Collaboration Between University and San Francisco City Leaders Offers HBCU Student Learning Opportunities on the West Coast

BALTIMORE— This summer, Morgan State University (MSU) students are participating in the inaugural “Black 2 San Francisco” (BS2F) initiative led by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC). BS2F was launched to establish a centralized space for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to recruit, provide courses and host students in San Francisco, California. As participants of the initiative’s first cohort, seven students from Morgan were selected for a six-week paid summer internship in San Francisco.

BS2F's main objective is to enhance the professional development and career opportunities for HBCU students studying in San Francisco while also exposing local resident youth to HBCU programming. This effort is part of a broader strategy by San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed and other city leaders to revitalize the city's economic core. The long-term plan includes incorporating satellite HBCU academic campuses, offices, and student housing in the downtown area and offering top-notch academic and professional programs. In all, 60 scholars from 20 HBCUs nationwide are participating in this experiential learning initiative, which runs from June 17, to July 25.

“Morgan is delighted that seven of our awesome students were selected to participate in this internship experience. It is a great opportunity for our students to learn about career opportunities in the Bay area and to network with other HBCU students in the program,” said Kara Turner, Ph.D., senior vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Success. “It is also a great way to further familiarize prospective students as well as employers with Morgan State University.”

The internship consists of seminars with guest lecturers and provides opportunities for participating students to explore diverse cultural experiences in San Francisco. This will ultimately help to expand the talent pool for San Francisco employers and create new partnerships for higher education institutions in the San Francisco area. The students work on various projects focused on community engagement and research. They are also involved in professional and academic programs with industry leaders, practitioners, and educators. Additionally, students get to explore the city's culture and resources. The program prioritizes agriculture and urban farming learning opportunities, a multilayered approach to Black Joy, education and literacy, journalism and media, startup entrepreneurship, and STEM programs.

The Morgan students participating in the summer program are:

• Eneesa Abdullah-Hudson – senior, elementary education major;
• Emmanuel Adeleke – sophomore, computer science major;
• Evelyn Adome – junior, business administration major;
• Sade Morris – sophomore, strategic communication major;
• Victoria Studevent – senior, marketing major;
• Malcolm Mobley – senior, electrical and computer engineering major; and
• Carlona Brevard – sophomore, political science maj

The University of San Francisco is providing the students with housing accommodations, San Francisco State University is offering the classroom space, and the University of California at San Francisco is partnering with the HBCUs to expand mental health mentoring, training, and internships. In addition to receiving pay for their involvement, participating students also received a transportation stipend.

At the conclusion of the program, a select group of students will present their findings at the San Francisco Foundation for local and regional stakeholders. Additionally, all participants will showcase their work and findings at a closing program on July 26.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 academic degrees and certificate programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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Media Contacts:

Cheryl Stewart or Dell Jackson, for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022