“It takes a village to raise a child”—and just as true, it takes a united community to graduate one. That spirit was unmistakable at UNITE 2025 in Atlanta, where Together We Lead was present in every plenary session, hallway conversation, and student story.
Southface Institute was proud to join this gathering of historic changemakers to celebrate HBCU student success and share how our Building Improvement Toolkits (BIT) for Resilient HBCUs program is helping build both the physical and cultural infrastructure that supports thriving Communiversities and resilient futures.
Held July 20–24, UNITE brought together more than 1,300 leaders to affirm a shared commitment to HBCU excellence. The conference spotlighted the holistic approach needed to help students succeed, starting before enrollment and extending well beyond graduation.
One session that really stood out reimagined HBCUs as community-rooted ecosystems, where bold investment and student-led sustainability drive long-term transformation. These themes deeply aligned with Southface’s drive to make sustainability accessible to everyone and affirmed the role of BIT for Resilient HBCUs as a tool for change from within.
UNITE: Leveraging Community Benefits for HBCU Resilience
As part of the main conference program, Southface joined the program’s primary sponsor, Sustain Our Future Foundation and technical consultants, WSP, to lead a session titled “Leveraging Community Benefits for HBCU Building Improvements.”
Inspired by UNCF’s 2024 Climate Action Blueprint that highlighted untapped sustainability assets, strong leadership commitment, and funding gaps across HBCU campuses, BIT for Resilient HBCUs offers a flexible, holistic toolkit to strengthen campus and community resilience through student engagement and leadership. The program brings together learning, best practices, tools, and resources to improve building performance, support the Communiverisity spirit, and prepare students for careers in the sustainability sector.
Grounded in 16 best practices for sustainable operations, BIT for Resilient HBCUs helps institutions implement zero and low-cost strategies that lead to small but consistent savings. On average, these practices reduce energy use by 5–20%, freeing up resources that can be reinvested in scholarships, academic programs, or infrastructure improvements.
More than a checklist, BIT for Resilient HBCUs is an accessible and adaptable framework that equips students, supports facilities staff, and meets institutions where they are. Even simple student-led actions like campaigns to turn off lights, sustainable move-outs, or reporting maintenance issues can drive meaningful, lasting change.
We left UNITE energized by the conference’s call to shared leadership and proud that BIT for Resilient HBCUs helps turn that spirit into action. Whether you’re a student, alum, funder, or partner, there’s a role for you in this work. If you’re ready to help build thriving, sustainable HBCU communities, we invite you to connect, collaborate, and lead alongside us because Together We Lead.
Visit bitbuilding.org/s/bit-for-hbcus to learn more or get involved. We’d love to hear from you.