Members of the Black Business Undergraduate Society at Michigan Ross Share the Significance of the Organization, How They’re Celebrating Black History Month

The significance of this month also extends to the business world, where it's important to recognize the impact Black entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders have had and continue to have on shaping the industry. Helping minority students navigate and establish their place in business is the aim of Black Business Undergraduate Society at the Ross School of Business. 

BBUS fosters a supportive community for students to gain the skills and resources needed to maximize their career potential in business-related professions. The organization is committed to developing minority talent and facilitating the academic, professional, and social development of its members. BBUS welcomes students in the Michigan Ross BBA Program as well as undergraduates across the University of Michigan.  

For further insight into the efforts of BBUS, we asked six members about their involvement with the organization, how they’re working to further its mission, and their plans for celebrating Black History Month.

Marvin Tetteh

Program/year: BBA ‘26 
Hometown: Brewster, NY
BBUS Role: Co-President
Post-grad career interest: Consulting

Why did you join BBUS? How has being part of BBUS positively contributed to your experience at Michigan Ross?
I joined BBUS during my first year because I wanted to join a community of people who share/shared similar experiences as myself and could help me navigate the business world. Being a part of BBUS has allowed me to grow significantly professionally and personally. I’ve had the opportunity to network with recruiters spanning all industries and visit corporate offices in Detroit. I’ve also had the pleasure of serving on the executive board, and as vice president of operations, and now, Co-president. These roles have further pushed me to develop my leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. I came to campus not knowing much about business, and BBUS allowed me to learn about various industries and, in turn, helped me secure an internship in consulting this coming Summer.

How are you working toward furthering the mission of BBUS? 
As co-president of BBUS, I’ve made it my personal mission to open new doors for our members and provide them with enriching and new experiences. My co-president and I hold a unique position as sophomore presidents who know exactly what it's like not to know much about business; this allows us to create events that cater directly to our first-year students while also providing them access to new opportunities, such as our Annual Corporate Dinner, Diversity Case Competition, and Diversity Career Fair.

Why is it important to have an organization like BBUS on campus? 
It’s important to have an organization like BBUS because representation matters. Interacting with BBUS members is a pivotal memory I hold that factored into my decision to come to Michigan. Seeing representation on campus helped me envision myself on campus more clearly and ultimately drove me to commit to the Ross School of Business. Furthermore, having a space where I can be vulnerable and hear others face similar challenges pushes me to overcome setbacks.

What is your advice to prospective Black business students?
To prospective Black business students, I encourage them to take up space wherever they go and remember that they deserve to be there. It is really easy to get imposter syndrome and question whether your success is just a “ fluke,” but remember that you’ve made it this far on your own ability, and your voice matters and will carry you along your journey. 

How are you personally celebrating Black History Month this year?
I’m celebrating Black History Month by attending as many events as possible, as the Black History Month Planning Committee at MESA has helped facilitate an array of events. I’m specifically excited about BBUS’s event, The Black Business Expo, which highlights small businesses and entrepreneurs on our campus, in Detroit, and the Metro Detroit area.
 

Chanel Wilson

Program/year: BBA ‘26
Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI
BBUS Role: Co-President 
Post-grad career interest: Corporate Real Estate

Why did you join BBUS?
I joined BBUS in my very first week at Michigan, seeking a community that could guide me through the nuances of navigating corporate America as a Black woman. BBUS stood out as a beacon of support and knowledge, offering a clear path forward in a complex landscape.

How has being part of BBUS positively contributed to your experience at Michigan Ross?
Joining BBUS marked a turning point in my educational journey. It provided a supportive platform for me to challenge myself and expand my horizons beyond what I thought possible. Through BBUS, I've embraced new experiences and grown significantly, both personally and professionally. I am forever grateful for the opportunities that I’ve experienced throughout my time in BBUS.

How are you working toward furthering the mission of BBUS?
I'm dedicated to raising awareness about the vast resources BBUS offers. It's more than an organization; it's a family committed to the success of its members. By sharing these resources, I aim to help others achieve success in every aspect of their lives.

Why is it important to have an organization like BBUS on campus?
BBUS plays a crucial role in bridging the access and opportunity gaps for Black students at Michigan. It provides essential professional and personal development tools, creating a nurturing environment where students can thrive and be authentically themselves.

What is your advice to prospective Black business students?
Embrace every opportunity, even if it means bringing your own folding chair to the table. Discover the strength of your voice early on and leverage it to shape your destiny. Remember, every experience contributes to your journey, molding you into the person you're meant to become.

How are you personally celebrating Black History Month this year?
This Black History Month, I'm reflecting on the strides made that allow individuals like myself to pursue higher education and be part of impactful communities like BBUS. It's a time to empower and remind ourselves of our capabilities and purposes. It's a reminder, too, that sometimes things need to fall apart for better things to fall into place.

Bryce Zampty-Hicks

Program/Year: BBA ‘26
Hometown: Queens, NY
BBUS Role: Vice President of Corporate Relations
Post-grad career interest: Consulting 

Why did you join BBUS? How has being part of BBUS positively contributed to your experience at Michigan Ross?
I joined BBUS during my first year, looking to join a community of motivated young Black students interested in business. Being a part of BBUS has given me the opportunity to connect with mentors, friends, and a larger community of Black business professionals along my career path. These people have assisted me with internship recruiting and navigating young adulthood. They have also shared their experiences within corporate spaces and provided me with insightful tips to operate in these spaces that I otherwise would have been unaware of. BBUS has greatly supported my professional and personal journey here in Michigan and has become my family away from home.

