National News - Page 97

PepsiCo Launches STEM Initiative for HBCU Students

By Ashley Brown PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation have announced the launch of the “Taste of Tomorrow” initiative, aimed at increasing Black representation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. Despite the rapid growth of STEM jobs, Black professionals currently represent only 9% of the workforce. To address this disparity, PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation are investing $350,000 in financial support and additional resources to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), particularly for students pursuing careers in food science and technology. Kent Montgomery, senior vice president of industry relations and multicultural development at PepsiCo, emphasized the vital role of

Tito Jackson of the Jackson 5 Dies at 70

Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5, has died at age 70. Tito was the third of nine Jackson children, which include global superstars Michael and sister Janet, part of a music-making family whose songs are still beloved today. “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson, is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being,” his sons TJ, Taj and Taryll said in a statement posted

Howard University Ranked #1 HBCU by Forbes for 2024-25

Written By the Howard Univesity Newsroom Staff Forbes magazine has recognized Howard University as the #1 historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the nation, according to its 2024-2025 America’s Top Colleges rankings. The annual list showcases 500 schools producing “successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt.” The colleges were ranked based on return on investment, average student debt, and outcomes for graduates. The publication also considered freshman-to-sophomore retention rates, on-time graduation, and alumni salaries. In addition to its ranking as the top HBCU, Howard was also ranked among the top 100 colleges in the northeast (#95). Other HBCUs

Springfield 1908 Race Riot Named Newest National Monument

On August 9, 2024, President Joe Biden established the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument as America’s newest national park site — the eighth addition to the national park system during the Biden-Harris administration. The new national monument will tell the story of the violent, racially motivated riot in President Abraham Lincoln’s hometown of Springfield, Illinois in 1908 that was a catalyst for important steps in the civil rights movement, including the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The Presidential Proclamation signed today details several days of mass violence that took place August 14–16,

Trump and Harris Agree to Sept. 10 Presidential Debate

By Alexandra Marquez and Garrett Haake Former President Donald Trump said Thursday he would be open to debating Vice President Kamala Harris three times next month. Speaking at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said that “I think it’s very important to have debates” and that he had accepted invitations from NBC News, Fox News and ABC News. During his announcement, Trump seemingly got some of the dates incorrect. Both ABC News and the Trump campaign later clarified that the ABC News debate would take place on Sept. 10. The Fox News debate was previously proposed for

Harris Sparks DNC Overhaul After Biden Exits 2024 Race

By Priscilla Alvarez In the moments after President Joe Biden pulled out of the 2024 race, a scramble unfolded as officials raced to reframe the Democratic National Convention around a new candidate: Vice President Kamala Harris. Officials quickly moved to tailor the Chicago convention to Harris with only four weeks, in part drawing from the 2008 convention when Barack Obama accepted the nomination given the historic candidacy of Harris herself. But the change — while abrupt — also presented an opportunity. Celebrities who had been uninterested in attending now showed renewed interest. Donors were energized. And a different tone for the convention began

Meharry Medical College Receives $175M Bloomberg Gift

By Yamiche Alcindor and Summer Concepcion Several prominent Democratic figures are set to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this month, two sources familiar with the plans told NBC News. President Joe Biden, former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been confirmed as speakers at the convention. Obama and the Clintons delivered speeches during the 2020 DNC, which was largely held virtually to prevent the spread of Covid-19 amid the pandemic. A source familiar said that former President Jimmy Carter’s grandson Jason Carter is also confirmed to be speaking as a representative for his grandfather. The convention, which

Pew Poll: Voter Views Split on Race and U.S. Diversity

Courtesy of the Pew Research Center Ahead of the upcoming 2024 presidential election, a new survey from Pew Research Center has reported on the opinions of registered voters regarding a number of cultural issues relevant to the United States. The survey includes data regarding both Democrats’ and Republicans’ views on racial diversity, the legacy of slavery’s effect on Black Americans, and the existence of racial disparities among Black and White Americans. According to the survey results, 80 percent of Democrat-leaning voters agree the legacy of slavery still affects the position of Black people in today’s society and that White people benefit from

Hurricane Debby Threatens Savannah State, Other HBCUs

By Vaughn Wilson Hurricane Debby has Savannah State in its sights, and other HBCUs could feel its impact. Tropical Storm Debby became a hurricane on Sunday night after churning in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  On Saturday night it began dropping heavy rains in South Florida on the western shores.  It battered Naples and Fort Myers before continuing to crawl up the Florida coastline. The massive entity is expected to cause some wind damage, but be especially dangerous because of the excessive amounts of rain it packs.  Whether winds reach and sustain hurricane speeds or not is not the biggest

Black Sororities, Fraternities ‘Organizing Like Never Before’

By Sarah Weissman Imani Smith, a rising senior at Howard University, was out grabbing food with friends when her group chats with her sorority sisters “started blowing up.” Smith, on a social media break at the time, rushed to re-download Instagram to see article after article about Vice President Kamala Harris running for president. She called her parents, excited. “Representation is so important,” she said. “Just as a fellow Bison, just as young Black women, being able to see someone who looks like us rise to this level … seeing her take this on, it’s really inspiring. When we look at

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