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A first-of-its-kind partnership is set to open the door for a group of HBCU student-athletes. According to a press release, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has become the first HBCU to partner with The Brandr Group (TBG) — a brand management, marketing, and licensing agency — for its group licensing program. The recently launched partnership is set to create “ new opportunities for NCCU student-athletes in all 15 sports who want to use their name, image, and likeness (NIL) together with the university’s official trademarks and logos,” the press release discloses. “We are thrilled to welcome NCCU to our family as our first HBCU partner, and we look forward to working together to support Eagles student-athletes through this new agreement, “said Rick Perko, Vice President of Program Development at TBG. “There are several companies and individuals who are interested in making a difference with student athletes at HBCUs and group licensing will allow them to have the greatest...
North Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) LeVelle Moton has teamed up with Google to give back to the community. Moton, who currently serves as NCCU’s Men’s Basketball Coach will partner with the world’s leading search engine through his Velle Cares Foundation. Together they will equip members of the community with scholarships to cover the cost of one of four professional certification courses in Data Analytics, IT Support, Project Management, or User Experience (UX) Design. “I am very excited about our partnership with Google,” said LeVelle in an official statement shared with AfroTech. “Velle Cares Foundation is committed to increasing access to opportunity for families to expand their economic powers. Grow with Google does just that, and the program’s proven track record of success will reset the course for low-wealth communities and people of color in the Triangle by unlocking higher incomes and a chance to enter a career field with high demand and high wages.” The Grow With...
FICO is partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to educate the next generation of data scientists. According to a news release, the global analytic software company is bringing back its FICO® Educational Analytics Challenge for the second year. This will give students the opportunity to engage with real-world challenges in artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics, inspiring them to develop innovative solutions. This year’s challenge will center on empowering students to combat payment transaction fraud by tasking them with developing a robust fraud detection model. Students will be supported by Dr. Scott Zoldi, chief analytics officer at FICO, and his team of data scientists, who will also teach and mentor participants. Additionally, they will be given financial assistance and resources for internship opportunities. The FICO® Educational Analytics Challenge will expand to the following educational institutions in Spring 2025: F. Drake State Community...
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...
Jennifer Lynne Williams is a prominent leader championing global opportunities in sports. As Chief Development Officer of the USA Basketball Foundation, she recognizes the importance of confidence in the industry and holds a hopeful vision for the future of young athletes. Originally from Detroit, MI, Williams studied at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and African American studies. Originally dreaming of a career in television, she pivoted to pursue a master’s degree in athletic administration at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), which equipped her for a successful career in the sports industry. As an athlete herself, Williams wanted to make a difference for college athletes and those who were looking to break into the professional leagues. Williams served as the associate athletic director of development and executive director of the Aggie Athletic Foundation at North Carolina A&T University for four years....
Historically Black Colleges and Universities ( HBCUs ) have played a pivotal role in educating African American students and fostering leadership within the legal profession. HBCU law schools continue to produce top-tier legal professionals, activists, and judges who advocate for justice and equality. For aspiring attorneys looking for a legal education that combines academic rigor with a focus on social justice and community impact, these HBCU law schools stand out as some of the best in the country. 1. Howard University School Of Law Located in Washington, D.C., Howard University School of Law is the most renowned HBCU law school in the nation. Established in 1869, it has a long history of producing influential leaders, including Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and many civil rights attorneys. Howard’s law program is known for its focus on social justice, civil rights, and its commitment to diversifying the legal profession. With its location in the nation’s capital,...
Naomi Osaka has called on young Black athletes like herself to spread more awareness of suncare for melanated skin. As previously reported by AfroTech back in 2021, the tennis champ launched her skincare line, KINLÒ, to provide affordable products for healthy skin. Now, Osaka has onboarded student-athletes who are making an impact to join her in amplifying her message. Courtesy of KINLÒ
What a way to honor a loved one! According to QCityMetro, Hellena Tidwell honored her late husband with quite the donation to their alma mater, North Carolina Central University. Tidwell, along with the couple’s two sons, pledged a total of $500,000 in honor of Isaiah Tidwell. The funds will help to support the historically Black university’s accounting program.
Goodr, a Black-owned and Atlanta-based sustainable waste management platform, has just announced that they’ve exceeded their own expectations. In a press release announcement, it was revealed that the company raised $1.5 million in their recent Bridge to Series A funding round, which exceeded their initial goal by $500,000. Capital One Ventures were joined in this round by Backstage Capital, Unreasonable Ventures, and the Laurene Powell Jobs-helmed Emerson Collective. “It is an extremely exciting time here at Goodr,” CEO Jasmine Crowe said in the press release announcement. “We are expanding our team, our market reach, and solving two critical problems at the same time. I welcome our new investors as part of the team as we continue to strive towards ending hunger.” The company has already announced that they are on the hunt for a Lead Engineer, and are actively filling roles for other key executive positions. The supplemental funds will also allow them to improve their product and...
Tech giant Intel is continuing its long-standing global diversity and inclusion initiatives with its latest partnership with HBCU North Carolina Central University (NCCU). According to a company announcement, Intel has pledged a generous $5 million donation — $1 million annually over the next five years — toward building the university’s very own tech law and policy center and empowering the next generation of HBCU tech leaders. Intel plans to allocate its funds to build up a strong foundation for the center — which consists of key staff, an endowed professorship, need-based scholarships for students experiencing financial hardships, and additional startup costs needed to develop the center. “As a company and industry, we need to do better to ensure legal and policy jobs are available to all communities, because talent is everywhere but opportunity is not,” said Steven R. Rodgers, Intel’s general counsel, in a press statement. “At the beginning of this year, we began to hold our...
Trailblazing information systems professor, Siobahn Day Grady, Ph.D., is a Black tech unicorn you should know about. Not only is she the first woman to receive a doctorate degree in the field of computer science — according to North Carolina Central University — from North Carolina A&T State University in 2018, but she also recently received a $190,000 grant to conduct research to improve self-driving cars. Grady received the grant from the National Science Foundation’s Historically Black Colleges and Excellence in Research program and plans to use the funds to research and identify issues with self-driving cars. “This research is very timely and relevant; it’s the future,” Grady said, according to North Carolina Central University . “I’m excited to contribute to the field as well as provide research opportunities to students.” North Carolina Central University reports that Grady’s research will center around analyzing fault-detection capabilities of self-driving vehicles including...