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...

Yale University will be teaching a course centering Beyoncé. NBC News reports the university will be offering a course titled, “Beyonce Makes History: Black Radical Tradition History, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music.” Provided for the 2025 spring semester, it will be taught by Daphne Brooks, a professor of African American Studies and music who also leads Yale’s Black Sound & the Archive Working Group, a 320 York Humanities Initiative. An official release from the university states that students will examine the time period between 2013 and 2024 to look into the singer’s works, with the goal “to study Black history, intellectual thought, and performance.” “I’m looking forward to exploring her body of work and considering how, among other things, historical memory, Black feminist politics, Black liberation politics and philosophies course through the last decade of her performance repertoire as well as the ways that her unprecedented experimentations with the album form,...

The South and Northeast are h ome to a significant number of HBCUs . Still, Ohio houses Wilberforce, an HBCU that was erected in 1856 and 1951. The midwestern university offers teacher training and classical education. Once one university, the second school broke off and became its own official school in 1965. Both are still standing thanks to the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church and the Thurgood Marshall Fund . Find out more about the HBCU in Ohio. The First HBCU In Ohio: Wilberforce University Founded by the Cincinnati Chapter of the Methodist Episcopal and African Methodist Episcopal churches, Wilberforce University opened its doors in 1856. It is the oldest private HBCU in the United Stated that remains under the direction of African Americans. Named after William Wilberforce, a British abolitionist, the university carries an esteem of freedom and opportunity. Programs in teacher training and classical education are afforded to Black students at a tuition of less than...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities ( HBCUs ) have long played a vital role in training and empowering Black medical professionals. Offering a strong academic foundation, supportive environments, and access to hands-on experience, HBCU medical schools continue to be instrumental in bridging healthcare disparities and diversifying the medical field. This article highlights some of the top HBCU medical schools in the country that are renowned for their academic excellence, resources, and commitment to serving underserved communities. Howard University College Of Medicine Located in Washington, D.C., Howard University College of Medicine is one of the most prestigious HBCU medical schools. Founded in 1868, it has a longstanding tradition of training African American physicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals. The school offers programs in medicine, surgery, and research, with a strong focus on treating underserved communities. Howard is known for producing...

At the center of the District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area lies Maryland, the Free State. A symbol of political freedom and four HBCUs, all of them were established during or before the year 1900. Located in Baltimore, Bowie and Salisbury, these Maryland-based universities, like many of their counterparts, are publicly supported. They have a combined annual economic impact of over $1 billion. Together, they’ve also created over 10,000 jobs for the areas local to the institutions. The history of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have taught us that creating opportunities and environments that champion higher education for Black students is not only fruitful for admitted youth but for surrounding communities. Here are the four HBCUs in Maryland. Bowie State University Bowie State University (BSU), named after its home city, was the first HBCU in Maryland (1865). Located in Prince George’s County, BSU is in the northeastern region of the state. The...

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have long served Black students, non-Black students of color and more recently white students. Of their graduates, several alumni have gone on to achieve incredible careers, ranging from Oprah Winfrey and Samuel L. Jackson to Vice President Kamala Harris . HBCUs have produced some of the world’s greatest speakers, artists and businesspeople. It’s no wonder why rankings exist among the 101 institutions that provide higher education to Black students. From having the most successful alumni to being the hardest HBCU to get into, here are our HBCU rankings. The Highest HBCU Rankings In The Country Each of the HBCUs mentioned in this ranking system has their own specialty and draw for students. Between the universities, each one of them garners funding, which contributes to university/college performance academically and athletically. At eighth place is Xavier University known for being a leader in STEM and health sciences. North...

A class on Issa Rae’s legal life will be taught at Georgia State University College of Law. Black Enterprise reports that George State University law professor Moraima “ Mo ” Ivory designed the course to highlight the legal considerations essential for celebrities with high-profile careers. As a result, the law students will be able to gain a firsthand account from the “ Insecure ” creator herself. She will speak to the class about contracts she has created to land deals over the past decade. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, some of her contracts include a substantial $40 million, five-year deal that dates back to 2021. This deal is in partnership with her media production company, Hoorae , and WarnerMedia. According to Variety, the agreement granted HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Television the exclusive rights to her television work, as well as a first-look film deal across various WarnerMedia brands. “T his is the first class where every single contract was the actual artist...