Business and education leaders praise Arkansas HBCU summit, pledge partnerships

A bipartisan HBCU summit convened in Arkansas brought together corporate executives, university administrators and student leaders who emphasized partnerships, workforce pathways and collaboration among historically Black colleges and universities.

Burdell Lewis, senior vice president for digital customer care at Synchrony Financial, said the day’s program looked back at HBCU legacies while focusing on the future. “Today's session was phenomenal. We took a really quick trip looking back on the legacy of our HBCUs, but more importantly, it was a trip looking forward,” Lewis said, and thanked Rep. French Hill and Congresswoman Alma Adams for convening the summit.

Organizers and attendees described private-sector engagement and expanded collaboration as core outcomes. Kathy Owen, executive chair of Eagle Bank and Trust, said the bank already partners with HBCUs and is seeking additional engagement. “It was extremely engaging,” Owen said, adding that the summit surfaced ideas for practical partnerships to support students.

University leaders at the event urged HBCUs to partner with one another as well as with outside organizations. Bruce Mcgawen, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, said such collaboration across institutions would be “essential” for pursuing shared goals in Arkansas and beyond.

Corporate representatives highlighted recruitment and talent pipelines. Tenisha Montgomery, vice president of marketing operations at Synchrony Bank and an operating leader for the company’s Black Experiences employee resource group, called the summit “invigorating” and praised bipartisan leadership in building next‑generation leadership and corporate opportunities for HBCU students.

Student leaders who attended said the summit offered representation and practical takeaways. Nakaya Feaster, secretary for student government at Arkansas Baptist College, said she learned a lot and hoped the event would be repeated; Tanaya Ross, SGA president at the same college, said she was encouraged to see strong representation of people of color and alumni of historically Black colleges.

Curtis House, CEO of Synchrony’s home and auto business, described the initiative as “bipartisanship at its best” and said private partners look forward to continuing work with HBCUs. Salone Brown, vice president of talent at Intertek Corporation, noted the regional footprint for HBCU recruitment: “We have 20-plus HBCUs in our service territory,” she said, and called the summit a valuable opportunity for corporate, university and HBCU administrators to exchange practical ideas.

No formal resolutions or votes were recorded in the portion of the program covered by the transcript; remarks consisted of brief presentations and expressions of support. Organizers and participants framed next steps as ongoing partnership and follow-up between institutions and corporate partners.