All results
Overcoming the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the modern classroom sometimes seems insurmountable. However, these inclusive robots are looking to change that. Carver & Jemi are the spokes-robots for the company RoboKind, which announced that they’re releasing these diverse and inclusive robots to promote DEI classrooms. Carver & Jemi were in development for more than a year before they hit the market, and Mary Shaw, the Sr. Director of Professional Development and Content of RoboKind, says that these robots are great for reaching children with autism, in particular. “During the last 10 years, we demonstrated the impact of our technology and its ability to empower students with Autism to break down social-emotional barriers,” Shaw said, in the press release announcement about the inclusive robots. “For us, that now extends beyond developmental differences and prioritizes diversity and inclusivity in the classroom.” Carver was named for legendary agriculturalist...
Harlem-based Carver Bank, the largest African- and Caribbean-American managed bank in the United States, has announced that it’s partnering with the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFE&PD) to bridge the HBCU financial literacy gap. In a press release, the two organizations said that Medgar Evers College, Howard University, and the University of the District of Columbia are the HBCUs participating in the partnership, for their pilot program. The pilot program will consist of what they’re calling “student ambassadors” to be dispatched to the universities to teach the students about making smarter personal finance decisions. Additional participating HBCUs will be announced in the coming months. “Carver is proud to work with SFE&PD in a groundbreaking partnership with three HBCUs to advance financial skill-building and economic empowerment for the next generation of leaders,” said Michael T. Pugh, President and CEO of Carver Bank, in the press release...
Magic Johnson’s EquiTrust Life Insurance company has teamed up with Carver Federal Savings Bank and MBE Partners to provide $225 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to minority and women-owned businesses, according to Black Enterprise . This is in addition to the combined $100 million in PPP loans that the corporations have provided during the coronavirus, bringing the total to $25 million in funds. These loans are for all nonprofits, religious organizations, minority, and women-owned businesses that were left out of the Small Business Administration funding. “These businesses are a vital part of our economy and essential to the economic growth necessary for recovery from the pandemic. We have a responsibility to ensure an equitable distribution of federally backed capital to minority-owned small businesses,” Chair of EquiTrust Life Insurance, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, said. The coronavirus pandemic has had a tremendous impact on business owners, especially those that...
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are higher learning institutions established in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries primarily for the education of Black Americans. Most HBCUs were founded after the Civil War, during the Reconstruction era, with the purpose of providing higher education opportunities for Black Americans who were previously denied access to mainstream institutions due to segregation and racial discrimination. Today, these same schools still provide opportunities for Black Americans to embrace their culture while getting their education. With many schools existing around the country, certain ones have been regarded as the best HBCUs. The top HBCUs are often ranked based on various criteria such as academic excellence, student outcomes , notable alumni , campus facilities and more. Here is a list of the top 10 best HBCUs, along with what makes them stand out. Spelman College Spelman consistently ranks at number one as the best...
The work and pioneering done by Black Americans has historically gone unrecognized across many areas/fields, including science. Black Americans make up 12% of the US population and have experienced the most disadvantages and setbacks in education than any other group in the country. For this reason, it is believed that there are not many Black scientists or Black people in STEM of note; however, this is not true historically nor in the present day. The work of Black scientists has led to discoveries that have changed our understanding in areas including health, space travel, public safety and more. Many of these Black scientists faced the added challenge of navigating racism, discrimination and segregation, on top of the challenging work they accomplished . These individuals defied all doubt, prejudice and other obstacles in their way to make ground breaking discoveries that help us learn more about the world and prove how vital Black scientists’ contributions in STEM are. Here are...
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Tuskegee University received a $13.7 million grant on Nov. 8, in hopes of creating a systemic and sustainable culture while promoting inclusivity within the community of scientists. Through the grant — in partnership with Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) — the two Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs) will hire and train 12 new research faculty members to push the mission forward for inclusive excellence in health disparities research, according to a press release. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Tuskegee University in this endeavor to build a community of scientists committed to inclusive excellence by recruiting early-career faculty committed to promoting diversity and inclusion while addressing health disparities,” UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine Dean and Senior Vice President for Medicine Selwyn Vickers, M.D. said in a press release. The press release...
One thing about Ciara Princess Wilson? She’s going to forever reign as a hardworking multi-hyphenate entertainer. It seems as though AfroTech has been reporting on the serial entrepreneur’s business moves all year — from launching her clothing line — LITA — earlier this year to her multiple business ventures under The House of LR&C with her husband Russell Wilson. Plus, with her latest partnership, she’s continuing to be a business mogul in the making. Forbes reports that Ciara has recently joined Ten To One Rum’s founder and CEO Marc Farrell as an investor, co-owner and director for the brand. “When I get a chance to do things and projects like this, I’m pretty involved,” Ciara told Forbes. “I look a step before the actual product to work with really great business partners. For me all the boxes were checked. This is a space that not too many women occupy, and I saw a tremendous opportunity as an entrepreneur, and as a woman of color.” Ciara’s new roles for Ten To One Rum entails...
