VSU awarded $1.4M to assist students with childcare

By Sheyla Fairley

Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA, has been awarded $1.45 million in Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant by the U.S. Department of Education.

As stated in a release, CCAMPIS grant supports “low-income parents who are pursuing postsecondary education” and will provide “student-parents with funds to pay for childcare so they may focus their energy on graduating.”

“We believe that education can alter the trajectory of the lives of our students—particularly first-generation students,” said Regina Barnett-Tyler, Principal Investigator for the grant and VSU Assistant Vice President of Student Success and Engagement. “To have a program that offers this assistance reaffirms our commitment to being an access and opportunity university and to providing an atmosphere conducive to learning, growing, and transforming for all—no matter their circumstances or background.”

HBCUs offered crypto literacy program by Circle 

By Sheyla Fairley

According to an article, Circle Internet Financial, LLC, a global financial technology firm, launched a free crypto literacy program to promote “digital and financial literacy for traditionally underserved populations in an effort to make education around and access to the digital financial revolution more universally accessible” with students at several historically Black colleges & universities getting to access the pilot program by October 2022.

“Expanding access to digital financial literacy is a key element of our mission to realize a financial future that is more inclusive than the past,” said Mercina Tillemann Perez, VP of Circle Impact at Circle. “Launching Circle U in partnership with these esteemed academic institutions is a step toward helping to provide equitable access to education that can equip students with the necessary knowledge to become sophisticated actors and builders in this industry.”

For more details, read the full article here.

Howard University to receive $11.5 million for genomics and genetics research

By Sheyla Fairley

A partnership has been announced between the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) and Howard University, Washington, DC, with the university’s Office of Research being awarded $11.5 million by CZI’s Accelerate Precision Health (APH) program to expand research in genetics and genomics to address challenges that impact Black communities.

According to the university’s press release, the partnership will create “new opportunities for cross-collaboration between Chan Zuckerberg Initiative staff and Howard faculty and students, including: the matching of Howard faculty expertise with other CZI research partners to foster joint interdisciplinary efforts and research; CZI professional development and training opportunities for Howard faculty; and opportunities for Howard students to learn new techniques outside of their home institution.”

“Research partnerships at Howard expand our understanding of issues impacting the Black community, from genetics and genomics and other STEM fields, to groundbreaking research in literature, the arts, law and other social science fields, leading to advancements in policy, medicine, and culture that benefit all communities,” said Bruce Jones, Ph.D., Vice President for Research at Howard University.

Walt Disney World Resort to host HBCU Week

By Sheyla Fairley

From October 6 – 9, 2022, HBCU Week will be hosted at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. According to an article, the event will also include “a battle of the bands, a live ESPN broadcast featuring Stephen A. Smith, and career seminars.”

“We are pleased to share in the mission to highlight the rich history and cultural significance of HBCUs, creating educational and, ultimately, career opportunities for students,” Ashley Christopher, founder and CEO of HBCU Week. “Hosting this national event at Walt Disney World Resort helps amplify the mission of HBCU Week, attracting more parents and students throughout the country to our events and helps make an even greater impact in fostering opportunities for thousands of students.”

For more information, read the full article here.

Partnership between MTN DEW and HBCU Esports League to sponsor esports tournament

By Sheyla Fairley

Mountain Dew, a soft drink brand produced and owned by PepsiCo, will be partnering with the HBCU Esports League to launch the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge, which will focus on increasing diversity in esports and gaming by supporting student gamers at HBCUs in a nationwide HBCU esports tournament.

The game played during the tournament will be Call of Duty where contestants will compete for an overall prize pool of $500,000. HBCU gamers will be able to register for the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge from September 27 to October 28, 2022.

“We are continuing our commitment to make a tangible investment in the Black gamers of tomorrow, as well as continuing our ongoing support of HBCUs, by rallying around them to showcase their skills and take their place in the gaming industry. MTN DEW is proud to fuel these competitors on their journey through the Real Change Challenge and provide much-needed resources and funding to empower the next generation,” said Pat O’Toole, chief marketing officer, MTN DEW.

Read the full article, here.