)
VP of Marketing Partnerships, Facebook
“Being the first doesn’t need to mean being alone. Finding allies and sponsorship both inside and outside the company is super important.”
What’s your one-sentence definition of success?
Willingness to fail, determination to keep trying.
What are the three things you learned at UCLA Anderson that have been most helpful to you in your career?
1) The power of learning from your peers; 2) finding people with complementary strengths to work with; and 3) working through conflict within teams. I’ve built on these experiences from Anderson and use all three practices in my work today.
Who do you admire most in the business world today and why?
Well, if I had to choose, it would be Colin Powell because he’s an independent thinker and authentic leader. That said, I admire several leaders I’ve worked with over the years for the different superpowers they possessed.
What can we each do today to begin to build an inclusive community at Anderson?
Be a more active moderator in conversations. Two specific practices I use are to actively solicit diverse perspectives in the conversation and check people interrupting each other. We have so many conversations in a day and it’s something that everyone can do to build an inclusive environment from the ground up.
What advice would you give students or alumni who may be in situations where they are the first or only African-American making milestones in a professional role?
I don’t know if I achieved any “one of the first” milestones but I do have the constant feeling of being “one of the few,” especially as a senior leader in a major tech company. At Facebook we’ve made some solid steps in having more representation at the senior leadership level, and even the board level. Many folks have played a role in helping me succeed, and sometimes this comes from the most unexpected places. I feel lucky to have a great “board of advisors” that I can tap, and I’m always looking to expand my board.
Read MoreTazia Middleton ('18)
Certified Financial Planner
Tazia Middleton ('18)
Certified Financial Planner
Co-President, Black Business Students AssociationI enjoy understanding clients’ financial needs and developing custom solutions for them. I’m looking to leverage my analytical and problem solving skills in a consulting or internal strategy role.
What’s your one-sentence definition of success?
Success is when doing what you love enables you to live the life you want.
Why did you decide to get an MBA?
After college, I was fortunate to work in asset management, and I learned a lot about the world of finance. That experience sparked my interest in the larger world of business. I decided to pursue an MBA as a way to broaden my knowledge base in an environment that would also allow me to grow as a leader.
What are you learning at Anderson that you think will be most helpful to you in your career?
One of my goals was to strengthen my leadership skills and learn more about my leadership style. Through my leadership involvement in the student clubs and initiatives I’m passionate about, I am learning how to manage groups of my peers while maintaining personal relationships.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
The best piece of career advice I’ve received was actually from my parents. They taught me that it’s important not to count yourself out. Show up and take a chance. You might actually surprise yourself!
What is one thing that we each can do today to begin to build an inclusive community here at Anderson?
UCLA Anderson has laid a good foundation for inclusion, with a very supportive environment for diversity in all forms. We can continue to develop the skills for all students to become allies for the underrepresented. Knowing how to effectively and proactively speak up for others, even those you don’t personally know, is a skill that I believe is necessary for the leaders of tomorrow.
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Read MoreLandon Medlock ('18)
Senior Product Manager
Landon Medlock ('18)
Senior Product Manager
Technically minded, socially driven and always looking for the intersections of finance, education and technology — I see every day as an opportunity to learn.
What’s your one-sentence definition of success?
“Success is the attainment of sustainable community.”
How did you get involved with Black Girls CODE, helping pre-teen girls of color learn skills in technology and computer programming?
“When I worked for ThoughtWorks, employees were highly encouraged to find volunteer opportunities they were passionate about. I volunteered with Black Girls CODE in Chicago through ThoughtWorks and later, enlisting collaborations with local community partners, I got a new chapter up and running in my hometown of Dallas. Doors have been opened for me because of my tech background, and it was important for me to address issues of access. Down the line, I’d like to start an incubator in Dallas with the intention of providing resources to groups who have historically been under-resourced.”
What are you learning at Anderson that you think will be most helpful to you in your career?
“There are more people in business school interested in pro-social causes than I expected. Whether in our Business School Chapter of the Year Net Impact group or through the Riordan Programs, there are people actively thinking about impact in business. I’m also a naturally shy person. Anderson has provided me with me a space where I can grow into my voice.”
What is the most important skill we should be teaching our students today?
“Empathy. It becomes much easier to make purpose-driven decisions when you empathize with the people supporting and driving your business. As a Black male, I know what it feels like to be marginalized. As a result, I recognize situations were groups are not given a voice, and I am intentional about making sure they are heard. When you get in someone’s corner, you earn an ally. And it was all possible because you were empathetic.”
What does Black History Month mean for you?
“Black History Month was important to me during my entire childhood. I attended a private Black elementary school where we were exposed to the full breadth of African-American accomplishments. I found out later in Teach for America training that people preparing to educate inner city kids with culturally relevant curriculum didn’t know there were any Black scientists! Being a minority can be a source of strength when, in professional settings, everyone’s been socialized in what seems like the same way — you can bring a unique perspective if you’ve been forced to look at the world differently.”
