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MBA Voices
MBA Voices
As part of the Harvard Business School (HBS) Advancing Racial Equity action plan, 26 students from the MBA Classes of 2025 and 2026 have been named recipients of a Recognizing Individuals Seeking Equity (RISE) Fellowship. First announced in 2021, the RISE Fellowship program gives awards of $10,000 to MBA candidates in each class who, prior to enrolling at HBS, have demonstrated exemplary commitment to serving Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and other marginalized communities of color within the US. [...]
There were moments when being a minority felt isolating and even intimidating. But over time, I have come to understand that being Hispanic is a source of strength and pride. It’s a connection to a rich culture full of traditions, values, and warmth. It’s the joy of finding community with fellow Latinos, even when we’re far from home, and bringing a unique perspective to the teams and circles I’m part of. [...]
As the grandson of Cuban refugees, my heritage goes beyond the food I eat, the music I listen to, or the coffee I drink. The Hispanic heritage of my family is one rife with change, upheaval, and loss. My grandparents were patriots living in a county that rejected them. Struggling against an oppressive regime, they gave up their homes, said goodbye to their parents, and fought on the bay. When all was lost, they had to start over again in a new country and build a life from scratch. [...]
Growing up as a first-generation low-income Mexican American near the US-Mexico border is my source of pride and purpose. I was raised by hard-working migrant parents who left their home country in search of their American Dream. From them, I learned the value of perseverance and dedication. My father instilled in me an unwavering work ethic, and my mother taught me to be unapologetic in my quest to achieve excellence. [...]
Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida in the early 2000s, I often felt like a cultural outsider—whether at school, the grocery store, or the playground. However, within my circle of friends and family, my reality was entirely different. I was raised in a small yet incredibly strong community of immigrant parents, all of whom believed deeply in the American Dream and were relentlessly committed to helping their children achieve. [...]
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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.