RELEASE: REP. HILL HOSTS 2026 ARKANSAS HBCU SUMMIT AT ARKANSAS BAPTIST COLLEGE

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Rep. French Hill (AR-02) yesterday hosted his 2026 HBCU Summit at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock. The summit's theme was "Building Resilient Futures for HBCUs: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Economic Mobility."

Rep. Hill was joined by several distinguished guests, including:

• Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), founder and co-chair of the HBCU Caucus
• Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders
• Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.
• Asahi Pompey, President of the Goldman Sachs Foundation and President of Goldman Sachs Gives
• Kelly Mitchell, Executive Director, White House Initiative on HBCUs
• Dr. Terrence Tarver, Director, Public Policy, Legislative and Government Affairs, United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
• Dr. Harry L. Williams, President, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)

"Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including the four we are blessed to have here in central Arkansas, have played a vital role in expanding access to higher education for generations of Americans," said Rep. Hill, co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral HBCU Caucus. "Today's summit was an opportunity to bring together leaders from government, philanthropy, business, and higher education to discuss how we ensure these institutions remain strong and continue fulfilling that mission for generations to come."

"I'm grateful to my friend and HBCU Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) for her partnership and unwavering support for HBCUs, and for making the trip to Little Rock, as well as to Governor Sanders and our keynote speaker, Goldman Sachs executive, Asahi Pompey. I also want to thank the presidents, panelists, and participants whose leadership and insights made today's summit such a valuable conversation for our institutions and the students they serve."

"It was a pleasure to join my colleague Congressman French Hill at the HBCU Summit this week," said Congresswoman Alma Adams, co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral HBCU Caucus. "HBCUs have long been a cornerstone of opportunity in this country, educating generations of leaders and driving economic mobility in communities across America. I appreciated the chance to bring together leaders from across the HBCU community to talk about the real challenges our institutions face, especially aging campus infrastructure. Through the HBCU Caucus, Congressman Hill and I have worked to secure federal investments to support our campuses, and I look forward to continuing that bipartisan work while advancing efforts like the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act to strengthen HBCUs for the future."

"Congressman French Hill has been a strong advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities through his leadership as co-chair of the Congressional HBCU Caucus," said Governor Sanders. "Arkansas' four HBCUs have expanded opportunity for generations, and my administration is proud to support them through investments like increased funding for UAPB and workforce programs that help students turn education into careers."

"As we celebrate our country's 250^th anniversary, we honor the institutions that have produced generation after generation of this country's leaders, doctors, engineers, and judges," said Asahi Pompey, Global Head of Corporate Engagement and Chair of the Urban Investment Group, Goldman Sachs. "Strengthening these institutions is an investment in the promise of America. We thank Congressman Hill for his partnership and leadership."

"For nearly 190 years, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have served as the beacon of life-changing opportunity for millions of Americans," Thurgood Marshall College Fund President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams said. "The HBCU Summit, being hosted by Bipartisan HBCU Caucus Co-Chair Congressman French Hill, is a tremendous opportunity to not only highlight the tremendous work being done at these institutions but also connect their leaders directly with other business leaders and change-makers in Arkansas."

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HBCU Summit Speakers:

• Rep. French Hill (AR-02), Co-Chair of the HBCU Caucus
• Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), Founder and Co-Chair of the HBCU Caucus
• Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders
• Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.
• Asahi Pompey, Partner, Global Head of Corporate Engagement & President of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, Goldman Sachs
• Video remarks from Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04)

Panel Topics and Panelists:

Campus Infrastructure and Long-Term Sustainability

• Rep. French Hill (R-AR), Co-Chair HBCU Caucus
• Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), Co-Chair HBCU Caucus
• Dr. Maurice Gipson, President, Philander Smith University
• Dr. Harry L. Williams, President, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
• Dr. Terrence Tarver, Director, Public Policy, Legislative and Government Affairs, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

Private Capital, Innovation, and Public-Private Partnerships

• Mr. Charles King, Southeast Arkansas College (Moderator)
• Dr. Bruce McGowan, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
• Mr. Ventrell Thompson, Vice President of Customer Service, Entergy
• Dr. Christopher B. Davis, President of LeMoyne-Owen College
• Mr. Curtis Howse, CEO, Synchrony
• Mr. Andy Goodman, President, Arkansas's Independent Colleges and Universities

From Classroom to Career: Connecting HBCU Talent to the Economy

• Ms. Kelly Mitchell, Executive Director, White House Initiative on HBCUs (Moderator)
• Mr. Bill Walker, President, Arkansas Baptist College
• Ms. Taiwan Brown, Vice President of Workforce and Talent Development, Entergy Arkansas
• Dr. Jeffery Norfleet, President, Shorter College
• Mr. Kyle Williams, Head of Middle Market Nonprofit Banking, JPMorgan