H(ere's) B(usiness) C(oncerning) (Yo)U

Inspired by the 2019 gift by Robert F. Smith to Morehouse College graduates, the Student Freedom Initiative aims to alleviate some of the longstanding financial burdens Black students face, disproportionate to their white counterparts. The Student Freedom Initiative announced its official launch for the Fall 2021 semester across campuses of the initiative’s initial cohort of nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Initiative has begun dispersing funds through its Student Freedom Agreements to eligible applicants attending schools within its initial cohort and has begun the process of upgrading mission-critical technology infrastructure at these institutions.

Initial participating institutions include Claflin University, Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Morehouse College, Prairie View A&M University, Tougaloo College, Tuskegee University, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

On September 3, 2021, The White House  announced an executive order aimed at supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities to "advance equity in economic and educational opportunities for all Americans, including Black Americans,". Read the latest Presidential Executive Order on The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Following the launch of the ABOUT LOVE campaign starring The Carters, Tiffany & Co. announced details on the launch of the Tiffany & Co. About Love Scholarship program in partnership with BeyGOOD and the Shawn Carter Foundation. As part of the campaign announcement, Tiffany & Co. pledged USD $2M in scholarship funding for students in the arts and creative fields at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Tiffany & Co. About Love Scholarship will be awarded to five small private and select state schools: Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Norfolk State University in Virginia, Bennett College in North Carolina, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Central State University in Ohio.

After an historic year battling the COVID-19 pandemic, many students were left with unexpected loan debt from an untraditional collegiate experience. However, more than 20 HBCUs stepped in and cancelled/forgave the balances for their students. Read about the importance of this action step in closing the racial wealth gap for future HBCU Grads.

In celebration of National HBCU Week, WarnerMedia is saluting its Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) graduates and talent from across its portfolio of brands, including CNN, Cartoon Network, HBO Max, HLN, TNT, TBS, truTV, Turner Sports, Warner Media Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Television.

As part of its ongoing efforts to highlight the importance of HBCUs and the contributions their graduates have made to society and the news and entertainment industry-at-large, the Company launched today what will be an ongoing digital series of vignettes featuring prominent WarnerMedia HBCU graduates and the colleges and universities they represent.

Ladies, we never have anything to wear, right? Reference this Pinterest board and spark some inspiration for that outfit you'll wear to THE CAF!