About Us
Black Wharton Undergraduate Association (BW) is a student-run organization dedicated to enhancing the collegiate experience and accelerating the professional aspirations of our members. In order to meet these goals, BW provides its members with internship information, interactive business conferences, community service opportunities, and alumni networking among other initiatives. BW holds monthly general body meetings (GBMs) to foster community and professionally develop members of the Black Penn community. BW is composed of high-potential students whose interests vary across numerous industries. Our organization serves as an intermediary between our diverse corporate sponsors and our members as well as a support system for our members’ academic, personal, and pre-professional endeavours.
Structure
The BW board is composed of the elected and appointed board members. The elected board comprises the President, VP of Finance, VP of Internal Affairs, VP of External Affairs, VP of Corporate Development, and Director of BWC. The appointed board contains nine positions: Director of Member Development, Director of Social Impact, Director of Alumni Relations, Director of Marketing, Freshman Liaison, and the Co-Chairs of the Howard E. Mitchell Memorial Conference and the Black Ivy League Business Conference. Active BW members decide the elected board members in a standard voting process. Each board member can elect to form a committee.
In 2018, BW created a new arm, BW Consulting (BWC), to provide free consulting services to minority-owned businesses in Philadelphia. While technically a subsidiary, BWC operates as a self-standing organization with its own board, operating procedures, and internal projects/development efforts but still does answer to the greater BW board. Through BWC's partnerships and model, the club achieves its bifurcated goal: developing professional Black talent and offering meaningful business solutions to local, minority-owned businesses. BWUA applicants can apply into BWC through this same application and selecting the appropriate options.
Events
Howard E. Mitchell Memorial Conference (HEMM): Established in 1986, The HEMM Conference is held in honor of Dr. Howard E. Mitchell, a former professor at Penn dedicated to corporate social responsibility and diversity. This conference features a career fair from partner firms where students gain great exposure to a variety of industries.
Black Ivy League Business Conference (BILBCon): Established in 2016, BILBCon is a two-day conference whose purpose is to bring together ambitious and high-achieving minority students across all Ivy League institutions to offer a unique platform to collectively further their professional development.
Galvanizing Adolescents Toward a Legacy of Achievement (GALA): Launched in 2009, the GALA reaffirms BW's commitment to civic engagement and corporate social responsibility. Each year, BW honors one local organization whose exemplary work supports, uplifts, and inspires members of our Philadelphia community.
Freshman Luncheon: Launched in 2006, the annual BW Freshmen Luncheon serves as a kickoff to a new school year and an introduction to BW for freshmen. The luncheon provides a chance for incoming freshmen to foster a community amongst themselves and meet current BW members.
Available Positions
In addition to becoming a general body member, students can also apply to join the BWUA Consulting committee as a Consultant working for a local Philadelphia business client or join the Black Ivy Business League Freshman Logistics Coordinators.
How to Join
Visit our website at www.blackwhartonundergrad.com or email us at blackwharton@gmail.com to get involved.
For more information or questions regarding BW, contact Leah Elesinmogun, President: leahele@wharton.upenn.edu
For more information or questions regarding BWC, contact Grayson Gribsby, BWC Director: ggribsby@sas.upenn.edu or visit the website https://www.bwuaconsulting.com/