Investor John Rogers to Speak at UMD about Diversifying Corporate Boards

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Sept. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- John W. Rogers, Jr., once described by Black Enterprise as "one of the most powerful" African Americans on Wall Street, is the featured guest for a Diversity Fireside Chat hosted by the University of Maryland's Office of Community Engagement and Robert H. Smith School of Business. The event is from 12:30-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 in Van Munching Hall's Tyser Auditorium.

Rogers, CEO and chief investment officer for Ariel Investments, will join Smith School Diversity Officer Hank Boyd in a one-on-one interview.  "The discussion will address the moral responsibility of persons of color serving in leadership roles throughout the private sector," Boyd Says. "In particular, Rogers will tackle the notion of 'Acting on the Board: The New Voices of Corporate America.'"  

Boyd recently discussed Rogers' forthcoming UMD appearance in a Maryland Public Television interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7CK36e8ZYM. 

Smith School Dean Alex Triantis and Senior Associate Dean of Learning Joyce Russell will introduce the participants in the event that is further designed to look at ways for the Fortune 500 to achieve racial diversity in terms of corporate board makeup. "The discussion will also explore steps minority candidates can take to position themselves for such coveted spots," says Boyd, also a marketing professor. "Rogers will share his personal story on his trajectory from a Chicago kid to an investment titan. His firm actively manages over $17 billion in mutual fund assets."

"We, the Smith community, are eager to host John Rogers because he exemplifies the character and gravitas of a respected business leader," Boyd says.  "Having the sheer courage and conviction to pursue his own shop, Rogers embodies the true spirit of the entrepreneur – unsatisfied with the status quo and willing to change the world."

According to his official bio, Rogers' passion for investing began at age 12, when his father began buying him stocks as Christmas and birthday gifts. His interest in equities grew at Princeton University, where he majored in economics, and over the two-plus years he worked as a stockbroker for William Blair & Company, LLC. In 1983, he founded Ariel Investments with a philosophy based on patient, value strategy in small and medium-size companies. 

Among several national leadership roles, he directs the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and chairs the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans.  Princeton recognized Rogers' commitment to national service in 2008 through its prestigious Woodrow Wilson Award.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Hank Boyd at [email protected].

Additional contact: Greg Muraski at [email protected] or 301-892-0973.

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SOURCE Robert H. Smith School of Business