Focus on Leadership
Dynamic Organization Makes an Impact
Networking at RCMBA's 2008 Minorities in Pittsburgh Conference
For many undergraduates, the task of initiating monumental change in business may seem daunting, but for the members of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association (RCMBA), it is their everyday mission: “Transforming the corporate world through diversity.” With this mission as its members’ motivation, RCMBA has become one of the most successful and highly-visible CBA student organizations.
Part of RCMBA’s success can be attributed to its management. The organization’s current president is CBA senior Justin Sullivan who works with 15-person steering committee. Another key factor is RCMBA’s recent growth in membership, not just in the number of members, but also in the percentage of highly dedicated members. “Last year we had between fifty and sixty members, with only about forty being really involved,” explained Mariam Sesay, vice president of RCMBA. “This year, we have about eighty members, and nearly all of them are active and committed.” In addition to being a large organization, RCMBA is one of the most diverse on campus. “We don’t exclude anyone,” Sesay said. “We embrace people getting out of their comfort zones and realizing that diversity is far more than race; it’s about meeting people with different backgrounds, different majors, and different experiences.”
Each year, RCMBA’s activities agenda consists of service, social, and professional programs. On the service front, RMCBA participates in projects that benefit both local and international causes, including outfitting a needy child for winter through The Salvation Army’s Project Bundle-Up, as well as raising funds for the Invisible Children of Uganda foundation to improve living conditions in the war-torn country. The First Step Program, developed by RCMBA member Melvin Goins, a junior accounting major, gives members the opportunity to mentor students in inner-city high schools. Mentors help with everything from college applications to assisting students in charting their post-high school paths.
Although philanthropic projects keep RCMBA members busy, the group makes sure to take time for social activities, such as casual get-togethers and game nights. The annual Thanksgiving and Easter dinners allow members not only to relax and socialize, but also to showcase their cooking skills. Last year, RCMBA hosted a comedy show, one of the largest social events in the organization’s history. This comedy show opened new doors in terms of allowing the organization to gain attention across campus and further establish itself in the CBA and Pittsburgh communities.
One of RCMBA’s major projects is the annual hosting of a large-scale leadership and professional networking event, the Minorities in Pittsburgh Conference. The two-day event is open to all CBA students, as well as students from other area colleges and universities. The event typically draws more than 200 students, faculty, and corporate representatives, with the corporate representatives facilitating informational sessions, panel discussions, and workshops. This year’s event, held February 8 and 9 at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association and featured keynote speakers Boyce Watkins, a finance professor from Syracuse University, and Kimberly Campbell—an entrepreneur, strategy consultant, and speaker/facilitator.The 2008 conference theme was “From the Classroom to the Corner Office.”
As an organization, RCMBA sets an ambitious agenda, and the source of its strength is evident. “Our members aren’t just joining RCMBA simply to join. They’re passionate about the organization, said Sesay. “There’s a feeling of family here, where everyone wants to see everyone else improve and succeed.” Continuing to attract and retain diverse and talented members is RCMBA’s most important goal. “In the long run, we want to take our newest members and develop them into the leaders that will carry this organization into the future,” Sesay explained. “Those people will then bring up new people who will see that our mission statement is carried out for years to come.”
RCMBA is committed to making an impact—from service projects that benefit the local and global communities to professional events that connect students with career opportunities. With this kind of positive influence, it can be expected that the members of RCMBA will become agents of change in the corporate world, promoting the importance of diversity and exhibiting leadership that will transform organizations in the future.
For more information about RCMBA, visit www.RCMBA.org