Here is this week’s news of grants won by historically black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.
St. Paul’s College, a historically black educational institution in Lawrenceville, Virginia, received $1.5 million in two grants from philanthropist Jane Batten. A $1 million grant through the Hampton Roads Community Foundation will assist single parents pursuing college degrees. Another $500,000 grant from the Batten Educational Achievement Fund can be used by the college as it sees fit.
Lehman College of the City University of New York received a $150,000 grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation for a project entitled “Youth Circles for Racial Healing.”
Jackson State University, the historically black educational institution in Mississippi, received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to establish the Teacher Residency Academy Alliance. The program is designed to train middle and high school science teachers.
Howard University received a five-year, $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to support the university’s Center for Atmospheric Science. The center will conduct research and educational efforts in weather, climate, air quality, and environmental literacy.
Historically black Xavier University of Louisiana received a three-year, $750,000 grant from BP America to establish a summer institute for young students in mathematics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science.
Medgar Evers College received grants totaling $2,119,277 from federal and state agencies for several programs to support youth education and community development programs. The grants are under the direction of Simone Rodriguez-Dorestant, acting director of the School of Professional and Community Development at the college.
As a former single black male parent, I congratulate Jane Batten for giving St. Paul’ College $1 million dollars in grant for single parents to pursue a college education.
Over two-thirds of African-American children, today, are from single parent households. These are predominantly female headed low income families. These families are presently experiencing punitive cuts to their welfare checks, and more cuts are underway in housing and other subsidies.
The only way for Black single parents, in particular, to escape the poverty trap is to get a college education, and to get a job that will pay them enough money to live on without welfare handouts.
Every dollar given in grant aid to single parents will be a great help. I really wish that I had the financial means to follow in Jane Batten’s footsteps. I hope that other people in better financial shape than I am will give generously to the college education of single parents.