By Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
In honor of Black History Month, the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is pleased to welcome HBCU First to our Grantee Blog. HBCU First is a student-led community advancing the economic participation and well-being of America’s Black youth from over 70 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Courtesy of HBCU First
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have an unwavering commitment to help Black students build community and discover professional development opportunities, regardless of their socioeconomic status or ethnicity. Internship programs provide one such avenue—connecting students to companies and experiences where they can explore their interests, gain practical experience, network, and embark on their college-to-career journey.
HBCU First is a student-led community advancing the economic participation and well-being of America’s Black youth. The organization’s Day-One-Ready Academy creates access, connects HBCU students with pivotal internship opportunities, and establishes a fresh training and education paradigm for its participants.
Participants graduate from the program with valuable skills, career exposure, and confidence as they prepare to navigate an everchanging professional landscape:
“Not only has HBCU First been a fulfilling experience, but I have been able to overcome overwhelming social anxiety related to public speaking. HBCU First helped me truly understand my potential and gave me the confidence I needed to fuel my motivation. With the skills I have acquired in these few short weeks, I have been able to open myself up to opportunities that I had never imagined applying for.”
– Fisk University Student
“Being an intern at HBCU First has been a great experience. I have been able to learn many valuable tips that will not only benefit me throughout my college career but throughout my working life as well. HBCU First has helped me be more accountable and served as a great first internship. I will use everything I’ve gained from HBCU First in the future to continue to build my resume.”
– Howard University Student
Every year, HBCU First awards hundreds of Black students with 10-week paid internships at best-in-class companies. Within six months of completing the program, 80% of participants gain additional internships and job offers, hold leadership roles at student organizations, and/or enroll in graduate school and enrichment programs.
To this day, HBCUs serve as beacons of hope, resilience, and intellectual rigor while fostering an environment that encourages students to explore their histories, identities, and cultures. For over 180 years, these institutions have stood at the center of the American story, helping to shape, inspire, and uplift the voices of its students. HBCU alumnus have gone on to establish some of the most poignant legacies in American History, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Booker T. Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr.
About HBCU First
HBCU First is a student-led community advancing the economic participation and well-being of America’s Black youth. As the leading HBCU internship and mentoring academy, we empower elite students — from over 70 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) — with in-demand, college-to-career skills.
Learn more about HBCU First by visiting hbcufirst.com.