Today, the White House Initiative on HBCUs announced their ninth cohort of HBCU students selected to be recognized as 2022 HBCU Scholars, previously titled HBCU All-Star Ambassadors. The HBCU Scholars program was created in 2014 under the Obama Administration to recognize HBCU leaders who excel in academic, social and civic engagement. The selected scholars visit the nation’s capitol during the annual HBCU Week observance in September to network with White House officials and learn of further outreach and engagement opportunities to aid in their respective HBCU experiences. This cohort, featuring 102 students, is the largest in the program’s history.
“Our 2023 HBCU Scholars are talented students who embody the culture of excellence and inclusion championed by our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “On behalf of the U.S. Department of Education and everyone across the Biden-Harris Administration, I congratulate each of our 2023 HBCU scholars on this prestigious recognition and thank them for their commitment to serving their communities. I’m thrilled to see the HBCU Scholars program continue to expand its reach and provide such exciting professional development, networking, and educational opportunities to some of our nation’s brightest and most promising young leaders.”
HBCU Scholars have been extended invitations to attend the 2023 HBCU Week Conference, which is scheduled to take place from September 24th to 28th, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, Virginia. The conference’s central themes for this year are “Raising the Bar: Forging Excellence Through Innovation & Leadership.”
Throughout the conference, HBCU Scholars will participate in sessions specifically designed to foster an environment of innovation, leadership, and personal and professional growth. Importantly, the event provides them with valuable opportunities to engage with one another, initiative staff, and partners, offering a platform to showcase their individual and collective talents.
HBCU Scholars will also have the privilege of participating in various programs, events, and monthly master classes. These initiatives are tailored to enhance their professional development and open doors to post-graduation opportunities within non-profit, business, and federal agency partners. The objective is to ensure the nation’s sustained global competitiveness.
As a member of the 2017 Cohort of HBCU Scholars (known at the time as HBCU All-Star Ambassadors) I can personally attest to the outreach opportunities that the White House Initiative On HBCUs affords the students recognized by the program. Through the initiative I was able to become a Creative Services intern with black-centric cable television network Aspire TV, which opened several post graduate opportunities for me. I also was able to further grow the HBCU Pulse brand by providing exclusive coverage of my time in DC as an All-Star during the first year of the Trump administration. Links to the articles will be listed below, as well as the full list of the 2022 HBCU scholars.
Articles About My Experience As A 2017 White House HBCU All-Star
- Being An HBCU All-Star Day 1: First Airplane Ride, Meeting All-Stars & The Reception
- Being An HBCU All-Star Day 2: Meeting Omorosa & Betsy Devos, Networking With BET & Attending A Church Business Reception
- Being An HBCU All-Star Day 3: Visiting The White House, When HBCU Rivals Meet & Stranded In DC
List Of 2023 White House Initiative On HBCUs HBCU Scholars
ALABAMA
(Alpharetta) Taya Davis, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
(Dothan) Jamal Maloney Jr., Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
(Dothan) Ta’Kari Bryant, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
(Gadsden) Jessica Parker, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL
(Huntsville) Jaela Haynes Williams, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
(Madison) Makahla Riley, Drake State Community & Technical College, Huntsville, AL
(Montgomery) Matilda Perryman, Trenholm State Community College, Montgomery, AL
(Montgomery) Morgan Marshall, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
(Montgomery) Thaddeus Sneed, Trenholm State Community College, Montgomery, AL
(Pleasant Grove) Haley Heard, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
(Troy) Ch’Erykah Dunn, Paine College, August, GA
(Tuscaloosa) Chiamaka Okafor, Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL
(Tuskegee) Eddie Tolbert, Drake State Community & Technical College, Huntsville, AL
(Tuskegee) Bruce Taylor, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
DELAWARE
(Newark) Imani Wulff-Cochrane, Delaware State University, Dover, DE
(Wilmington) Aa’Khai Hollis, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
FLORIDA
(Cutler Bay) Maiya Lyn-Ah-Ping, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
(Jacksonville) Janiya Jones, Bethune Cookman University, Jacksonville, FL
(Orlando) Ndidi Ude, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
(Riverview) Lillian Carr, Hampton University, Hampton, VA
(Tallahassee) Terrance McPherson, Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC
GEORGIA
(Atlanta) Aleisha Sawyer, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
(Atlanta) Emmanuel Dean, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
(Augusta) Joshton Mincey, Voorhees University, Denmark, SC
(Augusta) Sierra Powell, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
(Covington) Charis Haynes, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
(Hamilton) Jamyra Hayes, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley GA
(Riverdale) Alexander Richardson, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA
INDIANA
(Indianapolis) Kristyn Lyles, Florida Memorial University, Miami, FL
(Indianapolis) Morgan Graves, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
ILLINOIS
(Belleville) Payton Jackson, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC
KANSAS
(Kansas City) Kennedy Thompson, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO
(Wichita) Lovette Mba, Langston University, Langston, OK
KENTUCKY
(Bowling Green) Chyler Hughes, Lincoln University of MO, Jefferson City, MO
(Louisville) Dariyah Pennix, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
KENYA
(Siaya) Annan Odongo, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
LOUISIANA
(Monroe) Henry Steele III, Southern University A&M University, Baton Rouge, LA
(New Orleans) Dana Bailey, Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
MARYLAND
(Baltimore) Annalyse Belton, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
(Baltimore) Tesfay Robel, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
(Bethesda) Elisha Cloy, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
(Bowie) Brittney Henry, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
(Columbia) Camille Young, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
(Upper Marlboro) Khamara Logan, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
(Upper Marlboro) Victoria Lanier, N.C., North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC
(Waldorf) Zairen Jackson, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC
MICHIGAN
(Bloomfield) Juliet Makena, Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC
(Detroit) Samarion Flowers, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
MINNESOTA
(Saint Paul) Afiya Ward, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL
MISSISSIPPI
(Brandon) Atlantis Funches, Hinds Community College- Utica, Utica, MS
(Collins) Ronnie Davis, Alcorn State University, Alcorn, MS
(Jackson) Nishan Shears, Hinds Community College- Utica, Utica, MS
(Ripley) Amelya Hatch, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
MISSOURI
(Kansas City) Desmond Williams, Clinton College, Rockhill, SC
NEVADA
(Las Vegas) Mia Douglass, Benedict College, Columbia, SC
NORTH CAROLINA
(Charlotte) David Wilson, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC
(Charlotte) Kaiyah Brown, N.C., North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC
(Charlotte) Trinity Cromwell, Bennet, Benedict College, Columbia, SC
(Concord) Ezeji Nwanaji-Enweren, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
(Southern Pines) Olivia Boyd, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC
NEW JERSEY
(Palmyra) Laquann Wilson, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
(Pennsauken) Calvin Bell, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
NEW MEXICO
(Rio Rancho) Charina Lancaster, Langston University, Langston, OK
NEW YORK
(Brooklyn) Raquel Liverpool, Miles College, Birmingham, AL
(Bronx) Tamara Wood, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
(Rochester) Carys Carr, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
NIGERIA
(Abuja) Joshua Umoru, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX
(Agbor – Delta State) Obiajuru Nwadiokwu, Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL
(llaje – Ondo State) Adeleye Mesogboriwon, Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL
(Jos) John Josiah, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC
PENNSYLVANIA
(Cheyney) Matthew Wilford, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA
(Harrisburg) Jordan Spencer, Delaware State University, Dover, DE
(Mount Pocono) Troy Wilson, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
(Pittsburgh) Rakayat Sulaiman, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA
(Philadelphia) Tori Haynes-Harrison, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
(Philadelphia) Youma Diabira, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
SOUTH CAROLINA
(Blythewood) Kenard Holmes, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
(Columbia) Simya Levine, Voorhees University, Denmark, SC
(Fort Mill) Victoria Jordan, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
(Hardeeville) Marlaysia Westbrook, Allen University, Columbia, SC
(Olar) Patience Badger, Denmark Technical College, Denmark, SC
TENNESSEE
(Antioch) Hailey Russell, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
(Chattanooga) Crystal Ammons, Southern University Law Center Baton Rouge, LA
(Memphis) Artrae’vian Epps, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS
(Memphis) Ebenezer Nyenwe, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
(Memphis) Marissa Pittman, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
(Memphis) Tyler Finley, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
(Nashville) Reagan Hagewood, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
TEXAS
(Abeline) Jabraisa Doss, St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX
(Austin) Kamaria Marshall, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
(Desoto) Ishmia Black, Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR
(Fort Worth) Moreen Kabuho, Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX
(Hawkins) Jhavier Law, Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX
(Houston) Kristian Salas, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
(Water Valley) Jason Bailey, St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
(St. Croix) Michael Bell, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, UVI
VIRGINIA
(Hopewell) Zakyha Jones-Walker, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC
(New Port News) Jordan D. Moody, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
(Richmond) Michael Crossley, Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA
(Suffolk) Trinity Woodson, Fisk University, Nashville, TN
WEST INDIES
(St. Kitts) Jackeima Flemming, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, UVI
WEST VIRGINIA
(Bluefield) Patrice Sterling, Bluefield State University, Bluefield, WV
WISCONSIN
(Milwaukee) Mariah Williams, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
