Introduction

Although Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) may make up only three percent of the country’s colleges and universities, their economic impact is big. HBCUs produce almost 20% of all African American graduates.

Alabama is home to 15 HBCUs, the most of any state in the nation. On October 27th BBA’s Magic City HBCU Breakfast will put you in the room with six of those schools.

(Get your tickets now to meet students and representatives from some of Alabama’s top HBCUs.)

The Economic Impact of HBCUs

HBCUs are a powerhouse of economic impact in our nation and in Alabama. According to UNCF and the University of Georgia, HBCUs have a cumulative economic impact of $14.8 billion annually in the US and $1.5 billion in Alabama. HBCUs also account for 15,062 jobs in the state of Alabama both on and off campus. For each job created by an HBCU another 1.3 private-sector jobs are created off campus.

Supporting Alabama HBCUs isn’t just an investment in education, it’s an investment in our community that pays dividends. On average, the cost of attendance at an HBCU is 28% less than attending a comparable non-HBCU. Forty percent of HBCU students report feeling financially secure during college, as opposed to 29% of Black students at other schools. - (Source: UNCF) That means that programs supporting HBCU students lessen the financial burden of college even more.

Every dollar spent by an HBCU and its students generates $1.44 in spending for its local and regional economies. Many HBCUs are in regions of the country where overall economic activity has been lagging, making the colleges’ economic contributions to those communities all the more impactful.

See you at The Magic City HBCU Breakfast

The Magic City HBCU Breakfast will be a celebration. Then, companies that sponsor or buy a table will become part of an ongoing program that provides HR managers to meet regularly with representatives from the six participating HBCUs. By facilitating internships for HBCU students with local Birmingham businesses, BBA is helping to build a diverse talent pipeline that will keep HBCU grads in Alabama. This program will partner students with paid internships in our region, providing them with valuable real-world work experience, and setting them up for successful careers.

Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Lawson State Community College, Miles College, Stillman College and Talladega College will all be present partners at The Magic City HBCU Breakfast. We invite you to show up in support of these HBCUs and more by purchasing a table or individual ticket at www.eventcreate.com/e/hbcubreakfast.