MBA Student Spotlight: Maleek Thomas, Black Coalition at Booth (BCB) Co-Chair

The Black Coalition at Booth (BCB) is a student group within Chicago Booth’s Part-Time MBA Program that aims to create a space where students support one another, push each other, and create opportunities that extend far beyond Booth. With that, BCB is centered around creating community, personal, and professional growth opportunities for Boothies before, during, and even after the MBA experience. In this blog, current BCB co-chair, Maleek Thomas, shines light on generally what makes Chicago Booth a great place to pursue your Part-Time MBA, how the Black Coalition at Booth can enhance your student experience, and more.

About Maleek and Why He Decided to Pursue an MBA at Chicago Booth:

Maleek is currently a Vice President in Municipal Banking at JPMorgan Chase in Chicago, where he works with public sector clients on finance strategies that support communities and long-term development. Maleek decided to pursue an MBA to deepen his business toolkit and expand his perspective beyond finance into leadership, entrepreneurship, and value creation. He’s always been drawn to building and growing organizations, and Booth felt like the ideal place to develop the analytical rigor and entrepreneurial mindset needed for him to pursue that path.

What industry are you pursuing at Chicago Booth, and what Booth-specific resources have been most helpful?

At Booth, I’m pursuing a career path focused on investing and operating within service-based industries, with a strong interest in entrepreneurship and long-term value creation. Booth’s entrepreneurship ecosystem has been incredibly impactful — especially the Polsky Center, ETA coursework, and the opportunity to learn directly from operators, investors, and alumni. The Booth community is uniquely supportive, and the access to mentorship and real-world perspectives has been instrumental in helping me refine my interests and expand my career toolkit.

What do you love most about pursuing your MBA at Chicago Booth?

What I love most about Booth is the combination of intellectual freedom and community. Booth attracts people who are deeply curious, ambitious, and generous with their time, and I’ve been inspired by how collaborative the environment is. Whether it’s in the classroom, student groups, or conversations with classmates, Booth constantly challenges you to think bigger while also giving you the tools and relationships to execute.

Tell us more about the Black Coalition at Booth (BCB) and how the group has grown over the past year. Why did you become co-chair?

The Black Coalition at Booth (BCB) is a community dedicated to supporting Boothies in the Part-Time MBA Program socially, professionally, and culturally throughout their MBA experience. Over the past year, BCB has continued to grow in both membership and impact, creating more programming focused on mentorship, professional development, and community-building. I became co-chair because I wanted to help strengthen that foundation and ensure Black students at Booth feel supported, celebrated, and connected — both on campus and beyond.

How have your connections made through BCB added to your overall MBA experience?

BCB has been one of the most meaningful parts of my Booth experience. The relationships I’ve built through the group have created a sense of belonging and support that extends far beyond academics. Through BCB, I’ve connected with peers, alumni, and mentors who have helped me navigate leadership and life at Booth in a way that feels both empowering and deeply personal.

What would you like future students to know about BCB?

I would want them to know that BCB is both a professional network and a true community. It’s a space where students can grow as leaders, build lifelong friendships, and celebrate Black excellence while also engaging meaningfully with the broader Booth experience. There’s a strong sense of pride, support, and opportunity within the organization.

As co-chair, what initiatives are you looking forward to working on in the near future?

In the near future, we’re excited to continue expanding our programming across career development and community engagement. We’re focused on strengthening alumni connections, creating more opportunities for prospective and current students to engage with Black leaders across industries, and building events that deepen community and visibility at Booth.

Anything else you’d like to share about BCB?

BCB represents the best of what Booth offers — a place where ambitious, values-driven leaders come together to support one another and make an impact. I’m proud of the community we’ve built and excited about the future growth of the organization.

How are you planning to celebrate Black History Month?

This month, I’m looking forward to celebrating Black History Month through community — attending events with classmates, supporting Black-owned businesses, and taking time to reflect on the legacy of Black leadership and excellence. It’s also a meaningful opportunity to highlight the voices and experiences of Black students at Booth.

What makes Chicago a great place to be during Black History Month?

Chicago is an incredible city to celebrate Black History Month because of its rich cultural history, vibrant Black communities, and strong institutions that honor Black art, business, and activism. Events at places like the DuSable Black History Museum, along with local programming across the city, make it a powerful place to learn, celebrate, and engage throughout the month.