The Texas Senate has adopted Senate Resolution No. 361 to recognize the fourth annual Texas HBCU Conference Series, titled Democracy Schools, which will be held at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin on April 4 and 5, 2025. This conference series was established in 2022 as part of a leadership development and civic engagement initiative aimed at fostering discussions around grassroots activism and civic capacity building, drawing inspiration from historical movements such as the Freedom Schools of the civil rights era. The event will gather students, faculty, staff from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and community partners to explore diverse perspectives on democracy and citizenship across various disciplines.

The 2025 conference will focus on the theme of civic power and the legacy of HBCUs, examining how civil society groups and institutions can enhance and renew democracy. The resolution emphasizes the significant role that HBCUs have played in promoting meaningful citizenship and advancing democracy in Texas and the nation. In recognition of this important event, the Senate has declared April 4, 2025, as Texas HBCU Day and wishes all participants a productive and impactful experience.