Clark Atlanta University is receiving a generous gift to help groom its next generation of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) leaders.

This week, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) — an organization created to build a more inclusive, just and healthy future for all — announced its first round of Racial Equity Grants to be distributed to Clark Atlanta University’s Executive Leadership Institute (ELI), a press release reports.

The $1 million gift will help support Clark Atlanta’s mission to lead the way in advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion for Black and communities of color in America. Additionally, the donation will poise the university to continue preparing its students to become world leaders.

“The Executive Leadership Institute at Clark Atlanta University is at the forefront of addressing issues of diversity and inclusion. Gifts like this help to sustain the future of HBCUs which depend on the quality and training of those who will lead them,” President George T. French Jr., Ph.D. said in a statement. “The grant will support the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) at Clark Atlanta University (CAU), which in turn develops strong executive leaders who serve as change agents ultimately preparing African-American students to leave their respective HBCUs educated, and equipped to be globally competitive and change the world.”

CZI’s new round of grants are part of its five-year, $500 million investment previously announced back in December of last year.

The organization — which made key investments when it launched back in 2015 — is aiming to award $30 million in grants to various organizations who prioritize racial equity by the end of the year — including initial grantees such as:

- - The Anti-Racism and Intersectional Justice Fund
  - Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC
  - Borealis Philanthropy
  - Echoing Green
  - Futuro Media Group
  - Grantmakers for Girls of Color
  - HBCU Executive Leadership Institute housed at Clark Atlanta University
  - Othering & Belonging Institute
  - Pew Research Center’s new national study – Giving Voice to a Changing America: Chronicling the Immigration and Integration Experiences of Asian-Americans
  - Seventh Generation Fund

“Embedding a racial equity lens across CZI’s philanthropic areas of focus will help us drive the impact and results that we are all working to achieve,” Belinda Stubblefield — CZI’s Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — said in a statement. “As part of this critical work, we are engaging changemakers, community members, and movement builders with deep expertise and lived experience as partners, helping to shape our strategies and actions. We are dedicated to this work for the long term.”

For more information about CZI’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, click here.

Executive Leadership

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