WASHINGTON, DC (April 30, 2019) – Two Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) member-school deans, Dr. Barron H. Harvey of the School of Business at Howard University, and Dr. Michael H. Casson, Jr., of the College of Business at Delaware State University will provide expert testimony on the value of public/private partnerships with HBCUs at today’s U.S. House Small Business Committee hearing, “Lost Opportunities? SBA’s Engagement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” scheduled to begin at 10:00 am (EST) in room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
Chaired by Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), the Committee will address the findings in a recent GAO report on the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The report focused on whether or not the SBA is providing adequate support for HBCUs in its outreach and direct engagement efforts to foster entrepreneurship. The support was mandated by President Trump’s Executive Order on HBCUs, which calls for greater collaboration between federal agencies like SBA, and our nation’s 101 HBCUs.
“The impact of the SBA’s funding and services could be exponentially greater if HBCUs and the SBA strategically worked together to develop targeted programming that effectively integrated the talent and resources of one another,” said Dean Casson.
“Throughout history, the HBCUs have been a tremendous educational and economic resource to this nation and our communities. Therefore, HBCUs provide a wonderful opportunity for strategic partnerships with the SBA to further impact the small businesses, especially African American entrepreneurs and small business owners who are the fastest growing segment of the small business sector,” said Dean Harvey. “Currently, there are only two SBA Lead Small Business Development Centers at HBCUs, Howard University and the University of the Virgin Islands, out of a total of 63. Further, there are only 16 HBCUs who host SBDC Subcenters out of 900 educational and community organizations nationwide. Expanding SBA’s presence at HBCUs will further aid the SBDC Network to have a much greater impact on minority small business owners, minority students who are future entrepreneurs, faculty and local communities.”
Other HBCU witnesses scheduled to join the TMCF member-school deans are, Dr. Paulette Dillard, president of Shaw University, and Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, president and CEO of Benedict College. The TMCF Government Affairs team will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to ensure the country’s publicly-supported HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) have a voice in Washington DC and have other important opportunities like the annual HBCU Fly-in, and other Congressional hearings, to engage directly with Members of Congress.
“Our HBCUs are filled with thousands of some of the most creative, innovative and entrepreneurial young leaders in America,” said Harry L. Williams, president & CEO, TMCF. “I am proud two distinguished HBCU deans will provide the Congress with testimony highlighting the importance and value of the SBA, and all federal agencies, looking to HBCUs for strategic partnerships.”
To view the hearing live today at 10:00 am (EST) please click here, (both HBCU deans are on the second panel).
To learn more about TMCF visit: tmcf.org
Note: Harry L. Williams, TMCF president & CEO is available for further comment.
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ABOUT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND (TMCF)
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs.
TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: tmcf.org.
