How NAHB's HBCU Student Leadership Program Shaped Their Futures

NAHB launched its Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Student Leadership program in 2023 to help cultivate, educate and inspire the next generation of home building professionals. The goal is also to create a more robust, equitable, diverse and inclusive NAHB student chapters community.

Throughout the last two years, NAHB has welcomed 37 HBCU students for a variety of enriching learning and networking opportunities in Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas.

A pair of program alumni shared to their peers the impact the program has had on their skillsets, careers and outlooks on the residential construction industry.

HBCU Leadership Program Is a Support System

Malloy Shamwell, a student at North Carolina A&T State University who will soon begin a summer internship with Clark Construction, spoke to a crowd of more than 110 students, mentors and program sponsors about the impact the program has had on her career.

“Within our departments there’s a lot of push for commercial construction, and not a lot of voice for women, black women or women trying to get into the residential field,” said Shamwell, “so this program has given me a platform and given me an amazing support system.”

After her internship, Shamwell is set to attend the University of Virginia to pursue a master’s degree in commerce with a specialized track in management.

HBCU Leadership Program Helped Provide Vision

Brittany Holt, a student at Morgan State University, gave the second cohort some valuable insight as to how to spend their final weeks in the program.

“I was part of cohort 1,” said Holt, “but when I came in last year, I didn’t have the proper questions because I wasn’t sure of where I wanted to go in construction. This year, I was more focused, my vision was there, and I listened to a lot of developers on the showroom floor.

“NAHB has helped me in a huge portion of my vision so now I know what questions to ask and what I need to do to start my journey as a residential developer.”

After graduation, Holt will begin a full-time job at Holder Construction as a field engineer.