Gilman Black Alumni Leadership Institute

What does it look like to build a bridge to the future? 🌉

For our 16th and final session of Year #21, our GBALI cohort tackled a blind teamwork challenge. Split into separate rooms, teams had to build two halves of a bridge to meet perfectly in the middle… without seeing the other side.

Using paper, straws, and tape, students managed unexpected swaps and high-pressure huddles. This real-world test put the leadership and flexibility they've honed since October to the test.

To our supporters: these students proved they are ready for any challenge. They are now the architects of their own success. 🚀

"Thank you" to the 2025–2026 cohort for an incredible year!

You and four or five other people are trying to finish two 100-piece jigsaw puzzles. How fast could you do it?

Now, what if you didn't have the final image (“the big picture”) to guide you?

Spoiler: The groups that got to “see the Big Picture” are undefeated all-time in our classic competition!

For Session #15 of Year #21 we took time to look at the "Big Picture"! Our GBALI students participated in a recap of everything they’ve accomplished and experienced since October… and WHY. They took a step back to connect the pieces of a puzzle 🧩 from all of our previous sessions.

They reviewed how building human capital during our pitch tournaments and college tours (Drexel University and the University of Delaware) directly ties into the financial literacy skills they gained during our budgeting simulations. By revisiting their experiences with emotional intelligence, time management, and our corporate site visit to T. Rowe Price, students recognized that each Saturday is a compounding deposit into their future. This holistic review ensures our students understand how these individual life skills work together to form a solid blueprint for long-term career, educational success and fulfilling life.

We are incredibly proud of the dedication this cohort has shown. Every Saturday morning they choose to show up is an intentional deposit into their own future.

We might be winding down for 2025-2026 but we're still taking it up...

Session #14 of Year #21 was on Values, Personal Brand & Owning Your Narrative! Our GBALI students gained invaluable self-awareness that extends far beyond high school.

We focused on the real-world value of a personal brand, which is essentially your reputation built through your everyday actions and consistency. This is critical because first impressions are often made in minutes by hiring managers, and opportunities tend to flow toward people who are clear about who they are.

In a practical exercise, students identified their top three core values (the guiding principles they protect and refuse to compromise on).... ensuring they can clearly and confidently present themselves in interviews, college applications, and any professional setting. We are proud to see them building this foundation for lifelong success.

Session #13 Our students had the incredible opportunity to visit one of the world’s leading asset management firms, T. Rowe Price. Watching our students step into the new global headquarters of a firm managing more than $1.8T in assets was powerful.

Throughout the day, students gained firsthand exposure to the asset management industry: participating in an interactive investment game, learning the fundamentals of asset allocation and diversification, and exploring how thoughtful strategy drives long-term financial outcomes.

They toured the firm’s new global headquarters at Harbor Point, engaged in networking conversations with professionals across teams, and discovered the wide range of career pathways available within an asset management organization: from corporate strategy, technology, marketing, to early talent development and beyond.

A highlight of the visit was a dynamic “College to Corporate” panel discussion, where professionals shared their career journeys and reinforced an important message: there is no single path to success. Students were encouraged to own their narrative, stay curious, and remain open to evolving opportunities.

The energy continued with a fun (and competitive!) round of Jeopardy, reinforcing key investment concepts while keeping engagement high. We didn’t have “That’s My Jam” this week, so the students needed to get their bragging rights however they could! The winners walked away with some very, very nice swag.

Experiences like this matter. When students can step inside leading institutions, ask questions, and see themselves reflected in leadership spaces, it expands what feels possible.

We’re deeply grateful to our partners at T. Rowe Price for hosting and investing in our students. 🙌🏾💙 We look forward to continued collaboration and many more impactful experiences ahead.

Success is a balanced “vacation” ledger.

Session #10 of Year #21 of GBALI was a simulation on Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Boundaries, and Priorities. They made trade-offs: Spend cash to save peace. Or sacrifice comfort to save dollars:

1) Wealth vs. Wellness: Navigated a 5-day international trip using a $2,500 budget (Wealth) and a limited "Emotional Bank Account" of 100 Wellness Points.

2) Financial choices vs. Mental Energy: Faced curveballs like passport expiration, 12-hour airport layovers, and cultural conflicts, proving that

3) The Big Takeaway: Leadership isn't just about managing money. It’s about managing your mental and emotional energy.

