SR873: SR873 HBCU AWARE FEST Day; recognize March 26, 2026

26 LC 129 1300 Senate Resolution 873 By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Mangham of the 55th, Anderson of the 43rd, Orrock of the 36th and Davenport of the 17th A RESOLUTION Recognizing March 26, 2026, as HBCU AWARE FEST Day at the state capitol; and for1 other purposes.2 WHEREAS, the members of the Georgia Senate recognize the import ance of higher3 education as a pathway to economic mobility and long-term financial stability; and4 WHEREAS, excessive student loan debt has become a significant b arrier to degree5 completion, career flexibility, homeownership, and wealth accum ulation for students and6 families across the State of Georgia and the nation; and7 WHEREAS, Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) is a nonprofit organization founded in 20218 to develop and scale the Student Freedom Loan Agreement (SFLA) and other innovative9 approaches to higher-education financing that reduce students' reliance on traditional student10 loans; and11 WHEREAS, SFI provides a suite of wraparound services that help position students to be12 leaders in emerging fields; and13 S. R. 873 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1300 WHEREAS, since its founding, SFI has served more than 200,000 s tudents through14 partnerships with 71 colleges and universities, including Alban y State University, Clark15 Atlanta University, and the birthplace of SFI, Morehouse College; and16 WHEREAS, SFI provides students with alternative financing models, financial education,17 career preparation, and employer partnerships designed to improve post-graduation outcomes18 and reduce long-term debt burdens; and19 WHEREAS, SFI's programs demonstrate measurable scale and growing demand, including20 1,942 total applicants for its SFLA program and $26.7 million d isbursed to participating21 students to support degree completion and reduce reliance on traditional private lending; and22 WHEREAS, in 2026, SFI in partnership with the City of Atlanta, Mayor Andre Dickens and23 Live Nation Urban, launched HBCU AWAREFEST, a national movement bringing together24 students, educators, policymakers, philanthropists, the business community, and community25 leaders to examine the student debt crisis and explore practica l solutions to improve26 economic mobility; and27 WHEREAS, HBCU AWAREFEST serves as a forum for collaboration, ed ucation, and28 policy-relevant dialogue on the intersection of higher educatio n, workforce readiness, and29 financial stability; and30 WHEREAS, the work of Student Freedom Initiative and HBCU AWAREF EST reflect a31 commitment to expanding access to education, strengthening the workforce, and supporting32 the long-term economic health of communities across Georgia.33 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body34 S. R. 873 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1300 recognize March 26, 2026, as HBCU AWAREFEST Day at the state capitol and extend best35 wishes for the continued growth, development, and success of HBCU AWAREFEST.36 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed37 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Student Freedom38 Initiative.39 S. R. 873 - 3 -