Describe your position & background, your track record, and the trajectory of your work.

Being North Carolina A&T’s Psychology Club President entails being the main voice of the organization and keeping all executive board members on track so we can provide the best experience for our members. I will keep the organization committed to our goals & values by making sure all events run smoothly according to plan and effectively communicating with all board & club members to be sure everyone is on the same track & satisfied. During the 2023-2024 academic year, I was the Psychology Club Vice President. I was able to experience & provide a successful club organization experience to all members to the point that they were comfortable enough to elect me as their top leader. During that year of being VP, I had the opportunity to lead & plan events and build strong connections with my colleagues & organization members. I am currently using that experience and received feedback to plan a more comfortable & successful year. Having this experience taught me that it is a huge commitment, but when one has the correct intention & passion for it, one will encounter bundles of success. I felt comfortable having these positions of leadership as I’ve had multiple past experiences. During the 2023-2024 academic year, I was also on the executive board for my hometown org, “Deep South Aggies”, as a Content Creator and a Student Ambassador for the Office of Intercultural Engagement. I have also taken leadership roles in high school such as the dance team Co Captain for 2 years and the yearbook staff Editor-in-Chief.

Explain the vitality of HRCF’s HBCU Program in your own words. What does the HBCU program mean to you?

Being a part of HRCF’s HBCU Program was an experience I’ll never forget and will always be grateful for. Being Black, queer, and a college student are a few of the toughest battles one can face. HRCF provided the opportunity for a group of students with all these traits to come together and collaborate in a safe space. We were able to hear experiences from others who are facing the same challenges. We were also able to be educated by wonderful guests that have been in the same position as us and are now in the same positions we are aiming to be at. We all let loose and became vulnerable with each other & were able to build long lasting connections. Being judged for the color of our skin or who we’re attracted to is far from right. Many individuals in these communities feel that there is no one who understands their struggles and no one to turn to. HRCF speaks proudly on behalf of all of us, is open to all, and is committed to breaking the cycle of uncomfortableness, discrimination, and prejudice.

Why is it important for everyone, especially young voters, to vote in the upcoming election?

We are all responsible for picking the leaders of our country. The new leaders will be responsible for guiding our pathway through life, especially for young voters. For this reason, It is extremely important for everyone who is eligible to educate themselves & go to the polls and vote. We must be intentional, determined, and picky with who we choose to lead us. We need leaders who are willing to take feedback and suggestions from their citizens and are willing to do everything in their held power to provide a safe, comfortable environment. Candidates are laying their thoughts out on how they feel about our country, the citizens, & how we should be ran. It is in our hands to decide who is best fitted for the commitment. Voting wasn’t always an immediate right. Now that we have the opportunity, we need to take full advantage of getting our voices heard!

Describe your position & background, your track record, and the trajectory of your work.

Shavonne attended San Francisco's Lowell High School, where she served as the San Francisco Unified School District student representative to the Board of Education, where she was instrumental in the introduction of new policies to promote culture shifts, such as a resolutions to remove its elitist admissions policy and fixing the Title IX reporting process to support survivors. She continued to remain active by serving her new school community at Hampton. In her first year, she served on the Student Government Association Senate as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Co-Chair. In addition, she worked with Quintessence 12 to co-chair the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. Shavonne also serves on the Hampton University’s Student Government Association Cabinet and Women’s Caucus. Shavonne continues to serve her community by bridging the gap to higher education. In February, Shavonne created her own $2,000 scholarship titled "My Voice, My Power" awarded to a San Francisco public school student that values community based leadership within themselves. Shavonne is also a part of In Our Own Voice’s 2022-2024 Next Generation Leadership Institute as a Reproductive Justice Fellow. Recently, Shavonne was recognized by Xceleader as HBCU Student Leader of the Year. She remains active while representing Hampton University when working with organizations like When We All Vote, Supermajority, Running Start, and the Human Rights Campaign. This year, Shavonne will serve as the President of the Student Government Association. Shavonne plans to continue to serve San Francisco, Hampton, and other communities in need. Shavonne’s activism and leadership has been highlighted in the Washington Post, New York Times, and KQED.

