Jackson State University Awarded $10K Grant To Support Adult Literacy In The Jackson Metro Area

According to a press release, the foundation gave the HBCU’s School of Lifelong Learning a $10,000 grant to support adult literacy at their Continuing Education Learning Center (CELC). The financial assistance is from the organization’s recent $10.5 million donation as an effort to continue summer, family, and adult literacy programs for the Jackson Metro area — marking its largest one-day grant donation ever.

“For nearly 30 years, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has been proud to invest in literacy and education programs in our hometown communities,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, per the press release. “The recent and significant shifts in the educational landscape have made the Foundation’s mission more critically important. As we work to create access to high-quality instruction for all individuals, we share our gratitude for the educators who are working to uplift and empower others. We hope these funds will have a meaningful impact on students and teachers across the country and look forward to seeing the positive impact they have on learners.”

Within the offered classes, adults will have the opportunity to earn a high school credential and learn how to build their career and college readiness skills to lead them toward successful paths as professionals and college students.

“Once again, we are humbled and appreciative of the assistance provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation,” Director of the School of Lifelong Learning, Dr. Carlos Wilson said. “They continue to support organizations such as our Continuing Education Learning Center and our activities to improve literacy in the Jackson Metro Area. These efforts help improve Mississippi’s workforce, which may better the quality of life and the socioeconomic path of our communities.”

The announcement of the grant follows Diddy’s recent donation to the school. While accepting his Lifetime Achievement honor at the 2022 BET Awards, the Hip-Hop mogul revealed that he was donating $1,000,000 to both Howard University and Jackson State University, as previously shared by AfroTech.