Essence gu™
  • FASHION
    • FASHION NEWS
    • ACCESSORIES
    • FEATURES
    • FASHION WEEK
  • BEAUTY
    • SKIN
    • MAKEUP
    • HAIR
    • NAILS
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • GU JAMS
    • FILM
    • TV
    • RADIO
    • BOOKS
    • TECH
    • SPORTS
  • WELLNESS
    • RELATIONSHIPS
    • SEX
    • HEALTH
    • FOOD
    • ASTROLOGY
  • BUSINESS
    • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
    • MONEY
    • CAREERS
    • ADVICE
  • FEEDBACK
    • NEWS
    • IDENTITY
    • ACTIVISM
    • POLITICS
    • LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
  • SHOPPING
    • FASHION
    • BEAUTY
    • TECH
    • LIFESTYLE
  • Videos
  • GU Summit 2024
  • ESSENCE.COM
  • SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Subscribe to Trending News

Our weekly newsletter with the latest celebrity news, fashion updates, interviews and exclusive offers!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. By supplying your cell phone number, you consent to receive marketing messages from ESSENCE. Please note that standard messaging rates apply from your provider.
  • FASHION
    • FASHION NEWS
    • ACCESSORIES
    • FEATURES
    • FASHION WEEK
  • BEAUTY
    • SKIN
    • MAKEUP
    • HAIR
    • NAILS
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • GU JAMS
    • FILM
    • TV
    • RADIO
    • BOOKS
    • TECH
    • SPORTS
  • WELLNESS
    • RELATIONSHIPS
    • SEX
    • HEALTH
    • FOOD
    • ASTROLOGY
  • BUSINESS
    • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
    • MONEY
    • CAREERS
    • ADVICE
  • FEEDBACK
    • NEWS
    • IDENTITY
    • ACTIVISM
    • POLITICS
    • LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
  • SHOPPING
    • FASHION
    • BEAUTY
    • TECH
    • LIFESTYLE
  • Videos
  • GU Summit 2024
  • ESSENCE.COM
  • SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
Home • Bo$$y

From HBCU To CEO: How These Entrepreneurs Secured The Bag

Rosci Diaz chats with Amber Anderson and Melissa Butler about their business passions.
From HBCU To CEO: How These Entrepreneurs Secured The Bag
By Kenyatta Victoria · Updated May 1, 2024

For many of those who come from HBCU, there are three themes that many students embody while in school: Innovation, Ambition and Resilience. At Girls United Creator’s House, AT&T brought together powerhouse entrepreneurs who have transformed their passions into thriving businesses. 

“I’m currently a student at an HBCU now,” Moderator Rocsi Diaz shared. “You’re always going to have to pivot, reinvent yourself and continue to learn because time is always changing and evolving.”

Melissa Butler, Founder and CEO of The Lip Bar, and Amber Anderson, Executive Director of the Black are Gold Organization, joined GU with Rocsi Diaz to speak on the importance of HBCUs laying the foundation for them to be impactful businesswomen.

“I really wanted to go to HBCU because I wanted to just be around my people and have that nurturing,” Butler said.

From HBCU To CEO: How These Entrepreneurs Secured The Bag

According to Thirdway, 72% of HBCUs have opportunities for students/alums to build networks on entrepreneurship and business issues. Many Gen Z’ers are coming together in their classrooms and taking their ideas to the next level to create successful businesses. 

Throughout the conversation, we focused on the importance of garnering your community around the school instead of holding all that weight on your shoulders. For women like Anderson and Butler, HBCU students need to see themselves in the future of these companies, and with their ideas, the next generation can create their empires. 

From HBCU To CEO: How These Entrepreneurs Secured The Bag

“You have to be resilient, ready, and willing to pivot at any time,” Butler said. “You have to be ready and willing to keep fighting for your goals for your dream so that you can dream bigger.”

The Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down affirmative action programs and end the systematic consideration of race in admissions sets the tone for students to see how important HBCUs are now more than ever.

“Having that nurturing environment not only helps you thrive in your education but also as a leader once you graduate” Anderson said.

For the full interview see below:

https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/q8h6w7KR-9kZNul1g.mp4

About Kenyatta: Clark Atlanta University and Medill School alumna Kenyatta Victoria is the Girls United writer covering everything from news, pop culture, lifestyle, and investigative stories. When not reporting, she’s diving deep into her curated playlists or binging her favorite comfort shows.

TOPICS:  business education entrepreneurs HBCU
Stacey Abrams Talks Trump’s Futile Attempts To Overthrow Georgia Election Results

COMPANY
INFORMATION

OUR COMPANY
CONTACT US
JOB OPPORTUNITIES

SUBSCRIBE

NEWSLETTERS
DISCOVER MORE EVENTS
Follow Us

MORE ON
ESSENCE GU™

HOME
RELATIONSHIPS
BEAUTY
HAIR
FASHION
EVENTS

ESSENCE GU™ is part of ESSENCE Ventures

ESSENCE GU™ may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Ventures. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms