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MBA Voices
MBA Voices
Growing up as a Black male from South Los Angeles, I was raised in a vibrant community surrounded by a diverse group of individuals who gave me guidance and taught me core values –such as curiosity, community, and persistence. My childhood experiences and the values that were instilled in me from being brought up in South LA are the foundation of my being, and I am proud to call South Central home. Yet, it was not often that I interacted with entrepreneurs or individuals who climbed up the ranks in the corporate world. Advanced degree holders were not always visible, and I thought that admission to a school like Harvard was a pursuit far above my head, something I had seen on television but not so much in my neighborhood. [...]
We grew up with the foundation of a single mom, my grandparents, child support, and food stamps. In middle school, I transitioned to living in San Antonio with my dad who is Panamanian and who was married to my stepmom. Two more siblings came along and I found myself in a two-parent, relatively stable middle-class household. I learned a lot in my childhood, and something that I will always be grateful for was the opportunity to understand and live through a wide variety of circumstances. It built my empathy towards others and instilled in me a sense of gratitude for the small things in life. [...]
Typing this now I wish I was back with the people I only spent a week with, but who now feel like family. Everyone was unique in their own way, incredibly hard-working, and passionate about discovering their purpose and leaving a lasting mark on the world. Despite my wishes, I know everyone left SVMP feeling confident, empowered, and prepared to transform their respective disciplines and environment through dynamic and ambitious leadership. [...]
How I incorporated my experience in the Asian American community at Harvard Business School into co-founding Fish Sauce. [...]
The HBS Summer Venture in Management Program, an immersive, weeklong experience for rising college seniors, was developed to increase diversity and opportunity in business education. During their time on campus, SVMPers gain business leadership skills and develop a deeper understanding of the MBA program at HBS. [...]
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The views and opinions expressed in the MBA Voices blog are those of the authors.
Any political views shared by students are their own; HBS does not endorse a
particular party or candidate.