My favourite extracurricular at TMU: Student leadership at the Black Business Student Association

If you’ve read my last blog, you already know my schedule is slightly chaotic. Between 5:30 a.m. gym classes and 8 a.m. lectures, my days are packed. But if there’s one thing that has truly defined my TMU experience outside the classroom, it’s student leadership within the Black Business Student Association (BBSA) (external link) .

TMU is very focused on community building. You feel it during orientation, in your classes, in the Student Learning Centre (SLC), everywhere. As an international student, I really wanted to find my community. University is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at first. I knew I didn’t just want to attend classes and go home. I wanted to belong somewhere.

That’s where the BBSA came in.

Finding my community through the BBSA

I went to my first BBSA event within my first few weeks at TMU, and I remember thinking that the energy in the room was different. Everyone was focused and ambitious but instead of feeling intimidated, I felt comfortable. It wasn’t just about talking about business or careers. I felt comfortable in a room surrounded by other Black students who understood what it’s like to navigate school and professional spaces at the same time. As an international student, that sense of familiarity and understanding meant a lot to me.

What started as simply attending turned into volunteering at events, helping behind the scenes, and getting to know the executive team more closely. Over time, I realized I did not just want to benefit from the community. I wanted to help build it.

In my earlier years, I joined the BBSA executive team as an Event Associate, which gave me my first real look at what it takes to run a student organization at this scale. I was helping with logistics, supporting event execution, and learning very quickly that successful events do not just happen. There is a lot of planning behind the scenes.

From there, my involvement continued to grow. I took on more responsibility, became more involved in strategy and programming, and eventually stepped into the role of President. Looking back, the transition feels very full circle. I went from being the student nervously walking into my first BBSA event to the person helping shape what those rooms feel like for others.

When people hear “President,” they think of the fancy title.

I think meetings. And more meetings. And in case I forgot to mention… meetings. It takes a lot to run a student group. There are constant check-ins with my executive team, budgeting conversations, event logistics, sponsor outreach, run sheets, and the behind-the-scenes problem solving that no one really sees. My notes app is full, my calendar is colour-coded, and there’s always a Google Doc open somewhere.

Being President of BBSA means leading a team of 40+ individuals, organizing large-scale networking events, working with corporate partners, and constantly thinking about how we can create better opportunities for our members. Most of this happens right inside the Ted Rogers School of Management, which makes it even more meaningful. We’re hosting conferences, mentorship programs, and networking panels in the same building where we sit for lectures. We’re not just attending school here; we’re building space.

And honestly, it’s a lot of work. But it’s also extremely rewarding. Seeing students show up to BBSA events, introduce themselves to new people, exchange LinkedIn profiles, ask thoughtful questions, and walk away with internship leads or job opportunities makes everything worth it. Watching someone network with a professional for the first time and gain confidence right in front of you is special.

If I’m being vulnerable, this role really fills my cup. Knowing that something we planned created a real opportunity or connection for someone else reminds me why I started in the first place.

If you’re considering TMU, or you’re already a student, my biggest piece of advice is simple: get involved and do it early. Go to orientation events. Show up to student group events even if you don’t know anyone yet. Spend time in the SLC. Make yourself a little uncomfortable. Tuition is an investment, so you owe it to yourself to make the most of your time here. Community doesn’t just fall into your lap. You have to be intentional about building it.

Getting involved completely changed my university experience. It introduced me to people who are ambitious, community-driven and aligned with the kind of future I see for myself. When you’re part of something, you start recognizing familiar faces in the hallways which lead to people waving and eventually those waves lead to conversations. It helps you feel more grounded and connected to your community.

For me, BBSA transformed TMU from just a university I attend into a place where I genuinely belong

Until next time,
Nimi 💙