Future Forward - From Roots to Results: The Lasting Impact of HBCUs

Q: What inspired the creation of HBCU Heroes, and how has your mission evolved to meet the needs of HBCU students today?

A: Thank you so much for asking that. We're actually really proud to say that both myself and the other co-founder, George Lynch, are not HBCU alums. We went to UNC Chapel Hill. George played basketball for the Tar Heels, and in 1993, he won the NCAA Championship as the captain of the team. He went on to play for the Lakers and the 76ers in the NBA.

When George got his first head coaching position, it was at an HBCU—Clark Atlanta University. When he took on that role, he realized there were financial cuts and challenges that made it difficult for his basketball team. They didn’t have scholarships, a training table, or even laptops to complete their schoolwork away from campus.

Initially, we created HBCU Heroes to support George’s basketball team. We wanted to raise money for scholarships, tech equipment, and anything else they needed to be competitive. Shortly after, the pandemic hit, and we saw that it wasn’t just George’s basketball team struggling. There was a significant educational divide affecting HBCUs across the nation.

At that point, HBCU Heroes became a nationwide movement. During the pandemic, we provided laptops to HBCUs across the country, ensuring students had access to essential resources. Our mission expanded to include scholarships and other critical needs beyond athletics.

We believe anyone, anywhere, can be an HBCU Hero with a little time, elbow grease, and volunteer work. That’s how HBCU Heroes was born and evolved to where it is today.

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Q: HBCUs have a legacy of producing transformative leaders, which is widely recognized and supported by numerous studies. Can you share a story that highlights the unique value and influence of HBCU graduates in shaping industries or communities across the nation?

A: Absolutely. I think the most well-known HBCU story is our current Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. She is a Howard University alum and has made incredible strides in government, crafting laws and policies that impact the nation. Her rise, from senator to vice president, is nothing short of amazing. Kamala Harris has also been instrumental in putting HBCUs on the front page, gaining greater visibility for these institutions.

Another prominent example is Oprah Winfrey, a Tennessee State alum. Oprah has revolutionized the media and talk show industries, creating numerous opportunities for others. She now owns her own network, the Oprah Winfrey Network, which has further cemented her influence.

There’s also Rosalind Brewer, a former CEO of Walgreens. She was the first Black female CEO of Walgreens, breaking barriers and transforming leadership in the corporate world.

On a more personal note, I’d like to highlight the story of one of my business partners, Hayward Damon. He grew up in Philadelphia and was initially recruited by Penn. However, at the last minute, he received an offer from FAMU and decided to attend. He studied business at FAMU, and since graduating, he has made a tremendous impact as the board chairman of HBCU Week, an organization that has awarded $88 million in scholarships to HBCU students over the last decade.

Had Hayward attended a predominantly white institution (PWI) like Penn, he likely would have been successful anywhere because of his drive and commitment. But by attending an HBCU, his efforts have left a profound mark on the HBCU community, helping countless students through these scholarships.

Stories like Hayward's showcase how HBCU graduates identify needs and step up to make transformative contributions across the nation. This one, in particular, stands out because I’ve seen firsthand how impactful his work has been.

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Q: HBCUs make incredible contributions to the economy and society, but despite their value, HBCUs and their students often face systemic challenges that persist today. Why do these barriers continue, and what role can corporates and nonprofit partners play in leveling the playing field for HBCU students?

A: Thank you for that question, Harshita. It’s a great question, and it’s imperative that we understand why these challenges persist. Essentially, it stems from years of a historically uneven playing field. There’s been an unequal distribution of funding from the government and fewer opportunities for HBCUs compared to other institutions.

If we go back to the very beginning of education in America, Black people were not allowed to attend white institutions for higher education. As a result, HBCUs were created to provide that opportunity. However, these institutions were built within their communities, often without the same funding and resources given to white institutions at the time.

Even now, in 2024, there are unresolved issues like land grants that the federal government owes to HBCUs. For example, Tennessee State, Oprah Winfrey’s alma mater, and other HBCUs are owed millions of dollars.

The disparity also extends to endowments. Harvard University alone has a larger endowment than all 100-plus HBCUs combined. This highlights the compounding effect of starting from behind and struggling to catch up. Furthermore, HBCU graduates often lack the networking systems and resources that graduates of predominantly white institutions (PWIs) have. For instance, the ability to leverage connections for job opportunities is often limited for HBCU alumni.

Additionally, while some HBCUs like Howard, Morehouse, and Spelman receive significant funding from corporations, the vast majority—about 97 other HBCUs—are often left behind. Many of these institutions, though just as capable and deserving, are in smaller towns or areas and don’t receive the same level of attention or support.

