2017 Best & Brightest: Terrell Andre’ Broady Jr., University of Tennessee (Haslam)

Terrell Andre’ Broady Jr. (“T.J.”)

University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business

“My heart is bigger than my muscles.”

Fun fact about yourself:  My family owns and operates funeral homes in Tennessee. They are first generation and I will take them over and run the family business.

Hometown: Nashville, TN

High School: Hume-Fogg Academic High School

Major: Business Management with a collateral in Entrepreneurship

Favorite Business Courses: Integrated Process Management (BA 353), International Business Strategy (MGT 402), All Entrepreneurship classes

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Volunteer of the Year Scholarship (Spring 2016); President of the Multicultural Mentoring Program; Co-President & Co-Founder of Advocates for Autism; Brother of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity; National Society of Leadership and Success Engaged Leader Award

Where have you interned during your college career? Terrell Broady Funeral Home, Nashville TN. I was given a lot of responsibility as an overall assistant to my father.

Describe your dream Job: In a different world, I would love to have the opportunity to coach on the college football Division 1-A level. I believe that I would be great with recruiting, motivating, and producing a winning culture.

Who is your favorite professor? Professor Sun Hwa Kim. She teaches International Business Strategy in the Haslam College of Business and does a great job relaying information to me as a student. She also cares about my future after college and has helped me with my selections to MBA programs and even jobs. I will be forever grateful to her dedication to the students.

Which executive or entrepreneur do you most admire? Steve Jobs. He elevated everything he put his hands on. I love the way he would adhere to his work. I take after his quiet but strong work ethic. He never wants the limelight but at the same time he was never afraid of it.

What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? It’s a field that can relate to everything. The widespread aspect of a business major adds value to any idea or passion.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? I’ve learned that you need to accept failure and also embrace it because it’s guaranteed to have shortcomings in the world of business. The best part is answering back to the adversity.

Where would you like to work after graduation? I would love to work for a big time corporation that cares about the customer. I have my options open because I want to work for a company that’s very unique for a few years gaining great skills to take back to the family business and elevate it when I become CEO.

What are your long-term professional goals? I would love to work for myself. Once I finish the process of gaining modern corporate business skills and attaining my MBA, I will have the tools necessary to feed my passions and become a serial entrepreneur. While doing this, I will take over my family business. This was a long-term goal of mine since high school.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Stay persistent, keep learning and soaking up all the business related classes you take (even if they aren’t pleasurable).

“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I was born, I saw through both of my parents owning their own business that I can see nothing else for myself.”

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…a special education major.”

“Before I entered business school, I wish I had known…that I needed to be prepared to network as much as possible. The possibilities of a good conversation are endless. The Haslam College of Business here provides guest speakers and great professors that can connect me to future employers across the nation.”

What was the happiest moment of your life?  When my sister, Bethany Broady, was born in 2003.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Co-founding Advocates for Autism (AFA). My sister Bethany who is Autistic and has Downs Syndrome inspired it. This organization is vital to the University of Tennessee because it provides a safe place for those who are on the ASD spectrum but also educates, fundraises and outreaches to the Knoxville Community and soon the United States. I’m in the process of registering it as a 501 (c) 3 non profit this year.

What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand?  I would choose a lion; a lion is a typical representation of strength and confidence. A lion doesn’t back down from a challenge and it’s a natural leader. I believe that my professional brand has these qualities.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I want to thank my family for expecting greatness of me, which in turn gave me the self-motivation to push myself to the goals I set. My brother Bradley Broady has been my best friend and I wouldn’t be able to have the confidence I have without him. I also want to thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for giving me the chance to live and fulfill His will.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I want them to remember I was a hard-working, God-fearing man who was kind to everyone. I also want them to remember that I was a bridge for individuals like me, leading them to great organizations that will help develop their professional brand for future jobs.

Favorite book: The Count of Monte Cristo

Favorite movie: Radio

Favorite musical performer: Travis Scott

Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii

What are your hobbies? I love to lift weights, fish, and cook.

What made Terrell such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2017? “Terrell is a high academic achiever and has continually shown his commitment to scholarship, leadership and community service. During his time at the University of Tennessee, he immediately established himself as a role model and consistently demonstrated a high level of maturity. Terrell is a hard-working and dedicated student; by far, he stands out among his peers. Terrell has shown a tremendous allegiance to his university & community and has held several leadership positions.  He has served as President of the Multicultural Mentoring Program, Co-President & Co-Founder of Advocates for Autism, Brother of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, National Society of Leadership and Success Engaged Leader Award. This involvement shows his leadership ability and academic prowess. Terrell will be very successful in any endeavor he embarks upon. He has the innate ability to put people of all ages and backgrounds at ease. Terrell is a very friendly, thoughtful, and conscientious young man. From my time knowing him he has been forthright and ready to meet any challenges that may lay ahead. He is a great role model, student leader and scholar.”

Tyvi Small
Executive Director
Talent Management, Diversity & Community Relations
University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business

DON’T MISS: THE FULL HONOR ROLL: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2017