Exclusive: The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Names Its 2024 HBCU Scholars

The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) has announced its 2024 cohort of HBCU Scholars. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the program, which has recognized 110 outstanding students from 80 HBCUs for their academic achievements, leadership potential, and dedication to their communities.

“For 10 years, the HBCU Scholars program has celebrated the exceptional academic talent and achievements of students at our Historically Black Colleges and Universities — a recognition that reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s determination to fight for our nation’s HBCUs and their immense contributions to excellence and diversity in higher education,” stated U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “This year’s 110 outstanding students exemplify Black excellence — and fill us with hope for the promise of tomorrow. We couldn’t be prouder to support them on their journey.”

Since its inception in 2014, the HBCU Scholars program has empowered over 500 students, providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, mentorship, and networking. This year’s cohort, selected from a competitive pool of over 350 applicants, represents 23 states and 11 countries. They come from a diverse array of disciplines, including STEM, humanities, social sciences, and the arts, and have demonstrated not only academic excellence but also a strong commitment to service and leadership in their communities.

Throughout the year, the HBCU Scholars will participate in workshops, leadership development programs, and networking events designed to enhance their skills and expand their horizons. They will also have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, policymakers, and program alumni, enriching their educational experience. This aligns with the U.S. Department of Education’s mission to “Raise the Bar,” encouraging students to uplift their communities, promote student success, strengthen democracy, and grow the economy.

A notable component of the HBCU Scholar Program is its partnership with NASA. This collaboration includes the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC). Through the Mini MITTIC program, HBCU Scholars will collaborate to develop ideas for commercializing technology derived from NASA intellectual property, aimed at benefiting their campuses and surrounding communities.

The HBCU Scholars will also be invited to the 2024 HBCU Week National Annual Conference, scheduled for September 15-19, 2024, at the Marriott Downtown Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA. This year’s conference theme, “Raising the Bar: Where Excellence and Opportunity Meet,” will feature sessions designed to inspire innovation, leadership, and personal and professional development. The conference will provide Scholars with opportunities to engage with each other, initiative staff, and partners, further showcasing their talents.

Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Dietra Trent, expressed her enthusiasm for the new cohort, saying, “I am delighted to announce the 2024-2025 HBCU Scholars representing 80 of our nation’s HBCUs. These students exemplify the excellence and leadership that is characteristic of the HBCU community. I anticipate and look forward to our partnership over the next academic school year.”

Following the conference, the HBCU Scholars will be invited to participate in various programs, events, and monthly master classes designed to enhance their professional development and increase access to post-graduation opportunities within non-profits, businesses, and federal agencies, ensuring that the nation remains globally competitive.

Below is the complete list of HBCU Scholars. HBCU Scholars are listed in alphabetical order, by their state or country of origin.

ALABAMA

• (Birmingham) Michaela Hart, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
• (Gadsden) Chantara Williams, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL
• (Livingston) Lakenya Blakely, Selma University, Selma, AL
• (Madison) Taron Randolph, Drake State Community and Technical College, Huntsville, AL
• (Mobile) Jeric Packer, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
• (Mobile) Michael Stallworth Jr., Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
• (Montgomery) Jasmine Bryant, J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College, Huntsville, AL
• (Montgomery) Amia Calandrea Carter, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
• (Northport) Maia Brasfield, Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL
• (Prattville) JaMya Peoples, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS
• (Prattville) Dayja Brown, Trenholm State Community College, Montgomery, AL
• (Tuscaloosa) Chiamaka Okafor, Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL
• (Tuscaloosa) Raven Herring, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA

BAHAMAS

• (Bimini) Darius Thompson, Albany State University, Albany, GA
• (Exuma) Wayne Curtis II, Wiley University, Marshall, TX

BARBADOS

• (Bridgetown) Juliana Blackman, Allen University, Columbia, SC

CALIFORNIA

• (Los Angeles) MaKenzie Hanks, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Chester County, PA
• (San Francisco) Charles-Anthony Woodfork, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC

DOMINICA

• (Roseau) Kyra Edwards, University of the Virgin Islands – Albert A. Sheen Campus, St Croix & St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

• (Santo Domingo) Katherine Pamela Sugilio Peralta, Paine College, Augusta, GA

FLORIDA

• (Jacksonville) Kenyana McCray, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL

• (Miami) Gabrielle Sinclair, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL

FRANCE

• (Saint Martin) Benz Joseph, Clinton College, Rock Hill, SC

GEORGIA

• (Atlanta) Robert Adams, Fisk University, Nashville, TN
• (Atlanta) Matthew Dormus, Oakwood University, Huntsville, AL
• (Columbus) Alexis Day, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
• (Lithia Springs) Jacob Pearson, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
• (Marietta) Osoniya Wodi, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
• (Snellville) Khelsei Dorsett-Wilson, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC
• (Stockbridge) Jayden Williams, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA

GUATEMALA

• (Chiquimula) Mellany Sophia Morales Menéndez, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD

ILLINOIS

• (Champaign) Sa’kinah Williams, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
• (Chicago) Jae’Lynn A. Jordan, Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis, MO
• (Chicago) Darryl I. Hawkins, Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis, MO
• (Chicago) Joshua Claybrooks, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY
• (Chicago) Laila Cooper, Lane College, Jackson, TN
• (Chicago) Asia Rogers, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC
• (Chicago) Kennedy Orr, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA

INDIANA

• (Cedar Lake) Keeley Bernard, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
• (Indianapolis) Kristyn Lyles, Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, FL

JAMAICA

• (Port Antonio) Santasha Johnson, Benedict College, Columbia, SC
• (Portland) Shemar Stewart, Voorhees University, Denmark, SC
• (Portland) Kayleah Shelton, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.
• (Portland) Roxi-Ann Williams, Benedict College, Columbia, SC

KANSAS

• (Wichita) Aniyah Robinson, Langston University, Langston, OK

LOUISIANA

• (Baton Rouge) Nalone Sumo, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA
• (Clinton) Antoine Johnson Jr., Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS
• (Lake Charles) Alonnie Celestine, Xavier University of Louisiana​New Orleans, LA
• (Moreauville) William J. Gaspard Jr., Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA
• (Natchitoches) ​Za’Chary Rashad Jackson, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
• (New Orleans) Dana M. Bailey, Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
• (Shreveport) Madisyn Nicole Hicks, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
• (Thibodaux) DeAndrew Thomas, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
• (Ville Platte) Chandler Vidrine, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

MARYLAND

• (Suitland) Sarah Amanda Owusu, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
• (Upper Marlboro) Ashley Anderson, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

MICHIGAN

• (Detroit) Erika Igarashi-Cummings, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
• (Flint) Hailee L. P. Clack, Hampton University, Hampton, VA

MISSISSIPPI

• (Cleveland) John Eubanks II, Coahoma Community College, Coahoma County, MS
• (Flora) Almia Valentine, Tougaloo College, Hinds County, MS
• (Jackson) Frances Sade Lewis, Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS
• (Jackson) Raegan B. Johnson, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
• (Jackson) Anahja Reed, Hinds Community College, Utica, MS
• (Ruleville) Jordyn Johnson, Coahoma Community College, Coahoma County, MI

MISSOURI   

• (St. Louis Missouri) Myia Bradford, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO

NEVADA

• (Las Vegas) Jalen Gourrier, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD

NEW JERSEY

• (East Orange) Sagal Buchanan, Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL
• (Hamilton) Chantel Ilawole, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA
• (Woodbury) Aaliyah Robinson, Delaware State University, Dover, DE

NEW YORK

• (Baldwin) Naja Bostwick, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• (Bronx) Sean  Carter, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC
• (Poughkeepsie) Cody Gibbs, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Chester County, PA

NIGERIA

• (Enugu) Izuchukwu Mba, Talladega College, Talladega, AL
• (Lagos) Favour Adesoye, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA
• (Lagos) Comfort Iretioluwa Olorundare, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC

NORTH CAROLINA

• (Charlotte) Ayanna Anderson, Clinton College, Rock Hill, SC
• (Charlotte) Sanai Price, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
• (Charlotte) Aeries Hoskins, Tougaloo College, Hinds County, MS 
• (Raleigh) Sierra Williams, Hampton University, Hampton, VA 
• (Whitsett) Josh Kyei, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
• (Winterville) KJ Chadwick, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC

OHIO

• (Cincinnati) Alexandra Nelson, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
• (Maple Heights) Zhane McCorvey, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
• (Toledo) Devon J. Ezell, Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA
• (Toledo) Cassidy McClellan, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL

PANAMA

• (Panamá City) Isabella Wynter Mitchell, Central State University, Wilberforce, OH

PENNSYLVANIA

• (Upper Darby) Veronica A. Redden, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA

SOUTH CAROLINA

• (Beaufort) Christian Miles, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
• (Greenville) Lawrenz Ellman-Sanders, Voorhees University, Denmark, SC
• (Manning) Aaron D. Smith, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC

TENNESSEE

• (Memphis) Keith Jordan Jr., Lane College, Jackson, TN
• (Memphis) Breeze Smith, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC
• (Nashville) Erin Armstrong, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

• (Trinidad & Tobago) Jean-Marie Farinha, Wiley University, Marshall, TX

TEXAS

• (Cedar Hill) Olivia LaShay Dyer, Grambling State University, Grambling, LA
• (Dallas) Anthony George II, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
• (Dallas) Ericka Drinker, Paul Quinn College, Dallas, TX
• (Dallas) Destiny Okonkwo, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
• (Houston) Nadia Higgins, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
• (Houston) Haile Allen, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
• (Houston) DeAndré K. Bell II, Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Houston, TX
• (San Antonio) Daveon Johnson, St. Philip’s College, San Antonio, TX

VIRGINIA

• (Arlington) Yassin Alallaq, Delaware State University, Dover, DE
• (Richmond) Michael Kevin Crossley Sr., Virginia Union University, Sydney Lewis School of Business, Richmond, VA

WISCONSIN

• (Milwaukee) Dailona I. Dallas, Jarvis Christian University, Hawkins, TX

ZAMBIA

• (Lusaka) Chikomborero Musinga, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR