On June 10, the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities announced its ninth cohort of HBCU Scholars. Eighty-six students were recognized for their accomplishments.

“The HBCU Scholars announced today have dedicated themselves to their learning and exemplify the talent that our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities have nurtured for generations,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The Biden-Harris administration is committed to supporting these leaders and I cannot wait to learn from them while they serve as ambassadors for the White House Initiative and their institutions.”
The scholars were selected from 56 of the HBCUs in the country, and the competitive pool had over 350 students. Moreover, the applications mandated the signature of their HBCU president or designated HBCU faculty.

ANTONIO ASHLEY of Wilmington, a Fayetteville State University student, was among the HBCU Scholars named.

“As an HBCU graduate, I’m honored to announce our HBCU Scholars, our future leaders of tomorrow. At HBCUs, we are a family, we build each other up and we’re taught that we can do and be anything,” said Dietra Trent, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity through HBCUs. “I look forward to supporting the growth of our HBCU family through the Scholar Recognition Program.”