Page 13 - N.C. A&T Magazine Spring 2019

caMpUs highlights
“ the opportunities to grow mutually beneficial

relationships between technology concerns and

our colleges and universities are real and rapidly
expanding. ” — CHanCellor Harold l. Martin Sr.

Soon thereafter, Khalifa In 2015, he received the
opened Zaki Oriental Order of the Long Leaf Pine,
Rugs, offering the nation’s one of the most prestigious
largest selection of fine awards presented by the ChanCellor, alumna
handmade rugs. governor of North Carolina,
the BB&T Distinguished ParTiCiPaTe on sxsW Panel
Since then, Khalifa has Citizen of the Year and the
emerged as a generous civic High Point Chamber of
leader and philanthropist Commerce Small Business On March 10, North Carolina A&T college students. Despite being
in North Carolina and his Advocate of the Year. He Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. historically underfunded, HBCUs
native country. He and his was also chosen as one of participated in a panel discussion continue to produce 42 percent
wife, Rashida Wawda, have the top 50 Asian Americans at South by Southwest (SXSW), the of black engineers and 47 percent
supported a free health care in Business in the United internationally recognized annual of black women engineers. That is
clinic for indigent patients States by the Asian presentation of entertainment why the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus
in Burlington, as well as American Business community festivals and technology exists in Congress and it is why the
economic development and Development Center. industry events in Austin, Texas. Bipartisan HBCU Caucus @ SXSW is
opportunity within the city, so important.”
including donating one of his The Human Rights Medal The Bipartisan HBCU Caucus @ those opportunities with the
former business locations for was established to honor SXSW, a four-part panel series, Martin joined Adams along with innovators and creators who make
use by various organizations. the courageous, non-violent brought together members of Lyft Chief Diversity and Inclusion this such a special annual event.”
acts of the A&T Four – Congress, industry giants and Officer Nilka Thomas and VICE The panel discussion was a part of
leaders of historically black colleges
News Washington, D.C., Bureau
khaliFa reCeives In late 2018, Khalifa Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair and universities (HBCUs) for in- Chief Shawna Thomas for the conference’s Tech Industry &
announced he would sell his Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph depth conversations examining the “HBCUs: A Key to Tech Diversity.” Enterprise Track and is one of four
human righTs meDal High Point business location McNeil and David Richmond role HBCUs play in building a more Among other topics, panelists panels organized as an outgrowth
with its remaining inventory – who sat down at a local diverse and inclusive tech workforce. discussed the Bipartisan HBCU of the HBCU Bipartisan Caucus
Business leader, and donate the millions Woolworth’s all-white lunch Caucus’s “Partnership Challenge,” Diversity in Tech Summit hosted
humanitarian and long-time in proceeds to a Pakistani counter, igniting a national The day included multiple sessions a landmark initiative that brings by Adams last August at A&T.
High Point, North Carolina, organization in support movement. on diversity in technology fields, together industry, government That event drew more than 200
resident Zaki Khalifa is of programs addressing including a keynote panel featuring and historically black colleges representatives of the tech industry,
the recipient of the 2019 poverty. Further, he would The award is given annually Martin and N.C. A&T alumna, U.S. and universities to craft universal state and national government and
Human Rights Medal, North move to Lahore, Pakistan, by N.C. A&T to recognize Rep. Alma Adams. best practices to recruit and retain HBCU campuses to Greensboro for
Carolina A&T’s highest and spend eight months individuals who have diverse talent in tech. two days of discussions, planning
honor. He received the of the year volunteering endeavored to correct Adams, who is founder and co-chair and networking.
award during the 59th Sit-In as a teacher in the schools social injustice and have of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, said, “With the growth of the technology
Anniversary Breakfast. his business donation will significantly contributed to “HBCUs matter—there is no black sector comes significant needs for The Tech Industry & Enterprise Track
support. The moves are part the betterment of the world. tech without them. My colleagues employees with the high-quality focuses on the forward-thinking
Born, raised and educated of his plan to donate 80 and I are proud to take this message, STEM education necessary for innovation of today and what is
in Pakistan, Khalifa percent of his net worth MacArthur Genius Grant alongside our nation’s top HBCUs, those positions, and that has projected to be trending tomorrow.
immigrated to the United to charity. awardee and national co- to Austin, Texas, during the first-ever strong implications for many of Executives and leaders from diverse
States at the age of chair of the Poor People’s Bipartisan HBCU Caucus @ SXSW. our campuses,” said Martin. “The industries are set to discuss the
30 to explore business Khalifa has also demon- Campaign, Rev. Dr. William opportunities to grow mutually evolving landscape of technology
opportunities. A professor strated a willingness to J. Barber II was the keynote “HBCUs contribute nearly $15 billion beneficial relationships between driven services.
and friend suggested stand against discrimination. speaker at this year’s annually to our economy and have technology concerns and our
High Point’s international He often speaks publicly on commemorative program. provided pathways of opportunity colleges and universities are real and
furniture market would diversity, advocating for to millions of Americans, many rapidly expanding. SXSW is an ideal
be a perfect home for his tolerance, acceptance and of whom are first generation opportunity for dialogue around
planned rug business. assimilation among people
of different cultures.

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