Pinkett to speak on importance of institute
As a student at Rutgers, Randal Pinkett saw the importance of having a “home away from home” for African-American students.
“These organizations have multiple purposes and serve as a locus for students of color, offering programs to support students academically and socially,” said Pinkett. “We are a more diverse society wrestling with how to maintain diversity, and organizations like the John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute at Northeastern help ensure that the progress made over the past 40 years is preserved.”
Pinkett, the founder, chairman and CEO of BCT Partners and the Season 4 winner of NBC’s hit reality show with Donald Trump, “The Apprentice,” will join guests at the reception and gala April 5 celebrating the 40th anniversary of the institute.
The gala will gather students, faculty and alumni to honor the legacy of the institution and look toward its future under Richard O’Bryant, who last fall became director of the institute, named after his late father.
Pinkett will recognize the accomplishments of the past 40 years. He will also discuss Richard O’Bryant’s commitment and dedication to the institute and his plans to expand AAI programs that will help African-American students for years to come.
“Richard’s role as director of the O’Bryant African-American Institute is both historic and symbolic,” said Pinkett. “He is uniquely positioned to take the AAI into the future and I am excited to see that.”
A noted author, speaker and community leader, Pinkett met Richard O’Bryant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While pursuing their doctorates, Pinkett and O’Bryant investigated how technology could help build a community by bringing a state-of-the-art computer center to a housing development in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood. Residents were just moving back into the development, which had been renovated, and the technology helped bring the community back together.
Pinkett was the first – and only – African-American to become at Rhodes Scholar at Rutgers, where he earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. He then went on to study at the University of Oxford, where he earned a master’s computer science. While at MIT, Pinkett earned a second master’s, in electrical engineering, an M.B.A. and a Ph.D.
He was named National Member of the Year by the National Society of Black Engineers and was also an NCAA Academic All-American.
As the fourth-season winner of “The Apprentice,” Pinkett gives credit to his wife, Zahara, who urged him to apply to appear on the show. Having been selected out of a million applicants, Pinkett competed against 17 contestants for the chance to work with Trump. After his win, Pinkett oversaw the renovation and IT projects for the Trump Entertainment Resorts in Atlantic City.
In his current position at BCT Partners, a minority-owned and operated consulting company, Pinkett focuses his time on new business development.
“We are truly honored to have Dr. Randal Pinkett speak to our students and alumni as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the O’Bryant African-American Institute,” said Richard O’Bryant. “He is an extraordinary individual who exemplifies that, with hard work and dedication, you can accomplish great things.”