Students from across North Carolina gathered at Elizabeth City State University for the 11th Annual HBCU Think Tank, hosted by the North Carolina Black Alliance. This year’s theme, BLACKOPOLY: The Currency of Culture, Power, & People, connected students with organizers and professionals to explore how Black history, legacy, civic engagement, economics, and leadership intersect and impact our future. Across four days of immersive experiences, the Think Tank reimagined leadership, ownership, and community through the lens of social responsibility, policy, economics, education, justice, and social infrastructure.

Setting the tone: Values-based budgeting and economic justice

The Pre-Conference Day was led by Terrence Rouse, a student at North Carolina A&T State University, who served as a fiscal lookout volunteer through a grant-supported initiative with the Concord Coalition. His mission was to educate peers about the federal budget and spark critical conversations around fiscal priorities. In collaboration with the NC Budget & Tax Center, Terrence presented Our Moral Documents: Budgets and Tax Codes, an interactive workshop that explored how government budgets are reflections of a nation’s values.

Students participated in a budget simulation where they served as members of Congress, tasked with making challenging decisions around defense spending, education, tax policy, and social programs. The session challenged participants to confront the real-world tensions between personal values, equity, and public funding. It set the tone for the rest of the conference by grounding students in the financial realities that influence every issue they care about, from housing and healthcare to education and environmental justice.

Honoring legacy, building the future

Day One began with a powerful journey through history and heritage. Students traveled to Jarvisburg Colored School and the Pea Island Lifesaving Station, exploring the rich legacy of Black educators, lifesavers, and coastal communities who paved the way for today’s movements. A bus ride video by John McCann helped frame the day’s theme: understanding where we’ve been to envision where we’re going.

During lunch, students were welcomed by the town and Ms. Betty Shelby, the first Black candidate for mayor of Manteo, NC. She shared her story, her campaign journey, and her vision for inclusive local leadership. Lunch turned into an inspiring moment of intergenerational dialogue, linking student civic action with real-time, local political change.

In the afternoon, gathered students on the shores of Jeanette’s Pier, where they engaged in reflection, storytelling, and community networking. Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic, this session helped students build new connections and ground themselves in the purpose of the Think Tank. The day’s mix of history, hospitality, and healing set the tone for the impactful work that followed.

“The trail and the beach gave me peace while also teaching me the depth of our people’s survival.”

Power in the game

Day two brought on a full day of power-building. Kicking off the morning with a dynamic keynote speaker, William Clayton. Followed by an afternoon of invigorating and thought-provoking discussions with Dawn Blagrove (Emancipate NC) and Jeremy Collins (Providence Omnistructure). Coupled with breakout sessions facilitated by the North Carolina Black Alliance’s program team (Alana Petifer, Brandon Stafford, Crystal Biles, Karida Giddings, Hasani Mitchell, Yolanda Taylor, and Dr. Jovita Lee) and Dr. Denise Powell’s Rooted in Legacy, students walked away able to define their role in dismantling oppressive systems and stacking the deck in their communities’ favor.

“Dawn Blagrove’s energy and message felt like tough love from an auntie. I needed that.”

“The oppression part felt the most realistic… it reminded me that power is earned, not given.”

Additionally, students participated in the NCBA version of the BLACKOPOLY Game, where they negotiated, strategized, and debated how power, policy, and privilege operate in real life. The night ended with food, fellowship, and cultural celebration through games and music.

People are power

On the final day, students focused on action and accountability. Facilitators, Hasani Mitchell, Shakeyla Ingram (Campus Vote Project), and Tiffany Seawright (NCBA) led sessions on collective impact, democratic participation, and institutional power.

Students developed personal commitment plans and reflected on how to turn moments into movements. The event closed with a call to action: invest in your people, protect your culture, and use your power to reshape what’s possible.

Survey says: Best yet

Based on post-event surveys, 95% of participants said this was the most engaging civic education event they’ve attended, with several returning students declaring it even stronger than the previous year’s Sneaker Ball.  One hundred percent of respondents rated it 4 or 5 out of 5, calling it “very impactful” and “eye-opening.” Attendees praised the mix of history, simulation, and cultural relevance, with students saying they left not just inspired but equipped.

 “inspired, empowered, and ready to lead change.”

“We aren’t just pieces on a board, we’re players changing the game”

Special Thanks

This year’s Think Tank would not have been possible without the Planning Team, including campus coordinators, advisors, logistics leads, speakers, and volunteers. A special thank you to Elizabeth City State University for hosting and helping bring the Think Tank to life.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are beacons of change committed to providing a safe, transformative space for Black and Brown students. North Carolina HBCU colleges and institutions have spearheaded a plethora of social justice and civil rights movements that have changed the trajectory of our society. The 10th Annual HBCU Think Tank further advances the importance of college students building movements that aid in change within our communities. This safe space ensures that North Carolina HBCU students have the skill sets, knowledge, and empowerment to continue the good fight beyond college matriculation.

