Walker and Sen. Scott HBCU Fly-In Recap: Advancing Opportunity and Entrepreneurship

Press Release

U.S. Representative Mark Walker (R-N.C.) and Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) on Tuesday hosted the "Second Annual HBCU Fly-in" to provide HBCU leaders, job creators, and policymakers with the opportunity to discuss innovative avenues for promoting educational achievement, bolstering cross-sector partnerships, and meeting the ever-shifting demands of the American workforce. The discussions included a bipartisan group of lawmakers, 70 Presidents and Chancellors of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and private sector leaders from Walmart, John Deere, Bank of America, Starbucks, McDonald's, Google, and Koch Industries. The daylong conference also featured a keynote address from Benjamin Watson, NFL player for the Baltimore Ravens and recent Bart Starr award winner.

"At a time when our nation has record high small business confidence and rising rates of young entrepreneurship, it is essential that we engage in a dynamic dialogue about how to prepare our next generation of leaders for the new American economy," Walker said. "By building bridges across communities and business sectors, and by forging relationships between private and public organizations, I believe we can work together for the betterment of our students. The 2018 HBCU Fly-In served as the nucleus for these and other important conversations. Senator Scott and I were humbled and excited at the participation and engagement."

As reported by Inside Higher Ed:

"HBCU leaders this week got a chance to reacquaint members of Congress and administration officials with their priorities at the Hill event organized by Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, and Representative Mark Walker, a North Carolina Republican."

...

"But Republican lawmakers and HBCU leaders argue year-round Pell Grants wouldn't have been restored by Congress last year without those meetings. And Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, cites the relationships historically black colleges are building in Washington as much as any concrete policy developments."

...

"At the event, Walker cited personal reasons for caring about the success of black colleges -- his wife attended one. His district also includes North Carolina A&T University, the nation's largest HBCU. Scott said he began organizing the meetings last year to address untapped potential in minority communities. Working with Republicans in Congress is also less toxic for college presidents than working with this White House.

"The payoffs of working with Republicans at the federal level already are apparent, Williams said. Chief among those is restoration of year-round Pell, the top priority pushed by college presidents at last year's event.

"That was also a policy goal shared by a wide range of higher ed advocacy groups, particularly those that represent two-year colleges. But Williams said the change wouldn't have come about were it not for relationships cultivated with Republicans like Walker and Scott."

Watch reaction to the HBCU Fly-In from Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, President of Bennett College in Greensboro North Carolina and Lodriguez Murray, Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs for United Negro College Fund (UNCF):

ABC News reported, "the HBCU Fly-In started last year as a way for the colleges and universities to meet GOP officials and find ways to work with the federal government. Instead of focusing solely on education policy and funding, GOP Rep. Mark Walker of North Carolina and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina said the HBCU presidents asked for connections to companies that would be willing to partner with the schools and employ their graduates."

A full schedule of the conference can be found here and photos from the event can be found below:

Keynote speaker and Baltimore Raven Tight End Benjamin Watson participates in the 2018 HBCU Fly-In.

Walker addresses the conference with moderator Ja'Ron Smith, Director of Urban Affairs and Revitalization at the ‎Executive Office of the President.

Walker engages with participants and students at the 2018 HBCU Fly-In.

Source