Spelman College statement on the passing of Joycelyn Wilson

Spelman College statement on the passing of Joycelyn Wilson:

"It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the death of a highly respected member of the Spelman College community, Senior Instructor Joycelyn Wilson, who passed away on February 9. Wilson joined Spelman in 2007 as a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics, where she made an indelible impact on both her students and colleagues.

"Before coming to Spelman, she was an instructor at Howard University and American University, both in Washington, DC. While at Spelman, Wilson served as the program director of the Spelman/Salem STEM (S3) Mentoring Program and the Women in Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering Program. Most recently, Wilson served as program director for the Mathematics Research and Mentoring Program.

"Wilson earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Clark Atlanta University, and a second master’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

"We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and the many people whose lives she touched."

National Society of Black Engineers Celebrates Milestone 50th Anniversary During 2025 Annual Convention

The National Society of Black Engineers® (NSBE®), one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the U.S., is excited to announce its 2025 Annual Convention ("NSBE 2025"). Taking place from March 5–9 at Chicago's McCormick Place, North America's top convention center, NSBE's largest convening is centered on the theme "Inspire! Excel! Impact!" this year, which reflects the organization's mission "to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."

Last year's convention saw roughly 17,000 attendees, and the organization is looking to attract even more in 2025 as they celebrate "Five Decades of Black Excellence Engineered." Through workshops, panel discussions and interactive activities, attendees will experience unparalleled opportunities and be given tools to excel in academia, Corporate America, entrepreneurship and beyond. Event sponsors, including Microsoft, will be on-site, ready to engage with young professionals and foster meaningful relationships.

The 2025 Annual Convention is a four-day event with an anticipated 400-plus Career Fair exhibitors and more than 20,000 attendees participating in scores of activities, including the Opening, General and Closing Sessions. During the Annual Convention, the Society conducts organizational business, elects national and regional leaders, holds technical, scientific and math competitions and provides professional and personal development, networking and celebratory activities.

A standout feature of the Annual Convention is the Pre-College Initiative (PCI) Conference, designed to support the next generation of engineers, featuring motivational speakers and accomplished leaders sharing their journeys and insights. Youth participants can also compete in educational activities and events like the Ten80 NSBE National STEM Challenge, a racing competition featuring radio-controlled cars; the VEX IQ Competition, a robot engineering challenge; and the KidWind Competition, which works to make renewable energy widely accessible.

Members can visit the NSBE Legacy Museum, which will have artifacts and exhibitions from the organization's storied history, and a newly released coffee table book chronicling the Society's background and growth. NSBE's founders and key stakeholders will be present to highlight the organization's legacy and the transformative impact it has made on the field of engineering and beyond. The organization's signature recognition event, the NSBE Golden Torch Awards, honors the best and brightest in STEM, with categories highlighting corporate diversity, academic success, community impact and more.

"As we celebrate 50 years of NSBE, this year's Annual Convention is more than just a gathering; it's a testament to the resilience, brilliance and impact of Black engineers across generations," said Janeen Uzzell, NSBE's CEO. "Together, we are building on five decades of excellence to drive meaningful change in our industry and communities while empowering the next wave of innovators who will continue shaping the future of STEM."

NSBE was formed in 1975 as a response to the lack of representation and success of Black people in higher education engineering programs and, thus, in the workforce. Diversity and inclusion are strategic imperatives that foster better output, smarter solutions and greater innovation. NSBE is committed to addressing the needs and disparities that exist today for Blacks in STEM through initiatives and actionable support around aligned diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

NSBE 2025 continues the legacy of fostering equality, professional growth and abundant opportunities for Black students and professionals pursuing engineering and other STEM careers. To register and learn more, visit convention.nsbe.org. Designated on-site media registration will be available with media kits and spokesperson information. Visit NSBE 2025 Press Pass Registration to access press information.

Cory Booker Reintroduces Bill to Award Congressional Gold Medal to the 200,000 African Americans Who Fought for the Union in the Civil War

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced their bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the approximately 200,000 African Americans who fought to preserve the Union during the Civil War. The bill introduction coincides with Black History Month.

African Americans served the United States in times of war since long before the Civil War. Yet, there was resistance to enlisting African Americans to take up arms at the start of the Civil War. On May 22, 1863, the United States War Department issued General Order Number 143, which established the Bureau of Colored Troops for the recruitment and organization of regiments of the Union Army composed of African American men, called the United States Colored Troops. By the end of the war, about 179,000 Black men had served as soldiers in the Army, and another 19,000 Black men had served in the Navy. Black women were not allowed to formally enlist as soldiers or sailors. They were, however, allowed to serve as nurses, cooks, spies, and scouts for the Army and the Navy.

“African Americans have laid down their lives serving in our country’s armed forces for hundreds of years,” said Senator Booker. “Though often overlooked or forgotten, the United States Colored Troops were vital to preserving the Union during the Civil War. We must honor their legacy and ensure their service and sacrifice are remembered as an integral part of our nation’s history. More than 150 years have passed since the end of the war, and this bill will ensure these American heroes are finally awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their fight for liberty, equality, and justice.”

