June 8, 2026 · Workforce and Higher Education Committee · 3,402 words · 16 speakers · 50 segments
For your patience today, there's a lot going on on a Monday, believe it or not. But we're blessed to have a beautiful day and participation on some very important pieces of legislation throughout the House today. So thank you for your patience. I call the meeting of the House and Workforce and Higher Education Committee to order a clerk. Please call the roll.
Chair Young. Here.
Vice Chair Ritter. Here.
Ranking Member Abdullahi. Here.
Representative Davila.
Representative John. Here.
Representative Manning.
Representative Miller. Checked in.
Representative Pickle Antonio. Here.
Representative Richardson. Present.
Representative Santucci. Excuse.
Representative Timms. Here.
Representative Williams. Checked in.
Representative Workman. Checked in.
We have a quorum present. We'll proceed as a full committee. Please check your minutes on your iPad from the June 3rd, third meeting that we had, please review them. Are there any objections to the minutes? Hearing none, the minutes are hereby approved. At this time, I bring forward HB 530 for its sixth hearing and recognize Vice Chair Ritter
for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to favorably report House Bill 530 as amended and recommend its passage.
Welcome, Rep. Clerk, call the roll.
Chair Young. Here? I mean, yes.
Vice Chair Ritter. Yes.
Ranking Member Abdullahi. Yes.
Representative Davila. Yes.
Representative John. Yes.
Representative Manning. Yes.
Representative Pickle Antonio. Yes.
Representative Richardson. Yes.
Representative Timms. Yes.
With nine affirmative votes and no negative votes, the bill is accepted. I will also grant LSC harmonizing authority for this committee report. Members, please sign the committee report before you leave and place a star next to your name if you wish to co-sponsor. This concludes the sixth hearing for HB 30. Now I bring forward HB 848 for its second hearing in all testimony
and call Abigail O'Darren Day to testify. Good afternoon, everyone. Dear Representatives, I am writing to express my strong support for Ohio House Bill 848, which would designate September as Historically Black Colleges and Universities Month in Ohio. As a proud student at Central State University, Ohio's only public HBCU, I have personally experienced the transformative impact that HBCUs have on students, families, and communities. The recognition of the HBCU month would honor the legacy, excellence, and continued contributions of Central State University and all HBCUs across the nation. I chose Central State University because I wanted an environment that not only challenged me academically, but also nurtured my leadership, identity, and purpose. As a Nigerian-American student, being in a space that reflects cultural pride and black excellence has been deeply meaningful, and Central State University has given me that sense of belonging while preparing me for success beyond the classroom. My experience at Central State University has provided me with leadership opportunities and professional development that have shaped who I am today. I have served in numerous leadership positions as the president of the National Society of Black Engineers, where I work to support students' success in STEM, organize professional development opportunities, and build pipelines for future engineers. I served for three consecutive years in Student Government Association as the freshman class vice president, executive administrative assistant, and finally, the executive board vice president, where I help students study, I help support student advocacy and campus leadership by representing student interests, facilitating communication between students and administration, and contributing to programs and initiatives that enhance campus life. I served as the president of the Student Senate, where I represented the interests of the student body. I served for two years as the residence life advisor, which strengthened my ability to mentor, guide, and support students while creating an inclusive and engaging campus living environment. I'm also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, a divine nine Greek organization, which was founded at HBCU. One of the most valuable aspects of my Central State journey has been the opportunity to grow as a leader while serving my peers. Through organizations, internships, and campus involvements, I have gained technical skills, confidence, and mentorship that continue to shape my academic career. During my summer 2024, I participated in an on-campus research internship focused on welding, where I strengthened my research and engineering skills. Currently right now, during summer 2026, I am conducting research in aquaculture with a focus on hemp production and sustainability Further expanding my knowledge of agricultural innovation and scientific research Because of the foundation that I am receiving at Central State I am preparing to enter the engineering field with both competence and purpose committed to uplifting my community and contributing to the workforce innovation. HBCUs remain vital because they create leaders, professionals, and changemakers who might otherwise be overlooked in traditional academic settings. They preserve culture, they build opportunity, and they empower students to excel while staying rooted in identity and community. Thank you for your consideration and for your service to the people of Ohio. I respectfully urge for your support in the Ohio House Bill 848. Sincerely, Abigail Darnay, a student
at Central State University. Thank you. Thank you very much. Are there any
questions? Representative Timms. Ma'am, you want to stay up here? We're gonna grill you.
