Author Archives: sfranklin

President Donald J. Trump Promotes Excellence and Innovation at HBCUs

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Promotes Excellence and Innovation at HBCUs

The White House

ADVANCING HBCU EXCELLENCE: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to promote excellence and innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

  • The Order establishes a White House Initiative on HBCUs, housed in the Executive Office of the President, to enhance HBCUs’ capacity to deliver high-quality education to a growing number of students.
    • The Initiative will prioritize private-sector partnerships, institutional development, and workforce preparation in high-growth industries like technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance.
    • The Initiative will enhance HBCUs’ capabilities by supporting implementation of the HBCU PARTNERS Act, fostering research and program excellence, improving affordability and retention, and building pipelines for students to attend HBCUs.
    • The Initiative will work to address barriers to HBCUs receiving certain Federal and state grant dollars and to improve their competitiveness for R&D funding.
    • The Initiative will convene an annual White House Summit on HBCUs to foster collaboration and address key priorities for HBCU success.
  • The Order establishes the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs within the Department of Education, comprising leaders from philanthropy, education, business, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, private foundations, and current HBCU presidents.

EMPOWERING HBCUs FOR AMERICA’S FUTURE: President Trump supports our Nation’s incredible HBCUs and their critical contributions to opportunity, innovation, and the economic strength of the United States.

  • HBCUs are essential to fostering opportunity, economic mobility, and national competitiveness, serving as engines of success for American students.
  • HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to the general welfare and prosperity of the United States while producing many leaders in business, government, academia, and the military.
  • Nearly 300,000 individuals annually pursue their dreams at HBCUs throughout the United States.
  • These institutions generate $16.5 billion in annual economic impact and support over 136,000 jobs, strengthening communities and the Nation.

BUILDING ON A LEGACY OF SUPPORT: President Trump is committed to elevating HBCUs as beacons of educational excellence and economic opportunity, building on transformative actions from his first term.

  • President Trump relocated the Federal HBCU Initiative to the White House to ensure direct oversight and prioritization, and will once again locate it there.
  • President Trump signed the FUTURE Act into law, securing $255 million in permanent annual funding for HBCUs and increasing funding for Federal Pell Grants.
  • President Trump authorized more than $100 million for scholarships, research, and centers of excellence at HBCU land-grant institutions.
  • President Trump provided $322 million in hurricane-related relief to four HBCUs in 2018 so they could fully focus on educating their students.
  •  President Trump ensured that faith-based HBCUs received equal access to Federal support.
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Biden Administration- HBCU Fact Sheets

The Biden Harris Administration released four fact sheets regarding support to and for HBCUs. Each is linked below to the original announcement from WH.GOV.

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces Record Over $16 Billion in Support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

May 16, 2024

Biden-Harris Administration Highlights A Record of Championing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

September 29, 2023

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces Resources for Historically Black Colleges and Universities that Have Recently Experienced Bomb Threats

March 16, 2022

The Biden-⁠Harris Administration’s Historic Investments and Support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

October 09, 2021

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Remembering President Jimmy Carter

Group audience with President Carter

August 8, 1980–President Jimmy Carter holds signing ceremony establishing White House Initiative on HBCUs.
Photo Courtesy: Meldon Hollis, former executive director, Carter Administration,

In August of 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed Executive Order 12232, establishing the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This marked the first time in history that a concentrated effort emerged from the White House to enhance the participation of HBCUs in federal research and to address the barriers that led to their unfair exclusion from these programs.

While our team is deeply saddened by the passing of President Carter, we are profoundly grateful for his legacy, which includes unwavering support for the institutions we serve and recognition of their vital contributions to our nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his children and family during this difficult time.

