Dr. Anthony J. Davis
13th President of Livingstone College
Often describing his journey as one of trial, tragedy, and triumph, Dr. Anthony J. Davis, the 13th President of Livingstone College, embraces the pathway surrounding his birth and entry into the foster-care system. On the night Davis was born, he and his 14-year-old mother became wards of the state due to the untimely death of his maternal grandmother (their intended caregiver). Davis remained in foster care until he emancipated ninety days prior to aging out.
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As an emancipated foster care child, Davis has defied the odds and is using his presidential platform to engage, empower, and educate constituencies in how higher education can support foster youth.
Scheduled to Appear
Aysha E. Schomburg, J.D.
President & CEO, New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Vannessa Dorantes, LMSW
Managing Director,
Casey Family Programs
Anthony J. Davis, DMin
President
Livingstone College
April Ryan
White House Correspondent
Rebecca Jones Gaston
Advocate for Children, Youth,
Families & Communities
About the Event
October 1st - 3rd, 2025
In partnership with Casey Family Programs, Livingstone College will convene child welfare leaders, community partners, academic partners, faith-based leaders, advocates, and business partners to explore the theme: Bridging the Gap: Foster Care, Faith, HBCUs, and Community.
Meeting Objectives
Challenges
Intersection
Collaboration
Next Steps
1. Build a shared understanding of the challenges facing young people in foster care, particularly the barriers to post-secondary access and success.
2. Examine the intersection of child welfare, community partners, the faith-based community, and higher education (with an emphasis on HBCUs) to surface the current landscape, lived realities, and systemic gaps.
3. Identify opportunities for collaboration across child welfare, education, community, and faith partners.
4. Commit to actionable next steps and collective strategies that expand access, strengthen community supports, and advance college-readiness pathways for youth with foster care experience.
Agenda
Day 1
UNCC Marriott Conference Center
9041 Robert D Synder Road
Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Reception and Registration
Day 2
Livingstone College
701 W. Monroe Street
Salisbury, North Carolina 28144
(Shuttle provided from UNCC)
9:30am - 4:30pm
Plenary 1
Concurrent Session
Plenary 2
Panel Discussion
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Networking Lunch and Two Snacks (provided)
Day 3
UNCC Marriott Conference Center
9041 Robert D Synder Road
Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
9:30am - 12:30pm
Plenary 3
Closeout Call to Action
Boxed Lunch
(provided)
Reservation Details
Host Hotels
