Our 2021 Recap

In 2021, HBCU Heroes continued our efforts to decrease gaps with the tech & educational divides, create digital & career opportunities, and inspire Gen-Z HBCUers as they become the next leaders of the world.

We’re thankful for our partners, sponsors, donors, and friends who continue to support our mission.

  • Secure the Bag Career Fest Series

    We created and hosted the Monthly Secure the Bag Career Fest Series. Over 200 industry experts including from tech, finance, entertainment, healthcare, and sports taught professional development sessions to over 5,000 HBCU participants, FREE of Charge, with topics ranging from networking, interview skills, resume writing, polishing up LinkedIn profiles, and more.

    Quote from WM (Waste Management, Fortune 200 Company) on their partnership with HBCU Heroes’ Secure the Bag Career Fest:

    “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.”

    Tiana Carter, Senior Director, Culture & Engagement/Head of DEI for Waste Management.

  • Facebook

    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

At HBCU Heroes, we were not immune to the ravages of 2020. However, we utilized it to catapult our efforts to be of service to the HBCU universe. As a result, we made history in several areas, including decreasing gaps with the tech & educational divides, creating digital & career opportunities, providing scholarships, and amplified voter participation.

We’re thankful for our partners, sponsors, donors, and friends who continue to support our mission.

  • While students were forced to take classes online due to COVID, our team created a year-long computer drive donating laptops to over 25 HBCUs to assist with the 40% of minority students nationwide who lacked tech devices to complete distance-learning.

    -HBCU Heroes is committed to delivering 6,000 laptops in our on-going campaign.

    -Celebrity support included: Michael Strahan, Jeezy, Bam Adebayo, Renee Montgomery (WNBA), DL Hughley

    We also created a Digital Fellowship Ambassador Program providing HBCU students with virtual industry networking for career & internship opportunities.

  • 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.