@Claflin: HBCU Transformation Project, S.C. Collegiate Award, ColorComm Nextgen HBCU Fellows and more

March 18, 2022

The World Needs Visionaries

UNCF, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and Partnership for Education Advancement Announce Historic Collaboration to Serve and Improve Socioeconomic Outcomes for Black Communities

UNCF (The United Negro College Fund), the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), and Partnership for Education Advancement have launched a landmark collaboration to drive tangible, long-term progress across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and impact the Black economy. Dubbed the HBCU Transformation Project, this first-of-its-kind collaboration aims to increase HBCU health and sustainability, improve student outcomes in retention and graduation rates, expand enrollment, and increase capacity building with faculty and staff. Flexible support from the coalition focuses resources to highest priorities at each institution. Claflin University is one of 20 HBCUs to participate in this project.

The overall initiative is structured around six interdependent sub-initiatives that work in service of supporting all HBCUs:

Support institutional improvement and innovation via UNCF, TMCF, and the Partnership for Education Advancement
Institutional and intermediary capacity building to lead and sustain ongoing improvement
Pursue increased public funding for HBCUs and rectify historic inequities
Attracting private capital for endowments and sustainable reserves
Strengthening community and regional economic development partnerships
Bolstering positive perceptions and narratives surrounding HBCUs

Blue Meridian Partners, a pioneering philanthropic model for finding and funding scalable solutions to problems that limit economic and social mobility for America’s young people and families in poverty, committed an initial $60 million to support the HBCU Transformation Project.

“We are tremendously excited to be part of this unique collaboration that will support the critical needs of HBCUs and the communities we serve,” said Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack. “UNCF and The Thurgood Marshall College Fund have enduring legacies as advocates of HBCUs and our mission of providing access to exceptional academic programs that prepare graduates for global leadership. Blue Meridian Partners’ initial investment confirms their commitment to creating lasting, positive impact, and the Partnership of Education Advancement’s mission to improve socioeconomic mobility is an essential priority of all HBCUs. These organizations deserve our deepest appreciation and gratitude for their remarkable leadership, vision, and support for HBCUs.”

Although they represent just three percent of all Higher Education institutions, HBCUs produce nearly 20% of all African American college graduates. HBCUs have produced more than 1 million associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees combined since 1984.

HBCUs produce 40% of all Black engineers, 40% of Black Congress members, 50% of all Black lawyers, 50% of all Black doctors, and 80% of Black judges. These professions are critical for closing the wealth gap between Black and White workers.

While HBCUs overproduce relative to their better-resourced counterparts, they have remained underfunded. Historical underfunding has led to a myriad of financial issues for HBCUs, particularly much smaller endowments relative to their peers.

“Our country has under-invested in HBCUs which have a proven track record for unlocking student potential, driving socioeconomic mobility, and serving as significant community assets,” said James Runcie, President, Partnership for Education Advancement.

Recent data from McKinsey & Company shows that investing in HBCUs would profoundly affect the US economy and help fill the social and economic gaps Black Americans experience. HBCUs are uniquely positioned to foster such advancement given their assets, experience, and cultural and historical significance.

“This collaboration offers a powerful opportunity to drive positive socioeconomic impact,” said Thurgood Marshall College Fund President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams. “We are proud to partner on this unique, capacity-focused strategy that brings together HBCU institutional relationships and the capacity building experience of TMCF, UNCF, and the Partnership for Education Advancement.”

“UNCF and Thurgood Marshall College Fund have worked together for many years, and this collaboration is a continuation of our efforts to amplify support for the needs of HBCUs and the students they serve,” said UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax. “Blue Meridian Partners support is very important and will significantly enhance the HBCU innovation and transformation work that UNCF’s Institute Capacity Building team has been pioneering for nearly two decades. This high-profile campaign will make the case to donors and to the government to elevate the profile of HBCUs and raise the support they deserve.”

“HBCUs have long over performed as engines of opportunity," said Jim Shelton, Blue Meridian Partners chief investment and innovation officer. “With this investment, we aim to significantly strengthen these institutions and student success at scale, contribute to closing racial gaps in access to opportunity, and boost economic mobility and wealth-building among Black people and communities now and for generations to come.”

Claflin Journalist Gets Top South Carolina Collegiate Award

Jaliah Robinson, a sophomore mass communications scholar from Little River, S.C., was named the 2021 South Carolina Press Association Collegiate Division’s Journalist of the Year. Robinson continued Claflin’s unprecedented dominance in the division for colleges and universities that enroll fewer than 5,000 students by becoming the sixth Claflin journalist in eight years to win the category's highest individual award.

Robinson has maintained a 4.0 grade point average as a member of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and editor of The Panther, Claflin University’s student newspaper. Robinson has written for several other publications, including Hearst Magazines, where her story about life lessons and experiences of a community elder for the Black History Month project, “Project Tell Me,” appeared. Robinson has also written for the Edisto River Review, Oprah Daily, and Woman’s Day. Her stories about the impact of COVID-19 earned her additional recognition.

