PNC awards $2 million to five NC HBCUs
By Sheyla Fairley
The PNC Bank is awarding more than $2 million to five historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in North Carolina to establish the “PNC North Carolina HBCU Initiative,” an effort to create more entrepreneurs who can create more jobs in the state.
The HBCUs receiving the 3-year PNC grant funds are Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC; Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC; Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC; North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC; and Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC.
“We’re collaborating with these five institutions because we share their vision of advancing inclusive entrepreneurship education and opportunities,” said Jim Hansen, PNC regional president for eastern Carolinas. “At the core, empowering black entrepreneurs translates to business ownership, jobs and wealth creation.”
Read the full article, here.
DreamWorks Animation and HBCU 20×20 to launch new talent development program
By Sheyla Fairley
DreamWorks Animation and HBCU 20×20, the world’s largest network for HBCU and Black job seekers, has partnered up to develop a new program for students called LAUNCH: HBCU Fellowship Program.
As stated in an article, the program will “select 15 individuals from historically Black colleges and universities to participate in a paid eight-week curriculum that includes various workshops and courses focused on topics like building one’s brand and achieving diversity on screen.”
“DreamWorks strives to introduce and carve a path for Black students, and we found the perfect partner to create a meaningful fellowship program with HBCU 20×20,” Rabia Abedin, DreamWorks Animation’s manager of Early Career Programs & Diversity Outreach, said. “LAUNCH will continue DreamWorks ongoing commitment to eliminate barriers in animation for the Black community, and we believe that this program will create impactful opportunities for everyone involved.”
Current students and recent graduates at HBCUs are able to submit applications for the program through March 1, 2022. To apply, click here.
Partnership between billionaire Robert F. Smith and Prudential Financial to aid HBCU students
By Sheyla Fairley
Black billionaire Robert F. Smith’s nonprofit Student Freedom Initiative has partnered with Prudential Financial to help HBCU students with their college expenses.
To do this, they have collaborated on a program called Handling Everyday Life Problems for Students (HELPS). The HELPS program is set to launch during the spring 2022 academic year at participating HBCUs.
“Student Freedom Initiative applauds the leadership of Prudential Financial and their support for our shared mission of eliminating barriers of access for underserved communities,” said Smith. “By enabling the launch of the HELPS Program, a vital component of our work is to address the holistic needs of HBCU students and families, Prudential’s gift will provide long-needed and often overlooked aid and support persistence of those most vulnerable in our community.”
For more information, read the full article here.
Florida Memorial University and philanthropist Ted Lucas to establish tech partnership
By Sheyla Fairley
Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, FL, is joining forces with music executive and philanthropist Ted Lucas to create a “Cyber Innovation Hub,” a program to help students land jobs and create businesses for themselves in industries involving cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, renewable energy, etc. It is also seeking to close the racial wealth gap between Black and white households.
“The university will measure the partnership’s success by the number of students who graduate and land tech jobs,” said Jaffus Hardrick, president of FMU. “I want to make sure that people are coming to invest in our students and in this institution.”
Francis Suarez, mayor of Miami, has presented a check of $50,000 in an effort to jump-start the program. According to an article, he says that the “initiative has the potential to improve the lives of those who have long been marginalized in South Florida.”
For more details, read the full article here.
Belk expands vendor lineup with diverse-owned brands
By Sheyla Fairley
According to an article, Belk is “expanding its list of vendors with the addition of more than a dozen diverse-owned brands,” which support and honor underrepresented communities, to further its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“Diversifying our product offerings is a key focus,” said Chris Kolbe, EVP, Chief Merchandising Officer at Belk. “We want our customers to feel represented and at home when they shop at Belk through the products they use and the clothes they wear. By partnering with a diverse group of business owners, we’re able to do just that, while also fueling the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
To explore the minority-owned brands at Belk, please click here.
