Robert F. Smith, a Black philanthropist and billionaire, has launched his own internship platform “InternXL” for HBCU students.

The platform previously known as internx, provides organizations of all types access to pre-screened, diverse, entry-level talent. The platform provides easier access to students that attend HBCUs and are qualified for each position.

Smith creating the platform after doing research and learning that on average only 6.6% of Black students have participated in paid internships, compared to 74% of white students.

“If America is to remain competitive in the rising global digital economy, business and academia must collaborate to engage diverse talent,” said Smith.

There are currently more than 220 companies and 17,000 pre-screened students that are registered partners and participants on the InternXL platform. The platform offers over 1300 courses as part of its tiered Learning Management System (LMS) that provides students with the opportunity to obtain certifications in a variety of subjects and skills, including the cloud, cybersecurity, Salesforce, and project management amongst others.

Smith previously launches a Student Freedom Inititave, a nonprofit organization that provides STEM majors at HBCU’s with opportunities to receive income-contingent funding, and the relaunch of InternXL aligns with the same objectives.

The InternXL team will be visiting HBCU campuses throughout the upcoming academic year and will provide students with free career-readiness training and resources to help prepare them for unique internship experiences.

“The impact of this initiative has been a game change for The Career Education and Leadership Development Center at Tuskegee University,” said its Director Walter P. Cooper, Sr.

InternXL Program Director Ivana Jackson explained that this platform and providing these opportunities helps level the playing field.

“The platform is positioned to bring precision, diversity, inclusion and efficiency to the internship matching process for thousands of talented and skilled young adults across the country,” said Jackson.

InternXL and its partners will continue to work directly with HBCU’s to help students visualize their full potential in a competitive global economy.