Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces Grants for HBCUs that Have Experienced Bomb Threats

Vice President Kamala Harris announced Wednesday new initiatives that will help historically Black colleges and universities that have received anonymous bomb threats in recent months.

Watch that announcement below.

The help will come in the form of grants that could range from $50,000-$150,000 per school to be used to support emergency planning, campus security and mental health services. HBCUs that have recently experienced a bomb threat resulting in a disruption to the campus learning environment will be eligible for grant funds.

These grant funds are from the Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) program at the U.S. Dept. of Education.

In addition to the short-term funds provided through Project SERV, the Biden-Harris Administration is providing HBCUs a compendium of resources that are available across the federal government – from ED, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice – to help with long-term improvements to campus mental health programs, campus safety, and emergency management planning and response. The resource guide offers a centralized source of information on grant programs and technical assistance activities across federal agencies.

Michelle Obama and Chris Paul Launch When We All Vote’s First HBCU Campaign, the VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge

Today, When We All Vote Co-Chairs Michelle Obama and Chris Paul launched the organization’s first campaign for Historically Black College and Universities called the VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge. The challenge wants HBCU students to lead efforts in voter registration, education, and mobilization on their campuses and in their communities.

HBCUs have long been critical in protecting the right to vote in Black communities, and this project builds upon that history. With an eye on the 2022 midterm elections, Squads on HBCU campuses across the country will receive grants of up to $3,000 to support their nonpartisan voter registration work.The funds can be used for hosting events and voter registration drives, training new volunteers, educating voters, and canvassing their campus and surrounding communities.

The Squads that implement the most creative and culturally relevant ideas will be eligible to win campus events and activations with celebrity appearances in partnership with BET.

Stephanie L. Young is the Executive Director of When We All Vote. She says she’s excited for this initiative. “As a proud HBCU graduate, I know that our Historically Black Colleges and Universities are the heartbeat of Black culture, and it’s critical that we make sure voting is a part of that culture.” She continued, “For decades, HBCUs have led the way in social change, and I’m excited to work with students, alumni, educators and our partners on HBCU campuses to reach our communities in real and engaging ways that allow our voices to be heard in the midterm elections and beyond. And I'm also thrilled to start this work early to end the cycle of engaging these campuses only in the fall before major elections.”

When We All Vote is an initiative of Civic Nation, which is a larger national initiative to increase participation in elections by helping to close the race and age gap. In 2020, When We All Vote reached more than 100 million people with the aim to educate them about the voting process and to get them registered to vote.

Michelle Obama launched When We All Vote in 2018, and partnered with Co-Chairs Stephen Curry, Becky G, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, H.E.R., Liza Koshy, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Bretman Rock, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson.

Learn more about the VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge by clicking here https://whenweallvote.org/voteloud/

U.S. House condemns bomb threats against HBCUs

Rep. Alma Adams

The U.S. House on Tuesday passed a resolution condemning the weeks-long chain of bomb threats made to historically Black colleges and universities.

The resolution, sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Alma Adams, is in response to the more than 30 bomb threats made at dozens of HBCUs, with an uptick throughout Black History Month in February.

The Senate earlier this month by unanimous consent passed a resolution condemning bomb threats against HBCUs. The House passed its resolution with a bipartisan vote of 418-0.

“I know HBCUs can overcome any challenge, but those challenges should not include terrorism or racism,” Adams said on the House floor in support of her resolution.

She graduated from North Carolina A&T State University, an HBCU; founded the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus; and has advocated for more funding of those institutions. The House Education and Labor Committee, of which Adams is a member, has allocated about $6.5 billion in funding for HBCUs.

“While today’s resolution rightly condemns these cowardly acts of violence against our hallowed institutions, Congress must continue to respond with action — and legislation,” she said.

Read more: U.S. House condemns bomb threats made against HBCUs

Rep. Bennie Thompson calls on to investigate bomb threats to HBCUs

More than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities reported bomb threats Tuesday, marking the second consecutive day of threats at HBCUs nationwide and prompting calls for federal law enforcement to investigate amid campus lockdowns.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said the threats warrant a full investigation, and he said he was working with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security as well as with leaders of the HBCUs "to get them the answers they deserve."

In a statement to USA TODAY, the FBI said it was investigating.

"The FBI is aware of the series of bomb threats around the country and we are working with our law enforcement partners to address any potential threats," the statement said. "As always, we would like to remind members of the public that if they observe anything suspicious to report it to law enforcement immediately."

