The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities has unveiled its ninth cohort of HBCU Scholars, acknowledging 102 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from 29 different states and countries for their outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, and civic engagement, among other areas. Notably, the 2023 HBCU Scholars represent the largest cohort since the program’s inception in 2014 and encompass a record number of institutions, with the HBCU participation rate now surpassing 70 percent.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona praised the talented students, hailing them as exemplars of excellence and inclusion upheld by the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Cardona extended congratulations on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education and the Biden-Harris Administration, expressing gratitude for their dedication to serving their communities. He also commended the program’s expansion, providing promising young leaders with exciting professional development, networking, and educational opportunities.
“Congratulations to Maiya Lyn-Ah-Ping, who recently represented Girls on the Green Tee and attended the Aramco Team Series, Florida event and a private golf clinic with golf legend, Gary Player in West Palm Beach, Florida,” said Clemmie Perry, Founder of Girls On the Green Tee. “Maiya has also recently been announced as a United States White House HBCU Scholar and she has been selected as the Women of Color Golf-HBCU, FAMU College Ambassador for the 2023-2024 school.year.” WOCG will support Maiya on her new golf journey with golf lessons and a new set of starter clubs.”
Selected from a competitive pool of over 300 applicants, these HBCU Scholars are currently enrolled at 70 HBCUs across the nation. Throughout the academic year, they will act as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, the U.S. Department of Education, and their respective HBCUs. Their mission revolves around “Raising the Bar,” encouraging community upliftment, fostering student success, strengthening democracy, and promoting economic growth. To support their endeavors, HBCU Scholars will receive personal and professional development, cross-university networking, and a platform to address issues specific to the HBCU community.
A key aspect of the HBCU Scholar Program involves a partnership with NASA, promoting innovation and opportunity for the cohorts. The Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC), known as “Mini MITTIC,” is integrated into the HBCU Scholar Program. HBCU Scholars will collaborate to develop ideas for commercializing technology based on NASA intellectual property to benefit their campuses and communities. In September, they will present their IP ideas at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center during the National HBCU Week Conference.
Torry Johnson, MUREP manager, expressed excitement about engaging with the White House Initiative on HBCUs and supporting this year’s cohort of White House Scholars. He looks forward to the new ideas that the Scholars will develop at the MITTIC Hack-a-thon, utilizing NASA’s technology portfolio to benefit the HBCU community.
HBCU Scholars will also participate in the 2023 HBCU Week National Annual Conference, scheduled for September 24-28, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, Virginia. The conference themes, “Raising the Bar: Forging Excellence Through Innovation & Leadership,” will foster an environment of innovation, leadership, and personal and professional development. During this event, HBCU Scholars will have ample opportunities to interact with one another, initiative staff, and partners, showcasing their collective talent and abilities.
Following the conference, HBCU Scholars will be invited to engage in various programs, events, and monthly master classes aimed at enhancing their professional development and providing increased access to post-graduation opportunities with non-profit, business, and federal agency partners, ensuring that the nation remains globally competitive.
Further details about the activities of the 102 HBCU Scholars will be provided in the coming months as they serve as ambassadors for the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The list of HBCU Scholars, sorted alphabetically by their state or country of origin, is provided below.
Below is the complete listing of HBCU Scholars. HBCU Scholars are listed by the alphabetical order of their state or country of origin and then their hometowns, listed in parentheses.
ALABAMA
(Alpharetta) Taya Davis, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
(Dothan) Jamal Maloney Jr., Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
(Dothan) Ta’Kari Bryant, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
(Gadsden) Jessica Parker, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL
(Huntsville) Jaela Haynes Williams, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
(Madison) Makahla Riley, Drake State Community & Technical College, Huntsville, AL
(Montgomery) Matilda Perryman, Trenholm State Community College, Montgomery, AL
(Montgomery) Morgan Marshall, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
(Montgomery) Thaddeus Sneed, Trenholm State Community College, Montgomery, AL
(Pleasant Grove) Haley Heard, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
(Troy) Ch’Erykah Dunn, Paine College, August, GA
(Tuscaloosa) Chiamaka Okafor, Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL
(Tuskegee) Eddie Tolbert, Drake State Community & Technical College, Huntsville, AL
(Tuskegee) Bruce Taylor, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
DELAWARE
(Newark) Imani Wulff-Cochrane, Delaware State University, Dover, DE
(Wilmington) Aa’Khai Hollis, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
FLORIDA
(Cutler Bay) Maiya Lyn-Ah-Ping, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
(Jacksonville) Janiya Jones, Bethune Cookman University, Jacksonville, FL
(Orlando) Ndidi Ude, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
(Riverview) Lillian Carr, Hampton University, Hampton, VA
(Tallahassee) Terrance McPherson, Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC
GEORGIA
(Atlanta) Aleisha Sawyer, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
(Atlanta) Emmanuel Dean, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
