A Look at Black History Month with BSIB

Throughout Black History Month, Black Students in Business (BSIB), along with support from UIC Business, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Innovation, and Target, hosted a summit featuring the following signature events:

• Expert Entrepreneur Panel Discussion
• Professional Workshops
• Roots & Wings Pitch Competition
• Black Marketplace

Our kick-off event had an all-star lineup of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. Students interested in entrepreneurship heard about best practices from a Hollywood producer, angel investor, brewer, consultant for supplier diversity, and the COO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. At the end of the panel discussion, students and entrepreneurs networked with each other. The panel of experts are now serving as mentors to some of the students who attended. Our plan is to create a professional community on LinkedIn to ensure that everyone can stay connected.

Students learned how to set up their LLC, research their target market, and prepare the perfect pitch presentation. Students from North Central College also participated. We found it very satisfying to impact Black students beyond the campus of UIC.

Five students competed for one of three $1,000 awards. We distributed each award in the form of a scholarship to help students grow their business. The recipients own businesses in apparel, photography, and cosmetics. The judges and our e-board members were overjoyed to assist in a way that will help the students with purchasing new equipment and expanding their product portfolio.

We culminated the summit with a celebration in the Student Center East Illinois Room. Approximately 40 Black vendors signed up to sell their goods and services at the organization’s marketplace.  Well over 200 students from our diverse student body were in attendance. The crowd stayed from open to close to shop, taste soul food, and dance to hip hop and R&B music. Target even donated five $20 gift cards as door prizes. For many students, the marketplace was their first introduction to Black culture.

Huge thanks to everyone who connected with us during his historical month!