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Why was BlackGen Capital founded?
BlackGen Capital was founded in November, 2019 at Cornell University. Like many other universities, Cornell had a prominent diversity issue, especially within its finance community. Black, Hispanic, and Native American students in the school’s finance organizations consisted of less than 5% of total membership. The founders realized that underrepresented minorities had disproportionately less access to financial training and lacked the resources needed to navigate their career paths. With the help of an executive team of other Cornell students, they founded BlackGen Capital to develop the next generation of industry professionals and become the first of its kind to provide active money management opportunities and close the access gap. Meet our Founders and two of the pivotal members of the first National Board below.
Ermias Tadesse, Co-Founder and Past CEO
Ermias Tadesse is from Alexandria, VA. He is a Cornell University graduate who studied Policy Analysis & Management with a concentration in Economics and minors in Applied Economics & Business. During his time in college, he interned at JP Morgan Chase & Co, at Bank of America in Investment Banking and finally at Goldman Sachs as an Investment Banking summer analyst before returning full time.
In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and designing graphics.
Email: edt44@cornell.edu
Cheick Camara, Co-Founder and Past CEO
Cheick Camara is from Harlem, NY. He is a Cornell University graduate who studied Applied Economics and Computer Science. During his time in college, he interned at Brightwood Capital Advisors, a private equity firm in Manhattan, NY. Additionally, he interned at Morgan Stanley in Leveraged & Acquisition Finance and the D.E. Shaw as a Fundamental Equities summer analyst before joining Evercore as a full time analyst.
Outside of finance, he enjoys playing basketball and exploring photography.
Email: cc2344@cornell.edu
Yasmin Watt, Past COO
Yasmin Watt is from Teaneck, NJ. She is a Cornell University graduate who studied Applied Economics and Management with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Health Policy. During her freshman summer she interned at Axio Financial, a firm that wholesales and distributes structured products. During her sophomore summer, she worked at Citigroup as a summer Analyst in the rotational Sophomore Leadership Program. During her junior summer, Yasmin interned at BlackRock as an ETF & Index Investments summer analyst, where she has now returned full time.
Outside of academics, Yasmin enjoys going on runs, spending time with friends, and cooking new foods. Yasmin is passionate about using her platform to create a positive impact within her communities.
Email: yew4@cornell.edu
Savannah Holsey, Past CPO
Savannah Holsey is from Queens, NY. She is Cornell University graduate who majored in Applied Economics and Management with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Communication. During her time in college, Savannah interned at Barclays Investment Bank as a Sales and Trading Summer Analyst as well as Deloitte Consulting as a Strategy Analyst, where she has now returned full time.
Outside of academics, Savannah enjoys exploring New York City and cooking new foods.
Email: ssh92@cornell.edu