HBCU's to report new threats Tuesday were Kentucky State University in Frankfort; Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans; Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida; Fort Valley State University in Georgia; Spelman College, in Atlanta; Coppin State University in Baltimore; Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi; Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi; the University of the District of Columbia, Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas; and Jackson State University in Mississippi.

HANESBRANDS ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION INVESTMENT IN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

HanesBrands, a global leader in iconic apparel brands, today announced a $2 million investment in three historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The four-year partnership involves North Carolina A&T, Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design and Winston-Salem State University.

The university partnerships will fund research and offer financial support to students in areas ranging from sustainability to fashion design to supply chain management. The investment will build on HanesBrands’ commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, providing opportunities for underrepresented minorities and building pipelines of diverse talent.

“Inclusion is at the core of who we are as a company, and we are committed to creating opportunity for all,” said Steve Bratspies, CEO of HanesBrands. “Our partnerships with these HBCUs are part of HanesBrands’ legacy of investing in our communities. The scholarships and internships that are part of this program will ensure that students have opportunities to acquire the education and experience necessary to succeed and will help build a diverse and inclusive workforce.”

HanesBrands will engage students at the universities who are studying Information Technology, Data Analytics, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Marketing, Fashion Design and Merchandising. The partnership includes scholarships, internships, mentorships and research grants.

“We’re proud to partner with HanesBrands, not only in student support but on industry-relevant research,” said Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr. of North Carolina A&T State University. “This partnership will give students industry and research experience that will lead to rewarding careers of impact after graduation, as well as growing a stronger workforce for HanesBrands and North Carolina more broadly.”

“Our students recognize HanesBrands as a company that offers meaningful careers and is making a positive difference in our hometown of Winston-Salem,” said Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson of Winston-Salem State University. “This partnership will bring learning opportunities directly to our campus. Having real-world industry experience and building corporate networks will be invaluable to our students as they prepare for careers in everything from finance to fashion design to supply chain.”

"We are humbled and honored that HanesBrands shares our same vision to not only see but also take the necessary steps needed to create a more diverse industry,” said D’Wayne Edwards, President of Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design. “The work we will co-create together will inspire, change lives and leave our industry better than when we entered it. Thank you to HanesBrands for believing in us and inviting us to be on this journey with you."

The company will be a strategic partner of the HanesBrands Apparel Studio at Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design. The college, located in Detroit, is set to open in 2022. The company will donate materials, including fabrics and blank finished goods, as well as a variety of equipment to help teach students design.

HanesBrands has a longstanding commitment to providing educational assistance and support to expand access and opportunities to underserved communities. In 2020, the company established a two-year, $50,000 annual financial commitment in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to provide scholarships to freshman students attending HBCUs. Since 1981, HanesBrands has been a corporate partner to Carver High School in Winston-Salem, NC and since 2015, the Urban Dove Team Charter School in Brooklyn, NY.

These new investments support HanesBrands’ commitment to improve the lives of at least 10 million people by 2030 through diversity and inclusion initiatives, health and wellness programs, improved workplace quality, and philanthropic efforts that improve local communities.

HanesBrands strives to make its workplace more diverse and inclusive and provide equal opportunities for associates to reach their full potential. To learn more about HanesBrands’ commitment to people and 2030 goals, visit HBISustains.com.

What President Biden's Revamped Build Back Better Act Includes For HBCUs

When it comes to President Biden's Build Back Better Act you may have heard about Biden's plans for subsidized child care, universal pre-kindergarten and extended child tax credits.

But tucked inside the president's new scaled-back $1.85 trillion framework is significant funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Here is a brief overview of what Biden is proposing fr HBCUs:

* Biden's revamped framework includes $10 billion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities and other minority-serving institutions – one of the few funding increases over what was proposed in the president's original $3.5 trillion reconciliation package.

* The bill sets aside $3 billion for grants to support research and development infrastructure at such institutions. There's also $6 billion in Title III and Title V federal aid for HBCUs, TCUs and minority-serving institutions over the next five years, which would be five times the amount these schools currently receive from these funding streams, according to the White House.

* Other HBCU funding includes $1 billion proposed for improvements of agricultural facilities at HBCUs that were established by 1890 land grants and $100 million for scholarships for students pursuing agricultural careers at these schools.

