Apple has profiled the inaugural class of Huston-Tillotson University s African American Male Teacher Initiative, a program created in partnership with the iPhone maker to get more Black male educators in classrooms.
The program has Apple providing scholarships to students, as well as hardware, software, and professional development courses for students and faculty. It was established via Apple s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, as part of a multi-year partnership with Huston-Tillotson.
The program was developed to change the statistic that only 2% of all US teachers are Black men. According to Apple s profile, Black students are significantly more likely to graduate high school and consider attending college when they are taught by a black teacher.
Interfaith Action of Central Texas presents 2021 Hope Awards Many events have been canceled or postponed due to coronavirus concerns. Please check with the organization before going to any event.
Photo courtesy of Interfaith Action of Central Texas Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT), an Austin nonprofit which supports the community through interfaith dialogue, service, and celebration, will present the 2021 HOPE Awards as a virtual event The theme for the 2021 HOPE Awards is “Calling on our Better Angels.” This year’s honorees include Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, president of Huston-Tillotson University, philanthropists Nahid and Ali Khataw, and the Buddhist community, Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple.
The Teeta
When the pandemic hit last March, hip hop artist (and native Austinite) The Teeta, like many performers, suddenly found himself unable to connect with his audience the way he used to. “I’m a performer. Like, I love being on stage,” Teeta says. “[The pandemic] just completely took that part of my life out. I’ve probably done over… 250 shows since 2016, so for that to be just completely stripped away – not even taking into account the financial aspect of it – that really did affect me heavily. I just tried to connect more through the music, you know what I mean? Just go back to the basics and make music.”
Last year was an extraordinary moment for many historically Black colleges and universities.
HBCUs shared the national spotlight with Vice President Kamala Harris, a Howard University alumna. And as the country grappled with a new racial reckoning in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, some of those schools received high-profile donations.
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave $160 million to HBCUs and Black college organizations across the country in July 2020. She followed that in December with a $50 million gift to Prairie View A&M University, and an anonymous donor gave Prairie View $10 million in November to help students during the pandemic.
“It’s not surprising that during a moment of national agony on race that minority-serving institutions stand out,” said Ruth Simmons, president of the HBCU, which is part of the Texas A&M System. “We’ve been around since 1876 doing the same work continuously throughout that time. … I think it’s our time to be recognized