Black students represent an important talent pipeline for firms across industries. In this blog post, we at Stratus outline several notable pre- and post-MBA programs that will provide a great launching pad for your professional career. (Note: Program details are subject to change. Please consult each organization directly to verify program availability and eligibility requirements.)
Management Leadership for Tomorrow
Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) fosters a community to increase the representation of Black and other minority students in corporate America after their undergraduate and MBA studies. Prospective MBA students may take advantage of MLT’s highly regarded and competitive MBA Prep Program, which provides a methodical and effective approach to facilitate the business school application process and strengthen professional development. Those interested must apply and be accepted as an MBA Prep Fellow a year before they actually begin applying to business schools. During the MBA Prep Program, MLT Fellows are assigned an MLT Coach who assists them with their personal story, school selection, and strategy to increase their chances of success in the MBA application process. Additionally, MLT partners with many top business schools and corporate employers whose representatives provide guidance to MLT Fellows, giving them a competitive advantage for acceptance to MBA programs and procurement of summer internships.
Beyond business school, MLT develops mid-career professionals for advancement opportunities to the senior executive level via its MLT Career Advancement Program, a challenging and intensive nine-month program in which such professionals are periodically assessed via simulations, rigorous practice, and one-on-one coaching. From a recruiting perspective, MLT alumni may access the Experienced Talent Network, which offers free access to exclusive partner events, introductions to top employers, interview prep and coaching, and other networking and professional development opportunities.
The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
The Consortium is an organization that provides African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans—as well as any US citizen or permanent resident who has demonstrated a commitment to its mission during the application process—the opportunity to apply to top MBA programs in its business school affiliate network, which consists of 21 top MBA programs. Prospective candidates utilize a streamlined application process through which they may apply to up to six of the aforementioned MBA programs within the network via one integrated application. In addition to writing school-specific essays, applicants must demonstrate in a mission essay how they have and will continue to uphold The Consortium’s mission of fostering diversity in the workplace and maintaining substantive engagement in one’s community.
Approximately 60% of admitted students are generally awarded funding opportunities through The Consortium. Once admitted to The Consortium and an affiliate MBA program, students have opportunities to meet employers, improve their skills, develop mentor/mentee relationships, and network with other industry professionals.
For over 35 years, the Robert Toigo Foundation awarded its prestigious fellowship each year to a select number of minority MBA students pursuing a career in the financial services, private equity, and investment management sectors. In 2025, the organization reframed its offering by discontinuing the fellowship and launching the Leaders Investing in Financial Excellence (LIFE) one-year program, which is aimed at investing in individuals and developing them to be finance industry leaders. If selected, participants attend the Toigo Catapult—an event where participants engage in professional development workshops and skills assessments to guide the participants’ progression in the LIFE program. Through the LIFE program, participants are assisted with mapping their career trajectory, provided intensive training sessions and industry sector deep dives, assigned a coach for one-on-one sessions, provided life-long access to a robust network of professionals, and offered professional development opportunities via in-person workshops and webinars.
In addition, the Toigo Foundation hosts its Industry Dinner, which has featured distinguished speakers such as Michelle Obama, Magic Johnson, Trevor Noah, and Robert Smith, and its annual Groundbreakers Women in Leadership Summit, which focuses on such topics as gender diversity and women’s contributions in business.
National Black MBA Association
The National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) provides an extensive network that allows Black MBA students and alumni to build symbiotic personal and professional relationships. The organization’s yearly Conference & Exposition is a multi-day event, typically held in the fall, that hosts prominent industry speakers and community leaders via panel discussions addressing such topics as professional networking, entrepreneurship, wealth building, and educational excellence. Many MBA students and alumni have procured summer internships and/or full-time opportunities during the event’s networking breakout sessions and the popular Career Expo, which features hundreds of employer sponsors across industries and functional areas.
In addition to applying for merit-based scholarships offered by the NBMBAA, students may also join regional chapters of the organization, which host their own quarterly seminars and events—providing further networking, professional development, and career opportunities.
The JumpStart Advisory Group hosts pre-matriculation career prep forums for minority candidates. The events target students interested in management consulting, finance, and brand management careers. Attendees can participate in professional development workshops, case studies, networking events with employers, and resume development sessions. In addition, these events facilitate the opportunity for attendees to be invited to an office visit with participating employers—which subsequently positions them to receive interview invitations for summer internships.
In addition to these resources, prospective MBAs should research other new initiatives as they become available. MBA candidates should also take advantage of their school’s diversity weekends and student affinity organizations to develop their personal support network, making the transition to business school as seamless as possible. These combined with external resources and affiliations will position students for success during their MBA studies and beyond.
Learn how a Stratus admissions expert can help you with your MBA applications. Sign up for a free consultation today!