The 35th Annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Conference
Panel Descriptions
The Future of Investment Banking
With the current liquidity crisis and bank failures, what does the future hold for Investment Banking? Are there lessons to be learned from the Savings and Loan crisis of the 1980s, the Asian financial crisis of the 1990s, and the dot-com bubble of 2000? This panel will discuss the causes of the current financial crisis, the impact of this crisis on the Investment Banking industry, how the industry might evolve. Career prospects will also be discussed for those interested in pursuing careers in the industry.
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Healthcare and Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century: Where Do We Go From Here?
Healthcare growth is on the rise. Advancements in technology are driving fundamental changes in the way healthcare is organized, financed, and delivered. Find out how entrepreneurs and other leading healthcare professionals have made healthcare more efficient, more personal, and more beneficial. Network with like-minded innovation adopters as panelists provide strategic guidance on how to take advantage of untapped business opportunities, sources of important and emerging innovations, and operational efficiencies that better meet your needs.
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Career Management In a Recession
The economy is reeling under the pressures of a downturn. Unemployment rates are staggering and layoffs are at an all-time high. In turbulent market environments it is critical proactively manage your career. In this panel, we will offer detailed and successful strategies to help you create and maintain your career momentum in recessionary periods. The topics to be addressed by the panel will include the impact of recessionary conditions on various industries and how to achieve long-term success in the midst of short-term economic turmoil.
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Forethought and Foresight: The Forecast and Future of Media and Entertainment
Media and Entertainment is a trendsetting industry shaping cultures and norms across the world. As unprecedented political and economic events are occurring globally, come discover what is on the horizon for the industry. How will Media and Entertainment reflect our changing world? What role will the industry play in shaping our world view? How can emerging leaders become involved in this dynamic and evolving field?
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Leveraging Your Passion, Experience and Talents to Build Successful Businesses
What are the keys to starting and growing a successful business? Many prospective and existing entrepreneurs are asking the same question. From concept to reality, creating a business requires passion, flexibility and solid execution. Through real life examples, this panel will seek to demystify the entrepreneurial process and provide practical examples of how you can translate your ideas into realities.
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Inaugural AAMBAA Alumni Symposium: "From Wall Street to Main Street to Our Street"
Please join us a as a distinguished panel of informed academics, financial market participants and entrepreneurs offer their thoughts and the potential impact of the ongoing crisis in Financial Markets on the African American community. Are their specific implications for African Americans with regards to securing professional and financial futures amidst this severe downturn? How will homeownership rates, programs targeting African Americans, diversity initiatives in the corporate workplace and other issues be affected by these events? This event is planned especially for AAMBAA Alumni Members.
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High School Panel
In this interactive workshop, high school students will be introduced to student representatives from the graduate student body at The University of Pennsylvania. Panelists will discuss their backgrounds, with specific emphasis on choices that they made in high school that contributed to their current success. Further, panelists will provide students with an overview of the college application process and general information on the college experience.
Preparing for Uncertainty: Understanding the Long Term Value of an MBA
This panel for prospective students aims to demystify the MBA application process and address the common misconceptions minorities have about the MBA experience. Panelists will discuss topics such as preparing for the application process in a competitive MBA market, understanding the value of the MBA during uncertain economic times, and leveraging the resources available to MBAs to navigate career transitions. The goal of the panel is to help prospective students understand the long-term value of the MBA, while encouraging more underrepresented minorities to apply for MBA programs.
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13th Annual New Venture Competition
The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Conference Venture Competition welcomes entrepreneurs of today and gives them the opportunity to present their ideas for growth companies of tomorrow to an illustrious panel of investors. This competition has three rounds in which only the best plans advance. This session will be the final stage of the competition in which the three finalists will present their businesses to a panel of venture capitalists. The winning team will receive $10,000. The competition is open to the public. All are welcome to attend.
The annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Conference Venture Competition focuses on early-stage ventures. We define these ventures as companies that have raised less than $25,000 in investment (including venture competition winnings) and earned less than $25,000 in revenue. The Conference gives preference to business ideas that will contribute socially and economically to urban communities and seeks to nurture ideas from inception through launch to growth.
Starring Beyond the Spotlight: A Discussion with African Americans in the Business of Sports
The intent of this panel is to highlight opportunities to display leadership and excellence in capacities away from the camera and off of the field. Panelists will give insight into the crucial problems facing their respective industries and the typical (or atypical) functions that are available to MBA hires to address these issues. The panel will also touch on potential strategies for breaking into these industries and methods for applicants to differentiate themselves from the competition.
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FOA: Estate Planning: An Interactive Workshop hosted by Larry D. Bailey (WG’ 76)
Join us for the opportunity to use the current turbulent economic environment to your financial advantage by attending a workshop by Larry Bailey on Estate Planning. Bailey will share his unique perspective on how to stay afloat, and emerge ahead of the game.
Prosperity Comes With Responsibility: Social Impact and Philanthropy
The Social Impact and Philanthropy panel will address the extent to which business leaders should consider the interests of communities when making decisions. Panelists will also discuss ways in which individuals can create connections between their careers and initiatives that result in positive social and economic change.
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Private Equity in the Current Market Environment: In Search of the New Golden Age
The current economic environment gripping financial markets, Wall Street, and main street has spared no one, including the private equity industry. How are private equity firms responding the challenge? Further, it was said that 2007 was the "Golden Age" of private equity. However in the midst of the economic storm roiling markets and deeply depressing corporate valuations, will we enter the true Golden Age when the storm passes, the credit markets return, and the skies clear? If so, how are firms positioning themselves now to take advantage of those opportunities when that day comes?
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Political Power Chat
Much has been said about Senator Barack Obama’s historic run for president, but the true impact of his electoral victory is yet to be seen. Join us for an interactive discussion on Obama’s exemplary campaign and its implications for African American political possibilities. Led by William Jelani Cobb, PhD., author of the forthcoming “In Our Lifetimes: Barack Obama and the New Black America” (tentative), the discussion will explore the new dynamics of African American political power while addressing the most salient political issues raised by AAMBAA’s extended family and guests.
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Preparing For Board Leadership: Serving On Corporate and Non-Profit Boards (a conversation with Dr. Marcia Cantarella, daughter of Whitney M. Young, Jr.)
A dynamic conversation with Dr. Marcia Cantarella discussing the importance of serving on corporate and non-profit boards and the complex networks created. The chat will also highlight ways in which you can position yourself to be asked to serve. The discussion will cover the true duties, responsibilities and benefits of board leadership. We will also explore the reality of legal obligations (more scrutiny in the Sarbanes-Oxley age), and the awareness of what you can offer in terms of talent and knowledge.
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Real Estate
Given the current economic climate, are there any opportunities in the real estate market or does entering now mean famine for investors? Does the future of the industry look more or less promising? Is there more or less demand for MBA hires in any functions?
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