Xceleader and Running Start Host Fourth Annual HBCU Women’s Leadership Summit
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Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on September 28, 2023 This past weekend, Xceleader, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting future leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), hosted its fourth annual HBCU Women’s Leadership Summit at Vital Voices in Washington, D.C. A collaborative venture with Running Start, the summit was held on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 10am to 3pm as part of a commitment to empowering HBCU women with aspirations of running for elected office. Summit attendees were also invited to a networking event on Friday, Sept. 22 to build connections with peers and business leaders. Coinciding with this year's Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference, attendees had the opportunity to learn from a variety of speakers – including Deputy Executive Director and Chief Diversity Officer at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Tasha Cole and political strategist Jessica Byrd – and delve into interactive training sessions designed to hone their leadership skills. Photos from the event can be found HERE. “When we first developed the idea behind this summit, our goal was to provide HBCU students the guidance to develop their passions and grow their leadership abilities,” said Jade Agudosi, co-founder of Xceleader and the force behind XceleadHER. “Over the last four years, I’ve seen first-hand the impact that events like this can have on the younger generation of leaders. I feel very fortunate to have seen immense growth in not only the women involved, but also in the summit itself, and I’m excited to see how this event can grow in the future.” The annual summit has expanded significantly since its first year – which hosted 40 students virtually in the wake of the pandemic in 2020 – to now hosting more than 100 students in-person. This year, more than 230 HBCU women applied for the summit. In addition to local HBCU students, XceleadHER also provided travel scholarships for 67 women to attend the skill-building and networking event. “The young HBCU women who attend the Summit are already leaders. What XceleadHER and Running Start do is help them build strong networks of support so that their leadership isn’t as lonely. We introduce them to established leaders who show them how to overcome barriers, and to a diverse peer network that helps bolster their dreams. We are so proud of these young women and are excited to already see them stepping into positions of power,” said Susannah Wellford, CEO & Founder of Running Start. For more information on Xceleader and XceleadHER, visit www.xceleader.com. ### About Xceleader Xceleader is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students with leadership and professional development programs and resources. We aim to produce the next generation of trailblazers who drive progress and innovation on campuses and beyond. About XceleadHER XceleadHER was designed to prepare emerging women leaders from HBCUs to become champions of self, career and community. Our work amplifies the leadership and influence of Black collegiate women across the country through personal skill building, professional mentors hip, and our premier leadership masterclasses series hosted by dynamic women executives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. Running Start Running Start is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that actively seeks and trains young women from both sides of the political aisle to run for elected office. Since 2007, Running Start has trained 25,000+ young women and have already seen a number of those young women go on to run and hold office themselves. We focus on confidence, capabilities and connections, and in building supportive peer networks. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
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