Jonathan Delgado ’26 has embraced leadership at every turn—helping grow the Black Business Fair, guiding student organizations, and paving the way for future MBU changemakers.
Jonathan Delgado poses with his mother at the Black Business Fair
Throughout the afternoon on Feb. 22, the Student Activities Center (SAC) buzzed with energy as Mary Baldwin University’s second annual Black Business Fair brought together students, business owners, and community members.
The fair, organized by the Black Student Alliance (BSA) with strong support from the Office of Student Engagement, the Office of Inclusive Excellence, and the Staunton community, originated as a student-led initiative. Jonathan Delgado ‘26, a junior majoring in marketing with a minor in African American Studies, has played a pivotal role in shaping the event’s success.
Delgado is no stranger to leadership. He serves as president of BSA, vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA), and secretary for Latines Unides. He is also a graduate of the Eagle Academy for Young Men, the New York City school that has maintained a strong partnership with MBU since 2022.
“I was very heavily involved in high school. [My school] didn’t have a lot of clubs, but any organizations that my high school collaborated with, I was there,” Delgado explains. “For my freshman year at Mary Baldwin, I decided to take a year for myself and focus on adapting to the workload and making sure I was comfortable. That way, when my second year came around, I was ready to step into some leadership roles on campus.”
That mindset prepared him well. By his sophomore year, Delgado embraced multiple leadership roles, including becoming a resident assistant. When the opportunity arose for BSA to take the lead on the Black Business Fair, he saw the potential and stepped up.
“Our first Black Business Fair was last year, during my first year as president of the Black Student Alliance. At the time, with my executive committee, we sat down and put our ideas together, and it was a success.”
The event has continued to grow, and local station WHSV recently featured the fair on the evening news. Delgado emphasizes its impact not just on the campus community but also on the businesses involved.
“We just tell them: come. Bring your business, bring yourself, you don’t need to pay anything. Typically, at events like this, vendors have to pay for a table to just be there. This year, we have 13 businesses lined up for the fair. I want this to be an annual event that extends beyond my time at Mary Baldwin. Right now, we’re setting the groundwork for that so that, once I and the other members of the executive committee leave MBU, the event won’t leave MBU.”
Looking Ahead
As Delgado considers life after Mary Baldwin, he has already begun laying the foundation for his future. Last summer, he interned with Citizens Bank in his hometown of New York City, an experience that broadened his perspective on career possibilities.
“Having lived in New York City my whole life, I had never experienced waking up early in the morning and hopping on the train to get to work. I’ve seen that [while] growing up but never really envisioned myself in that role. It was empowering for me, finding myself surrounded by these intelligent people I could learn from. Even though my career path might not lead me into finance, I can definitely see myself working in business and in that realm.”
While business remains his primary focus, Delgado’s aspirations are increasingly tied to the world of sports. He is considering graduate programs at Columbia and New York University, both of which offer strong master’s programs in sports management. Whether his career path leads him to sports marketing or law school to become a sports agent, he is already forging meaningful connections in the industry.
“I told [Citizens Bank] I was interested in working in sports, and so they connected me with people who work in sponsorships for the Philadelphia Phillies and the New Jersey Devils, because Citizens is the bank for those teams,” Delgado recalls. “They got me in contact with these people, even though it wasn’t exactly the area I was interning in.”
Reflecting on MBU’s Role
Delgado credits Mary Baldwin with providing him the space to take ownership of his college experience and define his own leadership path.
“I think the size of MBU is an advantage. It being a small, intimate environment — while still having the components of clubs, organizations, and the leadership opportunities — lets you shape your own experience at Mary Baldwin. From leading campus initiatives to building professional connections, Delgado has demonstrated how students at Mary Baldwin can take advantage of opportunities to shape their futures. As he continues toward his next chapter, his impact on MBU and the Black Business Fair is already paving the way for future student leaders.