Georgia HBCU alumna teaching kids about HBCUs and Black Wall Street through her book series

By Sheyla Fairley

Claudia Walker, a Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, graduate and author, is dedicated to educating children on the value of HBCUs and financial literacy through her book series The ABCs of HBCUs and The ABCs of Black Wall Street.

According to an article, Walker was inspired by her time at Spelman to write The ABCs of HBCUs, which she describes as a “VIP experience that takes you onto the different campuses of different historically black colleges” for kids of all ages to learn “the history and continued relevancy of HBCUs.”

Walker is also a former Wall Street analyst which led to creating her second book series The ABCs of Black Wall Street. She wanted to “educate children about financial literacy, investing, the stock market, and real estate” and to “highlight the success of Black Wall Street instead of its destruction to inspire kids and show them that they can also be successful, and serve their communities and families.”

For more information, read the full article here.

TSU graduates establish pizza chain to empower communities

By Sheyla Fairley

Slim & Husky’s, a Black-owned pizza restaurant by Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, graduates and football players Clint Gray, Derrick Moore and EJ Reed, is now making national deliveries.

According to an article, the three TSU graduates founded the restaurant to “serve unique pies and provide jobs to their neighborhood in North Nashville,” which has now “expanded locations across the country and offer build-your-own pizzas, take-out options, catering services, and national delivery.”

The three best friends strive to “create change and opportunities within underserved communities, while embracing the music culture” based off of their motto, “Pizza.Art.Music,” for Slim & Husky’s.

For more details, read the full article here.

Penn Entertainment extends STEM scholarship program with HBCUs

By Sheyla Fairley

PENN Entertainment, a leading provider of integrated entertainment, sports content and casino gaming experiences, has expanded its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (“STEM”) Scholarship Program in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities by including three new participating universities: Jackson State University, Jackson, MS; Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX; and Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA.

“The addition of these three esteemed universities deepens our widespread support for HBCUs and expands our efforts to champion diversity, equity and inclusion in the communities where we operate. STEM careers make up a growing share of jobs in today’s economy, and we are committed to narrowing the representation gap in STEM fields and empowering students in this program for years to come,” said Justin Carter, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations for PENN Entertainment and Chairman of the Company’s Diversity Committee, in a release.

Coppin State launches branding campaign

By Sheyla Fairley

According to an article, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD, recently launched its In campaign, which seeks to “expand the reach, brand exposure, and name recognition of Coppin State University, and will involve targeted organic and social media content as well as traditional advertising; including radio, television, and billboard ads across Baltimore” in order to “illuminate the extraordinary accomplishments of Coppin State University while deepening pride in the University from members of Eagle Nation.”

“Coppin State University is a dynamic institution, with many opportunities in front of us,” said Coppin State University president Anthony L. Jenkins. “We are a university that continues to reach extraordinary heights, and this brand building campaign comes at an important time. Right now, we are introducing, and reintroducing people to Coppin State University. I am calling on every member of Eagle Nation to join us in going all in as brand ambassadors, and in helping us imagine Coppin State University for the future.”

Read the full article, here.

Partnership between JCSU and Mecklenburg County’s OED on business accelerator program

By Sheyla Fairley

Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC, has partnered up with Mecklenburg County’s, NC, Office of Economic Development (OED) on the latter’s business accelerator program, Get Up and Grow.

As stated in a release, the program “empowers businesses to scale and grow annual revenues beyond $125,000” and for about “4.5 months,” participants will receive “access to professional consultants, a peer network and trainings with subject matter experts to develop a strategic growth plan.”

The program will begin on January 24, 2023 with in-person classes taking place on “Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Johnson C. Smith University campus.” Time will be spent “instructing business owners on how to take control of their business and on how to develop a strategic growth plan.”