2025 Agenda

HBCU Innovative Solutions VIP Breakfast Session (pre-registration required)

Powered by the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation

Stephanie Johnnie, Executive Director, Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation

Opening 

Dr. Tony Allen, President, Delaware State University

Plenary Session: This Is Our Moment

Dr. Harry L. Williams, President & CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Panel Discussion with Presidents

Dr. Heidi Anderson, University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)

Dr. Tony Allen, Delaware State University

Dr. Patricia Ramsey, Medgar Evers College

Dr. Mautra Jones, Oklahoma City Community College

Dr. Dwayne Edwards, Pensole Lewis College

Disney Feature: Student Voices & Imagineer Carmen Smith

James Smartt Jr | Morehouse College | Video Producer - Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts (Moderator)

Shaleese Nuckols | Prairie View A&M University | 2025 UNCF Scholar, TA Marketing Intern

John-Wesley | Virginia State University | Guest Experience Manager, Food & Beverage – Magic Kingdom

Tyreah Patterson | Alabama A&M University | Disney Hospitality Leadership Program, Attractions – Hollywood Studios

Lunch

Photos with Drum Major Mickey and Princess Tiana

(30 min sessions)

11:45 AM-12:15PM

12:45-1:15 PM

Salon 2 (Mickey)

Cape Cod (Princess Tiana)

Keynote Address

Teacher By Teacher: A Fireside Chat

with Former US Secretary of Education: The Honorable John King, Jr.

Ashley Johnson, Program Officer, The Kresge Foundation

Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, President, Complete College America

Plenary Session: Legacy Forward: Reimagining the HBCU Pipeline for Wealth, Work, and Worth

Trenton F. Davis, Account Executive HBCU, Salesforce

Dr. Rick Smith, President, Dallas College

Ms. Courtney Johnson, Vice President, Atlanta Life Insurance

Mr. Marcus Beal, Director External Affairs and Region Vice President, Delmarva Power

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

Hermon Mason, Area Vice President, Southeast Area Group, Thrivent

Overview of Executive Orders: What They Mean for HBCUs

Sherrie Rhodes, Vice President, External Affairs & Deputy Chief of Staff, Thurgood Marshal College Fund

Victor Santos, Associate Vice President, Government Relations, Thurgood Marshal College Fund

President and Leaders Reception (invite only, wristbands required)

*This is an outdoor event*

Policy Outlook for Higher Education & HBCUs

Zaldwaynaka Scott, esq., President, Chicago State University

Senator Shevrin Jones, FL

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

Victor Santos, Vice President, Government Relations; Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Some College, No Credential, Open Opportunity

Edward L Spears, II, Associate Vice President for Partner Success Special Projects, Acadeum

Dr. Mautra Jones, President, Oklahoma City Community College

Dr. Vanessa Power Anderson, Sallie Mae Research Fellow, Delaware State University

Ms. Terry Jeffries, Assistant Vice President; Division of Strategic Enrollment and International Affairs, Delaware State University

Mr. Antoine Oakley, Sallie Mae

Ms. Betsy Burton-Strunk, Vice President of Development, Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Breakout Sessions

• How America Pays for College 2024: Spotlight on HBCU Insights

         Darwin Morency, Director Relationship Management, Sallie Mae

         Dr. Denise Pearson, Cheyney University

         Kevin McCrary from Bethune Cookman

         Dr. Kamesia House, Associate Vice President, Division of Strategic Enrollment Management, Delaware State University

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Philanthropy

         Dr. Brandi Tatum-Fedrick, Florida A&M University

• Enhancing the Corporate Relations Capacity of HBCUs: Best Practices and Lessons Learned

         Dr. DeShanna K. Brown, Regional Director of Philanthropy, Bethune-Cookman University

• Storytelling Relationship-Based Philanthropy

         Clifford Porter, Vice President for University Advancement, Norfolk State University

        Danielle Blackwell

• Presidents and Philanthropy Leaders

2024 HBCU Pitch Competition Finalists 

Stephanie Johnnie, Executive Director, Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation

What Comes Next: HBCUs, Employers and the Future of Talent

Aimee Eubanks, CEO, Braven

Dr. Tony Allen, President, Delaware State University

Increasing Capacity through Planned Giving

Akadius Berry, Chief Marketing Officer, TIAA Kaspick

Meg Cline, UL Foundation

Andy Hibel, Hibel Foundation

Trina Olidge, JD, Assistant Vice President, Gift Planning, Emory University

Crystal Jenkins, Executive Director, Norfolk State University Foundation

Plenary Session: Reshaping HBCUs through AI Machine Learning with Amazon

Margie Vela, PhD, MBA, Senior Program Manager, Amazon

Enhancing Technology Capacity to Maximize Artifical Intelligence (AI)

Mr. Darrell McMillon, VP/CIO for Information Technology, Delaware State University

Dr. Carie Ann Potenza, Senior Director, Strategy and Planning, Ellucian 

Dr. Ndidi Akuta, Chief Information Officer, Fort Valley State University

Mr. Daryl Thomas, Sr. Leader Demand Systems & Data, Cisco Systems

Janeen Uzzel, Chief Executive Officer, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

Breakout Sessions

• Using FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) to Drive Engagement

  Karen Wright, Vice President of University Advancement, Fort Valley State University & Executive Director of the FVSU Foundation
  Jaron Lucas, Director of Development, Fort Valley State University

• Leadership’s Role in Philanthropy: Building A Financially Sustainable Future for HBCUs

         Mrs. Tamara Foster-Montgomery, Executive Director, Southern University and A&M College 

         Dr. Luria Young, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Southern University and A&M College

• HBCU Donor and Alumni Engagement for Diverse Audiences

        Brent Swinton, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Bowie State University

• Planned Giving With Purpose: Securing the Future of HBCUs

• Democratizing Digital Learning: Amazon’s Tablet Program and Astro Exploration

         Amazon focus on CIO’s

• Presidents and Philanthropy Leaders

The New High-Definition HBCU: From Legacy to Destiny

Christopher Brown, Assistant Manager of Engagement, Thrivent

John Silvanus Wilson, Jr.; Former President, Morehouse College, Former Executive Director of the White House HBCU Initiative

Rethinking the College Journey: A Fresh Approach for Transforming How Students and Parents Navigate College

Dr. Kareem McLemore, Vice President, Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and International Affairs, Delaware State University

Dr. Jason Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs, Oklahoma City Community College

Dr. Asya Johnson, Creator & Founding Principal I.A., HBCU Early College Prep

Mr. Rob Henry, Vice President, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

The Disney Institute and Innovation Challenge

Sherrell Wilson – DOTY Innovation Challenge

Madeline Menchaca (HBCU Co-Hort Intern)

Daniel Garica (HBCU Co-Hort Intern)

Michael Johnson – Disney Institute

Panel Discussion: International Partnerships 

The Honorable Waleed Shamsid-Deen, Ambassador, Special Envoy Trade & Investment, Sierra Leone

Dr. Michael Casson, Dean for College of Business, Delaware State University

NIL and Collectives Effect on HBCU Philanthropy

Dr. Jason Cable, Vice President and Athletic Director, Alabama State University

Ms. Sonja Stills, Commissioner, MEAC

2025 Wrap-up and Next Steps

Leandra Hayes-Burgess, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Benedict College