National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
Hispanic Associations of Colleges and Universities

Dr. Jerome H. Holland, Chairman of the American Red Cross from 1979 to 1985. Dr. Charles Drew, renowned pioneer in blood plasma, and medical director of the first American Red Cross blood bank.

National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education

In 1999 The American Red Cross and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), the umbrella organization for 118 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), entered into a Statement of Understanding and agreed to increase African American blood donations nationwide.

“The American Red Cross has a long tradition of helping and being helped by the African American community dating back to Frederick Douglas,” said Dr. Bernadine Healy, M.D., president and CEO of the Red Cross. “African American, such as Charles Drew and Jerome H. Holland have been instrumental in the establishment and development of the American Red Cross blood services and biomedical research programs. Through this unprecedented agreement, the Red Cross hopes to enhance the involvement and participation of African American Students, faculty, and staff at historically black colleges and universities in the American Red Cross programs and Services,” she added.

To learn more about the continuous commitment of African Americans and the Statement of Understanding click here.

To learn more about the African American leaders in the Red Cross click here.

To learn more about Hispanic Associations of Colleges and Universities (HACU) click here.

Back to Diversity