HBCU Tech Summit Promotes Expanding Access, Investments, and Career Opportunities For Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs)

An impressive gathering of prominent global technology leaders shared their insights and perspectives about career opportunities and the industry's future during the inaugural HBCU Tech Summit held on Sept. 30, at Claflin University. Claflin President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack joined Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Calif, 17th District, and Dr. Jennifer Clyburn Reed, Federal Co-chair - Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, as host of the historic event.  Congressmen James Clyburn (D-SC, 6th District) and Jonathan Jackson (D-IL., 1^st District) were other organizers of the conference that included several HBCU presidents, elected officials, students, municipal leaders, and representatives of non-profit organizations.

"The intentionality of being here in Orangeburg -- in the rural South -- has tremendous meaning," said Warmack. "Technology investment in infrastructure usually happens in large metropolitan cities like Atlanta, Washington, D. C., and Chicago. But bringing these global tech executives and influential elected officials to Orangeburg is game-changing."

The conference was highlighted by presentations by executives from many of the tech industry's iconic brands: Fred Humphries (Microsoft); Amit Zavery (Google Cloud); Dale Allsopp (Google); Bob Feiner (Dell Technologies); Shiv Venkataraman (OpenAI); Dr. Santanu Paul (TalentSprint); and Dr. Lisa Jackson (Apple). They were joined by Steve Grossman, CEO of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), former Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts, and Kendall Corley, Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Small Business Association.

”I want to be a part of making a difference in trying to create what is so important – opportunity,” said Humphries corporate vice president of U.S Government Affairs for Microsoft. “I believe in you. I know you can do it.” 

Humphries father, the late Dr. Frederick S. Humphries Sr., served as president at two black HBCUs – Florida A&M University and Tennessee State University.

Reed acknowledged that the work at HBCUs aligns perfectly with the SCRC's focus on building a strong, adaptable workforce.

"As technologies advance and restate industry, HBCUs are poised to lead in nurturing entrepreneurs through innovation and innovation hubs," she said.

 Khanna, whose district includes California's Silicon Valley, is no stranger to Orangeburg and Claflin University.  He has visited numerous times, and his relationship with Warmack has led to the University's partnership with Zoom. The global leader in video conferencing has provided Claflin students and graduates with high-paying jobs, internships, and more than $3.5 million in scholarships.

"I hope we can make this just the first of many efforts," Khanna said. "If we can just expand the opportunities, we can overcome generations of divides in this nation and work towards some common purpose and goal.  It was a historic event to have NVIDIA, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and many others here making concrete pledges about what they will do with the HBCUs."

Khanna applauded Warmack's visionary leadership in partnering with Silicon Valley and hosting the HBCU Tech Summit. 

"He wants to share the opportunities -- not just with Claflin, but with South Carolina State and with all the HBCUs in South Carolina and in the region," he said. "I think this could be an annual event. I'm hoping so. We pulled this off with the storm and still had over 200 people here. That shows that there's a hunger and an interest in this."

 Clyburn said it is important to put the innovation and technology students at HBCUs are reading and wondering about at their fingertips. 

"This was one of the goals of the HBCU Tech Summit," Clyburn said. 

"We wanted to bring all of these groups here so the students on this campus can talk to and learn from the people who make the decisions in a face-to-face discussion.  I'm so pleased to hear this panel inviting these students to get to know each other before leaving campus.  That's important."

 Briana Nabrit, a freshman computer engineering major from Aiken, S.C. said the discussions and presentations were very informative.

"I was especially interested in hearing about internships and other career opportunities,” Nabrit said.  "It was exciting to have an event like this at Claflin."  

Nigel Bradley, a freshman biotechnology major from Orangeburg, S.C., was most impressed by being able to sit in a room with such a large group of tech executives from major corporations.

"It was very insightful and inspiring to hear about the diverse career opportunities in the technology field."

 Nabrit and Bradley are outstanding scholars in Claflin's prestigious Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College.  Nabrit is a graduate of Aiken Scholars Academy.  Bradley is one of eightfreshmen from the High School of Health Professions who were accepted into the ACT Honors College this year.