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New Economy Theme of HBS African-American Alumni Conference
"Conquering the New Economy" was the theme of the third annual HBS African-American Alumni Association Conference (HBSAAA), held in Atlanta on Columbus Day weekend.
"Atlanta was a logical choice for our site this year because of the role African Americans have played in all aspects of the city's growth," said conference cochair William H. Swift (MBA 1974). The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce sponsored the opening reception at the Ritz-Carlton.
The conference kicked off with an examination of trends and opportunities in emerging industries. Panelists included Albert H. Frazier (MBA 1980), a partner at Andersen Consulting, and Paula A. Sneed (MBA 1977) of Kraft Foods. Ronald Goldsberry, a former auto industry executive and now a dot-com entrepreneur, described the rewards of joining a growing Internet company. "I was attracted by the chance to contribute my expertise to a young company," he said of his decision to become CEO of CarStation.com, a Web site linking car owners, repair shops, insurers, and suppliers. Mature industries with established relationships can present barriers to minority entrepreneurs, Goldsberry observed, while the Internet "is about as close to a clean sheet of paper as you can get."
Participants ready to launch new ventures added skills to their entrepreneurial tool kits in an interactive seminar presented by HBS professor Myra M. Hart, while others heard about international investment opportunities in a panel discussion moderated by Starbucks' Nicholas B. Basden (MBA 1997). Former Georgia Congressman and Atlanta Mayor Andrew J. Young, Jr., also led a forum on influencing political and economic agendas. Telecommunications industry leader Robert E. Knowling and media entrepreneur Keith T. Clinkscales (MBA 1990) each gave galvanizing keynote addresses.
"Our conferences are designed to deliver value to senior executives," commented Atlanta cochair Craig R. Triplett (MBA 1981), a consultant with Korn/Ferry International, a major conference sponsor along with others including Andersen Consulting. "We were fortunate to capture the talent and energy of several young alumni, including program cochairs Jacqueline M. Jones (MBA 1997) and Bonita D. Powell (MBA 1995)." In addition, York M. Eggleston (MBA 1996) organized a preconference Equity Summit designed to bring ten selected entrepreneurs of African descent together with leading investors to encourage an exchange of knowledge and experience. "The finalists were chosen from among three hundred entries sent in from Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States," said HBSAAA president Kenneth A. Powell (MBA 1974). "Playing an active role in increasing access to capital is a priority for our organization." Combined attendance for the Equity Summit and conference reached nearly four hundred.
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