Dozens of presidents of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are expected to converge later this month upon the nation’s capital as guests of a Republican House leader who hopes the gathering will help introduce the institutions to his colleagues who have no idea of their history.
Rep. Mark Walker, who represents the congressional district in which North Carolina A&T University is located and whose wife is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is this week sending formal invites to the nation’s HBCU presidents to attend a Capitol Hill ‘Fly In.’
The Fly In is set for February 28, the same day of President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address to Congress and the nation, according to the Congressman’s office and others associated with organizing the gathering.
House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin has indicated he will participate in the gathering, indication that once the event’s plans are confirmed, more lawmakers are likely to respond to the call from Walker who also chairs the House Republican Study Committee. In addition to Ryan confirming his participation, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has been confirmed as a special guest speaker.
“We’re trying to spark and facilitate conversation,” says Walker spokesman Jack Minor, hastening to stress that the congressman hopes to help expand recognition of the history and the role HBCUs play in the nation’s higher education community.
Minor, echoing others whose job is to stay in touch with interests of political leaders and voters, says Walker felt the Fly In was important to move HBCUs to the discussion table for the nation’s new president and the new leaders of the national government.
The agenda is still evolving, says Minor, who explained save-the-date notes have been sent to a handful of those expected to receive formal invites this week. In the meantime, he says, early response to the idea has been quite positive. There are signs the White House may plug into the Fly In plan.
