Welcome to the 21st annual BBSF Conference!
April 10th, 2009
The Black Business Student Forum (“BBSF”) at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia is proud to present the 2009 Darden BBSF Conference to be held April 10, 2009 in Charlottesville, VA.
In keeping with the charter of the Black Business Student Forum, this year’s BBSF conference seeks to deliver a program that not only resonates with our members, but also “contributes to the overall Darden experience.” This conference will bring together thought leaders and practitioners in the areas of Social Enterprise and Sustainability so that attendees can take part in a rich discussion about the role of business in pursuing social objectives.
Keynote- Bill Strickland, CEO Manchester Bidwell Companies
“Bill Strickland is a genius because he sees the inherent genius in everyone. Bill’s ability to inspire hope is powerful, universal and world changing.” - Jeff Skoll
“One of the most innovative social enterprise thinkers I have ever met… He is definitely one of my major heroes.” — Quincy Jones
“The Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild is a testament to the power of the arts to transform children’s lives. Its students…leave the Guild knowing that they have the potential and tools to become successful…” - Hillary Rodham Clinton
Sustainability
“…people of color have much more directly at stake in the greening of America…More of us are beginning to see that there can be no separation between our concern for vulnerable people and our concern for a vulnerable planet.” - Van Jones (President, Green For All)
Education
“an organization cannot disrupt itself” (Clay Christensen, Harvard Business School)
“the public education system must change so profoundly that only the disruptive force of entrepreneurs…can get us there.” (Kim Smith and Julie L Petersen, New School Ventures)
Healthcare & Wellness
Reducing employee health risks by 1 percentage point per year over 10 years would yield an ROI of $3.21 for every $1 invested. - Mayo Clinic Health Solutions
Technological Equality
“Better information lets good things happen: it removes distance as a barrier to communication and understanding…Overall, better information creates smarter communities, societies, people and countries.” - John Muleta (Founder M2ZNetworks)
Microfinance
“People can change their own lives, provided they have the right kind of institutional support. They’re not asking for charity, charity is no solution to poverty.” - Muhammad Yunus (Founder, Grameen Bank)
Policy Advocacy
By enlisting private sector strategies and entering partnerships with socially responsible corporations, NGO’s are exploring new strategies to maximize human capital, resource management, strategy and implementation.
