Featured photo: Hailee Clack, creator the Floyd and Brenda Clack Initiatives’ First Annual Flint to HBCU Forum
Photos provided by Hailee Clack
By Tanya Terry
Middle and high school students from the Flint area are invited to The FBC Initiatives’ First Annual ‘Flint to Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU)’ Forum! The forum is being held from 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 27, at the Flint Public Library.
Hailee Clack created the Floyd and Brenda Clack Intiatives’ First Annual Flint to HBCU Forum to spread awareness and educate our community on the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Clack, founder of the Floyd & Brenda Clack (FBC) Initiative, is a sophomore political science major, English minor on the pre-law track from Flint, MI and part of Hampton University Class of 2025. She recently talked to the Courier about her inspiration to create the forum.
When Clack was growing up, she didn’t have much exposure to the culture of HBCUs, what they were, their importance and the history of them.
“I only knew of my dad and my grandparents attending HBCUs, and I want to fix that,” Clack told the Courier.
“I want students to know that there is greatness coming out of Flint right now,” she added.
Clack is currently creating a platform to shed light on what her peers and younger students are doing. Her ultimate goal is to fill the gap in the educational system by promoting HBCUs in inner-city school districts.
Clack’s grandmother, Brenda Clack, attended Tennessee State University, and her grandfather, Floyd Clack, attended Texas Southern University.
“One of the most impactful contributions to the youth and education in our community was my grandparents’ creating the Youth Leadership Institute,” said Hailee Clack. “That program really helped me and many other students see and learn a lot of positive values and meet a lot of people.”
To Hailee Clack, professional development opportunities have been among the most unique opportunities provided to her as a student at Hampton.
“Hampton does a great job of preparing us for interviews and any opportunity, dressing for success, and having professionals come in and speak to us,” she explained. “I know that me being a Hamptonian will prepare for the good and bad to come in life, and that’s on a personal and professional level.”
Students from Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University, Bethune Cookman University, Hampton University, Howard University, Morehouse College, Central State University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, Spelman College and more will be present at the upcoming forum.
The event consists of discussion on student and Greek life, extracurricular activities, such as athletics and band, and Q & A with a college student panel.
“We will have students that are involved in a number of extracurriculars discuss their involvement at school and how it impacts their experience as a student! This event will be an open discussion for middle and high schoolers to hear what it’s like being a college student, and what life can look like post-grad life. There will be alumni there talking about the transition from life as a student to adulthood.”
There is no registration required to attend the forum.
“We want students to come as they are. Bring a friend, cousin, parent, anyone! This event will be a night of great conversation and vibes.”
