Mississippi's Premier Business Networking Event
Join over 300 business leaders, policymakers, and educators for meaningful connections and strategic discussions that drive economic growth throughout Mississippi and beyond.
300+ Attendees
Business leaders from across Mississippi
Annual Event
Held every February since 1987
Networking
Meaningful professional connections
Education Focus
Supporting academic excellence
The Business Luncheon:
A Legacy of Leadership
From humble beginnings with 25 attendees to a gathering of over 300 business leaders, the Tougaloo College Business Luncheon has become Mississippi's premier networking event for educational and economic collaboration.
Origins
In the late 1980s, Tougaloo College's business and corporate donor base remained mainly outside of the State of Mississippi. During the fall of 1987, the late Reverend Charlie Baldwin, Chaplain Emeritus, Brown University, a consultant to the College, urged senior administrators and the Board of Trustees to take steps to strengthen the College's position in the local business community.
While the vision was wholeheartedly endorsed, there was uncertainty about moving forward and mitigating the historical and apparent challenges. After several months of discussions among the administration and trustees, notably Vice Chair Reuben V. Anderson, it was decided that the best vehicle would be a noon-day luncheon where 25-50 key business leaders would attend.
"If you go back in history 100 years ago, the economies that prospered were the ones that had good infrastructures. They built good roads, they built good railroads, they built canals to get goods distributed. The economies that are going to prosper in the 21st century are going to be those that have good knowledge infrastructures.”
- Ira C. Magaziner, International Business and Public Policy Consultant (3rd Annual Business Luncheon, 1991)
Today's Impact
Coordinated over the years by the Office of Institutional Advancement, the luncheon has become a signature event in the business community. The luncheon also serves as a platform for the College to recognize and express appreciation to companies, organizations, and individuals who have supported Tougaloo's mission and vision.
Thirty-seven years forward, the Business Luncheon brings together more than 300 businesses and community leaders, policymakers, and educators to exchange ideas on economic opportunities and challenges from a state, national, and global perspective.
"The Business Luncheon serves as a platform for the College to recognize and express appreciation to companies, organizations, and individuals who have supported Tougaloo's mission and vision."
Dr. Donzell Lee
-President, Tougaloo College
Vision for Tomorrow
Increasingly, the global economy requires leaders and workers who are more productive, resilient, and learners for life. Tougaloo understands that actual work experience differentiates all students. The global experience tells future employers that students are risk-takers, explorers, and go-getters who have what it takes to work in unfamiliar environments.
Institutions of higher learning and businesses must rise to the challenge of better-preparing students for post-baccalaureate success in ways that improve their lives and their communities and influence the global economy.
Shaping the Future:
The Business Luncheon Lecture Series
Tougaloo College’s Business Luncheon Lecture Series is an exciting initiative designed to foster meaningful dialogue between students, professionals, and community members about the ever-evolving fields of business, technology, and entrepreneurship. Following the annual Business Luncheon, this lecture series extends the conversation by inviting distinguished innovators, leaders, and thinkers to share their expertise on emerging trends shaping the future of these industries.
Open to the public, each lecture offers an invaluable opportunity for students—particularly those studying engineering, technology, and entrepreneurship—to engage with thought leaders, gain fresh perspectives, and find inspiration for their future careers. The lecture series aims to not only illuminate the latest business and technological advancements but also provide a platform for building connections between the academic community and the broader professional world.
Held at the Bennie G. Thompson Academic and Civil Rights Research Center Auditorium, the lecture series encourages students and attendees to explore innovative solutions to global challenges while discussing strategies for success in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. This initiative exemplifies Tougaloo College’s commitment to equipping students with the tools and knowledge necessary to excel in a rapidly changing landscape.
Join Us at Our Next Business Luncheon
Be part of Mississippi's premier business networking event. Connect with industry leaders, support educational excellence, and help shape the future of economic development in our state.