A Letter from the Full-Time Black Management Association
The following was sent on June 1 to the Full-Time MBA Classes of 2020 and 2021. It is published here with the organization’s approval.
Dear Kellogg Community,
We are not okay.
The events that have circulated through recent news cycles and social media over the past few weeks have reinforced the continued devaluation and dehumanization of Black people in the United States. On top of studying, recruiting, and saying goodbye to Kellogg in the midst of a pandemic that continues to have a disproportionate effect on Black communities, dealing with the mental, physical and emotional trauma of these acts has taken a toll on members of the Black Management Association. Each of us is processing and reacting to this differently, and want or need different things from the Kellogg community and the country.
To those who have reached out with texts, calls, #general posts, section Slack messages, and support on behalf of your organizations – thank you. There is no perfect way to reach out, but the intent and acknowledgement is appreciated.
Many have asked what they can do or how they can support. As we try our best to process these current events mentally and emotionally, while simultaneously working to identify solutions, we know that now more than ever, we need your allyship. We need your collective brilliance in identifying strategic solutions to complex problems. We challenge you to educate yourselves on the issues (many classmates have shared a wealth of resources to do so), engage your friends and family in discussions about these topics, speak up for initiatives supporting historically oppressed groups in your future workplaces, and show up for events and conversations on these issues led by KSA, BMA and allies now and next year. Most importantly, don’t wait for direction or approval from those who are hurting to stand up for what is right. Speak up, reach out, make mistakes, learn from them, and keep fighting.
As we take time to process and heal, we encourage you to consider supporting the following events, and seek out additional opportunities to engage with these issues:
- Northwestern’s Campus Inclusion & Community is hosting a support space today, June 1st, 6-7 pm, to process and share resources.
- KSA will be creating spaces for open dialogue about race relations in America. Details to come soon from KSA.
- Join #bma_allies on Slack to connect with BMA. As future conversations and events on these issues arise, we will share them there for those who want to continue learning and engaging.
The school year may be coming to a close, but we look forward to engaging with the Kellogg community in the future and showing the same support to our allies in their time of need.