U.S. Department of State Honors 19 Colleges and Universities as Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders

The U.S. Department of State recognizes 19 Historically Blacks Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders for their notable engagement with the Fulbright Program during the 2023-2024 academic year. The Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders initiative celebrates Fulbright's partnership with HBCUs and encourages administrators, faculty and students to participate in the Fulbright Program. It also highlights HBCUs as a destination for international students and scholars.

The 19 HBCU Institutional Leaders are:

• Alcorn State University (Mississippi)
• Bennett College (North Carolina)
• Fayetteville State University (North Carolina)
• Florida A&M University (Florida)
• Howard University (District of Columbia)
• Huston-Tillotson University (Texas)
• Jackson State University (Mississippi)
• Jarvis Christian University (Texas)
• LeMoyne-Owen College (Tennessee)
• Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
• Mississippi Valley State University (Mississippi)
• Morgan State University (Maryland)
• North Carolina A&T State University (North Carolina)
• North Carolina Central University (North Carolina)
• Prairie View A&M University (Texas)
• Spelman College (Georgia)
• Tennessee State University (Tennessee)
• Virginia State University (Virginia)
• Xavier University of Louisiana (Louisiana)

The announcement of the 2024 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders was made on September 10, 2024 in advance of the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference hosted by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken congratulated each Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader, saying this designation "is a testament to your institution's dedication to promoting global engagement and international understanding."

"The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Program are committed to reflecting the full diversity of the United States," said Scott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. He emphasized that HBCU engagement with the Fulbright Program "builds meaningful relationships between communities and people around the world." 

Howard University president Dr. Ben Vinson III shared, "Our Fulbrighters return to the Howard community with fresh insights, a deepened cultural understanding, and a broadened worldview, laying the foundation for their personal and professional growth. Their work has an enduring and positive impact on communities and institutions, at home and abroad."

As the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program implements a wide range of initiatives to ensure that its participants reflect the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. In addition to its partnerships with HBCUs, the Fulbright Program works with Diversity Abroad, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, UNCF, and the White House Initiative on HBCUs, among others.

Learn more about the Fulbright Program at https://fulbrightprogram.org. 

Professor at the University of Arizona Global Campus receives Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Karen Ivy, assistant dean and professor of Technology Studies in the Forbes School of Business and Technology® at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), was honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. The award ceremony took place on July 27, 2024, at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA, in conjunction with the Astronaut Reunion ceremony hosted by SHADES OF BLUE. Chief Apostle Kenneth Curry, President Biden's certifying agent for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award made the award presentations.

The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest level of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, bestowed by the President of the United States, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to community service and made significant contributions to society. Dr. Ivy’s recognition highlights her commitment to educating and inspiring youth in technology and leadership, both in the United States and globally.

“I feel honored to receive this prestigious award and very proud to be recognized with outstanding U.S. astronauts and aviators,” said Ivy. “My goal is to inspire others to achieve their educational and career goals, and to explore their passion to the fullest!”

The event, presented by SHADES OF BLUE, also honored former and current astronauts and space aviators. Invited guests include notable astronauts such as Ed Dwight Jr., Charles F. Bolden, Guy Bluford, and Victor Glover, among others. The evening celebrated the remarkable achievements of these space pioneers and their contributions to aviation and aerospace.

SHADES OF BLUE is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing young people with the educational opportunities, training and employment assistance needed to pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industries, and to assist educators with the development of curricula that will prepare students for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Design (STEAMD++) industries.

“Dr. Ivy's dedication to advancing technology education and her impact on students' lives is truly inspiring,” said Maja Zelihic, dean of the Forbes School of Business and Technology® at UAGC. “Her work embodies the spirit of service and excellence that this award represents.”

Ivy is the founder of the global youth leadership program, “U.S. to Uganda,” supports the SHADES OF BLUE organization, and hosts community learning workshops and seminars to promote the development of business and technology skills and to encourage youth and adults to pursue career directions in the STEM fields. This focus underscores her influential role in promoting STEM education and her passion for empowering the next generation of leaders.