Black excellence was on full display this weekend as Kerby Jean-R aymond, the first Black American designer to present at Paris Haute Couture Week , showcased the Pyer Moss Fall 2021 Couture Collection at the estate of the late Madam C.J. Walker . AfroTech was invited to the Villa Lewaro to witness this historic event and it was nothing short of breathtaking. The ambiance was set from the minute guests arrived. With an all-Black live band decked out in all-white attire, it was as if you walked into a Harlem Renaissance party set in the digital age. However, the most jaw-dropping moment of all was the fashion. Embed from Getty Images The Pyer Moss Fall Couture Show paid homage to Black inventors in the most ingenious way. As the show began, models were met with gasps and awe as they walked the runway outfitted in garments resembling peanut butter (George Washington Carver), a traffic light (Garrett Morgan, 1923), a mop (Thomas W. Steward, 1863), a hot comb (Madam C.J. Walker), a...
When Dr. Jalaal Hayes started his educational journey, he didn’t know it would lead him on the path to becoming the youngest person to hold a doctorate degree in applied chemistry from Delaware State University (DSU). Dr. Hayes was only 22-years-old when he earned his doctorate degree from DSU in December 2015, and he was the youngest candidate in the Historically Black College and University’s 124-year history. The road to this accomplishment wasn’t always the smoothest for him, and at times, he even doubted he’d make it here. “The hardest part was staying focused and reminding myself of the goal,” Dr. Hayes told AfroTech. “That goal was graduating college, so I just made sure I didn’t have time to get distracted.” Dr. Hayes went to George Washington Carver School of Engineering and Science in Philadelphia. He describes this as one of the premiere science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) schools in the city, since you had to apply and test into it. When he was...
Last year, Wells Fargo announced a $50 million investment into Black-owned Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) to improve the lending ecosystems of underserved communities. This week, the financial services company shares news that it plans to invest in five additional Black-owned banks in an effort to uphold its initial commitment. “The country’s MDIs are vital to minority communities, but over the last two decades, many have declined or have closed,” William Daley — vice chairman of Public Affairs at Wells Fargo — shared in a company statement. “The capital investment we are announcing is important, but it’s our relationship approach that will make the difference in their futures. We want to be a partner to these important institutions and, in turn, have a positive effect on local communities.” Wells Fargo shares that its latest round of investments include the following Black-owned institutions: Carver State Bank in Savannah, Georgia Citizens Trust Bank in Atlanta, Georgia...
The first all-digital nationally chartered bank in the U.S. just added to its board. According to a press release, Roy Swan will join Varo Bank’s Board of Directors bringing over 30 years of expertise in banking, community development, impact investing, and philanthropy across a number of leading organizations and institutions. Varo looks to accelerate its direct community action and social impact programming in support of financial inclusion and opportunity for all in the latest appointment. “Banking and finance are key components of the long-term solutions to issues of racial equity and social justice,” said Swan in a news release. “I am thrilled to be joining Varo’s Board to continue to advance its impact mission and ensure Varo is an agent of structural change in the US banking system.” Currently, Swan serves as the Director of Mission Investments at the Ford Foundation where he manages a portfolio of impact investments for one of the world’s leading philanthropic foundations....
High school senior Shanya Robinson-Owens applied to more than 25 colleges and in return received offers of more than $1 million — $1,074,260 to be exact — worth of scholarship money from the 18 schools she was accepted into, Good Morning America reports. Shanya — a 17-year-old Philadelphia native who currently attends George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science — told CNN that she didn’t have high expectations when applying to her respective schools, but was pleasantly surprised when acceptance letters started rolling in. “I didn’t expect to get this,” she said, “I knew about the scholarships, but I didn’t expect it to be this much, at all.” According to CNN, her family began counting her scholarship packages as she received her acceptance letters and started tracking her progress on social media via the hashtag #KeepingUpWithNya. “I didn’t know if I should cry, laugh, I didn’t know what to do.” – 17 year old Shanya’s reaction when she was awarded over $1 million...
Wells Fargo is finally putting its money where its mouth is. The financial institution has announced investments in six-African American Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) to support its pledge made in March 2020 to invest up to $50 million in Black-owned banks. Banks will have access to a dedicated Wells Fargo relationship team that will provide product development, technological, and financial expertise in order to help each institution enhance and benefit their local community. “These investments are designed to help the banks become stronger and more impactful to the minority communities they serve, which leads to economic revitalization and job opportunities,” said vice-chairman of Public Affairs at Wells Fargo, Bill Daley. “So many communities have suffered over the past year. MDIs need capital, but they can also benefit from access to other resources, and Wells Fargo is committed to building lasting, strategic relationships with these institutions in support of their...
Born October 6, 1949, in Mobile, Alabama, Lonnie Johnson is an engineer and inventor who holds more than 120 patents, one of which is for the iconic top-selling water toy — the Super Soaker. Johnson’s love for science came at an early age, drawing inspiration from historical figures such as George Washington Carver. In 1968, Johnson represented his high school as the only Black student in a science fair at a time when African Americans did not have a large presence in science. He created a robot named Linex and took home first prize. He went on to graduate from Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering. To kick off Black History Month, let’s recognize Lonnie Johnson, an engineer, inventor, and business owner. He is notably known for inventing the super soaker, a top selling water toy! pic.twitter.com/kybjMbSagI — NSBE at UVA (@NSBEatUVA) February 1, 2020 Following college, Johnson joined the Air Force where...