Set to take place in Arlington, Virginia, from Sept. 24 to 28, the annual conference stands as the foremost gathering of influential figures within the HBCU community.
Set to take place in Arlington, Virginia, from Sept. 24 to 28, the annual conference stands as the foremost gathering of influential figures within the HBCU community.
The United States Department of Education has officially disclosed the hosting of the 2023 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week Conference.
This annual event – considered the paramount gathering of influential figures within the HBCU community – is scheduled to occur in Arlington, Virginia, from Sept. 24 to 28, 2023. The announcement was made during the third leg of the Department of Education’s “Back to School Bus Tour.”
Commitment to HBCU communities
During his visit to Harris-Stowe State University in Missouri, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized the administration’s steadfast dedication to HBCUs and students. Under the Biden-Harris administration, a direct investment of $7.3 billion has been allocated to HBCUs to date.
In addition to the conference announcement, the administration revealed the awarding of the 12th Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grant to Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
This grant, amounting to over $287,000, is intended to address recent bomb threats experienced by the university. It will fund the employment of two full-time mental health counselors to support members of the university community still dealing with anxiety stemming from the incident.
Dillard University will also utilize SERV funds for a one-year teletherapy support program for all university community members and training programs designed to assist faculty, students, and staff in coping with and recovering from the trauma of the incident.
‘Raising the bar’ in HBCUs
“Historically, Black Colleges and Universities have embodied leadership, excellence, and innovation for centuries, continually punching above their weight and producing barrier-breaking graduates in every field imaginable,” said Cardona. He also acknowledged President Biden’s support for HBCUs, which has resulted in record investments in these institutions.
The theme for the 2023 HBCU Week Conference is “Raising the Bar: Forging Excellence through Innovation & Leadership.” It provides a platform for administrators, faculty, and students to engage with key leaders, including federal agency officials, financial executives, private sector representatives, business professionals and financial aid executives.
The conference will feature speeches from Secretary Cardona and senior administration officials, offering valuable insights to HBCU administrators and leaders on topics related to promoting educational excellence, innovation and equity.
Dr. Dietra Trent, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, emphasized the vital role HBCUs have played in providing educational opportunities for generations of Black Americans and communities of color.
HBCU Week will include workshops, interactive exhibits, keynote addresses, and engagements connecting federal and private sector resources with the HBCU community.
The National HBCU Week Conference is organized by the White House Initiative on HBCUs in close consultation with the Executive Office of the President and the US Department of Education.