The significant boost for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions comes as Biden faces sharp criticism from leaders of Black colleges and universities after proposing about $2 billion for HBCUs in his initial plan.

Vice President Kamala Harris visits Hampton University

Vice President Kamala Harris stopped in Hampton Friday. She visited Hampton University to discuss the administration’s efforts to invest in strengthening historically Black colleges and universities and to recognize minorities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Black College Football Hall of Fame Announces Establishment of the HBCU Legacy Bowl

The Black College Football Hall of Fame today announced the establishment of the HBCU Legacy Bowl. The HBCU Legacy Bowl is a postseason all-star game that will showcase the best NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game will take place on the Saturday after Super Bowl LVI (February 2022) at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University, and broadcast live on NFL Network.

“The HBCU Legacy Bowl means opportunity and exposure for HBCU players and coaches,” said Co-Founder and Inductee Doug Williams. “We’re excited to have this in New Orleans, especially during Black History Month.”

More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history will provide invaluable exposure for HBCU football players and coaches. Approximately 100 of the top HBCU players will be invited to participate.

“HBCUs are a bridge to equality,” said Co-Founder and Inductee James “Shack” Harris. “We thank the NFL for their support and in sharing our commitment to lifting up others.”

HBCU Legacy Bowl founding partners include the National Football League, Pro Football Hall of Fame and Tulane University.

To learn more, visit www.HBCULegacyBowl.com and follow us

Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand Announce Million Dollar Gift to Morehouse College

Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand today announced a one-million-dollar donation to Morehouse College as a part of their Black Community Commitment. The gift will help fund scholarships, technology, and educational programming for students studying journalism and sports-related areas of study. The Black Community Commitment is an initiative by Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand to directly impact the fight against systemic racism by focusing on social justice, economic justice, and race education and awareness. Morehouse joins the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Ida B. Wells Society in receiving gifts because of their roles “at the forefront of cultivating the Black experience to the wider public.”

“Education is crucial for understanding the Black experience today,” said Michael Jordan. “We want to help people understand the truth of our past, and help tell the stories that will shape our future.”

“There’s going to be a rich legacy of storytellers who will be supported by these programs,” added Morehouse alumnus Spike Lee ’79, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, and sports enthusiast. “Many people are influenced to think a certain way about Black folks based on what they see on television and in Hollywood. We’ve got to tell our story.”

Morehouse is the only historically Black college or university dedicated to educating and empowering Black men. For fifteen years, Morehouse’s Journalism and Sports Program has addressed a distinct need—the lack of Black leadership in sports journalism and athletics. Launched through Spike Lee’s philanthropic efforts and led by award-winning journalist Ron Thomas, the program has educated and professionally developed more than 600 students from Morehouse and the Atlanta University Center, producing more than 80 graduates who now work in media and sports and almost 40 graduates who have earned master’s degrees in those fields.

“Morehouse is grateful to Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand for an investment in the education of talented men of color who will ensure there is equity, balance, and truth in the way sports stories are framed and the way the Black experience is contextualized within American history,” said Monique Dozier, vice president for institutional advancement at Morehouse.

The Black Community Commitment from Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand is driven by a belief that real change is possible only with a more complete understanding of how structural racism has impacted American history. The grant to Morehouse was made to support programs that help shape the narrative of the Black experience in media and popular culture.

“Our grantees’ critical work includes education about Black history, improving the way Black stories are told, expanding sports journalism education and opportunity for students at HBCUs, and promoting leadership development among journalists and storytellers,” noted the announcement from Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand.

Election puts spotlight on HBCUs, a historic VP and two influential Georgians

Kamala Harris becoming Vice-President Elect is now a defining moment of pride for historically black colleges and universities - and how those institutions foster Black excellence in this country. And it brings the spotlight to three Black women proudly breaking barriers. Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams and Keisha Lance Bottoms each graduated from historically black colleges and universities.

Virginia State University creates John Mercer Langston Institute for African American Political Leadership

Virginia State University, VA- Virginia State University (VSU) has announced a new venture focused on increasing African American political leadership across the Commonwealth of Virginia. During a press conference this the University announced the creation of the John Mercer Langston Institute for African American Political Leadership (JMLI).

The JMLI at Virginia State University is devoted to developing, empowering, and cultivating African American leadership in the Commonwealth of Virginia through innovative training, policy collection and assistance, programming, research, and networking.

