Amplifying the legacy of hbcu

We are investing in the Black community and enabling better futures for all—futures that are more diverse, inclusive, and connected

HBCUs are vital to the educational fabric of America.

For decades, HBCUs have sowed the seeds of change by investing in financial, social, community, and physical well-being for its learners, to see them succeed and thrive well after graduation. HBCUs are critical for helping the Black community close the economic inequality gap, as first-generation, low-income, Black students form the heart of HBCU student populations.


Although HBCUs represent just 3% of America’s colleges and universities, they produce:

10 %

of Black Bachelor degrees

19 %

of Black STEM degrees

50 %

of Black lawyers, professors, and public school teachers

Source: Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute(opens in new tab)


HBCUs are an important resource to the Black community.50 %

of Black Americans live within 50 miles of a HBCU

7x LESS

endowments than PWIs on average

Discovery Phase Research Insights: Current State.
Conducted by Deloitte Consulting in partnership with UNCF

With COVID-19, the digital equity gap has only widened. HBCUs have always innovated with less resources.

COVID-19 created unprecedented challenges for higher education institutions of all stripes, but had a particularly pronounced impact on HBCUs who lag in online adoption and already need to do more with less money.

HCBU Student

To close this equity gap, we are empowering HBCUs with the tools and technology to lead the market in online learning, increase accessibility, and improve student outcomes.


HBCUv is making this a reality today

We built a virtual learning platform that reimagines Black higher education, with a visionary future for learning that is authentic, integrated and community-centered. Not only does HBCUv reduce barriers to access across HBCUS, it provides a much-needed collaborative space that's true to the Black experience in higher-ed and beyond.

HBCUv content displayed on phone and laptop
HBCUv content displayed on iPhone

Amplifying the legacy of HBCUs for the future – virtually

HBCUs are steeped in a rich and prideful history — one that has helped to shape and continues to shape our culture and society. We now have an opportunity to translate their legacy and share their longstanding history of perseverance, preservation, and dedication with the world. With HBCUv, we hope to shape the future of Black Education by:

Meet the team at UNCF shaping this work

Michael Lomax, Ph.D.

President and CEO

Edward Smith-Lewis

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships

Julian Thompson

Senior Director of Strategy

Valora Richardson, Ph.D.

Director of Digital Solutions and Innovation

Amanda Washington-Lockett, Ph.D.

Strategist

Michelle Moore

Associate Vice President of National Development

Dr. Shawna Acker-Ball, Ph.D.

Vice President of Scholarships and Programs

Geneva Dampare, MS

Director of Strategy and Operations

Meet our Champion network

Our Champions are leaders of HBCUv at their home institution. They are advocates for their community and are the first to know of updates to our collaborative efforts.

Aaron Pickett Jr

Ahminah Fitzpatrick

Alexis Arias-Lozada

Amari Franklin

Andrea Hylton

Angela Walker

Annette Jackson

Anthony Richardson

Ashira Chester-Hopkins

Ashley Cameron

Ashley Fletcher

Cassandra Owens

Celeste White

Chance Dandridge

Charlene Pryor

Christian Lee

C’Mari Hayes

DaTonya Chambers

Daff Kalulu

Dailona Dallas

Danielle Poole

Daphne Jones

Dasia Westerfield

Denard Jones

Devaughn Woods

Dr. Alicia Curry

Dr. Alicia Simon

Dr. Bridgewater

Dr. Cheryl Curtis

Dr. Clinton

Sign up to be a champion at your institution today

Sign Up (opens in new tab)

Join our supporters

Equity in education begins with each of us, and we can’t do it without your help. We are ready to change the world, are you?

AWS
Axim Collaborative
Bank of America
Bill & Melinda Gates foundation
Blue Meridian Partners
Citibank
Lilly Endowment Inc.
Waverley Street Foundation
Wk Kellogg

Want to see your name here? Contact UNCF to learn more how to support HBCUv

Contact Us(opens in new tab)

Backed by the best

The HBCUv team has engaged industry-leading partners to support the platform development

AWS
Canvas
Deloitte
OKTA
OneTrust
Pathify
Quottly by Parchment
Tableau
HBCUV logo

Join the HBCUv Movement

Equity in education begins with each of us—and we can’t do it without your help.

Become a champion for Black futures.

Support HBCUv (opens in new tab)