The lesson: It’s about coming home with your bank account and your sanity intact.

💪

Session #9 of Year #22 was Secure the Bag, Part 2: It’s Your Money! 🔑💸 Our GBALI students went into the mechanics of building wealth and making their money work for them.

They unlocked three keys:

1) Starting Early is the Cheat Code: Small, consistent investments grow into massive wealth through compound interest.

2) Defense Against Fees: Researched banks, credit unions, and online accounts to learn about maintenance and overdraft fees.

3) Strategic Money Buckets: Practiced allocating funds into an Emergency Fund, Clean Slate Fund (debt), and Wealth Fund (investing)

Financial freedom is a discipline, and our students are ready to lead the charge. Keep supporting our next generation of financially savvy leaders! 💪🏾

Your future isn't built by accident but you can buy it, right? For Session #8 of year #21, the GBALI crew took on the challenge of "Building and Showcasing Your Value."

Our young leaders participated in two activities:

1) The High-Value Skills Challenge: Used a virtual budget to 'buy' essential hard and soft skills for a professional persona.

2) Job Qualification Test: Used their purchased skillsets to identify real-world jobs, emphasizing the importance of developing transferable skills applicable across industries.

The biggest takeaway? You have the power to create your own blueprint for success. Start building today! 💪

After 20+ years, we can let your vast group of alums do the talking for us. Session #7 of Year #21 was our annual Alumni Day! 🗣️

The younger cousins and alums-in-training got to connect with their big cousins for a session focused on their future. The highlight was the Speed Connections activity, where alums dropped some valuable morsels. Students engaged in conversations around:

-> Life Transitions: Thriving in college and navigating the real world.
-> Financial Literacy: The blueprint to building wealth and professional self-sufficiency.
-> Career Pathways: Exploring medical, non-traditional, and entrepreneurial routes.

And "That's My Jam?" Totally fire as usual!

This session reinforced the power of the GBALI network and the commitment to preparing our students for every stage of life. We are so proud to see them building their blueprints! ✊🏾

What an absolutely essential and empowering day at Session #6 of Year #21, "Secure the Bag: The Blueprint to Financial Freedom." Our GBALI students proved they are ready to become the next generation of financially savvy leaders.

-Mindset Mastery: We distinguished between the temporary status of being "rich" (flashy income) and the sustained power of building "wealth" (long-term freedom).

-Budgeting Bootcamp: Students ran through the 50/30/20 rule simulation, learning to strategically split their paychecks between Needs, Wants, and Savings.

-Demystifying the Details: We tackled the "adult" stuff, providing a clear breakdown of credit scores as a "financial reputation," and discussing the economics of rent vs. buying a home.

It was truly inspiring to see our students engaging in critical thinking about their financial futures. This session reinforced our commitment to ensuring they leave GBALI prepared for every aspect of success.

No selection committee 🏈. We inviting all GBALI Alumni: Come home for Annual Alumni Day! 🗣️ Let's celebrate our 20+ year legacy and invest in the future leaders!

This Saturday; It’s that time of the year when the GBALI family reunites, and we need all of our OGs (“Old-head GBALI”) in the building! This annual Alumni Day is your opportunity to connect with old friends, expand your network, and most importantly, show the current cohort how we move.

We want our high school students to see your journey - the glow up, the lessons, and the power of the GBALI network. Come share your story and reinforce what "For The Good" truly stands for in life after graduation. Your voice and experience are a major key to their success.

Date: This Saturday, December 13, 2025.
Don't miss out! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/Rd2USfXXgb9ADssF8 ✨
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Calling all GBALI Alumni: Come home for Annual Alumni Day! 🗣️ Let's celebrate our 20+ year legacy and invest in the future leaders!

It’s that time of the year when the GBALI family reunites, and we need all of our OGs (“Old-head GBALI”) in the building! This annual Alumni Day is your opportunity to connect with old friends, expand your network, and most importantly, show the current cohort how we move.

We want our high school students to see your journey - the glow up, the lessons, and the power of the GBALI network. Come share your story and reinforce what "For The Good" truly stands for in life after graduation. Your voice and experience are a major key to their success.

Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Don't miss out! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/Rd2USfXXgb9ADssF8 ✨

✊🏾