General Questions

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE SUMMIT?

UNCF UNITE 202 is scheduled for July 20 – July 24, 2025 at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta hotel in Atlanta, GA. The summit officially starts with the opening gala on the evening of July 21, 2025. Pre-Summit workshops will be held on July 20-21, 2025.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

UNCF UNITE is designed for HBCU and PBI leaders, practitioners, advocates and stakeholders. However, anyone interested in learning more about higher education, institutional excellence, student success, research and innovation, economic mobility and systems change is welcome. 

CAN I PRESENT AT UNITE 2024?

YES. Don’t miss a chance to speak at UNITE 2024, the most influential gathering on Black Higher Education.

The UNITE steering committee is pleased to announce its call for proposals for breakout sessions and Spark Talks at this year’s Summit!

Click here to apply

Submission Deadline: April 15th, 2024

WHO ATTENDS THESE SUMMITS?

We are excited to welcome 1,500+ participants and our largest gathering of institutions ever. Previous summits have included hundreds of institutional administrators, faculty, and staff, as well as others committed to delivering on the promise of Black higher education.

2024 saw a record-breaking number of participants, including representation from 101 higher education institutions.

A breakdown of 2024 participants:  

  • 43% HBCUs/PBIs 
  • 25% Non-Profit Organization
  • 23% Philanthropic Organizations
  • 8% UNCF Staff
  • 1% Other

Previous summit presenters have included: 

  • The Honorable Alma Adams, US Representative 12th Congressional District of North Carolina
  • Steven Bandrowczak, CEO of Xerox
  • Dr. Ruha Benjamin, Sociologist and Professor at Princeton University
  • Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, President Emerita, Spelman College and Bennett College
  • Dr. Eddie Cole, Professor of Education and History, University of California Los Angeles
  • Courtland Cox, Board Chair, SNCC Legacy Projec
  • Mayor Andre Dickens, City of Atlanta
  • Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy, Executive Vice President/COO, Howard University
  • Byna Elliot, Managing Director, Advancing Black Pathways, JPMorgan Chase
  • Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pilitzer Prize-winning Journalist, The New York Times Magazine & Professor, Howard University
  • Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond, President, Council of Higher Education Accreditation
  • Stephanie Khurana, CEO Axim Collaboration
  • Dr. Henry McKoy, Office of State and Community Energy Program
  • Kwasi Mitchell, Chief Purpose Officer, Deloitte
  • Melonie Parker, Chief Diversity Officer, Google
  • Mayor Randall Woodfin, City of Birmingham
  • The Honorable Michael S. Regan, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
  • Jim Shelton, President & Chief Investment Officer, Blue Meridian Partners
  • Dr. Harry Williams, President and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund

WHAT ARE THE RATES FOR UNCF MEMBERS, NON-PROFITS AND OTHERS?

Please visit our registration page for early bird discount rates through April 30th.

Student rates are the same as their institutional rates. To secure the institutional rates, registrants must validate their status using their institutional email address.

ARE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE?

Yes. Check out the Sponsor page, download our 2025 Sponsorship Prospectus or email Dr. Kendra M. Sharp , Strategist, ICB.

HOW DO I CONTACT THE ORGANIZERS?

Please email our Planning Committee at UNITE@uncf.org or CLICK HERE or call at 404-551-5228.

ARE YOU ATTENDING?

Start promoting it using these HASHTAGS:

#UNITE2025

#UNCFUNITE

#UNITE

#BlackHigherEducation

#HBCUPromise 

#HBCUs

#BlackHigherEd

#BlackEducation

#HistoricChange 

WHAT IS THE SUGGESTED ATTIRE?

Sunday, July 20 and Monday, July 21

Pre-Summit Workshops – Business Casual  Opening Gala – Cocktail or Creative Cultural Expression

Tuesday, July 22
Business Casual

Wednesday, July 23
Daytime – Business Casual Evening – “Rep Your HBCU”
*We encourage participants to sport attire from your favorite Black college or university!

 

BOOK YOUR HOTEL | SIGNIA BY HILTON OF ATLANTA

159 Northside Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
404-223-4414

We are expecting 2000 participants for UNITE 2025. There are 950 rooms available at our host hotel. We strongly encourage you to book your hotel accommodations for UNITE 2025 as soon as possible!  The host hotel for UNITE 2024 is at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta. *Sleeping rooms are limited especially outside of the core dates.

To receive the discounted rates you first must register, then a link to our hotel room block will be available on the confirmation page and email.

The hotel room block closes on June 27, 2025 and you must have your room booked before this date to receive the discounted rate, based on availability. When booking through this link it is required that you book a minimum of 3 nights to stay.

Hotel confirmations will come directly from the hotel. If you have not received confirmation, please check your junk/focus folders for an email from Signia. If you still are unable to locate the confirmation email, contact the hotel immediately to confirm they have your reservation at 404-223-4414.

Questions or concerns, please contact the Signia by Hilton Atlanta hotel directly at 404-223-4414.

REGISTRATION CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

  • Cancel by April 30 – 80% Refunded
  • Cancel by June 30 – 50% Refunded
  • Cancel after June 30 – 0% Refunded

BULK REGISTRATION

How do I register for more than one person?

Once you complete the first registration scroll down to the bottom of the confirmation page, and click on the orange button “Add Additional Registration.”  Once you complete your last registration you will receive an email confirmation that shows all of the details for everyone you registered. There will be a link in this confirmation email to print your invoice. If you need additional help, please reach out to the 2025 UNITE Planning Team

 

BALANCE DUE

You will receive weekly email reminders to submit payment. If you are paying by check please allow ten business days after the check is mailed before you stop receiving this email reminder.

How do I submit payment?

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS: If you are paying via credit card, please CLICK HERE, to visit the UNITE registration site select “Already Registered”, enter your email address and your confirmation number then select “Submit Payment” to add payment details to complete your registration.

CHECK PAYMENTS: If you are paying via check, please reach out to the 2024 UNITE Planning Team.

Checks for registration fees can be submitted to the following address:
Attention: ICB Operations
United Negro College Fund
229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 2350B
Atlanta, GA 30303 

All checks must be postmarked and received by June 28, 2024.

WEATHER

Expected temperatures in July in Atlanta will likely be humid with daytime temperatures in the low-90s and evening temperatures in the low-70s. CLICK HERE to see the local forecast.

UNITE SUMMIT MERCHANDISE

Don’t forget to order your UNITE sweatshirt and t-shirt when you register! 

Sweatshirt $50 | T-Shirt $25

*Supplies are limited, place your order asap!