LEADERS SUMMIT
In June we held the 10th Annual Ron Brown Leaders Summit, a dynamic event that connects emerging young leaders with inspiring career opportunities and invaluable professional guidance. This summit is a unique platform where talent meets opportunity, and we are excited to share the highlights and upcoming events with you.
The Annual Ron Brown Leaders Summit is a powerful gathering that bridges the gap between ambitious students and our esteemed corporate partners. This two-week event was packed with insightful sessions and meaningful connections:
Monday, June 16 The summit kicked off with an inspiring keynote from Vice President Vanessa Evans-Grevious. She reflected on the Ron Brown Family’s mission, values, and the strong community spirit that drives the program forward. Attendees also learned about recent achievements and future initiatives that will shape the Ron Brown community.
Tuesday, June 17 The day featured the Ron Brown Summit & Reception at the SUNY Global Center in New York City. Undergraduates engaged in Round Robin Conversations with recruiters from our corporate partners, gaining firsthand career insights. A special session on “Black Innovators and the Future of AI” was led by alumni and AI product managers Njeri Grevious and Jonte Craighead. The day concluded with a vibrant rooftop reception, bringing together students, partners, and staff for networking and celebration.
Later that day, students received invaluable entertainment industry advice from NAACP Image Award-winning producer Aaliyah Williams and award-winning writer-director Julina Breece during a virtual event aimed at students aspiring for a career in film and entertainment. Their stories and expertise offered a rare glimpse into the world of film and television production, inspiring our future creatives.
Thursday, June 19 The summit explored “Pathways to Executive Leadership in Healthcare” with Elwood “Bernie” Boone, President of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, and Pamela Sutton-Wallace, MPH, President of Yale New Haven Health. This session highlighted diverse career paths and essential leadership skills for success in healthcare executive roles.
Other enriching sessions included strategies for winning competitive fellowships, resilience tips for pre-med students, mental health awareness, networking with Ron Brown alumni, and insights into venture capital careers.
As the summit concludes, we encourage everyone to enjoy a restful summer. Keep an eye on your emails for exciting new events planned to welcome you back for the school year this August!
LEGAL LAUNCH
The 2025 Ron Brown Legal Launch brought together Ron Brown Captains, Scholars, and Jack Kent Cooke Scholars for an immersive two-day experience in New York City, designed to support and inspire the next generation of legal professionals. Held in Midtown Manhattan, the program offered participants a unique opportunity to tour top law firms, engage with accomplished attorneys, and build connections within a supportive network just as they prepare to begin law school.
The event kicked off at Wilson Sonsini, where attendees enjoyed a welcome lunch and participated in a panel discussion featuring firm associates and partners, including Khalil Nobles and Taylor Owings. The panelists shared insights on their legal careers and answered questions from scholars, followed by a guided tour of the firm led by Derrick Rowe and Gabriele Forbes-Bennett.
That evening, students gathered for an informal dinner with alumni and board members who are practicing attorneys from diverse backgrounds. Notable guests included Michelle Ifill, former General Counsel of Verizon; William Stone, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; and Elijah Turner, Judicial Law Clerk for the Federal District Court. The relaxed setting fostered meaningful conversations about career paths, challenges in the legal profession, and the importance of mentorship.
On the second day, scholars visited Paul Hastings, where a group of distinguished partners—including Jonice Gray, Ashley Mays-Williams, Chad Peterman, Gerd Alexander, and Sara Tomezsko—shared their personal journeys to law, discussed overcoming challenges, and emphasized the importance of staying true to one’s values. The session fostered candid conversations and offered practical advice for those about to embark on their 1L year or already navigating the legal field.
Participants left the Legal Launch with new perspectives, valuable connections, and a strengthened sense of community as they take their next steps toward a legal career.
