By Morgan State U
Demonstrating excellence in financial analysis, strategy, and execution, Makia Smith, a junior Finance major in Morgan State University’s Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, emerged as the first-place winner in the prestigious Bloomberg and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Trading Challenge.
Smith outperformed students from 10 HBCUs across the nation in the third annual competition, which ran from January through March 2025. Designed to simulate real-world investing, the seven-week challenge tasked students with managing a $1 million virtual portfolio using Bloomberg Terminals. Participants were evaluated on their investment performance relative to a developed market (DM) index, applying skills in risk management, data analytics, and market strategy.
Smith was one of nine Morgan students who competed under the guidance of faculty advisor George Micheni, Director of the School of Business’s Capital Markets Lab and advisor of the MSU Investment Club. The team gained hands-on experience in financial markets while receiving mentorship and career development support from Bloomberg professionals.
The challenge offered much more than bragging rights. As the winning student, Smith received a $300 Amazon gift card, and her success earned Morgan a one-year Bloomberg.com subscription for the student body, granting access to premium financial news and Bloomberg TV. In addition, a $5,000 charitable donation will be made to a cause of Smith’s choosing, underscoring the competition’s emphasis on not just investing wisely but giving back.
“This victory is a reflection of the caliber of talent we’re developing at Morgan,” said Micheni. “Makia’s performance shows how well-prepared our students are to lead in the highly competitive world of finance.”
Students who placed among the top performers in this year’s challenge were also invited to Bloomberg’s New York City headquarters, where they had the opportunity to present their strategies to a panel of financial experts and receive direct feedback, along with recruitment guidance from Bloomberg’s hiring team.
Launched to help address the underrepresentation of Black professionals in the financial industry, the Bloomberg HBCU Trading Challenge provides students with a rare opportunity to develop marketable, job-ready skills. Through this platform, Morgan students not only gain access to professional tools but also real-world experience that distinguishes them in the competitive finance job market.
This milestone win reinforces Morgan State University’s growing presence in the finance and investment space—and affirms the institution’s commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders in business and economics.