DANVILLE, Va. - s4story -- The Cornerstone Collection -- the first socially responsible upscale hotel initiative activated and partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) nationwide since Summer 2024 -- is aligned with the April 2025 White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at HBCUs by reinforcing the national call for solutions that drive institutional resilience, workforce preparedness, and equitable access to emerging industries.

Here's How

As the White House rolls out bold new support for HBCUs, The Cornerstone Collection isn't just aligned—it's already delivering. This active initiative, currently in partnership with 4 HBCUs, is not only reshaping the hotel industry, but is also an economic driver – generating revenue streams for institutions, and creating tangible career paths in tech, transportation, hospitality, and entertainment. With focus on real-time mentorship, internships, and executive exposure, its bringing national policy to life through local leadership and innovation.

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The Cornerstone Collection -- developed by The Brittano Group, and its award-winning ceos (https://hospitalitydesign.com/news/business-people/hdac-awards-of-excellence-2025-winner/) -- Hollywood Actor Film Producer and entrepreneur Julian Brittano and wife Karie Brittano, a licensed Class A CIC General Contractor--both hotel owners-master developers -- is a groundbreaking hospitality-meets-higher education hotel initiative with multiple HBCUs under agreement utilizing P3 structuring, directly advancing the White House's call for innovative, purpose-driven partnerships that elevate student success, institutional sustainability, and workforce readiness.

The Cornerstone Collection, an initiative of The Rook Hotels in tandem with its nonprofit arm, Block Builders Academy, directly supports this federal mandate by offering HBCUs and other institutions a turnkey model that integrates real-world hospitality operations with academic and workforce pipelines—advancing student success, institutional revenue, equity and innovation in emerging communities.

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"We have felt for some time that we needed to design a sustainable and actionable strategy that penetrates and amplifies the true ecosystem that HBCUs possess," stated Julian.

Likewise, given that Texas Southern University is leading the feasibility study for High Speed Rail of America (HSRA), an initiative already driven by Block Builders Academy since 2024, strengthens the synergies with this White House order.

Further in core alignment, Karie added. "We believe in fostering an environment that allows for the university to generate revenue through our models while simultaneously equipping the students to gain unimagined real-world experience in their fields of study and interest."

The Cornerstone Collection creates a pipeline back into both local and hyper-local communities through experiential activities that transcend into larger corporate constructs to assure a measurable CSR outcome.

The Brittano's are surefooted knowing HBCUs are, in fact, one of the true bridges between the wealth gaps in society.

Discover more at www.therookhotels.com
For interviews, exclusive insights or partnership opportunities, contact:
Alecia Jones, Director of  Communications – The Brittano Group Brands at aleciaj@validitymediagroup.com.