This year, the officers of the National Black MBA Association, Inc. (NBMBAA) selected the University of Michigan Business School as the 2001 recipient of the NBMBAA Outstanding Educational Institution of the Year Award. This distinguished award is presented to an institution that has made the greatest contribution towards encouraging African Americans to enter the field of business.  The National Black MBA Association, which is based in Chicago, is the world’s largest organization of black executives, MBA students, and entrepreneurs. With 39 chapters throughout the United States, a subsidiary in the United Kingdom and growing presence in Europe, the association represents more than 95,000 black MBAs.

The association stated that they were inspired by the university’s support for programs that address some of the inequities in higher education. By leveling the playing field, all students have access to a quality education, which can improve their lives. This award also recognizes the work of students and faculty in the school of business, who hosted a forum last March to educate the public about the impact of affirmative action programs in higher education and in the broader community.  This forum was held as part of the Black Business Students Association (BBSA) March conference.  

The NBMBAA Outstanding Educational Institution of the Year Award was presented last Saturday, September 29, 2001, at 7 p.m., during the organization’s 23^rd Annual Conference & Exposition held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Vista, FL.  Al Leandre, SGA President and one of the BBSA members who organized the BBSA Annual Conference last March accepted the award on behalf of the school. 

The award currently resides in the Admissions office and students are encouraged to stop by for a viewing.