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- 🎓 New Semester, New Moves: HBCU Wins You Need to Know 🏈
🎓 New Semester, New Moves: HBCU Wins You Need to Know 🏈
Football season, big money wins, and bold student moves—August is already giving.
👋🏾 Hey HBCU Fam!
August is here, and the energy is undeniable. We’ve got students gearing up for a new semester, HBCU football season kicking off, and culture-shifting wins in and out of the classroom. Whether you’re headed back to campus or just cheering from the sidelines, this week’s roundup is packed with stories to hype you up, hook you in, and keep you connected.
Let’s get into it👇🏾

🎓 Virginia State Just Made HBCU History (Again)
VSU is rolling out The HBCU Family—the first course of its kind offered through a Family & Consumer Sciences department. It’s all about the legacy, love, and real-life impact that make HBCUs feel like home.
🏈 HBCU Football SZN Is Almost Here
From the MEAC/SWAC Challenge to the Bayou Classic, the 2025 schedule is packed with legendary matchups and unforgettable homecomings. Time to mark your calendars and rep your school.
🤖 Clark Atlanta Teams Up With IBM on AI Skills
Clark Atlanta University is partnering with IBM SkillsBuild to level up AI skills for students and faculty. With access to tools like WatsonX and real-world learning experiences, CAU is helping to close the racial tech gap and prep the next generation of Black innovators.
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🏨 From Howard to Hotel Owners: Students Win Big at National Pitch Comp
Brooklynn Tucker and Kayden Edwards, both seniors at Howard University, just made major moves in the hospitality industry. The duo won the She Has a Deal pitch competition with plans to develop a hotel in New Orleans—earning a $50K equity stake in the project.
✨ Why it matters: These Bison bosses are breaking into an industry with few Black women owners. Their win shows what’s possible when HBCU students lead boldly and bet on themselves early.

Internship Spotlight: Remote Sports Journalism Intern
Nexstar Media Group is looking for a standout student to join their Fall 2025 remote internship cohort and help produce the nationally syndicated Southeast Sports+ show. You’ll get hands-on experience with scriptwriting, booking guests, video editing, and may even have the chance to appear on camera.
📍 Location: Remote (open to students nationwide; especially SEC school
📅 Deadline: Apply ASAP — applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
🎓 Bonus: Perfect for students seeking academic credit + portfolio building experience
🔗 Apply Now
👉🏾 Visit our Career Hub for more job opportunities!
Scholarship Spotlight: Intuitive Digital Inclusion in Digital Marketing
This $2,500 scholarship supports students from underrepresented groups pursuing careers in marketing, UX, web dev, or related digital fields. Open to rising juniors and seniors with plans to lead in digital spaces.
📌 Who’s Eligible: Undergrads majoring in marketing, design, comms, or business (planning to start a digital agency)
📅 Deadline: August 15, 2025 — or once 200 applications are received
💡 Bonus: Past winners can reapply
🔗 Apply Now
👉🏾 Visit our Scholarships Page for more HBCU scholarships!
Upcoming Event: MEAC/SWAC Challenge Weekend
The 2025 season kicks off in ATL with Southern vs. NC Central on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 7:30 PM. It’s more than a game—it’s a full weekend of HBCU pride, from HBCU Night at Truist Park to golf tournaments and the iconic 5th Quarter Battle of the Bands.
📍 Location: Atlanta, GA
🎟️ Bonus Events: Aug. 20–23 | Panels, Retreats, and Alumni Vibes

💼 Nasir Qadree Is Redefining Venture Capital
At just 40 years old, Nasir Qadree has raised $186 million to shake up the venture capital game. The Hampton alum and founder of Zeal Capital Partners just closed an $82M fund to back early-stage startups in AI, education, and fintech—with support from HBCU endowments like Spelman and Hampton.
💬 His Vision: “The boardroom creates opportunities to disrupt systems and build pathways for the next generation.”
💡 His Impact: Zeal isn’t just about capital—it’s about representation. With over 50 companies in its portfolio, Qadree is betting on bold ideas and Black brilliance to lead the future of tech.

👟 Kayla White Blazes Past Sha’Carri in 100m Showdown
Former North Carolina A&T sprinter Kayla White just clocked a personal-best 10.84 seconds in the 100m at the US Outdoor Track & Field Championships—finishing second only to a world-leading time and ahead of Sha’Carri Richardson in earlier heats.
🌟 Why it matters: After bouncing back from injury, White is not only heading to her second World Championship—but also reminding the world just how deep HBCU track talent runs.

Sai Summer Cookout Hits TSU
Marsai Martin is bringing the vibes to Texas Southern University for the 2025 Sai Summer Cookout—a culture-packed community event with DJs, giveaways, food, and a marketplace full of Black-owned brands.
📍 Where: TSU Campus, Houston, TX
📅 When: Sunday, August 31, 2025 | 11:00 AM
🎉 What to Expect: Soul train lines, live music, mechanical bull, and Marsai-approved fun

📣 Sound Off: What’d you think of this week’s drop? |
That’s a wrap for this week’s drop.
From bold moves in venture capital to blazing wins on the track, these stories are proof that the HBCU ecosystem stays pushing the culture forward. Keep showing up, showing out, and supporting our schools every step of the way.
And as always—drop your rating in the poll and let us know how we did. Same time, same vibe next week.
✌🏾Your HBCU Roundup Team