Students from Grand Rapids’ Innovation Central and Montessori High Schools had an assembly Thursday to host the HBCU Power Panel – an event that brings together influential alumni, community leaders and changemakers to share their journeys and highlight the power of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Leaders like Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Leadrianne Roby.
“On these campuses you can experience things you may not see in other places. Its transformational with community, with pride, with culture.”
Valissa Armstead, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Corewell Health and a Central State graduate said she was inspired by her track and basketball coaches, role models who frequently touted the special advantages of HBCU’s.
“Learning about what that means for me to see individuals who look like me and understand my lived experience with having been raised by a single mom was really huge for me.”
The goal was to help students see what’s possible for their futures and give them real-life examples of leadership and post-secondary success.
Students can also sign up for campus tours of several HBCU’s later this school year.
