December 19, 2008

On behalf of the members of the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the staff of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, I am excited to announce the dates for our 2009 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. President Barack Obama will issue a proclamation recognizing August 30 – September 5, 2009 as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. Congress will also pass a resolution honoring the significant contributions which HBCUs have made to the nation.

The White House Initiative staff will coordinate its annual conference on August 30 – September 3, 2009, the event will be held at the Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th Street, N.W., Washington, DC. The President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs will meet on Monday, August 31, 2009. Over 1,000 representatives from the HBCU community, federal agencies, corporations and foundations are expected to participate in discussions exploring issues of particular interest and concern to the Black college community. The conference will also allow us an opportunity to present the new executive order, appointed new members of the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs, and the Obama Administration. We will forward registration forms, hotel rates and a draft agenda as they become available.

We would also like to continue with the tradition of encouraging our institutions of higher learning, federal agencies, organizations, corporations and foundations to schedule activities in celebration of this occasion. This activity can take the form of a symposium, a community service project, or other events designed to highlight the success of these institutions.

Please plan to attend this event and to schedule an activity in celebration of this special occasion. We deeply appreciate your continued support in assisting us with implementing this important expression of the executive order.