SECTOR NEWS
A $250 Million fund steers HBCU endowments into venture capital
Adeyemi Ajao, co-founder of San Francisco-based venture firm Base10 Partners, has been working with friends and founders for the past year to persuade HBCU endowments—including those of Florida A&M and Howard—and late-stage startups to commit to one another. He hopes his $250 million fund will also open a path for HBCU students interested in technology and venture capital by connecting them with mentors, internships, and jobs. “Systemic inequality is really about wealth inequality,” he says. (Bloomberg)
Tennessee State & AME Church partner for international academic outreach to West, South African nations
Tennessee State University announced on Wednesday a partnership with the African Methodist Episcopal Church to provide digital opportunities for students in West and South Africa.
With this partnership, eligible high school students will not only earn both high school and college credit but gain technology skills with access to digital resources.
Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr., of the 14th Episcopal District of the AME Church, reached out to TSU for this partnership in hopes of providing an opportunity to students who typically do not have the resources for this type of course. (Tennessean Newspaper)
Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand Announce Million Dollar Gift to Morehouse College
Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand today announced a million-dollar commitment to Morehouse College, part of their Black Community Commitment. The gift will help fund scholarships, technology, and educational programming for students studying journalism and sports-related areas of study. The Black Community Commitment is an initiative by Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand to directly impact the fight against systemic racism by focusing on social justice, economic justice, and education and awareness. Morehouse joins the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Ida B. Wells Society in receiving gifts because of their roles “at the forefront of cultivating the Black experience to the wider public.” (Morehouse College)
HBCU World Series canceled because of COVID concerns with Southern’s opponent
The HBCU World Series previously scheduled for this weekend has been canceled after Southern’s opponent, Norfolk State, pulled out because of COVID-19 concerns, co-sponsor BCSG 360 announced Thursday.
“Though we were eagerly anticipating hosting this historic event in Jackson, Norfolk State University opted not to participate based on the risk associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” BCSG 360, which co-sponsored with Black College Nine, said in a release. (Baton Rouge Advocate)
INDUSTRY NEWS
Test-optional policies didn’t do much to diversify college student populations (Hechinger Report)
Four states have placed legal limits on how teachers can discuss race (Ed Week)
Louisiana Legislature approves $37B budget, including teacher pay raises, higher education spending (Baton Rouge Advocate)
Colleges could earn more revenue if they focused on older learners (Inside Higher Ed)
