The Department of Education’s White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities commenced the 2023 National HBCU Week Conference this week.

The event will run from September 24-28 and will bring together leaders, faculty, students, and supporters from colleges and universities.

This year’s theme, “Raising the Bar: Forging Excellence through Innovation & Leadership,” aims to connect the HBCU community with federal and private resources through workshops, interactive exhibits, keynote speeches, and more.

The 5th Annual National HBCU Week Conference Career and Recruitment Fair, taking place on September 28, is the highlight of the conference.

The in-person event offers professional development sessions, direct hiring, and recruitment opportunities in various categories including Career Services Support, Career Pathways Development, Workforce Development, Entrepreneurship/Leadership, and Access and Affordability.

The career fair is free and open to all National Annual HBCU participants and the public, including undergraduates, graduates, doctoral candidates, recent alums, and experienced professionals.

Its objectives are to recruit diverse talent, introduce career, fellowship, internship, and higher education opportunities, and establish professional relationships to expand networks and enhance professional development.

The career fair aims to increase awareness of public and private programs, share career pathways, increase equity and access, expand outreach and networks, recruit HBCU talent, and communicate economic and community opportunities.

On Friday, September 29, 2023, The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities will host the International Day Federal Workshop for HBCUs with Howard University Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center.

This workshop, part of The National HBCU Week Conference, is hosted by the White House Initiative on HBCUs, International Affairs Cluster.

The workshop aims to bring together representatives from various U.S. Federal Government Agencies to discuss the resources and opportunities available to HBCUs.

Its main objective is to provide students, educators, scholars, and artists with opportunities to participate in study, teaching, research, and internship programs abroad.

The workshop also covers strategies for recruiting international students, faculty, and scholars, building capacity for staff and faculty who support study abroad, and establishing and maximizing international partnerships.

The workshop aims to champion campus internationalization at HBCUs, highlight best practices and success stories from HBCU grantees, and strengthen collaborations between HBCUs and U.S. federal government agencies.

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of State, the Agency for International Development, the Department of Commerce, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Peace Corps will be present.

Save the date for the HBCU Week Conference on Sept 24-28, 2023!

The forum brings stakeholders together to advance educational equity and economic opportunities through HBCUs. Stay tuned! #RepresentationMatters #HBCUWeek pic.twitter.com/rcyYuCYqGV

— Educational & Cultural Affairs—U.S. Dept. of State (@ECAatState) September 22, 2023

#HBCU champions are in in the building at National #HBCU Week Conference! Our President & CEO @DrMichaelLomax joins @DrHLWilliams to discuss our mission to improve HBCU sustainability & the success of students in a conversation moderated by Dr. Nicole Pride. #HBCUTransformation pic.twitter.com/COEmAyBzNt

— UNCF (@UNCF) September 25, 2023

It’s National #HBCUWeek, which focuses on career pathways and economic development for #HBCU students and is hosted by the Department of Education’s White House Initiative on HBCUs.
HBCUs have historically been a rich source of talent for federal agencies.https://t.co/TQfWnTqUXd

— AAFEA (@_aafea) September 25, 2023