Lynnette is a first-generation college graduate who decided to pursue an MBA from Chicago Booth in order to build on her love of art and make an impact on the world. Lynnette’s interest in social impact led her to become a Neubauer Civic Scholar at Booth alongside her involvement as co-chair in the Coalition of Minorities in Business. As a current Boothie, she touches on what her experience has been like so far and how her connections with other students continues to enhance her MBA experience.
Tell us about yourself and take us along your journey to Chicago Booth
I’m a first-generation college graduate and decided to pursue a career in the arts, which had my family scratching their heads. I had always been interested in art and artists that brought attention to and addressed societal injustices. I decided to attend art school and train as a visual artist at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where I received a BFA. I received my MA in Arts Administration from New York University, where I continued my pursuit of working with artists who are trying to make the world better.
Since then, I have dedicated my career to uplifting and funding artists, especially artists of color, working at the intersection of social change and equity. From 2017 to 2022, I was the Program Director at United States Artists, working on regranting funding to individual artists across the country and collaborating on Artist Relief, a $23.4 million emergency cash relief program for artists in dire need due to COVID-19.
Working on the cash relief program quite frankly changed my life. I connected deeply with the stories I read in each application about financial and housing insecurity that resembled my childhood. This experience motivated me to broaden my scope and inspired my pivot from the arts to focus on broader social issues related to economic mobility and financial access, especially in marginalized communities. It also inspired me to pursue an MBA at Chicago Booth, which has been my best career decision. I’m also honored to be a Neubauer Civic Scholar, a cohort of nonprofit leaders that have been an incredible family and support system during my first year at Booth.
What one word or phrase best describes your Booth experience thus far?
“Every relationship is an education. Each new person we welcome into our hearts is a chance to evolve into something radically different than we used to be.”– Brian K. Vaughn, Saga, Issue #30
I think a lot about this quote from the comic book Saga by Brian K. Vaughn, a comic book and television writer. The education at Booth is fantastic, challenging me in new ways. However, the people I’ve met during my time here, especially as a part of student groups, have made my experience incredibly special. I encourage anyone at Booth, new students especially, to get involved and meet new folks. At the very least, you may find your next awesome study group for class assignments.
Why was joining the Coalition of Minorities in Business important to you? What would you like prospective students to know about the Coalition of Minorities in Business?
During my first few weeks at Booth, Jasmine Barksdale, ‘22, one of the Coalition of Minorities in Business (CMB) co-chairs at the time, invited me to a Zoom coffee chat to welcome me and share insights into starting my time at Booth. I felt the generosity and care through my interaction with Jasmine and CMB for the subsequent quarters, and I remember thinking, “I’m in the right place.”
CMB is a relatively new group, and I joined as a member and then became a co-chair to contribute to the sense of community I felt for others. It is essential to create spaces for camaraderie, support, and advocacy, especially for students underrepresented in the business context. This is why, beyond hosting social and professional events for students, we also prioritize our relationship with the Office of Global Diversity & Inclusion at Booth to better support students of color.
Diversity makes places more inclusive and vibrant. I also believe it helps organizations, schools, and businesses become more culturally dexterous and adaptable. CMB aims to uplift the value of diversity across these contexts.
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