PBS Kids is making strides in computer science education with its new series, Lyla In The Loop, which premiered recently. This animated show follows the adventures of Lyla, a 7-year-old Black girl who, with her friends and family, uses critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate everyday challenges. Encouraging Problem-Solving Through Interactive Storytelling One of the unique elements of Lyla In The Loop is its upcoming interactive episodes. These episodes will allow Lyla to break the fourth wall, directly engaging with the young viewers. Using pre-written responses powered by non-generative
Former NASA aerospace engineer and future Blue Origin astronaut Aisha Bowe has raised $2.5 million for LINGO, her EdTech company focused on enhancing STEM education. This funding round, led by Pinnacle Private Ventures LLC, is a step towards a venture capital aimed at supporting women and minority-led startups. Expanding Access to STEM Education LINGO offers project-based coding kits and curricula designed for students aged 13 and up, covering subjects such as artificial intelligence, space systems, and environmental monitoring. The funding will enable LINGO to expand its reach, scaling programs that
FanDuel, North America’s online gaming company, announced a $1 million donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to support students at 11 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across North Carolina. The funding is aimed at alleviating financial pressures for these students by covering essential needs, including technology, housing, food security, and tuition costs, through UNCF’s Emergency Student Aid program. Supporting Educational Access and Equity The donation ceremony took place on September 29 at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, where representatives from FanDuel and UNCF gathered to mark the
Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown created a STEM program for middle and high school students in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Through his 7uice Foundation, Brown launched the Bridge Program at MIT’s Media Lab, a four-day camp introducing Boston’s underserved youth to AI, synthetic biology, space exploration, and more. Bridge Program: Hands-On STEM Learning Aimed at students in grades 8–12, the Bridge Program offers a STEAM-based curriculum covering science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Brown co-founded the program in 2021 with his family, and the MIT Media
Kendall Hamilton, a highly ranked Rocket League player, and his mother, Dr. Gigi, are leading an initiative that has supported young Black gamers in securing over $150,000 in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Together, they founded Game Changer Academy, an organization dedicated to helping young Black gamers use their skills for financial and professional growth. Game Changer Academy: Turning Gaming Skills Into Opportunities Game Changer Academy emerged from Kendall Hamilton’s own journey in competitive gaming according to a press release. Initially, his mother, Dr. Gigi—a licensed psychotherapist and organizational
Black Girl Vitamins (BGV) has announced a $100,000 scholarship fund dedicated to Black women pursuing medical careers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This two-year initiative, part of their broader mission to support health equity, aims to increase representation in healthcare by easing the financial burden for aspiring medical professionals. Investing in Future Healthcare Leaders BGV’s scholarship program aligns with their mission to create a new generation of Black women in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. The scholarship is open to Black women enrolled in accredited medical programs
Target has introduced ÜNOS by Sz, a new line of sneakers that expands to fit growing feet. The expandable sneakers are the brainchild of Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, a footwear designer and president of Pensole Lewis College, a design-focused HBCU in Detroit. Edwards has over 30 years of experience designing for top brands like Nike, L.A. Gear, and icons like Tupac and Michael Jordan, Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, and Nas. A Unique Approach to Affordable Footwear ÜNOS by Sz, which stands for “U Need One Size,” offers more than 15 styles
US Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) has secured a $1 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support the completion of SoLa Impact’s upcoming tech and entertainment hub. This center will be located in the heart of the Crenshaw and Leimert Park communities, providing state-of-the-art facilities designed to empower local youth through education and career development. A New Hub for Innovation in Crenshaw SoLa Impact’s second tech center, set to open in 2025, will be housed on the ground floor of Crenshaw Lofts, a 195-unit
Jackson State University (JSU) has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Entergy Charitable Foundation to establish a Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab, designed to address the growing cybersecurity needs of the energy sector. This significant investment will support JSU’s commitment to training a diverse, skilled workforce capable of safeguarding critical infrastructure. The grant was formally announced during a ceremony on October 7, where JSU President Marcus Thompson, Ph.D., received the check from Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly. Advancing Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector The new
The Supreme Court’s ruling against race-conscious admissions has not reduced Black student representation in the 2024 incoming college class, according to a new analysis. Instead, Vector Solutions, a leading education software and data provider, found a slight increase in Black student enrollment, driven by growth at small public institutions. Increase in Black Student Enrollment Many feared that the Supreme Court’s ruling would drastically lower the number of Black students and other students of color in higher education. However, Vector Solutions’ data, which includes responses from over 624,000 first-year students at
