Your MBA journey at Kellogg stretches beyond the classroom. Our students are leaders who create communities based on shared social and cultural values and interests as well as industries and geography.
Deondré Robinson ’26 MMM Program and Nahdi Bropleh ’26 Two-Year MBA Program, both members of the Black Management Association (BMA), share how they have found space to grow at their own pace and learn from one another while stepping into experiences that have affirmed: they’re exactly where they’re meant to be.
Learn more about their MBA journeys and how the BMA has helped shape their Kellogg experience and sense of belonging.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. What has been one of your greatest takeaways since starting your MBA journey?
Bropleh: One of my biggest takeaways has been learning to run your own race. We heard this a lot at the start of the MBA journey, especially in the context of recruiting. It’s easy to hear about what others are doing and feel like you’re falling behind — and I’ve also realized it applies just as much socially.
There’s so much happening, and it can feel like everyone is rushing to find their group or their place. Over time, I’ve learned that building real community takes patience. The friendships and connections that last beyond the MBA experience are the ones that develop naturally. Giving yourself the space to find those people is really important.
Robinson: One of my greatest takeaways is that you can learn from anyone anywhere. The beauty of the Kellogg community is that you are constantly surrounded by fascinating people that know a lot about things you’ve never even heard of before. For me, I’m not the best at small talk, but once I find interesting topics, I’ve had some of the most enlightening conversations with classmates, Kellogg staff and my professors.
Nahdi Bropleh ’26 Two-Year MBA Program
What’s a BMA moment or event when you really felt, “I belong here”?
Bropleh: At the beginning of the winter quarter, we organized a retreat for BMA club members, which also created an opportunity for first and second year students to connect more deeply. That whole weekend felt like a warm hug and made me feel like I had truly made the right decision on where I was supposed to be.
Robinson: In my work leading up to the 2024 BMA Conference, I was in charge of prepping three alumni for talks. During a prep call, one of the alumni who was set to be the moderator posed a wild idea, he said “Deondré, why don’t you get on stage and moderate and I’ll be another one of the panelists.” He pointed to my poise and preparation during the call and said I would be a great fit.
I was honored and scared at the same time, but I immediately said yes. When the day came and I talked on stage in front of a full White Auditorium Audience that included my mom, I had the full realization that Kellogg was where I was supposed to be.
What’s a BMA tradition students can look forward to every year?
Bropleh: For sure both Halloween and Noir Soiree. Both nights to dress up and dance to great music with classmates!
Robinson: The BMA Conference is the longest standing student led conference at Kellogg, and it is our most prized tradition. At this conference, we bring esteemed alumni, powerhouse keynote speakers and all types of programming in between. Most Black prospective students point to this event as the reason they want to come to Kellogg. Being on the other side, as a student that helps put it on, is certainly a tall task, but it is extremely rewarding.
Deondré Robinson ’26 MMM Program
How has BMA shaped your Kellogg experience?
Bropleh: BMA has given me a homebase, where I’ve felt safe to ask all of the “dumb” questions, and a community away from home.
Robinson: The BMA has given me the opportunity to be a leader. It’s one thing to learn about leadership skills in classes; it’s another to be able to turn around that same day and apply that lesson as the leader of an entire community of students. BMA has made my time at Kellogg truly experiential.
If someone is curious about joining BMA but unsure, what would you tell them?
Bropleh: Please do! BMA is such a welcoming community, and we want to share the culture with everyone!
Robinson: I would say BMA is the perfect home base. The community will always be there when you need comfort, but you also have every right to explore other communities and interests at Kellogg. The members of the BMA are extremely involved around Kellogg and in their own ventures, but the community will always make time for itself when the call is made.
BMA members: In their own words
Dimitrius Wells ’26 MMM Program
Dimitrius Wells ’26 MMM Program
Career focus: Design consulting
“The most unexpected thing I’ve learned about myself while at Kellogg is that I have a much higher tolerance for risk and ambiguity than I initially realized. I set a very specific goal for attending business school: to find a role that sits at the exact intersection of an MBA and high-level creativity. Navigating that niche path requires a different kind of patience and grit, especially when it involves passing on more traditional opportunities to stay true to that vision.
“I used to think that self-actualization was something that happened ‘after’ a major milestone, like graduating or starting a career. However, my time at Kellogg has taught me that growth happens in the journey itself. I’ve learned to trust my instincts and maintain a sense of perspective. I’ve realized that as long as I remain committed to the work, the results tend to align exactly as they should.”
Faithe Hill ’26 Two-Year MBA Program
Faithe Hill ’26 Two-Year MBA Program
Career focus: Technology
“As BMA’s Vice President of Signature Events, I’ve helped plan several large events, including a BMA alumni mixer, programming during Black History Month, The 2025 BMA Second Year Sendoff and the Kellogg Halloween Party. These club events have led me to rethink my career and the type of work that fulfills me.
“I’ve been exploring strategy and product roles in technology. Now, I want to consider how I can integrate planning events or other large-scale initiatives into my career because of how much I’ve learned, grown and enjoyed these experiences. Furthermore, these club events have allowed me to feel more connected to both my Kellogg and BMA communities.”
Ingrid Castor ’26 Two-Year MBA Program
Ingrid Castor ’26 Two-Year MBA Program
Career focus: Consulting
“Before Kellogg, finding belonging often meant scanning the room for someone who looked like me. Through BMA, belonging has come to mean something much deeper: a community that consistently shows up. While I was applying, current students answered my incessant questions, helped me prepare for my interview and celebrated my admission.
“During recruiting, BMA alumni shared best practices, ran mock cases and reassured me while I waited for results. Every day, my classmates embody community — sharing home-cooked meals, celebrating small wins and bringing my favorite snacks after tough losses. Because of BMA, even in moments when I questioned myself, I never questioned that I belong at Kellogg.”
Read next: A seat at the table: Inside the 2024 Black Management Association Conference
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Kellogg School of Management or Northwestern University.
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