Jarrell Jordan, a 2015 graduate of Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama, is joining 72 other people from across the United States to serve as a liaison between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the White House and the Department of Education. These ambassadors for HBCUs will be included on discussions about funding, business partnerships and more.
Jordan, who is currently a sophomore at Morehouse University, “was recently asked to participate with the FBI’s Citizen’s Academy and to work with the Department of Justice and Homeland Security to make sure HBCU students have access to government jobs after graduating,” reported The Birmingham Times.
In that story, Jordan told the newspaper that he was interested in helping foster business partnerships and expand future job opportunities for graduates of HBCUs.
When he was in high school, Jordan attended the Business and Fine Arts Academy at Woodlawn High School during the first year students were able to attend early college.
“Jarrell’s senior year of high school was the first year we implemented early college at Woodlawn High School,” said Roslyn Valentine, KnowledgeWorks Technical Assistance Coach. “He attended the Academy of Business and Finance and was in the first class of students who earned college credit at Lawson State Community College while still in high school.”
In 2015, Jordan was one of two Birmingham students to be awarded the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarships, which are paid for by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and administered by the United Negro College Fund
Trey Hawkins & Jarrell Jordan, our 2 Gates Millennium Scholars, are No. 1 & No. 5 at Woodlawn High. pic.twitter.com/6DAIRSGZ8d
— BhamCitySchools (@BhamCitySchools) April 20, 2015
“He was a shining star,” said Robin Kanaan, Director of Teaching and Learning for KnowledgeWorks. “We were fortunate to have him speak at a Summer Institute for Birmingham City Schools teachers and watched him be an ambassador for the Academy of Business and Finance. I’m excited to see what’s next for him as he acts for an ambassador for a new, equally deserving organization.”
Learn more about Jarrell Jordan, his plans for the future and his role as an HBCE ambassador.
