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- 🧢 From Cap and Gown to Crown: HBCU Grads Making Power Moves 🏫
🧢 From Cap and Gown to Crown: HBCU Grads Making Power Moves 🏫
Graduation season is shining with wins, milestones, and major moves from the HBCU community.
👋🏾 Hey HBCU Fam!
Graduation season is still in full swing, and we’re here for every proud walk, tearful cheer, and unforgettable milestone. This week, we spotlight stories that uplift HBCU excellence—from trailblazing grads to powerful presidential moments and new doors opening across the Yard.
✋🏾 FAMU’s New Prez Sparks Outrage
Florida A&M University’s pick for president—a political lobbyist with ties to Gov. DeSantis—has fired up backlash from students and alumni, raising alarms about outside influence on HBCU leadership.
🎓 Grads Face Tough Job Market
HBCU seniors are stepping into a shaky economy and shrinking DEI efforts, making the leap from cap-and-gown to career grind more uncertain than ever.
👩🏾🎓👩🏾🎓 Sister Duo Tops the Class
👩🏾🎓
Two powerhouse sisters from Talladega College just made history—rising to the top of their class while showing the world what HBCU excellence and sisterhood look like.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR
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✨ From Prison to Graduation Stage
Virginia State University’s Curtis “CJ” Jones went from incarceration to inspiration—earning his degree and delivering a powerful message of redemption and resilience at VSU’s Spring 2025 Commencement.
🌟 Why it matters: CJ’s journey shows the transformative power of second chances and HBCU support systems, reminding us that greatness can rise from the most unlikely places.
💼 Internship Opportunity: UNCF Institute for Capacity Building Internships
Join the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building this summer and contribute to meaningful projects that drive innovation and excellence across HBCUs. This internship program offers hands-on experience in research, strategy, and higher ed transformation.
📅 Deadline: Rolling
🎓 Scholarship Opportunity: 2024-2025 Crum & Forster (C&F) Scholarship
The C&F Scholarship supports high-achieving students pursuing degrees in risk management, insurance, and related fields. If you're passionate about making moves in the finance or insurance space, this is your shot to level up.
📅 Deadline: May 24, 2025
👉🏾 Visit our Scholarships Page for more HBCU scholarships!
🌐 Upcoming Career Fair: Neurodiversity Virtual Career Fair
Celebrate your strengths and explore inclusive career opportunities at the NEURODIVERSITY Virtual Career Fair. Connect with employers who value unique perspectives and are actively building supportive work environments.
🗓️ When: June 4, 2025 | 📍 Where: Online
🌟 Panther Pride Powers Nikki’s Rise
Nikki Handy, a proud Prairie View A&M University alumna, is making serious waves in the business world. Her journey from PVAMU to powerhouse success is all about hustle, heritage, and staying true to her HBCU roots.
🔥 The Drive: Nikki credits her time at PVAMU for shaping her confidence and fueling her mission to lead with purpose—and Panther pride.
💬 The Takeaway: From campus to corner office, her story is proof that HBCU grads are built different—and built to lead.
🏈 NFL Icon Celebrates HBCU Grad
Former NFL star Chad Johnson—aka Chad Ochocinco—had a front-row seat to one of his proudest dad moments as his daughter, Chadé K. Johnson, graduated from Prairie View A&M University this month.
🎓 Chadé not only earned her degree, but also crossed into the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., repping excellence, scholarship, and service.
🏆 Highlight: Chadé’s achievement is a shining example of Black legacy in motion—where culture, community, and academic excellence collide.
🎉 Networking Event: Connections to Career Moves Webinar
Want to boost your visibility and influence? Join career coach Tiffany Tate for a high-energy, strategy-packed webinar on how to network with purpose and open real doors to new opportunities.
🗓️ When: May 21, 2025 | 📍 Virtual
How did we do with this week's roundup?Your feedback is gold, so hit us with your real feels! |
The tassels may turn, but the momentum keeps building. Whether you're stepping into a new chapter or cheering others on, the energy of this season reminds us what HBCUs are all about: legacy, leadership, and limitless potential. Keep shining.
Catch you in the next edition, Your HBCU Roundup Team ✌🏾