Virginia State University President Makola M. Abdullah and Norfolk State University President Javaune Adams-Gaston have been appointed by President Biden to serve on his board of advisors for historically black colleges and universities.

The White House announced on March 31 the appointment of 18 people, including current and former college presidents, industry leaders, athletes and celebrities, to the board whose mission is to help strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to provide the highest quality education and to increase opportunities for HBCUs to participate in and benefit from federal programs.

The board provides the president with an annual federal plan for aid to HBCUs and makes recommendations on how to increase the private sector role in strengthening HBCUs.

Dr. Abdullah said in a statement that serving on the board will allow him “to continue to advocate for the transformative work of HBCUs” and to “work on issues of educational equity, excellence and economic opportunities for HBCUs.”

Others appointed to the board include actress Taraji P. Henson, who attended North Carolina A&T State and Howard universities, both HBCUs, and whose nonprofit, among other things, provides college scholarships to Black students majoring in mental health; 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul, who recently returned to college to finish his undergraduate degree at Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU, as he continues playing for the Phoenix Suns; and Brett Hart, president of United Airlines.

In February, President Biden appointed Dr. Dietra Trent, former Virginia secretary of education under former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, as executive director of the White House HBCU Initiative.