Founded to provide educational opportunities to formerly enslaved persons, HBCUs continue to empower Black Americans in pursuit of racial equity. A study by the Institute for College Access and Success reveals that HBCUs account for only 3% of all colleges and universities in the U.S. Still, they serve 10% of all Black students and award 17% of all bachelor’s degrees earned by Black students.

The alumni of these institutions carry forward their powerful legacy. Russell Scott, president of the Howard Alumni Club of Richmond (HUAC Richmond), is a testament to the rich cultural and professional legacies of HBCUs.

He’s committed to advancing their mission.

“It’s the fellowship, the common experience that HBCU graduates have,” Scott said. “The only way you stand out at an HBCU is to be exceptional.”

Scott is a second-generation Howard University graduate.

He chose the school because he grew up in the Howard community, attending activities that his parents were involved in. His father taught pharmacy at Howard and relocated the family to Silver Spring, Md., where Scott grew up.

“My parents took us to sporting events, homecomings and cookouts at Rock Creek Park,” Scott said. “It was the indoctrination and exposure that landed me at Howard.”

In 1951, during segregation, Scott’s mother was accepted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill but was denied the opportunity to enroll because she was Black. Instead, the school gave her a stipend to attend Howard. 

“Back then, HBCUs were really the only option,” Scott explained. “Now, when there are options, people still choose to go to HBCUs.”

Scott began his career in upstate New York with IBM, but when his former wife received a job offer from Philip Morris, the family relocated to Richmond in the 1990s.

He has since retired after a 39-year career.

As a retiree, Scott tries to unite the Howard University community in the Richmond area to support the school and its students. He reconnected with an old friend from Howard, and they married in 2014. After caring for his aging parents for several years, the couple travels internationally. Last year, they visited Egypt, Granada and Panama. They also indulge their shared love of history by exploring historical landmarks around Richmond.

“It’s almost like we’re empty nesters after all of the caretaking we’ve been doing for family over the last several years,” Scott said. “But we’re not going to let any grass grow under our feet now.”

Meet a Howard University alum and career IBM employee, working now to keep the university’s legacy alive, and this week’s Personality, Russell W. Scott:

Occupation: Retired IBM IT project manager and environment health and safety engineer.

Date and place of birth: Aug. 25 in Buffalo, NY.

Where I live now: North Chesterfield.

Education: Bachelor’s in chemistry and a minor in math), Howard University; master’s in public health, Yale University.

Family: Son, Taylor W. Scott; Wife, Tami Tucker Scott; two stepdaughters, Ariel Thomas and Chance Thomas.

What is the Howard University Alumni Club of Richmond (HUAC Richmond): We support the mission of the Howard University Alumni Association through fundraising and supporting area students’ dream of attending Howard University while also doing our part to help our local community.

Mission: The purpose of the HUAA is to promote the University as an institution of academic excellence and to create and maintain an environment that encourages alumni participation through volunteerism and financial support.

Why HUAC Richmond was founded: For Howard alumni in the Richmond area to network and uphold Howard’s mission of truth and service.

Number of members: Over 200 local alumni in Central Virginia.

Election to HUAC Richmond president: I was elected in 2021. It has been my honor to have served two consecutive terms, with my current term concluding in June.

Why I accepted the position: The club has a strong nucleus of hard-working alumni who share a love for Howard University. I was inspired to take on this leadership role because of the continued need for renewed vision and commitment necessary to strengthen the organization’s mission.

No. 1 goal as president: To raise funds in support of scholarships for area students who are currently matriculating to Howard University.

Strategy for achieving goal or project: Our Annual Charter Day Fundraiser on the first Sunday in March is a major fundraising event for us.

Biggest challenge: Getting more alumni involved in club activities.

  

Why Howard University is special to its alumni: As graduates of the leading HBCU, there is tremendous pride in our shared accomplishments.

We are incredibly motivated when we see Howard achieving recognition as an R1 Research Institution, when we see the heightened student interest in attending our alma mater and the pride in the leaders that Howard produces in almost every field of endeavor.

Graduation year: I’m a proud member of the Class of 1979.

How my Howard University experience impacted me: As a second-generation graduate, the impacts are immeasurable.

My education prepared me for the rigors of Yale University and the corporate boardroom at IBM. I also met my wife at Howard!

How has HUAC Richmond made a difference in Richmond: In addition to providing scholarships and mentorship to area students, we attend HBCU college and career events. HUAC Richmond has participated in the Annual Feedmore ACC, providing more than 1 million pounds of food to support our local community.

During this winter’s water crisis in Richmond, we supported fellow alum Pastor Ralph Hodge of Second Baptist Church by helping distribute 6,000 bottles of water to impacted residents.

HUAC Richmond also provides support in our local community to nonprofits such as Second Chance at Renewing Self, which supports survivors of intimate partner abuse. We collect toys and donations at our annual holiday parties to support local organizations like Richmond Christmas Mother, Angel Tree and Housing Families First to support local families in need.

How readers can stay in touch with our chapter: Readers can follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

How to join the HUAC Richmond: Email us at huacrichmond@thehuaa.org.

Notable alumni: Kamala Harris, Thurgood Marshall, Chadwick Boseman, Andrew Young and L. Douglas Wilder.

How I start the day: I collect my thoughts and listen to the birds and world outside my window.

Three words that best describe me: Caring, analytical and loyal.

Dream dinner party guest: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore be- cause he is an inspiring leader.

Top three on my musical playlist: Chuck Brown’s “Block Party,” The Blackbyrds’, “Rock Creek Park” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I’m a certified SCUBA diver.

Inspirational quote: Ecclesiastes 7-12 “For Wisdom is a defense, even money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it”.

Most influential person: My father, Dr. Kenneth Scott. He drove me to realize many of my accomplishments.

Most influential book: “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?” by Blair S. Walker and Reginald Lewis.

My current read: Zora Neale Hurston’s “Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick.”

Next goal: This is an election year for the Club, so I aim to pass the torch to the next president of HUAC Richmond.