Kim Hunter Reed, U.S. deputy under secretary of education and acting executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and David Johns, executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, will give remarks at the launch of the HBCUs in Los Angeles Internship Program on Friday, Nov. 4 in Los Angeles.
The internship program will launch next summer and will provide students with an immersive, real world work experience designed to supplement their academic curriculum and prepare them for careers in the entertainment, media and communications industries. The internship program stems from many of President Obama’s initiatives, such as “A Call to Arts” and “My Brother’s Keeper,” which aim to engage and mentor all students, including those of color. The inaugural class will include White House HBCU All-Star students and a select group of the best, brightest and diverse student leaders from HBCUs across the nation.
The Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program and the White House Initiative on HBCUs have partnered to showcase the talent of young men and women attending HBCUs. The event will be hosted by the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
HBCUs, as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965, include: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans…” Today, HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. Since President Obama took office, one million more African American and Latino students have completed college. A hallmark of the Obama Administration has been promoting equity and excellence in education, including making college more affordable and the Administration remains committed to increasing the number of students who earn high-quality post-secondary credentials. HBCUs prepare students to serve domestically and internationally in public and private sector professions.
NOTE: Media must RSVP to Jody Frisch at [email protected]. Only CONFIRMED media will be able to attend.