HBCU Week NOW Launches Effort To Compile Nationwide Commencement Speeches Collection (671 hits)
HBCU Week NOW, one of the largest online platforms dedicated to celebrating the culture, academic achievements, and legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), is expanding its content with a robust collection of commencement and recruitment videos.
The YouTube-based platform is reaching out to HBCUs nationwide to feature content that reflects the student experience from recruitment to graduation. The growing digital archive aims to make these milestone moments accessible to a broader audience for public viewing and social media sharing.
“Our platform spotlights the stories, experiences, history, and culture that make HBCUs vital to the future of education and leadership in America,” said Travis E. Mitchell, senior vice president and chief content officer at Maryland Public Television, and founding executive of HBCU Week NOW. “Through cinematically produced, compelling video storytelling, HBCU Week NOW is creating a vibrant and inclusive community that honors the power and depth of HBCU experiences. Recruitment and commencement are two important highlights on a student’s HBCU journey.”
Commencement speeches—delivered by esteemed leaders and scholars, cultural icons, thought leaders, trailblazers and famous alumni—will be featured in full or highlight reels, aligned with editorial standards. These videos showcase the spirit and achievements of HBCUs, delivering messages of hope, vision, and perseverance. Recruitment content will offer prospective students—whether high school, graduate, or nontraditional—a snapshot of what each institution offers. HBCU Week NOW currently features original long- and short-form videos, live events, and coverage of HBCUs’ contributions to science, medicine, education, civil rights, the arts, sports, and more. The initiative maintains a strong presence on Instagram and YouTube, with over 11,000 subscribers and 8,000 followers, respectively.
HBCU Week NOW Milestones (as of May 2025): ● 20+ original short films produced ● 200+ pieces of original content posted across platforms ● 2 million+ views on YouTube ● 11,000+ YouTube subscribers ● 7,500+ Instagram followers
HBCU Week NOW welcomes submissions of commencement and recruitment content from HBCUs across the country. For content submissions or general inquiries, contact project manager Christina Royster at christina.hbcuweeknow@mpt.org.
For more information or to access content, visit www.hbcuweeknow.com or follow @HBCUWeekNOW on YouTube and Instagram. ________________________________________ About HBCU Week NOW HBCU Week NOW creates and distributes digital content that celebrates the students, alumni, leaders, and innovative programs of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The initiative features original long- and short-form films, live events, and multi-platform content for a global audience. ________________________________________
