N.C. A&T Alumni Times - September 26

Rep. Alma Adams '68, co-chair and founder of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, hosted the 2019 National HBCU Braintrust during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference during September 11-13. The Braintrust launched its student cohort and featured the first of its kind, the HBCU Innovation House.

During the three days of networking and learning about innovation and entrepreneurship, sophomore, Chemical Engineering student, Maijah Levert shared her experience:

“It was humbling to see other students at other HBCU’s doing great things. People asked, ‘Is this an A&T convention?’ Our Chancellor was there and so many alumni were there to represent our university.”

The focus of these discussions was to highlight the accomplishments of HBCU institutions, their students and to strengthen public-private partnerships to continue moving colleges and universities forward.

“We at North Carolina A&T State University are proud to play a preeminent role in STEM education and innovation. We are energized to join with members of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus and our HBCU colleagues this week at the National HBCU Braintrust to strategize on how, together, we can do even more,” said Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr.

In an interview with The Bridge, Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Alma Adams, Rhonda Foxx stated “HBCUs produce over 35 percent of black STEM graduates and over 47 percent of black women engineers. There can be no tech diversity without HBCUs.”

Levert continued, “That’s why I joined the Society for Women Engineers, American Institute for Chemical Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers. Aggie Pride runs deep, it really is worldwide”

The increasing amount of African Americans studying and working in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields is revolutionary.

“The students did a great job in showing their capacity, and the capacity of HBCUs. These were phenomenal students that had an amazing experience engaging with leaders and also furthering the mission of HBCUs,” said N.C. A&T Director of External Affairs, Ray Trapp

The Braintrust was created to connect HBCU students to new opportunities and experiences. The Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus launched the Braintrust in 2017 to spur greater collaboration between industry and HBCUs.

Dekia Virgil
Office of External Affairs