To make a meaningful impact, corporations and donors should consider supporting all HBCUs, not just the top few that typically receive funding. There are over 100 HBCUs, and many could greatly benefit from the same opportunities and resources that PWIs or larger institutions receive. Supporting these schools helps ensure that their students can thrive and contribute to society on equal footing.

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Q: Can you walk us through some of the projects under Future Forward, such as the Career Forum and mentoring sessions? How do you think these initiatives can reshape the professional futures of HBCU students?

A: Absolutely, I’d be glad to. First, let me say that we’re so excited to work on this project with the team at Goodera for the rest of the year and beyond. One thing about HBCU Heroes is that we understand that 60% of the students we deal with—and 60% of the students in the HBCU community overall—are low-income, first-generation college students. These students often lack the resources and networking opportunities in their households that some other kids have from different backgrounds.

For us, being a part of the mentorship program and Career Forum is significant. The Career Forum will connect HBCU students from across America with corporate mentors who can provide one-on-one networking and support. These mentors can help students with everything from acing a job interview to negotiating a salary if they feel they’re worth more than what’s being offered. Often, students don’t have someone in their immediate circle who works in corporate America and can provide these kinds of insights.

By giving students a platform where they can freely ask career prep questions—whether about interviews, resumes, or salary negotiations—we’re addressing their individual needs. Sometimes their institutions’ career services, which cater to thousands of students, can’t give them the personalized attention they need. The Career Forum will bridge that gap by making their resumes stronger and helping them prioritize their interviews.

Similarly, the mentorship program will offer small group or one-on-one sessions where students connect with corporate mentors. These mentors will provide guidance on career prep and help them envision their career journeys. For instance, if an HBCU student dreams of becoming a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, they might not know anyone who has achieved that. Connecting them with role models in corporate America or even global corporations will give them actionable insights and a clear path forward.

Students can ask tactical questions like, “Where do I start if that’s my career goal?” and get advice directly from people who have been there. These two programs—the Career Forum and the mentorship program—are incredible assets to help our students persevere and achieve their dreams.

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Q: Since we're talking about 2025, Tracy, what is your vision for the future of HBCU Heroes? How can listeners of this podcast and potential volunteers become a part of this transformative journey?

A: Thank you for asking. HBCU Heroes, which we like to call our “little engine that could,” is focusing on several key initiatives for 2025.

First, our HBCU Heroes Online Academy is a major focus. Through this platform, we’re connecting with Goodera and bringing in mentors from all spectrums to help students become better candidates for jobs and internships. We’re also working to connect with more corporations to facilitate virtual learning opportunities and to expand our onsite activities, such as career fairs and field trips to corporations. These onsite visits give students experiences that are sometimes more impactful than virtual sessions.

Additionally, we’re continuing our Dollars for Scholars campaign. Many people don’t realize that nearly 25% of HBCU students face challenges like food or housing insecurity. For example, some students can’t afford on-campus housing or struggle to pay for basic needs. Our campaign raises funds to help alleviate these stresses so students can focus on their education.

Through this campaign, we’ve supported students with emergencies like paying for dental care or a phone bill so they don’t miss important calls, including job interview opportunities. We also assist with purchasing expensive textbooks or other unexpected costs. By removing these barriers, we’re helping students stay on track academically and professionally. Our 2025 goal is to raise $5 million for the Dollars for Scholars program to address these critical needs.

For anyone who wants to get involved, whether it’s virtually mentoring, donating, or volunteering, all the information is available on our website at hbcuheroes.org. You’ll find a donation link and details about how to mentor or volunteer.

Sometimes people think they need to be experts in LinkedIn or resume building to help, but that’s not true. If you’re in the corporate field, you have valuable insights to share—whether it’s your career journey, life experiences, or just offering motivation and inspiration. These contributions can make a big difference.

In 2025, we’re aiming to significantly expand our mentorship and volunteer programming. Our goal is to connect 20,000 or more HBCU students with mentorship, networking, jobs, and internships. We believe anyone can be an HBCU Hero by sharing their time, expertise, or support, whether through donations, inspiration, or tactical guidance.

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Q: How have you seen mentorship create a ripple effect, impacting not just a student’s career but also their family or community? Can you share a specific example?

A: Sure, I'll share one of my favorites from a couple of years ago. We had a student named Delilah. Many people don’t know this, but HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) are not solely for Black and African American students; they also serve Native Americans, other Black and Brown communities, and even white students. Delilah, a Native American, grew up on an Indian reservation and was attending a small, under-resourced HBCU in Mississippi.

We were hosting a career fair at the Prudential Center in New Jersey as part of a Michael B. Jordan HBCU basketball tournament, with over 50 blue-chip companies looking for students for jobs and internships. At the time, Delilah was interning with us, and I was personally mentoring her. She expressed to me how life-changing it could be if she could attend the event in New York to meet with corporations. She wanted to be a journalist but had never been to New York.

