The center will share space in a five-story building, originally built by Boston University, just north of the White House. Students will not only live in the center but will participate in programs related to HBCUs, and in turn share that experience with students representing universities across the world.
“I want to build diversity by preparing Black students for next generation-leadership in all professions and I have seen how to do it,” Lewis said.
The center will open this fall.
She said she was inspired by last year’s gifts to HBCUs by billionaire MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Scott announced in December she is giving away $4.2 billion in gifts to 384 organizations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. — Second Harvest of the Big Bend also made the list.