Howard University students gathered in Founders Library on Mar. 5 for a panel featuring Forbes journalists discussing the ForbesBLK 50 list and a new partnership with the university.
The list, created by Asia Alexander and Jabari Young, is a series of biographies highlighting 50 of the wealthiest and most powerful Black Americans and announces two new Black billionaires.
During the panel, the two, along with assistant managing editor Ali Jackson-Jolley, sat down for a conversation moderated by Howard journalism professor Dominic McKenzie about the process of creating the list and the importance of Black journalists in business newsrooms.
The conversation emphasized the importance of visibility in newsrooms and many other career fields.
Journalism professor Stacey Patton, PhD, said conversations like these are necessary at a time when Black voices are becoming devalued in the workplace, encouraging students to familiarize themselves with business journalism.
“You have to follow the money. For far too long, the business desk in American newsrooms has not looked like the communities affected by economic decisions,” Patton said. “We are introducing Howard journalism students to a field that has enormous influence but has not always felt accessible or welcoming.”
As Black journalists enter spaces to tell stories, they are often drawn to people who look like them. This can be beneficial when it comes to finding powerful equity holders and sharing their stories with readers everywhere.
Jackson-Jolley said she was amazed by the event and the level of student engagement.
“A very engaged, full house in the audience, which shows how much opportunity there is for this kind of partnership between Howard and Forbes,” she said.
The night also commemorated a new partnership between Forbes and Howard University. This partnership allows a student to intern at Forbes each summer and learn business journalism and wealth reporting as an HBCU Scholar.
The partnership was introduced by Alexander, a Howard alumna and former HBCU Scholar. As a staff member at Forbes, she reached out to McKenzie in an effort to bring more Black expertise into the field of business journalism.
“Black people have a story to tell and there aren’t [enough] newsrooms that really care about the mission of telling the story of black wealth and Forbes is,” Alexander said.
This was Alexander’s first time on campus after graduating in May 2025, which made the visit very sentimental. After taking time to assist in planning the event and the new partnership, she was speechless.
“It was less about my hard work and more about how [Forbes is] getting ready to bring in Black business journalists who are eager to find black wealth and create impact,” she said,
Without Howard’s support, Alexander said she wouldn’t be working at Forbes, so she wanted to extend the pipeline for other students who have not had the opportunity to work at a national publication.
Alexander’s effort created a connection between Jackson-Jolley and journalism professors and opened opportunities that could have a lasting impact on both institutions.
“[Alexander] was such a major part of not only connecting Forbes to Howard, but also planning this specific event. She was masterful on the stage too,” Jackson-Jolley said.
During the event, Howard announced the three finalists for the 2026 Forbes HBCU Scholar: Dru Strand, Sydney Goitia-Doran and Myla Roundy.
The three finalists are invited to participate in the Forbes HBCU Scholar Academy, which includes virtual classes about business journalism and discussions with some of Forbes’ top editors. One of the finalists will be selected to intern with Forbes over the summer.
During the event, School of Communications Dean Kimberly R. Moffitt expressed her gratitude for the visibility and partnership on campus, noting former students like Alexander who have helped create a bridge between the two institutions.
“Even though Forbes has so much to give to our students, our students are bringing something to them as well, and so this is a wonderful transactional experience for all,” Moffitt said.
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore