Earlier today, President Biden spoke at the 2024 National HBCU Conference Week held in a ballroom at the Marriot hotel in downtown Philadelphia. He was introduced with high praise as a significant figure with an outstanding record of achievements for the Black community, and the crowd welcomed him with chants of 'Thank you, Joe”.
At the start of his speech, Biden addressed the recent security scare, now referred to as an assassination attempt, against Donald Trump, commending the Secret Service for their handling of the situation. He then spoke for 21 minutes on the impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), emphasizing their role in fostering purpose and freedom and advocating for equal opportunities for all Americans. He criticized the attacks on DEI initiatives and the spread of “lies and hate” against Haitians in Ohio, stating that such actions were wrong and must stop.
Biden highlighted his administration's investment of over $17 billion in HBCUs from FY 2021 through FY 2024 and spoke about a recent brunch he hosted at the White House celebrating Black excellence. He underscored the significant role of HBCUs in advancing economic mobility and producing a high percentage of Black professionals across various fields.
The President received a standing ovation when discussing scholarships for HBCU students and praised his running mate, Kamala Harris, a fellow HBCU graduate. He expressed anticipation for her future presidency, which elicited cheers from the audience.
Throughout the event, Biden was received warmly, appearing powerful and well-spoken as the crowd celebrated his presence with applause and selfies.
After his remarks in the overflow room, President Biden participated in two photo lines — one with presidents of HBCU’s, the other with a group of honor students at HBCU’s. “You’re going to change the world and if you’re going to be inclusive you’ve got to be inclusive for everybody,” he told the students.
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