Mayor Brandon M. Scott Launches HBCU Fellowship Initiative to Cultivate Next Generation Leaders in Baltimore

BALTIMORE – Mayor Brandon M. Scott has collaborated with Baltimore Corp, Coppin State University, and Morgan State University to launch the Mayor’s HBCU Fellowship Initiative. The partnership, announced on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Baltimore City Hall, aims to provide recent graduates with hands-on experience and to create a pipeline into local government careers for the next generation of leaders. 

As part of this initiative, 25 recent graduates from Coppin State and Morgan State will work at city government agencies for nine months, receiving professional development, training, and mentoring. The inaugural fellowship will run from September 2024 to May 2025. Recent graduates with a bachelor's degree will receive annual compensation of $50,000 with benefits, while graduate fellows will receive $65,000 annually with benefits. Additionally, they will be granted a one-time housing stipend of $1,000 and a transportation stipend of up to $500. 

This collaboration aims to bridge the employment gap for HBCU graduates and to enhance the capabilities of local city government agencies. 

“This is a meaningful investment into our HBCUs," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott.  I am proud of this partnership, and I look forward to creating a pathway for even more talented HBCU alumni to join the ranks of Baltimore City government.” 

“This is a great opportunity and I'm glad the mayor thought of Coppin to make us a partner,” said President Anthony L. Jenkins. “70% of Coppin graduates stay in the state of Maryland and 50% stay in Baltimore City upon graduation. This program is significant because it fits into who is retaining great talent in our city and in our state.”  

“My internship provided me with invaluable hands-on experience that helped me develop important skills such as communication, problem solving, and time management. I'm tremendously grateful for the mentorship I received that spread beyond just the internship,” said Avagail Harrison, current Mayor’s office intern and Coppin State graduate. “My experience as an intern here at the mayor’s office is truly one that I will not forget, and this initiative will help other students seeking opportunities of government to do so with, which is just amazing and truly beneficial to all upcoming like myself.”