NABA Leads Campus Collaboration for Innovation

The Pitch Perfect case competition brought together the University of Minnesota’s largest Black student organizations for a groundbreaking night of creativity, leadership, and community engagement. Held on November 20 at the McNamara Alumni Center, the event highlighted the power of collaboration, with the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) at the helm, joined by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Black Student Union (BSU).
 

Leadership at the Forefront
As the lead organizer, NABA took charge of conceptualizing and executing the event, which drew 110 attendees. “This event was a labor of love for us,” said NABA member Jordan Olagbaju, ‘27 BSB. “We wanted to create a platform where students could showcase their passions, draw from personal and professional experiences, and think critically about how to impact the Twin Cities community.”
NABA’s leadership ensured that the collaboration between the three organizations was successful, though not without its challenges. “Balancing responsibilities across executive boards while respecting the individual priorities of each group required constant communication and coordination,” Olagbaju shared. The resulting event represented these organizations' collective strengths and commitment to serving Black students on campus.
 

Collaboration Across Communities
The competition’s success was rooted in the partnership between NABA, NSBE, and BSU. By uniting their networks and resources, these groups created a vibrant and engaging atmosphere that encouraged students to rise to the challenge. Teams were tasked with designing youth-focused programs addressing 21st-century challenges, and five finalist teams presented their innovative ideas to an audience of peers, alumni, and community members.
The judging panel reflected the collaborative spirit of the event, featuring the presidents of all three organizations—Isaac Bein (NABA), Gelila Woldemariam (BSU), and Ridwan Yussuf (NSBE)—alongside former NABA President Nate Taye, ‘21 BSB, ‘26 MBA, and Kenneth Scales from the African American Leadership Forum (AALF).
Scales also served as the evening’s keynote speaker, sharing insights on advancing racial equity through innovation. His words resonated with the audience, setting the tone for a night of impactful ideas.
 

Celebrating Innovation
The competition culminated in a grand prize of $1,500 awarded to Beyond the Canvas, a team consisting of Uchenna Ngwu and Amran Yusuf. Their pitch to integrate creativity-centered curriculums into Minnesota K-12 schools stood out for its innovative approach and thorough research. “Their commitment to restructuring education through alternative teaching methods demonstrated their passion for making a tangible impact,” said Olagbaju.
 

A Vision for the Future
With sponsorship from the Carlson School’s student org grant fund, the event was entirely student-driven, exemplifying NABA’s commitment to empowering students and fostering collaboration. Beyond showcasing student innovation, the event served as a reminder of the strength and potential within the Black student community at the University of Minnesota.
Reflecting on the experience, Olagbaju emphasized the importance of giving students a voice. “This event is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of the incredible minds and talents within our community. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when we come together.”