Latest news with #HBCUs
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Joint Conference to Investigate Global Partnerships between African Higher Education Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Atlanta, GA / Harare, Zimbabwe / Accra, Ghana, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building (ICB), in strategic collaboration with the Historic African Diaspora Placement Program (HADIP) and the Association of African Universities (AAU), announced the convening of a groundbreaking virtual symposium on Sept. 17, 2025. The theme 'From Dialogue to Action: Advancing Partnerships between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and African Higher Education Institutions,' will bring together academic, philanthropic and industry leaders to discuss new pathways for partnership and innovation between HBCUs and institutions on the African continent and across the diaspora. Registration is now available for this one-of-a-kind event. The Symposium seeks to catalyze sustainable partnerships among HBCUs and African higher education institutions by bringing together government leadership, university presidents, provosts, policymakers, researchers, philanthropists and resource partners from both continents. The event's format will feature dignitary-led plenaries, comparative insights on African and U.S. higher education systems, panel discussions, and a strategic dialogue on resource mobilization and institutional transformation. 'This is more than just an event—it's a launch pad for coordinated action,' said Ed Smith-Lewis, UNCF senior vice president, strategic partnership and institutional programs. 'We're setting the stage for executive leadership development, joint research efforts and mutual investment in transformative education systems.' The event builds on collaborative efforts between HADIP and AAU, which exists to promote, strengthen and represent African higher education by fostering collaboration, enhancing institutional quality and serving as the collective voice of universities across the continent. A HADIP representative stated, 'This partnership is a significant step towards creating a unified approach to higher education across Africa and the diaspora. By working together, we can enhance the quality of education and research, ensuring that our institutions thrive in an interconnected world.' The Secretary-General of AAU Olusola Bandele Oyewole remarked, 'The Association of African Universities is excited to foster partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities. Together, we aim to strengthen education and address challenges, creating a brighter future for our students and communities.' The Symposium plans to announce this partnership formally during UNCF's annual UNITE Summit, occurring July 20-24, 2025, signaling a commitment to cross-continental collaboration and inviting broader stakeholder engagement. This event marks another milestone for UNCF as it seeks to elevate partnerships between HBCUs and the African continent. As part of this commitment, UNCF ICB has already identified 8B Education Investments as a pilot partner to explore financing solutions for African students studying in U.S. institutions. UNCF ICB also sponsored the recently concluded 4th Annual HBCU Africa Education Coalition (HAEC) Conference. Key sessions at the HAEC Conference spotlighted institutional transformation, diaspora engagement and the future of African higher education. Join us as we move from dialogue to decisive action, forging sustainable pathways that connect Africa and its Diaspora through higher education. Register now and be part of the movement to accelerate transformation across the continents through educational partnerships. For more information about the conference, visit ### About UNCF UNCF is one of the nation's largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students' access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste.'® Learn more at or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram. About UNCF ICB UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building (ICB) is a registered subsidiary of the United Negro College Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization. UNCF ICB partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to drive institutional transformation, student success, and community advancement. Its mission centers on equipping these institutions with the tools, strategies, and partnerships needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. About HADIP: The Historic African Diaspora Placement Program (HADIP) aims to reconnect African diaspora professionals in the U.S. with the continent through immersive cultural and professional experiences that foster sustainable development and strengthen transnational ties in alignment with the African Union's Agenda 2063. About AAU: The Association of African Universities (AAU) is an international non-governmental organization set up by universities in Africa to promote cooperation among themselves and with the international academic community. Founded with an initial membership of 34 public universities on November 12, 1967, in Rabat, Morocco, the AAU's membership has grown to over 450. Roy Betts UNCF 240.703.3384 [email protected]
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Essence Brings HBCU Classic to Nation's Oldest CFB Stadium
