Showing 25 results for:
Scholarships
Popular topics
All results
Far before Nia Long could fathom becoming a mother, she was putting in work to ensure that her future children would be able to live out their collegiate dreams. An actress best known for starring in cult classics like “Soul Food,” “The Best Man,” and “Love Jones,” Long is the mother of two sons, 23-year-old Massai Z. Dorsey II and 12-year-old Kez Sunday Udoka. During a fireside conversation hosted by Ally Financial during the 2024 American Black Film Festival, Long opened up about her journey to motherhood and how smart financial savings helped her put her eldest son through college without the help of any loans. At one point during the panel, “Money and Mindfulness: A Conversation with Nia Long,” the actress was asked what her values regarding her finances are. “One of the things is [that] I started saving for my children before I became a mother,” she recalled. “I took $3,000 and I just put [it] in this account. I was like, ‘I’m never touching that.’ And it allowed me to get my...
Beyoncé’s Cécred is looking to make an impact outside of just the haircare industry. As previously shared by AFROTECH™, the technology-backed company launched in February 2024. Testing was a big proponent in bringing the haircare line that’s “validated by science” to life. “Every hair texture deserves testing, research and development,” Beyoncé told Essence for its March/April 2024 cover story. “Black women in general are the last to be included in testing. We are often prescribed things based on studies we were not included in. It’s bigger than me, or hair. Now we have created something that celebrates healthy hair for all women, including us. I’m always honored to invest in us.” Within the same month of Cécred’s launch, BeyGood, Beyoncé’s public charity foundation, announced its Cécred x BeyGood Fund. According to its website, the annual $500,000 fund was created to give back to professional hairstylists for the impactful work they bring to their respective communities. “Fostering...
A bright future in education awaits the students of Benjamin E. Mays High School in southwest Atlanta, GA. WABE, a local PBS station, reports that on Friday, April 19, 2024, the class of 2024, made up of 272 seniors, gathered for assembly and were surprised with a visit by Kevin James, the 19th president of Morris Brown College in Atlanta. James, who has maintained the post since 2020, per 11Alive, had good news for them. He began by giving a brief history lesson on the college, which had lost its accreditation in 2002 due to challenges stemming from debt and financial mismanagement, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. Nearly two decades following the defeat, it had announced in 2021 that the college had regained its accreditation, becoming the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to do so. “It’s so many HBCUs that have lost their accreditation that are still closed today,” James told the class of 2024, according to WABE. “That usually is a death sentence for an...
A new move made by a group of education officials in North Carolina has the power to do a state-wide sweep of programs committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at public universities. According to The News & Observer, the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors’ University Governance Committee has approved “a policy that repeals the university system’s existing policy and regulation on diversity and inclusion.” The move will reportedly disband laws in place requiring all 17 public campuses within the state of North Carolina to employ diversity officers as well as drive efforts toward a common goal of fulfilling diversity-related measures. A University of North Carolina System Board of Governors committee voted in favor of policy that would eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion jobs at NC public universities. There was no discussion. https://t.co/9xQvXJFFG8 — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 18, 2024 Per the Raleigh, NC-based outlet, the committee held...
This Tuskegee, AL-based Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has received a whopping donation. According to a news release, an anonymous donor has donated $20 million to Tuskegee University, which is going toward developing STEM programs and applied research. “This gift will allow us to invest in our students, faculty, programs and infrastructure, enabling us to enhance our academic reputation, enrich the student experience, and continue our work to reach milestones within our strategic plan,” Tuskegee University President Dr. Charlotte P. Morris shared in a statement. “It will provide additional resources for us to implement vital initiatives, further securing the campus, and foster a more dynamic community.” She continued, “We are grateful for this extraordinary act of philanthropy, which will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our university and its community. This contribution is a testament to our collective efforts and the enduring trust inspired by the Tuskegee...
Duke University is the latest higher educational institute to make a change following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in admissions. According to its student publication The Chronicle, the North Carolina college has officially discontinued its Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship Program. Since its inception in 1979, the merit scholarship was created for Black undergraduates, some of whom were required to demonstrate the need for financial assistance. It covered the cost of full tuition as well as room and board for those who were selected to be a part of the program. Duke University announced it is ending a full-ride scholarship program for Black students in the wake of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling https://t.co/dNK2Rst99y — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 12, 2024 “It is very much disheartening to hear that this program that opened the door for me to come to Duke is now being closed essentially, even though it will take on a new...
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) hopes to inspire people to look into the skies and to their communities. Recently, Black individuals in NASA’s workforce took social media by storm after sharing their headshots from the independent agency. The heartwarming posts reminded everyone of the importance of representation and fostering inclusivity, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Joining #BlackAtNASA . After 15 years this is my headshot. pic.twitter.com/qDTMbGprZ2 — K Renee Horton,PhD (@Reneehortonphd) March 17, 2024 Despite the fleeting nature of viral moments, NASA’s efforts for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are far more than just a snapshot. In 2023, the agency released an equity action plan supporting a presidential executive order focused on dismantling “inequitable barriers and challenges facing underserved communities.” “We at NASA, as an administrator, never tell our story,” Shahra Lambert, NASA’s...
The legacy of Breonna Taylor continues to live on. In September 2020, Amy Sherald paid tribute with a cover portrait for Vanity Fair following the tragic loss in March of that year. Now, the artist is using the portrait’s proceeds to pay it forward to Taylor’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. According to UofLNews, Sherald donated $1 million of the art earnings toward scholarships for law students at the University of Louisville. The funding is set to be specifically for students who are committed to social justice. “I have long held the belief of the transformative power of education and its ability to foster new conversations and accelerate societal growth,” Sherald shared in a statement, according to UofLNews. “With support from the Heartland Foundation and the Ford Foundation it has become possible for me to realize those beliefs.” She added, “I have created this trust to help unblock the challenges historically faced by students pursuing the work of social justice and public...
