Graduation Spotlight: Ngadi Kamara (BSM ’24)

Name: Ngadi Kamara (BSM ’24)

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: On all my report cards, my teachers always described me as “bubbly”, “enthusiastic”, and “chatty.”

Fun fact: I was on the varsity gymnastics in seventh grade

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

Major: Marketing

Favorite Business Course: Social and Online Marketing

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

• President of Tulane Alliance of Black Business Students
• Tulane Fashion Club DEI Chair and Content Creator
• Community Engagement Advocate (center for public service)
• Diversity Fellow (admissions office)
• Social Media Assistant for Tulane Alumni Association
• New York Cares Citizenship interview volunteer sessions
• Biddle family scholarship recipient
• Member of Magnolia Chapter of National Residence Hall Honorary
• Nominee for Center for Public Service Senior Award
• Selected as one of two Tulane students to study at Bocconi University for spring ‘23 semester

Internships:

Ipsos Global

• Social Media and Marketing intern
• New York

Tishman Speyer

• Marketing Intern
• New York

Zero+ Maria Cornejo

• Fashion Production Intern
• New York

 Post-Graduation Plans: I plan to return to New York to pursue a marketing position in the fashion industry.

Favorite business professor:

My favorite business professor was Timothy West in his Managerial Accounting course. As a marketing major, I was extremely nervous to take Professor West’s course, but within the first week, I knew I would be able to excel in his class. Professor West was extremely understanding and patient. He was exceptional at explaining complex concepts in simple ways. He fostered an environment that made students feel comfortable to speak up when they did not understand. I particularly remember how he celebrated when I made a comment in class that connected two central concepts. Having a professor celebrate my understanding and knowledge so openly made me feel extremely supported and proud. This was not a common experience I had in my other business courses, and it made a huge impact on me. He was truly passionate about creating a positive learning experience for his students and this was something I greatly valued. I am extremely grateful to have been taught by Professor West before he retired.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business?

The biggest lesson that I gained from studying business is that critical thinking is rare a trait and can be the difference between a good company and an exceptional company.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? 

Don’t be fearful of the core requirement classes that are directly correlated to your major. I would encourage them to be open minded because many of the things they learn in the undesirable classes might be foundational information that will help you excel in the classes you truly want to take. Also, I would also encourage students to take advantage of every type of resource available within your business program. Finally, I would encourage them to make several friends in their business and non-business classes and use them to grow his, her, or their professional network and find career opportunities.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? 

The thing that surprised me the most about majoring in business is how much each course builds off one another. As a marketing major, I initially had reservations about certain required classes. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how I navigated them, thanks to the foundational knowledge I had acquired from previous business courses. Each class expanded on concepts from prior ones, creating a cohesive learn experience. This was unexpected, as topics like economics or accounting seemed dauting at first. However, as I progressed, I discovered the interconnected nature of these subjects, which ultimately enhanced my ability to solve business problems in a more holistic manner.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why?

Looking back on my experience, one this I would do differently is connect with the black faculty and staff within the business school earlier. As a freshman during the pandemic, I had limited in-person interactions within the business school. If I could revisit that time, I would have actively sought out and engaged with this community virtually from the outset. The support and guidance I received from many of the black faculty were instrumental in my ability to navigate and ultimately thrive within the business school. Their support was crucial to my success both inside and outside of the Freeman classrooms.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of?

I am most proud of two achievements: being selected to study abroad in Milan, Italy and my involvement in transforming Tulane’s Alliance of Black Business Students (ABBS). Both experiences were incredibly challenging and pushed me beyond my limits. Studying abroad in Milan was a transformative experience that significantly impacted my professional and personal growth. Immersing myself in a new culture at Bocconi University reaffirmed my passion for the luxury fashion industry and ultimately led to an internship in the field. My work with ABBS is another source of pride. When I joined, there were no spaces for Black students to feel supported within the business school. Under my leadership, ABBS has tripled its membership, secured an official budget sponsor, and expanded its event offerings. I am proud to have played a role in creating a supportive community for Black business students at Tulane.

Which classmate do you most admire?

A classmate I deeply admired is Grant Roquemore. Grant, a senior finance and legal studies major from Los Angeles, California, has continually impressed me with his dedication and service-oriented approach to life. Not only did Grant serve as my vice president for ABBS, but he is also a Posse School, an executive board member for Diversity Fellows, and an instructor for Tulane Special Olympics. His involvement in these extracurricular activities showcases his commitment to serving our community in meaningful ways. I am particularly proud of Grant for securing an offer with Sculptor Capital Management after graduation. His ability to balance academic excellence with impact community engagement is truly remarkable. Grant’s unwavering grit and determination in everything he does serves as a constant source of inspiration for me, and it is for these reasons that I admire him most.

Who would you most want to thank for your success?

One person I would like to thank for my success is Charlotte Battiest. Without her, I would never have been president of the Alliance of Black Business Students. I am so grateful that she and Douglas Blanchard recommended me to join the ABBS executive board during my sophomore year. After being elected vice president, I felt a huge responsibility to transform the organization. Because the organization was still young and had little reputability, I was able to use my passion for diversity, equity and inclusion, leadership, and business to completely turn the organization around. Charlotte supported me in every capacity from the very beginning and was an amazing academic advisor to the club. Because of her support and trust in me, I was able to make a clear impact of the Black Freeman community and I fell in love with the work I was doing. Being a part of ABBS gave me a strong sense of purpose at Tulane and I would not have been nearly as successful as president or as a student leader without the support of Charlotte Battiest.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? 

• Attend New York, Paris, and Milan Fashion week in a professional capacity
• Work for a top luxury fashion conglomerate such as Kering Group or LVMH.