For 40 years, the Kellogg Black Management Association (BMA) Conference has brought together students, alumni, faculty and executives to celebrate belonging and champion equity in the business world. Last fall, the BMA Conference explored the power of opportunity and ownership with a theme that held multiple meanings.
“Pay Me in Equity was intentionally designed as a double entendre, and throughout the conference, we saw how one word could hold multiple truths at once,” says 2025 BMA Conference co-lead Taylor Martin ’26 MBA. “Equity means ownership, wealth creation and access to capital, but it also means fairness and opportunity.”
The duality sparked thoughtful and layered conversations throughout the daylong event. Keynote speakers Roslyn Brock ’99 MBA, chairman emeritus of the NAACP; Martin Nesbitt, co-CEO of the Vistria Group; and John Rogers Jr., founder, chairman and co-CEO at Ariel Investments, shared candid reflections on their career paths and offered thoughts on how leaders can be steadfast in their goals while continuing to support communities like the Kellogg BMA.
“Marty and John brought to life the many dimensions of equity, reminding us that it is not just financial but also built over time through our careers, our reputations, the value we create within organizations, and the communities that shape and support us,” says 2025 BMA Conference co-lead Angeline Harry ’26 MBA. “Roslyn’s keynote challenged us to lead with courage and intention, while remaining rooted in our values.”
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, the BMA Conference continues to serve as a transformative event for the Kellogg community. “We see this anniversary as a unique opportunity to honor the legacy and impact of the BMA while creating space to engage with the evolving challenges and opportunities for Black professionals in business today,” says Alfred Jackson ’27 MBA, 2026 BMA Conference co-lead.
Kellogg BMA members frequently share that the group gives them space to grow at their own pace and learn from one another while stepping into new experiences. “Because of BMA, even in moments when I questioned myself, I never questioned that I belong at Kellogg,” says Ingrid Castor ’27 MBA, 2026 BMA Conference co-lead.