AfroBITS empowering Black students in business, technology and STEM at UNC Charlotte | News

AfroBITS is paving the way for Black students in business, innovation, technology and science at UNC Charlotte by offering a space to collaborate and grow professionally in these industries.

Founded to address the underrepresentation of Black students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and business fields, AfroBITS provides members with networking opportunities, mentorship and hands-on experience.

The organization hopes to foster a community where students can explore their interests while preparing for future careers in technology and business.

Co-founder and President David Madugu shared that the idea for AfroBITS emerged from a conversation with peers about the lack of spaces tailored for Black students pursuing careers in technology and business.

“We saw that there wasn’t really a club that was focused around students in technical business fields,” said Madugu. “There’s Management Information Systems, business analytics and even computer and data science. Those fields are pretty close and similar, and I noticed that there aren’t many clubs that focus on technical business-type majors, so we wanted to start that.”

Since its founding in 2024, AfroBITS has hosted various events, including career panels with industry professionals, technical workshops and networking opportunities.

These events aim to bridge the gap between Black students and companies seeking diverse talent while letting Black students know they are worthy and intelligent enough to achieve their goals.

“A lot of times, we as Black students don’t feel worthy enough to be in these [professional] spaces,” said Vice President and Co-founder Gabriella Crentsil. “I’ve been to a couple of summits and conferences that are related to the business [and] technology field, and being in that space [a very white-dominated field], I didn’t feel like I belonged, like I wasn’t smart enough.”

AfroBITS focuses on practical skills like resume building, LinkedIn branding and networking. These workshops are designed to help students present themselves confidently and effectively in professional settings. 

“It’s not just about what you know; it’s about who you know and how you present yourself,” said Crentsil. “Being in a space where you’re the minority can make you feel like you don’t belong or aren’t smart enough. We bring in professionals who look like us—Black men and women—to share their coming-up stories and show us how they transitioned from college to their current positions.”

The organization hosts various events throughout the semester, each tailored to address the specific needs of Black students entering finance and technology. The upcoming event features speakers and mixers, which will help Black students navigate the corporate world and help level the playing field as Black students. 

Upcoming events will include a Wells Fargo speaker on how to go from a campus setting to a corporate setting. They also plan on having a middle-ground mixer, where the organization plans to collaborate with other organizations to discuss different barriers in technology and business industries, especially as Black professionals. 

While networking is a significant part of the organization’s activities, it is not the only focus. The group also hosts workshops, informational sessions and collaborative events to address various aspects of professional development. By partnering with other organizations and bringing in diverse perspectives, the group aims to create a well-rounded experience for its members.

“We role-play recruiters and interviewees to model how to brand yourself, put yourself out there, and market yourself to these companies,” said Madugu. “We want to cover all the branches of professionalism, from networking to skill-building.”

Madugu and Crentsil find the most rewarding aspect of their work to be seeing their impact on their members. 

“When an event ends, and I see members engaging with the professionals, making connections and building relationships, I find it very encouraging,” said Madugu. “One way we try to motivate students is by reminding them that even though they are minorities and Black, they can still enter these spaces. When we invite professionals, we often seek those who look like us– Black like us– so they can share their experiences of transitioning from college to climbing the ranks in their careers.”

AfroBITS is open to all students, regardless of major or background and encourages anyone interested in joining to attend their upcoming meetings and networking events. The club helps students express their opinions and be bold, forcing them out of their shells. 

“Our name is AfroBITS, and BITS stands for Business and Information Technology students. A lot of people will take the ‘Afro’ and think it’s catered to students who are only African,” said Crentsil. “We’re here for the entire diaspora— African American, Caribbean, Afro Latina– everyone who identifies as Black. While our name may be misleading to some, we want to make it clear that our organization is inclusive and welcomes all.”

Madugu and Crentsil say that one piece of advice they give is never to undermine networking and knowing people and to encourage students to take steps, even if they are scared of doing so. 

“Know your why; a lot of companies want to know what you do outside of school; they wanna know what you do and why you do it so that they can see how you can translate it to your specified career,” said Crentsil. “We absolutely need to see people that look like us in these fields so that we are also comfortable following those steps.”