The Black British Initiative, founded by Darren Miller, proudly celebrated the inaugural graduation of its pioneering MBA 30 earlier. The ceremony, held at SOAS, University of London, marked a significant achievement for the 30 underserved Black entrepreneurs who participated in this transformative course. The MBA 30 program, designed to commemorate 30 years since the murder of Stephen Lawrence, aims to honour his legacy by empowering Black business talent.
The event took place at the Brunei Building Theatre in Russell Square, where Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE personally presented graduation certificates to the successful entrepreneurs. She was joined by Lord Dr. Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE, along with notable attendees such as Zeinab Badawi, Jess Neil (CEO of the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation), and Andrew Harrison (Managing Director of NatWest).
Developed in collaboration with the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation and delivered by SOAS, University of London, the MBA 30 program focuses on providing high-impact education to Black entrepreneurs who face systemic and structural disadvantages. Generous sponsorship from organisations such as NatWest, Vodafone Business, Paramount Global, Freuds, Retail Trust, and Clyde & Co has substantially reduced the cost of the course from £3,250 to an accessible £500 per participant.
The 44 graduates from this cohort have demonstrated expertise across a range of sectors, including medical, legal, tech, design, fashion, retail, beauty, film, wellness, consultancy, coaching, PR, and sport. Among them is Patrick Hutchinson, the renowned social justice advocate and personal trainer who gained international recognition for his heroic actions during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in London.
The MBA 30 curriculum equips new, early-stage, and established Black entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs with essential business skills. Participants gain a thorough understanding of financial statements, business strategies, marketing, communications, and presentation techniques crucial for closing sales and driving commercial success.
The next cohort, MBA 30 Cohort Five, is scheduled to run from September 9 to October 3, 2024. The program will be primarily conducted online, with sessions held from midday to 5 pm. However, the first and last days will take place in person from 9 am to 5 pm at SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG.