IBM is launching two initiatives aimed at supporting the development of STEM programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The IBM funded Quantum Education and Research Initiative will offer $11 million in assets to support North Carolina A&T, Morehouse College, Hampton University and a number of other institutions. Through the program, students will receive support for research and special projects.
“IBM’s investment in HBCUs is part of the company’s efforts around social justice and racial equality by creating equitable, innovative experiences for HBCU students to acquire the necessary skills to unlock economic opportunity and prosperity," the company stated.
IBM has also launched the Skills Academy Academic Initiative in Global University Programs. The multi-year program will donate $100 million in assets to select HBCUs. The newly launched initiative will also offer guest lectures, faculty training and curriculum content.
“We believe that in order to expand opportunity for diverse populations, we need a diverse talent pipeline of the next generation of tech leaders from HBCUs,” Carla Grant Pickens of IBM said.
Howard University, Fayetteville State University, Grambling State, Norfolk State University and more than ten other institutions will take part in the groundbreaking program.
The IBM initiative comes on the heels of a number of other HBCU STEM related donations. Most notably, MacKenzie Scott donated $1.7 billion to several HBCUs across the country. Philanthropist Patty Quillin and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings also donated $40 million to HBCU led STEM initiatives.
Joining Quillin, Hastings and Scott, IBM will begin their STEM programs during the 2020-2021 academic year.
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