Creating Community Leaders

Kevin Brown and Marlon Ramirez, students in Hood College’s MBA program, have completed The Frederick County Future Minority Business Leaders Program. An initiative of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, the program is designed to help cultivate and grow future minority business leaders and business owners within Frederick County. Although full time students and not business owners, Marlon and Kevin applied and were accepted due to the fact that they plan on owning a business in the future and reflect strong leadership qualities. Participants spend two hours one Friday per month at the Office of Economic Development.

The program’s career and business lessons are taught by local minority leaders and business professionals and are specifically geared towards business owners or those who have aspirations to become one. Among the key messages is the importance of “networking.” “The program exposes you to very successful and important individuals.  In addition, the background of my classmates is outstanding, which also allows each student to learn from one another,” said Marlon. Some of the other valuable lessons focus on how to market yourself, and perfect time management.

Kevin emphasized that his Hood experience had a significant impact as it has prepared him for all the marketing and management topics of the program. Marlon added: “Without a doubt, the courses I have taken in my MBA studies have assisted me in understanding this program better.  There have been many topics discussed in class that have been brought up during this program.”

Both students strongly encourage members of the minority community at Hood to apply for this program if they are interested in learning more about starting and developing a business or working with like-minded business professionals.