Rice Business for Black Lives

We hope you all are doing well and staying safe and healthy. While the JSA has expressed our shared despair and anger as we reflect on the senseless murders and overwhelming stream of aggression towards the Black community, speaking out is not enough. As student leaders, we are urging you to JOIN us in taking action that demonstrates that we as a Rice Business family stand in solidarity and fully commit to enforcing societal change for Black lives in America.

Rice Business is proud to have received the title of the most diverse MBA program in the country and we wish to back up that title with action. It is crucial that we uphold that title by showing overwhelming support to our classmates, alums, and community we call home.

Therefore as the first step in our effort to support meaningful change, we have set up a fundraiser and JSA has pledged to match up to $2,500 to the following four Houston-based organizations. Each of these organizations supports necessary change and justice for the Black community. Through the promoting change in the criminal justice system, fighting racial disparities in the Houston-area, providing African-American students access to better education each organization aims to ensure Houston is a community we can be proud of. If there is a specific organization you'd like to direct your donation to please add that as a comment on your donation.

Being part of the "Rice Business" family has always meant more than just getting an MBA. Our diversity and inclusive culture make us who we are but we know there is work to do. Please join us in this first step to building a stronger and more equitable Houston and country for the Black community.

Organization Descriptions:

Black Lives Matter Houston : Black Lives Matter Houston is an organization that addresses the issues that affects Black folks and collaborates with partners to build a healthy, educated and financially stable Black community. Our ultimate goal is to pave a path for Black power and liberation where it is understood that ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER. Our Mission is to build a movement that transforms Houston into a city that allows Black Houston to grow and thrive.

NAACP Houston Branch : The Houston Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is a not-for-profit association of Civil Rights Advocacy units across the City of Houston. Its mission is to foster excellence and equity in legislation through advocacy leadership. We achieve that mission by representing our perspective before city and state government agencies and partnering with other organizations that believe in education, health care, economics, and labor; and by providing vital information and services to individual units throughout the region. 

Pure Justice : The mission of Pure Justice is to empower our members and supporters to advocate for the changes they want to see in our criminal justice system and for the economic opportunities they need. Through community organizing and civic engagement, we aim to transform institutions, create equity, and improve the lives of low to moderate income families in Harris County.

HAABSE : An affiliate of both the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) and the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), was organized in May of 1986. HAABSE’s primary goal is to enhance the education of all students. HAABSE is particularly sensitive to the needs and interests of the Black community.  Using the HAABSE network, members can share and provide many valuable professional services and intervention strategies focused on improving the educational environment of Black youth and educators in our community.

Black Trans Advocacy Coalition :  Established in 2011, The Black Trans Advocacy Coalition (BTAC) is the only national organization led by black trans people to collectively address the inequities faced in the black transgender human experience. BTAC, through our national advocacy center and affiliate state chapters work daily to end discrimination and inequities faced in health, employment, housing and education to improve the lived experience of transgender people. BTAC’s work is based in peace building, community education, public policy initiatives, empowerment programs and direct services.