HBCU Leaders, Legislators, and Stakeholders Convene for The Hunt Institute’s Inaugural HBCU Caucus Convening

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2024

Contact: Moriah Martin

mmartin@hunt-institute.org | (240) 272-3379

Atlanta, GA. – On May 6-7, 2024, The Hunt Institute hosted its inaugural Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus Convening in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the two days, the Caucus Convening will highlight progress made by state legislative HBCU caucuses in Georgia and North Carolina and support discussions on next steps for the 11 states in attendance to develop their own caucuses. To do so, The Institute has gathered leaders including state legislators, HBCU leaders, and philanthropic and policymaker partners from across the nation. 

“The creation of an HBCU Caucus is an important step in garnering bipartisan support of HBCUs across the country. It’s critical that we both recognize and strengthen the social and economic influence of these institutions,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute. “HBCUs are undeniable cornerstones of their communities, and their impact extend far beyond their students.”   

The event will begin Monday morning with a session focused on key findings from the North Carolina HBCU Listening Tours, which led to the launch of a first-in-the-nation bipartisan, bicameral state legislative HBCU Caucus in North Carolina. Throughout the day, conversations with national resource experts will focus on streamlining communication between HBCUs and legislatures, exploring the cross-sector benefits of HBCU caucus expansion, centering student outcomes in HBCU caucus work, and uplifting HBCUs through state legislative caucuses. Keynote remarks will be provided by Corey Savage, Manager, Outreach and Engagement at The Walt Disney Company.  

“HBCUs have had an incredible impact on the state of North Carolina,” said North Carolina State Representative Zack Hawkins (D – Durham). “Despite that, HBCUs have been consistently underfunded for years. It is critical for states to create bipartisan efforts to engage legislators about the importance of HBCUs and how to best serve these institutions.” 

The convening will continue Tuesday with a policy discussion focused on the evolving role of federal policies in shaping the future of HBCUs and insights on strategies to overcome hurdles. The convening will conclude with an opportunity for states to discuss the needs of their respective HBCUs and identify goals for developing an HBCU caucus in their state. 

“As we convene legislators and HBCU leaders from across the country, we recognize the pivotal role these institutions play in our states as centers of excellence, innovation, and cultural significance,” said Georgia State Senator Sonya Halpern (D – Atlanta) and Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow. “In doing so, we ensure that the legacy of our HBCUs not only endures but thrives, enriching the fabric of our society for generations to come.”  

About The Hunt Institute 

The Hunt Institute, an affiliate of the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, is a recognized leader in the movement to transform public education. Marshaling expertise from a nationwide partner network since its establishment in 2001, The Institute brings together people and resources that help build and nurture visionary leadership and mobilize strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success. For more information, please visit: http://www.hunt-institute.org/ 

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