HBCU Heroes Initiatives: 2020–2021 Archive
Our 2021 Recap
Historical archive: This page recounts initiatives from 2020 and 2021. It does not list currently open events or imply that historical collaborators are current partners. For today’s career programs, contact HBCU Heroes; students can explore career resources.
In 2021, HBCU Heroes continued efforts to expand technology access, create digital and career opportunities, and support HBCU students as emerging leaders.
We’re thankful for our partners, sponsors, donors, and friends who continue to support our mission.
Secure the Bag Career Fest Series (2021)
In 2021, HBCU Heroes hosted free Career Fest sessions with professionals from technology, finance, entertainment, healthcare, and sports. Topics included networking, interview practice, résumé writing, and LinkedIn profile development.
Historical partner perspective from the 2021 recap
“Preparing the next generation for tomorrow is one of the best ways we can ensure sustainable growth. That is why I am excited to join with HBCU Heroes to provide valuable insights and equip students with the necessary acumen as they move their futures forward.”
Attributed in the 2021 recap to Tiana Carter, then Senior Director, Culture & Engagement/Head of DEI at Waste Management. This archived quote does not imply a current partnership.
HBCU Heroes and Reverend Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Push Coalition partnered with Facebook to provide 100 Facebook Certificate Scholarships to HBCU students. Scholarship recipients received guided training, certification, and exclusive access to hiring opportunities made for diverse applicants.
Learn about the Facebook X Rainbow Push Coalition X HBCU Heroes scholarship partnership HERE.
TikTok
We partnered with TikTok for the 2021 Fall HBCU Homecoming season for Good and ATTN: respectively.
We also became a Verified Nonprofit Partner on TikTok in 2021
Other Notable Partners:
JP Morgan Chase, Verizon, Intel, Dell, NFL Alumni Association, Arthur M. Blank Foundation, InnOcean Worldwide, The Paley Center for Media, Capricorn Investment Group
Our 2020 Recap
During 2020, HBCU Heroes described technology-access efforts, virtual career development, student civic engagement, esports events, and scholarship support amid COVID-19 disruptions. The sections below document that period; they are not announcements of current programs or undated lifetime results.
We’re thankful for our partners, sponsors, donors, and friends who continue to support our mission.
When COVID-19 disrupted campus learning in 2020, HBCU Heroes organized a computer-access effort to respond to students’ technology needs. The organization also described a Digital Fellowship Ambassador Program that brought HBCU students into virtual career and internship conversations.
These examples describe work from 2020. They do not announce a current laptop campaign or a present-day delivery target.
We created the Good Trouble NBA2K Tournament, the 1st-ever digital HBCU Esports tournament.
At the end of 2020 we also produced the HBCU ESPORTS HOLIDAY SHOWDOWN, a tournament providing cash, scholarships and eSports lab grants to HBCUs.
Our civic service was amplified throughout 2020. Examples of our work include:
John Lewis: Good Trouble (JLGT) Film Amplification Partner.
We partnered with the JLGT filmmakers to elevate the legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis and the importance of voting at HBCUs.
We produced a series of “Good Trouble” digital voter drives that included hundreds of HBCU students encouraging voter participation.
We then hosted an all-HBCU virtual screening (107 HBCUs) of JLGT and star-studded Q & A to engage HBCUers to increase voter turnout generating over 7 million impressions.
LYFT X SOCIAL CHANGE FUND X HBCU HEROES HBCU RIDES TO THE POLLS
We partnered with Lyft and the Social Change Fund (founded by NBA legends Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade & Carmello Anthony) to provide HBCU students who lacked transportation free/discounted rides to the polls on election day.
GEORGIA RUNOFF ELECTION PHONE BANK
We partnered with Vote Riders, Rock The Vote & Participant to provide voter assistance to young Georgia voters hampered by voter ID barriers.
We galvanized 100 HBCU volunteers, conducted 1300 calls, and mobilized efforts throughout the state.
ADOPT-AN-HBCU CELEBRITY DRIVE TO INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT
We teamed up with celebrities such as Shannon Sharpe, Michael Vick, Shaun Robinson and players from the NBA, MLB & NFL for a 6-week campaign encouraging HBCUers to hit the polls.