GloRilla has paid it forward to her former high school. The Memphis, TN, rapper, born Gloria Hallelujah Woods, made an appearance at Melrose High School on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. She graduated from the school in 2017 and has returned as a Grammy-nominated artist with hit songs such as “Yeah Glo!” and “Tomorrow 2.” During her visit, she donated $25,000 to the school, which will be used to build a media center, Commercial Appeal reports. “The fact that I have the ability to do it now warms my heart,” she expressed, according to the outlet. The center will “offer students the chance to engage with technology that enhances their learning, provide a comfortable, safe space to study with flexible seating, and promote literacy for both Melrose High School and the surrounding Orange Mound community.” The outlet also shared that the space will be named the Gloria H. Woods Media Center in her honor, pointing to “GloRilla’s representation as a Golden Wildcat alumna and her continued...

John Hope Bryant is investing in the businesses of Albany State University graduates. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Bryant has served as the chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE Inc. since 1992. The organization focuses on improving financial well-being in underserved communities, benefiting 2.8 million people and directing $2.4 billion in private capital. During an appearance on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, Bryant emphasized that financial literacy is the new civil rights movement for this generation. “We have got to be as obsessed with this as we were with the right to vote,” he explained. Bryant continues to be a voice and a vessel, and this was displayed on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Albany State University (ASU) in New York. He served as the commencement speaker in front of a crowd of over 700 students, according to WALB News. “John and I are good friends. We’ve known each other for a while,” ASU I nterim President Dr. Lawrence M. Drake II told the outlet. “I also...

By age 6, children already begin to associate boys with greater aptitude in STEM fields, including computer science and engineering, compared to girls. Such beliefs among girls tend to become deeply ingrained over time. The 74 reported these reports stem from an analysis conducted by the American Institutes for Research, released Monday. This comprehensive review examined nearly 100 studies across 33 countries. David Miller, the lead author and a senior researcher who launched the project five years ago, emphasized that without efforts to address such perceptions, girls may turn away from “fast-growing tech fields like artificial intelligence .” In elementary school, girls comprise about half of the students enrolled in foundational computer science courses. However, the participation drops to 44% in middle school and decreases to 33% in high school, according to The 74. Miller noted that these findings have significant implications for girls’ decisions regarding high school course...

A small, private Mississippi school that opened nearly three years ago with just six students has grown to approximately 50 in grades prekindergarten through 12th. Leora Hooper founded Abundance Educational Academy in a neglected storefront in Yazoo City, according to The New York Times. She had taught special education at a local public school and sixth-grade social studies at another. However, Hooper’s work in the impoverished community and struggling public school system took its toll and she quit in 2021. Since she left in the middle of the school year, her public-school teaching license was suspended. Inspired to start a new chapter and offer students an alternative as well, she started Abundance, becoming its executive director. Hooper wears many additional hats too: She is a math, social studies, and language arts teacher, an after-school tutor, the registrar, a guidance counselor, co-director of the drum line, a janitor, and receptionist. “I was born to do it,” Hooper said...

Google has allocated a grant to support artificial intelligence learning at an HBCU. The nation’s first HBCU AI Institute is coming to NC Central University. CBS17 reports the university will open the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research. The groundbreaking institute aims to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and social equity, focusing on addressing systemic disparities and fostering innovation through a lens of inclusivity and diversity. “Our purpose is clear to innovate, inspire and shape the next generation of leaders in artificial intelligence,” NCCU Chancellor Karrie Dixon said, according to CBS 17. The institute is expected to benefit 200 students with mentorship and research opportunities. Additionally, it will place NCUU as “the leading hub for AI within the HBCU network, advancing diversity, inclusion and equitable representation of AI-related industries,” the school notes , according to Qcitymetro. “[This is] the first program of its...

City Year Chicago, a chapter of the national nonprofit, is on a mission to ensure that every student, especially those in under-resourced communities, has the support they need to succeed. The organization deploys young leaders in collaboration with The Corporation for National and Community Service, through the AmeriCorps program, to serve as full-time mentors and tutors in schools across Chicago, IL , according to ABC-7 Chicago . Founded in 1994 by Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter, City Year Chicago members wear signature red jackets that have become synonymous with the organization’s mission. Valencia Koker, senior vice president and executive director of City Year Chicago, told ABC-7 that the organization works with 250 AmeriCorps members, aged 18 to 25, serving in 32 schools — 31 of which are part of Chicago Public Schools. “City Year Chicago exists to create the conditions for young people to reach their full potential, especially those further from opportunity,” Koker told...

A Morehouse School of Medicine graduate has opened a bookstore to uplift her surrounding community. According to a news release, Dr. Viola Lanier, who boasts a Master of Science in biomedical research and a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, has launched Better Today Books & Boutique, located at 2300 Shallowford Rd., Ste. 8, Marietta, GA 30066. In a video shared on the bookstore’s Instagram page, Lanier recounts her journey to owning the storefront. It began after a spa visit, when she noticed a “For Lease” sign on the door of the location while heading home. Intrigued, she reached out to the landlord to arrange a tour. “Wasn’t too impressed about the condition, but I said, ‘You know what? This is a place.’ But I figured I could make it work, even though I was skeptical about a lot. I got it. Anyway, so we’re putting a check mark on these dreams. Y’all stick with me as you renovate,” she explained in the video. Seeing the potential, Lanier’s interest put her on the path to establishing...

