Black Students Day 2025: Honoring a Legacy, Inspiring Futures at HP
FEBRUARY 2025
On February 21, 2025, 90 Black college students and supporting faculty and staff from across the Bay Area gathered at HP’s historic Palo Alto campus for Black Students Day (BSD), an event grounded in HP’s long-standing commitment to Black professionals and communities.
Hosted by HP’s Bay Area Black Employee Business Resource Group (BEBRG), BSD 2025 was more than just a field trip — it was a celebration of identity, resilience, and possibility.
The day was made possible by mission-driven collaboration between HP, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and the Bay Area K-16 Collaborative, which coordinated campus recruitment and underwrote transportation for students from California State University East Bay, California State University Monterey Bay, San José State University, San Francisco State University, University of California Santa Cruz, University of California Berkeley, Santa Clara University, and University of San Francisco.
For many students, the day was a rare chance to step into a global tech leader and see themselves reflected in the workforce, something HP has prioritized for decades. As the students learned, this commitment to inclusion was shaped by early HP pioneers like Ken Coleman and Howard Smith, who founded the company’s first Black employee group nearly 50 years ago, and Roy Clay Sr., a groundbreaking Black executive who led HP’s computer division and paved the way for Black leadership in Silicon Valley (learn more about Roy Clay here).
A Day of Discovery and Connection
From the moment students walked into HP’s Customer Welcome Center (CWC), the energy was undeniable. They were greeted not just by staff, but by a community ready to pour into them — sharing stories, insights, and real talk about navigating careers in tech, design, business, and beyond.
“The power of congregation with people that look like you is tremendous. I appreciated that we started off with that messaging, knowing that we’re in a community.”
— Agustin Cervantes, Executive Director, Bay Area K-16 Collaborative
The day was packed with hands-on learning and meaningful conversations, beginning with Associate General Counsel and Vice President Christophe Mosby speaking to HP's history and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Crucially, Mosby jumpstarted active participation by inviting representatives from each college to introduce themselves and share their goals for the day.
“Coming from over the hill, we - myself and our Black student community…we do not normally have the opportunity to be in rooms like this. It’s meaningful for us to be here, and to know that you’re here for us.”
— Bay Area K-16 Collaborative Education Partner
Students then split into three smaller groups to maximize direct interaction and connection, rotating through concurrent sessions that gave them an up-close look at HP’s career opportunities, financial wellness resources, and the company’s legacy.
The Financial Wellness Workshop was conducted by Lauren Gershon, Fidelity Education Consultant. Students dove into real-world topics like money management, saving, and 401Ks — demystifying the path toward long-term financial security.
The HP Careers Workshop was led by Donnell Taylor, HP Global Strategist & Recruiting Program Manager. Students received direct, candid advice on how to connect with recruiters and stand out in a competitive field. The session emphasized authenticity and human connection — reminding students not to just say they applied but to engage recruiters as people: “Ask how they’re doing — human connection matters.”
Students also toured HP’s Customer Welcome Center, focusing on the company’s history and legacy. The tour was led by two professionals partnered with HP through The Accidental Ally, an organization dedicated to creating career pathways for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering the students a meaningful example of inclusion in action. Students also had the chance to share feedback, making it a real exchange of ideas.
Following the morning sessions, students gathered on HP’s patio adjacent to the founders' offices for a networking lunch. They connected with peers from different schools, engaged with faculty and staff, and had informal conversations with HP employees — creating a vibrant atmosphere that set the stage for the panel that followed.
For students and staff alike, the New Employee Panel was the highlight of the day. It was put together and moderated by HP recruiting lead Donnell Taylor, who flew in from Houston for this year’s BSD. In line with a Bay Area K-16 Collaborative best practice — intentionally selecting employees students can relate to — Mr. Taylor curated a panel of five Black professionals who had recently completed HP internships, ensuring students heard from voices with shared experiences and relevant insights.
After brief introductions, the panel opened up for a full hour of candid Q&A, where students asked thoughtful, career-focused questions. Panelists offered advice on navigating careers at HP and beyond, encouraging students to "ask for what you require" and "don’t ever doubt your skills." They also stressed the importance of networking — "your network is your net worth" — and urged students to be proactive and intentional in building connections.
Students also gained concrete tips on resumes, interviews, and career navigation — from tailoring resumes to specific roles and showcasing projects, to preparing for technical interviews by walking through thought processes and asking clarifying questions. Panelists highlighted the importance of authenticity: "Be clear about why you’re interested in HP and what skills you bring." They also pointed students toward resources outside the classroom, like CodePath, MLT, Forge, and Reboot Scholars, and invited everyone to stay connected via LinkedIn.
