Elevating Efforts to Recruit and Retain HBCU Scholars in the Field of Aging

ABSTRACT Population aging suggests the need for a diverse workforce of community advocates, academic scholars, health care providers, and other professionals with training in gerontology/geriatric medicine or a related discipline. Established in the early 19th century, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were created to educate Black students when they were not allowed to attend certain public and private predominately white institutions. With increasing enrollment, HBCUs are now being recognized for their progressive academic presence in the Black community educating world renowned scientists, inventors, politicians, and world leaders. These institutions have similarly become increasingly integrated into the aging network by educating (undergraduate/graduate) some of the most influential Black gerontologists/geriatricians. Despite the role of HBCUs in educating and preparing established and emerging scientists, there remains limited professional development opportunities and resources, and a lack of mentoring and networking supports for HBCU scientists by established (Black) gerontologists. To address these issues, the Gerontological Society of America’s (GSA) HBCU Collaborative Interest Group and Black in Gerontology and Geriatrics (BIGG) will collaborate in hosting a conference series for emerging and early career scientists from HBCUs. The aims of the conferences series are to: host five multidisciplinary annual conferences; address knowledge gaps and identify future priorities in gerontology related to minority/Black aging; prepare scientists for leadership positions/roles in gerontology; facilitate professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities within and between HBCUs, and other community-based and academic institutions; and sponsor a select number of scientists to attend and participate in the annual conference through the HBCU Aging Ambassadors Program (HAAP). Each conference will be an interactive two-day pre-conference workshop during the GSA’s annual scientific meeting. All attendees will be engaged with panel discussions, professional develop breakout sessions, and mentoring and networking opportunities. This conference series will serve as an essential hub for knowledge transfer and exchange, professional skills and practice improvement, promoting sustainability in the integration of best practices in gerontology, access to training that supports mastery of established competencies, and transformation in the quality of aging scholarship. The novelty of this conference series is that it is the first to focuses exclusively on scientists engaged in gerontology or a related discipline from HBCUs, and it aligns with NIH’s mission to diversify the scientific workforce, while engaging minority serving institutions (e.g., HBCUs) in research and addressing racial inequities across the biomedical research establishments.