Class of 2024: The Advocate

Writer

Hillary Chabot

Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.

May 6, 2024

Jacob Nyamu MSBA'23 plans to continue working on his non-profit for adults on the autism scale,

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Ask Jacob Nyamu MSBA’23 about his favorite moments at Babson, and a pattern quickly emerges: Whenever and wherever Nyamu can amplify the voices of the underrepresented, he will.

From the non-profit he created to bring support and awareness to adults on the autistic spectrum to his campus leadership roles in the Black Graduate Club and the Out & Allies Network, Nyamu is there to rally, educate, and most of all, empower.

“It was fulfilling creating events and spaces for Black and queer students,” Nyamu said. He served as co-president in both clubs. “I also really enjoyed traveling with fellow students to the National Black MBA and ROMBA (Reaching Out MBA) conferences.”

Nyamu, who technically graduated in December 2023 but will be marching in May, reflected on his time at Babson as part of our ongoing series spotlighting the Class of 2024 ahead of the College’s Commencement ceremonies May 11.

What are your post-graduation plans?

In addition to pursuing a career in finance and data analytics, I’ll continue working on my non-profit, Kipekee (unique in Swahili), to empower autistic adults like myself. There is a lot of support, awareness, and care for children with autism. But as they grow into adults, the levels of care and support steadily decline. Especially for “high functioning” adults, many of whom get diagnosed late into their adulthood. Kipekee, which was part of Babson’s Butler LaunchPad Fast Track Cohort, offers them community and resources they need to live their best lives.

Do you have a favorite Babson memory?

One of my favorite Babson memories was visiting Tulsa, Oklahoma. I had learned of the 1921 massacre in movies but seeing it in person was a profoundly moving experience. Walking along historic Greenwood Avenue, we were greeted by the echoes of resilience and entrepreneurship that defined that community in the early 20th century. We consulted with various entrepreneurs on how they could scale up their businesses. I was captivated by the resilience and creativity that once thrived there, but hopeful for the resurgence of a “Black Wall Street” in the U.S. and Africa.

I’m grateful to Natalie Joseph, director of Babson’s Multicultural and Identity Programs, Dr. Shakenna Williams (’94), executive director of the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College, and Cheryl Kiser, executive director of the Institute for Social Innovation at Babson, for making this trip possible.

Do you have a favorite class or professor?

My favorite professor was Nada Hashmi, assistant professor of operations and information management. In her Advanced Programming class, we consulted with companies and tackled their business problems using Python. It was great turning theory into action and delivering results to our clients.

How has Babson prepared you for your career/life?

Babson has reinforced me with the entrepreneurial mindset needed to make a social impact.

Through hands-on projects and experiential learning opportunities, I gained practical skills in harnessing data to drive strategic insights and inform business decisions effectively. Additionally, the diverse and supportive community at Babson has provided invaluable networking opportunities and lifelong connections that continue to enrich my personal and professional journey. Overall, Babson has played a pivotal role in shaping me into a forward-thinking and adaptable leader ready to tackle challenges and seize opportunities in any endeavor.