Okay.
Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Abigail. I just wanted to say thank you for coming up and testifying about the bill. It's so important when we have students come actually advocate for their universities, and it helps sort of solidify our perception of the bills that are moving through the committee. So just wanted to commend you for coming, and also you're my sorority sister. So also appreciate that because we help each other.
Thank you.
Any other questions?
Thank you very much.
Thank you. Justine Holliday. Is Justine here? No?
Lauren Morgan.
Whatever you're ready, Lauren.
Thank you.
Welcome.
Good afternoon, Chairman Young, Vice Chair Ritter, Ranking Member Abdullahi, and members of the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee. Thank you so much for the opportunity to provide proponent testimony for House Bill 848. It is truly a full circle experience to be present on this side of you providing testimony rather than behind you taking notes as a policy advisor. So I appreciate that. My name is Lauren Morgan, and I am a proud graduate of the Central State University class of 2022. The only public historically black college and university in the state of Ohio. I'm the first person in my family to go to college. And I know that a few of you members know exactly what that feels like. You understand the power in that fact, and you understand the barriers that you had to overcome personally to blaze a trail with no road map to reference. Or this may be a different reality for you and your families. You may be the third, fourth, or fifth generation in your family to graduate because you had access. HBCUs have allowed black students the ability to pursue their dreams by providing high quality education since 1837. Prior to the Civil War, which was from 1861 to 1865, the education of black Americans was prohibited in a majority of southern states and discouraged by way of quotas in northern states, which limited the number of black students who could attend. This resulted in only a few existing, one of which was Ohio's own Wilberforce University, the nation's oldest private HBCU, which was established in 1856. I know that you as members of the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee understand the vital roles that schools play in inspiring our future generations of leaders, creative thinkers, and innovators. But I'm here to share a little bit of my lived experience with you as a proud HBCU graduate. Neither of my parents attended college, my grandparents didn't finish school, I'm two generations removed from the great migration from Alabama and Mississippi to Ohio and less than five generations away from being sold off the auction block. But yet and still on the shoulders of their sacrifices, their baby girl put herself through four years of college at Central State University by working at Chipotle in the on-campus library. I'm not sure what you may know about Central State University, but after spending four years there, I could go on for days about the impact that it's had on my life. I could tell you about the professional development opportunities I was offered. I can tell you about the strong sense of community and sense of belonging that you feel as soon as you step on the yard because you see yourself in everything and everybody. I could tell you about the unwavering support that dedicated staffers provided because in some cases our K through 12 education was under-invested in. I can tell you about the fried chicken on fried chicken Wednesdays or the fish on fish fry Fridays, but I'd rather tell you something a bit more personal. I initially attended Loyola University of Chicago, but I quickly realized the realities of being a black student on a PWI campus. After several jarring experiences, including arriving to my philosophy class as a freshman 15 minutes early to class, only to notice as class begun that each seat in front, back, and on either side of me remains empty. It hurt deeply as one of only two black students in that class. I spoke with the upperclassman who was black and asked her how she coped with the microaggressions, with being ignored on elevators and even being one of and even being ignored on elevators. And her response changed everything for me She told me that she didn leave between two spaces in the student center the diversity room and the area for the black student organizations Now I don know about you but I know that if Lauren Morgan is paying upwards of to be on campus that Lauren Morgan is going to be on every inch of that campus So it was one of the hardest decisions of my life, which was leading to me dropping out. But it led to one of the best decisions of my life, which was applying to my HBCU. I left Chicago a shell of myself, and I was depressed. but I blossomed on Central State's campus. Who knew it didn't have to take me leaving the state and traveling six hours to find a home away from home, which was only three hours away. To be black in America is to operate in spaces semi-uncomfortably because you