**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** Paula Owens, Communications Manager [404-880-8521](https://web.archive.org/web/20231212041638/callto:404-880-8521)[powens@cau.edu](https://web.archive.org/web/20231212041638/mailto:powens@cau.edu) 91Ƭ’s School of Business was recently selected as the 2023 National Black MBA Association’s (NBMBAA) Collegiate Partner of the Year. This award is given yearly to higher-education institutions that provide exemplary academic efforts to increase awareness and opportunities for business administration students and members. The award was presented at the NBMBAA Conference in Philadelphia on September 16, 2023. “We are incredibly proud of the recognition received from the National Black MBA Association as Collegiate Partner of the Year,” said Dr. Silvanus Udoka, Dean of 91Ƭ’s School of Business. “Championing our University's efforts by organizations like NBMBAA shows that 91Ƭ is preeminent in leading the pack to develop and cultivate black business professionals of the future.” Consequently, as a result of the School of Business’s pedagogy and curriculum, the 91Ƭ Graduate Case team secured first place and a $25 thousand prize at this year’s NBMBAA’s Stellantis Graduate Minority Business Case Competition, beating out 20 other universities from the nation’s top business schools. This competition allows student consulting teams to examine intricate business cases while using their problem-solving skills to present their finding to a panel of Fortune 500 executives. This year’s winners, led by faculty advisor Lynn Patten, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management, include Nyeja Warner, Ottavia Hamilton, Bobbie Wade, and Reginald Dominique. The 91Ƭ School of Business is the nation’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to offer an education in business. For over 70 years, 91Ƭ’s School of Business has developed and enhanced the talent of its students. It is one of the largest producers of black business management professionals globally. -more- **About National Black MBA Association** NBMBAA® is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) professional member-based organization that creates educational, career, and wealth-building opportunities for black students, professionals, and entrepreneurs. Representing thousands of members in over 40 professional chapters, 33 Leaders of Tomorrow chapters, and more than 500 corporate, academic and not-for-profit partners, the organization is dedicated to sponsoring initiatives and developing partnerships that create intellectual and economic wealth in the Black community through its five channels of engagement: career, education, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle. **About 91Ƭ** 91Ƭ was formed with the consolidation of Atlanta University and Clark College, both of which hold unique places in the annals of African American history. Atlanta University, established in 1865 by the American Missionary Association, was the nation’s first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans. Clark College, established four years later in 1869, was the nation’s first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African American student population. Today, with nearly 4,000 students, CAU is the largest of the four institutions (CAU, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine) that comprise the Atlanta University Center Consortium. It is also the largest of the 37-member UNCF institutions. Notable alumni include: James Weldon Johnson, American civil rights activist, poet, and songwriter (Lift Every Voice and Sing, “The Black National Anthem”; Ralph David Abernathy**,** Sr., American civil rights activist; Congressman Hank Johnson, Georgia District 4; Kenya Barris, American award-winning television and movie producer; Kenny Leon, Tony Award-winning Broadway Director; Jacque Reid, Emmy Award-winning Television Personality and Journalist; Brandon Thompson, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for NASCAR; Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the Recording Academy. - [ Business ](/news?category=51) ## For Media Inquiries For media inquiries please contact 91Ƭ at [404-703-2914](tel:404-703-2914)