Students from HBCUs across the country leave their mark on Miami Herbert

Having launched virtually in 2021, HBCU-Start@MiamiHerbert (formerly UStart@MiamiHerbert) held its first in-person program and welcomed students from nine Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), across the country in January. For six days, 17 participants dove into experiential learning opportunities including an introduction to design technologies, exposure to the frontiers of computing and wearables, field visits to small- and medium-sized business incubators, and toured historical sites across South Florida. Their week ended in a team pitch competition that helped them put their skills to the test.

Focused on aspiring entrepreneurs, HBCU-Start@MiamiHerbert aims to fill the gaps in opportunities available to students of underrepresented communities and is designed to support the development of startups founded by HBCUs students.

Miami Herbert alumna, Dr. JoAnn Rolle, one of the University’s first 500 Black graduates, championed the program in her capacity as President of the National HBCU Business Deans Roundtable and garnered interest from prestigious HBCUs like Howard University, Xavier University, and Morgan State University.

“HBCU-Start@MiamiHerbert contributes in a major way to the University's motto to transform lives through education,” said HBCU-Start Academic Director and Management Lecturer, Karen Harris. “This experience is transformative academically, professionally, and personally. Because of seeds planted this week, participating students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country have become more inspired to build a business. This relationship between UM and the participating HBCUs will impact communities across the country as these young entrepreneurs are introduced."  

For many participants, the experience was life changing. Students, faculty, and staff developed relationships that will last a lifetime.

“HBCU-Start illuminated qualities and talents that were lying dormant within myself,” said Kristian Francis, a business administration student from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. “I had forgotten about them. I truly appreciated every element of the environment Miami Herbert provided.”

Along with her teammates Chhaya Pennant and Jace Watkins, the participants earned first place in the pitch competition with their business idea, Kouture Express, set to launch in February 2023.

With overpriced beauty products and unreliable transportation, students often struggle to access basic beauty products like lip gloss and brushes. Jace, who originally imagined the concept of Kouture Express, knew that the answer to this inconvenience was easier access, and the concept of a beauty products vending machines came to mind.

The program is a response to the challenges faced by HBCU students in the startup ecosystem. Historically, HBCUs have not always had the same level of access to resources and networks as their non-HBCU counterparts, and HBCU-Start@MiamiHerbert aims to level the playing field by providing a supportive environment for HBCU-affiliated entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses.

With only two years under its belt, HBCU-Start@MiamiHerbert has already significantly added to the University of Miami’s growing network with its participants from different parts of the country. The program is a major step forward for HBCUs in the business world, and is expected to have a lasting impact on the success and growth of HBCU-affiliated startups in the coming years.