Oct. 26: Spelman Students to Benefit from Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Initiative

Spelman Students to Benefit from Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Initiative

Over the next four years, talented Spelman College students will receive full scholarships from the global financial services firm, Morgan Stanley.

The Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars program is designed to eliminate financial barriers to higher education for African American college students. The $12 million initiative will support a total of 60 full scholarships for students enrolled in Spelman, Morehouse College and Howard University.

"The most significant challenge many of our brilliant Spelman students face is the financial barrier to college completion," said Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., president of Spelman. "Through academic research, innovations and advocacy, our students are already working on advanced solutions to some of the world’s most difficult issues. We greatly appreciate the generous support from Morgan Stanley, which will allow our change agents to graduate debt free and pursue opportunities that will have a significant impact on society."

The first cohort will consist of a total of 15 scholars among the three schools. A new group will be added each year until the class size includes 60 students from all three institutions by the fourth year.

Spelman Board Chair, Rosalind Brewer, No. 27 on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women List

Rosalind Gates Brewer, C'84, group president and chief operating officer for Starbucks and chair of Spelman’s Board of Trustees, was recently added to Fortune’s "Most Powerful Women" list.

This year, Brewer moved up one spot, from No. 28 to No. 27. Fortune cites multiple reasons for Brewer's inclusion on the list, including her efforts to lead Starbucks, an $18.3 billion business, through the coronavirus pandemic.

Since 1998, Fortune has ranked the Most Powerful Women in Business using four criteria: the size and importance of each woman’s business in the global economy; the health and direction of the business; the arc of her career; and her social and cultural influence.

For the 2020 list, Fortune added a new criteria that takes into account how women executives are wielding their power to shaping their respective companies and the world in response to COVID-19.

Spelman’s 2020 Virtual Homecoming Exceeds Goals

During Spelman’s first virtual homecoming, Homecoming@Home, the community did more than reconnect – they supported the College by giving generously.

Spelman raised more than $300,000, which exceeded the goal for Homecoming fundraising by 27 percent. The success, said the organizers in the Division of Institutional Advancement, is attributed to this year’s tailgate promotional box, and the overwhelming love and support expressed by Spelman alumnae.

From the opening worship service and the annual R&B concert to Wisdom Wednesday and Vespers, the Spelman community enjoyed this year’s celebration, sharing their enthusiasm on social media.

What made this year even more memorable, said Homecoming@Home organizers, is that the College was able to exceed its giving goals.

"Even though we were so heartbroken about not embracing each other in person, the Homecoming@Home filled the void," wrote one attendee in a survey response. "I loved every moment of it and even cried a little while singing the Spelman Hymn at the end of Vespers. Job well done!"

AUCC Seeks to Motivate Students During the 2020 Election with Votecoming

In the tradition of an HBCU Homecoming, the Atlanta University Center Consortium is leading an initiative designed to motivate AUCC students to vote during the 2020 election.

VOTECOMING is designed to inform students of their electoral rights and also on how to raise their voices in the tradition of historically black colleges and universities.

The VOTECOMING website provides tips on how students can participate, which include representing your AUC institution, staying informed and engaged, sharing voting information, finishing the whole ballot, and protecting your vote.

For more information, visit aucenter.edu.

Alumna Named Area Executive Director for American Cancer Society in Georgia

Mayela Allen, C’79, was named executive director for the American Cancer Society in Georgia.

Allen’s promotion was announced on Sept. 18.

As executive director, Allen will lead a cross-functional team responsible for raising more than $6.6 million annually to fund research and support services for cancer patients.

She will serve as the face of ACS in Georgia and lead the state’s Area Board of Directors by continuing to integrate key corporate partnerships into the area strategic plan, with a focus on developing and deepening relationships.

Allen joined ACS in 2015 as senior director of corporate relations. In that role, she identified and cultivated strategic corporate partnerships and worked on national marketing campaigns and event engagement initiatives.

"The American Cancer Society, along with many of our partners, stakeholders, staff and volunteers will continue to be a resource and provide support for every individual facing cancer in our community," said Allen. "I will continue to think with an innovation-first lens and stay true to the mission and values that have made the Society a solid force in the fight against cancer for more than 100 years."