A history of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
The Michael G. Foster School of Business, founded 1917, shares with the University of Washington its roots grounded in land of the Coast Salish peoples, residing along the shared waters of the tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot nations.
This timeline is a series of snapshots in our history, marking milestones and achievements — many long due — in our work toward fostering an inclusive and diverse community of students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
“Marjorie Edwina Pitter King joined her sisters at the UW to study for an accounting degree in the College of Economics and Business. She worked for a sociology professor who counseled students in and outside of his discipline, including Pitter (later King). According to her, he always seemed to have a receptive ear for her concerns and tried to advise her as best he could, knowing little about her major. Commercial Law, Anthropology and Statistics were her three most enjoyable courses, because of the creative manner in which they were taught—interactive, with a team approach.
However, Marjorie Pitter King experienced difficult, hurtful moments as well. Frequently she was on academic probation because of low grades. Since few women of any race studied accounting during the Great Depression, her experiences may have been related to sexism, too. She was called unkind names and often ignored by her professors during her stay there. In 1942, she transferred in her senior year to Howard University in Washington, D.C. to complete her graduation requirements.
Later she returned to Seattle and established a successful tax business called M and M Tax and Consultant Services. Extremely active in politics, she was appointed to the State Legislature in 1965, becoming the first African American in that body. King served until 1966. She served as Chair of the 37th District Democratic Party, Vice President of the King County Democratic Party and Treasurer of the Washington State Federation of Democratic Women, Inc. She provided leadership in drafting the National Democratic Party Platform, while attending the 1972 Democratic National Convention.” Read more at blackpast.org.
John Gayton was the first African-American to graduate from the Foster School. In 1958, he received his Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington — the only Black student in that class. In 1972 he went back to receive a Masters in Business Administration.
Andrew Branch graduated with his MBA in 1968 and in 1969, he was the first African-American to pass the CPA exam in Washington State. After graduation he accepted a position with PriceWaterhouse (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers).
In 1972, Branch declined an offer to become the first African-American partner at this firm when he opened his first company Branch, Richards, and Co. He founded and ran two other companies and continues to this day to run Branch, Richards, and Co.
In addition to the existing BEOP partnership, UDS will create a wide-range of programs designed to address the disparity of minority students enrolled in the UW Business School, and to create a supportive network of peers and professionals of color. Featured here are the current UDS Staff – Andy Marzano (Associate Director), Zach McKinlay (UDS Program Manager) & Damariz Ibáñez (YEOC Program Manager)
Young Executives of Color (YEOC) Program is established. This nine-month college pipeline program, supported by E&Y, engages and assists local minority high school students in college readiness, professional development and leadership activities, as well as introducing the business disciplines. Since its inception, 99% of the 1,108 YEOC graduates have enrolled in college. Featured here are Young Executives & Mentor Zoraida Valdovinos from the 2018-2019 program.
Foster Seniors Feben Gebremichael & Rahel Solomon collaborated with Foster Undergraduate Diversity Services to create Building Networks (BN). BN is a holistic, cohort-based program intended to empower prospective business students of color in their first year at the UW, or attending local community colleges. Featured here is the 2020 Building Networks cohort and UW student Mentors.
The Bradford-Osborne Research Award is the first national award recognizing research published in peer-reviewed journals that contributes to advancing the growth of businesses owned by people of color. In addition to recognizing groundbreaking research, the award seeks to stimulate additional research, provide public and corporate policy makers with insights to guide decision-making, and equip business support organizations to deliver impactful programming.
The Foster School announces partnership with Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) — a national organization that for two decades has been dedicated to increasing the influence of the LGBT+ community in business through educating, inspiring, and connecting MBA students and alumni.
The Dean’s Impact Scholar Position is established to invite leaders from our diverse business community with demonstrated expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion to mentor and teach students and help lead Foster’s inclusion and diversity efforts. Stacia Jones joins the Foster faculty in Spring 2021 as the inaugural Dean’s Impact Scholar.