Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams (D-NC) and Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus, announced the launch of the HBCU Partnership Challenge and engagement survey. The Challenge and survey are an effort to promote greater engagement and support from private companies with HBCUs. Intel is the first corporation to take the challenge.
“The Bipartisan HBCU Caucus is working hard to address the inequities facing HBCUs. We’ve made progress, but Congress cannot do it alone,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Leveling the playing field for our schools and our students requires a collective approach to ensure HBCUs have access to the same federal resources and private sector opportunities as their peer institutions. HBCUs produce 40% of African American engineers; there can be no diversity in tech without engagement with HBCUs. Intel’s efforts are a great step towards this goal and towards addressing diversity in Silicon Valley. We’re glad to partner with Intel and look forward to working with other entities to continue diversifying our workforce.”
“Engaging with businesses and industry is a key step to promoting our nation’s HBCUs. I applaud the organizations who have already agreed to take the HBCU Partnership Challenge, and I hope others will also get involved with HBCUs in their community and across the country,” said Congressman Byrne. “Through these partnerships, we can increase exposure of the important role HBCUs play in building the workforce of the 21st Century.”
“Intel is incredibly proud of our partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to engage more students in STEM fields and build a better, more inclusive tech industry,” said Barbara Whye, Intel Corporation Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Vice President of Human Resources. “Thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Adams, the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus and the HBCU Presidents and leaders we met with in Santa Clara this week, we’re building a model for the future of our industry.”
Last September, during the first annual HBCU Braintrust, the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus issued the Partnership Challenge. The Challenge encourages participating organizations to make greater investments in HBCUs. Following the issuance of the Challenge, the Caucus conducted a survey to learn more about current HBCU engagement with corporate America. After the conclusion of the survey, the Caucus will work with industry to establish best practices to continue diversifying our workforce. Please see the attached document for more information about the Challenge criteria.
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The Bipartisan HBCU Caucus is comprised of 72 members from both chambers and both sides of the political aisle.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, February 23rd 2018 at 2:52PM
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