Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.
Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro, North Carolina, received a five-year, $2.047,745 grant from U.S. Department of Education as part of its Predominantly Black Institution Program. The grant money will be used to fund student success centers on the college’s Tarboro and Rocky Mount campuses. According to the latest U.S. Department of Education figures, African Americans make up 61 percent of the student body at the college.
Virginia Union University, the historically Black educational institution in Richmond, received a $300,000 donation from the estate of Allix B. James, a former president of the university. Dr. James was president of Virginia Union from 1970 to 1979. The gift will fund the completion of the lower level of Coburn Hall on campus, which will include a room that house Dr. James’ memoirs.
Queens College of the City University of New York has received a five-year, $1.6 million grant from New York State for programs that aim to increase the diversity of the teacher workforce. The college will work with the Queens South Field Support Center, a division of the New York city Department of Education to create the Teacher Opportunity Corps.
Historically Black Spelman College in Atlanta received a $1 million gift from Leonard and Louise Riggio. Half of the money will be used to support the Riggio Scholars program that provides scholarship for students involved in community service. The remainder of the funds will support the college’s planned arts and innovation center.
