Charlotte, N.C. (August 31, 2021)–On Aug. 31, 2021, educational organizations and leadership from all 10 accredited HBCUs in North Carolina convened on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University for the first NC10 Conference. The Center for Racial Equity in Education (CREED) led an initiative where they traveled to all 10 of North Carolina's HBCUs to have conversations with each intuitions' leadership to learn more about the themes and challenges each face. The initiative was made possible with the support of JohnM. Belk Endowment, myFutureNC, and The Hunt Institute.

President Armbrister opened the conference with remarks: "North Carolina has more four-year HBCUs than any other state in the country, and our institutions compete with the best in the country, earning several top rankings. Fueled with the purpose to provide access to education to underserved communities, we continue to be a community resource for everyone, but especially for the advancement of people of color."

During the conference, CREED shared findings from the all the conversations and participants had the opportunity to provide feedback.

The conference concluded with lunch conversation featuring Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), the co-chair of the Bipartisan and Bicameral HBCU Caucus.