Student Leader Spotlight: Angely Peralta of The Binghamton Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants

In honor of Black History Month, The Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development would like to highlight student leaders of Black organizations on campus. This interview will feature Angely Peralta of the Binghamton Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants.

Angely Peralta’23 (President) 

Angely Peralta is a senior majoring in Economics with a minor in Graphic Design and the President of the Binghamton Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants. 

1. What are you passionate about? 

One of my biggest goals and passions in life is to advocate for schools in underrepresented communities while also implementing financial literacy programs within the schools. It is always said that students are the leaders of the future, and I want to make sure we have a voice in this world. Many low-income neighborhoods consist of underrepresented students, so most schools need more resources or funding to allocate for the number of enrolled students. I want to make sure that there are certain policies, programs, and grants in place to support schools in different neighborhoods as such. 

2. As a student leader, how important is it for students to be involved on campus?         

Students can find their niche with organizations on campus that align with their passions and beliefs. Being apart of this organization has allowed me to develop confidence in my voice, work as a team and, most importantly, learn from my peers. Student organizations help prepare you for the real world, and the skills you can learn are endless, so students should get involved in some way throughout their college careers. 

3. What skills have you gained by being a member of this Executive Board?

While being a member of an executive board, I have learned a lot of interpersonal skills such as communicating effectively with others and learning how to work as a team to execute certain tasks and end in positive results. On a personal note, it has also allowed me to find my voice and passion for helping underrepresented students grow professionally and achieve black excellence.

 4. Why did you first join this organization? 

What first struck me about The National Association of Black Accountants was that it was a pre-professional organization that gave you access to jobs, professional development, and networking opportunities. I wanted to align myself with an organization that would challenge me and help me in my profession while being accepted for who I am. NABA gave me a sense of home and believed in me even when I thought I could not do it. This organization became family to me and a space where we can discuss challenges presented as black professionals. 

5. How does your organization contribute to the upliftment of Black community members?

The National Association of Black Accountants is dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap for black business leaders. We are an organization that addresses the concerns of underrepresented professionals entering fields of business and corporate jobs where less people look like us. NABA provides different professional development and networking workshops to ensure we stand out amongst the rest while allowing students to showcase their achievements, intelligence, and excellence. 

If you are interested in learning more about NABA and the amazing work that they do feel free to follow them on Instagram: @nababing! 

By Yaleza Fernandez
Yaleza Fernandez