Alumni Info

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI OF HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL

Benjamin Tanner Johnson (HBS '21), was the first African-American to graduate from Harvard Business School, and since his time, more than 1,900 alumni of African descent have launched successful careers in various industries, using their HBS network and training as a steppingstone for future accomplishments.

H. Naylor Fitzhugh (MBA '33), the best known of the earliest African American alumni, was shunned by recruiters despite his excellent academic performance and returned to his native Washington, DC, where he became a leader and activist in the African-American business community. He was subsequently asked to teach a business course at Howard University, beginning an association spanning three decades during which he left a legendary mark on the school and its business curriculum.

In 1965, Mr. Fitzhugh accepted a marketing position at the Pepsi-Cola Company, which led to his history-making work in establishing the African American community as a lucrative mass market and creating the concept of target marketing in corporate America. He continued to introduce young people to the field of business through the development of education programs, and also maintained ties to HBS, helping to found the Black Alumni Association and becoming its first chairman in 1978.

Among those mentored by Mr. Fitzhugh was Lillian Lincoln Lambert (HBS '69), his research assistant at Howard, who became the first African American woman to graduate from HBS. Just seven years after graduation, she started a janitorial services company with four thousand dollars and a promise of ninety days credit. While some were surprised by her choice, Ms. Lambert understood that owning the mops was different from pushing them, and "while discrimination and sexism are still realities, if you own your company, you can have an impact." When she sold the company in 2001, she had 1,200 employees and annual revenues of $20 million.

While at HBS, Ms. Lambert was one of just nine African American students, and in 1968, she and four classmates founded the African American Student Union. With financial support from HBS, they returned to their alma maters to increase the pool of minority applicants. As a result of their efforts, African-American enrollment increased seven-fold in the following two years, and the AASU went on to become the dynamic organization it is today. Their work paved the way for countless successful African-American alumni, including Stanley O'Neal (MBA '78), the CEO of Merrill Lynch. Raised on a farm in Alabama, Mr. O'Neal was the first in his family to attend college, earning a BS from General Motors Institute, and graduating with distinction from HBS. Reflecting on his time at HBS, Mr. O'Neal recalls, "I had never had a set of peers like that. They were an extremely sophisticated group who knew about the world, and they really motivated me."

In the 1980s, African-American women such as Carla Harris (MBA '87) and Pamela Thomas-Graham (MBA '88) left HBS determined to blaze trails in their respective professions. Ms. Harris joined Morgan Stanley after graduation and is now a managing director. In addition to her career achievements, her exceptional gifts as a singer were captured in 2001 on a CD compilation of holiday songs, with all proceeds donated to charity. Addressing future leaders, Harris advises, "There is no substitute for knowing your business but don't forget to pursue all your passions. I believe in using every gift God gave us. Stretch yourself and take the ball, but don't become so immersed in work that you forget to develop relationships."

Ms. Thomas-Graham was the first black woman partner of McKinsey and Co. before becoming President, CEO and Chairman of CNBC. She is also a best-selling mystery author. Colleagues describe her as a leader who is "effective, direct, ambitious… she wants to win." And she has!

African American graduates from the '90's have distinguished themselves in a wide range of ways. Tarrus Richardson (MBA '96) and Willie Woods (MBA '93) founded ICV Capital Partners, which makes equity investments in inner city, minority-owned businesses. Scott Royster (MBA '92) is making his mark as executive vice president and CFO of Radio One, the nation's largest company that targets African American and urban listeners. Women who have risen through the ranks of major consulting firms include Vivien Hunt (MBA '95) a partner in McKinsey's London office. Rena Clark (MBA '90) is vice president of Community Affairs and Corporate Philanthropy for the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group in Boston, while the fast-paced field of media has attracted Sara Crutchfield Clarke (MBA '97), a vice president with Showtime Network.

The opportunities for today's African American graduates are unlimited. There are currently 106 members of the African American Student Union at Harvard Business School poised to join the ranks of the illustrious men and women who compose AASU's rich alumni network.