The HBCU Aging Conference: an overview and implementation steps for preparing future scholars to address knowledge gaps in Black aging research

There is a deficit in training, skill development opportunities, and resources needed to prepare Black early-career scholars for sustainable careers in gerontology. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play an important role in this effort, as they produce a large percentage of Black graduates in social science and health fields. This paper describes one initiative designed to diversify the gerontological workforce: the HBCU Aging Conference. Co-organized by the Gerontological Society of America's HBCU Collaborative Interest Group and Blacks in Gerontology and Geriatrics, the first convening occurred as a soft launch in 2023, followed by the inaugural full conference in 2024. Based on a succinct review of conference activities, this paper presents recommendations for preparing future scholars to address knowledge gaps in Black aging research. The HBCU Aging Conference has created a critical pipeline for training and supporting the next generation of Black scholars in aging.