Too dark. Too bold. Too much. These are the things young people of color are called every day by a society that neither fully understands or appreciates the complexity of 21st century blackness. They walk through life being othered by the media, the education system and the economy... until they step foot on campus at an HBCU, and they see their place in the world shift before their eyes.

This panel will discuss how historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are ideal breeding grounds for producing entrepreneurs and professionals at the forefront of innovative companies addressing culturally-relevant issues. You will hear from four HBCU graduates with backgrounds in STEM, fashion, economic development, film, and entrepreneurship. This session will encourage HBCU students to capitalize on the unique chemistry and opportunity the environment provides and take a fresh look at the important role HBCUs continue to have in influencing culture, activism, identity, self-love and social change.