Beyoncé’s Cécred is looking to make an impact outside of just the haircare industry. As previously shared by AFROTECH™, the technology-backed company launched in February 2024. Testing was a big proponent in bringing the haircare line that’s “validated by science” to life. “Every hair texture deserves testing, research and development,” Beyoncé told Essence for its March/April 2024 cover story. “Black women in general are the last to be included in testing. We are often prescribed things based on studies we were not included in. It’s bigger than me, or hair. Now we have created something that celebrates healthy hair for all women, including us. I’m always honored to invest in us.” Within the same month of Cécred’s launch, BeyGood, Beyoncé’s public charity foundation, announced its Cécred x BeyGood Fund. According to its website, the annual $500,000 fund was created to give back to professional hairstylists for the impactful work they bring to their respective communities. “Fostering...

A new move made by a group of education officials in North Carolina has the power to do a state-wide sweep of programs committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at public universities. According to The News & Observer, the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors’ University Governance Committee has approved “a policy that repeals the university system’s existing policy and regulation on diversity and inclusion.” The move will reportedly disband laws in place requiring all 17 public campuses within the state of North Carolina to employ diversity officers as well as drive efforts toward a common goal of fulfilling diversity-related measures. A University of North Carolina System Board of Governors committee voted in favor of policy that would eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion jobs at NC public universities. There was no discussion. https://t.co/9xQvXJFFG8 — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 18, 2024 Per the Raleigh, NC-based outlet, the committee held...

Duke University is the latest higher educational institute to make changes following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in admissions. According to its student publication The Chronicle, the North Carolina college has officially discontinued its Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship Program. Since its inception in 1979, the merit scholarship was created for Black undergraduates, some of whom were required to demonstrate the need for financial assistance. It covered the cost of full tuition as well as room and board for those who were selected to be a part of the program. Duke University announced it is ending a full-ride scholarship program for Black students in the wake of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling https://t.co/dNK2Rst99y — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 12, 2024 “It is very much disheartening to hear that this program that opened the door for me to come to Duke is now being closed essentially, even though it will take on a new form,”...

The legacy of Breonna Taylor continues to live on. In September 2020, Amy Sherald paid tribute with a cover portrait for Vanity Fair following the tragic loss in March of that year. Now, the artist is using the portrait’s proceeds to pay it forward to Taylor’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. According to UofLNews, Sherald donated $1 million of the art earnings toward scholarships for law students at the University of Louisville. The funding is set to be specifically for students who are committed to social justice. “I have long held the belief of the transformative power of education and its ability to foster new conversations and accelerate societal growth,” Sherald shared in a statement, according to UofLNews. “With support from the Heartland Foundation and the Ford Foundation it has become possible for me to realize those beliefs.” She added, “I have created this trust to help unblock the challenges historically faced by students pursuing the work of social justice and public...

Hip-Hop activist Trae Tha Truth is joining forces with NBA star James Harden to provide financial assistance to ten lucky college students this year. According to REVOLT, the charitable Houston rapper is making high school and college students the focus of his latest philanthropic act to help them pursue their higher education. In an Instagram post, Trae shared that he would be giving out his “Trae Day” scholarships to graduating high school students or current college students who are experiencing financial hardships. “Proud To Announce, This TraeDay Weekend I will Be Teaming Up With @jharden13 And We Decided To Give Out 10 TraeDay Scholarships To Graduates Accepted Into College or Already in College To Assist With Academics,” he wrote in his post’s caption. In order to qualify for the Trae Day scholarships, students must submit a 250-word essay explaining what it would mean to be a scholarship recipient. Additionally, students must be attending college this fall and able to attend...

Xavian Branch has options when it comes to his college decision. According to Blavity, the Mississippi student has been accepted to 20 different colleges and if that news isn’t good enough to jump for joy, the fact that he has also received $1.5 million in scholarship offers definitely is! Branch is a senior at The Jim Hill High School located in Jackson, Mississippi, and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma program participant graduating with a 4.8 GPA. He is also the class valedictorian. “When I look back at all the work that I did, I wouldn’t regret anything,” said Branch in an interview. After applying to colleges thanks to the help of his academic adviser Frank J. Branch, the opportunities are endless as that Branch has been accepted into 20 different schools and has been offered $1.5 million in scholarships. His mother, Zandra Branch is one proud mother and is excited to see all that he continues to accomplish. “I just can’t say enough about my baby,” she said. ” I want...

High school senior Kelisha Williams’ application to Harvard University began as a joke but as it turns out the teen is headed to the esteemed college on a full ride. According to WCPO, Williams — an Ohio native who grew up in the foster care system — didn’t believe she could actually get into Harvard, much less secure a full scholarship. However, hard work and determination paved the way for an incredible opportunity for her future. “When I applied to Harvard, I applied to Harvard as a joke,” Williams told the news outlet. “I didn’t think I was going to get in.” When Williams logged into her school account to check her admission results, she was pleasantly surprised to see that she had been accepted with a message that read “congratulations” accompanied by confetti. Now, the young teen is gearing up to study political science and psychology for her tuition-free college career. In speaking with WCPO, Williams revealed that growing up she wanted to become president one day, and now...

Congratulations are in order for Southwest Philadelphia native Akayla Brown who recently learned she’s been selected to become a Gates Scholar! According to Philly Mag, the 18-year-old high school senior and entrepreneur was selected out of a pool of 300 students and 34,000 applicants nationwide to earn the prestigious scholarship award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — which is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. “When I got the letter I was in shock,” she told 6ABC Philadelphia. “I was shaking. I was jumping up and down, screaming.” The news outlet reports that in addition to earning a full ride as a Gates Scholar, Brown has also been awarded many other presidential scholarships and now has more than $2 million in college offers. Though she hasn’t announced her final decision yet, Brown has narrowed down her top three choices to Temple University, Villanova and Howard where she plans to...