The White House Initiative has just announced its 2024 cohort of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Scholars, making this the 10th group of students dedicated to advancing educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity through HBCUs. This year’s cohort includes 110 students selected from over 77 HBCUs across the country recognized for their academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to their communities.

As part of the program, these students will engage in multiple workshops, development programs, and networking events designed to enhance their skills and broaden their perspectives. They will also have the chance to connect with policymakers, industry leaders, and alumni, enriching their educational experiences and opening doors to future opportunities. The program aligns with the U.S. Department of Education’s mission to “Raise the Bar,” empowering students to uplift their communities, inspire educational success, strengthen democracy, and contribute to economic growth.

Since its founding in 2014, the HBCU Scholars program has been a foundation in recognizing and supporting top students from HBCUs. Over the past decade, more than 500 students have benefited from opportunities for personal and professional growth, mentorship, and networking through the program.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona expressed the significance of the program, stating, “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. 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.”

The HBCU scholar program also included a partnership with NASA, that allows the students to participate in Minority University Research and Education Project Innovation Tech Transfer Competition (MITTIC). Through the Mini MITTIC program, scholars will collaborate on developing ideas to commercialize NASA technology for the benefit of their campuses and communities.

Additionally, the scholars will attend the 2024 HBCU Week National Annual Conference in Philadelphia from September 15th to 19th. The conference, themed “Raisin the Bar” Where Excellence and Opportunity Meet,” will offer sessions focused on innovation, leadership, and personal and professional growth, providing scholars with opportunities to connect with other students, staff, and partners.

Dietra Trent, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on the Historically Black Colleges and Universities applauded the students for, “exemplifying 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.”

The complete list of the 2024 HBCU Scholars is provided below, organized alphabetically 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
(Wichita) Gabriel Williams, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO

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

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