Angola HBCU Higher Education Initiative Workshops

The Angola HBCU Higher Education Initiative involves a series of workshops designed to prepare Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for a partnership with Angola, culminating in a planned  Pan Africa Conference in Luanda, Angola, from June 17-19, 2026. The initiative is structured in three phases of training workshops, with the first cohort's workshop initially proposed for dates including December 19, 2025. The primary goal of these preparatory workshops is to validate the feasibility of forging partnerships between HBCUs and Angolan institutions, (1) laying the groundwork for scholarship offerings, (2) the establishment of HBCU satellite campuses in Angola and (3) the establishment of the United Nations HBCU Presidential Council for  academic, cultural and economic diplomacy, where higher education is an instrument for reconcilitation,peace and human development. The establishment of the United Nations HBCU Presidential Council will fulfill an obligation of the international community towards “justice and reparations for the African diaspora” as mandated by the 2025 African Union theme of the year.  Furthermore, it will seek to protect the unique history and cultural heritage of the HBCU colleges and universities.

Phase 1 focuses on validating the feasibility and potential impact of partnering 20-25 HBCUs with Angolan institutions and ministries, aiming to establish a foundation for collaborative education and research. The objectives include identifying and engaging HBCUs, conducting preliminary assessments to align strengths with Angola's and HBCU needs, securing endorsements from Angolan government ministries, and developing a strategic framework for the initiative. The expected outcome is to prepare the 3  cohort of HBCUs for successful scholarship programs and the establishment of satellite campuses and the establishment of the United Nations HBCU Presidential Council for a robust presence and fostering long-term educational and socio-economic ties at the 2026 conference.