Explain the vitality of HRCF’s HBCU Program in your own words. What does the HBCU program mean to you?

The HRC HBCU program specifically works to uplift the work of inclusivity within HBCUs. This program gives us a seat at the table with giving us a key role as Black Queer students. I am so grateful I got to be apart of this program.

Why is it important for everyone, especially young voters, to vote in the upcoming election?

Gen Z holds a lot of power in this upcoming election. It is important that we turnout in this election to utilize our voices to establish our values with democracy in the following years.

Explain the vitality of HRCF’s HBCU Program in your own words. What does the HBCU program mean to you?

The HBCU program is a constant reminder of our fight for equality and justice for all people of African Descent. This program not only reminds us of the varying intersectional identities that Black people face, but the importance of highlighting and recognizing black queer struggles within all spaces.

Why is it important for everyone, especially young voters, to vote in the upcoming election?

This upcoming election will dictate the fate of LGBTQ youth for generations to come. While the options for this upcoming election are not preferable, it is important that young people engage in their civic duty to protect the basic freedoms and ideals of this country.

Describe your position & background, your track record, and the trajectory of your work.

To serve as an HBCU Queen is an honor, yet, to serve as the 95th Miss Kentucky State University is a privilege. I was elected to be an ambassador of the university, on and off campus. In my background, I have had the opportunity to serve as the President of Spectrum and other organizations leading up to this role. I spent most of my time prior to this position working with students to create an impactful relationship to help advocate for those who may not have a voice on campus. My purpose is to advocate for all students while upholding the standard of Kentucky State University in all settings. This responsibility is overwhelmingly important, especially in regards to HBCU legacies. The concept of HBCU Queens began over 100 years ago, with the vision to promote women's role in campus matters. As time went on, this position has become highly distinguished and requires distinct dedication to achieve. My platform as Miss Kentucky State University is to stay ready so you don't have to get ready. This platform aims to address student preparedness through professionalism, social engagement, and academic prioritization. Thus far, I have been preparing for my reign by creating a robust event plan, working with community organizations, and finding ways to impact new and returning students in the fall semester.

Explain the vitality of HRCF’s HBCU Program in your own words. What does the HBCU program mean to you?

The HBCU Program at HRCF is unlike any other college program of its kind. The unique innovation and collaboration among HBCU students is essential to cultivating a future society of diversity. I have had the opportunity to work with the HBCU Program in several ways, which I often credit for my expansive ideas to support my student body. This program has enabled me to never shy away from ideas that seem to take up space. As a Black queer person, the HBCU Program and leadership continue to advocate for students like me to never be afraid to use space in a world where we are often diminished. I am grateful to have been a part of something greater than myself, especially as an eager community member. The program also cultivates an environment for like minded students to thrive. I have never had that experience before coming to any HBCU Program event. This program is vital to Black Queer students at HBCU's in every way imaginable.

Why is it important for everyone, especially young voters, to vote in the upcoming election?

It is essential that young people vote in the upcoming election. This election is an overarching reflection of the political division in the United States at the moment. The extremity of division between political ideologies has ultimately posed a danger to all minorities, which goes beyond sexuality and race. Instead, it will impact those whose existence is intersectional. I am deeply concerned for the state of this country if people who can vote, don't. We are walking on the brink of societal change that will alter the trajectory of everyone's existence. We are all looking to live with

Describe your position & background, your track record, and the trajectory of your work.

I, Asia Rogers '25, currently serve as the SGA Vice President of Bennett College for 2024-2025 school year. I previously served on the Junior Class Eboard as Treasurer last term, as I have felt that the need for LGBTQIA+ representation in HBCU leadership has become a necessity for inclusivity on my campus. As a queer person, I have always felt that I need to be the change that I wish to seek within the spaces that I occupy and create. Being out and proud on my HBCU campus while also taking on roles of leadership is one of the ways that I am doing that.

