Cultural Significance of the Harvard Business School African American

Student UnionBy: Jake Weatherred

What is HBSAASU? The HBSAASU is a networking resource for

African American students in the Harvard Business School.

Founded in 1969 by five African American students

HBSAASU is a necessary and valuable student union for African American Harvard Business students because it provides them with a cultural, social, and academic community

What is the Purpose of the HBSAASU? Main goal is to help African American Business

students achieve success Provide a culturally familiar social networking group

for African American students Wide range of service activities from retreats,

mixers, academic help, and even tips for good soul/ carribean food, and even good barbershops

The HBSAASU website describes their purpose with this statement, “AASU is a dynamic organization dedicated to enriching the business school experience for both Black students and the larger HBS community

Question and Answer This is the section where students would have been expected to write a formal

letter or email to the HBSAASU asking them at least two questions regarding the cultural significance of the HBSAASU. Obviously I didn’t actually write a letter or email, therefore I do not have a response to show, but I will provide two questions below that demonstrate the type of significant questions that would have been expected of students.

What do you think the cultural significance of the HBSAASU is for you as an African American student, or in other words what impact does the HBSAASU have in your everyday social and academic life?

What do you think the HBSAASU represents culturally for you as an African American, or in other words what is the significance of both needing a group for African American HBS students and having the power and resources to maintain the organization?

What is the cultural significance? Ultimately there is a need for minorities such

as African Americans HBS students to have a way to meet others such as themselves to provide them with a cultural and social network. This is a way to strengthen student’s relation to their own heritage and culture, while at the same time giving them a way to relate to other students similar to themselves.