Along with today’s announcement, the John Mercer Langston Institute kicked off the inaugural “Black Virginia Voters Poll”, which highlights the needs of Black Virginia voters from across the Commonwealth. The poll will be available on the VSU website.

According to Dr. Wes Bellamy, Chair of the VSU Department of Political Science, “This Institute will help develop a pipeline for Black political leadership across the state and ensure that the voices of those who are often unheard will be represented. We hear loud and clear the need for change, for new voices, a thirst for understanding political structures, and people eager to make a difference. The JMLI institute is here to do just that.”

VSU President, Dr. Makola M. Abdullah says “As we look at the current political climate, it is imperative that clear avenues for Black political development are available. VSU has consistently worked to ensure that our students are prepared and equipped to be viable assets to society in the Commonwealth and beyond. The JMLI will serve as an additional voice and pathway to make that happen.”

The JMLI will also host a formal institute to develop Black political leadership in February 2021. Registration for the institute will be available in December 2020.

John Mercer Langston was an American abolitionist, attorney, educator, activist, diplomat, and politician. He was the first president of Virginia State University and the first dean of the law school at Howard University.

Maryland's HBCUs would get autonomy from state system under new bill

A Maryland delegate wants to give the state's historically Black colleges and universities greater independence by separating their governance from the University System of Maryland.

The proposal, if passed by the General Assembly, would grant autonomy to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Bowie State University and Coppin State University.

Delegate Julian Ivey, D-Prince George's County, said his bill would help correct funding disparities among state institutions. The HBCUs would remain publicly funded, but would have greater individual control, he said.

Ivey said his proposal would give Bowie State, Coppin State and UMES their own Boards of Regents, so that university leaders answer to "individuals who have attended HBCUs, who are invested in HBCUs."

"That would make it easier for presidents to advocate effectively for what the university actually needs, rather than just taking what the Board of Regents is willing to give them," Ivey said.

Each of the new Boards of Regents would have diversity goals, including a chair who attended an HBCU, at least five members who attended HBCUs, and a majority of board members who are Black.

Read more: Maryland's HBCUs would get autonomy from state system under new bill

Mike Bloomberg donates $32.8 million to Howard Medical School

Howard University and Mike Bloomberg today announced that Bloomberg Philanthropies is making a $32.8 million gift to support scholarships for current College of Medicine students with financial need. The gift is part of a total $100 million awarded to the nation’s four historically Black medical schools over the next four years to help increase the number of Black doctors in the U.S. by significantly reducing the debt burden of approximately 800 medical students, many of whom face increased financial pressure due to COVID-19. The gift marks the largest donation to the College of Medicine in its history. 

“Healthcare disparities exist for a myriad of reasons related to systemic infrastructural issues, not the least of which is the dearth of black doctors. Black doctors with cultural competency are a major part of the solution, but their path is often hampered by a compromised financial situation,” said Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University. “This gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies is the first stone dropped into a calm lake of opportunity and promise. The ripple effects that it will have on the lives of our students and our programs will carry on for generations.”

Currently in the U.S. only five percent of practicing physicians are Black, yet data proves that Black patients -- who are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than white Americans -- have better outcomes when treated by Black doctors. More Black doctors will mean more Black lives saved in America as well as a reduction of the health issues that end up suppressing economic opportunity in Black communities. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ grant to the historically Black medical schools will provide scholarships up to $100,000 to nearly every medical student currently enrolled and receiving financial aid at these schools over the next four years. This is the first investment of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative, a new effort to increase generational wealth among Black families and address systemic underinvestment in Black communities.

Although Black doctors are more likely to serve minority patients, and in medically-underserved areas, the devastating economic impact of the current pandemic threatens to worsen existing disparities potentially preventing current Black medical students with financial need from completing their degrees or by forcing Black medical school graduates to pick specialties that offer higher pay in the interest of paying off their medical school debt. Ultimately, the pandemic could both slow the placement of Black doctors in communities with the most need and significantly limit the ability of historically Black medical schools -- which have produced as many Black medical school graduates over the last 10 years as the top 10 non-HBMSs with the highest number of Black graduates --  to meet increased demand for financial assistance.

“COVID-19 has been especially devastating for the Black community, and the scarcity of Black doctors practicing in Black communities is one reason for it,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP, and three-term mayor of New York City. “More Black doctors will mean more Black lives saved and fewer health problems that limit economic opportunity. But right now, the burden of student debt and lack of financial aid means that the shortage of Black doctors could get even worse. During my campaign for president, I proposed a set of bold policies -- which we called the Greenwood Initiative -- to increase generational wealth among Black families and shrink the racial wealth gap. The commitment Bloomberg Philanthropies is making today is just the first step we will take to bring that work to life.”

