I have been proud to be a member of the Stern community since I enrolled in August 2013. However, my pride has increased even more this year. Several of my classmates have been forging a conversation about diversity and what it means for the academic and business communities. They are willing to discuss the uncomfortable, and have been holding the administration and their fellow students accountable.
For example, in December, in response to the Michael Brown and Eric Garner controversy, a group of students came together to hold a special session of “Stern Speaks*.” Three students spoke about their experiences growing up as black Americans, and Professor Dolly Chugh facilitated a conversation reflecting on current events and how they related to our experiences at Stern. Over 250 students, faculty, and administrators (including Dean Henry) attended and were engaged in having an honest, thoughtful discussion.
This week, the school’s Affinity Clubs have come together to host Ally Week, a week of programming focused on the various ways one can be an ally. The week has included a discussion on unconscious bias, a series of lunch circles on different topics of allyship, a living exhibit where members of the community could reflect about being an ally or receiving the support of one, and a Stern Speaks featuring students sharing stories of allyship.
It has been incredibly powerful to be on campus this week and to be part of the discussion. Students from different clubs, backgrounds, and career interests have come together to demonstrate how inclusive our community truly is. I am grateful to my classmates spearheading this effort, and I am excited to see how our community continues to build on this conversation.
Check out the promotional videos of Allyweek here, here, and here.
*Stern Speaks is a monthly event where an MBA1 and MBA2 share “who they are, not what they do.” The speakers each talk for 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. It is one of my favorite programs at Stern.