Afrika’s Struggle Welcomes Christian Figorito, Senior Director, Certificate in Quantitative Finance at FitchLearning

April 25, 2025 - Events

First, I would like to thank Senior Director Laura Abrams and Director Zavi Gunn for introducing me to Queens College Alumnus Christian Figorito.

Second, I apologize to the 25 students who did not participate in the photo op (see photo) because the photographer took the picture during the break. During the break after the Q&A session, 25 students departed without knowing about the photo op.

I welcomed Christian Figorito, Senior Director of the Certificate in Quantitative Finance at FitchLearning, to an overcrowded classroom with approximately 50 students.

The 50 students consisted of regular students, students from other sections, former students, friends of regular students, and a student from another CUNY college visiting my class.

I am honored to have an esteemed alumnus, who oversees his company’s divisions (Certificate in Quantitative Finance) in NY, London, and Singapore, to speak to my class.

His IQ and EQ were on fire – on full display during his entertaining and informative presentation. He put on a show for the class.

Mr. Figorito presented on Quantitative Finance Careers.

Christian Figorito (glasses) stands to my left in the picture. (Twenty-five other students are missing from this picture.)

 

The Inaugural Global Trade Competition 2025

April 17, 2025 - Events

Two of my current students—Jaquan Perry (a fellow Jamaican) and Amit Dhanda—represented Queens College in the inaugural Global Trade Competition 2025 (a New York statewide competition).

They won third place in the competition, although an insider argued that a miscommunication between two judges cost them the championship.

Baruch College got first place, and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) came second.

My only critique of the slides (i.e., the slides of the three winning teams) is that they contain too much text or wordiness. Live presentations should adopt the Steve Jobs model: images with little or no text, focusing on the presenter(s). However, reading the competition’s guidelines gives presenters leeway to use lots of text.

I commend the tireless and driven Professor Jian Xiao for her role and august leadership as faculty advisor.

I would be remiss if I did not commend Andreia Duarte (aka Tiger) for her work as a technical coordinator behind the scenes.

On a side note, Dean Kate Pechenkina, Ph.D., asked Mr. Perry to represent Queens College in the competition after I introduced him to her at our last Business Breakfast. He then asked his best friend, Mr. Dhanda, to join him; the rest is history.

I will represent the Economics department at the award ceremony (including cash prizes) at Baruch College on May 7th.

 

Jaquan Perry (Calabar Alum)

Amit Dhanda

Afrika’s Struggle Meets the Jamaican Minister of Tourism and other Notables at NYU

April 9, 2025 - Events

The Jamaican Consulate in New York invited me to an Exclusive Fireside Chat with Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

The Jamaica Tourist Board sponsored the fireside chat with Jamaica’s Minister in partnership with NYU’s Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality.

Moderated by NYU Professor Dr. Donna Kelly, the conversation spotlighted tourism resilience and the future of global travel, drawing on insights from Minister Bartlett’s latest book, Decoding the Future of Tourism Resilience.

The Minister convincingly illustrated the positive direction Jamaican tourism is taking despite the current interesting times and challenges on the horizon.

The Hon. Edmund Bartlett even deftly and gingerly navigated challenging questions (e.g., the living wages of the tourism sector’s rank-and-file workers, public access [i.e., monetized or not] to Jamaican beaches, and others).

As a self-proclaimed Jamaica-firster, I argued that Jamaican tourism will be fantastic in the short and long run.

Alas, when do we bring back our beloved Air Jamaica? I kid!

Please see the pictures below:

Karl A. Mitchell is with the Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

Karl A. Mitchell is with the illustrious Starkist Tuna Heir and Reggae Mogul American-born Joseph Bogdanovich. He is currently the manager/partner of arguably the King of Dancehall, Vybz Kartel, who is currently touring in NYC. Mr. Bogdanovich plans to write a review of my book.

Karl A. Mitchell is with the legendary, multi-talented Jamaican artist, Althea Stephanie Hewitt.

 

 

 

Afrika’s Struggle at Alumni Event in Long Island

April 6, 2025 - Events

Today, I attended an alum event in Long Island. It was a great experience.

Senior Director Laura Abrams did a marvelous job, as usual, hosting the event.

VP Laurie Dorf’s Midas touch was evident throughout.

I cannot communicate enough about President Frank Wu’s inspirational presentations.

He pulls the audience right into his mindset. President Wu has the skill of speaking not only to the mind but also to the heart. Maya Angelou’s quote, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” captures the President’s speaking style.

I want to thank Director Zavi Gunn for initially inviting me to the event.

The highly hardworking Dean Kate Pechenkina was also present at the event.

Jimmy McMillian (St. Francis Prep, BA from Queens College, MA from Teacher’s College, Columbia University) and his wife, Ashley McMillian, were present and spoke. They both own two tutoring and mentoring companies – employing several employees and paid interns, including from Queens College.

A note on Ashley McMillian! Ms. McMillian was a Macauly Honors student who graduated in three and a half years with a 4.0 GPA.

Recently, she spoke at the Queens College Business Breakfast. Not only is she the youngest to speak at the Business Breakfast, but she is also one of the best presenters/speakers to grace the stage. Please see her in action here! Being a professional singer makes her a natural, too.

Currently, Ms. McMillian is working on applying to the joint JD/MBA program at Harvard University.

Some of my other former mentees were absent for good reasons.

Pavel Tchingirinski (Bloomberg), an up-and-coming donor to Queens College, wanted to attend but has been under the weather since yesterday. He will attend the QC Gala.

Sujen Wu Wu (HQ Capital) did not make it since a family member is visiting from her home country for the weekend.

Last but not least, Reginald Wills (Goldman Sachs) would have been present if he had not been slated for military reserves duty out of state this weekend.

The above three alumni would have added more flavor to a great gathering.

It was a beautiful turnout.

A VIP alumnus (a national celebrity) was in attendance today.

Please see a few pictures below: