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STATE of the HBCUnion ADDRESS Luncheon & Awards Friday, July 31st, 2026, 12 - 3p
• 12p - 1230p Networking
• 1230 - 2p Session
• 2 - 3p Mixer
Location: The Oak Bluffs Public Library, The Big Meeting Room [ Location May Change ]
Featuring:
Chancellor Bonita Brown, Winston-Salem State University
• https://www.wssu.edu/about/chancellors-office/index.html
Chancellor Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Sr.,Elizabeth City State University
• https://www.ecsu.edu/about/leadership/chancellor-bio.php
Dr. Valerie Kinloch, President, Johnson C. Smith University https://www.jcsu.edu/who-we-are/president-and-leadership/president and www.jcsu.edu.
President Dr. Jonathan K. Jefferson, Roxbury Community College
• https://www.rcc.mass.edu/explore/news-updates/18thpres.html
MODERATED BY: Susan Taylor Batten, President & CEO, www.ABFE.org
• https://www.abfe.org/susan-taylor-batten, Fisk & Howard Alumna
This year’s ADDRESS will not only explore the current political and economic landscape for HBCUs but will also highlight a powerful new collaboration: the partnership between Johnson C. Smith University and Roxbury Community College. Through a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, JCSU and RCC have created:
Clear transfer pathways for students who complete two years at Roxbury Community College to seamlessly continue their final two years at Johnson C. Smith University.
Opportunities for faculty exchanges and the development of satellite programs, expanding access, innovation, and support for students across both institutions. https://www.jcsu.edu/news/jcsu-and-roxbury-college-announce-historic-partnership-worth-wealthcon-boston
SPACE IS LIMITED:
Imagine the 1960s when civil rights leaders gathered in modest rooms, often behind closed doors, to discuss the future of Black citizens and the promise of America itself. These were not always grand stages or public forums. Many of those conversations were held quietly, intentionally, and at times in secrecy, because the work was urgent and the stakes were high.
Those meetings rooted in strategy, courage, and collective responsibility became the foundation for historic advancements in voting rights, civil rights, education, and opportunity.
I would like to think of this STATE of the HBCUnion ADDRESS in that same spirit.
On Martha’s Vineyard, during HBCU Legacy Week, we are creating space for meaningful dialogue, alignment, and action, grounded in the shared mission of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This gathering is not about ceremony alone, but about vision. Not only about reflection, but about forward movement.
This is not just as a convening for HBCU Leaders, but as stewards of legacy, architects of access, and guardians of institutions that have shaped generations of leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
May this moment mark the beginning, or continuation, of impactful, action-oriented conversations that will strengthen our institutions, unify our voices, and guide the next era of HBCU excellence.
Key Discussion Pillars
The ADDRESS will cover three critical areas, with a focus on investment, equity, and future sustainability:
I. Achievements and Progress
• The Power of Growth: Discussing increased enrollment across multiple HBCUs and the growing interest from students nationwide, as highlighted by recent trends (e.g., The Boston Globe's analysis).
• Fundraising Successes: Celebrating successful fundraising campaigns that have led to vital scholarships and necessary infrastructure improvements.
• Career Pathways: Showcasing expanded academic programs and enhanced corporate partnerships that secure valuable internship and career opportunities for HBCU students in a changing workforce.
II. Challenges and Opportunities
• Funding Equity: Addressing the persistent issue of ensuring adequate funding for HBCUs as a critical priority, aligning with the ABFE/Candid report findings.
• Digital Divide & Wellness: Strategies for bridging the digital divide and providing equitable access to technology, alongside supporting the mental health and well-being of students.
• Infrastructure: Plans for strengthening infrastructure to create modern and sustainable learning environments.
III. Looking Ahead: Investing in the Future
• Innovation: Focus on investing in research and development to drive innovation within HBCU institutions.
• Accessibility: Strategies for expanding online and hybrid learning opportunities to reach a wider student base.
• Advocacy & Alumni Power: The importance of building stronger alumni networks and advocating for policies that provide sustained support for HBCUs, ensuring they remain vibrant for future generations.
We are committed to ensuring that HBCUs remain vibrant centers of learning, culture, and community. Together, we will continue to build a stronger future for our institutions and our students.
Join us on Martha’s Vineyard as these visionary leaders discuss investment, equity, and the future of HBCUs at the 2nd Annual STATE of the HBCUnion ADDRESS during HBCU Legacy Week on the Vineyard.
The Egyptian Ma'at feathers incorporated in the logo are to bring the continent of Africa in The "feather of Ma'at" in ancient Egyptian mythology represents the principle of truth, justice, and order, often associated with the goddess Ma'at herself. It was used as a symbol of righteousness and balance.
Ma'at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maat#:~:text=Maat%20was%20also
%20the%20goddess,violence%20or%20to%20do%20evil.
The HBCU Report ABFE conducted via partnership with CANDID https://candid.org/
• https://candid.org/about/press-room/releases/philanthropy-and-hbcus-report-reveals-legacy-of-chronic-underfunding-to-historically-black-colleges-and-universities
• https://abfe.org/announcement/a-clarion-call-to-invest-in-historically-black-colleges-and-universities
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Event Venue
Oak Bluffs Public Library, 48 Pacific Ave, Vineyard Haven, MA 02557-7131, United States
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
