Webdesk: This month, President Joe Biden will give the commencement speech at Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington. Commencement is May 13.
President Biden will also deliver the keynote presentation at the US Air Force Academy’s graduating in El Paso County, Colorado, on June 1. Last month, President Biden gave the Air Force football team the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
Since 2021, the Biden administration has prioritised Howard University, Vice President Kamala Harris’ alma institution. Vice President Harris spoke passionately for abortion rights at a Howard rally and other occasions.
Howard University became the first HBCU to partner with the Department of Defence for a university-affiliated research centre in January. Howard University research, faculty, and students will receive $12 million year from the Department of Defence for five years. Defence and the Air Force finance this centre.
Moreover, President Biden will speak at Howard University a month after announcing his 2024 re-election bid. The campaign is expected to strongly mobilise Black and young voters.
While, President Biden prioritises HBCU financing. He requested over $45 billion to modernise HBCU infrastructure and has already invested $6 billion through the Department of Education. The president’s visits to South Carolina State University and June 2021 virtual address to HBCU students show that the Biden administration values HBCUs.
The White House said that other government officials will speak at HBCU commencements nationwide. Marcia L. Fudge, Lloyd Austin, and Shalanda Young are examples.
The last sitting president to address Howard University graduates was Barack Obama in 2016.
