On March 22, Addressing the System, a campus initiative to spark conversations about racial injustice and issues of oppression, shared two posts on their Instagram account about a pitch video for the Building a Better Baltimore Challenge. This challenge is part of Loyola’s “Building a Better World Through Business” series, an annual celebration of the good that business can do for society through sustainable economic and social development. All events are open to Loyola students, faculty, staff, alumni, the Baltimore community, and friends of the University.

The pitch event allows proposals from all Loyola University schools and disciplines, with prize money awarded to the top 3 teams, as well as the team that is selected as the People’s Choice Award winner. The challenge question was, “How might the Baltimore business community effectively advance racial equity?” The proposal deadline was Feb. 26, and the event will culminate in a virtual pitch competition on March 24. 

Students were able to enter the challenge individually or in teams of up to four. Loyola recommended “that students entering as a team consider the advantages of forming interdisciplinary, diverse teams that incorporate various skill-sets and different perspectives” in their entry process guidelines. 

As stated on the same page, students were expected to address the following questions with their proposals:

• What specific area are you focusing on for the Baltimore business community to advance racial equity? How did your team determine this is a compelling need?
• Based on your research, what is currently being done to advance and/or address this specific area of racial equity?
• Describe your proposal for the Baltimore business community.  How does your team’s proposal respond to a compelling need? How does it complement current efforts to advance equity?
• What resources and effort will be required for the Baltimore business community to enact your proposal?
• How might the Baltimore business community partner with other stakeholders with this common goal?
• How would we assess and measure the impact your proposal would have on advancing racial equity in Baltimore?

On March 4, teams selected as semi-finalists received video proposal requirements, criteria, and mentor information. They were to make a video up to two minutes long, communicating and capturing their idea effectively. Videos were due March 15.

Addressing the System spoke to the “Baltimore Financial Fathers 2021 BBWTB Pitch” video via Instagram, calling the pitch “disrespectful on so many levels” and racist. Both the Sellinger School of Business and Loyola University Maryland Instagram accounts were tagged. 

Addressing the System also posted a “Mid Day” Instagram Live video, in which Savoy Adams ‘23, one of the club’s presidents, discussed the pitch video with Camryn Williams ‘22, a member of the club’s executive team. The pitch video, previously accessible here, is now accessible through this reupload. It can also be seen during Addressing the System’s discussion, around the 11:15 timestamp. The Student Pitch Competition Videos page on Loyola’s website is also currently unavailable. 

Addressing the System shared the following statement in regards to this incident: 

“The video we posted was to address the ignorant and racist campus climate that is at Loyola. The campus climate has been created by the lack of accountability and white supremacy ideology that is pushed. Most of all, Addressing the System’s purpose is calling out racist behavior, and addressing the system of structural racism!”

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