The Barney Ford Diversity Scholarship

The Barney Ford Diversity Scholarship is dedicated to promoting diversity within the MBA program at the Leeds School of Business.

The scholarship is named for Barney L. Ford (1822-1902), a former enslaved person who became a leading Denver businessman. The annual Barney Ford Diversity Scholarship Fundraiser is our way of maintaining a tradition that serves to carry on his legacy and benefits a number of diverse Leeds MBA students every year.

Buy Tickets

If you are unable to attend the fundraiser you can make a donation directly to the Scholarship Fund below.

Donate to the Barney Ford Diversity Scholarship Fund

The Barney Ford Diversity Scholarship is proud to partner with the Leeds MBA Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee and to introduce the Racial Equity #BeTheChange challenge during Black History Month. 

The Leeds MBA JEDI Committee invites you to participate in a racial equity habit-building challenge to celebrate Black History Month and support diversity and inclusive excellence at Leeds. The #BeTheChange Challenge includes daily engagement with music, articles, podcasts, and films to learn about current and historical issues of racial inequity and ways to be part of the solution. Please register and learn more on the Center for Inclusion and Social Change Website.

Sign Up To #BeTheChange Here

The 30th Annual Barney Ford Diversity Scholarship Fundraiser

Date: March 10, 2023

Time: TBD

Location: TBD

Theme: Masquerade

Dress: Cocktail attire welcome

This year we are excited to again gather in person for the 29th Annual Barney Ford Diversity Scholarship Fundraiser. The event, organized by current MBA students in support of future MBA students, brings together MBA students and alumni, faculty and staff, and friends of our programs—all with the common goal of increasing scholarship funds for students and to improve diversity at Leeds.

All proceeds help fund student scholarships, with the overall goal of building diversity into the MBA program and contributing to the strong sense of community we work hard to achieve.

Important: CU Boulder is taking proactive actions to minimize opportunities for the transmission of COVID-19 within our community. Event-specific details will be shared at a later date. Please direct any questions to Chris Chandler (chris.chandler@colorado.edu). 

Support The Fundraiser

There are many was to support the Fundraiser:

  • Become a Sponsor                                     
    Contact: Jessica Knox at jessica.knox@colorado.edu
     
  • Donate an Auction Item                                
    Contact: Gwow Thiratrakoolchai at gwth1550@colorado.edu or Ava Leipprandt at avle4243@colorado.edu​
     
  • Donate Directly to the Scholarship Fund 

      Donate To the Scholarship Fund

Our Prior Year Sponsors

Become a Sponsor 

Contact:

Jessica Knox at jessica.knox@colorado.edu

Barney Ford - The Man

Barney Ford

A former enslaved person from South Carolina, Barney escaped at age seventeen, taught himself how to read and write and achieved great business success, becoming the most noted caterer and restaurateur in the Rocky Mountain region and Colorado’s most notable black businessman. Mr. Ford was also very active in civic and education causes.

More About The Man