Second annual virtual event expected to draw even more attendees

DAYTON, OH—The Air Force will host its second annual Air Force Historically Black Colleges & Universities/Minority Serving Institutions (AF HBCU/MSI) Outreach Initiative Collider August 12-13, 2021. The collider will feature speakers from the Air Force, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Small Business Administration (SBA), Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Minority Owned Businesses as well as partners in academic, business, industry, and government focused on sharing resource and engagement tips and trends to support collaborations in research and development of technological solutions for our warfighters.  Researchers and Entrepreneurs are invited to attend this free event.

The Air Force Historically Black Colleges & Universities/Minority Serving Institutions (AF HBCU/MSI) Outreach Initiative is reaching out to HBCU/MSIs with an opportunity for funding research and development through strategic partnerships with small businesses and research institutions. The initiative is driven by three main objectives:

• Address barriers that exist in the traditional Air Force acquisition process;
• Expand the use of Open Topic solicitations, eliminating lengthy and cumbersome proposal processes; and
• Reach thinkers who others would not have considered doing business with the U.S. government.

One year in and AF HBCU/MSI’s initiative is tracking success to Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposal submissions and awards. 

Anissa Lumpkin, Program Manager, Air Force Research Laboratory, Small Business –and an HBCU graduate herself — says the need to reach out to these organizations was very apparent to her. “HBCUs have the capabilities of getting tech-based government contracts, but — for one reason or another – haven’t capitalized on Air Force opportunities. This outreach program stepped up to bridge that gap and make it happen.”

The first Air Force HBCU/MSI Outreach Initiative Collider, pivoted to be held virtually in August of 2020, sent the program’s message out loud and clear across the internet, with the event’s social media posts seeing nearly 24,000 audience impressions through socialized marketing.

“Possibly more than any other year, 2020 not only showed us the increased necessity for innovative technology,” Lumpkin begins, “but also the urgent need for inclusion of ideas from areas that have traditionally been underserved. STEM students from all walks need to know that, if they have an idea and the willingness to work hard on it, the Air Force wants to help them make it a reality.” 

The AF HBCU/MSI Outreach Initiative Collider is held in connection the Black Data Processing Associates National Conference 2021.  Additional Collider details and free registration on is available at https://2021.bdpa.org/hbcu-collider/.

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^{Contact:
Ms. Anissa Lumpkin, Senior Program Manager, Air Force Research Laboratory, Small Business Office
Event Coordinator:
Ms. Angela Morris, Lead Strategic Communications Specialist,  Air Force Research Laboratory, Small Business Office
Email:
AFRL.HBCU.MSI@US.AF.MIL}

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