Read MoreGhermayn Baker ('18)
Product Marketer and Online Content Strategist
Ghermayn Baker (’18)
Product Marketer and Online Content Strategist
“I chose Anderson because of the people. The collaborative and student-run nature of the school made me feel at home from the very first time I visited.”
What would you like prospective African-American students to know about your UCLA Anderson experience?
I think the school does a good job of making the students feel welcome. The (Black) community is small and it is very tight knit. There are classes that I’m taking now where I’m the only Black student in the class, but I don’t think people expect me to be the representative of the entire community. I think Anderson’s diversity in other ways — specifically in professional backgrounds — mitigates that expectation from a race or cultural perspective.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a new business idea, a travel startup, with some classmates of mine. We’re hoping to be able to get the financial resources to continue it after we graduate.
Career-wise, where would you like to be in five years?
My answer now is probably completely different than when I came to Anderson. Now my answer is, to be a successful entrepreneur. In an ideal world, I would have had some success in entrepreneurship in the past and I think that I would like to use that as a platform to really focus professionally on companies that are in social impact and the education space.
What’s something that Anderson could do better?
UCLA is a world-class institution and I think that there is a lot of great knowledge to be gained from students outside the Anderson community. I wish I had the opportunity to learn from students from other disciplines, to learn from engineering students how their jobs kind of relate to product marketing and tech, and to interact and network with law students, medical students — to learn more about the intersection of business and all these other industries.
Do you see yourself more as a builder of companies or a manager?
Probably closer to manager; I really enjoy working with people. I think that’s one thing I’ve enjoyed at Anderson, all the group-based work, and trying to work with teams to get things done. It’s managing, but it’s also leaning more toward the mentorship and education side as well, which also helped sparked my interest in the education space.
Read MoreJason Cole ('19)
Financial and Accounting Analyst
Jason Cole ('19)
Financial and Accounting Analyst
I am looking to leverage my financial services experience and analytical skills, along with my entrepreneurial spirit and passion for financial literacy, into a career in private wealth management.
What’s your one-sentence definition of success?
My definition of success is setting and accomplishing a series of short-term goals that lead to the accomplishment of an overall long-term goal.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
Be adaptable, and prepare for your plans not to go as planned.
Why is Black History Month important today?
Black history, which is often neglected in school curriculum, is the root of civilization as well as modern history. It’s important to recognize and celebrate the past to build self-awareness and guide the future. I celebrate Black History Month year-round, and use February to bring additional awareness to positive events and leaders, past and present.
What’s one change you’d like to see happen in business today?
I want to see more African-Americans in the financial services industry — and I will be a part of driving the change.
What lessons have you learned from being a person of color in the business world today?
Be yourself unapologetically; people respect authenticity. Someone before you created an opportunity for you; therefore, you are indebted to help provide a ladder that creates an opportunity for another.
Community Leadership
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Read MoreHeather M. Caruso
Creating a climate for greater equity, diversity and inclusion at UCLA Anderson
Watch VideoDean Al Osborne
Dean Al Osborne told Poets & Quants how Anderson leverages UCLA's "cluster of brain power" to be an entrepreneurial epicenter
Read MoreJay Tucker ('09)
Center for MEMES' executive director Jay Tucker is a relentless problem solver and unrepentant optimist
Read MoreAndrea Wade ('96)
Andrea Wade walks her talk as she helps alumni tap into the lifelong value of their MBA
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Riordan Programs
Providing a pathway for underrepresented students to excel in business and leadership
Tomorrow's leaders emerge from a transformational experience with Riordan mentors, educational workshops and community service. The Riordan Scholars Program, College to Career Program and MBA Fellows Program provide leadership and management training to diverse individuals all over the country.
Guest Speakers
Field Study in African Countries
Whether evaluating new models for microfinance, improving foreign supply chain efficiency or evaluating growth and expansion strategies, UCLA Anderson's pro-social international field study projects make a real, immediate and often profound impact.
How can modern cattle farming and preservation of wild elephant habitat coexist?
In Botswana, UCLA Anderson field study team recommends technology solution to tackle market access for cattle farmers
Social impact focus applied to after-school programs
Anderson’s Center for Global Management supports projects that require students to understand the complex history of South Africa and think critically about how to address its specific challenges.
Improving health outcomes for a community in need
Working with the Human Sciences Research Council, a diverse field study team collaborated in South Africa to develop a sustainable non-communicable disease screening model.
UCLA Optimists
On one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, in a global city teeming with energy and brimming with opportunity, risks are taken, doors are opened and anything is possible. In ways large and small, across the street or around the world, UCLA Optimists are making the world better for everyone.
Learn How We Champion and Celebrate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Women@Anderson
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Veterans@Anderson
LGBTQ@Anderson
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