The HBCU Social Impact Leaders Program is providing transformative career development opportunities to students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities by bridging the knowledge gap in the field of sustainable and impact investing while contributing to local and global sustainability goals.
As a founding member of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), Shared Interest has a longstanding and enduring commitment to unlocking the power and potential of black youth entrepreneurs to be global catalysts of positive economic change in their communities and beyond.
Program
Goals:
Expand knowledge and awareness of Sustainable and Impact Investing as a “pathway to success”
Strengthen diversity within the ESG, SRI, and Impact Fund Management talent pipeline
Drive Theory into Practice through Sponsored Action Learning Projects
ABOUT THE HBCU SOCIAL IMPACT LEADERS PROJECT
To address the lack of resources on sustainable and impact investing available to students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Shared Interest received seed funding from the Nasdaq Foundation, Bergman Family Foundation, and other partners to launch the HBCU Social Impact Leaders Program in 2023. The pilot engaged students and leaders from six HBCUs—Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Delaware State University, and Florida A&M University—offering culturally relevant information on ESG, socially responsible investing, and entrepreneurship in Black and economically disenfranchised communities in the US and Southern Africa. The pilot revealed that over 80% of students sought to balance financial returns with positive social and environmental outcomes.
This initiative is crucial for addressing the unique social barriers to economic mobility and fostering entrepreneurial resilience within the Black community. Conducted during Fall 2023, the project was carried out in collaboration with key leadership from each participating HBCU.
IMPACT TO DATE
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What students are saying
“This opportunity allowed me to further understand Southern African entrepreneurial and investing milieu, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). In the future...Investing in Black and economically disenfranchised communities is a major step for reducing socioeconomic disparities or promoting social equality because it empowers black entrepreneurs, farmers and microfinance institutions to creating sustainable solutions to address the region’s growing economic inequality and to achieve long-term growth and impact.”
Aniaba N'Guessan
Morehouse College - Class of 2025
OUR HBCU PARTNERS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOCUS AREAS:
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2024 NEW YORK COHORT
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2024 HBCU SOCIAL IMPACT LEADERS FORUM
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Features
OUR PARTNERS
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The Bergman Family
Peggy Dulany
For more information about the HBCU Social Impact Leaders Project or to become a sponsor, contact info@sharedinterest.org.