HBCU Summit Focused on Excellence, Innovation and Sustainability

"America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are living monuments to the cause that has driven each generation of our citizens in the task of perfecting our Union—helping ensure that all people can experience the fullest measure of equality, justice, and possibility." 

UNCF leadership and member presidents recently participated in the Annual National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Week Conference. Planned under the leadership of the White House Initiative on HBCUs with input from the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs, this conference served as a forum for exchanging information and sharing innovations among and between institutions.

UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax was part of an interactive discussion about the current condition, opportunities and probable future of HBCUs. Other members of the UNCF team also participated in panels about performance trends in STEM, innovation and entrepreneurship, UNCF’s Career Pathways Initiative and how to diversify the tech workforce .

Dr. Roderick L. Smothers, Pres., Philander Smith University; UNCF Pres./CEO Lomax; Lezli Baskerville, Esq., NAFEO CEO; Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, Pres., Alabama St. Univ., Howard Univ. Pres. & member of President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs, Wayne Frederick, MD
Dr. Roderick L. Smothers, president, Philander Smith University; Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF; Lezli Baskerville, Esq., CEO, NAFEO; Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, president, Alabama State University, Wayne Frederick, MD, president, Howard University, and member of President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs

As background, President Obama issued an official proclamation declaring the week of Oct. 23 through Oct. 29, 2016, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. The proclamation states that “America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are living monuments to the cause that has driven each generation of our citizens in the task of perfecting our Union—helping ensure that all people can experience the fullest measure of equality, justice, and possibility.”