Shakea Miller made history by becoming the first Black woman to establish a degree-granting technical college in Alabama. The opening of 1 on 1 Technical & Theological College in Phenix City marks a milestone in the pursuit of diversity and inclusion in the educational landscape. A Pioneering Achievement in Education With 1 on 1 Technical & Theological College, Miller joins a prestigious group as the sixth Black woman in the United States to establish a degree-granting institution. “1 on 1 T&T aims to provide biblical and comprehensive educational opportunities with
Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a $600 million gift to support the endowments of the nation’s four historically Black medical schools and the establishment of a new medical school in New Orleans. This gift is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative, an effort aimed at advancing racial wealth equity by addressing systemic underinvestment in Black institutions and communities. Strengthening Financial Stability and Institutional Capacity The $600 million donation is designed to increase the financial stability and institutional capacity of these historically Black medical schools which graduate around half of all Black doctors
Four students from Pinelands High School in Cape Town, South Africa are facing disciplinary hearings after a video depicting a mock “slave auction” went viral on social media, according to the BBC. The video, which shows Black students being auctioned off while others bid for them, has prompted outrage and an official investigation by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). Incident Details and Investigation The footage, reportedly filmed by Grade 8 students, shows Black pupils inside a cage while other students shout bids. This incident has drawn significant public
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) in Durban South Africa, has made history by appointing Prof. Nokuthula Sibiya as its first female vice-chancellor. A Collective Victory for Women Professor Sibiya began her education at Tholisu and Sawela Primary Schools and continued at Velabahleke and Vukuzakhe High Schools in Umlazi Township. She pursued higher education at the University of Zululand, where she earned a degree in nursing. Furthering her studies, she obtained a Doctor of Technology in Nursing from the Durban University of Technology. As a C-rated researcher – an established researcher
Beautiful Curly Me, an Atlanta-based toy, media and STEM company founded by 12-year-old Zoe Oli, is expanding with the launch of a new line of plush dolls in Target stores nationwide. This expansion makes Zoe the youngest CEO to introduce a toy brand at Target. The new line, called The Curly and Confident Crew, features unique dolls with natural curly hair that can be styled. Promoting STEM and Empowerment In addition to their design, the Curly and Confident Crew dolls comes with a message that encourages girls to explore their
Intuit is hiring on POCIT. Dishanta Kpatrick is a Full Stack Software Engineer at Intuit Mailchimp with an unconventional career journey. When she’s not at work, she’s learning to roller skate, renovating her house, and finishing her Cybersecurity degree at Kennesaw State University. Dishanta first discovered her computing talent in high school but explored other paths before returning to it in 2012. She taught herself web design and development online, starting in Intuit’s tech support team and working her way up to an engineer. Now, she balances her job with
Jackson State University (JSU) has become the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and the first institution in Mississippi to receive the prestigious Founders Award from the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). A Landmark Achievement for JSU and HBCUs JSU’s journey with the National Academy of Inventors began in 2011 as a charter member. Over the years, multiple faculty members have been inducted as NAI fellows, with groundbreaking inventions that have impacted both society and the economy. For example, Dr. Ernest Izevbigie, the first NAI fellow from JSU, was
The Ford Foundation is committing more than $20 million to enhance the field of public interest technology. This initiative includes up to $1.5 million specifically earmarked for the establishment of a pioneering public interest technology institute at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Advancing Technology for Public Good The invesment was announced as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to advance a diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem at an event by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). As well as celebratinh the vital role of
The Black AI Consortium has officially launched, aiming to encourage dialogue and advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) with Black scholars at the forefront. The consortium, established in May, seeks to provide a network for individuals across the African diaspora interested in AI, encouraging the sharing of ideas and insights while addressing current industry concerns. A Network for AI Enthusiasts Across the African Diaspora The mission of the Black AI Consortium, as reported by Black News, is to “cultivate a vibrant and supportive community where individuals of the African diaspora can
The National Park Service (NPS) has awarded $10.67 million to 15 projects across eight states under the Historic Preservation Fund’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) grant program. This initiative is dedicated to repairing historic structures on HBCU campuses, ensuring that the sites are preserved for future generations. Preserving Historic HBCU Landmarks The grants will support the restoration of several significant buildings, such as Simmons College’s Steward Hall, Delaware State University’s Hope House, and Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s Melrose Cottage. Simmons College, the only private HBCU in Kentucky, will use
