The partnership between HBCU Connect and Labcorp stands as a powerful example of how collaboration can reshape the future of life sciences. It’s goes beyond hiring, it’s about cultivating Black excellence, driving innovation, and opening pathways for historically underrepresented communities to thrive in one of the most vital sectors of our time.
HBCU Connect was founded by Will Moss, has long served as a vital bridge between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and corporate America. Its mission is clear: to connect talented Black professionals with meaningful career opportunities. Labcorp, a global leader in health diagnostics and life sciences, shares this commitment. Their partnership is grounded in a shared dedication to access, empowerment, and equity, creating pathways to black talent to thrive in the life sciences industry.
Together, HBCU Connect and Labcorp have partnered to connect talented black professionals with career opportunities at Labcorp. This includes internships, full-time roles, and flexible remote positions opening doors for HBCU students and alumni to explore impactful careers in laboratory sciences, biopharma, and corporate fields, where their cultural knowledge drives meaningful impact.
Life sciences encompass everything from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
to public health and diagnostics. Although this field directly impacts human lives, it remains one where black professionals are significantly underrepresented. According to recent data, Black Americans make up only 7.7% of the development and scientific research workforce, despite comprising 12.8% of the total U.S. workforce.
Labcorp’s partnership with HBCU Connect is more than symbolic or innovative, It’s an actionable step toward equity. By offering internships, remote flexibility, full-time roles, and mentorship programs, Labcorp is creating a workplace where black professionals cannot only enter but excel and succeed
Some of the highlights of this collaboration include:
• Remote Opportunities: Making jobs accessible by removing geographic barriers.
• Hands-On Internship Programs: Offering student early exposure to life sciences for students seeking practical, real-world experience.
• Leadership Development: Nurturing long term career growth and unlocking executive-level potential.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Building community and mentorship within the organization.
• Hiring Practices: Centering diverse talent Prioritizing pipelines and ensuring fair, evaluations
Initiatives designed to break down barriers are focused on ensuring that black professionals are not just hired, but truly seen, valued, promoted, and heard, creating workplaces where equity is practiced, not just promised.
Labcorp’s internal culture is shaped in part by its Inclusion, Diversity & Belonging Advisory Council, which plays a pivotal role in advancing equity through leadership development, community engagement, and bias training.
Melissa Lesley, Labcorp’s Chief Inclusion Officer, emphasizes that “true inclusion requires more than just recognition. It means creating space for all employees to share their experiences…to be heard.” This philosophy aligns with HBCU Connect’s mission to amplify black voices and create spaces where cultural pride is celebrated.
May this partnership serve as a blueprint for how industries can engage with HBCUs in meaningful ways through relationship-building, recruitment, long-term investment and curriculum alignment.