Building on last year’s HBCU Think Tank theme, “Our Turn: The Story Continues,” the event aimed to amplify the role that storytelling plays in organizing, community engagement, and movement building. The North Carolina Black Alliance and Common Cause NC worked intentionally to provide attendings with skill set training to equip them with the necessary skills to advance this work within their campus and the broader community. Beyond this, they attended various breakout sessions that shed light on sociopolitical issues such as The Power of the Black Dollar by Angelique Stallings (Durham Chamber of Commerce), Affirmative Action & DEI by Kamille Bostick (CREED NC), Food Deserts and Food Disparities by Brayndon Stafford and Chad Martin (NCBA) and so many other engaging sessions. Participating in this kind of work can be a strenuous task. To ensure attendees understood the importance of prioritizing their well-being, we implemented various holistic components like guided meditation by Elev8, journaling, and casual breaks.

This year, we implemented two new events, a Sneakerball and Brunch ‘n Bidness. The Sneakerball was created as a semi-formal event to highlight HBCU culture and further build on our theme. Tiffany D. Loftin was our keynote speaker who truly ignited a fire in every student. One of her remarkable statements, “Mr. Say ain’t nothing, and Mr. Do is the man,” challenged students to not only talk the talk but to walk it as well! Also, we recognized several sponsor organization members for their hard work, commitment, and service. The awardees included:

• Dr. Frankie Powell, Pioneer Award recipient
• Marcus Bass, Trailblazer Award recipient
• Alyssa Canty, Trailblazer Award recipient
• Aigné Taylor, Service Award recipient
• Vashti Hinton-Smith, Service Award recipient

Our Brunch ‘n Bidness was our closing event, which included Winston Robinson as our speaker! He engaged with attendees about their experience as young organizers and highlighted the importance of community involvement. So many students left feeling empowered and energized. Alexander Riche from North Carolina A&T State University shared:

“Being able to attend the 10th annual HBCU Think Tank was a great and enriching experience. I was able to connect with other very passionate student leaders from HBCUs all over North Carolina. That meant from Shaw to Johnson C. Smith, and lowered battle lines with NC A&T and Central, but we know it is always a due showing of love. We went into discussions about the upcoming year in democracy, really driving home the focus of civic engagement. These conversations were not only enlightening to have, but they were very inspiring. We explored ways to bring these very crucial dialogues back to our campuses, as we want to foster an environment where civic participation is highly encouraged. Many of us are at our respective schools because of this same civic groundwork that many of our elders laid before us. We want to continue to aim for more significant conversations as such to resonate within our communities and campuses and drive home a truly positive renaissance of our history. Being a member of the 10th, count them, TENTH, annual HBCU Think Tank meant so much to me, and I walked away inspired to do even more than was planned. I thank everyone on the NC Black Alliance staff, and to my peers that were there. We are now beginning to open the flood gates, here’s to ten more.”

Another attendee, Kayla Jones from North Carolina A&T State University, shared:

“Learning about yourself allows you to be more comfortable in uncomfortable situations, that’s what the HBCU Think Tank taught me. It taught me to project myself with confidence and courage to freely be me. As a first year, I gained more than what I came for. I came to learn more about my community and how to plan solutions to help, but I gained friends, knowledge, experience, growth for myself and I will forever be thankful for the HBCU Think Tank!”

The HBCU Think Tank is more than just a conference or educational event. It’s an HBCU reunion, a space for growth and leadership development, plenty of laughs, and so many long-lasting connections. We’re so happy to see the vision of the HBCU Think Tank continuously grow 10 years later.

The 9th Annual HBCU Think Tank was an incomparable experience. Taking place on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University, this year’s theme, “Our Turn: The Story Continues,” emphasized the importance of storytelling and its role in politics and social justice. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the state of North Carolina all have a unique story that fuels the passion of many student leaders to create change in their communities and amplify the needs of students on their campuses. From the sit-in movement to creating the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), NC HBCU students have always led social justice movements and played an integral role in systemic change.

Aigne Taylor, campus coordinator, and Lamair Bryan, marketing consultant, facilitated conversations that empowered students to share their narratives and lived experiences. Throughout the three-day event, students attended various training sessions, which included Translating Policies to the Black Community led by attorney Nastasia Watkins, HBCUs and the Social Justice Movement led by Dr. Jelani Favors, Birthing Justice by Maya Jackson, Redistricting 101 by Tyler Daye, How to Create Programs led by Tiffany Seawright, NCBA program consultant, and many more sessions that will fuel students as they prepare to lead this work on their campuses in the Fall.