(Augusta) Joshton Mincey, Voorhees University, Denmark, SC
(Augusta) Sierra Powell, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
(Covington) Charis Haynes, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
(Hamilton) Jamyra Hayes, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley GA
(Riverdale) Alexander Richardson, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA
INDIANA
(Indianapolis) Kristyn Lyles, Florida Memorial University, Miami, FL
(Indianapolis) Morgan Graves, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
ILLINOIS
(Belleville) Payton Jackson, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC
KANSAS
(Kansas City) Kennedy Thompson, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO
(Wichita) Lovette Mba, Langston University, Langston, OK
KENTUCKY
(Bowling Green) Chyler Hughes, Lincoln University of MO, Jefferson City, MO
(Louisville) Dariyah Pennix, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
KENYA
(Siaya) Annan Odongo, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
LOUISIANA
(Monroe) Henry Steele III, Southern University A&M University, Baton Rouge, LA
(New Orleans) Dana Bailey, Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
MARYLAND
(Baltimore) Annalyse Belton, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
(Baltimore) Tesfay Robel, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
(Bethesda) Elisha Cloy, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
(Bowie) Brittney Henry, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
(Columbia) Camille Young, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
(Upper Marlboro) Khamara Logan, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
(Upper Marlboro) Victoria Lanier, N.C., North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC
(Waldorf) Zairen Jackson, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC
MICHIGAN
(Bloomfield) Juliet Makena, Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC
(Detroit) Samarion Flowers, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
MINNESOTA
(Saint Paul) Afiya Ward, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL
MISSISSIPPI
(Brandon) Atlantis Funches, Hinds Community College- Utica, Utica, MS
(Collins) Ronnie Davis, Alcorn State University, Alcorn, MS
(Jackson) Nishan Shears, Hinds Community College- Utica, Utica, MS
(Ripley) Amelya Hatch, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
MISSOURI
(Kansas City) Desmond Williams, Clinton College, Rockhill, SC
NEVADA
(Las Vegas) Mia Douglass, Benedict College, Columbia, SC
NORTH CAROLINA
(Charlotte) David Wilson, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC
(Charlotte) Kaiyah Brown, N.C., North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC
(Charlotte) Trinity Cromwell, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC
(Concord) Ezeji Nwanaji-Enweren, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
(Southern Pines) Olivia Boyd, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC
NEW JERSEY
(Palmyra) Laquann Wilson, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
(Pennsauken) Calvin Bell, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
NEW MEXICO
(Rio Rancho) Charina Lancaster, Langston University, Langston, OK
NEW YORK
(Brooklyn) Raquel Liverpool, Miles College, Birmingham, AL
(Bronx) Tamara Wood, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
(Rochester) Carys Carr, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
NIGERIA
(Abuja) Joshua Umoru, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX
(Agbor – Delta State) Obiajuru Nwadiokwu, Edward Waters University, Jacksonville, FL
(llaje – Ondo State) Adeleye Mesogboriwon, Edward Waters University, Jacksonville, FL
(Jos) John Josiah, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC
PENNSYLVANIA
(Cheyney) Matthew Wilford, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA
(Harrisburg) Jordan Spencer, Delaware State University, Dover, DE
(Mount Pocono) Troy Wilson, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
(Pittsburgh) Rakayat Sulaiman, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA
(Philadelphia) Tori Haynes-Harrison, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
(Philadelphia) Youma Diabira, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
SOUTH CAROLINA
(Blythewood) Kenard Holmes, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
(Columbia) Simya Levine, Voorhees University, Denmark, SC
(Fort Mill) Victoria Jordan, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
(Hardeeville) Marlaysia Westbrook, Allen University, Columbia, SC
(Olar) Patience Badger, Denmark Technical College, Denmark, SC
TENNESSEE
(Antioch) Hailey Russell, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
(Chattanooga) Crystal Ammons, Southern University Law Center Baton Rouge, LA
(Memphis) Artrae’vian Epps, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS
(Memphis) Ebenezer Nyenwe, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
(Memphis) Marissa Pittman, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
(Memphis) Tyler Finley, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
(Nashville) Reagan Hagewood, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
TEXAS
(Abeline) Jabraisa Doss, St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX
(Austin) Kamaria Marshall, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
(Desoto) Ishmia Black, Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR
(Fort Worth) Moreen Kabuho, Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX
(Hawkins) Jhavier Law, Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX
(Houston) Kristian Salas, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
(Water Valley) Jason Bailey, St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
(St. Croix) Michael Bell, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, UVI
VIRGINIA
(Hopewell) Zakyha Jones-Walker, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC
(Newport News) Jordan D. Moody, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
(Richmond) Michael Crossley, Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA
(Suffolk) Trinity Woodson, Fisk University, Nashville, TN
WEST INDIES
(St. Kitts) Jackeima Flemming, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, UVI
WEST VIRGINIA
(Bluefield) Patrice Sterling, Bluefield State University, Bluefield, WV
WISCONSIN
(Milwaukee) Mariah Williams, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