I decided to help her and reached out to Amazon, one of the event sponsors, through their Black Employee Network. They raised the funds to fly her in, provided her with money for her stay and meals, and connected her with an employee in her field who mentored her.

Delilah attended the event, met the companies, and received invaluable mentorship. Today, she’s working as a journalist. This experience didn’t just change her life; it allowed her to return to her community on the reservation—where resources are incredibly scarce—to inspire and support others. She now has the means to send money back home and show others that there is a way out.

Her story is inspiring because it highlights the power of courage, mentorship, and taking that first step. Amazon saw the same potential in her that I did, and together, we helped her succeed. She’s thriving today, and her journey stands as a testament to what mentorship can accomplish, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond one individual.

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Q: What do volunteers typically not realize about the impact they are creating in the lives of HBCU students, and what difference are they making?

A: First of all, I would really impress upon anyone considering volunteering that it is incredibly rewarding. We consistently receive emails from corporations who share how fulfilling it has been for them to contribute.

The mentorship we facilitate, including what we plan to do with you all, is impactful at every level. For example, early career mentors are especially helpful because they’ve recently navigated the hiring process. They understand what works and what doesn’t for getting into certain companies and can provide up-to-date, actionable advice. Sometimes, mentors may suggest small tweaks to a student’s resume that make a huge difference, such as aligning it with what companies look for today.

We recently had a mentor help a student realize their resume wouldn’t pass through ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) used by many companies. The student had applied to over 100 jobs without a response, and it turned out that 70% of resumes are automatically rejected by ATS if they’re not formatted correctly. That simple insight from a mentor—who wasn’t even an HR recruiter, just someone familiar with the system—completely transformed the student’s approach.

This is just one example of how mentors can provide "pro tips" that significantly improve students' career readiness. Whether it’s resume advice, networking strategies, or teaching students how to work effectively in virtual environments, these contributions are invaluable.

For instance, many students from HBCUs were not exposed to virtual learning environments before 2020. Now, in a post-pandemic world, they need to be prepared to excel in hybrid or remote roles, including mastering the art of working a virtual room. Mentors can guide them on how to network, present themselves online, and navigate interviews confidently, which is crucial when so much hiring is influenced by interpersonal connections.

At least 60% of jobs today are secured through networking—knowing someone who can refer you or vouch for you. Helping students overcome shyness, perfect their responses to common interview questions, and build a winning resume makes them much more competitive in the job market.

No matter where you are in your career, you have insights and experiences that can help HBCU students succeed. It doesn’t take being an expert—just sharing what you know can make a world of difference.

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Q: What advice do you have for volunteers to better support HBCU students, especially when addressing challenges they might face in corporate environments?

A: Volunteers should be forthcoming with the advice they share, as it can sometimes seem out of the blue for students. Being transparent and proactive with insights is incredibly valuable.

Additionally, we often work with students who have attended predominantly Black institutions throughout their educational journey—from elementary school through HBCUs. For these students, entering a corporate environment where they may be the only person of color on their team can be intimidating.

Mentorship programs play a crucial role here. Volunteers can introduce students to the concept of employee resource groups (ERGs), which are communities within corporations that provide support and foster inclusion. Many students are unaware of ERGs and how they can help integrate them into the corporate world.

Mentors, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, can share their experiences of navigating these spaces. This insight helps students feel more at ease and prepares them to succeed in unfamiliar environments. Diverse mentors and their experiences are vital to helping students feel confident and equipped to thrive in a world that may feel new and challenging to them.

Over the years, we’ve seen countless volunteers provide this type of support, and their contributions have been instrumental in leveling the playing field and helping students overcome fears of entering spaces where they may feel isolated.

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Q: How can volunteering and mentorship not only benefit HBCU students but also the companies and corporations that volunteers work for?

A: Volunteering and mentorship can have a significant impact on both the mentees and the mentors' organizations. For young professionals, guidance from mentors can make a huge difference, especially for those coming from underrepresented communities. Helping them ask the right questions and navigate their journey can transform their professional lives.

On the flip side, mentorship also benefits the companies and corporations where the volunteers work. Often, organizations struggle with retaining employees from underrepresented backgrounds because these individuals may not feel welcome or understood. Volunteers and mentors who engage with students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people of color in workplaces where they may comprise only 3-5% of the workforce, as is often the case in tech companies.

This understanding can help organizations create more inclusive environments, enabling them to retain diverse talent and foster cultures where everyone can thrive. By building these bridges, mentorship becomes a two-way street—helping mentees grow while making companies more innovative and better equipped to support diverse talent. Everyone benefits in this process.

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