On February 10, 2024, Larry Robinson, Ph.D., President of Florida A&M University (FAMU), attended the Black College Expo in Los Angeles, California. The event, celebrating its 25th year, aimed to introduce Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to students of color. Leaders from five HBCUs, including FAMU, discussed their institutions’ challenges and opportunities with around 13,000 high school students.
Robinson, along with the presidents of Claflin University, Fort Valley State University (FVSU), Talladega College, and Harris-Stowe State University, presented their schools’ unique features. Robinson highlighted FAMU’s ranking as a top public HBCU and its diverse academic programs. He also mentioned that FAMU is the only public HBCU in Florida.
Gregory J. Vincent, Ph.D., President of Talladega College, discussed his Alabama-based school’s history and its successful alumni, including 24 college presidents. LaTonia Collins Smith, Ed.D., President of Harris-Stowe State University and the institution’s first female president, focused on the school’s location, affordability, and diverse curriculum. She mentioned that Harris-Stowe is the only HBCU in St. Louis, Missouri, with the lowest tuition in the state.