I also have many other leadership roles, including but not limited to, Chapter Representative for Women in Pre-Med, Vice President of Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and Treasurer of Your Health, Our Hope. These roles have prepared me to serve as Vice President of the Student Government Association, and the tools and connections I have gotten through these experiences will benefit me as I pursue a neurosurgery career. I am already making my way towards reaching this goal through my efforts including: Working as a medical scribe, winning 1st place at the Emerging Researchers National Conference in 2024 for my research from Michigan State University and through my current internship with LSU Health Shreveport in the department of Cell Biology and Anatomy conducting an experiment to find out

Explain the vitality of HRCF’s HBCU Program in your own words. What does the HBCU program mean to you?

HRCF's HBCU program was a light in a sometimes dark and very unsure time for me as a student in leadership. I signed up for the HBCU Leadership summit on a whim, not knowing if I would even be accepted/recognized as I am a part of one of the smaller but no less historic HBCUs (Bennett College). As I got to meet and connect with so many wonderful and accepting LGBTQIA+ students from so many Illustrious HBCUs, I really was able to feel the love everyday I was grateful to be a part of that experience. By the end of it all, I felt empowered to bring back the mindset that I gained from hearing from so many inspiring individuals.

This program sheds a light on our tight-knit group of HBCUs and the bond that most of us would not be able to find outside of that space. It brings us together to learn about each other and our HBCUs, while also bonding over the connection between how we portray and fit in to our HBCU/black culture while also maintaining our true gender identity and expression. I think I speak for many of us who attended when I say that we made memories to last a lifetime.

Why is it important for everyone, especially young voters, to vote in the upcoming election?

It is not only important, but paramount for young voters to make their voices heard in this upcoming election. I know from personal experience that some of us may feel there is no room for our voice and that we have no seat at this particular table. I would say to someone feeling this doubt that their vote does matter in the grand scheme of things. An educated young voter is a step in the right direction, and there is no reason for young people to stand idly by and just let their futures be decided for them.

We need to set the precedent as the generation of future leaders that will one day soon be taking over the political stage. There is no time like the present to make the choice to get registered and vote — choosing to make this exponential impact on our futures as representation of the young vote.

Describe your position & background, your track record, and the trajectory of your work.

The Tennessee State University Board of Trustees manages all institutional operations, ranging from selection of a University President and administration to managing the financial, academic, and legislative stability of the institution. As the Student Trustee, I serve on this Board, providing a student perspective in decision-making. In tandem with the SGA President and SGA Vice President, I work to ensure that the student voice is always advocated for. At Tennessee State University, I've previously served as a GLSEN Freedom Fellow, Secretary of the General Assembly, Secretary of the Junior Class Delegation, Captain of the TSU HCASC Team, Vice President of the Minority Association of Premedical Students, and President of the Xi Chapter of Beta Kappa Chi. Currently, I also serve as Chapter President of the Minority Association of Premedical Students and LeadershipTSU Cohort 8. I hope that I can continue to serve my student body above all else.

Explain the vitality of HRCF’s HBCU Program in your own words. What does the HBCU program mean to you?

HRCF's HBCU program has been essential in creating connections, passions, and futures for LGBTQ+ HBCU leaders. I have developed into a more sensible and strong-willed leader as a result of the mentorship from not only our advisors, such as Dr. Leslie Hall, Justin Calhoun, or Chauna Lawson, but from student leaders at their respective HBCUs. I would not have had the courage to pursue a role on the Board of Trustees at TSU if not for other leaders such as Asia Rogers of Bennett College or Jay Jones of Howard University. This safe space of camaraderie, encouragement, and love held me to a higher standard that I am forever grateful for.

Why is it important for everyone, especially young voters, to vote in the upcoming election?

I believe that voting is especially pertinent in this election due to this new area of possibility. If we can see the possibility of a new day and age where LGBTQ+ leaders are recognized at a federal level, then we should make every attempt to achieve such. But these possibilities are contingent upon our commitment to our civic duties. To make sure we advance with progress rather than struggle on with despair, we must recognize our power at the polls-at the local, state-wide, and national level. Vote for those who cannot vote for a better future. They are counting on you.