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Frank Baker II, founder and managing partner of Siris, a leading private equity firm focused on investing and driving value creation in technology and telecommunications companies, and his wife, Laura Day Baker, an interior designer and philanthropist focused on empowering historically underserved communities, recently announced a significant gift to support the creation of Spelman’s forthcoming Center for Innovation & the Arts.

The gift will enable Spelman to complete the Center for Innovation & the Arts infrastructure, and name the Frank Baker and Laura Day Baker Theater Performance Room within the Center.

In 2020, a gift from Frank Baker and Laura Day Baker covered the spring tuition balances of nearly 50 graduating seniors, and established a scholarship fund to ensure that high achieving seniors have the financial resources to graduate.

“From helping clear balances for graduating students who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to establishing scholarships, Frank and Laura have shown tremendous support to our students,” said Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., president of Spelman. “This new gift is a testament to their commitment to Spelman and the success of our students.”

Spelpreneur returns Monday, Jan. 18. This innovative entrepreneurship education initiative is open to all Spelman students, especially those who are interested in starting their own business.

The program introduces students to the fundamentals that will advance their knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship through workshops like speed mentoring sessions and networking opportunities.

Students are encouraged to apply for the annual Spelpreneur startup competition, which will award a total of $10,000 in educational stipends this academic year.

The Home Depot is a presenting sponsor for the 2021-2022 academic year. For more information, and to view the full schedule visit Spelpreneur on Spelman.edu.

Campus Highlights


After creating a short script for her screenwriting course, English major, film studies and visual culture minor Audra Davison, C'2022, received a large grant from Facebook and the Blackhouse Foundation for her animated short film, "The Hale Academy."

Her work, which she premiered on her Instagram page in December 2021, centers around a magical HBCU and explores African diasporic spirituality.

Through the film minor, Davison said she was able to enroll in several courses taught by assistant professor of English Rebecca Kumar, Ph.D. It was in Dr. Kumar's cinema literacies and feminist film criticism courses that Davison developed film analysis skills and discovered the significance of incorporating social ideologies in her creative content to entice audiences to think critically.
 
 
Alumnae Highlights
 
 
 

This year, Melanie E. Jones, C'2002, will take on her new role as vice president for advancement, research, and economic development for Grambling State University.

An energetic and transformative leader committed to advancing communities of color, Jones most recently served as Vice President for College Advancement at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she also served as the Executive Director of the York Technical College Foundation.

“I am beyond elated and extremely honored to join Grambling State University as its next Vice President for Advancement,” Jones said. “From its rich 120-year history of academic excellence to the legacy of its athletic programs and the world famed marching band, GSU is a vibrant and thriving community.”

 
Calendar


Jan.18
Virtual Informational Session: Spelpreneur 10 Day Startup Competition

Feb. 3
Courageous Conversations:
Black in the C-Suite with Sherina Maye Edwards


Feb. 23
Knowledge Exchange
Nutritional Sciences with Dr. Anna Powolny and Dr. Dave Bridges



 
Spelman Scenes
 
 
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