On Thursday, February 22, 2018, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania partnered with the UPS Chesapeake District African-American Business Resource Group (BRG) to host the 2018 African-American Business Leadership Forum: Building Bridges for Future Leaders.

A bright mix of emerging student leaders from Cheyney, and Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, filled the auditorium of the Marian Anderson Music Center to gather expert insights from UPS executives and fellow professionals, on leadership, personal branding, networking, professional development, and more.

Guest speakers and panelists included; host, Helen Darling-Tot (former WNBA player and current Children’s Literacy advocate), Art Lee and Valencia Pamphile (entrepreneurs and personal branding experts), Trayce Parker (President, UPS Chesapeake District), Charlene Thomas (President, UPS Mid-South District), Freddie Andre Mack (Deputy Director for the Office of External Affairs – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development and Lieutenant Colonel – Retired), Laura James (Community Relations Managers, UPS East Region) and Bill Washington (Vice President, UPS Business Development).

The event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., also gave students the opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships with peers and management through networking exercises and voice their opinions on topics such as using social media for personal branding and interviewing techniques. The group was also provided with information on how to obtain a spot in UPS’ competitive internship program, and introduced to the full-time corporate opportunities offered by the company.

Top photo: Helen Darling-Tot [standing], [seated – l to r]:  Art Lee, Valencia Pamphile, Freddie Andre Mack, Charlene Thomas, Bill Washington .