Black and Hispanic & Latino in Business 2022

McKinsey is committed to promoting diversity and providing an inclusive community as we help our colleagues be at their best.

More than 500 participants in New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco attended Inspire 2022, which brought together incoming MBA students who self-identify as Black, Hispanic and Latino, or Native American attendees as they enjoyed two days of inspirational workshops, discussions, and networking.

Inspire 2022 invited incoming MBA students in the United States to meet our people and get an introduction to consulting at McKinsey. Attendees heard examples of how we strive to make our firm, clients, and society at large, more inclusive and equitable. Candidates also met likeminded peers and McKinsey colleagues in an intimate setting. Inspire attendees have the opportunity to continue learning through a series of interview preparation and connectivity sessions that they will be invited to throughout the year.

Inspire objectives

Inspire 2022 was a two-day, in-person event designed to support the professional development of underrepresented groups in leadership roles. Attendees exploring a consulting career had the opportunity to jumpstart their McKinsey relationships and recruiting journey. The event created a welcoming and inclusive environment, where everyone felt comfortable asking questions.

Application process

We are no longer accepting applications. More details about the next Inspire event are coming soon.

Event details

Where: McKinsey’s New York, Chicago, or San Francisco offices

Details: Our recruiting team will select participants to join one of our different locations. Only attendees who are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 may access our offices and events.

Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after the final dose of a WHO-approved vaccine sequence or combination (such as after the first dose of the J&J vaccine, or after the second dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZenica vaccines). A booster is only required if it’s been five or more months since receiving the Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZenica vaccines, or two months after the J&J vaccine. If you’re not vaccinated, don’t feel comfortable joining the event in-person, or will not be in the United States during the event, we also offer virtual options.

Inspire and McKinsey Early Access

What is the difference between Inspire and McKinsey Early Access?

Can I apply to and be a part of both Inspire and McKinsey Early Access?

Meet some of our Inspire 2021 participants and incoming McKinsey summer associates

“McKinsey Inspire made the firm feel like home. Coming from an underrepresented background, I always felt like working at a place like McKinsey was not something people like me did. I quickly got rid of this mentality with the many interactions I had with McKinsey through the Inspire program. From the coffee chats to the interview-prep workshops, Inspire made me truly believe that I belonged at McKinsey. In addition, the intimate conversations I had with Latino consultants made McKinsey feel much more approachable.” – Danny, University of Virginia—Darden School of Business, incoming summer associate in Chicago

“I was impressed by the McKinsey Inspire team’s hands-on approach to ensure everyone had the best resources at their disposal. We even had a close-knit phone group that made it easy for aspirants to connect, network, help, and inspire each other. My most memorable moment was when the team used relatable and straightforward structures to analyze ‘Who is Beyonce?’ during a case session. This sparked my interest in the idea of case analysis.” – Bosoye, Washington University in St. Louis—Olin Business School, incoming summer associate in Dallas

“McKinsey Inspire was instrumental in helping me throughout the recruiting process. Being connected to the McKinsey Black Network and the expansive amount of support provided as an applicant was impressive, and a big influence in my decision to join the firm. Additionally, the mentorship I received helped me hone my casing skills and expand my network.” – Doris, NYU Stern, incoming summer associate in New York

“Before Inspire, I thought helping clients solve complex problems was the most exciting part of consulting. During the program, I met many brilliant people who help their clients while also providing meaningful value to the community. They showed me how different backgrounds could fit into McKinsey. Connecting with other applicants and building a community with them was also a valuable part of the experience, making it more enjoyable. Now, I believe that providing value to clients and society while working with interesting people is the most interesting part of the firm.” – Mailson, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, incoming summer associate in Charlotte

“McKinsey Inspire was special to me because it wasn’t just my first experience learning about McKinsey, it was my first touch point with consulting as an industry. Over two remarkable days, I heard stories of people’s journeys into consulting, from both traditional and nontraditional paths. I heard about how they juggled fulfilling careers with their passions and communities, how they decided to specialize, and how they’ve grown at McKinsey. By the end of Inspire, I hadn’t only made friendships and gained more knowledge than I ever had in two days—I’d met a community that resonated with my values and which I knew I wanted to be part of.” – Ahmed, University of Virginia—Darden School of Business, incoming summer associate in Washington, DC

“Coming from a nontraditional background, I was excited about consulting and McKinsey, but I was also intimidated. However, the pre-MBA program gave me the confidence I needed to go through the interview process. The support system of peers and McKinsey mentors the program provided was invaluable. I am thankful to all that were a part of my journey—there are too many to name!—and I highly encourage incoming MBA students to participate.” – Alfy, Columbia Business School, incoming summer associate in New Jersey

“Inspire 2021 was one of the key reasons I applied to McKinsey. The events over those two days brought me closer to the firm and allowed me to develop amazing relationships with current consultants and other applicants, take advantage of how open and informal the conversations were, and feel free to ask the questions that mattered most to me. There wasn’t a single associate, manager, or partner at Inspire who didn’t take their time to honestly interact with us over the weekend and entire summer, so treat this as a moment to genuinely explore what makes the McKinsey community truly unique.” – Ellis Juan, MIT Sloan, incoming summer associate in Washington, DC

McKinsey is committed to supporting talented individuals from underrepresented groups, and the Inspire program is only one of many programs the firm sponsors throughout the year.

To learn more about other upcoming initiatives, follow our social-media channels (Real Life at McKinsey, or McKinsey on LinkedIn) or our global careers website for information about other events, initiatives, awards, and roles, and see our career and upcoming events tabs on our offices’ websites.