A Few Good Men (Women)
The Next Generation Starts Here
Before Wall Street, before the Wells Group, before the boardrooms and balance sheets—there was Morehouse.
Morehouse shaped me in ways that went beyond the classroom. It was where excellence was not only expected, but required. It was where I learned how to move with purpose, how to speak with clarity, and how to lead with both confidence and care.
And right across the street, Spelman was doing the same—raising women who would become my peers, my partners, my teachers, and in many ways, my compass. Together, Morehouse and Spelman—SpelHouse—formed a community that sharpened my ambition and grounded my values.
That SpelHouse bond isn’t just a shared experience—it’s a generational engine. Which is why this summer felt so significant.
We were joined by Donovan Jones, our star intern, who quickly became the heart of our intern season. He brought curiosity, humility, and the kind of quiet strength that makes people lean in and listen. But what made his presence truly special was the legacy he carries: he’s the son of Devetus Jones and Samantha Wright Jones, two brilliant SpelHouse alums whose lives and leadership I’ve admired for years.
Watching Donovan walk through our doors, contribute meaningfully, and carry himself with the same grace and conviction—it reminded me what this is all about. This work is generational. What we pour in doesn’t just stay in a spreadsheet or a P&L. It lives on—in the stories they tell, the choices they make, and the people they become.
Those years at Morehouse didn’t just set the trajectory for my career. They shaped my view of legacy. And now, I’m building something that gives back to that same community: a door for the next generation to walk through, the way someone once held it open for me.
Full Circle —
The Summer That Changed Everything
In a short video filmed during his last week, he reflects on what it meant to live in NYC, to work with the Wells Group, and to see firsthand what Black excellence, discipline, and integrity can build.
It’s a reminder that this work is generational. What we pour in doesn’t just stay in a spreadsheet or a P&L. It lives on—in the stories they tell, the choices they make, and the people they become.
Here’s to shaping the future, not waiting for it.
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When Dr. Bill Keyes Calls, You Say Yes
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Dr. William "Bill" Keyes is the founder of The Institute for Responsible Citizenship, a Washington, D.C.–based organization that has spent the past two decades preparing high-achieving African American men for influential leadership roles in public service, business, and academia. A former senior executive at CBS and a trusted advisor in both corporate and political circles, Dr. Keyes founded The Institute to equip young men not only with credentials, but with character.
The Institute offers an intensive, two-summer experience that combines high-level internships, rigorous academic seminars, and mentorship from accomplished Black professionals. Its alumni have gone on to become Rhodes Scholars, CEOs, founders, and national thought leaders—but what sets them apart isn’t just their resumes. It’s their sense of responsibility.
Spending time with The Institute’s scholars reminded me of a course I took back at Morehouse—“Leadership & Professional Development.” It felt like finishing school for the modern Black professional. We were learning how to speak in boardrooms and stride into interviews. The details mattered: how you entered a room, how you introduced yourself, how to listen and when to lead.
That same energy lives in The Institute. It’s not just about grooming men for success—it’s about preparing them for stewardship.
This summer, I had the honor of hosting eight Institute men at the Wells Group—brilliant, poised, and deeply driven. Their time with us was made possible in part by my Spelman sister Britt Hogue, whose leadership and belief in this next generation made the connection seamless. Britt’s commitment to cultivating excellence—in every space she moves through—is a reflection of what Spelman instills, and what the SpelHouse community affirms.
INTERN SEASON AT THE WELLS GROUP
How to Win at Work — Intern Edition
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Every summer, a new wave of talent walks through our doors—wide-eyed, hungry, and hopeful. But talent is just the beginning.
We’ve learned that navigating corporate life requires more than just intelligence—it takes emotional fluency, strategic patience, and a deep understanding of power.
That’s why we started our intern season with this visual guide: a Wall Street-inspired code for how to win at work.
These aren’t just corporate clichés—they’re lived truths. Ask anyone who’s made it to the top without losing their grounding. Knowing when to speak, who really signs off, and how to build lasting relationships isn’t optional. It’s the difference between getting noticed and getting trusted.