understand that you were an afterthought for this country and your personhood was an amendment to and not the vision for the founding documents. This bill validates that HBCUs are important to society whose value extends far beyond the historical circumstances that led to their creation. And more importantly, it highlights the academic pathways available at two HBCUs that are located in the state of Ohio. Ohio is one of only 21 states that has an HBCU, so this bill recognizes that significance as well. This bill celebrates resilience, hope, and determination. I'm talking about a time before President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and a time when it was illegal to teach a slave how to read. Imagine the amount of guts that it took to become educated during a time like that when the powers-to-be systematically prevented you. And I don't say all of this to harp on an ugly past, but only to highlight the stark facts and to emphasize that students of HBCUs excel despite the obstacles since their inception. I want to end by acknowledging that while HBCUs are historically black institutions, institutions, the doors of HBCUs are open to any student dynamic enough to attend, and they might even receive a diversity scholarship. I want to end by thanking my mentor, State Representative Dontavious Gerals and Representative Andrea White for introducing this bill in a bipartisan fashion, especially in light of how Senate Bill 1 is ravaging CSU and other institutions of higher education. I respectfully ask that you all as a committee favorably pass this, and thank you so much for your time.
Thank you for being here. Do you have a question? Ranking member, Abdullahi.
Well, we definitely miss having you back here, but it's such an incredible honor. I'm so proud to see you up there and amazing, amazing testimony, honestly. So thank you for sharing with us and thanks for sharing your story of finding a university outside of our state and then realizing that the best one for you was right here in Ohio. And I hope that's the reality for many students where they actually, they don't have to venture out. We have the best universities right here, so I just want to say thank you for sharing that.
Thank you, you guys have a good rest of your day.
Azariah Crosby, whenever you're ready.
Chairman Young, Vice Chair Ritter, Ranking Member Abdulahi, and members of the Ohio Workforce and Education Committee, Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony and support of recognizing September as Celebrate HBCU month in the state of Ohio. Community, acceptance, culture, success, excellence, resilience, transformation, intentionality, and most of all necessity. These are not simply words. They are what my historically black college and university gave me. My name is Azaria Crosby and I am a proud 2026 graduate of Central State University, Ohio's only public HBCU. My journey to Central State was not linear. Growing up in Indiana I didn't even know what an HBCU was and I ventured nearly 12 hours south in search of one and before realizing that a place that would ultimately change my life was only four and a half hours away. I transferred from another institution searching for something I could quite not describe. Looking back I was searching for a sense of belonging and what I found was a home. And while I stand before you today sharing my story, I know it's not mine alone. It is the story of thousands of students whose lives have been transformed by Central State University and Wilberforce University. When people hear the term HBCU, they often think about the history. What I wish more people understood is that HBCUs are living and breathing communities that continue changing lives every single day. As humans, we all seek acceptance. We all seek a place where we feel seen, valued, and understood. For many students, especially black students, that feeling could be difficult to find. At Central State, community is not something we talked about. It's something we live. It's gathering with friends on Taco Tuesday, Fried Chicken Wednesday, and Fried Fish Friday. It's sitting in the cafeteria and hearing conversations from students who come from Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, Atlanta, Jamaica, Nigeria, Australia, and countless other places, all sharing a meal and building lifelong friendships. It's walking across campus and never feeling like a stranger. It's International Student Week, where students proudly share their cultures and traditions with the campus community. It's attending events where every student, regardless of their background, has a place. It is belonging. That sense of belonging creates something powerful. It creates confidence and that confidence creates leaders At Central State leadership is not reserved for a select few Students are encouraged from the moment they step on campus Some find their voice through Student Government Association others through the Royal Court, serving as ambassadors of the university and represent the very best of our institution. Others find