Black Katz Gazette “GIVING BACK AND POWERING FORWARD”

Helping Hands Across The Decades by Shelby J. Smith („07)

The Katz Class of ‟72, once students navigating regression analysis, are now at

the helm of corporate America. They are CEOs, VP of Sales, and prestigious

restaurant owners welcoming the next phase: uniting and lifting subsequent Katz

graduates through the newly formed Pitt Black MBA Network (PBAN). On

October 29-30, 2010, several generations of African-American Katz grads took

the first step towards making PBAN a reality.

PBAN is unifying our expertise, our networks, our knowledge, and our capital to

assist your career goals while partnering with Katz Graduate School of Business

(KGSB). PBAN‟s charge is to bridge the gap between current students and past

Black Katz alumni; partner with KGSB to support diversity efforts; and increase

career advancement opportunities for Katz graduates. The key to PBAN‟s success

is YOU. PBAN is seeking class champion from each year to spur involvement

from classmates to implement PBAN‟s goals:

1. Establish a network among PBAN members.

2. Assist career development at entry and mid-level.

3. Develop targeted scholarships and program funds.

4. Recommend African-American MBAs for corporate board positions.

5. Promote business investments among PBAN members (i.e. franchises,

venture capital, and business expansion).

6. Dispense personal wealth building strategies.

7. Demystify generational wealth and knowledge techniques.

8. Aid KGSB minority recruiting efforts for students and faculty.

9. Contribute monies to KGSB; matching funds will be made available.

Join PBAN!!! Give back and power forward. Interested parties opt- in at PBAN@pitt.edu and provide the following information:

Name (First & Last)

Class Champion Sign me up ( Yes or No)

MBA Graduation Year

Degree Program (e.g., MBA, MBA / JD, etc.)

Current Employer

Home Address

Phone (Home, Office & / or Cell)

Preferred Email Addresses (Home / Office)

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Black Katz Gazette, a newsletter dedicated to the advancement of Black Katz graduates and an information exchange for current Katz students. PBAN’s next meeting is February 15-17, 2011 (agenda in left - hand panel).

ARTICLES:

1. “Helping Hands Across the Decades” Past

Grads Unite to Make a Difference

2. “A Panel of Success, Sharing, and Survival-

S3” PBAN Panel Exchange with Students

3. “Diversity is a Global Initiative” Dean

Delaney‟s Charge to PBAN

4. “Lost in Pittsburgh: The Class of „72 Relives

Their Past”

PBAN‟s FEBRUARY SCHEDULE: Feb. 15th, 7pm -10pm

o Informal Networking Event: Holiday Inn, 100 Lytton Avenue

Feb. 16th, 8am – 10pm

o General Board Meeting, 8-10:30 a.m.

(teleconferencing available)

o Dean Delaney & PBAN Town Hall

o Luncheon, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. o PBAN‟s Volunteer Classroom Speakers

o Happy Hour, 5-6:45 p.m.

o Pitt vs. S. Florida: Petersen Events Center

Feb. 17th, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

o PBAN Debrief, 8:30-10 a.m. o Clarence Curry presents…

o Black History Month Speaker Series, Inter-

act with MBA students, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

ISSUE #1

Above from left to right front row: Wes Coleman („72), Tricina Cash („09), Robert Ellison („72),

Dr. Pauline Long („95), Gloster Current („72). Second Row (from left to right): Azubike (Aike) O. Okolo, PE („00), Ramon Harris (‟72), Michael Le Blanc („72), Ronald Rowland, Esquire („72),

Kevin Cameron („00) and George W. Martin („72). Resume submitted, but missing from picture

are: Pamela Rich-Wheeler („90), Solomon Wheeler („93) Floyd Trotman III, MS/MOIS, PMP („91),

Martha Chiles („95), MJ Graves („00), Zoe McFarlane-Sweeney („93), Rodney Odom („93), Reginald Cummings („08), Kathleen Valentine („90), Calvin Speight, Jr., PMI-PMP, CCC, MRCIS

(„90), Roxanne Dye Grimes („94), and Shelby Smith („07).

Email us: PBAN@pitt.edu, or get

PITT BLACK MBA NETWORK

JANUARY 2011

Black Katz Gazette “GIVING BACK AND POWERING FORWARD”

“Giving Back and Powering Forward”

ISSUE #1

A Panel of Success, Sharing and Survival—S3 by Gloster Current („72)

worldliness and a sense of humor. Dr. Pauline Long, Michael LeBlanc and

George W. Martin did just that with the aid of moderator Laura Kirsch, Sr. Associate Dean for MBA Administration. They challenged, cajoled,

collaborated, and convinced the audience there is success in their future. They

had the audience spellbound and excited.

“I want to challenge you as you have challenged and/or questioned us,” declared

a revitalized LeBlanc, “How many of you think this young lady was betrayed or

was she actually being mentored and nurtured.” Michael questioned the reality

of a young lady‟s perception of corporate betrayal to the audience. To the

panelists‟ surprise the majority of the student audience sided with the young

lady, in regards to the definition of mentorship. This illustrated a clear

disconnect between academia and the real world.

The panelists held up a new set of lenses by which everyone could see the future

and look at their respective past. It was a “learning lens” projecting brilliant,

colorful illuminations of prosperous, articulate, and passionate Black executives

that held national and international positions throughout the world; while sharing expertise and hardships from their routes of success. As George Martin

stated, “All careers are not in a straight line. You may fall backwards, go

sideways or it could be circuitous— be not discouraged. You can alter your

goals and change your path.” The revolving themes were consistent:

1. Set Goals

2. Make Plans

3. Network 4. Seek Mentors

5. Challenge Yourself and Others

6. Take Risks

7. Communicate

The discussion proved invaluable

for all in attendance; students were

left begging for the February 15th -

17th, 2011 continuation.

PITT BLACK MBA NETWORK Email us: PBAN@pitt.edu, or get

Dean John Delaney throws down the gauntlet on Katz Graduate

School of Business‟ (KGSB) lack of diversity, and his

expectations of PBAN‟s commitment to Katz. In today‟s flat

business world there is no room for racial boundaries. The

business world cannot afford to neglect the global economy, nor

can KGSB. KGSB was once the model of multi-racial inclusion;

presently they struggle to attract the evolving rainbow of

business minds. Thus, it is the perfect time for a PBAN

partnership.

During the 2010 Homecoming weekend Delaney met with

PBAN to express his concern for KGSB‟s monochromatic

population, as well as his correction plan to improve rankings.

Delaney said, “We must go beyond diversity –this is not a

numbers game or to be politically correct… but a GLOBAL

NECESSITY to improve our [KGSB] competitive-ness and our

[KGSB] overall performance.”

Alumni were inspired by Delaney‟s candor, vision, and

commitment to working with PBAN to improve KGSB‟s

mission and new vision. Delaney applauded and propositioned

PBAN to come up with a new set of precepts and concepts to

engage students and faculty.

The Dean covered a myriad of topics that challenged and

excited the group. In addition to diversity, Delaney spoke

openly about:

KGSB Curriculum Challenges:

Experienced Based Learning Entrepreneurship

Partnering with Corporations and Organizations

Supply Chain & Value Chain Management

Ph.D. Program Awareness

Statistics Pitt‟s rankings, and its implications

Action plan to improve rankings

Commitment

Making the graduate school better

Thought leadership

Other—Scholarship, Fund Raising, etc.

No matter the curriculum changes, diversity must be embraced

for KGSB‟s longevity, thus making PBAN timely.

Panelists (from left to right): George W. Martin,

Dr. Pauline Long and Michael Le Blanc

Delaney Challenges and Hosts Hosts Multi-Decade Alumni Meeting

by George Martin („72) & Shelby Smith („07)

Dean John Delaney, 6th Dean of the University of Pittsburgh- Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business D

How do you capture lightning in a bottle? Simple. Place three very proven Black Alumni from the Katz Graduate

School of Business in an auditorium and let them take you

along their success journeys, trials and tribulations armed with

JANUARY 2011

ISSUE #1

JANUARY 2011

Lost in Pittsburgh The Class of ‘72 Relives Their Past By George W. Martin („72)

How does one get to the CASBAH or ELEVEN, the restaurant? This very

special „72 Alumni team traversed their old haunts, traveled well-worn roads, and found new ones in search of these key restaurants. Errors were made and

jokes were told.

The „72 Grads took circuitous routes in and out of towns around Pittsburgh, which created a meaningful journey down memory lane. These men have

traveled millions of miles and visited hundreds of countries, but somehow lost

their way around the old neighborhoods, which have changed over the last 40

years.

But these Grads know their way around business issues, and they are always

looking for new deals. By the end of the night they had cornered and met Tom

and Amy Baron, owners of the Big Burrito Restaurant Group‟s Eleven Restaurant (located at 1150 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, P.A.) Michael LeBlanc

(Pican Restaurant owner based in Oakland, CA) and several PBAN colleagues

toured Eleven‟s wine and meat curing areas. This serendipitous meeting led to a

networking session amongst Michael and Eleven‟s owners. They shared restaurateur plans and growth objectives.

In an instant a social hour had turned into a quality networking opportunity for

these pathfinders. The night showed the opportunities and the business commitment of these men. The meeting proved that regardless of how far from

the trail one might be there are always opportunities.

The evening was filled with old memories, the creation of new ones, and the promise of new sojourns yet to come. As the classes‟ journey continues so does

their mantra to work hard, play hard, and negotiate new deals along the way. We

look forward to more participants and new trips to Pittsburgh “Go Panthers”

(another member of the great cats & a fringe member of KATZ)!

Stay tuned for new trips, business opportunity updates and the never-ending

story of the Katz alumni grads thru the decades.

Email us: PBAN@pitt.edu, or get

PITT BLACK MBA NETWORK

Questioning your career path?

Unsure how to handle life-

altering choices? Ask Dr. Inc.

Your anonymous question will be

posted in the next issue with Dr.

Inc.’s prescription. At the Black

Katz Gazette the “Doctor” is always

in at georgem@pitt.edu.

Question examples: What is the acceptable way to

network? Is it too aggressive to give credentials during the first meeting?

Do career plans work? Does it have to be strictly adhered to, can I deviate? How do I put an effective plan into place?

Can’t wait to hear what’s on

your mind!

Black Katz Gazette “GIVING BACK AND POWERING FORWARD”

Jester‟s Corner: How do you

know you’ve read an MBA newsletter?

A: Every article had bullet

points.

1

Ask Dr. Inc.