Labor Day Weekend 2025 won't just mark the return of college football. It'll signal the birth of something historic. For the first time ever, an HBCU football classic will be held in Boston. And not just anywhere in the city. Inside Harvard Stadium, the oldest college football stadium in the country. The inaugural ESSENCE Kickoff Classic will feature Morehouse College facing off against Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), delivering a powerful season opener and a cultural homecoming on Ivy League turf. This year's event is a bold elevation from last fall's Morehouse vs. JCSU showdown. The game was featured in season two of HBCU Gameday's Brick x Brick docuseries. That episode gave fans a gritty, behind-the-scenes look at two historic programs giving their all for an early-season win. But in 2025, it's getting bigger. Brick x Brick will return with a special episode dedicated to the Kickoff Classic. The episode hopes to go behind the scenes to show what happens when an HBCU game moves from the South to the Ivy League. "The ESSENCE Kickoff Classic is more than a game-a cultural statement," said Michele Ghee, Chief Content Officer of ESSENCE Ventures. "By bringing HBCU football to Boston for the first time. We're not only honoring the rich legacy of our institutions. We're creating space for Black excellence to thrive in new places." Boston, long seen as a hub for higher education and equity-driven innovation, is embracing its role as host city with open arms. "We are proud to bring the spirit of HBCUs to Harvard Stadium and look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country," said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, highlighting the city's commitment to inclusion and cultural celebration. The Classic is more than 60 minutes of football-it's an all-out weekend experience. Expect a citywide celebration packed with music, community activations, career fairs, step shows, and-of course-the unmatched energy of HBCU marching bands. Event Co-Founder Derrick Brown summed it up best. "The Classic isn't just a game - it's a citywide celebration of culture, community, and Boston's bold commitment to inclusivity." From the tailgate to the halftime show, this event is meant to fuse the legacy of HBCUs with Boston's future-forward thinking, making it both a tribute and a trailblazer. ESSENCE, the iconic platform dedicated to Black women and communities. Searheads an event supported by MeetBoston, the city's tourism hub, and Campus Rise, a mission-driven platform helping underrepresented students thrive. This partnership ensures that the Classic won't just be seen-it will be felt. Harvard Stadium has seen its share of historic football moments over the decades. But this will be the first time its end zones ring out with the sound of a drumline, the stomp of a step team, and the roar of fans proudly reppin' their HBCUs. The post Essence Brings HBCU Classic to Nation's Oldest CFB Stadium appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Black Voices Are Training Big Tech. But Who's Protecting Them?
Howard University and Google are partnering under the name Project Elevate Black Voices to release ... More data that can be used by artificial intelligence to better understand African American English. It was recently announced that Howard University and Google are partnering under the name Project Elevate Black Voices to release data that can be used by artificial intelligence to better understand African American English (AAE). A media release from Howard University explained that researchers traveled across the United States to capture different dialects used within the Black community, collecting 600 hours of vocal data across 32 states in different dialects, dictions and accents. The project's aim is to address the inherent bias baked into many artificial intelligence-driven tools we use to address difficulties interpreting and understanding Black users who have dialects and diction more common in the Black community. Howard University will own the dataset and licensing, making the data available to researchers and institutions at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and will allow Google to use the dataset to improve its products. In an Instagram post made by pocintech about the project, there were many who were leery of the partnership stating it wasn't a good idea, with some wondering how this partnership would benefit the Black community. It's understandable for some to be suspicious about this type of partnership. There is a long history of tech being extractive, exploitative and harmful to the Black community. The erasure of Black creators who have started trends and viral dances yet are the least protected on social media, racial bias in facial recognition software used for policing and surveillance, and technology that is more likely to flag Black creator's content as 'offensive,' are just a few examples. Though the backlash is warranted, we should also consider the different ways that a robust dataset containing different types of AAE can benefit Black workers and help create better technology. Many companies use tech tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams auto-captioning, AI notetakers, and meeting recording summaries. Having more data about AAE will help to improve these speech recognition tools, which can often misinterpret AAE. In some cases, a dataset like this may make employees less likely to codeswitch because they won't have to worry as much about whether their voice and speech patterns will be understood by workplace AI tools, making these tools more inclusive and accessible. Industries like healthcare, customer service and the legal sector, which may use speech-to-text tools for things like clinical documentation, customer sentiment analysis, and to transcribe legal documents could particularly benefit from Project Elevate Black Voices. Many companies use tech tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams auto-captioning, AI notetakers, and ... More meeting recording summaries. The criticism that can be seen online is not completely unwarranted. There are very real tensions around who will have access to the dataset in the future and some are worried that the data could be extracted and exploited to the detriment of the community that it was designed to benefit. The value of this type of rich data outside of improved speech recognition tools is a preservation and archive of Black American culture during a time when Black history is being actively erased. In the wrong hands though, this type of data could be used in nefarious ways, furthering the use of Black AI influencers and digital Blackface, training AI products without the compensation or credit (and in some cases the knowledge) of those whose data was used to train these products, and expanding the use of surveillance technology that disproportionately harms and targets Black people. According to Howard's media release about the partnership, 'The Howard African American English Dataset 1.0 will initially be made available exclusively to researchers and institutions within historically Black colleges and universities to ensure that the data is employed in ways that reflect the interests and needs of marginalized communities, specifically African American communities whose linguistic practices have often been excluded or misrepresented in computational systems.' It's understandable to question how this data could be used to further the harm that Black communities already face. While the initial intentions in collecting this data may be benevolent, it's imperative to understand how easy it is for data to be wielded for corrupt and capitalistic purposes. It is a great move that the data will be available to HBCU institutions, but a word of caution: Black-led, Black-founded and Black-owned organizations and institutions are not immune to harm and extraction—one could argue that within these systems, harm is more insidious and is sometimes more challenging to spot and combat. Organizations and institutions that are primarily Black or led by Black people can still engage in practices that are oppressive and harmful. Audre Lorde taught us that, 'the true focus of revolutionary change is never merely the oppressive situations we seek to escape, but that piece of the oppressor which is planted deep within us.' We must be careful that when we are trying to reclaim equity and repair broken tools that we do not recreate newer versions of the same harmful systems.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Beyoncé's Father Joins HBCU as Executive-in-Residence
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - Prairie View A&M University, one of the nation's leading HBCU institutions, is taking its commitment to academic excellence and cultural relevance to new heights with the launch of a Presidential Executive-in-Residence Program. At its helm: Dr. Mathew Knowles, the music mogul and business strategist best known for shaping the global careers of Destiny's Child with his daughter Beyoncé. Dr. Knowles, a celebrated architect of pop culture, will serve as the program's inaugural Executive-in-Residence for the 2025–2026 academic year. His appointment signals more than a marquee name on campus; it reflects the institution's growing effort to fuse classroom learning with real-world industry leadership. Over the course of two semesters, Knowles will lead four master classes in partnership with PVAMU's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Department of Languages and Communication. Students will explore branding, media strategy, entrepreneurship, and narrative power-disciplines Knowles has mastered through decades of influence in entertainment and business. Titles like "From Solopreneur to Entrepreneur" and "Strategic Visibility: Brand, Business, and the Power of the Narrative" speak to Knowles' mission: teaching students not only how to build ventures, but how to shape stories that move markets and culture alike. Knowles' residency includes faculty development sessions to help educators integrate entrepreneurial thinking and storytelling into their curricula-ensuring his impact extends beyond the lecture hall. The Knowles family's bond with HBCUs is more than symbolic. Beyoncé, a fierce advocate for HBCU culture, famously channeled the experience in her Homecoming performance at Coachella. She's also backed that admiration with major investments-including her recent donation to support the HBCU band program at Texas Southern University. Now, Mathew Knowles' appointment at Prairie View A&M brings that connection full circle. As he steps into the classroom, he joins a growing number of cultural icons turning to HBCUs not just as alma maters or philanthropic partners-but as places to educate, innovate, and inspire the next generation of leaders. With over $100 million in business exits, corporate partnerships with brands like L'Oréal and Samsung, and a rare Master of Influence Award from the National Speakers Association, Knowles brings more than star power-he brings a blueprint. His residency at PVAMU marks a new chapter in how HBCUs are redefining higher education: integrating celebrity, entrepreneurship, and academic rigor to offer students access to unmatched real-world opportunities. In many ways, Prairie View A&M's latest move affirms what the Knowles family has always known-and what Beyoncé declared through her Coachella homage: HBCUs are not just relevant; they are revolutionary. The post Beyoncé's Father Joins HBCU as Executive-in-Residence appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Relive Historic JCSU Turnaround with Brick x Brick Marathon
They built it brick by brick. Now it's time to binge it. HBCU Gameday is giving fans a front-row seat to the grind, the glory, and the growth of HBCU football. The network is running a Media Day Marathon of its hit original series, Brick x Brickwith JCSU Football. The binge-worthy broadcast streams live on the HBCU Gameday YouTube page at 11 a.m., following the CIAA Media Day broadcast. Whether you're a die-hard alum, a current student, or just here for the vibes, this is almost five hours of must-watch HBCU content. The series begins in 2022 with the first win under head coach Maurice Flowers. That game marked the start of a new chapter. The journey unfolds through every rep, rally, and setback, building to the final spring practice of 2025. This isn't your average highlight package. Brick x Brick dives deeper. It shows the early mornings, the long road trips, the heartbreak, and the hustle. It celebrates the coaches and student-athletes who are building more than just a football program - they're building a legacy. With HBCU Media Days taking place across the country, now is the perfect time to revisit the whole story. Each episode brings something new. From tense game weeks to quiet locker room moments, it tells the story of what it means to fight for greatness. It shows how HBCUs continue to shape elite athletes, powerful leaders, and unforgettable moments. The energy is raw. The storytelling is real. And the culture is front and center. Brick x Brick wth JCSU Football is more than a series. It's a reminder of what makes HBCU football special. The Media Day Marathon gives fans a rare chance to see the entire journey in one sitting. So grab your hoodie, fire up the group chat, and tune in-it's as fire as ever. The post Relive Historic JCSU Turnaround with Brick x Brick Marathon appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
