WASHINGTON — A range of solutions and strategies — from the adoption of new business models to one-on-one mentoring from African Americans who’ve attained C-Suite positions — emerged Thursday at the inaugural HBCU “braintrust” of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual legislative conference.
The jam-packed marathon discussion — convened by U.S. Rep. Alma S. Adams, (D-North Carolina), founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus — featured seven HBCU presidents, a number of representatives from corporations that partner with HBCUs, and several students who recounted how their respective HBCU experiences exceeded their expectations.
As with just about any discussion of HBCUs, substantial tension arose over whether HBCU leaders should even indulge in conversations that question the relevancy of HBCUs.
But it was hard to dodge the relevance question in light of the fact that it came from April Ryan, the noted CNN commentator who served as moderator for the portion of the event that featured HBCU presidents.
“That’s almost the wrong question,” shot back Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, president at Tennessee State University.
Glover said HBCUs have long created “new business models” by achieving great results with scarce resources.
“That’s the new business model for the whole world,” Glover said. “Taking nothing and making something out of it,” she continued, noting that her own institution plans a large development project on nearby swampland. The project entails things that range from a business incubation facility to research centers, according to news reports.
