Today, Clark Atlanta University's (CAU) Executive Leadership Institute and higher education stakeholders announced that its accepting applications for the 2023 Community of Fellows for the HBCU Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) at CAU. Since its launch in 2021, HBCU ELI has seen an increase in the number of applications, including candidates from a variety of industries ranging from education and finance to marketing and law. The growth signifies the relevancy of ELI's curriculum amid the pandemic and included the most diverse executive leadership cohort in history.

The Executive Leadership Institute is a 12-month leadership development program at Clark Atlanta University. Through interactive learning sessions with ELI faculty and discussion with education practitioners, each will build networks and develop management and leadership skills for immediate application, with the goal of advancing equity in educational outcomes for all students.

Since 2021, more than one hundred and fifty candidates applied to join the prestigious group. Over 90% of whom have an existing HBCU affiliation as alums and or administrators. Each year, ELI selects 20-30 qualified candidates.

The groundbreaking initiative continues to serve as an incubator for recruiting and developing the future presidents of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The first program of its kind, ELI is preserving and strengthening HBCUs as a hub for education, opportunity and uplift in the Black community. The effort is supported by multiple donors, including the Chan Zuckerberg Institute, ECMC, and the Rich Foundation, Bank of America, UMC, among others.