UNCF Launches HBCU Future Leaders Institute at UNITE 2026

The United Negro College Fund’s Institute for Capacity Building will debut the HBCU Future Leaders Institute on July 19, 2026, in Atlanta, convening select historically Black college and university students during the UNITE summit. The intensive workshop series aims to equip emerging leaders with systems-level insights into higher-education governance, institutional strategy, and student-driven transformation.

Participants will engage institutional practitioners, analyze sector-wide challenges, and develop practical frameworks for campus-level change. The initiative expands UNCF’s student-activation portfolio and complements the Macquarie Group Foundation – backed Student Transformation Fellowship, which supports campus-based projects at ten HBCUs including Morehouse, Spelman, and Tuskegee.

“By equipping students to navigate institutional strategy, we ensure the next generation can drive transformation within and beyond the HBCU ecosystem,” says Julian Thompson, senior director at UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building.

Applications for the inaugural cohort close April 30. Space is limited; selection is competitive. Details and the interest form are available at uncficb.org.