Microsoft Partners with HBCU Connect - Closing in on 1,000 HBCU Alumni Hired Since Inception

Historic Milestone Reflects Years of Collaboration to Track HBCU Talent Pipeline into Leading Technology Company

HBCU Connect is proud to announce that our strategic partnership with Microsoft has now tracked 997 HBCU professionals who have been hired by Microsoft, far surpassing our initial goal of tracking 200 placements. This remarkable milestone represents one of the most comprehensive corporate-HBCU talent tracking initiatives in the technology industry.

Partnership by the Numbers:

• 997 Total Hires Tracked
• 167 Self-Reported Hires from HBCU Connect Events
• 830 Additional Tracked Hires through job board and career community connections
• Roles span from interns to senior engineers and program managers

Through our partnership, HBCU professionals have found opportunities across Microsoft's entire ecosystem, including roles in software engineering, program management, data science, cloud architecture, business operations, and executive leadership positions. From entry-level internships to senior technical roles, our collaboration has helped create pathways for HBCU talent at every career stage.

Special Recognition and Thanks

This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the dedication and vision of key leaders at Microsoft who championed HBCU talent from the beginning. HBCU Connect extends our deepest gratitude to:

• Sean Kelley - For his foundational support and ongoing commitment to the partnership
• Joie Karcher - For her strategic leadership in expanding HBCU recruitment initiatives
• Derek Hazeur - For his operational excellence and now leads Microsoft's Atlanta location
• Cordell Jones - For his continued advocacy and partnership development
• Angela Daugherty - For her innovative approaches to talent acquisition
• Kimberly Mobley - For her dedication to diversity and inclusion efforts
• Jesse Sparks - For his commitment to building sustainable hiring pipelines

We also extend our sincere appreciation to Microsoft's leadership team for creating an environment where HBCU talent can thrive and advance throughout the organization.

Impact Across the Technology Landscape

The tracked hires span Microsoft's major business units including Azure, Office 365, Xbox, Bing, Windows, and emerging technologies. Notable success stories include HBCU graduates who have advanced to leadership positions, with some now managing major product lines and leading technical teams.

"This partnership represents more than just hiring numbers," said Will Moss, CEO of HBCU Connect. "We're helping to build sustainable pathways for HBCU talent to enter, contribute to, and lead in the technology industry. Seeing Derek now running Microsoft's Atlanta operations and Cordell thriving in his role demonstrates the long-term impact of this collaboration."

Looking Ahead:

With nearly 1,000 hires tracked, the partnership is well-positioned to reach the next milestone of 1,000+ placements. Both organizations remain committed to expanding opportunities and creating new pathways for HBCU talent in technology.

The success of this partnership continues to serve as a model for other Fortune 500 companies looking to build meaningful relationships with HBCUs and diversify their technology workforce.

As we celebrate this achievement, we look forward to the continued growth and impact of this transformative collaboration.

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