HBCU Student Leaders Learn Valuable Skills at NAHB Professional Development Event

Workforce Development
Published
Contact: Greg Zick
[email protected]
AVP, Workforce Development
(202) 266-8493

As part of NAHB’s recently launched Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Student and Faculty Leadership program, NAHB hosted a three-day networking and educational event for 22 students from 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Students from around the country traveled to Washington, D.C. Sept. 27-29 to hear lectures and engage with leaders from across the construction industry.

“The program included topics around leadership, professional development, Black history related to construction and development, and more,” said Myles Cardenas, NAHB Student Chapters Advisory Board vice chair. “The experience over the last three days with students was invaluable, and I’m so grateful to have been a part of it.”

After a night of bowling, the students went to the National Building Museum where they listened in on key lessons from industry leaders including Bobby Thompson, director of operations at Beazer Homes, and Dr. Charner I. Rodgers, Student Chapters Advisory Board chair.

Thompson helped students understand how to get to “their 10 [out of 10],” noting the different paths everyone takes to find their own forms of success.

Rodgers and Cardenas, a one-time faculty and student duo who won the IBS student competition in 2017 with Kennesaw State University, taught the intricacies, strategies and dedication needed to win the event.

“The [student competition] coming up in February, I’m going to go to scope it out and take notes,” said Brittany Holt, a junior at Morgan State University. “And the following year, in 2025, Morgan State University is winning the whole thing.”

The evening concluded with a crucial lesson from Stefanie Smith, partner and vice president at Elm Street Development, about knowing your worth (both mentally and monetarily), navigating company culture and reckoning with workplace microaggressions.

“Today’s events were eye-opening, and we need to have it more often to educate all HBCU students that the world is ours and we have the people who want to support us,” said Holt. “I learned that residential is where I want to be when it comes to construction and where I want to go once I graduate. With the help of NAHB, I’m going to get there.”

Sponsored by

Andersen Windows logo

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Digital Media

Sep 22, 2025

What Do You Predict for the Housing Industry in 2026?

What will 2026 bring for your business? Share your insights and predictions for the coming year by completing Pro Builder’s 2026 Housing Forecast Survey by Oct. 8.

Workforce Development

Sep 22, 2025

9 Strong Associate Job Fields to Consider as a Career Path

With salaries on the rise and plenty of available jobs, now is a great time for students or for anyone looking to make a career changes to pursue a career in construction.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Sep 18, 2025

Women in Construction Reach Highest Share in Two Decades

In 2024, the number of women employed in the construction industry rose to around 1.34 million. Women now represent 11.2% of the construction workforce, the highest share in the past 20 years. This rise aligns with the growing presence of white-collar jobs in the industry.

Economics

Sep 17, 2025

The Fed Cuts and Projects More Easing to Come

After a monetary policy pause that began at the start of 2025, the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee (FOMC) voted to reduce the short-term federal funds rate by 25 basis points at the conclusion of its September meeting. This move decreased the target federal funds rate to an upper rate of 4.25%.

Economics

Sep 17, 2025

Housing Starts Remain Soft Ahead of Fed Meeting

Challenging affordability conditions continue to act as headwinds for the housing industry, but the sector could see lower interest rates in the near future with the Federal Reserve expected to cut short-term interest rates this afternoon.