Fueling Futures: The HBCU Collaborative Student Impact Fund

Every year, hundreds of talented HBCU student journalists dream of attending major media conferences, places where they can learn from industry leaders, connect with recruiters, and showcase their voices among future peers and employers. But too often, those dreams are out of reach.

Travel, lodging, and registration fees create barriers that many students, and their departments, simply cannot cover. While some campuses stretch their budgets to support student travel, resources vary widely, and too many students are left behind.

That’s where the HBCU Digital Media Collaborative’s Student Impact Fund comes in.

This is the launched campaign to raise $100,000 by December 31 to directly support student access to professional convenings.

• $50,000 will ensure that up to 65 students can attend our annual Elevate: HBCU Digital Media Conference in Washington, DC (Feb. 19–20, 2026).

• $50,000 will create a year-round resource for students to apply for support to attend journalism and media convenings across the country, with faculty endorsement.

Our Year One Goal: Create opportunities for over 100 HBCU students annually to travel, attend, and participate in these career-shaping experiences.

This is not just about covering costs. It’s about equity, representation, and visibility. It’s about ensuring HBCU students are present in the rooms where media’s future is shaped, and that their voices, stories, and perspectives are seen and heard.

Why Attending Conferences Is Essential for Students

Attending journalism and media conferences is more than an educational opportunity; it’s an essential step toward transforming passion into a profession. These gatherings expose students to the fast-evolving world of media, helping them understand where the industry is headed and how they can play a role in shaping it. Conferences bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving students direct access to the people, conversations, and innovations driving the future of journalism.

What Students Gain at Elevate 2026: HBCU Digital Media Conference

At Elevate 2026 , students step into a hands-on, professional learning environment that mirrors the modern media landscape. Through interactive workshops, mentorship, and peer collaboration, they gain:

• Industry Insight & Exposure: Direct engagement with leading professionals to learn about emerging trends, best practices, and innovative concepts shaping journalism and media today.
  
• Skill-Building & Application: Practical tools, resources, and real-world solutions students can apply in their campus newsrooms and future careers.
  
• Collaborative Learning & Access: A supportive environment that fosters connection, creativity, and visibility, expanding access to industry networks, mentorship, and career pathways.
  
• Activation & Empowerment: Hands-on training and professional guidance that help students turn inspiration into action, preparing them to lead and innovate within their fields.
  

The Impact on Emerging HBCU Media Professionals

Through conference participation, students return to campus inspired, equipped, and ready to lead. They bring back new skills, insights, and relationships that strengthen their campus media organizations and elevate their peers. The result is a growing network of HBCU-trained journalists and media professionals who are diversifying the pipeline, shaping narratives, and ensuring the next generation of media truly reflects the communities it serves.

Why This Matters

The Student Impact Fund is an additive resource, it supplements what campuses already provide and ensures no student is limited by budget constraints. Your support helps HBCU students maximize their exposure, expand their networks, and build professional pathways that would otherwise remain closed.

Every dollar given is an investment in the future of journalism, one that reflects the talent, voices, and perspectives of HBCU campuses nationwide.

Will you make a tax deductible one-time gift today, or become a monthly champion?

Every gift, large or small, helps us reach our $100,000 goal by December 31st and ensures our efforts continue year-round.

Commit to a Monthly Gift and Create Lasting Impact:

A recurring monthly gift is the most powerful way to sustain our mission, turning a single donation into a year-long scholarship that ensures consistent opportunity for HBCU students.

• $25/month covers a student’s entire registration fee for the annual conference.

• $50/month funds one student’s lodging for the two-day event.

• $85/month provides a full scholarship (registration, travel, and lodging) for one student, giving them an invaluable career-shaping experience every year.

Every dollar given is an investment in the future of journalism, one that reflects the talent, voices, and perspectives of HBCU campuses nationwide.

Together, we can Fuel Futures and ensure that HBCU students don’t just watch from the sidelines, they lead from the front. Please share this campaign with your networks. Thanks for your support.