A/P Washington – In addition to Taraji P. Henson, President Joe Biden has appointed NBA star Chris Paul to a presidential advisory group on historically black schools and universities.
All nine men and one woman are in the group. The White House announced Thursday that Vice President Joe Biden has been named to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Among Biden’s picks are several HBCU presidents, the CEO of United Airlines, and the first African-American woman to lead the EPA.
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They will join current board members Delaware State University President Tony Allen and Tennessee State University President Glenda Glover, both of whom were appointed during the Carter administration as chair and vice chair, respectively.
Kamala Harris’ alma college, the historically black Howard University, influenced Henson’s decision to pursue a career in the arts. Paul is a 12-time NBA All-Star with the Phoenix Suns and a two-time gold medalist in the Olympic Games.
In addition to Allen and Glover, the presidents of five other HBCUs will join the board. Five colleges and universities in Virginia, Alabama, Texas, and New Orleans make up the list: Virginia State, Norfolk State, Alabama State, Prairie View A&M, and Dillard.
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Lisa Jackson, the Obama administration’s first black EPA administrator, and Brett Hart, the CEO of United Airlines, will join the board of directors.
Bowie State University junior Paige Blake, 20, is also on Biden’s shortlist for the position.
A total of $5.8 billion in support for historically Black schools and institutions has been announced by the White House, including pandemic relief funding, grants, and forgiveness of capital improvement debt.
