UNCF to Participate in White House Summit on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
UNCF today announced that it will participate in the Trump administration’s White House Summit on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Sept. 18-19.
Since its founding 73 years ago, UNCF has been making the case to all Americans of all political persuasions—every business leader, every Congress, and every president—that HBCUs play a critical role in our nation’s prosperity. Today, HBCUs are no less relevant than they were 150 years ago, graduating almost 20 percent of all African American graduates and generating 24 percent of all African American’s STEM degrees. They are producing the next generation of teachers, nurses, doctors, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs that our nation needs. That is why UNCF has been and continues to be fully committed to the advancement of HBCU policy priorities and to hold the Trump administration accountable for promises made regarding HBCUs and support of the African American community.
UNCF and other HBCU stakeholders requested that the 2017 National HBCU Week Conference, traditionally held in September, be postponed due to lack of progress by the Trump administration on policy initiatives that serve the best interests of HBCUs. The White House heeded this call and is instead convening a small group of HBCU presidents and leaders to have a strategic discussion with the administration about HBCU priorities, and UNCF-member HBCUs will be at the table at the White House.
UNCF has been a leading advocate for the value and values that our private HBCUs and, indeed, all HBCUs, offer to the nation. Soon after last November’s election, UNCF sent to the president-elect A Memo to President-elect Donald Trump: Ten Ways to Invest in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which laid out a substantive 10-point plan in support of HBCUs. For further impact, UNCF also provided the new administration with Six Top Priorities for HBCUs for consideration by the administration, and they have provided the U.S. Office of Management and Budget a roadmap for short- and long-term investments in the federal budget for programs of particular importance to HBCUs.
UNCF and its member HBCUs will continue to advance these policy and funding initiatives with the Trump administration, including at this convening. This is vital, as the administration will be weighing in on its FY2018 budget priorities with Congress as it completes action this fall on this year’s budget and developing next year’s budget.
UNCF, its member institutions and its many stakeholders believe “A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.”® Additional investment in HBCUs and the young minds they develop is essential to expand America’s talent pool. UNCF intends to take every opportunity to participate in serious discussions with federal policymakers to ensure that each and every African American student enjoys a successful journey from school to college and career.
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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 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF annually awards $100 million in scholarships and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.®” Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter, @UNCF