ALLEN MEDIA GROUP’S ‘HBCU GO’ PARTNERS WITH PROCTER & GAMBLE FOR THE 2024 FOOTBALL SEASON

Allen Media Group’s (AMG) HBCU GO – AMG’s free-streaming digital platform and the leading media provider for the nation’s 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – proudly announces an exciting new partnership with Procter & Gamble (P&G) for the 2024 football season. P&G is the presenting sponsor of exciting new programming and activations airing this season including:

• 2024 HBCU GO SPORTS KICK OFF SHOW (aired Saturday, August 24)

• HBCU GO’s first-ever live, on campus “2024 HBCU GO SPORTS PRE-GAME LIVE KICK-OFF SHOW” leading into the biggest games of the season including the Southern Heritage Classic, three Homecoming games, plus the rival match-up between Mississippi Valley vs. Jackson State.

• Brand-led commercial campaign entitled “THIS IS HOW WE HBCYOU” will run during the football season.

The P&G #HowWeHBCYOU brand commercial campaign, which AMG produced, recognizes the importance of supporting HBCU schools and students to foster their success and continued growth. 

“P&G truly understands the valuable, untapped audience that HBCU GO can deliver,” said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “This new super-charged partnership with HBCU GO highlights P&G’s continued efforts to reach audiences through Black-owned media partners in authentic ways, such as HBCU Education and Culture.”

Eric Austin, Vice President, Global Marketing & Media Innovation at Procter & Gamble said “we strive to meet the unique needs of all consumers. Together with Allen Media Group’s HBCU GO we are able to authentically connect and support Black consumers —in everyday life, with superior brand innovation at relevant cultural moments.”

Hosted by Jasmine McKoy, former Carolina Panthers Safety Tre Boston and HBCU Gameday’s Tolly Carr, the “2024 HBCU GO SPORTS PRE-GAME LIVE KICK-OFF SHOW” will give fans of the four major HBCU Football conferences LIVE access to all the interviews, predictions, and game strategy as well as a taste of HBCU culture. Presented across five episodes that kicked off August 24, the live show will visit classics and homecomings throughout the season, bringing in great crowds and fanbases of these exciting matchups. The schedule includes September 14 - Southern Heritage Classic: Tennessee State vs Arkansas Pine Bluff; October 12 - Bethune Cookman vs Alabama A&M - Homecoming; October 19 - Arkansas Pine Bluff vs Grambling State - Homecoming; October 26 - Jackson State vs Bethune Cookman - Homecoming; November 9 - Mississippi Valley vs. Jackson State.

The “HBCUYOU” campaign will run on HBCU GO throughout the season and consist of one “hero” commercial spot and 14 individual brand spots. The campaign focuses on supporting students through their everyday needs and personal care, following the major life moments of an HBCU student. Allen Media Group tapped theGrio Executive Producers to lead the production, leaning on a deep understanding of the Black audience and HBCU culture to drive relevancy throughout the creative storylines.

AMG’s FREE-streaming digital platform HBCU GO brings together major HBCU NCAA conferences, with major market carriage across broadcast television, cable, satellite, and digital platforms. HBCU GO recently announced 95% nationwide clearance for their 2024 football season. In addition to the previously announced carriage deal with CBS owned-and-operated (O&O) duopoly stations, HBCU GO has secured new distribution with FOX O&O stations including Los Angeles (KCOP-TV) and Chicago (WPWR-TV), as well as distribution on the Armed Forces Network; plus 15 new local markets.

HBCU GO kicked off its 2024 football season schedule on Saturday, August 31. This HBCU GO third season kickoff features a total of 26 football matchups featuring teams representing the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) -- including the Southern Heritage Classic, homecoming games, and the CIAA Football Championship.

For more information about HBCU GO, visit HBCUGO.tv or follow the streaming network on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Find out where to watch and download the FREE app at HBCUGO.tv/how to watch.

WATCH LIVE STREAM: Harris and Trump presidential debate

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off Tuesday night for their first and possibly only debate before Election Day. Watch a live stream of the debate below:

‘UNITE FOR AMERICA’ LIVE STREAMING EVENT FOR KAMALA HARRIS HOSTED BY OPRAH WINFREY

‘UNITE FOR AMERICA’ LIVE STREAMING EVENT HOSTED BY OPRAH WINFREY IN COLLABORATION WITH
‘WIN WITH BLACK WOMEN’ AND OVER 140 ‘WIN WITH HARRIS’ GRASSROOTS GROUPS
ON SEPTEMBER 19 AT 8 PM/ET 

‘Unite for America’ Event to Bring Together Voters in Battleground States and Beyond in Advance of November 5th Election Day

  

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 9, 2024) – Oprah Winfrey, in collaboration with Win with Black Women, will host a live-streaming event “Unite for America” to bring together grassroots groups that have each hosted their own Zooms in support of Vice President Kamala Harris to take place on September 19 at 8 pm/ET across multiple platforms including Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and Twitch.

