TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University's leader is focused on creating opportunities for FAMU and other Historically Black Colleges.
Dr. Larry Robinson is heading to Atlanta this week to participate in the 2019 National Summit for the Sustainability of HBCU's.
Robinson says the summit is designed to bring together HBCU leaders to discuss what they can do to boost the productivity and long term stability of HBCU's around the nation.
"We're talking about how can we enhance that, what more can we do? Putting our minds together, developing and forging new partnerships with the private sector and even looking deeper into the ways that we can support these essential institutions around the nation," said Robinson.
Robinson is on the organizing committee for the summit, chairing a session on public/private partnerships. The focus, building economic opportunities with the private sector that benefit the faculty, staff, students and communities that FAMU serves, like FAMU's partnership with Duke Energy developing a solar farm outside of Tampa.
"A 600 to 800 acre solar farm that will actually produce electricity that will out on the grid to service 25,000 homes," said Robinson.
The farm will not only generate financial revenue over the history of the FAMU/Duke Energy partnership, but it will also present research opportunities and access to data.
The group attending the summit this year includes about 80 HBCU presidents and chancellors, all people that Robinson hopes to learn from.
"It's a time to come out and hear from some of the key power brokers in this space and learn and develop strategies to help advance this community," said Robinson.
As FAMU turns 132-years-old in October, university officials say they look forward to a bright future while also reflecting upon the many contributions HBCU's have made throughout history to Florida and the nation.
The 2019 National Summit for the Sustainability of HBCU's Summit is Sept. 26 and 27. For more information on the summit, click here.