With this strategic investment, Bloomberg Philanthropies strives to reduce health and wealth disparities in Black communities by improving health outcomes for Black Americans and accelerating the Black community’s ability to create generational wealth.

“The Bloomberg Philanthropies gift reaffirms that Howard Medicine Matters and this generosity will change the trajectory of our student’s post-medical school career paths,” said Dr. Hugh E. Mighty, dean of the Howard University College of Medicine. “Instead of carrying the burden of thousands of dollars in debt, they will now be able to focus on practicing their craft and fulfilling their purpose. For many students, less debt may create an opportunity to pick a specialty based more on interest and less on which specialties yield high incomes. This is truly a remarkable gift for each student and their entire families.”

Howard University College of Medicine  will determine the eligibility of their students currently enrolled and receiving financial aid for scholarships up to $100,000 ($25,000 for each year of medical school from 2021 through the academic year that ends in 2024). Students currently in years two, three, and four of medical school will receive retro-active scholarships, meaning that they can receive up to $100,000 in support regardless of whether they are graduating in 2021 or 2023. With the goal of reducing debt load, the grants can be used for tuition and fees. Recent data suggests that this support will significantly reduce the debt burden of these medical students. The grant also includes “wrap around” services, such as financial counseling for students and resources to track the program’s success, for each school. 

“This transformative gift is part of a continuing trend of increased giving to Howard University as aligned with our strategic plan to keep moving Howard Forward. The Bloomberg Philanthropies investment will allow Howard University to further its mission of training culturally competent physicians who will utilize their skills to make a profound impact in diverse communities all across the country. This gift positions our future caregivers to keep their eyes on the prize of completing school so they can help solve the health disparity issues that currently plague our society,” said David. P. Bennett, vice president of Development and Alumni Relations.  

This is the first investment by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative, born out of a commitment Mike Bloomberg made earlier this year during his campaign for U.S. President to help accelerate the pace of wealth accumulation for Black individuals and families and to address decades of underinvestment in Black communities nationwide. Bloomberg Philanthropies will partner with leaders and organizations across the country to implement, scale, and advocate for efforts that increase economic and social mobility -- and ultimately create intergenerational wealth for Black people in America. 

As a business owner, mayor, and philanthropist, Mike Bloomberg has a long-standing commitment to reducing health disparities, addressing the most complex public health crises, and improving access to quality K-12 and higher education for lower income students. 

UNCF to Host new National Virtual Walk for Education, supporting both HBCUs and Students

Online fundraising event will provide fun interactive activities for the public during mandatory social distancing

Washington, D.C., Aug. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- How do you stay safe during a pandemic, raise money for a great cause and get some exercise in on the side? Through the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Virtual Walk for Education®, of course! The new digital fundraiser replaces the annual in-person walk events that many of the UNCF local offices conduct each spring, summer and fall, taking what’s typically been a market-by-market approach on to a fully nationwide event. 

The revamped, highly anticipated UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education® aims to raise funds to support historically Black colleges and universities and the students they serve through the help of individuals, corporations and other group donors. While the country is practicing social distancing, the event will engage participants in activities to walk, run, cycle and dance safely—all the while having fun and still raising money for UNCF. The Walk is set for 2 p.m. EDT/11 a.m. PDT on Saturday, Sept. 19. 

 “For more than 76 years, UNCF has fueled HBCUs with vital resources to educate generations of African American and other minority students,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “During an unprecedented time in our history compounded by COVID-19 and racial disparities, our students and institutions are faced with enormous challenges now more than ever. We are at risk of washing away a generation of talented and deserving African American and minority students. We need as many donations as possible right now because the students we help now will be our next generation of doctors, nurses, biologists, virologists, epidemiologists—the pandemic frontliners of the future. We invite everyone to join our new National Virtual Walk for Education to help ensure better futures for us all.”

 A UNCF survey of more than 5,000 students across 17 HBCUs found that many are dealing with difficulties such as sick family members, trouble paying bills and general stress from the ongoing pandemic and recent protests against police brutality. Support is needed now more than ever as students and institutions are faced with challenges including COVID-19 and racial disparities.