“Hundreds of thousands of African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War have largely been left out of the nation's historical memory, despite having sacrificed their safety, and in many cases their lives,” Congresswoman Norton said. “This bill will help correct that wrong and give the descendants of those soldiers the recognition they deserve. Thank you to Senator Booker for partnering with me in this effort, and for introducing the Senate version of the bill so early this Congress.”

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

Sign the NAACP Black Consumer Pledge

Message from the NAACP:

Black dollars have power — nearly $2 trillion strong. Yet, too many corporations profit from our spending while rolling back their DEI commitments. This isn’t just a betrayal; it’s a threat to the progress we’ve fought for.

We see it. We won’t forget it. And we’ll continue to demand better.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion, is not just a trend - it's a way of life.

To support this effort will you sign the NAACP Black Consumer Pledge?

By signing the pledge, you commit to joining NAACP in the fight for an economy that benefits everyone. You can do this by:

Spending Intentionally: Support businesses and organizations that maintain and expand their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion and prioritize investment in Black communities.

Demanding Accountability: Call out corporations that have abandoned diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and demand transparency in their practices.

Supporting Black-Owned Businesses: Prioritize Black-owned businesses and service providers in spending decisions.

Advocating for Change: Push for policies strengthening supplier diversity, workplace equity, and economic inclusion for Black professionals and entrepreneurs.

Staying Informed: Educate yourself and others about corporate rollbacks and their impact on Black communities.

Join us by signing our pledge today. https://naacp.org/campaigns/black-consumer-advisory.

BET Media Group, NAACP, JSSK, and WME Launch the Altadena Community Preservation Fund

In response to the devastating Eaton Fire and its disproportionate impact on the historically Black community in Altadena, California, a coalition of industry leaders — including BET Media Group, NAACP, Johnson Shapiro, Slewett & Kole (JSSK) and WME, in collaboration with local community organizations such as Community Aid Dena, Altadena Heritage, and WalkGood LA — has launched the Altadena Community Preservation Fund. This initiative, coordinated in partnership with LA County, aims to protect homeowners from displacement and preserve the community's cultural heritage.

Recognizing the long-term recovery challenges ahead, the fund will provide direct financial assistance to support immediate needs during the rebuilding process — including temporary housing, independent adjusters, legal fees, and administrative costs — with the goal of ensuring Altadena's historic community and homeownership remain intact for future generations.

The fund will empower recipients to navigate recovery on their own terms by providing homeowners and small business owners impacted by the Eaton Fire direct cash assistance in the form of bridge grants. Additionally, the NAACP is activating with a presence on the ground, hosting town hall meetings and creating dedicated spaces for the community to connect with aid officials.

To ensure meaningful support for those who qualify, the fund will focus on assisting homeowners who were living within the historically Black communities of Altadena, defined by census tracts, particularly those:

Homeowners who are uninsured or underinsured, including those on the California FAIR Plan

Homeowners with limited net wealth as determined by LA County means testing parameters

Multi-generational households with higher financial strains due to shared housing and caregiving responsibilities

Senior (65+) Altadena homeowners who are not in the workforce

"For generations, Altadena served as a refuge for Black Americans looking to escape the Jim Crow South and the discriminatory land ownership practices pervasive in somany other communities in California. As such, it became a haven for Black families and an exemplar of the power of generational wealth in the Black community," said Scott Mills, President & CEO of BET Media Group. "At BET, we are committed to coming to the aid of our communities when they need us most. The Altadena Community Preservation Fund is about more than just recovery — it's about empowering families, preserving history, and ensuring that this vibrant community continues to thrive for generations to come."

"The NAACP has proudly stood by our community in the face of uncertainty, and the tragedies from the California wildfires are no exception. Altadena - a city rich in Black history and homeownership deserves hope and an unwavering commitment to restoration," said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. "The unimaginable devastation has stripped generations of Black families of not just their homes, but the sanctuaries and pillars of generational wealth they built. Entire communities are facing overwhelming loss, and we remain steadfast in our pledge to the rebuilding process. Through this coalition of partners and organizations, we are dedicated to providing the critical resources needed to help families reclaim and rebuild what was lost."

"This fund was built to assist in safeguarding generational wealth for the multiethnic and socioeconomically diverse community that calls Altadena home," said Romola Ratnam, SVP and Head of Impact and Inclusion at Endeavor. "WME is proud to be rallying our network and committing resources to ensure that direct relief for Altadena residents is a priority for the entertainment community across Los Angeles."

"The Altadena Community Preservation Fund will be a critical resource for those most at risk of being permanently displaced by this tragedy," said Hannah Linkenhoker, Chief Engagement Officer at JSSK. "This initiative underscores our shared responsibility to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of this historically significant neighborhood and the power that arises when Angelinos come together to support our community in times of need."

The Altadena Community Preservation Fund will be administered in partnership with FORWARD — a platform dedicated to putting people first through efficient, secure, and human-centered technology. With a focus on reducing barriers and ensuring aid reaches recipients swiftly, securely, and equitably, FORWARD empowers organizations to deliver support when it matters most. This fund will uphold transparency, efficiency, and accountability in distributing much-needed aid, with allocation based on available funds.

"I am deeply honored to be a partner in this dynamic coalition, along with many others committed to the road of recovery. Restoration begins with stabilizing and supporting our most vulnerable community members and that's exactly what this effort is designed to do," said Aja Brown, Senior Vice President of Impact at FORWARD, who hails from Altadena.