Senator Scott to Host Black History Month Events in Washington and North Charleston

Washington – As part of Black History Month, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) will host the Second Annual HBCU Fly-in: “Advancing Opportunity and Entrepreneurship” with Chairman Mark Walker (R-NC), the chair of the Republican Study Committee. Senator Scott and Chairman Walker have invited the Presidents and Chancellors of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to participate in a daylong conference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, February 27^th. 

Last year’s inaugural conference served as a platform for productive dialogue focused on opportunity, strengthening bilateral relationships, and celebrating the importance of our country’s HBCUs.  This event will provide HBCU leaders, job creators, and policymakers with the opportunity to discuss innovative avenues for promoting educational achievement, bolstering cross-sector partnerships, and meeting the ever-shifting demands of the American workforce.

Other confirmed participants include U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and Dr. Michael Lomax, president & CEO of the United Negro College Fund. 

Benjamin Watson, NFL player for the Baltimore Ravens and recent Bart Starr award winner, has been confirmed as the conference’s speaker for the keynote luncheon.

In addition to hosting a conference for HBCU leaders with Chairman Walker, Senator Scott will also host an event in North Charleston, South Carolina, celebrating black small business owners and entrepreneurs. The event will be held on Friday, February 23^rd at the Hilton Garden Inn. More details on Senator Scott’s event in North Charleston will be released in the coming days.

HBCU Fly-in on Capitol Information

Location:
House Administration Committee Room
1310 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Invocation by U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black 

Panel #1: Responding to Workforce Demands: Building Pipelines to Opportunity through Strategic Partnerships
Panelists include representatives of Bank of America, Walmart, and John Deere.

Panel #2: Championing Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Innovative Leadership: Developing a New Generation of Driven Leaders
Panelists include representatives of McDonald’s Corporation, the Charles Koch Foundation, and Google.

Press Availability with Senator Scott and Chairman Walker

Keynote Luncheon – Benjamin Watson, Baltimore Ravens NFL Player

Panel #3: Perspectives from Policymakers
This will be a bipartisan, bicameral discussion with Members of Congress, moderated by FOX 5 DC news anchor, Shawn Yancy.

Note: The Keynote Luncheon and Panel 3 will take place at the Capitol Hill Club, 300 First Street SE. While media are welcomed to cover both, video cameras are not permitted inside of the Capitol Hill Club.

All interested media should RSVP by emailing Scott_Press@scott.senate.gov.