Dozens of entertainers, entrepreneurs, educators and others are gathering in Atlanta over the next few days for a common cause: finding ways to support the country’s historically Black colleges and universities and their students.
The HBCU AwareFest is being held at locations throughout Atlanta. The goal is to address the student loan debt crisis at HBCUs. A 2022 study from the Center for Responsible Lending found HBCU graduates have a debt load 19% higher than peers at non-HBCUs. Georgia is home to 10 HBCUs.
The biggest event is a concert on Thursday at State Farm Arena with scheduled performances by Jill Scott, Earth, Wind & Fire, GloRilla, Kirk Franklin, Coco Jones, Jeezy, Mickey Guyton and others.
Credit: Ryan Fleisher
Credit: Ryan Fleisher
Other scheduled events include:
- AI innovation challenge
- Chat with Robert F. Smith, who paid off the student loan debt for Morehouse College’s graduating class of 2019; he’ll be joined on stage for a one-on-one conversation with Tyler Perry
- Fundraiser hosted by actor Anthony Anderson that includes an appearance by Magic Johnson and a live performance by Wyclef Jean
- Comedy show with Deon Cole
- Panel on the state of HBCUs, moderated by Roland Martin featuring the presidents of Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College
Credit: Mirtha Donastorg
Credit: Mirtha Donastorg
Georgia’s HBCUs
- Albany State University
- Clark Atlanta University
- Fort Valley State University
- The Interdenominational Theological Center
- Morehouse College
- Morehouse School of Medicine
- Morris Brown College
- Paine College
- Savannah State University
- Spelman College
Jason Arnesto contributed to this article.
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