By Charles Purnell
Daily Titan Staff Writer
Published: March 22, 2010

Kraft Foods Vice President Kevin Arceneaux has said his daughter Erica Arceneaux is a natural leader, and he wasn’t surprised to hear that she was working with a few students to get an African American business club started.

He was surprised, however, to hear that Cal State Fullerton never had an African American business organization.

A week before winter break, Arceneaux, Ashley Flores, and Alyssa Brooks were having a conversation in the African American Resource Center about what they could do to improve their resumes. None of them had extracurricular activities to list, so Arceneaux began looking for an African American business society to join. After an hour of research, she discovered there were no such clubs on campus.

“I knew there wasn’t one that semester but I thought whoever was running it had graduated,” Arceneax said. “When someone told me there had never been one I was kind of – I don’t want to say offended – I was just like, ‘Why hasn’t anyone done it? Why hasn’t anyone stepped up?’ ”

Arceneaux began filing paperwork with the Student Organization Resource Center (SORC) desk Jan. 11 and the process was complete by Feb. 3.

“I think it’s a really good thing that is going to grow into something bigger than it is now,” alumnus Tim Singleton said. “I can say that I’m a bit proud to see us African Americans taking the initiative to start something good on campus. But I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s that much of a progression; seeing that business is not just African American, it’s multicultural.”

The African American Business Society (AABS) became official one day before Discoverfest, during which Arceneaux and her officers set up a recruitment booth

Arceneaux’s father gave an inspirational speech at the club’s third meeting March 8.

“Right now I’m sort of talking to you as your mentor,” Arceneaux said in his speech. “I’m not a speaker, I’m telling you right now. And I’m going to give every one of you my business card. I am your mentor.”

The AABS will be presenting a panel discussion called “The Real World” at their meeting Monday March 22; they will bring together five successful African American business people who students can ask questions. Arceneaux said the panel will be prepared to answer questions regarding apprehensions students have about transitioning into the corporate world, what it’s like in the corporate world and how to get started after graduation.

“It’s really a lot of good information,” Arceneaux said. “It’s not just people coming in and lecturing you. It’s people who want to give you their information; who want to share their advice with you.”

The AABS meets every Monday at 7 p.m. in room H-426.