Annual Event Raises Millions in Scholarship
Dollars, Strengthens HBCU Talent Pipeline
WILMINGTON, Del., June 20,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The HBCU Week Foundation, Inc.
is hosting its fifth annual HBCU Week Awards Gala presented by Bank
of America on June 28 at the HOTEL
DUPONT in Wilmington, Delaware.
The sold-out fundraiser supports the organization's important
mission of providing scholarship dollars for students enrolling in
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), diversifying
the talent pipeline from college to corporate America, and
minimizing student debt.
"I am always amazed and energized by the support for our annual
HBCU Week Gala, and this year is no exception,"
said Ashley Christopher,
Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation. "As a
double HBCU alumna, I know firsthand the power of an HBCU education
to change lives and create access to opportunities for the next
generation of students. Our impact and reach would not be possible
without the commitment of our sponsors and partners who stand with
us in celebrating the progress we've made together, while
acknowledging that our work is never done."
The black-tie gala will be an evening of glamor, inspiration and
impact as supporters from the worlds of corporate America,
non-profits, academia, sports, entertainment and more gather to
honor individuals who have demonstrated a significant commitment to
the HBCU Week Foundation's mission. Honorees for the 2024 gala
include Tiffany Cross (Social Impact
Award) and Bryan-Michael Cox
(Trailblazer Award).
Bank of America has been a longstanding partner of the HBCU Week
Foundation for the last five years, having served as the presenting
sponsor of the annual gala since 2020.
"With more than half of HBCU undergraduates being
first-generation college students, Bank of America appreciates the
far-reaching impact of Historically Black Colleges and
Universities," said Chip
Rossi, Delaware President, Bank of America, the
presenting sponsor for this year's HBCU Week Awards Gala. "An HBCU
education is such an important driver of social and economic
mobility, and we are proud to support these institutions and the
HBCU Week Foundation's important role in creating these pathways to
higher education."
2024 gala partner, AstraZeneca, is a long-time supporter of HBCU
Week Foundation, with a focus on the STEM and supply chain
fields.
"HBCUs are invaluable sources of talent across our organization,
including our STEM and supply chain professionals,"
said Lorna Smith, Head of
External Operations API and Drug Substance at AstraZeneca, the
premier sponsor of this year's HBCU Week Awards Gala. "As an HBCU
alum, I'm proud of our continued partnership with the HBCU Week
Foundation as we work together to open new doors from the classroom
to corporate and clinical settings, building a workforce that
reflects the patients and communities we serve, to make meaningful
impact in the fields of health and medicine."
The fifth annual HBCU Week Awards Gala is set to be a
star-studded affair with esteemed media outlets Essence,
Black Enterprise, DETV, and Gen Z outlet MefEater confirmed to
be in attendance. These influential media platforms will join
corporate leaders, non-profit organizations and renowned
individuals from various industries in celebrating the HBCU Week
Foundation's mission.
Additional sponsors for the 2024 HBCU Week Awards Gala include
The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG), Capital One, Chemours,
ChristianaCare, City of Wilmington
(DE), Wilmington (DE) City
Council, City Treasurer of Wilmington (DE), Delaware
State University, Future of STEM Scholars Initiative
(FOSSI), HBCU Week Board of Directors, New Castle County, Sallie Mae, The Warehouse, Vanguard, and WSFS
Bank.
The HBCU Week Awards Gala was born out the success of the HBCU
Week initiative that has grown since 2017 to feature a range of
elements, such as a middle school college tour, HBCU homecoming
experience, panel discussions, R&B concert, a 5K race, an ESPN live broadcast featuring HBCU
Week ambassador Stephen A. Smith,
Battle of the Bands, and its signature HBCU college fair. There are
101 accredited HBCUs nationwide, and to date, the HBCU Week
Foundation has awarded more than 8,000 on-the-spot college
acceptances and more than $93 million
in scholarships directly from HBCUs and corporate partners.
To support the HBCU Week Foundation, Inc. and its ongoing
initiatives, secure donations can be made online at
https://www.hbcuweek.org/.
About the HBCU Week Foundation
The mission of the HBCU Week Foundation is to encourage
high-school aged youth to enroll into HBCUs, provide scholarship
dollars for matriculation and sustain a pipeline for employment
from undergraduate school to corporate America. The most impactful
event during HBCU Week is the HBCU College Fair. HBCU Week
Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
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SOURCE HBCU Week Foundation