Stillman College to sponsor car in NASCAR event

By Sheyla Fairley

Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL, has sponsored John Cohen’s #44 race car, which was driven by Greg Biffle, for the Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

According to an article, NY Racing Team owner John Cohen is a “marketing partner of Urban Edge Network, Inc. and HBCU League Pass Plus, a digital streaming platform for HBCU sports and student life events.”

“Stillman College is excited that NASCAR is partnering with HBCUs, to support diversity efforts in their racing cup series,” said Dr. Cynthia Warrick, president of Stillman College. “Having a Stillman-branded car in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 signals a major effort for NASCAR, and we are honored to be a part of this initiative. Plus, our car looks really cool.”

For more information, read the full article here.

TEDCO collaborates with Maryland’s four HBCUs for women leadership programs

By Sheyla Fairley

TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, will be collaborating with four of Maryland’s historically Black colleges and universities to launch its new Women Entrepreneur Leadership Programs. As stated in an article, the new programs are “designed to build an alliance of diverse founders and CEOs to strategically navigate Maryland’s entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem.”

The four HBCUs include Bowie State University, Bowie, MD; Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD; Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD; and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD.

“Using the input from TEDCO’s Task Force for Women Entrepreneurs to develop the course foundation, we were able to create a one-of-a-kind program focusing on mitigating challenges Black women entrepreneurs face,” said Linda Singh, executive director for TEDCO’s Women Entrepreneur Leadership.

Read the full article, here.

UGA partners with Fort Valley State University

By Sheyla Fairley

According to an article, the Rising Scholars Internship is a nine-week program where students from Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA, will be given the opportunity to “conduct research with [College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences] scientists” and reside on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, GA.

“This program represents a wonderful opportunity for undergraduate students to engage in cutting-edge research and prepare for graduate school,” UGA Graduate School Dean and Vice Provost of Graduate Education Ron Walcott said. “We are enthusiastic about our ongoing partnership with our colleagues at Fort Valley State University, and this internship is integral to our broader goal of recruiting outstanding students for graduate studies at UGA.”

Slated for summer 2022, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is accepting applications for the program with FVSU with the deadline to apply is April 1. Students will be notified by April 15 if they are accepted.

For more details, read the full article here.

ICSC Foundation and ICSC chairman contribute to NCCU’s real estate program

By Sheyla Fairley

The Innovating Commerce Serving Communities (ICSC) Foundation and ICSC chairman Glenn Rufrano have contributed $100,000 to help fund a new real estate program at North Carolina Central University’s, Durham, NC, School of Business.

“It is beyond time for companies within the commercial real estate industry to help level the playing field and provide ongoing opportunities and financial support to real estate programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels for racially diverse students who are pursuing careers in commercial real estate and the Marketplaces Industry. The HBCU community is the most critical educational arena that needs our support because it is their graduates who can help to reverse this trend of underrepresentation. I am proud to lend my support to NCCU’s real estate program because their program will become a standard by which other HBCU real estate programs will follow,” stated Rufrano in a release.

Chad Williams appointed as executive director for the West North Avenue Development Authority

By Sheyla Fairley

Chad Williams was announced as the first executive director of the West North Avenue Development Authority by Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD, president Anthony L. Jenkins.

“I am excited to join the West North Avenue Development Authority and engage with residents, businesses, and other key stakeholders to draw key investment to communities in West Baltimore,” said Executive Director Williams. “With an anchor institution like Coppin State University championing this effort, additional collaboration with all partners, and strategic investment, Baltimore is primed to become a leader in successful urban renewal.”

As stated in a release, meetings of the West North Avenue Development Authority are “held on the fourth Tuesday of every month.”