Bowie State University News February 12, 2021 Bowie State is One of Six HBCUs in HomeFree-USA’s Center for Financial Advancement® Rocket Mortgage is building a pipeline for diverse new talent for the company and its affiliates by expanding its partnership with Bowie State University and five other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through HomeFree-USA’s Center for Financial Advancement® (CFA). Rocket Mortgage commits to hire 10% of its future interns from HBCUs, with the goal of bringing many of them on as full-time team members. Expanding the organizations’ HBCU partnership for financial education and career preparation means that Bowie State students participating in HomeFree-USA’s CFA program will have greater access to internships and full-time jobs, advancing inclusion for HBCU students in a field where they are traditionally underrepresented. In addition to Bowie State, the partnership commitment extends to Fisk University, Fort Valley State University, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina Central University. A CFA Scholar with HomeFree-USA, Bowie State senior Danae Stewart used her experience in the program to build her leadership and financial skills, leveraging her connection to the organization as she seeks full-time employment after graduation. “Growing up, I honestly don’t know if my parents owned our home. I know a lot of other people who were in the program whose parents don’t own a home either,” said Stewart. “So I learned that no matter where you come from or what race you are, it’s always possible to be financially stable and to own a home.” Cultivating Diverse Talent Rocket Mortgage and HomeFree-USA will leverage the CFA to bring diverse talent to Rocket Companies. The two organizations also work together to provide tools and opportunities to prospective homebuyers to bridge the Black homeownership gap, collaborate on numerous financial information programs, and offer educational initiatives to HBCUs. “Diversity, equity and inclusion are core tenets of our culture – existing beyond the lens of homeownership by informing everything we do and every space our organization touches,” said Trina Scott, chief diversity officer for Rocket Companies. “This expanded partnership will provide Black and other students of color with financial education programming and training, as well as allow them to access meaningful opportunities to join our organization in whatever role best suits their talents and skillsets.” The Black-founded HomeFree-USA launched its flagship education initiative, the CFA, after a 2016 study that said although more African Americans than ever are going to college, Black students are still overrepresented in majors that result in the lowest-paying jobs. CFA introduces HBCU students to career opportunities in the mortgage and real estate finance industry and elevates their money management skills, while teaching them about homeownership, credit and building wealth. Sponsoring partners engage students, faculty, parents and the local community at-large on such topics as credit, student loans, savings, homeownership and career opportunities in mortgage finance. “Partnering with companies like Rocket Mortgage allows us to continue this important work of diversifying talent in corporate America while providing much needed financial literacy to our students at historically Black colleges and universities,” said President and CEO of HomeFree-USA Marcia Griffin, an alumna of two HBCUs. “Very few mortgage and real estate finance corporations and financial institutions have internship programs that aggressively recruit directly from HBCUs. This must change. Students at historically Black colleges and universities are among the best America has to offer.” Sandra M. Phoenix HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs – Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html for more information. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/ and click on the Donate Now button to invest in this project. Your support is appreciated. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/