HBCU Culture Shop becomes first Black-owned HBCU clothing brand to hit Target stores
By Sheyla Fairley
HBCU Culture Shop owners Danielle Riley and Stephanie Walters created a brand that honors historically black colleges and universities, which became the first Black-owned HBCU clothing brand to be sold at Target stores.
“Target is a true partner for us and they really allowed us to be super involved every step of the way,” expressed Riley. “I’m enjoying the impact of what it is we are actually doing. What I really hope is people are able to resonate with HBCUs or even feel inspired to look more into HBCUs. This is really for the culture. This is really a labor of love.”
Read the full article, here.
Partnership between TMCF and Medtronic to launch R&D grants at HBCUs
By Sheyla Fairley
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) has partnered with Medtronic plc, the leading global healthcare technology company, to launch the Research & Development Engagement program.
According to an article, the program will provide “grants to support innovation, ideas, and solutions in STEM, medical technology, and business research at select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).”
“It’s always great to be able to support Medtronic as it continues to raise the bar of excellence for faculty at the member schools we support,” said TMCF president & CEO Dr. Harry Williams. “The Research & Development Engagement Program is a game-changer. We are glad that Medtronic has been an intentional partner [in] equipping our faculty with access to opportunities to enhance their skill set, which in turn impacts our students and increases the opportunities they have to enjoy STEM careers in corporate America.”
For more information, read the full article here.
Spelman College partners with Johnson & Johnson for their second Health Equity Innovation Challenge
By Sheyla Fairley
Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, has partnered with Johnson & Johnson, a pharmaceutical industry company, for their 2023-2024 Health Equity Innovation Challenge (HEIC).
As stated in a release, the goal of the Challenge, created in 2021, is to support “innovative health equity solutions developed by local entrepreneurs, start-ups, innovators and community-based organizations.”
With applications open through November 6 and available to individuals in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia, the Health Equity Innovation Challenge invites “local innovators, entrepreneurs and community-based organizations to submit their ideas on how to prevent and treat illnesses disproportionately affecting communities of color, enhance equitable access to healthcare, stimulate diversity in science, advocate for more trusted community-based healthcare and promote health equity through community engagement and education.”
HBCU alumna Laphonza Butler sworn in as California’s newest senator
By Sheyla Fairley
On October 3, 2023, Laphonza Butler, a graduate of Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, was sworn into office by Vice President Kamala Harris to serve as California’s senator, replacing the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Upon assuming office, Butler made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ person to enter Congress and the third Black woman to serve as a senator.
“I can’t help but think how proud Sen. Feinstein would be, seeing someone as brilliant, as accomplished, as history-making as Laphonza Butler take her place,” said Senate majority leader Charles Schumer in a release. “I know that our old colleague is looking down at this moment with pride now that her seat is in good hands. Congratulations to Sen. Butler on this immense honor.”
Morris Brown College to help students of recently closed Art Institute of Atlanta complete their studies
By Sheyla Fairley
After it was announced the Art Institutes system of schools will be permanently closed, Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA, will be helping students of the recently closed Art Institute of Atlanta finish their education through their program called the Art Institute of Atlanta Pathway to Morris Brown College partnership.
According to an article, Morris Brown College knows “a lot of the feelings that are going on amongst the individuals over at the Art Institute” as the school regained its “full accreditation in April 2022 after losing its federal funding in 2002 due to a loss of accreditation resulting from financial mismanagement” and wants to be able to “offer some assistance to these students who now may not know which way to go.”
“Now that Morris Brown is accredited, we can accept up to 90 credits so they don’t have to start over and they can transfer in potentially as a senior, depending on the outcomes of those courses,” said MBC president Dr. Kevin James. “We want you to be a part of our growth and our restoration.”
For more details, read the full article here.