The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHIHBCU) today announced its first class of HBCU All-Stars, recognizing 75 undergraduate, graduate and professional students for their accomplishments in academics, leadership and civic engagement. Currently enrolled at 62 HBCUs, the All-Stars were selected from 445 students who submitted completed applications that included a transcript, resume, essay and recommendation. The HBCU All-Stars will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative by providing outreach and communication with their fellow students about the value of education and the Initiative as a networking resource.

“Engaging with the next generation of leaders who will graduate from HBCUs and go on to make meaningful contributions to society is crucial to the success of our community, our country and our global competitiveness,” said George Cooper, executive director of the WHIHBCUs. “It is a privilege to announce these 75 students who have demonstrated a commitment to both their own academic achievement and making a difference in their communities, and we look forward to working with them as partners in advancing President Obama’s college completion goal.”

Over the course of the next year — through social media and their relationships with community-based organizations — the All-Stars will share promising and proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential. In addition, the 45 female and 30 male All-Stars will participate in regional events and web chats with Ivory Toldson, deputy director of the WHIHBCUs, other Initiative staff and professionals from a wide range of disciplines. They will also have opportunities to engage with other scholars to showcase individual and collective talent across the HBCU community.

More information about the activities of the 75 HBCU All-Stars will be provided in the coming months as they carry out their role as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Attached is a list of the 2014 HBCU All-Stars in alphabetical order by the state and city they are from, the school they attend and the school’s location.

2014 HBCU All Stars

ALABAMA

Aliceville–Keiwan Harris –attends Concordia College Alabama, Selma, AL
Huntsville–Sharesse Mason –attends Alabama A&M University, Normal
Mobile–Justin Wells –attends Bishop State Community College, Mobile, AL
Tuscaloosa–Morgan Curry –attends Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa–Jeraun Pouge –attends Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
Talladega–Chuck Stewart –attends Talladega College, Talladega, AL
Tuskegee—Kalauna Carter –attends Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL

ARKANSAS

Little Rock–Chelsea Fox –attends Philander Smith, Little Rock, AR

CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles–Nicole Tinson –attends Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
Fresno–Arogeanae Brown –attends Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Tyrone Hankerson –attends Howard University, District of Columbia
-Jocelyn Cole –attends Howard University, District of Columbia
-LaTrice Clayburn –attends Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC
Abdul Nurriddin –attends University of the District of Columbia Community College, District of Columbia

FLORIDA

Daytona–Shantel Braynen –attends Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL
Tallahassee–Jamil McGinnis –attends Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Tallahassee–Jazmyne Simmons –attends Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Miami–Jonte Myers –attends Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, FL
Orlando–Vivian Nweze –attends Howard University, District of Columbia

GEORGIA

Riverdale–Kelcey Wright –attends Albany State University, Albany, GA
Atlanta–Lillian Harris –attends Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
Rex–Elijah Porter –attends Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
Atlanta–Cameron Weathers –attends Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Atlanta–David Johnny –attends Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Atlanta–Sarah Dillard –attends Savannah State University, Savannah, GA
Albany–Bria Carrithers –attends Spelman College, Atlanta, GA

KENTUCKY

Frankfort–Chaundra Bush –attends Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY

LOUISIANA

Grambling–Breonna Ward –attends Grambling State University, Grambling, LA
Ruston–Brooke Battiste –attends Grambling State University, Grambling, LA
Zachary–Robert Chambers –attends Southern University A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA

MARYLAND

Accokeek–Symone Jordan –attends Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
Fort Washington–Kayla Reynolds –attends Delaware State University, Dover, DE
Baltimore–Triston Bing-Young –attends Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Fort Washington–Trevor McKie –attends Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Silver Spring–Chanel Banks –attends University Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Salisbury–So Jin Park –attends University Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD

MISSISSIPPI

Brookhaven–Lawrence Warren –attends Alcorn State University, Alcorn, MS
Jackson–Candace Chambers –attends Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Itta Bena–Rodney Rice –attends Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS
Holly Springs–Larrance Carter –attends Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
Bolton–Kisa Harris –attends Tougaloo College, Jackson, MS

NORTH CAROLINA

Greensboro–Jasmine Everett –attends Bennett College, Greensboro, NC
Raleigh–Victoria Jones –attends North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Whiteville–Valerie Edwards –attends Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC
Gates–Amanda Eure –attends Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC
Charlotte–Jheanelle Linton –attends Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC
Greensboro–Shakera Fudge –attends North Carolina Agricultural &Technical State University, Greensboro
Greensboro–Leon White –attends North Carolina Agricultural &Technical State University, Greensboro
Knightdale–Joseph Wyatt –attends St. Augustine’s University, Raleigh, NC
Winston-Salem–Georges Guillame –attends Winston Salem State University, Winston Salem, NC

NEW JERSEY

Newark–Akirah Crawford –attends Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA

OKLAHOMA

Ardmore–Beautiful- Joy Fields –attends Langston University, Langston, OK

PENNSYLVANIA

Chester–Ahn-yea Graham –attends Cheyney University of PA, Cheyney, PA

SOUTH CAROLINA

Leesville–Rodrea Zeigler –attends Allen University, Columbia, SC
Orangeburg–Jessica Mong –attends Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC
Lynchburg–Refugio Banuelos –attends Morris College, Sumter, SC
Orangeburg–Harold Rickenbacker –attends South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
Orangeburg–Jasmine Harris –attends South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC

TENNESSEE

Nashville–Ciera Carter –attends Fisk University, Nashville, TN
Jackson–Stephanie Phillips –attends Lane College, Jackson, TN
Memphis–Gilbert Carter –attends LeMoyne- Owen College, Memphis, TN
Nashville–Ciera Scales –attends Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Nashville–Jeremiah Cooper –attends Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
Jackson–Aneesa Sood –attends Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL

TEXAS

Houston–Antoine Southern –attends Oakwood University, Huntsville, AL
Dallas–Priscilla Barbour –attends Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
Cedar Hill–Glenn Johnson –attends Texas College, Tyler, TX
Houston–Jarrauri Curry –attends Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
Houston–Candace Jones –attends Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
Garland–Jade Crutch –attends Xavier University, New Orleans, LA

VIRGINIA

Suffolk–Chanae LeGrier –attends Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC
Dendron–Whitney Johnson –attends Hampton University, Hampton, VA
Richmond–Caprichia Moses –attends Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA

VIRGIN ISLANDS

Christiansted–Shereena Cannonier –attends Lincoln University PA, Lincoln, PA
Christiansted–Kevin Dixon –attends University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, USVI