Current national sponsors of the UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education® are National Doctorate Sponsor, Colgate-Palmolive Company and the National Master’s Sponsors, Essentia Water and Arch Capital Group, LTD.

The digital fundraiser will also honor local supporters, highlight UNCF HBCU presidents and include a celebrity DJ spinning live. Participants will be able to engage in a celebrity fitness warm-up including up-beat music to dance to all in honor of supporting HBCUs and their students.

To register for the event and find the local office that supports your area, please go to: https://uncf.org/event/2020-national-virtual-walk-for-education

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About UNCF

UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.

Tuskegee University’s Department of Architecture receives $100,000 gift to increase the number of licensed African Americans architects

Tuskegee University’s Department of Architecture has received an unparalleled contribution of $100,000 from the Cooper Carry Charitable Foundation, Inc. The gift will be used to increase access to the architecture profession for African American students.

The foundation is the charitable wing of the Cooper Carry architectural firm, located in Atlanta, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Eighty thousand dollars of the gift will be used to establish new need-based scholarships for undergraduate students. Twenty thousand of the gift is designated for a student technology scholarship that will allow students to receive technology assistance by providing laptops and/or architecture design software – as Tuskegee has transitioned to remote instruction.

“Cooper Carry has a long history of supporting schools of architecture. We have an active mentoring program, offer internships, and have endowed scholarships to support the growth and development of future leaders in architecture,” explained Cooper Carry President and CEO Kevin Cantley. “We knew Tuskegee University would be the place to develop a new and meaningful partnership – and we believe it’s important to be part of actively developing diverse voices in design and architecture.”

“The leadership in the Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science has supported our concept of nurturing the growth of talented young people for over two years,” Cantley further explained. “We have great respect for Tuskegee University and have hired several recent Tuskegee alumni on our team of professionals.”

Of the approximately 100,000 licensed architects in the United States, only two percent are African American – a statistic that has not changed significantly since the 1960s. The American Institute of Architect’s Large Firm Roundtable, of which Cooper Carry is a member, is an organization of 60 of the nation’s largest design firms. The roundtable firms have committed to hiring more African Americans, with an emphasis on recruitment from HBCU programs.  

“Tuskegee is one of only seven accredited architecture degree programs, which collectively account for approximately half of all African American graduates in architecture. This gift will enhance student academic success and increase our commitment to the students by making sure they are prepared when they go out into the workforce as future architects,” noted Dr. Carla Jackson Bell, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs and former dean of the school.

“Tuskegee is proud to have the distinction of having the largest percentage of licensed architects than any other architecture program in the southeast. Our students have incredible potential and through this partnership with Cooper Carry, we will be able to not only attract more students to our program, but we’ll be able to keep our current students in the program, and on track to graduate,” said Roderick Fluker, associate professor of Architecture and interim dean for the school.

About Cooper Carry

Cooper Carry provides architecture, planning, landscape architecture, interior design, environmental graphic design, branding, and sustainability consulting services. Founded in 1960, the firm specializes in the design of education, government, hospitality, mixed-use, office, residential, restaurants, retail, senior living, science + technology, and transit projects. The firm has designed projects in 45 states and globally in the Caribbean, Middle East, Asia, Africa and Central America. Cooper Carry approaches its work as a collaborative ecosystem. Its multiple studios and services come together daily to provide each project the depth of knowledge needed to meet and exceed objectives.

Cooper Carry’s leaders are advocates and authorities for their specialties, empowered by decades of expertise to make decisions that prioritize placemaking, civic space, and the greater good of communities, tenants, residents and visitors. For more information, visit Cooper Carry’s website at coopercarry.com and follow the design firm on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

© 2020, Tuskegee University

  

Delaware State Univ. to make historic acquisition of Wesley College

Delaware State, a historically Black university, has signed an agreement to take over financially struggling Wesley College.

Under the deal announced Thursday afternoon, Delaware State would become the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to acquire a non-HBCU school. That’s according to former DSU president Harry Williams, who now heads up the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

“This is an unprecedented landmark in the long history of HBCUs,” Williams said. “I am not surprised that Delaware State University is leading the way.”

The acquisition would fill DSU’s long-time need for campus presence in downtown Dover and would allow for more growth for the school that’s seen enrollment increase by 40% in the past decade. That growth has bucked the trend for HBCUs nationally.

