Google’s $6 Million Investment to Expand Pathways for HBCU Students in the Tech Industry

    WASHINGTON (Globe Newswire) — The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and United Negro College Fund (UNCF) each received a $3 million grant from Google designed to help expand career pathways and opportunities for students in the technology industry who are attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This unrestricted gift will provide the non-profit organizations with financial support for scholarships, faculty programs, research grants and curriculum development.

    HBCUs have established themselves as critical platforms for the education and advancement for students of color. HBCUs represent only 3% of higher education institutions yet confer 17% of all bachelor’s degrees earned by Black Americans and 24% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students. Funds from this grant will be leveraged to expand STEM and computer science education and career development activities across the HBCU landscape.

    Recent data from McKinsey & Company shows that investing in HBCUs would profoundly affect the U.S. economy. HBCUs are uniquely positioned to foster such engagement given their assets, experience and cultural and historical significance.

    “We believe that HBCUs possess the power and the people to create a more equitable society, that’s why we work so diligently to ensure their sustainability and strengthen their capacity to continue to produce top talent,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, TMCF’s President & CEO. “This gift will have a profound impact on TMCF’s future plans as we bolster our work in tech and AI-related research, and further solidifies Google’s commitment to providing opportunities for underrepresented groups in tech.”

    “UNCF appreciates this generous gift from Google, which will help change the lives of many students who want to earn STEM degrees and pursue careers in the tech industry but may not have the financial means,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF’s President and CEO. “This funding enables us to provide significant support to our member HBCUs and students.  Because of Google’s generosity, more students will have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams in the tech world and begin meaningful careers in the 21st century workplace.”

    “We’re building on the momentum of Google’s investment in HBCUs by supporting organizations like TMCF and UNCF” said Melonie Parker, Google’s Chief Diversity Officer. “These grants will help prepare and teach HBCU students the skills they need for future careers in tech.” 

    The new grants add to Google’s previous $50M grant to 10 HBCUs, the Pathways to Tech initiative announced last year, and the ongoing Tech Exchange virtual academic program. Combined, these grants and programs continue to show Google’s commitment to helping HBCU students with their education and their careers.