The public release of ChatGPT in 2022 marked a massive milestone in the popularity and global interest in AI. It showed off impressive capabilities in natural language, and sparked hundreds of projects that fueled a boom in the advancement of artificial intelligence. It’s natural, with AI creeping into everything from online shopping to healthcare, that it would eventually find its way into education. Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing education by enhancing teaching methods, improving accessibility, and personalizing learning experiences. As technology continues to advance, its integration into the educational sector has the potential to reshape how students learn, educators teach, and institutions operate. AI In Education Isn’t Exactly New The term ‘artificial intelligence’ was coined at Dartmouth College in 1953, but it wasn’t until 1960 that we saw the birth of computer-assisted instruction (CAI). These programs were built on the massive, expensive computer systems of...

A startup dedicated to preserving African languages has secured new funding. Founded in 2022 and backed by Techstars, Lingawa was established by siblings Frank Akinwande Williams (CEO) and Yvonne Williams (COO), along with third co-founder Uche Azinge (CTO). Previously operating under the name TopSet, its inception was driven by Frank’s and Yvonne’s difficulties in learning their native language, Yoruba. “As Nigerians growing up in the UK, my sister Yvonne W and I always felt a deep connection to our heritage—but also an uncomfortable distance. We struggled to speak our native tongue, Yoruba, fluently, and with that came a sense of loss and even shame,” Williams said on LinkedIn. “There’s an unspoken belief that understanding your language is tied to understanding yourself, your culture, and your place in the world. It was a feeling we carried with us for years.” He continued, “As we grew older, we realized that this experience wasn’t unique to us. Millions of Africans, Asians, and...

Spelman College president Dr. Helene Gayle will not return after taking a leave of absence and is stepping down permanently, the college announced on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. The institution did not disclose the reasons for her initial leave or her decision to resign, according to The Associated Press. In a statement, Gayle expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Spelman. “I thank the larger Spelman community for this magnificent opportunity to serve as president. I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the outstanding students and future world leaders who have chosen to attend Spelman College,” Gayle said in a statement, per the AP. “I look forward to my next chapter.” As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Gayle became president in 2022, succeeding Mary Schmidt Campbell. After her leave of absence was announced in October 2024, Rosalind “Roz” Brewer assumed the role of interim president. The Spelman Board of Trustees said they are in the process of selecting a new president,...

Michael Rainey Jr. has teamed up with partners to launch a financial literacy initiative that will benefit his hometown of Staten Island, NY. Hot97 reports the actor has collaborated with the Restoring America through Recovery Education (R.A.R.E.) Foundation, which aims to provide financial education and training to underserved communities. “We are dedicated to giving every individual the opportunity to recover, improve, and thrive financially. Our mission is rooted in the belief that everyone, regardless of their past or current circumstances, deserves a respectable chance to achieve financial stability and success,” its website reads. The partnership facilitated Rainey Jr.’s appearance at Port Richmond High School, where he shared his personal journey in wealth building and provided meaningful advice to students. “As a kid being in this room I would definitely go home, ask my parents what their credit score is and then start the conversation of when can I become an authorized user...

A bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence will be taught at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The Triad Business Journal reports this is the only AI degree program at the Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and it has been approved by the UNC System Board of Governors. North Carolina A&T, the largest HBCU in the world, plans to enroll the first cohort of students in the fall of 2025. The program will be available both on-campus and online, as reported by WFMY-2 News. “Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly part of everyday life with the potential for profound and far-reaching impact on virtually every facet of society,” said Chancellor James Martin II, according to The Triad Business Journal. “Our new bachelor’s degree will prepare students for immediate impact, especially in the critical area of human interaction with AI.” Students planning to enroll can expect the degree to launch with concentrations in advanced...

Middle schooler Eniola Shokunbi is making a significant impact in classrooms. Shokunbi, then a fifth-grade student at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, CT, was tasked with developing a solution to address future pandemic challenges in collaboration with her classmates, Shoppe Black reports . This inspired the creation of an air filter system designed to combat COVID-19 and cold viruses within classrooms, as reported by NBC Connecticut. “The air goes through all the sides,” Shokunbi explained to NBC Connecticut. “And it comes out of the top, so it filters in and out.” Her device, which cost $60 to make, is composed of a box fan, four furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in North Carolina further validated the invention. “It showed that the air filter removed over 99% of viruses in the air,” Shokunbi told NBC Connecticut. “And that it was effective.” Shokunbi and her classmates installed the air filters, which have been in...

Aoki Lee Simmons , the youngest daughter of fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons and entrepreneur Russell Simmons, is making her mark in the world of fashion, business, and social activism. A recent graduate of Harvard University, Aoki is uniquely positioned to leverage her prestigious education alongside her family’s entrepreneurial legacy. While many might see her as merely the daughter of two influential figures, Aoki is determined to build her own path, blending her Ivy League knowledge with her passions for fashion and social causes. Background, Education, And More Born in August 2002, Aoki Lee Kyoko Simmons grew up in a household that valued both entrepreneurship and creativity. Simmons was exposed to the world of fashion and business from a young age – her mother, Kimora, is a supermodel and founder of Baby Phat. Her father Russel, meanwhile, is the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings. She began her modeling career early, working with her mother on campaigns for the revived Baby...

A new financial education program is making its way to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the help of Jay-Z. According to a news release shared with AFROTECH™, the Shawn Carter Foundation, with support from Toyota Motor North America, is launching the Champions for Financial Legacy (CFFL) program in time for Spring 2025. To start, the program will benefit students at Lincoln University, Norfolk State University, and Virginia State University, offering a financial curriculum structured around real-world applications. “We are excited to see our partnership with the Shawn Carter Foundation evolve to include this innovative initiative,” said Monica Womack, general manager of diversity & inclusion and community engagement at Toyota, per the release. “One that not only provides resources to HBCU students but also reaches the heart of the community, through advocacy for financial literacy.” The curriculum, developed in collaboration with the Coalition for Equity and...