HBCU Journalism Majors Receive White House Press Briefing

By D. Thompson

Student funding, loan forgiveness, mental health, racial inequalities and resources for universities were some of the topics discussed last week at a White House press briefing with Vice President Kamala Harris, Senior Advisor for Public Engagement Keisha Lance Bottoms and journalism students from Bowie State University and  41  other HBCUs.

Harris and Bottoms answered questions posed by the students on issues that are of major concern on HBCU campuses. Angelica Tyler, a Bowie State graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Communications, believes the White House briefing was an eye-opening experience for all of the students who attended the session.

“Vice President Harris spoke about how important it is for journalism students at HBCUs to be aware of the problems and issues facing many people of color and address them when we become working journalists,” said Tyler. “Everyone who attended the briefing learned a lot about why HBCUs need more funding and the importance of making it less difficult financially for students to earn a degree.”