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Bowie State University, Maryland’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) , has received new funding to increase the number of nurse educators in the state. According to a school news release, the university has been awarded a $2.2 million grant from the Maryland Department of Nursing, administered through the Maryland Higher Education Commission, marking the department’s largest grant to date. The funding will be used to support 20 doctoral faculty members in its Ph.D. program over four years with the overarching goal of advancing the nursing workforce by bolstering nurse educators statewide. Bowie State University serves over 6,100 students, according to the school’s LinkedIn. It offers 29 undergraduate majors, 21 master’s degree programs, 16 specialty certificates and three doctoral programs with focus areas such as science, technology, business, education and related disciplines, its website states. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported there will be 193,100...
Three historically Black colleges and universities ( HBCUs ) in Mississippi will benefit from a $9.1 million higher education grant the state received to expand artificial intelligence (AI) education , workforce training, and entrepreneurship. According to WJTV 12 News, on June 12, 2025, Governor Tate Reeves announced the grants through the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program (MAI-TAP), aimed at strengthening the state’s workforce and economic future. In addition to the state support, each institution will seek private funding and resources to maximize impact. “This is another bold step forward for Mississippi,” Reeves said. “We’re not just preparing for the future – we’re building it. This investment will help to ensure that Mississippians are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.” Administered by AccelerateMS, Jackson State University (JSU) in Jackson received $1.3 million to launch the Executive On Roster (XOR) initiative, which...
Five Howard University students have earned a $1 million grant for their school after winning the fifth annual Goldman Sachs Market Madness competition, as part of its HBCU Possibilities Program, according to an announcement posted on the university’s website. As AFROTECH previously reported, Spelman College won in 2024. The winners of the 2025 Market Madness competition, Keyla Arrechea, Jordan Atkins, Aaron Harrison, Kadijah Mansaray, and Jada Rabun, were among the Howard students in the semester-long program, which is designed to provide, immersive introduction to key financial concepts and their real-world applications, as Goldman Sachs’ website states. During the competition, the Howard team competed against students from 11 other HBCUs. Most of the team had not yet completed their first semester of college when the program began, yet they advanced through two virtual rounds and ultimately delivered their final pitch live at Goldman Sachs’ New York headquarters. They were tasked...
Several salon owners have been awarded a grant from Beyoncé. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the singer’s BeyGood foundation, in collaboration with her newly launched haircare line, Cécred, established a $500,000 annual fund. The initiative supports hairstylists in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; and New Jersey who meet specified criteria: They must be licensed for at least two years; have been in business for a minimum of one year; lease or own a suite, booth, or chair; and face financial hardship, according to the foundation’s website. Additionally, the fund includes a $10,000 scholarship opportunity for five cosmetology schools in the aforementioned markets. “Fostering talent, promoting professionalism, and supporting entrepreneurship within the hair industry is deeply important to us,” BeyGood commented on its website. “That’s why we’re partnering with Cécred to create the Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund, which celebrates the influence professional stylists have...
CocoLife has been awarded a $100,000 grant from CVS Health to improve Black maternal health outcomes. CocoLife — a nonprofit founded by Alexia Omega Doumbouya in July 2019 — offers support through maternal health groups, one-on-one doula visits, and 24/7 doula assistance for mothers until they are 12 weeks postpartum, according to information shared with AFROTECH™. The need to support women in maternal health was inspired by a lived experience. According to The Philadelphia Citizen, Doumbouya had difficulties following the birth of her daughter in 2011, leading her to experience severe postpartum depression, psychosis, and anxiety. “I had this baby, and six weeks later I was expected to go back to work. And I just kept thinking How am I supposed to do this,” she explained, per the outlet. As time went on, she recognized other women had also faced challenges in their pregnancy journeys. This prompted her to become a trained certified doula prior to kickstarting CocoLife, which began...
Hello Alice can continue on its mission to support small businesses. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the company, created by Elizabeth Gore and Carolyn Rodz, was named in a class action lawsuit for awarding up to $25,000 in grants to 10 Black-owned businesses in partnership with Progressive Insurance Co. They were sued by Nathan Roberts, who owns an Ohio-based trucking dispatch company and claims he didn’t know Progressive Insurance’s Driving Small Business Forward fund was exclusively for Black-owned businesses. Progressive Preferred Insurance Co., Progressive Casualty Insurance Co., and Circular Board LLC — which operates Hello Alice — are listed as defendants in the lawsuit filed by America First Legal, Mitchell Law PLLC, and Ashbrook Byrne Kresge LLC. Now, a resolution has been reached. According to a news release, the case has been dismissed by a federal judge in Ohio. “This resolution marks a pivotal moment not only for our company but for the broader small business...
Beyoncé’s Cécred is looking to make an impact outside of just the haircare industry. As previously shared by AFROTECH™, the technology-backed company launched in February 2024. Testing was a big proponent in bringing the haircare line that’s “validated by science” to life. “Every hair texture deserves testing, research and development,” Beyoncé told Essence for its March/April 2024 cover story. “Black women in general are the last to be included in testing. We are often prescribed things based on studies we were not included in. It’s bigger than me, or hair. Now we have created something that celebrates healthy hair for all women, including us. I’m always honored to invest in us.” Within the same month of Cécred’s launch, BeyGood, Beyoncé’s public charity foundation, announced its Cécred x BeyGood Fund. According to its website, the annual $500,000 fund was created to give back to professional hairstylists for the impactful work they bring to their respective communities. “Fostering...
