The ALE Conference is the longest running conference at the Ross School of Business and the University of Michigan. In its 50 years of existence, the conference has engaged attendees around the issues, challenges, and opportunities encountered by underrepresented minorities in the business world. It has historically attracted hundreds of attendees from around the country, including current and prospective students, Ross alumni, industry leaders, and corporate recruiters.

The conference is named in honor of Dr. Alfred L. Edwards, an esteemed professor at the University of Michigan and a mentor to many underrepresented minority students on campus. Dr. Edwards once said, "We must make sure that the doors that were opened for us, do not become closed for others." It is in this spirit that we gather as a community for this 50-year tradition.

This milestone year’s conference – “Legacy in Action: 50 Years of Business, Culture, and Impact” – centers on the theme Enterprise Innovation, a celebration of the visionaries reshaping industries and redefining progress. Building on five decades of impact, ALE 50 will explore how creativity, technology, and leadership intersect to drive sustainable change in business and society. Through conversations with pioneering executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, we aim to highlight the innovations that propel economic advancement and expand opportunities for Black excellence across sectors.