WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 29, 2025 — HBCU CONNECT successfully hosted its 2025 Annual Conference & Career Fair at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, welcoming hundreds of HBCU students, alumni, and diverse professionals for three days of connection, inspiration, and career advancement.
From June 26th through 28th, attendees experienced an unmatched blend of professional development, executive networking, and real-time recruiting — making this year’s event one of the most impactful yet.
VIP Networking Reception Kicks Off a Powerful Weekend
The event began with an exclusive VIP Networking Reception on Thursday evening, where executives, sponsors, and experienced professionals gathered for an evening of introductions, light fare, and conversation overlooking the scenic National Harbor. The reception set the tone for a weekend focused on meaningful engagement and opportunity.
Dynamic Speaker Lineup Delivers Insight and Inspiration
This year’s professional development sessions empowered attendees through a range of topics led by a diverse lineup of speakers, including:
Will Moss & Larry Jemison — Event Kickoff (Sponsored by Abbvie)
Cedric Nash — How to Ignite Your Personal Wealth Journey Starting Today
Sophia Eccleston, Senior Director, Origination — Networking with Purpose: Building Meaningful Professional Relationships
Dante Lee — Entrepreneurship - Leveraging Your HBCU Experience to Build Wealth
Solanda Prather — The Career Game Plan: Promotions, Presence & Influence for Rising Leaders
Autumn George — From Classroom to Career: Navigating the Transition from Student to Professional
JoAnn Means — From Overlooked to Outstanding: How Diverse Candidates Can Shine in Today’s Market
Katrina George — Building Your Personal Brand: Stand Out in the Workplace
Will Moss & Larry Jemison — Official Event Closing
Career Fair Creates Real Connections and Job Offers
On Friday, the Career Fair & Expo brought together dozens of top employers and hundreds of job seekers. Participating companies included Microsoft, TD Bank, Inova, Labcorp, CVS Health, AbbVie, Maximus, Providence, JPMorgan Chase, and many more.
Several companies went beyond traditional recruiting and hosted on-the-spot interviews throughout the day. Notably, AbbVie and Pharmavite interviewed qualified candidates directly at their booths — with several attendees progressing to final round interviews and immediate hiring conversations.
“This is where access meets action,” said Will Moss, Founder & CEO of HBCU CONNECT. “We’re proud to create a space where top talent and top employers meet face-to-face with intention.”
Next Up: Fall Virtual Career Fair – October 22, 2025
The momentum doesn’t stop here. Candidates and employers can already register for HBCU CONNECT’s Fall Virtual Career Fair, scheduled for October 22, 2025 — an online experience offering national reach and unmatched access to opportunities.