The takeover fits in with current President Tony Allen’s mission to make DSU “a substantively diverse, contemporary and unapologetically historically Black college or university.” Wesley College is classified as a minority-serving institution and 63% of its student body are students of color.

The agreement calls for the two schools to figure out a path forward for an official takeover by June 2021. Part of that discussion will be about tuition. DSU’s tuition for the past school year was $3,519/semester for Delaware students and $8,258/semester for out-of-state students. Wesley students paid $13,467 per semester for the 2019-2020 school year.

[SOURCE: WHYY]

Howard University Creates Emergency Fund to Help Students Impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic

Historically Black Howard University in Washington, D.C., has established a scholarship fund to help students who are facing financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The university has heard from students and parents who have lost jobs or are facing other hardships related to the COVID-19 outbreak. All of the money in the fund will be used to give immediate, need-based scholarships to prospective May graduates in all 13 schools and colleges of the university, to assist them as they continue working towards their diplomas as planned.

The university has already taken steps to help students by refunding portions of students’ room and board, waiving seniors’ graduation fees, and returning fees for student activities, parking, and labs. The university is asking alumni to support the fund. Donations to the Howard University Alumni Association Emergency Scholarship Fund may be made here https://alum.howard.edu/emergencyfund.

“We have all been impacted by COVID-19, but Howard students have been hit especially hard,” says Sharon Strange Lewis, director of Alumni Relations whose daughter graduated from Howard University in 2017. “As a Howard alumna and the parent of a Howard graduate, I understand the level of excitement, anticipation, and pressure students feel when they’re about to graduate. This fund was created to support those graduating students who have experienced unforeseen hardship caused by the outbreak. Our hope is that each gift, no matter how small, will allow us to do something great for these students.”

Cory Booker request for $1.5B in Immediate Assistance to HBCUs during COVID-19 outbreak

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Doug Jones (D-AL) today urged Senate Leaders Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate appropriators to direct $1.5 billion in emergency funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) to support urgent COVID-19 related costs. Over the past month, MSIs have had to cover substantial emergency expenses for students from low-income families, yet these colleges tend to have fewer financial resources than other institutions. Additionally, the move to distance education has forced MSIs invest in infrastructure that they did not previously have, and purchase expensive technology, such as WiFi hotspots, for students without Internet at home.

“As the Senate anticipates consideration of a third supplemental appropriations package in response to COVID-19, we respectfully request that a one-time increase of $1.5 billion is added to Minority-Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities under Title III, Part A and B, Title V, and Title VII of the Higher Education Act,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Leaders McConnell and Schumer. “Title III and V  and VII institutions are a refuge for the communities of students that they serve, and in these uncertain times they are needed now more than ever. Assuring an increase in funding for Title III and V will allow these schools to continue operating without fear of going bankrupt or having to raise tuition next year.”

Minority Serving Institutions include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Native American-Serving, and Nontribal Institutions. Even though these institutions serve many of the country’s most marginalized and promising students, many MSIs have smaller endowments, less money from alumni giving, and lower levels of federal investment. New Jersey is home to 13 Minority-Serving Institutions.

“The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, NAFEO, the 50-year membership and advocate association of all HBCUs and PBIs, is grateful for the tremendous support Senator Booker continues to provide HBCUs, TCIs and MSIs,” NAFEO President and CEO Lezli Bakersville said. “Today, he is making a wise and just decision to urge America to further invest in HBCUs, TCIs, and MSIs because these institutions  are essential to closing the Nation’s persistent education and liberation gaps; the economic, wealth, and health gaps. These 800 equal educational opportunity American colleges and universities, are graduating 4.8 million undergraduate students in the U.S., 24% of ALL students. They are doing this despite their woeful underfunding. They are “punching way above their weight.” We urge all United States Senators to Senator Booker’s request for $1.5B for HBCUs, TCUs and MSIs in the third Coronavirus supplemental.”

"In this time of tremendous uncertainty, in the midst of this ongoing health emergency, it is imperative that neither our Nation's HBCUs and MSIs, nor their students find themselves a casualty of the disease COVID-19", Thurgood Marshall College Fund President and CEO Harry L. Williams said.  "Like other institutions of higher education, our HBCUs and PBIs are attempting to transition their academic instruction to a virtual environment, while simultaneously trying to manage the financial, technological and environmental challenges faced by many of their students, and doing so in the face of the resource limitations that our schools have historically encountered.  That is why the $1.5 billion in emergency Title III aid that Senator Booker and other Members of Congress are supporting is critical to helping our schools not only navigate this dynamic situation, but also ensure that our schools and their students are not unduly impacted by its ill effects. At a time when Congress is attempting to shore up our economy against the Coronavirus, it should be cognizant of the fact that our schools help educate some of our Nation's most vulnerable communities and, as such, they are particularly worthy of our federal government's support in this season of heightened need."

