New Scholarship and Record Crowd Highlight 2026 William D. Bradford Awards Banquet

In its 33rd year, the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business observed record turnout for the annual William D. Bradford Awards Banquet, held on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. 

The event, hosted by the Smith School’s Black MBA Association (BMBAA) and the Latin MBA Student Association (LAMBASA), honors William D. Bradford, former associate dean of academic affairs and the first African-American chair of the finance department. 

This year’s theme, titled “Presence is Power: Strength in Continuance,” encompassed the importance of minority students showing up and leading in spaces that were not historically built for them, emphasizing resilience and the value of the journey.

Notable to this year’s banquet was the introduction of the Peggy Young Inaugural Scholarship, presented by the Greater Maryland Chapter of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA). Named in honor of the late mother of the current Greater Maryland Chapter President, Angela Young, the scholarship commemorates the elder Young’s legacy and the family’s overall commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders. First-year MBA student Mohammed Sahir Feroz Khan was recognized during the banquet as the scholarship’s first recipient.

In addition to the Peggy Young Award, two first-year MBA cohort members, Mahogany Blank and Sofia Villanueva, were recognized as this year’s recipients of the Bradford Excellence Scholarship. Smith School Dean Prabhudev Konana received appreciation during the event for his ongoing support of the banquet and its mission.

Among the attendees were Bradford family representatives Kristie Curameng Bradford and George Bradford, who notched their 22nd consecutive appearance at the banquet, as well as video remarks from Dr. William Bradford, serving as a reminder of the legacy, commitment and community that underscore the event's enduring impact.

“My message to you is simple: achieve based on what you have learned at Smith, and lift as you climb. That is, none of us travels this journey alone. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and we must open doors wider for those who follow. Lift as you climb," said Bradford in his taped remarks. 

Participating in the event were a group of distinguished Smith School alumni, serving on the featured “Power in the Process” panel. Cahba Kingwood, EMBA; Zimberlyn Bolton, MBA ’19; Alethia Maciel, MBA ’19; and Maurice Garland, MBA ’14, convened to share insights into their professional experiences.

Attendees also heard from Dr. Psyche Williams-Forson, who delivered the night’s keynote address, touching on how food can be a source of judgment or shaming in professional settings, and how future leaders should consider it as a form of cultural sustainability. Expanding on that point, Williams-Forson urged future leaders to prevent profit from being prioritized over personal and cultural values.

The event, coordinated in part by BMBAA President Lydia Gulley, MBA ’26, and LAMBASA President Yajaira Huerta, MBA ’26, featured a cocktail reception with live music from UMD student musicians Henry Sheppard and Rohan Gabay, who were hired through the university’s Hire-a-Musician program.

Smith’s Office of Career Services, Masters Programs Office (MPO) and the Office of Advancement also contributed to the event.