2024 Agenda

HBCU Innovative Solutions Pitch Competition (pre-registration required) 

Powered by the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation                                                    

Opening Reception       

Sponsored by The Kresge Foundation and Strada Education Foundation                                                                                                                                         

Opening: 

Dr. Vita Pickrum, Founder; HBCU Philanthropy Symposium and Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Foundation President; Delaware State University

Keynote Address:

The Honorable Alma S. Adams, PhD; US Representative (NC)

Policy Outlook for Higher Education & HBCUs

Brian Flahaven, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships; Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

Update on the Strada Education Foundation HBCU Initiative

Daryl Graham, Senior Vice President, HBCU and Engagement; Strada Education Foundation

Near Completers Research: Fireside Chat

Moderator: Dr. Mautra Jones, President; Oklahoma City Community College

Nic Jafarieh, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal, Government Affairs, and Communications Officer, Sallie Mae
Dr. Wanda Power-Anderson, Researcher, Delaware State University

• Customized Collaboration: Choosing Campaign Counsel That Gets You

         Moderator: Vanessa Carroll, Senior Consultant; MPK&D Partners
         Brent Swinton, CFRE,Vice President for Philanthropic Engagement; Bowie State University
         Yvette Caldwell, Associate Vice President for Philanthropic Engagement; Bowie State University
         Patricia “Pat” Bosse, Founding Partner; MPK&D Partners
         Ronni Cranwell, Partner; MPK&D Partners

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• Collaboration Over Control: A Model for Advancement Communications

         Dr. Deidra Hill, Director of Advancement Communications, Development and Alumni Relations, Howard University
        Kortnee Anderson, Creative & Digital Communications Manager, Development and Alumni Relations; Howard University
        Ragan Royal, Assistant Vice President for Individual Giving, Development and Alumni Relations; Howard University

• Connecting the Dots between Development & Alumni Relations

        Heidi Bruce, Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations & Strategic Engagement; Morgan State University

• Utilizing National College Completion Strategies to Advance Campus Fundraising 

        Dr. Dhanfu Elston, Senior Vice President for Strategy & Chief of Staff, Complete College America
        Dorothy Styles, Vice President for Operations & Organizational Development, Complete College America

• Preparing Young Men of Color: Black Male Initiative

        Jarrett Royster, CEO, YMCA and Chair-elect for the YMCA National Black Male Initiative
        Michael DeVaul, National Executive Director for Boys and Young Men of Color, YMCA of the USA

• Above & Below the Wings: More Than a Pilot - The Diverse and Inclusive World of Aerospace

         Gary Alexander, Black Employment Program Manager, HBCU Program Lead, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
         Ronicsa “Roni” M. Chambers, HBCU Program Lead, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• HBCU Presidents and Philanthropic Leaders Roundtable

         Moderator: Rick Legon, Retired President; Association of Governing Boards (AGB)

Luncheon Session: The Impact of Near Completers on HBCUs: Core Learnings and Research 

Amy Goldstein, Vice President, Strategy; Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Edward Spears, Associate Vice President - Partner Success; Acadeum

Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Dean, School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies; Delaware State University

Sponsored by Thurgood Marshall College Fund

From What to How to: Strategies for Building your University’s Planned Giving Program

Andrew Hibel, Planned Giving Advocate, The Planned Giving Initiative

Margaret ”Meg” Cline, Vice President of Gift Planning and Trust Services, University of Illinois Foundation

Crystal “CJ” Jenkins, Executive Director, Norfolk State University Foundation

Dr. LaShawne Pryor, AVP of Development, Delaware State University

Presidents and Philanthropic Leaders Roundtable

Moderator: Dr. Amir Pasic, Dean, Eugene R. Tempel Dean, Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy 

Amplifying HBCU Engagement: Opportunities and Initiatives with The Walt Disney Company

Moderator: Corey Savage, Manager, Outreach and Engagement, The Walt Disney Company

Wokie Daboh, Sr Director, Diversity and Inclusion, ESPN

Karen Greenfield, SVP, Inclusive Content & Engagement, National Geographic

Maria Kirby, VP, Government Relations, The Walt Disney Company

HBCU VP Roundtable

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***Invite only

Delmarva Power

Rodney Oddoye, Senior Vice President, Governmental, Regulatory & External Affairs, Pepco Holdings

HBCU White House Advisory Committee Update

Dr. Tony Allen, Chair, President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs and President, Delaware State University

Dr. Deitra Trent, Executive Director, White House Initiative on HBCUs

CHIPS for America

Richard-Duane Chambers, Associate Director for Integration and Policy, CHIPS R&D, US Department of Commerce

