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Federal funding for Tuskegee University (TU) has created a historic opportunity for one of its students. In 2024, the HBCU received $6.7 million in federal funding to launch a flight program that would establish a bachelor’s degree in aviation science, according to AL.com. The program offers training in aerodynamics, aircraft structures and meteorology, AL.com reports. The program also incorporates hands-on education, including flight training, to prepare students for private and commercial pilot certificates. “This program will create opportunities for young aviators who dream of spending their lives soaring through the skies — here and around the world,” Charlotte P. Morris, former president of Tuskegee University, said in a 2024 news release, according to AL.com. The outlet also notes that the school hopes to honor and continue the excellence of the Tuskegee Airmen, who fought in World War II and made history as the first Black flying units in the U.S. military. According to the...
Taylor Davis, a Howard University alumna, has launched a startup to boost restaurant sales. Davis is behind a Charlotte, NC-based AI-powered app for food and travel enthusiasts called Troodie. The app features a list of businesses and builds a community for users to share their restaurant experiences, exposing diners to new eats. They can also create boards to organize their favorite restaurants. “I’m so excited to finally introduce Troodie to the world. We built Troodie for travelers and foodies (Troodies) who love to explore new places through food. Unlike solutions where reviews are generic or bookmarked restaurants get lost, Troodie makes discovery more personal, easy to filter, and collaborative,” Davis told Black Business. Photo Credit: Troodie What’s more, the app also positions itself as the “first AI-powered social commerce platform that connects influencer content directly to real-world diner behavior,” per Black Business. Troodie is designed to benefit creators and...
Howard University is facing a wave of uncertainty. President Ben Vinson III stepped down less than three years into his tenure, which, according to NewsOne, is one of the shortest in the school’s history. His abrupt resignation has left students and faculty shocked, frustrated and searching for answers. The news arrives at a pivotal moment for Howard. Earlier this year, the university became the first HBCU to earn the prestigious Research One (R1) Carnegie Classification, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. While Howard remains a top destination for students nationwide, it continues to grapple with pressing challenges, from housing shortages and rising tuition costs to new uncertainty around its leadership. Student Reactions: “We Just Want to Know Why” According to NewsOne, many Howard students say that the unexplained nature of Vinson’s resignation has only heightened the anxieties that are currently pervasive across higher education. “I definitely would’ve expected to see him in the...
In an era where student debt is a pressing national concern and economic volatility has graduates unsettled about their future careers , choosing the right major has become critical. Your choice of degree can influence not only your first job but the trajectory of your career, financial well-being and social mobility. While passion and personal interests are still vital components of long-term career satisfaction, potential salary and job security are increasingly being weighed in college decisions. In this guide, we’ll explore majors that can help pave the way to wealth along with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that students may be considering . What Degree Makes The Most Millionaires? All degrees are not created equal when it comes to becoming a millionaire. While attaining such wealth does not always correlate to majors or schooling at all, there are some degrees that consistently result in high paying roles. According to data collected by WealthInsight and...
Sophie L. Gibson is making history in her new role at Saint Augustine’s University (SAU). As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the Raleigh, NC-based private HBCU lost its appeal for accreditation in March 2025 and entered into a 90-day arbitration process to ensure students graduating through May 2025 would still obtain their diplomas, per ABC 11. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) voted to remove the school from its membership due to financial and governance challenges in December 2023. SAU’s appeal stemmed from a decision that said it would be removed “from membership for failure to comply with Core Requirement 4.1 (Governing board characteristics), Core Requirement 13.1 (Financial resources), Core Requirement 13.2 (Financial documents), Standard 13.3 (Financial responsibility), Standard 13.4 (Control of finances), Standard 13.5 (Control of sponsored research/external funds) and Standard 13.6 (Federal and state responsibilities) of the...
Tennessee State University (TSU) has finalized an agreement with state leaders that will reallocate $96 million in state funds to stabilize the institution’s operations and restore financial confidence, according to the Tennessee State University Newsroom. The move is considered a critical step toward ensuring TSU’s sustainability after years of systemic underfunding and financial instability. The funds were initially designated for deferred maintenance as part of a $250 million capital improvement allocation in 2022. However, the funds will now be used over the next three years to support university operations. University officials described the arrangement as a transformational opportunity that will relieve cash flow concerns and fund improvements to student services, staffing, and long-term infrastructure, the HBCU reported. “This agreement provides TSU with the opportunity to solve its financial challenges and regain its legacy as one of our nation’s great, historic institutions...
President Donald Trump has signed several executive orders that will impact education. Historically Black Colleges And Universities According to a press release, an executive order by Trump establishes a White House Initiative on HBCUs and seeks to enhance the quality of education at these universities through private-sector partnerships, as well as institutional and workforce development in industries such as technology, health care, manufacturing, and finance. The initiative will also work to ensure federal and state grant dollars are more accessible and plans to launch a yearly White House Summit geared toward HBCUs to determine goals and establish partnerships. At the same time, the order establishes the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs, which will exist under the Department of Education and include changemakers in philanthropy, education , business, finance, entrepreneurship , innovation, private foundations, and HBCU presidents. “HBCUs are essential to fostering...
