University of Memphis, Bank of America Launch Business Fellowship for Black Students

• The fellows program will provide Black/African American business students with development opportunities like job shadowing and resume workshops.
• Bank of America hopes to create a pipeline of graduates to increase economic mobility and eliminate the graduation gap.
• The two-year program is available to rising junior business students.

Rising junior Black/African American business students at the University of Memphis (UofM) will have the chance to advance their education through a new fellowship backed by Bank of America.

The university's Fogelman College of Business and Economics (FCBE) and Bank of America this week announced a partnership to launch the Career Fellows Program for Black/African American students.

The two-year program will help engage, educate, and prepare the business students for success through professional development opportunities like job shadowing, resume and interview workshops, and internships.

The first cohort in the business college includes four rising juniors, pictured above in the front row, from left: Isaiah Capps, Chanise Thompson, Ashanti Crowder, and Aaron Wallace.

"Career opportunities are a critical pillar in addressing the racial equality gap in our country," said Trevia Chatman, president of Bank of America Memphis. "In partnership with UofM, the FCBE Career Fellows Program is designed to further equip Black/African American undergraduate business students with career development support and guidance to help ensure their success and position them for career advancement."

According to the press release, Bank of America hopes to develop a strong innovative pipeline of Black/African American graduates to increase economic mobility and eliminate the graduation gap.

"College and career readiness are more vital now than ever," Marja Martin-Carruth, director of the university's professional development center, said in the press release.

"With a strategic approach, we will work closely with Bank of America and the FCBE Career Fellows to create customized professional development plans in hopes of bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and career readiness by providing resources necessary for student success in today's ever changing job market."