HBCU Philanthropy Symposium 2019
Delaware State University’s Division of Institutional Advancement hosted its 9th annual HBCU Philanthropy Symposium July 22-25, attracting fundraising professionals from 29 Historically Black Colleges and Universities from across the country.
Held at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, about 100 institutional advancement professionals were joined by representatives of foundations and corporations at the four-day event, where new and fresh ideas were shared on how to effectively fundraise for HBCUs and how to address the challenges such schools currently face.
For images from the event, click on the below link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48216028@N03/albums/72157709905520846
The keynote speaker was U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, who since her 2014 election has become a leading Congressional advocate for HBCUs. In her July 23 address, she said HBCUs today need multiple streams of investment, and partnering with corporations is a must way to diversify incoming investments.
“When these companies engage with our schools, they are more than getting a return on their investments,” the North Carolina Congresswoman told the Symposium audience. “But that engagement cannot be just the same old job fairs and summer internship. You have got to think of strategic and sustainable partnerships that include infrastructure investment.”
The full transcript of Congresswoman Adams’ address can be read by clicking on the below link:
https://www.desu.edu/news/2019/07/rep-alma-adams-address-hbcu-symposium
Rep. Adams was introduced by her Congressional colleague and Delaware U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.
The Symposium also included a Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Presidents Forum, which featured the following HBCU CEOs: Dr. Wilma Mishoe of Delaware State University, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., of Alabama State University, and Dr. Brenda Allen of Lincoln University. In addition to moderating the Presidents Forum, David Sheppard, vice president and general counsel of the TMCF, also gave an update on the current work of that agency on behalf of HBCUs.
Attendees were able to engage major funders in a panel discussion, which included representatives from the Kresge Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Strada Education Network. Dr. Devona Williams, chairperson of the Delaware State University Board of Trustees, moderated the session.
The symposium also featured a Corporate Town Hall on Strategies for Corporate Funding. Corporate participants included representatives from Pepco Holdings, Discover Financial Services, FMC Corp., Technology for Social Good, Diversity & Inclusion, JP Morgan Chase, Toyota, and Wells Fargo. The Town Hall was moderated by Kenneth Sigmon, vice chancellor, University Advancement, North Carolina A&T State University.
The final day of the symposium featured Edward Smith-Lewis of the United Negro College Fund discussing the UNCF’s Career Pathways Initiative.