The Impact — In Students' Own Words
From first-gen college students to future tech innovators, many shared how seeing Black professionals in leadership and technical roles was both inspiring and validating — reminding them that they belong in these spaces.
“Visiting HP had me shocked when I found out it was MUCH more to the company than I thought — ink, printers, & laptops. They offer internships that sparked my interest.”
— Leilani Haley, CSUEB
“During my field trip to HP, I had the opportunity to tour their cutting-edge technology and see firsthand how innovation drives their work. One of the highlights was discovering the internship opportunities HP offers, which provide valuable hands-on experience for students interested in technology and business.”
— Dianne B., CSUEB
"I learned that networking is everything. Being confident is important when interviewing. Always weigh the benefits of a job and do your research."
— September Randall, California State University Monterey Bay
"HP is a company that supports people of color like me."
— SFSU Student
Rooted in History, Building the Future
For HP’s BSD event partners, it was clear from the outset that BSD was going to be and mean more than your typical—even high-level—corporate-university event. Its thoughtful execution, steered with care every step of the way by leadership from the HP Black Employee Business Resource Group (BEBRG), was a reflection of the company’s deep, long-standing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“At SVLG, we know that building a diverse talent pipeline starts with meaningful exposure and access. BSD was a testament to what’s possible when schools, companies, and advocates work deliberately to create spaces where students feel seen and supported.”
— David Palter, Sr. Director, Education and Workforce, SVLG
“HP’s BEBRG have hosted this event for more than forty years, with a two year hiatus due to COVID. It was an honor to bring Bay Area college students back to our newly remodeled Customer Welcome Center.”
— Toni-Ann Peck, BABEBRG Communications Chair
Importantly, the HP BEBRG is a member of the SVLG ERG Consortium, a network of corporate DEI leaders and employee resource group (ERG) co-chairs working together to address workforce diversity and retention challenges in Silicon Valley. Black Students Day is a testament to strong communication between ERG co-chairs and company executives, and a powerful example of the kind of impact ERGs can have when companies empower them to lead.
“At HP, we are ambassadors of diversity, equity and inclusion because it is a business imperative, it gives us a competitive advantage, it fuels our innovation, and it provides us with a clear north star.”
— Martin Stier, Chief Diversity Officer, HP
Partnerships that Make It Possible
In addition to its collaboration with SVLG and the Bay Area K16 Collaborative, HP further enriched BSD 2025 by partnering with organizations dedicated to helping students launch their careers. In the final hour, representatives from the 100 Black Men Bay Area Chapter, National Society of Black Engineers, National Black MBA Association, Society of Women Engineers, and San Jose African American Community Services Agency hosted networking stations. The room was buzzing with conversation as students sought career advice, learned about internships and scholarships, and built connections with mentors invested in their success.
“BSD is a keystone event for our BRG. We’re looking forward to the partnership with SVLG for BSD 2026.”
— Kathryn Autin, BABEBRG Co-Chair
Looking Ahead — Continuing the Journey
While BSD is an important milestone, the work doesn't end here. Based on student and partner feedback, HP and its education partners are already envisioning:
Fall 2025 virtual workshops to prepare students for internship applications, including resume writing and recruiter connections.
Deeper connections with educational partners to streamline registration, transportation, and pre-event preparation.
Potential expansion of BSD’s model nationally, connecting Black students with HP sites beyond Palo Alto
Inspiration in Action
BSD 2025 was a reminder that representation, mentorship, and access can change lives. It honored HP’s history of leadership in DEI while lighting a path forward for Black students in the Bay Area — and beyond.
As students left the CWC, networking with professionals and each other, they were stepping into a growing community ready to support them on their journeys.
In the words of one student:
“It opened my eyes to all the possibilities that I have within my career.”
Reach out to Learn More
If you are interested in hosting an event at your company like HP Black Students Day, contact the Bay Area K-16 Collaborative’s David Palter at dpalter@svlg.org or Kyle Muña at Kylem@svlgfoundation.org.
The Bay Area K-16 Collaborative is the largest consortium of educational institutions in the region—representing five universities, 14 community colleges, and 20 K-12 districts. With dedicated state and foundation funding, the Collaborative provides the infrastructure and support needed to make events like this a light lift for companies. K-16 staff can handle event planning, targeted outreach to students across multiple campuses, logistics, and costs—including all student transportation and food—so employers can focus on meaningful engagement with students rather than operational hurdles.