Our Mission
To advance equity and innovation by investing in Black communities, fostering entrepreneurial leadership, and creating systemic change in the venture capital ecosystem
Founded in 2017 by social entrepreneur Hadiyah Mujhid, HBCUvc was built on a vision to transform the venture capital industry by empowering Black talent. Initially launched as a fellowship for HBCU students, it has since evolved into a vibrant community that connects, educates, and invests in future leaders committed to advancing equity and well-being in Black communities and other historically excluded groups.
Rooted in the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which created pathways for Black Americans when the country would not, HBCUvc embraces a Black-forward approach. While our focus centers on Black communities, we extend our support to all historically overlooked groups, including Indigenous, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and undocumented communities. We believe that innovation flourishes within these communities—innovation that has long been ignored, underfunded, and untapped. Through our work, we are dedicated to advancing racial equity and economic empowerment through venture capital and innovation.
Leadership
Cynthia Lopez DixonCynthia Lopez Dixon is the Chief Administrative Officer at HBCUvc, where she has played a key role in shaping the organization since its inception in 2017. She leads operational logistics and administrative support, ensuring seamless program execution and fostering strong community engagement. Cynthia is also the Founder and CEO of CYNASSISTS™, a minority-owned virtual administrative firm, where she has worked closely with C-Suite executives and entrepreneurs, gaining valuable insight into the challenges faced by founders. With over 20 years of experience, she excels in managing operations, financial oversight, building communities, and supporting founders. A graduate of Langston University, Cynthia is committed to advancing HBCUvc’s mission and actively mentors young professionals while spearheading volunteer initiatives in the D.C. Metro Area.
Hadiyah MujhidHadiyah Mujhid is the founder and CEO of HBCUvc, which under her leadership has grown into the largest program in the U.S. providing paid summer internships in venture capital for university students of color. Before founding HBCUvc, Hadiyah was a software engineer and startup founder, where she played a key role in helping early-stage companies get off the ground and scale. As an angel investor, she has supported numerous startups, leveraging her deep industry experience and broad network of investors to foster growth and innovation. Hadiyah is also a frequent speaker on equitable innovation and venture capital, with her work featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, and Business Insider. She holds an MBA from Drexel University and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Chelsea RobertsChelsea Roberts is the Chief Operating Officer at HBCUvc, where she plays a pivotal role in creating equitable internship experiences by collaborating with workforce partners and building strong networks. One of her notable achievements includes launching a city-wide internship program in her hometown of Baltimore, MD. Chelsea’s journey with HBCUvc began after participating in one of its summer programs, which sparked her passion for the organization’s mission. With a background in venture philanthropy, Chelsea has worked at The Advisory Board Company and Mount Sinai Health System, where she developed expertise in connecting resources to drive social impact. A natural connector and network builder, Chelsea is committed to fostering partnerships that expand opportunities for Black communities. She holds a BA in Political Science from Spelman College and an MPA from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.
History & Impact
2017 Founding, First VC Training for HBCUs
Founded by Hadiyah Mujhid. Launched first-ever VC training for HBCU Students. Since 2019, our VC Training / Summer Associate program has created 205 paid internships in venture capital for Black and other historically excluded students and recent alumni.
2019 - 2021: First City-Wide VC Internship & Growing HBCU Endowments
2019: In collaboration with PledgeLA and the Mayor’s Office of Los Angeles, launched the first-ever citywide VC internship program.
2021: Partnered with Chris and Crystal Sacca to secure $2M for 20 HBCUs as an allocation in Lowercarbon Capital’s fund.
2019 - 2021: Amplifying Visibility for Emerging Venture Leaders & Entrepreneurs
Recognized 97 Black and Latinx VCs through our Emerging Venture Leaders list, which not only highlighted their impactful work but also served as “inspiration capital” that propelled many to further recognition and professional growth. 10% of HBCUvc’s Emerging Venture Leaders awardees were later featured in Forbes 30 under 30 following their recognition by us.
2021: Published book, Black Founders at Work, featuring the stories of Black Entrepreneurs & Investors. Available at all major book retailers.
2019 - 2022: Funding Black Founders
HBCUvc’s Lab Fund provided investing experience for VC training participants and awarded non-dilutive funding to 23 Black founders, helping them scale their startups with the support of Google For Startups and the MacArthur Foundation.