Adams' 4th Annual HBCU STEAM Day of Action Begins Today

Washington, D.C. – Today is the Fourth Annual HBCU STEAM Day of Action, hosted by the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus and the Congressional STEAM Caucus. Over the past four years, the day has proven so successful that it has expanded to an entire week. HBCU STEAM Day of Action will be held virtually via Zoom starting today through March 12, 2021.

While most events are closed press, at 12:00 PM on Thursday, March 11 Rep. Adams will host "Pandemics and Partnerships: How Public and Private Sector Engagement can Propel a COVID Recovery," a panel discussion that is open to the public. Interested parties can register here.

"HBCUs contribute nearly $15 billion annually to our economy and have provided pathways of opportunity to millions of Americans, many of whom are first generation college students. I would not be in Congress today if not for the North Carolina A&T University," said Congresswoman Adams, Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. "That is why HBCU STEAM Day is so important. It's a time when HBCUs come to Capitol Hill to advocate for more equitable federal resources – and they don't come alone. They are joined by industry leaders who have made a commitment to creating strategic and sustainable partnerships with HBCUs. As we continue to face the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more important to make sure every talented student has access to a world class science, technology, engineering, arts, and math education."

"I am proud to kick off the fourth annual HBCU STEAM Day of Action alongside my co-chair, Rep. Adams. Arkansas is home to four of our nation's HBCUs: Shorter College, Philander Smith College, Arkansas Baptist College, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. We must work across the aisle to support STEAM programs at all our nation's HBCUs, which produce 42% of Black engineers." said Rep. French Hill (AR-02). "I look forward to meeting with HBCU leaders to learn more about the unique challenges they face and discuss how Congress can work on a bipartisan basis to support these institutions. Addressing their needs will ensure the United States continues to lead the world in scientific advancement."

"I am looking forward to participating in HBCU STEAM Day of Action to champion the important role HBCUs play in educating tremendously talented and skilled professionals – the leaders, researchers, and innovators of tomorrow," said Senator Chris Coons (D-DE). "The recent passage of the HBCU Partners Act is a tremendous opportunity to foster relationships between HBCUs and federal agencies as a way to meaningful access and diversity in serving the American people. This new law is just the latest example of the progress possible when Republicans and Democrats come together to build upon the great work already happening on HBCU campuses. I look forward to more wins ahead for Delaware State and other HBCUs across the country."

"The last twelve months have been particularly challenging for HBCUs," said Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), Chair of the House Committee on Education and Labor. "HBCUs have suffered—just like every other college—with the pandemic. But, because of historically lower endowments, HBCUs have been much more challenged in dealing with the ups and downs that have occurred. Congress has responded, but we haven't finished. We're still working to improve the Higher Education Act to lower the cost of college for families, ensure that institutions provide a quality education, and support students to make sure they complete their education and begin a rewarding career."

During STEAM Day, HBCU and business leaders will meet with Democratic and Republican Members of Congress in the House and Senate. Over 70 HBCUs, organizations, technology companies, and industry leaders are sending representatives to participate in these days of advocacy.

The bipartisan list of Congressional leaders participating in this year's STEAM Day includes:

• Rep. French Hill (R-AR), Co-Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus
• Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Co-Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus
• Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Co-Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus
• Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Vice Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus
• Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), Vice Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus
• Rep.Robert C. "Bobby" Scott(D-VA),Chair of the HouseCommitteeonEducation and Labor
• Sen.Tammy Baldwin (D-WI),Chair of the SenateCommittee on Appropriations'Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies
• Sen.John Boozman (R-AR),Ranking Member of the Senate CommitteeonAgriculture
• Rep.David Scott (D-GA),Chair of the House CommitteeonAgriculture
• Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA),Chair of the HouseCommittee on Appropriations'Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies
• Sen.Sherrod Brown (D-OH),Chair of theSenate Banking Committee
• Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT),Chair of the House CommitteeonAppropriations
• Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI),Chair of the Senate CommitteeonAgriculture
• Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC),Ranking Member of the HouseCommittee onFinancial Services
• Rep.Maxine Waters (D-CA),Chair of theHouseCommittee onFinancial Services
• Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ),Chair of the HouseCommittee onEnergy and Committee
• Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA),Chair of the SenateCommittee onCommerce, Science,Transportation
• Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR),Chair of theHouseCommittee onTransportation and Infrastructure

As co-chair of the HBCU Caucus, Rep. Adams also leads the HBCU Partnership Challenge, which will be highlighted during HBCU STEAM Day. For more information on the partnership challenge click here.

Sixty-seven percent of job seekers say a diverse workforce is important when considering job offers, and organizations that report higher levels of racial diversity bring in nearly 15 times more sales revenue than their counterparts. The Bipartisan HBCU Caucus believes that in order to achieve true diversity in our workforce, we must focus on the front-end of this conversation – our students and the schools they attend.

The impact of HBCUs on our workforce is clear. HBCUs produce:

• 27 percent of all African-American STEM graduates;
• 40 percent of all African-American engineers;
• 50 percent of all African-American lawyers;
• 50 percent of all African-American public-school teachers; and
• 80 percent of all African-American judges.

These statistics demonstrate it is impossible to have a diverse and inclusive workforce without HBCUs.

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Sam Spencer (Sam.Spencer@mail.house.gov).

Congresswoman Alma Adams represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County). In 2015, she founded the first bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus in Congress. She is a double graduate of North Carolina A&T, the largest HBCU by enrollment in the United States.