IBM-HBCU Quantum Center: A model for industry-academic partnerships to\n advance the creation of a diverse, quantum aware workforce

The IBM-HBCU Quantum Center is a first-of-a-kind collaboration between IBM\nand a consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that\nseeks to address the lack of Black representation and build a diverse and aware\nworkforce in quantum information science and engineering (QISE). Key pillars of\nthe Center are focused on 1) building community and fostering a sense of\nbelonging, 2) strengthening relationships internally and with the broader\nquantum community, and 3) providing funding to support undergraduate, graduate,\nand faculty research at HBCUs. As a part of the program, students and faculty\nare invited to participate in grant development workshops, a QISE invited\nspeaker series, community hack-a-thons, and other opportunities to build\ncompetencies in the growing field of QISE. Since its launch, the IBM-HBCU\nQuantum Center has engaged a community of over 400 students, faculty, and\nresearchers and will continue to establish a research presence in QISE and\nincrease opportunities for research and workforce development.\n