Left to right: Michelson 20MM Fellow and guest James Glapa-Grossklag, Dean at the College of the Canyons; MP Executive Director Geoff Baum; Michelson 20MM CEO Phil Kim; MMRF Sr. Program Manager Michele Morris; MIIP Sr. Program Coordinator Whitley Crawford; Dr. Erica Johnson, Morehouse School of Medicine; MIIP Sr. Program Manager Chinwe Ohanele Agwu; Dr. Muhsinah Morris, Morehouse College; MIIP Legal Fellow Elleyse Garret; and Dr. Barney Graham, Morehouse School of Medicine.
By Chinwe Ohanele Agwu
Nearly 1,400 attendees descended on downtown Atlanta to participate in the third year of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Institute for Capacity Building’s UNITE Conference. The energy of the conference was infectious and many of the educators, administrators, college and university presidents were excited to discuss ways to move historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) forward. Amidst all the discussions and meaningful moments, there also was a lot of truth telling.
Affirmative Action and HBCUs
Attendees spoke candidly about the impact the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action has had on students and admissions at HBCUs. More specifically, they discussed the crucial role HBCUs will play in producing much-needed legal, medical, and financial professionals. Participants acknowledged that the coming election could also have long-standing impacts on how HBCUs will grow and meet the needs of their incoming students financially. The HBCUs will have a particularly unique experience because they cater to the whole student’s experience and maturation, not just academic outcomes.
The Need to Develop Research and Innovation Centers at HBCUs
Michelson 20MM Team, with Mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens (center).
During a two-and-a-half-day session, Dr. Chad Womack, Senior Director for STEM Initiatives at the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building, pushed stakeholders in and around the research, development, and commercialization space. Dr. Womack addressed how HBCUs could develop a research culture, how that culture could drive innovation, and how innovation could be commercialized for the benefit of the entire ecosystem.
Many presentations highlighted critical areas of focus, such as state vs. private institutions, barriers to innovation, the most appropriate framework to technology transfer, the K-12 STEM pipeline, and proximity to research and technology ecosystems. Following the convening, many stakeholders sought to form partnerships to address some of the challenges and opportunities highlighted during the pre-summit discussions.
Paying Homage to the Past and Recognizing the Efforts of Today
Known as the “Godmother of HBCUs,” Congresswoman Alma Adams delivered remarks at the opening reception.
During the gala, speakers reflected on how the current times reminded them of the early days of civil rights, where civil unrest, distrust, and hate ran rampant and required strength of character and fortitude from the entire Black community. Nikole Hannah-Jones spoke about the critical work that needs to be done by the HBCU community, too.
In true HBCU fashion, UNITE was a stage to pay homage to the trailblazers of the past, recognize the efforts of today’s leaders, and shine a light on the incredible potential coming in the future. Existing as a safe space for Black excellence to flourish, UNCF UNITE gave space for many different voices, conversations, discussions, and incredibly important ideas to become actionable.
The Path to R1 Status: Closing the Equity Gap in Research Funding
The panel discussion took place in Atlanta as part of the UNCF Unite conference.
Left to right: Dr. Muhsinah Morris, Dr. Erica Johnson, Dr. Barney Graham, and Chinwe Ohanele Agwu.
Together with the Michelson Medical Research Foundation, Michelson IP was excited to host a panel on research, commercialization, and intellectual property (IP) at HBCUs. Speakers included:
- Dr. Barney Graham, Professor of Medicine and Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology and Senior Advisor for Global Health Equity at Morehouse School of Medicine
- Professor Muhsinah Morris, Virtual Reality (VR) Pioneer in the Higher Education Metaverse, Director of Morehouse in the Metaverse, VR Project at Morehouse College, and Assistant Professor, Education, Morehouse Center for Excellence in Education
- Dr. Erica Johnson, Immunologist and Associate Professor of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology / Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Co-Director of the Vaccine Trials Unit and Pediatric Clinical Translational Research Unit at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM)
The conversation revealed roadblocks educators face in doing critical research within HBCUs as well as what they require in the form of invisible labor. We also learned of administrative needs that counterparts at other institutions do not experience. Above all, and most importantly, we discovered the incredible work that emerged from HBCUs despite the challenges they face. There was and continues to be a spirit of resilience and a belief in the brilliance and intellect of students and faculty, which contributes to the research ecosystem.
HBCUv: Accelerating Innovation
The ways that the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building is working to accelerate innovation include HBCUv, which looks to scale courses of need and value from one institution to others. To this end, they are also reducing the academic burden on educators to get courses up and running, while simultaneously giving students access to resources needed to streamline their experience and amplify their voices. A historic signing took place at this year’s UNCF UNITE, which signifies the institutions that have already begun leveraging the resources and the partners involved in bringing the platform to life.
Recognizing Transformative Individuals and Institutions
MIIP Sr. Program Manager Chinwe Ohanele Agwu presents an award to an individual change maker.
The UNITE awards ceremony paid homage to the individuals and institutions within the HBCU space that are investing in transformation. At a time when universities are looking to educate students for a world that is very different from the one in which we live, the need for institutions to develop innovative new resources, programs, and initiatives is critical.
The UNCF Institute for Capacity Building has developed cohorts of institutions doing the work to transform their institutions to meet these emerging needs. During the transformation awards, we had a chance to recognize unique individuals whose efforts will directly shape the future. Michelson IP was honored to present one such award to Dr. Sandra Ramawy, Associate Vice President for Transformation and SACSCOC Reaffirmation Director at Lane College. An individual change maker, Dr. Ramawy led the transformation at her institution and supported necessary changes to better serve students.
UNCF UNITE was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with all those committed to supporting HBCUs. Looking ahead, we are eager to review applications for the next cohort of HBCU Futures Collaborative educators, deepening our relationship with our current partners, and forging new partnerships.
The Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property, an initiative of the Michelson 20MM Foundation, provides access to empowering IP education for budding inventors and entrepreneurs. Michelson 20MM was founded thanks to the generous support of renowned spinal surgeon Dr. Gary K. Michelson and Alya Michelson. To learn more, visit 20mm.org.