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.
Alcorn State University in Mississippi has received a $50,000 gift from an anonymous donor to support the HBCU’s radio station, WPRL 91.7 FM. The unrestricted donation will be used to upgrade broadcasting equipment and operational resources, as well as support the station’s student education programs.
Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina was awarded a $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to bolster the HBCU’s TRIO Student Support Services program, which aims to improve the college retention and graduation rates among low-income students, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities. The new funds will support the program’s various support services, such as academic tutoring, financial aid and scholarship guidance, career exploration, counseling, and mentoring.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, one of four historically Black medical schools in the country. The funding will support the HBCU’s existing programming within the Satcher Health Leadership Institute and the Office of Educational Outreach and Health Careers. These programs both aim to diversify the healthcare workforce through career development opportunities and leadership skills training.
The School of Divinity at Howard University in Washington, D.C., was awarded a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch the “Wisdom Keepers, Hope Seekers” initiative. Through this innovative program, an alliance of seven historically Black theological institutions will work together to solve critical challenges and transform pastoral leadership. The participating institutions will facilitate educational opportunities that connect undergraduate students with Christian leaders; provide resources in digital proficiency, financial literacy, and wellness practices; and create an inter-institutional endowment.
