The finance industry has long been plagued by inequities and a lack of diversity, particularly regarding Black people.
Despite being just as capable and ambitious as their peers, Blacks have historically been underrepresented on Wall Street and in the trading industry.
However, there are now efforts to change that through initiatives like the Bloomberg and HBCU ESG Trading Challenge, which aims to provide students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities with the opportunity to gain the skills and understanding needed to succeed in the competitive world of finance and to support creating a more diverse and inclusive industry.
HBCU students recently put their finance skills to the test in the Bloomberg and HBCU ESG Trading Challenge, a virtual investment competition that took place entirely on the Bloomberg Terminal.
More than 60 students from schools like Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Hampton University, Morehouse College, and Morgan State University participated in the competition, investing $1 million in virtual US dollars and receiving support from faculty advisors and Bloomberg employees.
The competition was fierce, but in the end, one student came out on top as the ultimate finance champion. Sophomore Darren Stephens from Clark Atlanta University was declared the winner, saying, “I learned that investing requires you to take risks.” And, let’s be honest, what’s more thrilling than taking a risk with a cool million virtual dollars on the line?
But the competition wasn’t just about the thrill of victory. It was also about building marketable skills and knowledge to compete for finance jobs, especially for Black students who are underrepresented in the industry. Plus, participants got to be among the first students to access the Bloomberg for Education ESG Certificate course, focusing on sustainable investing. Upon completion, they received a certificate of completion to put on their resumes and LinkedIn profiles.
Students were allowed to connect with Bloomberg recruiters for professional development support to impress future employers with their fancy new certificates and trading skills.
Overall, the Bloomberg and HBCU ESG Trading Challenge was an exciting opportunity for HBCU students to flex their financial muscles and gain valuable experience in the industry.
