Celebrating Black History Month 2024

Berkley’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Team

2024 – The Year of Empathy

As we look forward to 2024, the DIB Committee is excited to bring you new stories and learning resources that will help us to better engage and to have conversations around what it means to be empathatic in the workplace.

“The culture of our company emphasizes that everything we do and every person who participates is important to our enterprise.”

--From our Annual Report

KEY RIS2024

Celebrating Black History Month

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

In honor of Black History month, the DIB Committee is pleased to share a feature on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including their inception, notable graduates, and alums from our own Berkley team!

DIB Team, starting at the top (left to right): Carol LaPunzina, Renae Gary, Marie Gwin, Kai Kang, Donald Avery, Tammie Heeren, Leo Balestri, Rodney Lattimore, Haydee van Middelkoop, Trish Conway, Yaseh Iqbal, and Aaron Yip

THE HISTORY

of HBCUs in America

The History

Historically Black Colleges and Universities were founded in the United States in the early 19th century to provide educational opportunities for Black Americans who were denied entry to traditionally white institutions due to racial discrimination. The term “Historically Black Colleges and Universities” appears in the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded federal funding for colleges and universities.

The first HBCU, the African Institute, was established in Pennsylvania on February 25, 1837, from a $10,000 bequest from Richard Humphreys (1790 – 1832), a Quaker philanthropist. The mission was to design and establish a school to educate people of African descent and prepare them to become teachers. The name of the school was changed from the African Institute to Cheyney University in 1913 after it was relocated in 1902 to George Cheyney’s farm.

Celebrating Black History Month

Did You Know?

√ Today, there are 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. CLICK HERE to see a comprehensive listing.

√Although HBCUs were founded to serve African American students, 57 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, these institutions are usually the most racially diverse in the United States. A recent article from the Black Past, an online encyclopedia on African American and Global African history, states that Recent studies have shown that most HBCU’s have a 1 to 4 ratio of non-black students that attend them, including international students.

NOTABLE HBCU GRADUATES

Kamala Harris

First female Vice President of the U.S.

Attended Howard University

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Civil Rights Activist

Attended Morehouse College

Ed Bradley

Broadcast Journalist and news anchor

Attended Cheyney University

Oprah Winfrey

First female media mogul and philanthropist

Attended Tennessee State University

Booker T. Washington

Founder of Tuskegee University

Attended Hampton University

Evelynn Hammonds

Served as Dean of Harvard

Attended Spelman College

FORMER HBCU ALUMS

These former Berkley Alums share their stories, including memoralbe take aways from their respective alma maters.

Jamez Gray

Command Cemter Analyst Berkley Technology Services

Why did you choose Delaware State University (DSU)?

I ended up being denied entry into another program due to my grades slipping a bit as a high school senior. By chance, I decided to explore Delaware State and a recruiter ended up coming to my high school soon-after. I was offered a scholarship & admission on the spot. Everything happens for a reason. To this day I think of that denial as a true blessing. Attending & graduating from Delaware State University proved to be greatest decision of my life.

What was your biggest learning from your years at DSU?

Finish what you start.

Bianca Ruffin Claims Examiner Berkley Environmental

Why did you choose Howard University?

I attended Howard University because of its legacy. No matter how old you were or where you were, someone was talking about it on TV, in songs, in movies, wearing the paraphernalia, etc. The alumni were amazing and I honestly felt I belonged there.

What was your most memorable moment from your years attending Howard?

My most memorable moment was graduating with honors. It was memorable because I knew I made my deceased parents proud by being the first to graduate from college in my family. I had my lettermen jacket from track along with academic awards. I had the strength to do it all on my own and the confidence in knowing I am the truth and unstoppable.

Richard Smith

Financial Analyst

Key Risk

Why did you choose to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T)?

The importance of me seeing and networking with successful black men and women was extremely vital during this time of my life. This constant imagery often inspired me to apply myself even more throughout my college career.

What would you like to share as a memorable moment or valuable take away from you years attending N.C A&T?

A memorable moment for me at N.C. A&T was experiencing GHOE (Greatest Homecoming On Earth). The energy of the campus and excitement for upcoming events/activities was fantastic!

Valuable take aways from my years attending N.C. A&T was to never give up on your goals and always have mentors (younger/older) who can guide you through different scenarios not only during college but also life after college.