Everyone has a story to tell, but for Omarion Ikaika Calloway, becoming a storyteller might just be the ultimate dream career and he’s one step closer! According to USA Today, the high school senior has been accepted into 21 colleges and universities and could soon be on his way to his dream school as the first in his family to ever pursue higher education. Calloway, who is committed to becoming a storyteller, credits his grandmother for encouraging him to apply to his dream school, New York University. At the age of 10, he became her caretaker and would even read her some of the stories he’d written upon tucking her in for bed at night. Now that she has since transitioned, he aims to keep the dreams she had for him alive through his work. “My grandmother…inspired me to apply to NYU,” he said in an interview with the outlet.
Hip-Hop activist Trae Tha Truth is joining forces with NBA star James Harden to provide financial assistance to ten lucky college students this year. According to REVOLT, the charitable Houston rapper is making high school and college students the focus of his latest philanthropic act to help them pursue their higher education. In an Instagram post, Trae shared that he would be giving out his “Trae Day” scholarships to graduating high school students or current college students who are experiencing financial hardships. “Proud To Announce, This TraeDay Weekend I will Be Teaming Up With @jharden13 And We Decided To Give Out 10 TraeDay Scholarships To Graduates Accepted Into College or Already in College To Assist With Academics,” he wrote in his post’s caption. In order to qualify for the Trae Day scholarships, students must submit a 250-word essay explaining what it would mean to be a scholarship recipient. Additionally, students must be attending college this fall and able to attend...
Former college student-turned-rapper Cordae is using his musical influence to reward his fellow peers pursuing higher education. According to a press release, the Grammy-nominated rap star has partnered with the Disney Dreamers Academy and ESPN’s The Undefeated to fund scholarships for youth in underrepresented communities who plan on attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Cordae’s new partnership and noble act partially stems from his participation in the upcoming “Liberated / Music For The Movement Vol. 3 EP” set to release this Friday (June 18) in honor of this year’s Juneteenth celebration. When approached with the opportunity, Cordae expressed his desire to donate proceeds from the album’s release toward a fund for scholarships for HBCU students. As someone who knows the college struggle firsthand, the rapper feels it’s only right that he shares his wealth with others in unfortunate or tough financial situations. “So many people need the money more than...
Xavian Branch has options when it comes to his college decision. According to Blavity, the Mississippi student has been accepted to 20 different colleges and if that news isn’t good enough to jump for joy, the fact that he has also received $1.5 million in scholarship offers definitely is! Branch is a senior at The Jim Hill High School located in Jackson, Mississippi, and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma program participant graduating with a 4.8 GPA. He is also the class valedictorian. “When I look back at all the work that I did, I wouldn’t regret anything,” said Branch in an interview. After applying to colleges thanks to the help of his academic adviser Frank J. Branch, the opportunities are endless as that Branch has been accepted into 20 different schools and has been offered $1.5 million in scholarships. His mother, Zandra Branch is one proud mother and is excited to see all that he continues to accomplish. “I just can’t say enough about my baby,” she said. ” I want...
Inequities in funding for Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) has been a deep-rooted issue in the American education system for decades. While the venture capital industry has vowed for years to invest in more Black and people of color, Silicon Valley venture capital (VC) firm Base10 Partners is following through on that promise with a unique initiative bridging the gap between VC and higher learning. A press release reports that Base10 Partners announced the raise of a $250 million fund for an initiative known as the Advancement Initiative — which aims to invest in tech companies and then take a portion of the profit from the fund and donate it to HBCU endowments and student scholarships. Base10 will reportedly create scholarships in the name of each of its portfolio companies to then fund the education of HBCU STEM students. Since debuting this past March, the fund has already completed eight investments in several tech startups, including Attentive, Nubank, Brex,...
High school senior Kelisha Williams’ application to Harvard University began as a joke but as it turns out the teen is headed to the esteemed college on a full ride. According to WCPO, Williams — an Ohio native who grew up in the foster care system — didn’t believe she could actually get into Harvard, much less secure a full scholarship. However, hard work and determination paved the way for an incredible opportunity for her future. “When I applied to Harvard, I applied to Harvard as a joke,” Williams told the news outlet. “I didn’t think I was going to get in.” When Williams logged into her school account to check her admission results, she was pleasantly surprised to see that she had been accepted with a message that read “congratulations” accompanied by confetti. Now, the young teen is gearing up to study political science and psychology for her tuition-free college career. In speaking with WCPO, Williams revealed that growing up she wanted to become president one day, and now...
This Nigerian teenager is setting the bar high for herself before she even begins her college career. A report from CNN shared that 17-year-old high school graduate Victory Yinka-Banjo counted 19 full-ride scholarship offers from the many colleges she applied to, in total worth over $5 million for an undergraduate program from universities across the U.S. and Canada. “It still feels pretty unbelievable. I applied to so many schools because I didn’t even think any school would accept me,” she told CNN. Yinka-Banjo — who was born to professional Nigerian parents — was granted several pending full scholarships from the Ivy League schools such as Yale College, Princeton University, Harvard College, Brown University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Virginia. She also received offers from Canadian colleges such as the Lester B. Pearson scholarship from the University of Toronto and the Karen McKellin...