R&B star Fantasia enrolls into Central State University

By Sheyla Fairley

R&B singer and actress Fantasia Barrino-Taylor has officially enrolled at Central State University, Wilberforce, OH, to earn a business degree. According to an article, Barrino “dropped out of high school as a teenager, but earned her GED in 2010.” Now, she wants to “show people—men, women, Black, white, young, old—that if you have a dream, it doesn’t have to have a timeline.”

“I’m a businesswoman now and I desire to continue to sharpen my sword and better my craft,” Barrino said. “I want to break generational curses. When it comes to my family, my girls, my children, I want to show them that no matter what she’s been through, you can always get back and go after it again, and that’s what I am doing.”

For more details, read the full article here.

Fayetteville State University and USAID launch partnership for career workforce program

By Sheyla Fairley

Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have teamed up to create a new Acquisition Career Workforce Professional Program.

According to an article, the program will give “FSU students opportunities for internships, professional development, and certification that will position them for careers with USAID and the federal workforce.”

“I am so excited about today’s announcement because it emphasizes keys to success for any organization – building, developing and tapping into its strong talent pool – a talent pool of leaders,” said FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison, J.D. “That is why I am overjoyed that the U.S. Agency for International Development has identified Fayetteville State University as its first HBCU partner – investing $1 million over two years to help maximize the diversity and strength of its workforce. FSU is already making an impact and building bridges. Thanks to this investment, we will realize even greater change.”

For more information, read the full article here.

Entergy supports ‘Level Up’ program at GSU

By Sheyla Fairley

Entergy, an electric services company, partnered with Accenture on the Level Up program at Grambling State University, Grambling, LA, to bring opportunities for minorities in the technology field.

As stated in a release, Accenture’s Level Up program is designed to “help participating students build skills in design thinking, storytelling, data visualization, product and project management” and provide “an environment to develop fundamental skills in innovation and technology, while fostering the ability to build lasting relationships and career opportunities.”

“This program is a win-win. Helping students gain real-world experience on our IT projects is a key part of a commitment to our communities and helps build a stronger, more diverse IT workforce for the future,” said Vice President and Chief Information Officer Michael Rhymes.

Chicago rapper Lil Durk creates fund to help Chicago students attend Howard University

By Sheyla Fairley

Rapper, singer, and songwriter Lil Durk has collaborated with Amazon Music’s Rotation and Durk’s nonprofit Neighborhood Heroes to launch The Durk Banks Endowment Fund. As stated in a release, the fund is “a brand-new scholarship aimed at providing [2] exceptional students from his hometown of Chicago” with “$50,000 scholarships toward their freshman year enrollment” at Howard University, Washington, DC.

“We are incredibly grateful to be the recipients of such generous support from Lil Durk, the Neighborhood Heroes Foundation, and Amazon Music. Not only did they lend their support to the premier event run by and for Howard University students, but they also left a lasting impression by offering a gift that will continue to benefit Howard students for a long time to come,” said Cynthia Evers, PhD, vice president for student affairs at Howard University.

Morgan State demolishes 80-year-old segregation wall on campus

By Sheyla Fairley

On April 11, 2023, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, authorized the destruction of a red brick “spite wall” that was recognized as a barrier that blocked African Americans from the community.

According to an article, in the 1930s, White residents of Baltimore “constructed this physical barrier to prevent Black students from attending what was formerly known as Morgan State College from accessing the neighboring white community and shopping center situated directly across the street.”

“We had no choice but to tear it down,” said MSU president David Wilson. “We couldn’t have this symbol of hate staring down every single day. This was an easy decision for us. It was time for us to tear down that hate.”

Read the full article, here