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- Big Energy, Bigger Legacy — This Week in HBCU News 💪🏾
Big Energy, Bigger Legacy — This Week in HBCU News 💪🏾
From classrooms to courtrooms to championship courts — this week’s stories prove HBCU excellence never clocks out.
In partnership with
👋🏾 Hey Fam,
As the semester winds down and the holidays pull up, we’re pausing to celebrate the wins that remind us who we are and where we’re headed. 🙌🏾
This week’s Roundup is all about gratitude, grit, and giving back — from future educators finding purpose at SUNO, to Clark Atlanta grads making history, to HBCU legends getting their flowers on BET. The culture’s moving strong, and we’re here for every chapter.
Let’s tap in and show love to the stories shaping the next generation of HBCU greatness. 💛💙❤️💚
🌍 Public HBCUs Been Carrying America on Their Backs
Let’s be real — public HBCUs have been doing the most with the least. A new report from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund proves it: apps are up 126%, and nearly 70% of grads hit the middle class or higher — that’s 50% higher than PWIs.
🗳️ From the Yard to the Mayor’s Office
Clark Atlanta’s own Jayden Williams just became the youngest Black mayor in Georgia at 22! He went from SGA Treasurer to running the whole city of Stockbridge — that’s leadership in motion.
🤖 Morgan State Grads Drop AI App for the Culture
A crew of Morgan alums just launched Fund.FWD, an AI app helping HBCU students and alumni secure grants, scholarships, and startup funding — no gatekeeping, just guidance.
🔗 Tap in →
💰MacKenzie Scott Out Here Blessing HBCUs (Again)
MacKenzie Scott just dropped $300M+ across HBCUs — the biggest round yet! Howard got $80M, Spelman and CAU $38M each, and Morgan State $63M (record-setting!).
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💪🏾 How SUNO’s Honoré Center Is Building Brotherhood Through Resilience
When life tried to knock him down, Vernell Lewis got up and built something stronger — purpose. The Southern University at New Orleans junior and Honoré Center scholar turned early hardship into fuel for his future.
With a little push from Upward Bound’s Ava Foy and guidance from Dr. Morkeith Phillips, Vernell found more than a major — he found a mission. From debating clean energy to mentoring others, he’s proof that growth hits different when community’s got your back.
💭 “Don’t let anybody tell you what you can and can’t do,” Vernell said.
💡 Why It Matters: The Honoré Center isn’t just a program — it’s a brotherhood. Since 2012, it’s been redefining what success looks like for young Black men at SUNO — blending mentorship, manhood, and motivation to create leaders who lead with heart.
UNCF K–12 Education Fellowship (Paid Summer Internship)
A 10-week summer experience designed to build the next generation of Black educators and change-makers in K–12 education. Fellows gain leadership training, hands-on experience with education reform organizations, and access to post-summer coaching and development.
📍 Who’s Eligible: HBCU juniors with a 3.0+ GPA
💰 Award: $4,500 + summer housing, travel, and a $500 senior-year stipend
📅 Program Dates: May 27 – July 27, 2026
⏰ Deadline: January 5, 2026
🔗 Apply Now →
👉🏾 Visit our Career Hub for more job opportunities!
“Scholar Dollars” Essay Scholarship for Black Students
Write. Reflect. Secure the bag. This $1,000 scholarship is open to Black students at all levels who can share how an inspiring figure — from family to historical icons — has shaped their journey.
📍 Who’s Eligible: High school, undergrad, and grad students
💰 Award: $1,000
📝 Essay Prompt: Who has inspired you most and why? (250 words max)
📅 Deadline: March 1, 2026
🔗 Apply Here →
👉🏾 Visit our Scholarships Page for more HBCU scholarships!
6th Annual Miami Black College Expo
The culture’s favorite college fair is back — and it’s bringing on-the-spot admissions, scholarships, and application fee waivers from top HBCUs and universities. Plus, live entertainment, career tips, and giveaways.
📍 Location: Miami, FL
📅 Date: Coming soon (Spring 2026)
🎟️ Perks: Meet reps, apply for scholarships, and get connected
📧 Info: [email protected] | 877-427-4100
🖤 From Grambling to Howard: How Andres Martin Turned Belief Into Legacy
When Andres Martin hopped off that bus in Louisiana with two duffle bags and no clue how he’d make it, he didn’t realize he was stepping straight into his purpose.
Grambling State became the place that built him — from self-doubt to self-discovery — and Howard gave that growth structure and direction.
💭 “I came in broken, holding onto depression like it was part of my identity. Grambling welcomed me with grace and conviction — like they already saw the version of me I was struggling to see.”
💭 His Vision: Through his HBCU Night movement, he’s turning arenas and classrooms into live celebrations of Black excellence — showing students what’s possible when you bet on yourself and your community.
💡 His Impact: His work keeps inspiring young folks to embrace their story, find their people, and carry the culture forward.✨
📸 IG Post of the Week
Straight from the Yard 👉🏾 Each week we’re pulling one of our favorite moments off IG to keep the culture in your inbox. Don’t just peek—make sure you’re following so you never miss a vibe.
💥 Coach Dawn Thornton’s Big Win Off the Court — AAMU Locks Her In
After leading the Lady Bulldogs to one of their best seasons ever, Coach Dawn Thornton just signed a multi-year contract extension — solidifying her spot as one of the top coaches in HBCU women’s hoops.
Her first year? A whole masterclass: 21-11 overall, 14-4 in SWAC play, and a team culture rooted in excellence, sisterhood, and faith.
💡 Why It Matters: Coach Thornton is building more than a winning record — she’s building women who lead. From the locker room to life after college, she’s redefining what HBCU excellence looks like for the next generation of athletes.
🏆 The HBCU Honors Returns to BET Thanksgiving Weekend!
The culture’s biggest celebration of HBCU excellence is back on BET this Thanksgiving weekend — hosted by the one and only Kym Whitley (Fisk U represent! 🙌🏾).
This year’s honorees are living legends:
🎤 Pastor Shirley Caesar (Shaw University) — Lifetime Achievement Award
🎶 David Banner (Southern University) — Cultural Impact Award
Janice Bryant Howroyd (North Carolina A&T) — Visionary Founder Award
Plus, the show’s introducing a Rising Star Talent Search for HBCU musicians and a Media Futures Fellowship to give students real industry access.
📺 Premieres: Sunday, November 30 at 8 PM ET/PT
📍 Where to Watch: BET & BET Her
🗣️ Let’s Hear It: What’s your end-of-semester vibe looking like? |
That’s the Roundup, fam. No matter where life’s taking you this season — from finals week to family time — remember: your HBCU roots run deep, and your legacy’s still being written. ✨
Until next time — stay grateful, stay grounded, and stay reppin’ that HBCU pride loud and proud. 💪🏾✊🏾
— Team HBCU Lifestyle
#HBCULifestyle #HBCUPride #HBCUExcellence #TheCultureKeepsEvolving