NATIONAL SUMMIT FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF HBCUs “Play to Win: HBCUs in the 21 st Century” MARCH 18, 2025 HONEYWELL CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA MARCH 19, 2025 AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
community When a group of people comes along who have the courage and vision to turn dreams into reality, they make the future bright for everyone. We proudly celebrate the National Summit for the Sustainability of HBCUs. wellsfargo.com © 2025 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. IHA-7931610
Dr. Roslyn Artis NSS Chairperson President Benedict College Dr. Makola Abdullah President Virginia State University Col. Alexander Conyers President South Carolina State University Dr. S. Keith Hargrove Provost & Sr. VP Tuskegee University Quentin Roach Chairman NBCA Hall of Fame In Partnership With… National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. Welcome to the 7th National Summit for the Sustainability of HBCUs in the Queen City – Charlotte, North Carolina! More than seven years ago, the late Mr. Thomas W. Dortch, Chairman, 100 Black Men of America, envisioned the HBCU Sustainability Summit as an opportunity to bring public and private partners to the table alongside HBCU thought leaders to co-create tangible solutions for the proliferation of HBCUs. Today, we are honored to continue the legacy of Mr. Dortch as co-hosts of the 2025 HBCU Sustainability Summit. This year, the Sustainability Summit is partnering for the first time with the Black College Invitational Championship. Therefore, attendees will enjoy one of the highlights of HBCU culture, while shaping solutions to strengthen these pillar institutions. Special thanks to Dr. Wes Bellamy for this wonderful partnership opportunity! As the President of two of our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities – Florida Memorial University and Benedict College, I stand united with community partners and my fellow presidents and colleagues in Higher Education on the front lines working to ensure that families have access to quality, affordable and culturally relevant educational opportunities that prepare our graduates to lead in a dynamic, increasingly global marketplace. Now, more than ever, HBCUs are positioned squarely in the national dialog as social engineers, minority suppliers, and bastions of black culture. It is incumbent upon us, the keepers of the legacy, to ensure that our institutions survive and thrive. I am confident that those who have chosen to gather with us for this historic convening will be glad that you did! Sincerest thanks to all our corporate sponsors, panelists, presenters and members of the planning team – together, we will ensure the future for our beloved HBCUs! 100 Black Men of America, Inc. The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Summit Co-Chairs: Thurgood Marshall College Fund Roslyn Clark Artis, J.D., Ed.D. President & CEO – Benedict College United Negro College Fund Black College Invitational Championship
NATIONAL SUMMIT FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF HBCUs The birth of the National Summit for Sustainability of HBCUs began with a vision of the late Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. shared with a chosen few that would enhance and strengthen that vision with their input. Together they formed a task force to create a platform that will support HBCU Institutions in a monumental way. From an initial idea to meet in Florida to have "Real Talk," it grew into a 2-Day Summit that convened national corporate leaders and subject matter experts into a unique think-tank, focused on sustaining our colleges and universities. The knowledge transfer that occurred in Atlanta was invaluable to each President committed to moving forward exponentially. Attendees left equipped with best practices that can be adopted immediately. As we reviewed the survey feedback and continued talks with many who participated, it is clear that the Summit was a success. All feedback was overwhelmingly positive. In fact, the prevailing question is when will we have the next conference? No matter the moniker, the consensus is that we should convene an annual Summit. We listened and delivered on annual areas of greatest concern and opportunity: Technology, Resource Development, Endowment, and other subjects with experts from the world’s most admired companies. We will continue to listen and seek input as we collectively and strategically move forward annually. We personally convey our deepest gratitude to the Presidents, Trustees and Leadership Team Members who attended to deliver what was a successful event. Annually, we strive for 100% involvement throughout the HBCU Network.
THOMAS W. DORTCH, JR. On behalf of the partners of the 7th annual National Summit of Sustainability for HBCUs, we continue to honor the legacy of Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., our founding partner. Today we continue to carry out the probable thought, vision dreamed, and legacy footpath. A value of leadership never to be forgotten. Chairman Emeritus Dortch was a luminary whose dedication to uplifting underserved communities, especially our youth, has left an indelible imprint on numerous sectors. His leadership in education, corporate partnerships, civic engagement, and advocacy at all levels of government epitomized the essence of servant leadership. Together, as partners of the National Summit for Sustainability of HBCUs, we pledge to keep his light shining brightly in the world he so passionately endeavored to enhance.
Dr. Roslyn Artis NSS Chairperson President, Benedict College Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis was unanimously appointed by the Board of Trustees as the 14th and first woman President of Benedict College on June 30, 2017. Previously, Dr. Artis served as the 13th and first woman President of Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida. Dr. Artis is the founding Co-Chair for the Historically Black College and University Annual Sustainability Summit, which is in its 6th year. She has received more than 300 awards and recognitions locally and nationally for her work. Dr. Makola Abdullah President, Virginia State University Dr. Makola M. Abdullah began his Virginia State University career in February 2016, bringing with him an unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence. Upon his appointment, he outlined his core beliefs that became the foundation of his work for VSU: beliefs in God, family, the transformative nature of education, and in Virginia State University. With that foundation in mind, Dr. Abdullah and his newly appointed administration began planning the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan: Preeminence with Purpose to chart the University's path to continued growth and excellence. Col. Alexander Conyers President, South Carolina State University Col. (U.S. Army Retired) Alexander Conyers is the 13th president of South Carolina State University. An SC State graduate himself, Conyers has a long history with the University, also having served as interim president, acting president, and vice president for strategic alliances and initiatives prior to his official appointment to his current role. Under his leadership, the University has seen significant growth in record time. Quentin Roach Chairman, NBCA Hall of Fame Quentin Roach is the Chairman of the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame. With over two decades of leadership in global supply chain management, he currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer at The Estée Lauder Companies. His career spans executive roles at US Foods, Mondelēz International, Merck & Co., and Bristol Myers Squibb. A Purdue University and Arizona State University graduate, Roach brings expertise in procurement, risk management, and supplier innovation to his leadership in advancing HBCU excellence.
7 TH ANNUAL NATIONAL SUMMIT FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF HBCUs PRESENTING SPONSOR CORPORATE SPONSORS PARTNERS A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO NSS TEAM MEMBERS, ANYONE THAT ATTENDED THE WEDNESDAY MORNING CALLS, THOSE WHO WORKED IN THE BACKGROUND MAKING CALLS, SUGGESTED IDEAS OR DONATED GIFT ITEMS. MARCH 18, 2025 HONEYWELL CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA MARCH 19, 2025 AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
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