LeBron James may seem to have it all figured out as a father, one of basketball’s greatest players, and a prominent entrepreneur. However, even he understands his story is far from finished.  

Clark Atlanta University has received a $10 million grant to advance its students. WSB-TV Atlanta reports the money awarded to the historically Black university will make data science accessible by creating a program under the National Data Science Alliance (NDSA). In five years, “the NDSA will expand the number of Black people earning data science credentials by no fewer than 20,000.” “This is a monumental accomplishment for the HBCU community as a whole. Clark Atlanta University has deep roots in conducting data science research that promotes equity, including the seminal works of scholar and former faculty member W.E.B. Du Bois on these hallowed ground,” CAU President George T. French Jr., Ph.D. said, according to WSB-TV Atlanta.

According to a study, Black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. In response, the Love Delivered Initiative will pledge $225,000 over the next three years to provide doula services for Black families and doula education grants for aspiring birth coaches. On a mission to save lives, the Love Delivered Initiative — an initiative created by Carol’s Daughter founder, Lisa Price, and Mama Glow Foundation founder and world-renowned doula, Latham Thomas — will pledge $225,000 over the next three years to provide doula services for Black families and doula education grants for aspiring birth coaches. “Birth is meant to be a joyful, transcendent and empowering event. Everyone deserves to have access to safe, affordable, respectful and dignified care throughout the perinatal continuum.  Mama Glow doulas approach care from a trauma informed framework and can help to support families impacted by injustice and inequity, grounding them with tools...

Serving as the leading bank of Florida A&M University (FAMU) , The Wells Fargo Foundation has placed a generous contribution to spur women and minority-owned businesses. The $100,000 grant is a part of Wells Fargo’s continued partnership with FAMU to commit a total of $500,000 across Orlando and Tallahassee, FL. The funds will back the creation of a small business incubator and support the project’s staff operations, business development, and expansions goals. “As FAMU’s official bank, we are pleased to see Wells Fargo stepping up its commitment to small business development. This initiative will catalyze entrepreneurship and reap dividends for years to come,” says FAMU President Larry Robinson in an official press release from the FAMU Forward. The incubator will sow seeds of promise for many minority businesses who participate. In an interview with Tallahassee Democrat, Shawnta S. Friday-Stroud- vice president for University Advancement and director of the FAMU Foundation- noted...

Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY — her multi-platform media company and arts collective — and Google have partnered up to launch a new $500,000 feature film grant designed specifically to support emerging creatives from underrepresented communities. “Having started my filmmaking journey by self-funding projects, this is a full-circle moment,” DuVernay said in a statement. “I’m pleased to partner with Google and ARRAY’s grant advisory committee to identify an emerging writer/director to bring their vision to the screen. Inclusive storytelling is at the heart of ARRAY’s mission and we’re proud to also provide access to ARRAY Crew in order to further ensure that the set of the grantee’s film reflects the full array of the world around us.” According to Forbes, the award-winning director hopes this grant — referred to as The Array + Google Feature Film Grant — will clear a path for the next woman or person of color filmmaker to create their first feature-length film, and also foster a community of...

Hampton University was recently awarded $17.7 million as a recipient of The Reimagine Workforce Preparation Grant Program. In collaboration with the Virginia Board of Workforce Development and Old Dominion University, the historically Black institution will use the funding to establish the Virginia Workforce Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. It will serve as an incubator for aspiring entrepreneurs with hopes of it growing the city’s economy. “Hampton’s proposal is especially promising,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who visited the campus last week. “This program is for all students of all ages, especially adult learners seeking new knowledge and skills to grow their own businesses. I’m excited to see how this Center will expand Hampton’s influential role in this community and throughout Virginia.” Hampton University Awarded $17.7 Million Grant to Establish the Virginia Workforce Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center: https://t.co/bM1xLymx4S...

NASA announced that its Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) chose five minority-serving community colleges in an effort to establish new STEM courses. MUREP engages underrepresented populations through different initiatives. These multi-year grants are awarded to assist minority institution faculty and students in research of pertinent missions. Bronx Community College, College of the Desert, Los Angeles Pierce College, Passaic County Community College and Prince George’s Community College will be receiving a total of $1.4 million in order to create new STEM courses. These new additions help prepare students to be future members of NASA’s workforce. The chosen colleges will partner with a NASA center or facility in order to accomplish the goals and objectives outlined by MISTC (MUREP Innovations in Space Technology Curriculum) for the duration of a 15-month period for up to $330,000. Read more about what each college will be focusing on here .

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) announced its initiative to help underrepresented ethnic minorities, first-generation college students and working adults with families get an education and explore STEM fields earlier this month, giving 33 colleges and universities the chance to highlight diversity and inclusion. In 2017, 24 schools were chosen in the Inclusive Excellence initiative, and now the 57 total schools will be gifted $1 million in grant money to split up over the course of five years ($200,000 per year). HHMI says that the 57 schools selected are expected to identify opportunities to build campus capacity for inclusion of students from diverse backgrounds, engage in the process of culture change by experimenting with approaches from faculty training to revising curricula, and to reflect on the impact of their efforts, discover areas to improve and share results with the scientific community. Nearly 600 schools applied for the grant, and 140 were invited to submit...