The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities

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2025 National HBCU Week Conference Interest Form

QR Code for 2025 National HBCU Week Conference

 

Use this QR code to provide your contact information to receive updates on the following:

  • Conference Session/Workshop Call for Proposal
  • Exhibition Hall Information
  • Career & Recruitment Fair Information
  • Volunteer Information
  • Auxiliary/Affiliate Meeting Information
  • Ad Hoc Meeting Information

Note: The interest form can also be accessed via this link: https://forms.office.com/g/hNqwue7HAj 

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Recorded Material Available: National HBCU Week Conference

 

The Initiative hosted the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference, “Raise the Bar: Where Excellence and Opportunity Meet,” on September 15-19, 2024 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.  Aligning with the Department of Education’s “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” call to action, the Initiative continued to identify and target tangible opportunities that would connect federal and private resources to the HBCU community.  To that end, it was the first time in the history of the conference that it was held outside of the DC Metro area.

The Initiative is proud to release the recorded material from this year’s annual National HBCU Week Conference.

September 16, 2024- Opening Ceremony

This inspiring ceremony set the tone for an enriching week of networking, learning and collaboration.
Welcome by Hailee Clack, HBCU Scholar, Hampton University
Greetings by Brenda Allen, President, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
Guard – St. Joseph Airforce ROTC Detachment National Anthem by Lincoln University Choir under the direction of Dr. Lloyd Mallory
Remarks by Cherelle L Parker, Mayor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sponsor Remarks by Laura Ipsen, President & CEO, Ellucian
Introduction by Sierra Williams, HBCU Scholar, Hampton University
Keynote by Dr. Miguel Cardona, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education

September 16, 2024- Remarks from President Biden

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 16: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the 2024 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week Conference on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During his remarks Biden spoke about his administration’s record of providing funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the importance of investing in the schools. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 17, 2024- The Administration & HBCUs

September 17, 2024- Safeguarding Democracy through HBCUs

September 18, 2024- A Crystal Ball for HBCUs: Navigating the Future with Artificial Intelligence

 

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Conference Registration and Hotel Update

ATTENTION!

RE: REGISTRATION

Thank you for your interest in the upcoming HBCU Conference. We are pleased to share that the event has reached full capacity. While conference registration is now closed, we are excited to offer the opportunity to attend the Career Fair on Sunday, September 15th, as a job seeker.

If you would like to participate in the Career Fair, please register by clicking on the button at the top right corner on our registration site. Career Fair Job Seeker Registration

Note: Registration for the Career Fair will not grant you access to the general conference.  All recruiting opportunities have been filled.  All approved recruiters have been notified.

RE: HOTEL RESERVATIONS

For situational awareness, the main conference hotel is currently sold out, so we have secured an overflow room block at the Residence Inn City Center-Philadelphia. The hotel is next door to the conference hotel and rooms are available for the night of the 14th through the night of the 17th, departing on Wednesday the 18th. We have a limited number of hotel rooms available at a discount of $211/night plus tax.

Please use the following link to reserve your room: Book your group rate for National HBCU Week Conference Overflow. The last day to reserve rooms at the group rate is Thursday, September 5th, or when the block fills up, whichever comes first. Once this overflow block fills up, attendees will be responsible for securing their own hotel accommodations at prevailing hotel rates and not the conference discount.

 

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Cancellation Notice: June 20, 2024 President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs

Notice. Cancelled open public meeting.

SUMMARY:  This notice is to advise members of the public of the cancellation of the open meeting of the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities scheduled to be held on June 20, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. (EDT). The open meeting was announced in the Federal Register on Monday, May 20, 2024, in FR Doc. 2024-10920 page 43840-43841.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Sedika Franklin, Associate Director/Designated Federal Official, U.S. Department of Education, White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202; e-mail sedika.franklin@ed.gov.

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2024 African Americans & the Arts: HBCU Edition

Join the Initiative and its esteemed federal and private partners this African American History Month in a jubilant celebration of African Americans and their profound contributions to the arts. Delight in the HBCU Edition, where throughout February, a rich tapestry of virtual and in-person events awaits, thoughtfully crafted to resonate with the vibrant HBCU community. Explore the calendar below for registration links and detailed event information.

Calendar for BHM

HBCU History in Photos- Video Series

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