When Brotherhood Turns Into Breakthrough

“The MKM networking conference was a night focused on growth, connection and opportunity. What stood out most to me was the power of intentional networking. This was not just about meeting people, but about building relationships that can actually lead somewhere. I also learned how much goes into creating an environment where those conversations can happen naturally and effectively.

Experiences like this continue to shape how I think about leadership, professionalism and the kind of impact I want to have moving forward. I am grateful for this experience and excited to keep growing, building and taking on new opportunities ahead.”

“Seeing the event come to life was truly amazing. For me, it was meaningful because it was wonderful to see what can happen when a group comes together with a common goal and the passion to make it happen. Everyone put in so much work, so seeing it all come to life and have such a strong turnout was very rewarding. 

I think the impact on others was just as important. It gave students the chance to make real connections and open the door to new opportunities. It was inspiring to see students networking, building relationships and gaining insights that could help them both personally and professionally. Overall, the event showed how powerful community and collaboration can be when it comes to creating opportunities for growth.” 

“I was co-chair with Pharell Assizo ’27, and despite being abroad in the spring semester he played a vital role, especially in the early stages of the process. 

Getting to see the conference come to life was truly a rewarding experience. When we set out to host the conference, we envisioned creating a space where students didn’t just come to hear speakers, but to make connections that would last way beyond the walls of Natixis. Talking to attendees after the event affirmed that what we had hoped came true: They were able to take away loads of valuable insights and stories from the conference.”

“The goal of the event was to provide a space for men and men of color to learn, gain insight and network with professionals like them. Creating this space is extremely important as any chance to work on your soft skills and professional skills can be impactful. I hope that all the attendees were impacted by the stories of the panelists, are motivated to strive for more, and learned at least one thing to further them in their professional career. 

It was a surreal feeling to see all the hard work that was put into the conference come to fruition — from filling out Excel sheets to managing the budget to finally watching rooms full of people engaging with something we built from scratch.”

“It was amazing to see the networking conference come to life because it was our first time going off campus, and it was extremely rewarding to see our hard work come into fruition. It shows how months of hard work can be worth it in the end. It was great to see all the panelists and students arrive, along with alumni of MKM from previous year.  

Overall, I was so happy to see how everyone enjoyed the event and it really stepped up what MKM is and what it means to me. I’m excited for the growth for years to come.”

“The MKM networking conference turned into something bigger than just a networking event. What stood out most was the energy in the room: conversations that went beyond the surface — building real connections and lots of bigger thinking. MKM continues to elevate each year, bringing in high-level leaders across sectors while building a community centered on growth, ambition and accountability. 

Seeing the event come to life was incredibly rewarding, especially to witness both the evolution and elevation of the conference. It was also meaningful to see familiar faces return as alumni to share their experiences and give back to the community.”

“The Mankind Movement (MKM) networking conference at Bentley University is a powerful reflection of my commitment to leadership, mentorship and creating opportunity for the next generation of Black men. Being part of MKM has allowed me to help build a space centered on growth, accountability and real impact. Even while studying abroad at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, I continue to carry this mission with me connecting with new communities, sharing our vision and expanding MKM’s presence globally.”

Yakob Akiel ’26, events chair; Adam Alexander ’28, events committee; Ariel Arias ’29, freshman liaison; Viet Nguyen ’27, co-vice president; Jadon Osebre ’26, senior adviser; Tre Peart ’28, marketing committee; Tyson Thompson ’26, events committee; and Bisrot Yemane ’26, co-vice president.