HBCU First

🚨 Less than a month left to apply! 🚨 HBCU First is seeking top HBCU students for our Fall 2024 Day-One-Ready Academy! 👀📍! Our skill-building, networking, community-based, PAID, 10-week internship program helps Black youth navigate the college-to-career journey! ❤️ Program Testimonials: “The program helped me to improve my networking, public speaking, and critical thinking skills through various workshops and events. I remember feeling nervous about public speaking, but through the support of my mentor and the program, I was able to gain confidence and improve my skills.” – Chinwe Uwolloh, Microsoft Intern, Philander Smith University 🔰 “The program's workshops, mentoring sessions, and networking events connected me with professionals and alumni, offering invaluable guidance and insights to navigate the challenges of my first year. Moreover, the program fostered a profound appreciation for the rich history and legacy of HBCUs, motivating me to excel academically and become an advocate for their empowerment.” – Journei Ferguson, Microsoft Intern, Spelman College🩵 Applications are open NOW! Use the link in our bio or visit hbcufirst.com to learn more information and apply! 🔗

Congratulations to the 2024 #HBCU Student Challenge with Nordstrom runner-up winners: Janaya Sydney of Spelman College, Breasia Williams of Fayetteville State University, Eniola Irinoye of Grambling State University, Makayla Whitted of North Carolina Central University, Za’Niyah Newbill of Johnson C. Smith University - JCSU, and Eniola Farinde of Grambling State University. Thank you Brittani Thomas for creating this challenge and for #mentoring and coaching our students over 6 weeks. Special thanks to Kayla Braggs — Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University graduate — for providing critical support and coaching to our students. And thank you Vicky Hidalgo for your vision and leadership.

Congratulations to the 2024 #HBCU Student Challenge with Nordstrom 2nd place winners: Imani Carter of Lincoln University, Trevor Ng’oma of Grambling State University, and Camryn Bailey of Howard University. Thank you Brittani Thomas for creating this challenge and for #mentoring and coaching our students over 6 weeks. And special thanks to Kayla Braggs — Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University graduate — for providing critical support and coaching to our students. Vicky Hidalgo, thank you for your partnership and making all of this possible.

Congratulations to the 2024 #HBCU Student Challenge with Nordstrom grand prize winners: Amaya Williams of Albany State University, Shabach Amuwah of Grambling State University, and Alyssa Clayton of Tuskegee University. Thank you Brittani Thomas for creating this challenge and for #mentoring and coaching our students over 6 weeks. Our students greatly appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the enhancement of Nordstrom's Nspire Program. And special thanks to Kayla Braggs — Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University graduate and Michigan State University grad school student — for providing critical support and coaching to our students. Vicky Hidalgo, thank you for your partnership and making all of this possible.

Thank you to Ronald Ortiz Paz, Gillian Ladd, Eylon Nakar, ASA, Tate Toole, and Daniel Odoom for leading an insightful #HBCU Career Talk with Corebridge Financial! Students said: “My biggest takeaway was to figure out what I really want to gain from an internship or job, whether it's knowledge, a full time position, or mentorship.” — Imani Carter, Lincoln University “Internships have evolved a lot over time, leaving my generation with internships that resemble an actual job more closely.” — Breasia Williams, Fayetteville State University “Navigating your career and goals can be challenging, but I was reminded you should never limit yourself because you may end up in a career that fits you, even though it is not what you planned for.” — Saniyah Bullock, Delaware State University -------- Thank you Aiyana Uter of Claflin University, Amaya Williams of Albany State University, Alyssa Clayton of Tuskegee University, and Rayven Bryant of Spelman College for hosting. And thank you Anastatia Harrison, SHRM - CP, Giana Colon, and Shanda Vangas for your continued support!

