The Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Career Development Marketplace was founded by Tariq Shane in 2001. Shane’s goal was to create a one-of-a-kind experience for HBCU students, and simultaneously give back to the community that gave him his early foundation and dedication. The HBCU Career Development Marketplace Inc. is centered around a national conference designed to inform and educate new entrants into the workforce about corporate America. During this national conference, students attend a series of workshops about what to expect after graduating and how to effectively begin a career, speak face-to-face with experienced HBCU alumni from many different professions, and gain access to representatives from corporations, organizations and government agencies seeking to hire talented students. The event is primarily focused on giving them the opportunities to practice marketing themselves to potential employers and make connections that could lead to the beginning of their career. The HBCU Career Development Marketplace has aided in the goal of shaping the leaders of tomorrow for the past seven years. The conference has currently hosted over 1,000 HBCU graduates, and given its attendees the tools to be smarter and stronger as they build their path to career excellence.