Michael Feldstein developed an AI Learning Design Assistant (ALDA) as part of a broader project aimed at addressing the needs of educators with the aid of AI. The project included a course that used AI tools to transform online course creation and was sponsored by D2L, VitalSource, and Engageli. Feldstein was the chief accountability officer at e-Literate, a publication dedicated to explaining educational technology (edtech). Now, he serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at 1EdTech, a leading member of a nonprofit edtech partnership dedicated to transforming the digital learning landscape. ALDA
Five Howard students have won a $1 million grant for their school as winenrs of the Goldman Sachs Fifth Annual Market Madness Competition. Keyla Arrechea, Jordan Atkins, Aaron Harrison, Kadijah Mansaray, and Jada Rabun were participants in the 2024–2025 cohort of Goldman Sachs’ HBCU Possibilities Program. The semester-long program offers HBCU students industry experience, professional development, and networking opportunities inside the investment banking sector. A major component of the program is a case competition that challenges students to pitch and defend strategic business solutions for real-world companies. Howard team wins the
On May 1, 2025, Tennessee State University graduate Dorsey West will launch HBCU$™ to help tackle decades of disparities in public funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), according to a press release. HBCU$™ is an alumni giving and wealth-building network that will support the entrepreneurs they produce. Disparities in public funding West was inspired to create HBCU$™ after finding a 2023 analysis by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture that found between 1987 and 2020, HBCU land-grant institutions received approximately $12.6 billion less
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) has announced the launch of the Innovation Leader Scholarship, as stated in a press release. This unique initiative aims to support upcoming diverse leaders in engineering and computer science and inspire them to influence the future of technology. The Innovation Leader Scholarship will financially support five outstanding rising sophomore, junior, and senior students undertaking engineering or computer science degrees. The Innovation Leader Scholarship Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and be enrolled at an ABET-accredited engineering college that is part of the
HBCUvc Alumni Fellows invested over $10 million into Black-founded startups and organizations, according to the organization’s 2024 Annual Impact Report. Black entrepreneurs still struggle to gain capital. In 2024, Black-founded startups received just 0.48% of total US venture capital, from 1.3% in 2021 and 0.5% in 2023, according to Crunchbase. This decline comes at a time when the country is facing a vast overturn in DEI initiatives. HBCUvc aims to create a smooth pipeline of investors, supporting its program participants from their first exposure to venture capital through hands-on experience and,
HBCU alumni Terry Comer and Khalil Thompson have raised $2.25 million for NIL FanBox in a seed funding round led by sports tech venture capital firm KB Partners. The subscription platform delivers autographed college memorabilia to sports fans’ doors every season, sharing profits with student athletes and their schools. What’s the story behind NIL FanBox? NIL FanBox’s website states that it is 100% university-approved and endorsed by the players. “They [FanBox] make it super easy for players to engage directly with fans,” Drake Maye from the North Carolina football team said.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has made history by securing a $1 million grant from Google to establish the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research. HBCU Makes History This marks the first artificial intelligence-focused institute at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). “This is a huge day,” said Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton, according to CBS17. The institute will prioritize workforce development and promote equity in AI, ensuring students are well-prepared to lead in a rapidly advancing field. Preparing Students for the Future of AI Scheduled to
Howard University PhD candidate Howard Prioleau has become the first student from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) selected for the prestigious Google PhD Fellowship. The program supports exceptional graduate students advancing innovative research in computer science and related fields. Prioleau’s research focuses on using Natural Language Processing (NLP) to improve healthcare outcomes. A Passion Ignited Early Prioleau’s interest in technology dates back to childhood, inspired by early encounters with Google’s innovations, according to a press release. A defining moment came when he accidentally installed ransomware on his family’s
Howard University has announced a record-breaking 36,000 applications for the 2024-2025 academic year, marking an unprecedented surge in interest, as first reported by Bloomberg. This trend mirrors a broader revival for historically Black colleges and universities, with more students seeking out schools that affirm their cultural identity while offering academic rigor. HBCUs See a Renaissance HBCUs are experiencing a significant surge in applications and enrollments after years of decline that mirrored national trends. Schools like Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Morgan State University reporting record numbers of applicants. Spelman, for
Mielle Organics, a leader in textured hair care, has announced its first-ever partnership with an HBCU athletic program, which includes a WNBA-led mentorship program for student athletes. Mielle partners with Hampton University Mielle Organics has pledged $300,000 to Hampton University’s women’s basketball. The multi-year partnership includes a $200,000 donation to Hampton Athletics and a $100,000 endowed scholarship through Mielle Cares, the company’s philanthropic arm. Additionally, Mielle is introducing a WNBA-led mentorship program, providing Hampton athletes with professional guidance both on and off the court. Investing in the Future of HBCU
