Media Contact: 
Alisa Valentin, (202) 418-2500
Alisa.Valentin@fcc.gov 
For Immediate Release

COMMISSIONER STARKS ANNOUNCES HBCU PRESIDENTS’ ROUNDTABLE: 
THE STATE OF CONNECTIVITY IN THE AGE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2020—On May 4, 2020, at 1 p.m. (ET), FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks will virtually host the HBCU Presidents’ Roundtable: The State of Connectivity in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic to discuss the connectivity needs of students, faculty, and staff at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) during this unprecedented crisis.  As millions of people conduct their daily activities from their respective homes, the need to remain connected has become more important than ever.  In order to facilitate distance learning, HBCUs across the country have found creative solutions to address broadband connectivity for their students and employees who live in rural areas, urban communities, and suburban towns.
HBCUs play a critical role in our nation, and these institutions must have the tools necessary to continue their leadership in education and service.  This event will feature special remarks from U.S. Representative Alma Adams (NC-12) & U.S. Representative G.K. Butterfield (NC-01) and convene Presidents and leadership from HBCUs across the nation. This panel discussion will be moderated by David Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition and former Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. This hour-long event will be livestreamed at www.fcc.gov/live. 
Confirmed Panelists:
· Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, President of Norfolk State University 
· Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, President of Kentucky State University 
· Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, President of Howard University 
· Dr. George T. French Jr., President of Clark Atlanta University
· Dr. Larry Robinson, President of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
· Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr., President of Alabama State University 
· Mr. Tom Jackson, Vice Chancellor for Information Technology/Chief Information Officer of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University 
· Dr. Adebisi Oladipupo, Vice President for Information Technology of Morgan State University
Advance registration is not required. Audio/video coverage of the meeting will be broadcast live with open captioning over the Internet from the FCC's web page at www.fcc.gov/live. The FCC’s webcast is free to the public.

In addition to open captioning, reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you if we need more information. Make your request as early as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY). 
For additional information about the roundtable, please contact Alisa Valentin in the Office of Commissioner Geoffrey Starks (202) 418-2500 or Alisa.Valentin@fcc.gov.

Office of Commissioner Geoffrey Starks: (202) 418-2500
ASL Videophone: (844) 432-2275
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @GeoffreyStarks
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/geoffrey-starks

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974)