A new move made by a group of education officials in North Carolina has the power to do a state-wide sweep of programs committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at public universities. According to The News & Observer, the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors’ University Governance Committee has approved “a policy that repeals the university system’s existing policy and regulation on diversity and inclusion.” The move will reportedly disband laws in place requiring all 17 public campuses within the state of North Carolina to employ diversity officers as well as drive efforts toward a common goal of fulfilling diversity-related measures. A University of North Carolina System Board of Governors committee voted in favor of policy that would eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion jobs at NC public universities. There was no discussion. https://t.co/9xQvXJFFG8 — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 18, 2024 Per the Raleigh, NC-based outlet, the committee held...
Those seeking funding for their small business have the debt-free option of applying for startup business grants or small business grants. These grants are typically awarded by government entities, private organizations or corporations and, unlike loans , are not expected to be paid back. There are incentives for these companies and organizations to award these grants, as the new businesses could create economic growth or support a certain cause/research topic (like social or environmental) that one of these entities is interested in. These grants are highly competitive and have very specific requirements that must be met before they are awarded. Most likely, applicants will need to prepare by verifying the eligibility criteria, funding amount, application deadlines and any restrictions of a grant that their business aligns with. Also, ensuring the applicant’s business is specific enough to the grant’s requirements is very important . Doing so ensures the applicant has a better...
Clark Atlanta University has received a $10 million grant to advance its students. WSB-TV Atlanta reports the money awarded to the historically Black university will make data science accessible by creating a program under the National Data Science Alliance (NDSA). In five years, “the NDSA will expand the number of Black people earning data science credentials by no fewer than 20,000.” “This is a monumental accomplishment for the HBCU community as a whole. Clark Atlanta University has deep roots in conducting data science research that promotes equity, including the seminal works of scholar and former faculty member W.E.B. Du Bois on these hallowed ground,” CAU President George T. French Jr., Ph.D. said, according to WSB-TV Atlanta.
When Wally Amos founded Famous Amos Cookies in 1975, he was navigating one of the most challenging times of his life. Newly divorced and struggling with the tides of pursuing Hollywood success, he went on to find major success in sweet treats. However, his success was not a solo effort. With early backing from celebrities like Marvin Gaye, Amos was able to sell approximately $300,000 worth of cookies in his inaugural year. The cookie brand is now paying it forward with the second round of entrepreneurial grants. In a May 19 press release, Famous Amos announced a partnership with the National Black Chamber of Commerce to launch the second cycle of the Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative . The entrepreneurial program is designed to offer grants and mentorship as essential tools and resources to assist Black business owners. Participants will engage in a pitch contest that provides a high-level overview of their business, why it will become a successful...
Coalition to Back Black Businesses (CBBB), co-founded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, American Express, and four leading national Black business organizations – announced 491 Black-owned small businesses across 39 states were each awarded a $5,000 grant as part of a multi-year grantmaking and mentorship initiative. The recipients will be eligible to apply for enhancement grants of $25,000, which will be provided to a select number of 2021 grantee recipients in July 2022. The CBBB was formed in September 2020 to address the needs of businesses impacted by the pandemic and support their long-term growth. Since its launch, CBBB has awarded grants to more than 1,000 Black-owned small businesses. “From nationwide supply chain disruptions to worker shortages, Black small business owners are facing new and daunting challenges brought on by the pandemic,” said Carolyn Cawley, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “The strength of our economy depends on the...
According to a study, Black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. In response, the Love Delivered Initiative will pledge $225,000 over the next three years to provide doula services for Black families and doula education grants for aspiring birth coaches. On a mission to save lives, the Love Delivered Initiative — an initiative created by Carol’s Daughter founder, Lisa Price, and Mama Glow Foundation founder and world-renowned doula, Latham Thomas — will pledge $225,000 over the next three years to provide doula services for Black families and doula education grants for aspiring birth coaches. “Birth is meant to be a joyful, transcendent and empowering event. Everyone deserves to have access to safe, affordable, respectful and dignified care throughout the perinatal continuum. Mama Glow doulas approach care from a trauma informed framework and can help to support families impacted by injustice and inequity, grounding them with tools...
It’s #GivingTuesday 2021, and Nike has awarded All Star Code with a $500,000 grant. The leading computer science nonprofit, also known as ASC, reported in a press release provided to AfroTech that this is the largest single donation it has received since its founding in 2013. The organization plans to use the grant award to scale its web development and leadership training programs for young minority men. “Addressing systemic racism in America requires urgent action and sustained engagement – and Nike is committed to both,” All Star Code Executive director Danny Rojas said in a press release. “We are so proud to be a part of this commitment and thankful to Nike for their fervent support.” ASC runs a free, six-week education program over the summer that’s supported by leading tech companies including Google and AT&T. The generous gift is part of Nike’s Black Community Commitment, which focuses on supporting organizations that center their work on social justice, education and...