“HBCUs and their students are in need, expressly because of the response to the coronavirus, and we are calling on Senators and Members of the House to respond,” United Negro College Fund President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax said.  “Our institutions are dealing with unique circumstances because of who we serve.  The digital divide is real in our community, and a stimulus bill should definitely reflect our needs and proposed solutions.  We applaud Senators who are stepping up to the plate to advocate for our institutions and the students they serve.”

The full text of the letter is available here.

Last week, Booker wrote to the White House urging it to unlock emergency funds to help libraries and schools purchase mobile hotspots for students who lack internet access at home. And last fall, he was instrumental in pushing the Senate to reauthorize lapsed funding for MSIs by passing the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, a bill he had cosponsored.

Howard University cancels graduation

Howard University is canceling its graduation and will transition to online coursework after the school announced its first case of coronavirus.

A guest who attended the Howard University Charter Day Dinner tested positive for COVID-19. The DC Department of Health is investigating the case and as a precaution, the university is asking everyone who attended the March 7 dinner to monitor and report to their doctor if they experience flu like-symptoms, according to a letter from Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick.

Howard is canceling its graduation and all class reunions as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

[SOURCE: WLJA]

HBCUs still ‘woefully underfunded,’ according to UNCF president

One could argue it’s been a victorious year for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The FUTURE Act – legislation sustaining federal funding for minority serving institutions — made a fraught, winding journey to President Donald J. Trump’s desk, where it was signed into law in December.

But during a recent event, Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), discouraged unbridled optimism.

“I cannot stand before you here today and say only that the state of HBCUs is strong or only that HBCUs remain resilient,” he said at the organization’s second annual “State of the HBCU Address” where HBCU leaders and allies gathered in Washington D.C. “As you know, those truths are only part of the story.”

He argued that the permanent annual $255 million in federal funding for minority serving institutions, with $85 million designated for HBCUs, marks progress, but it isn’t enough to solve the “HBCU paradox” – the fact that HBCUs enjoy broad bipartisan support but continue to be “woefully underfunded.”

The support that exists, though it spans party divides, is “too often a mile wide and an inch deep,” Lomax said. “Too often it creates an all too convenient gap between rhetoric and reality. It makes it easy for people to look and sound like they are HBCU boosters without having to take the hard steps and make a deep-seated commitment to eradicate decades of disparate treatment of HBCUs.”

He directed a few pointed comments at Trump, who claimed at the Davos economic conference in January that his administration “saved” HBCUs.

Lomax acknowledged that HBCU leaders “deeply appreciate” that the president signed the FUTURE Act, forgave the loans of HBCUs impacted by Hurricane Katrina and offered capital finance loan deferment for 13 HBCUs. But he also noted that the FUTURE Act wasn’t included in Trump’s 2021 federal budget and Trump’s efforts to remove programs like federal work study would hurt HBCU students if successful. Meanwhile, most Democratic candidates — Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bloomberg – have proposed more extensive plans for funding HBCUs.

“We know the president wants the bragging rights for having done ‘more than any other president’ to support HBCUs, so there’s still time for you to claim that mantle,” he said, addressing the president and prompting laughs from the audience. “We hope you will propose in the coming months investments that rival or exceed those of your Democratic opponents.”

Lomax laid out several ongoing policy goals like lobbying for a $1 billion grant for HBCU infrastructure, doubling the Pell grant and tripling Title III funding, the funds guaranteed in the FUTURE Act.

But the federal government isn’t the only sector responsible for the inequitable funding of HBCUs, he said, pointing to “subtler forms of disparate and unfair treatment” by philanthropists, accreditors, corporations and lenders.

Notably, he cited a recent report from the Student Borrower Protection Center called “Educational Redlining,” which found that Upstart, an online lending platform, offered HBCU graduates higher interest rates, costing them thousands of dollars more than similar graduates from predominantly white institutions.

“Let’s make this year the year inequitable treatment of HBCUs is named and shamed,” he said.

[SOURCE: LouisianaWeekly]