African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs’ Post

Celebrating Excellence: The Legacy of HBCUs - HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES After a successful Symposium event, we want to start Black Heritage month with a legacy that shine brighter than ever! Did you know that HBCUs have been the bedrock of African-American education for over 150 years? These institutions have nurtured minds, fostered leaders, and paved paths of opportunity when others were closed. They have produced icons in science, arts, politics, and business – from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Vice President Kamala Harris, from literary giant Toni Morrison to the trailblazing engineer Mary Jackson of NASA fame! Today, HBCUs continue to make a profound impact! They are: ✅ Academic Powerhouses ✅ Cultural Hubs ✅ Economic Engines 🔍 DID YOU KNOW? 🔍 HBCUs represent just 3% of U.S. colleges but they: 🎓 Produce almost 20% of African-American graduates 💼 Contribute $14.8 billion to the U.S. economy annually 🔬 Yield a significant portion of African-American STEM professionals 📣 Spread the Word: #HBCUPride 📣 Join us in a celebration of heritage and ongoing excellence. Tell us about the HBCU grads in your circle, share their stories, and let's honor the institutions that have made such vital contributions to our society! 🌟 Share this post, tag an HBCU grad you admire, and let’s get #HBCULegacy trending! 🌟 👉 Tell us: How has an HBCU touched your life or community? #HBCUExcellence #Education #Legacy #Impact #BlackHistory #HigherLearning #Innovation #CommunityGrowth

New Year, New session in the Elevate HBCU series! Elevate Your Skills will highlight some amazing voices from LinkedIn's HBCU alum community. Please join us on January 31st for a conversation on learning and demonstrating skills throughout your career. Register, share with your community, and join in the conversation. How do you continually Elevate Your Skills? #linkedin #hbcu #skillsfirst

Check out this power skills session on September 18 from 2-3 p.m. ET and gain direct insight from industry-leading professionals/HBCU alumni!

7 Notable HBCU Alumni Who Changed the World: Uncover how notable HBCU alumni have transformed the world, from civil rights to space exploration. Their legacy inspires us all. The post 7 Notable HBCU Alumni Who Changed the World appeared first on HBCU Lifestyle – Black College Living.

Discovering the Real World: HBCU Scholars Speak Out! 🤔 Are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) limiting students' exposure to the real world? 🌎 Let's hear it from the brilliant minds at @ncat, @spelman, and @howard – they're tackling this thought-provoking question head-on! Hit that link in our bio to dive deep into their insightful perspectives and gain a fresh understanding of the unique experiences that HBCU scholars bring to the table. Engage, learn, and let's evolve together! 👇 Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below. Does an HBCU experience limit students' exposure to the real world? #HBCUs #HBCUScholars #RealWorldPerspectives #BreakingBarriers #HigherEdConversation #StudentVoices

As I “step” into the office today, my heart is filled with an invigorating blend of enthusiasm and purpose. After a reflective and restful holiday break, I am thrilled to reengage with my work, especially with a mission that resonates deeply with me – delivering on the promise of Black Education. In our journey toward educational equity and excellence, I am reminded of the profound responsibility we bear. The promise of Black Education isn't just about academic achievement; it's about nurturing a generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers. It's about dismantling barriers and creating a world where every black student has access to opportunities that empower and inspire. A particularly exhilarating milestone this year will be the launch of HBCUv. After years of meticulous planning and development, this vision is finally taking shape. This week marks a pivotal moment as we receive the “keys” to the platform, symbolizing a new era in educational technology. Leading such an inspiring and groundbreaking project is a true honor, and it fills me with immense pride and excitement. For me, this mission is more than a job; it's a calling. And I am here for it, with every ounce of my passion and dedication. Here's to making meaningful strides, building bridges, and igniting potential. Here’s to delivering on the promise of Black Education in 2024! #BackToWork #BlackEducation #hbcuv #uncficb #uncf

Just read the unveiling of the Black male agenda that went public today for Kamala Harris campaign. This is what stood out to me ● Providing more pathways for Black men to become teachers and school leaders. Only 1% of public school teachers are Black men. Vice President Harris will build a pipeline of Black male teachers, including by investing in programs under the Department of Education, which Trump wants to eliminate, to collaborate with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) that will empower Black men and others to enter and succeed in the teaching profession, where they can serve as role models and mentors to students and improve academic outcomes. Vice President Harris will also expand registered apprenticeships for teachers and continue to support the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to recruit and retain Black male teachers—which Trump tried to eliminate as President. Statistics have shown that Black student retention rates and overall success is increased when they have at least one Black male teacher during their elementary school years.

Dennis McCoy The Solution: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Some of the most heartening statistics come from our nation’s HBCUs. Though HBCUs make up only three percent of the country’s colleges and universities, they enroll 10% of all African American students and produce almost 20% of all African American graduates. These students have an advantage long past graduation. A whopping 25% of African American graduates with STEM degrees come from HBCUs. Eight HBCUs were among the top 20 institutions to award the most science and engineering bachelor’s degrees to Black graduates from 2008-2012. An HBCU graduate can expect to earn an additional $927,000 in their lifetime, which is 56% more than they could expect to earn without their HBCU degrees or certificates. From start to finish, an HBCU education is a setup for success.

Our Executive Director #SharnéJackson at #TheFragranceFoundation had a dynamic & inspiring conversation on Class is in Session with fabulous #AshleiStevens of #BlackEnterprisee! #FragranceForwardTFF Watch 👀it now!

It's concerning to see Talladega College, a revered institution within the HBCU community, facing significant challenges. This emphasizes the crucial need for strategic foresight, financial prudence, and accountability, areas where some HBCUs have historically struggled. As an HBCU alum and former administrator, I understand the frustration caused by recurring mismanagement cycles. To ensure the lasting success of HBCUs, a shift towards strategic and visionary leadership is essential. To overcome these challenges, HBCUs should focus on key strategies: - Setting clear goals and metrics aligned with the institution's mission - Investing in leadership development and crisis management - Involving stakeholders for diverse perspectives and shared commitment - Enhancing financial oversight through regular audits and governance checks - Diversifying revenue streams beyond tuition - Controlling costs and prioritizing spending for student success - Promoting institutional identity and global reach through unique value propositions - Concentrating on academic excellence and expanding online learning opportunities By adopting these strategies, HBCUs can strengthen their foundation, foster growth, and uphold competitiveness in the global educational arena.