Aviation Pathways and Opportunities for HBCUs

Moderator: Devin Cobb, Director, Diversity Equity Inclusion, Pilot Associations & Talent Strategy

Nikisha Ramsey, United Airlines
Simone Drakes, United Airlines
Captain Terry Wallace, United Airlines

HBCU Presidents and Foundations Panel

Moderator: Rob Henry, VP of People, Culture and Talent; Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, President, Norfolk State University

Dr. Maurice D. Edington, President, University of the District of Columbia

Bill Moses, Managing Director, Education, Kresge Foundation

Breakout Sessions

• Reimagining 24-Hour Giving Campaign to Galvanize Your Donor Base

         Stephanie K. Rogers, Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement; Dillard University
         Dr. Charles Prince, Chief of Staff and Sustainability Officer; Dillard University

• Delivering Excellence: Elevating Customer Service in HBCU Philanthropy

         Karen Wright, Vice President of University Advancement (Interim); Fort Valley State University
         Karyn Nooks, Director of Alumni Relations; Fort Valley State University
         Jaron L. Lucas, Director of Development; Fort Valley State University

• Building A Brand for Success

         Aaron J. Thompson, Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Branding; Alabama A&M University

• Unifying Forces: MSI Community College Foundation and Academic Affairs Collaborate Toward Fundraising Success

          Dr. Juanita Ortiz, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Oklahoma City Community College
          Lesley Vaughan Martin, Chief Development Officer, Oklahoma City Community College
         Stephanie Pitts, Director of Development, Oklahoma City Community College

• Planned Giving 2.0

        Akadius Berry, Chief Marketing Officer, TIAA Kaspick
        Denise Johnson, Esq. LLM, Senior Planned Giving Technical Consultant

• HBCU Aviation Schools

         Captain William “CJ” Charlton, Aviation Program Director, Delaware State University

         Monica Newman McCluney, Head of U.S. Corporate Social Responsibility and the Embraer Foundation, Embraer

• HBCU Presidents and Philanthropic Leaders Roundtable

        Dr. Margie Vela, Academic Partnership Success Manager, Amazon 

       Joe Burris, Senior Manager for External Affairs, Amazon

Luncheon Session: HBCU CIO Panel Discussion

Moderator: Darrell McMillon, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Delaware State University
Jackie Barker Dennis; Executive Director; Clark Atlanta University/Ellucian
Dr. Ndidi Akuta, Chief Information Officer; Fort Valley State University
Charles Olden, Leader, Solutions Engineer; Cisco Systems
Isaiah Nathaniel, Vice President and Chief Information Officer; Delaware Valley Community Health
Camille Shelly, Chief Information Officer; Mercy College 

2023 HBCU Pitch Competition Finalists 

Stephanie Johnnie, Executive Director; Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation

Impact of Coporate Partnerships

Moderator: Rodney Trapp, Vice President for Advancement, University of the District of Columbia

Marcus Beal, Director of External Affairs, Delmarva Power

Terrance Bowman, HBCU/HSI Recruiting Director; Capital One

Sally Frank, Manager, Philanthropic Programs; Agilent 

JoAnn Means, Senior Diversity Talent Sourcer; Black Employee Network Co-Lead PA/NJ; TD Bank

Dr. Danielle M. Robinson, Community Engagement and Partnerships, Diageo North America

Preserving and Monetizing Our History

Ms. Cassandra Illidge, Vice President, Partnerships; Getty Images

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**Invite Only

Strada Cohort Session 

Daryl Graham, Senior Vice President, HBCU and Engagement; Strada Education Foundation

Damien Padilla, Senior Manager, HBCU Partnerships and Outcomes; Strada Education Foundation

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***Invite only

Served Breakfast Session: Round table Discussions

• Annual Giving
• Athletics/NIL
• Alumni Relations
• Grants
• Major Gifts
• Governance

How Strada Partners with HBCUs

Damien Padilla, Senior Manager, HBCU Partnerships and Outcomes; Strada Education Foundation

Dr. Gloria Mwase, Senior Vice President, Research, Impact, Learning, and Development; CAEL

Malika R. Clinkscales, Senior Assoc Vice President, Strategic Initiatives; InsideTrack, Inc.

Federal Agency Funding Opportunities for HBCUs

Moderator: Naeem Jenkins-Nixon, Deputy Director, White House Initiative for HBCUs

Trina Bilal, Program Manager, US Department of Energy

Rod Chappell, Lead, Partnerships and Sustainability, Minority University Research & Education Project (MUREP), NASA

Jacqueline Davis-Slay, Senior Advisor, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, US Department of Agriculture

Tim Williams, Director of Staff in the Secretary of the Air Force, Concepts, Development and Management Office (SAF/CDM), Air Force