Smithsonian at WHI HBCU National Week Conference September 21 & 22

The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) held their National Week Conference on Monday, September 21, 2015 and Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

Anita Nahal Arya of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), Omar Eaton-Martinez of the National Museum of American History (NMAH) and Gordon Bullock of the Office of Fellowships and Internships (OFI) attended the two day event speaking to HBCU students, alumni, faculty, and administrators about the Smithsonian’s academic programs and commitment to diversity.

Vice President Joseph Biden spoke to the attendees on Tuesday morning, September 22, 2015 about his life long support for the HBCU community, especially HBCU member Delaware State University, and the importance of HBCUs in educating young people going forward in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)fields.

Many attendees expressed their gratitude that the Smithsonian was able to staff the conference and look forward to the opening of the NMAAHC mall museum in 2016.