Thank you ShaVonne Cammack, Clarencia Taylor, CPA, Waltreese Carroll-Williams, and Jonathan Green for leading an engaging #HBCU Leadership Accelerator on navigating From College to Corporate! We would also like to extend our gratitude to your colleagues at Deloitte – Imani Abu-Bakir, Patrick Gant, Mary Kate E. Price, PMP SEC, Dax Craig, Tiffany Foskey-Lewis, Waymond Stewart, John H Smith III, Kelly Miller Smith, Jacinta Pope, and Alexandra Diehl – for co-leading our 5-week workshop series equipping HBCU students with leadership skills and exposure to business and #STEM career paths. Student takeaways: “Leverage diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences to thrive in the corporate environment while maintaining authenticity and resilience.” — Tamyiah Nielsen, Texas Southern University “I learned the importance of utilizing the resources at your HBCU. Everyone is capable of being very successful; you just have to pay attention to the opportunities around you.” — Destiny Gilliard, Fayetteville State University “I will become well-read, traveled, spoken, balanced, and well-dressed to elevate myself professionally.” – Trevor Ng’oma, Grambling State University -------- Thank you Alyssa Clayton of Tuskegee University, Amaya Williams of Albany State University, and Rayven Bryant of Spelman College for hosting. And special thanks to Derrick Tinsley for creating and supporting the Deloitte x HBCU First partnership!

Thank you to Brittani Thomas of Nordstrom for leading an insightful #HBCU Communication Accelerator on Interview Prep! Our students said: “My biggest takeaway was learning that about 93% of communication is nonverbal and have to put in more work in that aspect if I want to have successful interviews.” – Eyimofe Ajagunna, Mississippi Valley State University “As someone who rambles in interviews, learning the STAR method will be helpful to keep my responses clear and concise as I interview for jobs post-graduation.” – Breasia Williams, Fayetteville State University “My biggest takeaway from today's workshop is to practice for interviews. A lot of times I think that I can just come in without practicing, but I can be more successful and feel more comfortable with more practice.” – Camryn Bailey, Howard University -------- Thank you Alyssa Clayton of Tuskegee University, Amaya Williams of Albany State University, and Rayven Bryant of Spelman College for hosting. And thank you Vicky Hidalgo for your continued support!

Thank you Thalyana Stathis, PhD of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for leading an informational #HBCU Health & Wellness Accelerator on Utilizing LinkedIn! Student takeaways: “What I learned today will be helpful to assist me in leveraging how to actually utilize my network, rather than just having it, while searching for jobs after college.” – Breasia Williams, Fayetteville State University “My biggest takeaway was how important and essential the about section on a LinkedIn profile can be. I think it was really helpful advice to view it as a shorter cover letter or personal statement.” – Maricellyn McDonald, Claflin University “I learned how to use LinkedIn to connect and network while also using it as a more detailed and expanded resume.” – Saniyah Bullock, Delaware State University -------- Thank you Aiyana Uter of Claflin University, Alyssa Clayton of Tuskegee University, Amaya Williams of Albany State University, and Rayven Bryant of Spelman College for hosting. And special thanks to Jenna Sandker and Rachel Martin, MPA for supporting our students and the program.

Thank you to Mx. Verse Gabrielle and Anthony Whitten from University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business; Savannah Richerson from Columbia Business School; and Christine Friedman from Stanford University Graduate School of Business for leading an insightful #HBCU Grad School Talk on Deferred #MBA Programs! Our students said: “I learned that a J.D./MBA programs exist! I have been interested in combining both interests of mine, and today's talk was very helpful.” Janaya Sydney, Spelman College “My takeaway is that I can apply for an MBA program, no matter my undergrad major.” Grace Julius, Lincoln University “In grad school applications, your story is very important. Make sure to demonstrate resilience and share unique experiences with your story.” Mosopefoluwa John, Grambling State University -------- Thank you Aiyana Uter of Claflin University, Amaya Williams of Albany State University, Alyssa Clayton of Tuskegee University, and Rayven Bryant of Spelman College for hosting.

Thank you Jacinta Pope, Kelly Miller Smith, and Alexandra Diehl for powerful #HBCU Leadership Accelerator on Artificial Intelligence! Student takeaways: “I can apply what I learned today to my college-to-career journey by recognizing that regardless of what people may think, AI is slowly becoming integrated into society and in the workplace. My best bet is to learn what I can and leverage that in order to take my skills and knowledge to the next level.” – Sanniyah Lassiter, Lincoln University “My biggest takeaway from today's workshop was the importance of understanding the ethical implications and reliability considerations when working with artificial intelligence.” – Carine Amessiamenou, Jarvis Christian University “My biggest takeaway is to not necessarily be scared about the future of AI, but look at a different perspective as to the positive things it could add to our society.” – Chelsea Magee, Texas Southern University -------- Thank you Alyssa Clayton of Tuskegee University, Amaya Williams of Albany State University, and Rayven Bryant of Spelman College for hosting. And special thanks to Derrick Tinsley of Deloitte for making all this possible! #AI