The Hunt Institute Team Recognized at White House HBCU Week

On Thursday, September 22, 2022, members of The Hunt Institute traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the Excellence in Innovation and Collaborations Awards luncheon at the HBCU Week Conference organized by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

(L to R): Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President and CEO, The Hunt Institute; Dr. Jasmine Kelly, Senior Program Manager, The Hunt Institute; Michele Lockwood Jordan, Vice President, The Hunt Institute; Julia Ahrns Hoffman, Policy Analyst, The Hunt Institute; Dr. Madeline Smith, Director of Higher Education, The Hunt Institute; Dr. Winn Decker, Deputy Director of Higher Education, The Hunt Institute

The Hunt Institute was awarded the Private Partnership Award in celebration of our team’s efforts to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to successfully compete for private sector investment through programs, grants, and cooperative agreements.

This award recognizes the work done this past summer by our team in partnership with HBCUs in North Carolina to organize and support a visit from Dr. Dietra Trent and her staff from the White House Initiative.  

The visit took place Wednesday, June 22, through Friday, June 24, 2022, at Bennett College in Greensboro and North Carolina Central University in Durham.  

On Wednesday, June 22, higher education leaders from HBCUs across North Carolina, including Bennett College, North Carolina A&T State University, and Winston-Salem State University, gathered at Bennett College to hear from a student panel and participate in round table discussions focused on research and career readiness opportunities within HBCUs.  

Back Row: Dr. Dietra Trent; Front Row: (L to R): William Teasley, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Imani Romney, Winston-Salem State University; Zauria Murphy, Bennett College; Tiera Henderson, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Dr. Dietra Trent, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs

(L to R): William Teasley, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Imani Romney, Winston-Salem State University; Zauria Murphy, Bennett College; Tiera Henderson, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

After these discussions, Dr. Trent and her staff were taken on a tour by the Bennett College admissions staff to learn about the history of the campus and their goals for the future.  

Thursday, June 23, was dedicated to exploring challenges and opportunities with the NC Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. The Scholarship Luncheon awarded students attending HBCUs in North Carolina with financial support to complete their education. Dr. Trent provided opening remarks for the day. 

On Friday, June 24th, students and leaders from North Carolina Central University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine’s University, Fayetteville State University, and Elizabeth City State University gathered at NCCU to hear from a student panel and to discuss building a diverse workforce through HBCU institutions.  

(L to R): Lavelle Hawthorne, Elizabeth City State University; Sha’nyah Moore, Elizabeth City State University; Manuhe Abebe, North Carolina Central University; Dr. Dietra Trent; Miles Beasley, Saint Augustine’s University; Destini Vance, Saint Augustine’s University; Derrick Stanfield, North Carolina Central University; Nakya Carter, Shaw University; Selena Garcia, North Carolina Central University; Cameron Emery, North Carolina Central University; Maya Martin, Fayetteville State University; Antonio Ashley, Fayetteville State University

(L to R): Nakya Carter, Shaw University; Manuhe Abebe, North Carolina Central University; Selena Garcia, North Carolina Central University; Derrick Stanfield, North Carolina Central University; Antonio Ashley, Fayetteville State University; Maya Martin, Fayetteville State University

(L to R): Sha’nyah Moore, Elizabeth City State University; Lavelle Hawthorne, Elizabeth City State University; Cameron Emery, North Carolina Central University

(L to R): Miles Beasley, Saint Augustine’s University; Destini Vance, Saint Augustine’s University

Our team at The Hunt Institute is grateful to have had the opportunity to partner with HBCUs in North Carolina, and for the support of CREED NC, EducationNC, myFutureNC, and the John M. Belk Endowment in the work of listening to the #NC10!