SCENE SPOTLIGHT

Junior philosophy and undeclared business major Xavier Nazario is on a mission to enhance the lives of his fellow college students and the lives of younger generations around him. As a new member of the business school, Nazario felt that there was no real focus on what life was like for a business major after college. He especially wanted to address the needs of those within the business school that were African-American and find a way to specialize and focus in on those skills that are fundamental to being in business. It was mainly for these reasons that he created the Black Business Student Association (BBSA). Don't be fooled by the name though; it is an organization open to anyone of any race, creed or color. The main goal of the BBSA, as Nazario sees it, "is to showcase a business world from an African-American's perspective." This quarter he is looking to host a few resume workshops, define basic interview etiquette, attend business conventions, have guest speakers come to Santa Clara and establish relationships with African-American business leaders, CEO's and executives.

Besides the Black Business Student Association, Nazario is also looking to involve his fellow college students in a program designed to mentor and inspire black high school students around the Bay Area. One way in which he wants to achieve this is with the help of the Santa Clara Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). The BBSA and NSBE are jointly sponsoring the program, which they hope to promote at Milpitas, Independence, Mt. Pleasant, Overfelt and Yerba Buena High Schools. "I'm really looking to motivate African-American high school students" Nazario said. "There's a necessity there for black role models, ones who will inspire. I feel like it's important to help them out. I really want myself and others to make the biggest impact possible as a college student."

â€" Written by Jessica Boyd