Virginia Union University (VUU) students can become certified doulas on campus, making it the first historically Black university in the state to offer such a class. On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the private, Richmond, VA-based HBCU announced a partnership with the birth center Birth In Color and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to launch a six-month doula training certification program, according to WRIC Channel 8. VUU’s announcement came just ahead of World Doula Week, which runs from March 22 to March 28, 2025. In an interview with AFROTECH™ , Mama Glow Foundation founder Latham Thomas described a doula as a birth “producer” who provides emotional and physical support, education, and advocacy tools during childbirth. While some people view doulas as less educated or non-compliant, Thomas noted that they are just as important as other healthcare professionals, especially in a society where women, particularly Black women, are expected to advocate for themselves. “Black women...
Raleigh, NC -based St. Augustine’s University (SAU) has lost its appeal for accreditation and will enter a 90-day arbitration process. According to WTVD-11, SAU has been on probation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for two years. In December 2023, the SACSCOC Board of Trustees voted to remove SAU from membership due to financial and governance issues. After a successful appeal, it was reinstated in July 2024 and remained effective through the end of the year. However, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, the Historically Black College and University announced that the appeal to keep its accreditation had ultimately been denied, per WDTV-11. The university stated that the 90-day arbitration process would ensure that all students graduating by May 2025 receive degrees from an accredited institution. “We have made substantial progress and are confident that our strengthened financial position and governance will ensure a positive outcome,”...
This year, Morehouse College’s A Candle in the Dark Gala shattered expectations, raising an unprecedented $6.8 million for scholarships that will directly impact the lives of current and future students. As one of the most prestigious fundraising events, the gala in Atlanta, GA, celebrates Morehouse’s legacy and its unwavering commitment to empowering young men and strengthening the community. Among the evening’s most compelling moments was the heartfelt address from Rashaun Williams, a Morehouse alum, investor, and philanthropist, who is a 2025 recipient of the Bennie Award and recognized as a Trailblazer. He spoke about the institution’s transformative role in his life. Williams, who has built a career investing in emerging businesses and supporting economic empowerment, credited Morehouse with stepping in when he needed guidance, structure, and a sense of belonging. “Morehouse was my first investor. You’re looking at the return on investment that you get when you invest in...
Morgan State University is on a mission to determine the reasoning behind a decline in Black male enrollment and retention in higher education. According to The Baltimore Sun, the Historically Black College and University based in Baltimore, MD, has established a task force aimed at helping reverse the ongoing trend, both at Morgan State and potentially at HBCUs nationwide. Morgan State President David K. Wilson said the trend has become a critical concern for the university’s campus and students are worried as well. “Morgan has long been a leader in providing access and opportunity for Black males seeking higher education,” Wilson said . “The ongoing decline in Black male enrollment at HBCUs is a clarion call for action, and we will not stand idly by.” He continued, “This task force will engage in rigorous research to understand the forces at play and develop evidence-based strategies to ensure that more Black men not only enroll at Morgan but thrive and complete their degrees.”...
Stillman College has received investments to support the success of its students. $2 Million Donation According to Tuscaloosa News, the historically Black college and university (HBCU) received a $2 million donation from founder Rev. Charles Allen Stillman’s great-grandson, Charles M. Stillman, and his wife. The investment will support scholarships, programs, and campus and faculty improvements. “This remarkable gift from Dr. Charles M. Stillman and his wife not only honors the legacy of Rev. Charles A. Stillman but also propels the college toward a stronger and more sustainable future. As part of the funds raised during the Alabama Power Community Giving Reception, it reflects the collective commitment of individuals and organizations who believe in our mission to transform lives through education,” Kimberly Woodard, Stillman College’s vice president of institutional advancement, said in the news release. Stillman College President Yolanda Page commented: “We are deeply honored by...
John Hope Bryant is investing in the businesses of Albany State University graduates. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Bryant has served as the chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE Inc. since 1992. The organization focuses on improving financial well-being in underserved communities, benefiting 2.8 million people and directing $2.4 billion in private capital. During an appearance on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, Bryant emphasized that financial literacy is the new civil rights movement for this generation. “We have got to be as obsessed with this as we were with the right to vote,” he explained. Bryant continues to be a voice and a vessel, and this was displayed on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Albany State University (ASU) in New York. He served as the commencement speaker in front of a crowd of over 700 students, according to WALB News. “John and I are good friends. We’ve known each other for a while,” ASU I nterim President Dr. Lawrence M. Drake II told the outlet. “I also...
Spelman College president Dr. Helene Gayle will not return after taking a leave of absence and is stepping down permanently, the college announced on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. The institution did not disclose the reasons for her initial leave or her decision to resign, according to The Associated Press. In a statement, Gayle expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Spelman. “I thank the larger Spelman community for this magnificent opportunity to serve as president. I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the outstanding students and future world leaders who have chosen to attend Spelman College,” Gayle said in a statement, per the AP. “I look forward to my next chapter.” As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Gayle became president in 2022, succeeding Mary Schmidt Campbell. After her leave of absence was announced in October 2024, Rosalind “Roz” Brewer assumed the role of interim president. The Spelman Board of Trustees said they are in the process of selecting a new president,...
A bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence will be taught at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The Triad Business Journal reports this is the only AI degree program at the Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and it has been approved by the UNC System Board of Governors. North Carolina A&T, the largest HBCU in the world, plans to enroll the first cohort of students in the fall of 2025. The program will be available both on-campus and online, as reported by WFMY-2 News. “Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly part of everyday life with the potential for profound and far-reaching impact on virtually every facet of society,” said Chancellor James Martin II, according to The Triad Business Journal. “Our new bachelor’s degree will prepare students for immediate impact, especially in the critical area of human interaction with AI.” Students planning to enroll can expect the degree to launch with concentrations in advanced...
