HP to Host Must-Attend HBCU Technology Conference

Published by Kunbi Tinuoye at September 1, 2022

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Tech giant HP is gearing up to host its annual HBCU Technology Conference focused on immersing students, staff, faculty, and executive leadership in all things tech.

Now in its second year, the innovative virtual conference is a unique forum for learning, networking, and keeping abreast of the changing landscape. Presented by HP – and sponsored by Intel and Microsoft – the four-day event aims to expand access to tech careers.

Participants will get the chance to hear from an impressive lineup of heavyweight industry experts. Speakers include LaTasha Gary, Director of Sustainable Impact Program Management Office at HP; Ragina Arrington, CEO of the Clinton Global Initiative; and Calvin McCoy, Head of Americas Enterprise Technology Services at Bloomberg, among others.

Registration is now open to anyone who’d like to attend the conference that takes place daytime from September 13 to 16. There is no cost to attend.

“The diverse talent that HBCUs foster are integral to driving innovation not just in the tech industry but across all sectors,” said chief diversity officer at HP, Lesley Slaton Brown, ahead of last year’s inaugural conference. “Diversity is a business imperative; when we attract and nurture people from diverse backgrounds and increase their representation in the workplace, we can strengthen the company’s long-term growth.”

The jam-paced agenda will consist of four tracks serving the entire Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) community. Those verticals are Information Technology, HBCU Executive Leaders, Faculty & Staff, and the Student Track for undergraduate & graduate students across all disciplines.

HP’s Goal Is To Accelerate Digital Equity

The IT tracks consist of learning opportunities for HBCU IT leaders and staff focused on core IT topics. The Executive Leadership will be a deep dive into technology’s role in transforming the ‘HBCU of the future’, Faculty & Staff focuses on digital learning & operational solutions to address institutional needs, and Future of Work Career Academy (FOWA) comprises a career accelerator and four innovation incubators.

There will also be general sessions on a plethora of topics. We are talking about everything from cybersecurity, digital transformation, diversity in tech, and industry insights on preparing students for the future of work.

There will be unique opportunities for hands-on engagement for students of all disciplines. The FOWA Career Accelerator, which includes pre-conference training will focus on everything associated with launching your career. It culminates with dedicated interview times at each company’s booth in the conference virtual exhibit hall.

The Interactive Symposium will provide a broad overview of a specific skill related to the future of work, from career path sessions to career readiness sessions. Finally, will be four innovation incubators (Bot-A-Thon, Esports, Health IT, and Marketing) where students form teams to create innovative solutions to real-world business challenges. The training required for participation will take place prior to the conference. Competitions will take place on the third and fourth days of the conference.

These comprehensive and dynamic offerings focus on helping students build digital literacy are aligned with HP’s goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030.

In fact, HP has an impressive track record of investing in HBCUs to accelerate a more diverse and inclusive tech workforce. For the past few years, it has hosted the annual HP-HBCU Business Challenge, designed to engage Black students interested in pursuing careers in business and technology.

The upcoming HBCU Technology Conference is just another demonstration of HP’s commitment to supporting Black students interested in kick-starting their careers in tech.

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Kunbi Tinuoye

Kunbi Tinuoye is the founder and CEO of UrbanGeekz. Previously, she worked as a News Correspondent for NBC’s theGrio. Prior, she was a senior broadcast journalist for the BBC in London. Tinuoye currently sits on the SXSW Pitch Advisory Board and CES Conference Advisory Board. She is a key player in the Atlanta tech startup ecosystem and serves as a mentor for Comcast NBCUniversal’s The Farm Accelerator. Tinuoye has received several awards and accolades, including being honored with a Resolution from the Georgia Legislative.