How are you working toward furthering the mission of BBUS?
As the vice president of corporate relations for BBUS, I have connected our members with recruiters at companies like Ford and McKinsey through our networking events and annual Diversity Career Fair (DivCo). My role largely serves as a liaison between companies and our members to facilitate those professional relationships. One of the most meaningful parts of this role is hearing from members that their participation in one of our events, like DivCo, led to a fruitful relationship with a recruiter or a company.

Why is it important to have an organization like BBUS on campus? 
Having an organization like BBUS on campus is important because Black students in Michigan are a minority population. Having a community of people of similar backgrounds and experiences is important for sharing resources and holding space to celebrate each other.

What is your advice to prospective Black business students?
My advice to prospective Black business students is that you belong. Your unique background is a part of the value you bring to your experiences. Take up all of the space you can and utilize all your resources because diverse thoughts and perspectives are key to creating a more equitable business environment for all.

How are you personally celebrating Black History Month this year?
I am celebrating Black History Month by celebrating Black culture through participating in community events like Trotter Multicultural Center’s Soul Food Sundays.

Brett Sherwood

Program/year: BBA ‘25
Hometown: Romulus, MI
BBUS Role: Senior Advisor
Post-grad career interest: Media & Entertainment/Consulting

Why did you join BBUS? How has being part of BBUS positively contributed to your experience at Michigan Ross?
I joined BBUS because I'm passionate about helping underrepresented students put their best foot forward professionally and socially. I love building community and the feeling of pride after one of our members lands their first internship.

How are you working toward furthering the mission of BBUS? 
I do my best every day to live by the four pillars that the organization is founded upon. I believe in the power of philanthropy in changing lives and building a strong community to reach out and impact the lives of everyone we can.

Why is it important to have an organization like BBUS on campus? 
Having an organization like BBUS is very important because it creates a space of psychological safety and community where students can freely express themselves about recruiting professional development and have fun with peers who share their culture.

What is your advice to prospective Black business students?
Believe in yourself, get involved in your first year, and don't be afraid to feel like you don't know something because nine times out of ten, other people don't know the answer either. So raise your hand and be proud you're taking initiative in your own education.

How are you personally celebrating Black History Month this year?
I love going to Soul Food Sunday and F.A.M Fridays, which are hosted in the Trotter Multicultural Center. They always put on beautiful events full of good food, fun games, and good music. I was also able to see the wonderful play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange, which is a play celebrating black women and sisterhood put on by the Basement Arts production company here at the University of Michigan. 

Hailey Love

Program/year: BBA ‘25, Writing Minor
Hometown: Chicago, IL
BBUS Role: Senior Advisor 
Post-grad career interest: Private Equity

Why did you join BBUS? How has being part of BBUS positively contributed to your experience at Michigan Ross?
I originally joined BBUS so that I could have a community of business-minded Black people here in Michigan to learn from. As time went on, BBUS really became my family, and the community continued to pour into both my personal and professional growth. As an underclassman, upperclassmen in BBUS helped me learn about all of the different industries and determine what I wanted to dive into. They helped me find my home here, and I’m so grateful.

How are you working toward furthering the mission of BBUS? 
I am grateful to have had multiple roles on the executive board throughout my time, including vice president of membership, co-president, and now senior advisor. I contributed to the success of the club in all of these roles by hosting events, leading teams, advising students, and forging connections with corporations for the benefit of our members!

Why is it important to have an organization like BBUS on campus? 
Black students make up a small percentage of campus and an even smaller percentage of Ross. Organizations like BBUS help students feel like they have a supportive family on campus of students who share their experiences. This allows students to pass down knowledge and advocate for one another. BBUS has done incredible work bringing our community together and giving various stakeholders the opportunity to pour into our community.

What is your advice to prospective Black business students?
You can have a home here! I know you may feel like you don’t see yourself represented, but as someone who shared your concern, I wouldn’t change my decision for the world. Our community is strong, diverse, and fun, and we will go on to do truly incredible things. I’m impressed by my peers every day, and Ross has the capabilities to take you anywhere you need to go. Join us and see why we’re the Leaders and Best.

How are you personally celebrating Black History Month this year?
I am contributing my talents as a writer and poet by sharing original poetry at multiple events on campus. I am also spending the month really celebrating our history on a personal level by learning from Black leaders, appreciating the work of Black people, and giving my friends some extra love. 

David Anderson

Program/year: Pre-BBA First Year
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
BBUS Role: First-Year Ambassador
Post-grad career interest: Financial Manager

Why did you join BBUS? How has being part of BBUS positively contributed to your experience at Michigan Ross?
I joined BBUS because I wanted to be a part of an organization that made a change within the Black community here on campus. This organization has changed the entire trajectory of my first year. BBUS is a haven and safe space to congregate with other business-minded Black people.

How are you working toward furthering the mission of BBUS? 
I am working toward furthering the mission of BBUS by developing myself and others. One of the main goals of BBUS is fostering growth and development. Through BBUS, I have had countless exposures to Fortune 500 companies, mentors, and people looking to help me become the best version of myself within the business world. BBUS provides the same opportunities to anyone, and I want to help expose as many people as possible to all of BBUS's amazing resources.

Why is it important to have an organization like BBUS on campus? 
The Black Business Undergraduate Society is essential in fostering diversity, inclusion, and professional development on campus, serving as a vital support network for underrepresented students interested in business.

What is your advice to prospective Black business students?
I advise prospective Black business students to be as open as possible. There is so much that Michigan Ross has to offer, and it is important to soak up as much as possible. There is always something going on at Ross, which is a great way to expound on yourself as a business student.

How are you personally celebrating Black History Month this year?
I am celebrating Black History Month by taking advantage of the countless opportunities that my ancestors dreamed of. Day by day, I am working to become my forefathers' wildest dream.