Two UNCF-Member HBCU Presidents to Testify Before the House Committee on Small Business

Presidents from Shaw University and Benedict College to Participate on Panel

 

Tomorrow, April 30, the House Committee on Small Business’ Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations will hold a hearing titled  “Lost Opportunities? SBA’s Engagement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” This hearing will focus on a recent report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), “Small Business Administration: Key Entrepreneurship Programs and Activities Do Not Specifically Target Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but Collaboration Exists with Some Schools.” The hearing will have two panels consisting of witnesses, including the two Historically Black College and University (HBCU) presidents listed below, who lead institutions represented by UNCF (United Negro College Fund).

• Dr. Paulette Dillard, President, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
• Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President, Benedict College, Columbia, SC

“I am very proud to have both Dr. Paulette Dillard and Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis serving as witnesses before the House Committee on Small Business,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO. “To have two of our member-presidents on one panel is outstanding and both are highly qualified and able to articulate the needs and opportunities of HBCUs. They will represent both their institutions and the HBCU community extremely well.”

The GAO report examined (1) federal priorities and the Small Business Administration’s (SBAs) goals related to working with HBCUs and (2) SBA’s key programs and outreach activities for fostering entrepreneurship, particularly with HBCUs, and what is known about HBCU participation in these programs and activities.  SBA’s goals, as identified in their 2018 strategic plan submitted to the Secretary of Education and the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, were to (1) raise awareness and provide information that would help raise the capacity of HBCUs to participate in federally funded programs and (2) promote collaboration among HBCUs and SBA resource partners and district offices.

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About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.”^® Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter @UNCF.