** To learn more and register to join the event, please visit UniteForAmerica2024 **

In this live, free, streaming event, Oprah brings together voters from all over the country to discuss why they are supporting Kamala Harris, what’s at stake in this election and why voting in this presidential election matters. In addition to those joining online, Oprah will invite 400 local voters to join this discussion in person. The event will serve as a call to action to work in communities throughout battleground states to register people to vote and build support in advance of November 5th. 

The root of this event took hold in July, just a few hours after Vice President Kamala Harris announced her plans to run for President of the United States, when the conveners of Win With Black Women held a collective roll call, led by founder Jotaka Eaddy, which quickly blossomed to 90,000 Black women tuning in to show their support across a variety of platforms. That grassroots surge, led and centered by Black women, inspired a variety of groups to host their own Zoom calls including White Dudes for Harris, Win with Black Men, Comics for Kamala, Republicans for Harris, Latino Men for Kamala and many more. In response to this organic tidal wave of voter support around the country, Oprah Winfrey and Eaddy connected to discuss the idea of holding one unified call for voters across the country. 

Win With Black Women’s catalyzing call raised $1.5 million in just three hours, with over $20 million being raised to date by the over 140 groups now supporting the Harris/Waltz presidential campaign.  

"This ‘Unite for America’ call will be a powerful moment that demonstrates the urgency that we all feel in this moment and more importantly the impact of our collective activation to move our nation forward with Vice President Kamala Harris as our 47th President,” said Jotaka Eaddy, social impact strategist and founder of Win with Black Women (WWBW). “I cannot think of anyone better to host this event than Oprah Winfrey, who has brought Americans of different generations, backgrounds, and experiences together in conversation for decades.”

“The diversity of groups represented in this voter rally event – from Oprah Winfrey, Win With Black Women, Win With Black Men to groups like White Dudes for Harris and Swifties for Kamala – adds strength to the movement,” said Khalil Thompson of Win With Black Men. “To witness such an organic groundswell of support for a vision of the future rooted in equality, progress, and joy with a future that is soon to be led, for the first time, by a Black woman…that’s life changing.”

“We understand the importance of showing up for progress that benefits all women,” said Shannon Watts, organizer of White Women: Answer the Call and Show Up for Kamala Harris. “There is no better person than Oprah Winfrey to lead this event and bring together so many diverse groups of people who are fiercely determined to uplift every community in our nation and elect Kamala Harris.”

“You have seen so many groups come together because we realize that an injustice to one of us is an injustice to all of us,” said Regina Montoya, co-lead of Latinas for Harris. “The next several weeks will be crucial for the future of all of these groups, which is why we are thrilled to join and show our solidarity. We are ready to Unite for America and show what these groups are capable of.”

"We couldn't be more excited to be participating in Unite for America,” said Ross Morales Rocketto of White Dudes for Harris. “We stand on the shoulders of the incredible work of Win with Black Women and Win With Black Men. We exist to create space in the Democratic Party for white men to do their part to help elect Kamala Harris to become the 47th President of the United States."

“As the official AANHPI affinity group working with the Harris Walz campaign to mobilize the South Asian community nationwide, we know the importance of South Asian voters as a key voting bloc in many battleground states,” said Harini Krishnan of South Asians for Harris. “From knocking on doors to recurring phonebanks to combatting misinformation through digital media campaigns to assembling a voter protection team, we are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that South Asian voters are the margin of victory this cycle in electing Kamala Harris as our first Black and South Asian woman President.”

“JD Vance and the Project 2025 agenda would reduce us to our roles as mothers or the expectation of becoming one, but our value extends far beyond that,” said Blaire Postman of Cat Ladies for Kamala. “We’re proud to stand with everyone on this call to create a future where women are defined by their impact, not outdated stereotypes.”

“This Unite For America rally represents a resurgence of joy, hope, and optimism,” said Pastor Mike McBride of Win With the Black Church. “That is because we are not gathering just to celebrate an individual – we’re proud to be coalescing around a shared set of values, like justice, equity, and the betterment of our communities.”

Unite For America Event Details:
When: Thursday, September 19th, 2024 at 8pm ET
Where: Register to join the conversation at UniteForAmerica2024.com