International HBCU xchange, Inc. Launches Groundbreaking Program Historically Black Institution xperience, to Strengthen Global Collaboration Among HBCUs and HBUs
For Immediate Release October 17, 2024
New Program Promotes Cross-Cultural Exchange, Research Collaboration, and Global Competency Between Historically Black Institutions in the United States and South Africa
Washington, D.C. – October 17, 2024:
International HBCU xchange, Inc. (iHBCUx) announces the launch of the Historically Black Institution xchange (HBIx), fostering global partnerships between U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), and South African Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs). Supported through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Consulate Durban, the Public Diplomacy-funded program bridges academic divides through exchanges, research, and collaborative learning. Supported through a cooperative agreement with U.S. Mission to South Africa, the Public Diplomacy-funded program bridges academic divides through exchanges, research, and collaborative learning. iHBCUx, has invited—Bennett College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, and Bishop State Community College—as well as four South African institutions—University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Zululand, Mangosuthu University of Technology, and Coastal KZN TVET College—to join the HBIX program.
Led by Dr. Ashleigh Brown-Grier, HBIx aims to close gaps in U.S.-South Africa research collaborations for Black higher education institutions. It supports students and faculty with enriched academic exchanges with the aim of empowering the next generation of leaders from Black-serving institutions to make an impact on a global scale. “Building partnerships between HBCUs and HBUs fosters a global perspective and addresses social justice, educational equity, and economic disparities,” said Dr. Brown-Grier. Public Affairs Officer Jaclyn Cole noted, “HBIx builds on generations of cross-cultural exchange and powerful Black social movements anchored in higher education institutions that have transformed both our countries for the better. Today, we are excited to support HBIx and include an HBCU from Atlanta, Georgia in the project, ensuring tangible support to our Atalanta Phambili Initiative.” Atlanta Phambili, meaning "forward" in Zulu and Xhosa, is a U.S.-South Africa diplomacy effort seeking to use this U.S. city as a gateway to promote shared prosperity and knowledge exchange.
Despite more than 300,000 collaborations and partnerships forged between U.S. and South African universities over the last decade, research between U.S. and South African HBIs remains under 1% of total output compared to much higher PWI collaborations (Heleta, Jithoo, Brown-Grier, n.d.). A key component of the HBIx initiative directly addresses this gap by fostering research collaborations and partnerships. Through a student-faculty exchange, participants will develop community-based research projects using digital humanities and storytelling. HBIx will focus on key areas such as the humanities, climate and environmental justice, digital communications, art, STEM, and agriculture. Students majoring in these fields are eligible to participate, with the goal of fostering lasting research partnerships between students and faculty.
Key HBIx Program Highlights:
Student and Faculty Exchange Programs: Participants from HBIs will engage in reciprocal study abroad and teaching exchanges, immersing themselves in the culture, history, and academic life of their host institutions.
Collaborative Research Initiatives: Teams of faculty and students will engage in joint research projects using digital humanities to address issues in areas such as STEAM, education, and climate/environmental justice.
Community Engagement and Service Learning: Participants will contribute to community-based research and service-learning projects that directly benefit underserved populations in both countries.
Conference and Professional Development: Program participants will attend the Ralph Bunche Center’s HBCU International Symposium on Study Abroad, where they are encouraged to present their research, share best practices, and explore new areas for collaboration.
About iHBCUx, Inc.:
iHBCUx, Inc. addresses the significant gap in HBCU student participation in federally funded exchange programs. Its mission is to increase HBCU student knowledge, awareness, and participation in these programs through culturally relevant outreach, recruitment, and workshops for students, faculty, and fellowship advisors. Through innovative programs and partnerships, iHBCUx seeks to address global issues affecting Black communities while providing opportunities for academic growth, cultural exchange, and leadership development. For more information, visit www.ihbcux.com or contact Ashleigh Brown-Grier at info@ihbcux.org.
For more information about U.S. Department of State initiatives with HBCUs please visit, Department of State Exchange Program Connects African Universities with HBCUs and Fulbright Institutional Leaders.
###
Ashleigh Brown-Grier, Ph.D.
Founder/CEO
1-202-664-4055
info@ihbcux.org
