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Multicultural Center. “KT was probably the greatest college experience I’ve had because it built that platform for the black community relationship that we all have today,” Cunningham said. “It introduced us to something that we didn’t perceive Kent State as.” As Cunningham continued his college career, he became involved with the Male Empowerment Network (MEN), stayed involved with KT as a navigator and mentor and initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi. He says that the skills he has obtained through working with these organizations have helped him grow not only as a student but in professional op- portunities as well. “I’ve always been pretty decent at talking and relaying what I want to say, but I got a lot of sensitivity training from the Male Empowerment Network,” Cunningham said. “I learned how to want more from myself and to want more from other Black male-identifying people around me too.” As Polemarch of Gamma Tau, Cunning- ham encourages his fraternity brothers to be the best they can be. “I always acknowledge that grades, com- munity service and things like that are essential, but in the process of pursuing those things it is easy to let your career goals fall by the wayside,” Cunningham said. “So I always try to make it a priority that my chapter members are looking for something that benefits them in the long term.” Cunningham has made sure to apply his advice to his own life too. From a young age, he always knew he wanted to pursue a career in the finance field. “I chose finance because in my house- hold we always needed money, it seemed like money was always an issue or a problem for us,” Cunningham said. “So I figured going to college and putting all of my energy and focus into learning about money, how it moves and how you save and invest it was the best plan of action for me.” In pursuit of a career in finance, Cun- ningham took advantage of every oppor- tunity at Kent State to help him achieve
his goals. During his sophomore year, he studied abroad in the Cayman Islands where he studied a range of finance- related topics and developed relation- ships with other students and faculty members, the experience motivated him to pursue even more for himself. Brother Cunningham is the Chief Risk Officer of the Golden Flash Asset Man- agement Group (GFAM). “It was an eye-opening experience for me, I was so deeply involved in the class that we took,” Cunningham said. “I wanted to expand on that experience, and I figured I was going to get that with GFAM if I joined.” During the fall semester of his junior year, Cunningham applied to join GFAM and got a second sector lead po- sition in the industrial sector where he analyzed stocks. Now he is the chief risk officer and manages all of the portfolios, ensuring that the organization is within its bylaws and other responsibilities. After making the most of his Kent State experience, Cunningham is eager to take on the next chapter of his life at JPMor- gan Chase. “I want to come in and work really hard, find something that changes the com- pany, makes it better, and provides value to it. “ Cunningham said. Cunningham will start in a two-year rotational program at JPMorgan Chase in July where he will work in different departments at the financial institution every eight months. Cunningham encourages students interested in pursuing careers in finance to get involved, try new things and build a network. “When people say to try new things, organizations and new experiences, defi- nitely do it,” Cunningham said. “When you get those experiences, tie them in with what you want to pursue.”
“I chose finance because in my household we always needed money, it seemed like money was always an issue or a problem for us,” Cunningham said. “So I figured going to college and putting all of my energy and focus into learning about money, how it moves and how you save and invest it was the best plan of action for me.”
Supplmented from published reports.
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