A Detroit Dreamer to Wharton: Support a First-Gen MBA Dream
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From Detroit to the Wharton School: Help Preserve an Extraordinary Opportunity
TL;DR
I'm Jamayl (Mel) Martin, a Black man from Detroit's east side and a first-generation college graduate who overcame housing instability and violence to earn acceptance into Wharton's MBA program. I need to raise $70,000 by November to keep my spot and avoid $36,000 in debt. This opportunity represents a chance to bring diverse perspectives to the highest levels of business leadership.
How you can help:
- Donate: Help me reach my goal of $70,000 by November 15th. Every contribution helps us build momentum!
- Major Gifts: Please contact me directly if you are considering a major gift ($2,500 or more) and would prefer to do so offline. Alternatively, contributing here helps grow the page!
- Co-sign: Consider supporting by co-signing on a loan to help me reach my goal
- Connect: Help find company sponsorships or loan co-signers
- Share: If you are unable or prefer not to give directly, please help me spread my story with your network
Thank you for considering supporting my journey.
From Detroit to the Wharton School: Help Preserve an Extraordinary Opportunity
Growing up on Detroit's east side, I faced challenges that make the dream of attending a top-tier business school seem impossible. Housing instability, gun violence, police violence, and family instability were my reality. Yet, amidst these struggles, my mother was an unwavering source of strength. Her resilience and belief in my potential laid the foundation for my journey.
Against overwhelming odds, I've achieved something extraordinary: acceptance to the Wharton School of Business. As a Black man who has overcome significant adversity and become the first in my family to graduate from college, my presence at Wharton represents a rare opportunity.
The probability of someone with my background reaching this point is vanishingly small:
- Black students make up only about 5% of the student body at top MBA programs.
- Students from low-income backgrounds are severely underrepresented in elite business schools.
- First-generation college graduates face unique challenges in pursuing advanced degrees.
- The compounded challenges I've faced make my journey to Wharton exceptionally uncommon.
Now, this hard-won opportunity is at risk. I have until November to secure $70,000 for tuition.
The Stakes Are Immense
- Failure to secure $70,000 by November means incurring over $36,000 in debt for this semester alone.
- My student loan application was rejected due to previous debt from a mental health struggle.
- Wharton has offered to cover living expenses, but only if I can secure tuition.
This campaign is about more than personal ambition. It's about preserving a rare chance to change the face of business leadership and ensuring that perspectives shaped by real-world challenges have a place at the highest levels of decision-making.
My Journey and Vision
Despite the odds, I became the first in my family to earn a 4-year degree. My path has been defined by professional achievements, community service, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion:
- Led field operations for statewide political organizations, amplifying underrepresented voices
- Rebuilt data infrastructure for SEIU Healthcare Michigan, turning data into tools for change
- Worked as a Case Researcher at Harvard Business School, exploring business challenges and solutions
- Co-founded and co-chaired the Black Staff Affinity Group at Harvard Business School, creating a supportive community and advocating for increased diversity and inclusion
- Received the Spirit of Detroit Award for improving the quality of life for Detroit citizens
- Served on the Boston board of buildOn, a global nonprofit focused on breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy through education and service
- Traveled to Senegal with buildOn to help construct a school, directly contributing to global education equity
Most recently, I've taken a significant step in my commitment to global impact by launching the New Spirit Collective (NSC). This initiative represents my vision for igniting a spirit of collaboration in our divided times:
- NSC is a platform that promotes collaborations between the public, private, and social sectors
- Our focus is on leveraging science and technology for the good of humanity, with a primary emphasis on inspiring and facilitating value creation for the world's underserved populations
- We aim to strengthen ties and promote unity between and within communities
- Our goal is to foster innovation and collaboration, inspiring the creation of lasting solutions for communities worldwide
- We're building a talented network of multi-sector change agents who are unafraid to get their hands dirty when building sustainable community solutions
These experiences, from grassroots community work to launching global initiatives, have reinforced my belief in the power of education, community engagement, and diverse representation to drive meaningful change. They've shown me firsthand how business skills and leadership can be applied to solve critical social issues and create more inclusive environments.
With a Wharton MBA, I aim to
- Build technologies and business models that bridge public, private, and social sectors
- Develop innovative solutions that foster collaboration between sectors
- Mentor future leaders in social impact and business, with a focus on supporting underrepresented groups
- Expand initiatives like the New Spirit Collective, leveraging business expertise to enhance global impact
- Continue advocating for diversity and inclusion in business, building on my experience with the Black Staff Affinity Group
- Give back to my community in Detroit and beyond, creating pathways for others to overcome similar challenges
How You Can Help
Your support in any of these areas would be invaluable:
- Donate: Every contribution brings me closer to my $70,000 goal. No amount is too small, and your generosity could inspire others to give.
- Share: Even if you can't donate, sharing my story with your network would mean the world to me. When you share, please include a personal message about why you've decided to support me. Your words and values will resonate more with your network than mine alone.
- Co-Op/Company Sponsorship: If you know of any companies willing to fund an MBA in exchange for a work commitment, please connect me. This could be a win-win solution.
- Co-signer: I'm seeking someone who might be in a position to co-sign a loan.
- Major Gifts: If you or someone in your network might be moved to make a substantial contribution, and would prefer to discuss the details offline, please contact me directly.
- Emotional Support: This journey is challenging, and your words of encouragement mean more than you know. A kind message or a quick check-in can make a world of difference.
Remember, your support isn't just helping me—it's investing in a future where business can be a force for positive social change.
My Promise to You
Your support invests in a future where business drives positive social change and embraces diversity. I promise to:
- Maximize my Wharton education to create meaningful impact
- Inspire others from similar backgrounds to pursue their dreams
- Pay it forward by mentoring future change-makers, especially those from underrepresented groups
- Continue my commitment to community service and global initiatives, applying my new skills to expand efforts like the New Spirit Collective and buildOn
- Use my experiences and skills to bridge divides, foster understanding, and promote inclusion in the business world
There's a quote by C.S. Lewis that resonates deeply with me: "You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."
With your help, we can write a new ending—not just for my story, but for the communities I aim to serve. Every donation brings us closer to creating lasting, positive change.
With gratitude,
Jamayl (Mel) Martin
Organizer
Jamayl Martin
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA