Summit Highlights

Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET
Check-in and pick up your HBCU Summit badge. Continental breakfast will be provided.

Time: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Welcome:
Dr. Keith Lezama, Founder & CEO of Building Bridge Education
Ms. Mindy Paulo, President of Building Bridges Education

Opening Remarks:
Dr. Sara Bleich, Vice Provost for Special Projects, Harvard University, Director of the Social Sciences program and Carol K. Pforzheimer Professor at Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Professor of Public Health Policy at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a faculty member at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government

Time: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Championing HBCU Excellence in PK-12 Education
The HBCU Summit is delighted to present a dynamic and inspiring plenary session featuring Dr. Tia Lites, Principal of the Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School in Boston, MA.

Join us for an engaging interview where Dr. Trent will converse with Dr. Lites, who leads the only HBCU-themed middle school in her district. This session will delve into Dr. Tia Lites' personal and professional journey, highlighting how her HBCU education has been instrumental in shaping her leadership and educational philosophy. Participants will learn about the origins and goals of the Helen Y. Davis Leadership academy, as well as discover the specific strategies and practices the Academy uses to promote, nurture, and embrace Black excellence among middle school students.

Moderated by:
Dr. Noelle Trent, President and CEO of the African American History Museum in Boston and Nantucket and Graduate of Howard University

Featured Guest:
Dr. Tia Lites, Principal of the Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School in Boston, MA.

Time: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Participants should select 1 of the 3 workshops to attend. Capacity is limited to 50 participants per workshop.

Empowering Futures: Forging Impactful Pathways through HBCU Partnerships
Join us for an engaging workshop that delves into the transformative power of partnerships in fostering student success within the HBCU community. Through an exploration of the Morehouse College Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS) programs, successes, and collaborations, participants will uncover actionable strategies to enhance student engagement and achievement. From establishing meaningful Memorandums of Understanding to cultivating enriching internship opportunities, we will showcase how PCS has leveraged partnerships to propel students towards their academic and professional goals. Drawing from the expertise of the Dean of PCS and case studies of esteemed partners like Morehouse School of Medicine and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, attendees will gain insights into cross-enrollment initiatives, mentorship models, and pathways to graduate education.
Presenter: Dr. Claude Hutto, Dean and Assistant Vice Provost, Morehouse College

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Tools for College Success: Empowering Families from Start to Finish
In this workshop, participants will uncover essential strategies for guiding their children’s journey from early education to college. Learn how to empower your families and communities with the tools needed to navigate the challenges of higher education, from fostering a supportive learning environment at home to accessing crucial college readiness resources.
Presenters: Steve Bumbaugh, Senior Vice President, College, Career and Digital Access, College Board
Vilmaris Gonzalez, Senior Director of Implementation Partnerships, College Board

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Financial Realities of Attending an HBCU and Available Resources
Navigating the financial landscape of higher education can be daunting, especially for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Panelists will demystify the financial realities of attending an HBCU and provide resources to increase student access to higher education, including scholarship opportunities.

Moderator:
Gwendolyn Scott-Jones, Academic Dean for Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Delaware State University

Panelists:
Arleaya L. Martin, Area Development Director, United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Boston, MA
Beverly Pierce, Director of Education and Career Planning Center, Massachusetts Education and Career Opportunities, Inc (MassEdCO)
Cedric Walker, Associate Director of Recruitment, Tuskegee University

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:45PM

Join us for lunch and enjoy a keynote presentation by our featured speaker, Ms. Madison Ruth Allen. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights and inspiration from a student leader while connecting with fellow attendees.

About our featured speaker: As the incoming Sophomore Class President at Spelman College, Ms. Allen is an active member of the College’s Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International Chapter and a proud graduate of the inaugural class of the PwC Emerging Talent Scholar Program at Spelman College. Ms. Allen is a 2023 Graduate of Brookline High School, in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Participants should select 1 of the 3 workshops to attend. Capacity is limited to 50 participants per workshop.

Unlocking Student Excellence: Elevating Success Strategies at a Southeastern Private HBCU
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a reputation for successfully educating and establishing pathways to socioeconomic mobility for African American/Black students; however, many continue to face challenges with retention, graduation, and postgraduate placement. This highly interactive session will highlight the process and positive impact of incorporating student success coaches and a student success management system at a private, southeastern HBCU. Participants will gain insight into appropriate theoretical frameworks to guide the development, implementation, and assessment of a success coach initiative that supports African American/Black students. Also, the session will provide individuals in a student-facing role with a more holistic approach to assessing African American/Black students' situations and strengths.
Presenter: Dr. Angela White, Dean of University and Student Success, Johnson C. Smith University

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Culturally Competent Counseling
Description Forthcoming.
Presenter: Dr. Chris Vick, A2Z College Consulting

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Adapting and Thriving: HBCU Enrollment and Student Preparedness in the Post-COVID Era
This workshop will feature a panel of esteemed HBCU leaders who will explore the evolving landscape of enrollment trends in higher education, with a specific focus on the post-COVID era. The panelists will delve into the unique enrollment trends at HBCUs and examine how these institutions have adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Additionally, they will provide insight into the academic preparedness and excellence of students who enter HBCUs, considering how their experiences can impact their readiness for college-level work. The discussion will also cover strategies for supporting students who entered high school under unprecedented conditions and how to best serve them as they transition to college.
Moderator:
Joseph Montgomery, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Panelists:
Dr. Dawn Nail, Executive Director, Center For Academic Excellence, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Hugh Durham, Executive Director of Admissions, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Dr. Juan Alexander Sr., Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Norfolk State University

Time: 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
Participants should select 1 of the 3 workshops to attend. Capacity is limited to 50 participants per workshop.

The HBCU Advantage: Empowering Counselors and Community Organizations to Guide Students
A resurgence of interest in the nations' Historically Black Colleges and Universities has resulted in more high school counselors seeking information about how best to expose their school communities to HBCUs. HBCUs, like other institutional types, have their own set of distinct benefits, features, and challenges. While there are many common aspects to navigating HBCUs in the college search landscape, it is a misstep to believe that HBCUs are a monolith. This session aims to introduce attendees to the various institutional types under the HBCU umbrella, guidance on how to organically integrate HBCUs in your college counseling philosophy, provide an understanding of how systemic factors have empowered HBCUs to "do more, with less", and shed light on how the same systemic inequities have acted as barriers to HBCU exposure in the college counseling office and beyond.
Presenters: Chelsea Holley, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Spelman College
Dominique Harrison, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
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Building Bridges to Graduate School
Leadership Brainery is committed to empowering HBCU students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. This workshop for HBCU leaders will focus on strengthening academic support structures and expanding graduate education pathways, particularly addressing systemic barriers to competitive master's and doctoral programs. The session will highlight the significant role of graduate education in advancing careers and leadership, emphasizing how advanced degrees can transform professional trajectories, community impact, and wealth generation. We will address the unique challenges HBCU students face, such as limited access to graduate school networks and resources. Leadership Brainery will showcase practical programs and resources tailored for HBCUs. The workshop will also guide HBCU administrators on leveraging our partnership to develop robust infrastructures that encourage graduate studies and equip students to overcome educational barriers. The goal is to create sustainable engagements that provide ongoing support, ensuring students' success in navigating graduate school applications.
Presenter: Derrick Young Jr., Leadership Brainery
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Exploring Opportunities at HBCUs
This session will review the benefits and opportunities available at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Students and families often seek tips and tools to help them navigate the college selection process. As such, in this session you will hear from a UNCF representative on the importance of HBCUs and how to help students choose the right college to help them thrive and succeed. The session will also provide an overview of college readiness resources available at UNCF. Session Objectives: 1. Learn about key facts and opportunities at HBCUs and obtain tips for helping students learn more about HBCUs 2. Discuss ways to explore HBCU fit for students 3. Discuss tools for students and families to help navigate the college process.
Presenter: Sekou Biddle, Vice President of Advocacy, United Negro College Fund

3:30 PM

Join us to reflect on our shared experiences and celebrate the achievements of this event.