In addition, students toured the International Civil Rights Museum in Downtown Greensboro, located at the old Woolworth’s store, where the A&T Four, coordinated by the Bennett Belles, started a movement that would change the world. Students visited Beloved Community Center, which played an integral role in advancing social justice in Greensboro and surrounding areas. Dr. Frankie Denise Powell, special projects coordinator, was pictured within the center on a mural for her steadfast commitment to social action and advocacy alongside other leaders. From touring the museum to hearing from prominent community figures at Beloved Community Center, students truly understood the value of collective student power.

The impact of the 9th Annual HBCU Think Tank is already being made as students shared how inspired they were. Justin Nixon, Johnson C. Smith University student and Raising the Raising the B.A.R. fellow, shares:

“Attending the HBCU Think Tank was a truly enlightening experience. I got the opportunity to connect with North Carolina HBCU’s top student leaders about important issues affecting our schools and communities. As a Raising the B.A.R. Fellow with NCBA and CVP, I got an opportunity to learn about ways to increase civic engagement. The Think Tank was the culminating event that sparked crucial dialogue and action towards making a better Black America. I thank the North Carolina Black Alliance and Common Cause North Carolina for facilitating this event and providing an outlet for coordinated action between HBCU students.”

 Thank you to our other fiscal sponsors, Campus Vote Project, Southern Vision Alliance, and the NC Black Leadership and Organization Collective, for making this event possible. We also want to thank all the students who participated, engaged, and made this event a success!

The HBCU Think Tank was developed to create a space that unites student leaders from HBCUs across North Carolina to promote campus collaborations, brainstorm programs, and become knowledgeable about various political issues that impact their communities. This event is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Black Alliance and Common Cause North Carolina.

“We must have our freedom now. We must have the right to vote. We must have equal protection of the law.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

On Thursday, December 7, a Youth Voter Engagement team member attended Common Cause’s #PeopleOverPolitics rally to advocate against Moore v. Harper. The fight to obtain equal voting rights has been an interminable journey that disproportionately impacts BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups the freedom to vote. 

In the court case of Moore v. Harper, North Carolina lawmakers base their case on the ‘independent state legislature theory’ (ISLT), an extreme idea being pushed by a fringe group of politicians hoping to prevent responsive voting maps and fair election rules. Independent state legislature theory indicates that state legislatures have direct authority to control federal elections. This is a direct attack on voting rights which could potentially mean more unfair, racially gerrymandered maps, the closing of polling locations and harder access to voting options such as vote by mail & early voting. 

Historically Black Colleges and Universities were represented at the rally, institutions such as North Carolina A&T State University, Winston Salem State University and North Carolina Central University. Student leaders and NCCU Common Cause Fellows, DaNaiyzha Williams and Rheyann Kirby, spoke about the impact the court case could potentially have on HBCU students, their ability to participate in voting, and access to on-campus polling sites. Further insights were shared from high power officials, which included Common Cause HBCU Program Manager Vashti Hinton Smith and so many more.

More information on how Moore v. Harper could directly impact you and others in your community can be found here: Moore v. Harper (mooreharper.org).

On Friday, September 16, the North Carolina Black Alliance supported Black Voters Matter and North Carolina A&T State University in a water collection event addressing the environmental justice crisis in Jackson, Mississippi. The crisis in Jackson was exacerbated after decades of neglect and infrastructure issues. 

Jackson has faced recurring past disruptions with underlying causes that were not addressed. A recent Washington Post article noted that racism is likely an issue because Jackson’s population is 83 percent Black, and communities of color have long been likelier victims of drinking water violations in the United States. Members of our campus engagement and environmental justice teams were dispatched to the event to help bring attention to this environmental and racial justice issue.

The campus community collected 432 cases of water, including donations from the following campus sororities and fraternities: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity. The water collected will be distributed to various communities and neighborhoods impacted by the water crisis in Jackson.

On Sunday, July 10, over forty young leaders convened on UNC Charlotte’s campus to enjoy a weeklong experience during Camp Lead-Up. Sponsored by the North Carolina Black Alliance, Camp Lead-Up is a weeklong summer institute designed to change, challenge and charge youth through leadership, character, and career development activities.

During the leadership institute, students homed in and improved skills, including financial literacy, public speaking, and character development, and participated in leadership, extracurricular, and team-building activities. Public speakers talked to the students about taxes, credit building, pushing their limits, and multiple other topics. The students also hiked up Crowders Mountain and participated in community service at The Harvest Center, a Charlotte-based nonprofit that creates a community for individuals affected by homelessness, poverty, and unemployment. On the last full day of camp, counselors and students took a rewarding trip to Carowinds.

Along with these enriching activities, students formed new friendships and acquired new skills during the weeklong camp. Overall, the camp provided an environment for many Black girls and boys to learn more about themselves and their capabilities.