Black Business Students Association

The Black Business Students Association (BBSA), established in 1973, promotes the well-being of the BBSA members, serves the community, and assists with professional development. The BBSA provides Black business school students personal, professional, and academic support for a successful Columbia Business School experience.

Through programming such as the BBSA first-year Welcome Retreat, Alumni Mentorship Program, and recruiting panels, among other activities, BBSA membership is an important resource and community for Columbia Business School's Black business school students.

The BBSA also works closely with the Office of Admissions to host events for prospective Black business school students. Diversity Matters, an annual afternoon event highlighting diversity and inclusion at Columbia Business School, will be hosted in conjunction with the Black Business Students Association, Columbia Women in Business, Cluster Q, the Hispanic Business Association, and the Military in Business Association this fall.

“I want people to feel like if they have questions about an issue impacting the black community, like a police shooting, that BBSA is an organization they can come to and find someone who’s willing to talk. An important caveat is that, even within BBSA, there is a lot of diversity of experience. We aren’t always aligned politically. That’s what makes this organization great. We use our diversity to push conversations forward, to create spaces for people to feel open to talk about things.”

Kathryn Brown ’18

Kathryn Brown ’18

“The Columbia experience is dynamic and enriching. It requires a rigorous assessment of your assumptions and ideals. Have expectations for what you want to gain from the program, and expect the program to surpass those expectations. Stretch beyond your core competencies, and explore courses that offer growth and new perspectives. Keep an open mind while relishing the journey and making lifelong friends.”

Jared Richardson, CBS class of 2017

Jared Richardson '17

“I am proud of my Caribbean American heritage, empathize with the generational experiences of my African American peers, but at my core am vigilant for society to move towards a place of understanding what it means when someone identifies as "Black in America." What better place than CBS is there to engage in these conversations — where we are being shaped into tomorrow's business leaders, while simultaneously learning more about ourselves and each other.”

Onika Williams, CBS class of 2018

Onika Williams '18

Together with the Office of Admissions, the BBSA and the Hispanic Business Association (HBA), will also hold a full-day event for Black, African American, Hispanic, and Latino prospective students this fall, Spotlight On: BBSA & HBA. Spotlight On: BBSA & HBA will provide insight into the BBSA and HBA community at Columbia Business School and allow prospective students to learn more about student life, academics, financial aid, and the admissions process.

To learn more, we encourage you to reach out to the BBSA.