Article by Edward Robinson, FAMU Communications Intern
PHILADELPHIA – Florida A&M University (FAMU) students Gaby Sinclair and Kobe Buggs recently attended the 2024 National HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia, where they gained valuable experiences which they are using to enrich their academic and community involvement on campus.
Sinclair, a White House HBCU Scholar and third-year psychology major from Miami, Fla., and Buggs, a fourth-year political science major from Midway, Fla., and a member of the MyHBCU Matters Scholars Program, took advantage of workshops, networking opportunities, and competitions to develop their leadership, career readiness, and community-focused initiatives.
Sinclair’s role as a White House HBCU Scholar opened doors to opportunities aimed at showcasing and strengthening her HBCU talent. The conference provided exposure to federal agencies, career fairs, and programs like the NASA Minority University Research and Education Project Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC).
“Participating in the MITTIC competition was particularly eye-opening,” Sinclair said. “It challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and think critically about how NASA’s intellectual property could address real-world issues in the HBCU community. This competition helped me see how my skills in psychology could be applicable in areas I had never considered, like health science and marketing.”
She added that conference workshops on leadership, financial literacy, and personal branding gave her skills she plans to use in her roles as a mentor, teaching assistant, and orientation leader at FAMU.
“Attending the conference made me realize how important it is to push other students to apply for these kinds of opportunities,” Sinclair said. “It’s often just about giving people that nudge toward their potential.”
Meanwhile, Buggs, who joined the MyHBCU Matters Scholars Program after a professor’s recommendation, reflected on how the conference has helped him grow personally and professionally. He emphasized the impact of workshops on economic mobility, community engagement, and professional development for Black youth.
“The program helped me realize the importance of knowing my worth and how to confidently articulate my value in professional spaces,” Buggs said. “It was amazing to hear different perspectives on building economic opportunities for HBCUs and their communities.”
Meeting and learning from Black professionals, including doctors, lawyers, and educators, reinforced his passion for social impact and community upliftment. Both Sinclair and Buggs are committed to applying what they’ve learned at the conference within the FAMU community. Sinclair is working with the Office of Freshman Studies to motivate incoming students to take advantage of available resources and opportunities. Buggs plans to give back by mentoring students and encouraging engagement in initiatives that promote HBCU excellence.
Their participation in the 2024 National HBCU Week Conference expanded their
professional horizons and deepened their commitment to uplifting their peers and positively impacting their community.