In a contest between two St. Louis Democrats, City Treasurer Tishaura Jones defeated Alderwoman Cara Spencer to become the city’s first Black female mayor. A Hampton University graduate, Mayor Jones faces multiple challenges. “Making history as the first Black woman mayor is not lost on me,” Jones said. “I’m also looking at how little girls
More
Raised by a franchise-holding father, Dallas, TX, native and Hampton University graduate Alyson Rae Lawson knew what she wanted to do. While not running three McDonald’s like her dad, she has become the first Black woman to run not one but two Texas 7-Eleven franchises. Across the street from one another in Arlington, TX, each
More
Stanford University has discovered that there is a direct connection between hate crimes and HBCU student enrollment. A report published by the Stanford University Center for Education Policy Analysis found that as hate crimes rise, so does first time enrollment at HBCUs. The study provides substantial evidence that Black students have a desire to escape
More
HBCU basketball and its impacts on American culture were featured April 4 during the NCAA’s Final Four Sunday. Three hour-long documentaries explored what HBCU basketball means to both the game and American life, showcasing HBCUs on college basketball’s biggest weekend. The first two featured HBCU legends Earl Monroe and John McLendon while the third, hosted
More
HBCUs are increasing outreach to other countries of the African Diaspora. On March 26th, Howard University launched HU/COL Avanza with the country of Colombia. Five years in the making, this will be a reciprocal effort to form networks and boost both HBCU and Colombian students economically and culturally. “In 2018, I traveled to Colombia to
More
Weight Watchers International, Inc. (WW) has joined The Female Quotient (TFQ) and Tai Life Media Agency for a free wellness and self-love masterclass series for HBCU students. Premised on the well-being of students of color, the series started on Feb. 25 in conjunction with the WW Wellness Club’s launch. A second event, Thriving Like Me,
More
As part of pandemic relief the U.S. Department of Education discharged roughly $1.6 billion of HBCU debt. Only institutions participating in the HBCU Capital Financing Program qualify. 45 HBCUs in total will be relieved: 32 private institutions, 13 public. The HBCU Capital Finance Program has provided participants low-cost infrastructure loans since 1994. Shedding that debt is
More
In an effort to invigorate the Black business community, Southern University will launch the Deep South Economic Mobility Collaborative (DSMEC). Partnered with the Hope Enterprise Corporation with up to $130 million from Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses, DSEMC will support Black entrepreneurs in the Deep South. Seven cities and eight additional HBCUs will join. “Southern University
More
In 2020, Atlanta-based African Diaspora Nation met with representatives from the Akwamu state in Ghana. They agreed to secure land for the HBCU Africa Innovation City Project. The initiative will challenge participants from the African Diaspora to develop a conceptual design for a S.T.E.A.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture, Art, Math) hub. Things have accelerated rapidly
More
International leader of cognac sales, Hennessy, is furthering its historical commitment to Black communities with the Never Stop Never Settle Society, which launched March 29. In collaboration with the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) Hennessy will offer qualified Black entrepreneurs funding, NYC office space and mentorships. “The Never Stop Never Settle Society builds on Hennessy’s ongoing
More