Students representing Morgan State University’s Entrepreneurship Society recently collaborated with the Baltimore chapter of SCORE, a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration, to bring “Morgan Means Business” to campus. Held at the Morgan Business Center, the engaging, one-day event focused on effective best practices in business and featured free workshops, networking opportunities and student showcases. Students from across campus participated in the planning, marketing and execution of the successful event, which attracted more than 100 Morgan students, alumni, faculty and administrators.
Morgan Means Business put forth a diverse array of workshops centered on cybersecurity, personal financial planning, networking, coding and design thinking, each boasting a strong attendance. After the workshops, Dr. Randal Pinkett, chairman/CEO of BCT Partners, provided the day’s keynote address. The Rhodes scholar, author and former winner of the NBC television show The Apprentice captivated the audience with a message about the importance of entrepreneurship as a means of growing wealth within the black community. Using the themes of money, power and respect, Dr. Pinkett shared stories, facts and advice about the importance of “being a good shepherd of your money,” making sacrifices, “being passionate” about something and “starting a venture when you are young.” It was a message that resonated with students and faculty alike.
The afternoon closed with a networking and lunch session. For those in attendance, it was also a chance to practice using some of the skills they had learned throughout the day or reflect on the day’s activities. The event organizers set out with a goal of creating an experience that was interesting, informative and appealing to students. The end result garnered positive responses from attendees and was a benefit to the workshop participants.
Although a number of other hands were involved in the success of the event, the following are recognized for their tireless efforts and involvement: Dr. Mary Foster and Dr. Golshan Javadian, faculty advisors for the Entrepreneurship Society; and students Mareco Edwards (junior, marketing), Sheena Williams (sophomore, business administration/political science), Oluwakayode Jasanya (sophomore, electrical and computer engineering), Tahira Smith (senior, entrepreneurship) and Maliik Nelson (junior, business administration). The Morgan community appreciates their commitment to demonstrating why Morgan Means Business!