HBCUs at the Forefront: Driving Excellence and Economic Development

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Ed Smith-Lewis, SVP of Strategic Partnerships & ICB at UNCF; Agenia Clark, President of Fisk University; and Yolanda Page, President of Stillman College. The conversation was moderated by Jonathan Durfield, CEO of SMASH.

The panel explored the future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as engines of innovation, community development, and student success. Against a rapidly evolving educational landscape, speakers shared forward-looking strategies to ensure HBCUs thrive in the next decade. From embracing digital transformation and expanding entrepreneurship to building holistic student support systems, the session highlighted how HBCUs can continue to lead as powerful centers of excellence, equity, and impact.