purpose through student organization, service initiatives, athletics, and campus programming. Leadership is not simply encouraged, it is expected. But HBCUs do something else that is equally important. They cultivate innovators, entrepreneurs, and creators. Entrepreneurship is not confined to a classroom. It lives in our residence halls. You could walk down a hallway and hear clippers buzzing from a student barber building clientele. Behind another door, someone was braiding hair, doing nails, designing custom apparel, taking graduation photos, creating graphics, or promoting a small business. What some may see as side hustles, we see as future business owners learning how to market ourselves. Build relationships, manage customers, and create opportunities for themselves and their communities. HBCUs teach students to be resourceful. They teach us not just how to find opportunities, but how to create them. That culture of leadership and innovation breeds excellence. At an HBCU, excellence becomes contagious. Whether it's competing in the classroom, on the volleyball court, in student leadership, or preparing for life after graduation, we push one another to do and be better. You could hear it in the sound of the band that brings an entire stadium to its feet. You could see it in the precision and pride of the dancers. You could witness it through the service and scholarship of the Divine Nine organizations that continue to impact both our campus and community. There is energy at an HBCU that is difficult to describe unless you have experienced it. It is a culture where achievement is celebrated and where leadership is cultivated and where students are constantly reminded that excellence is not an exception, but it is the expectation. And perhaps what makes an HBCU most remarkable is their resilience. Despite changing demographics, periods of underfunding, and countless obstacles, historically black college and universities have continued to fulfill their mission of educating, empowering, and producing leaders who strengthen our communities. That resilience is not confined to the institution. It becomes a part of the students who all call it home. At an HBCU you learn how to persevere, adapt, and continue striving for us continue striving for excellence even when circumstances are not ideal. The resilience of our institution teaches us the resilience of our institution teaches us resilience within ourselves. It teaches us the obstacles do not define us, resources do not determine our potential, and where we start does not dictate where we finish. Those lessons have shaped generations of graduates and they have certainly shaped me. And in doing so, we are transformed. I enter Central State searching for education. I left with confidence. I left with lifelong friendships. I left with leadership skills. I left with a deeper understanding of my culture, my purpose, and my responsibility to serve others. Most importantly, I left knowing that there was no room I could walk into where I did not belong and no challenge I was not prepared to meet. That is the transformative power of an HBCU. HBCUs do not simply produce graduates. They produce citizens, innovators, entrepreneurs, public servants, and leaders who make our community stronger. That is why they are intentional. That is why they are transformative. And that is why they are necessary. Recognizing September as Celebrate HBCU Month is more than about celebrating institutions. It's about honoring the lives they have changed, the communities they continue to strengthen, and the generation of leaders they continue to produce. I respectfully urge you for your support of this legislation. Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you very much. Are there any questions? Co-Chair Ritter.
Sorry, Ms. Crosby. Didn't mean to run away on you. No, very good job. I just I wanted to ask you what you can tell us about capacity. Right. We have a public HBCU and we have a private. And how are we meeting capacity? Do you do you have any idea if there are seats open spots available?
I'm just curious what you can tell us about that. Capacity as in like enrollment. Exactly. OK. Yeah. So I obviously I'm not a spokesperson for the university. But from the private institution and the public institution, there is capacity for any type of student that wishes to attend either university. And like Lauren Morgan said earlier in her testimony, may even receive a diversity scholarship. So hopefully that's answered a little bit, sorry, if not.
Any other questions? Well, Abigail, Lauren, and Azariah, bless you for coming to testify today. President Kuti, hopefully he's watching. If not, I will encourage him when I leave here to come and see what his brilliant students do in public. Are there any other questions? With no further business before the committee, the Workforce and Higher Education Committee stands adjourned. But I would like to say that the roll is staying open until 5 o'clock today. And do I remember anything else? Is that good? We are adjourned. Thank you.