Robinson’s other experiences include serving as an editorial intern for In Touch, In Tune, In Vision – the Honors College Newsletter and editor of Culture Magazine, Claflin University Mass Communications Department’s magazine. She was also a social media specialist for the Claflin University Student Government Association.

According to a Times and Democrat article, “the judges praised Robinson for the quality, quantity, and diversity of work samples entered in this portfolio. She tackled hard news -- public safety matters, policing, and growth and development issues on campus and in her community. She wrote several articles about the impact of COVID-19 on everything from homecoming to the return to on-campus learning. Robinson is the embodiment of a good community news reporter. In the nomination, she said she considers herself a bridge between her peers and situations that affect us. She also showcased strong feature writing skills through profiles. The judges also enjoyed reading her poetry, fiction, and non-fiction creative writing samples. Additionally, Robinson is recognized for her academic excellence, heart for community service, and involvement on campus.”

After Claflin, Robinson plans to pursue a master’s in publishing at Boston University and then a career as a magazine or book editor.

Two Claflin Students Selected as 2022 ColorComm Nextgen HBCU Fellows

Two Claflin University mass communications scholars were recently named ColorComm Nextgen HBCU Fellows. Diana Brown, a senior from Conyers, Ga., and Anaiya Whaley, a sophomore from Orangeburg, S.C., were among the diverse group chosen for the 2022 cohort. The exclusive, year-long program will provide:

Mentorships
Professional development seminars
Access to the entire ColorComm Network
A direct pipeline for leading media companies and brands to hire the next generation of leaders

ColorComm is the nation’s leading women’s platform addressing diversity & inclusion across the communications, marketing, advertising, and media industries. Founded in 2011, ColorComm, Inc. serves more than 100,000 professionals across the ColorComm Network, ColorComm Executive Conference, ColorComm NextGen Summit, ColorComm Media Group, and Men of Color in Communications Community.

“This fellowship gives me a chance to network and an opportunity to work outside of my comfort zone," said Brown. “ColorComm will allow me to meet executives and professionals in the communications industry. Without this program, these networking opportunities may not have been possible. I am looking forward to next year and participating in this program.” Brown plans to begin a career in news production after she graduates.

“I am truly honored with this phenomenal opportunity to represent Claflin University,” said Whaley, whose focus is public relations. “I hope other female mass communications students apply for the ColorComm NextGen HBCU Fellows program or similar programs to experience the networking and opportunities to grow personally and professionally in their respective careers.’’

Whaley plans to pursue graduate school and later start a public relations agency that offers professional development skills for aspiring communications students. “I still recall the challenges entering the communications industry as a student looking for a full-time position in the industry,” said Lauren Wesley Wilson, founder and CEO of ColorComm, Inc.

“HBCU students often face greater challenges to land top media and communications positions as the same companies frequent the same schools and often overlook the wide variety of HBCUs. The ColorComm NextGen HBCU Fellows Program will allow companies to engage with the best talent to offer the training, resources, and knowledge to succeed after graduation.”

The ColorComm NextGen HBCU Fellows program selects female minority mass communications students from HBCUs each year. Currently, there are more than a dozen HBCUs involved with recruiting for the fellowship program, and it is open to all HBCU college juniors and seniors or those who are one-to-three years post-graduate.

“We want to provide opportunities for HBCU students and grads to have direct access to Fortune 500 companies and leading companies in the communications, marketing, and advertising space,” Wilson said.

Save the date and tune in to Facebook Live for the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Claflin University's new Student Center on March 25, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. The new Student Center will centralize student services in one location and include a campus bookstore, university pantry, and a hair care center. The first floor will feature indoor and outdoor lounge areas, and an auditorium/movie theater.

Click here to watch the Groundbreaking Ceremony.

Vote for Claflin in the Retool Your School Competition

Claflin University is currently participating in The Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program which began February 28. The University is competing to win up to $75,000 to create a student multi-media room. Claflin has also partnered with Lane College in its voting strategy.

Go to www.retoolyourschool.com/vote/ to vote for Claflin University (in Cluster 2) and Lane College (in Cluster 3). Claflin and Lane will receive a vote every time the hashtags #RYSCLAFLIN and #RYSLANE are used in your public posts on Instagram and Twitter. You can vote Multiple Times on any device including your laptop, desktop, smart phone, or tablet.

The contest ends on March 27 at 11:59 p.m.

Central Savannah River Area Alumni Chapter to Host Alumni Association Convention in Augusta, Georgia

The Central Savannah River Area Alumni Chapter will host the 48th Claflin University International Alumni Convention on April 21-24, 2022, in Augusta, Ga. This year's planning committee is pleased to welcome attendees to Augusta where the theme for the Convention is "Feeling Good from the Garden City to the Hilltop High."

Click here to download the convention schedule/brochure.