Equity-focused work may be a point of contention in today’s political environment, but it has not stopped the commitment of those dedicated to ensuring justice. Recently, Operation HOPE Inc. hosted its Hope Global Forums Annual Meeting. This convening brought together community stakeholders and influencers to discuss how to move into the future through economic, technological, and cultural advancements. During the meeting in Atlanta, GA, Hope Global Forum leader and CEO of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant, announced one of his goals to raise $100 million to fund the organization’s work of providing financial literacy and economic growth tools for individuals and small businesses. While providing his final remarks, Bryant confirmed that he is well on his way to receiving that fundraising amount through partners and corporations including Delta, Shopify, Truist, and Bishop T.D. Jakes. “Shopify, they’re ready for $60 million,” Bryant said. “Why did they do this? They are good people,...

Propel and Southern Company have teamed up once again for a new initiative. The two have joined forces to launch the Propel HBCU Cybersecurity Consortium (HCC), according to a news release. The inaugural consortium was created to further support HBCUs’ cybersecurity curriculums. What’s more, it aims to connect academia, industry, and government. “The dynamic and ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape has generated a myriad of leading career opportunities that have become critical across virtually every business sector – with a mere nine percent of those individuals being Black professionals,” Propel President Dr. Lisa Herring shared in a statement. “In partnership and collaboration with our co-founder, Southern Company, we’re cracking the code in a sector that is grossly underrepresented by diverse talent and an industry in need of a greatly expanded workforce.” The news release notes that the HCC is made up of a resource hub, professional development, accelerated learning, and...

Have you ever felt slightly reserved during your first day at a new job? You quietly take in many of the elements of the new environment and mentally observe the vibes of the people that come with it. At some point, an opportunity presents itself for you and your colleagues to come together. There are a few options for groups to engage with, and with very little thought, you choose the group you assume you have the most in common with. This process is the power of culture and acknowledgment of community. According to Medical News Today, people desire to be in community. It is explained as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Despite how overt many people are in avoiding human interaction, Maslow’s theory suggests there’s an innate sense of belonging that people crave. At this intersection, many corporations create programming around these human needs through employee resource groups (ERGs).

The Propel Center will brighten the future of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students. According to a press release, the HBCU technology and learning hub will partner with Apple and Southern Company to launch its Propel Student Impact Scholarship totaling $1 million in funding. The scholarship program will be geared toward HBCU students pursuing careers in entrepreneurship, arts & entertainment, agri-tech, social justice, and health. Students will not only have a chance to receive $10,000 in scholarships but they will also work directly with Propel Center’s corporate partners for additional learning engagement opportunities. The move will advance the company’s effort to diversify the employment pipelines. “We at Propel are committed to not only building the ultimate Black talent pipeline, but also to supporting and sustaining the ever-changing global and diverse workforce experience,” said Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, president of the Propel Center HBCU Consortium,...

Georgia Power is showing its committment to supporting Georgia’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities with a donation toward infrastructure, technology tools, professional development, and more. The company, along with its parent, Southern Company announced that they will provide $1.625 million in funding through the Southern Company Foundation, according to a press release. This gift is part of the Southern Company’s multi-year funding strategy –announced in January 2020 — that will provide HBCU students with leadership development, scholarships, internships, and access to innovation and technology to support career readiness. It is included in the company and its subsidiaries’ $50 million HBCU Initiative. “Georgia Power has been a longtime partner of HBCUs in our state and I am proud we can build on our support for these important institutions through these grants,” said the president of Georgia Power, Chris Womack, in a press statement. “Not only are these schools...