November 22 : Spelman College Named 2022 All In Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting

Last week, Spelman College was recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) as a 2022 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognizes colleges and universities for making intentional efforts to increase student voter participation.

Spelman joins a group of 394 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN.

"Social justice and activism are embedded in the fabric of who are at Spelman College, through the culture, curricula and programs that are offered to help develop scholar-activists," said Helene Gayle, M.D., MPH, president of Spelman College. "We applaud the efforts and the extent to which our students participated in nonpartisan democratic engagement and exercised their right to vote."

To read more, visit Spelman’s News and Events page.

Last week, the Black Economic Alliance (BEA) Foundation – a national nonprofit organization working with private, public, and social sector leaders to advance work, wages and wealth for Black Americans – announced a grant partnership with Visa Foundation to support the development of Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE) housed at Spelman and Morehouse Colleges. This $5 million commitment will support CBE’s mission to eliminate access barriers between Black entrepreneurs, professional investors, and business builders by leveraging education, mentorship, access to capital and opportunity.

"We appreciate Visa Foundation’s generous investment in the mission of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship," said Helene Gayle, M.D., MPH, president of Spelman College. "CBE will provide invaluable resources for our students interested in entrepreneurship by providing them with the opportunity to build the skills and networks necessary to thrive as future business leaders and founders. This is especially important since Black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs."

To read more, visit Spelman’s News and Events page.

Spelman College recently became the first historically Black institution to join Spotify’s expansion of NextGen, the audio streaming service’s program designed to infuse, activate and grow podcast culture on Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) campuses across the United States. This new initiative is supported by the Spotify Creator Equity Fund, which powers the company’s commitment to showcasing and uplifting historically underrepresented creators in the audio industry.

Spelman is the first HBCU to offer NextGen programming beginning early next year during the spring semester.

"We look forward to collaborating with Spotify on the new NextGen programming that will be offered to help further elevate the voices and creative content of our students," said Helene Gayle, M.D., MPH, president of Spelman College. "At the core of what drives the Spelman experience is our students’ ability to combine their academic learning and practical experiences as pathways to career and entrepreneurial opportunities. Thank you to Spotify and Michelle Hite, Ph.D., associate professor of English at Spelman, who helped make this partnership possible."

Spotify currently partners with the University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, and New York University to offer NextGen podcast programming and curriculum. However, partnering with Spelman and other HBCUs presents an opportunity to leverage the program to create a new class of Black content creators, equipping them with tools and resources to develop their podcast skills set.

To learn more, visit Spelman's News and Events page.

"Courageous Conversations: Black in the C-Suite," returns on Monday, November 28, at 2 p.m. ET at Spelman College.

President Helene Gayle will be joined by film writer, director and Morehouse College alum Spike Lee, ’79, and television and film producer, Tonya Lewis Lee, for a candid conversation about the impact of the HBCU experience on the Lee family, their career journeys and perspectives on achieving social and economic mobility.

For more information and to register, please visit Spelman.edu.

The Spelman and Morehouse College Glee Clubs’ 96th Annual Christmas Carol Concert series is just one week away!

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 29, each performance is free and open to the public. Spelman will host two concerts at Sisters Chapel, beginning with "A Taste of Christmas" – a one-hour sampling of Christmas Carol Concert favorites – on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. This event is scheduled to highlight the history of the Annual Christmas Carol Concert, the glee clubs, music selections and more. It will also feature a short Q&A, giving the audience the opportunity to gain insight from the conductors and student leaders.

The Christmas Carol Concert will premiere on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. Traditionally marking the official start of the Christmas season for Atlanta residents, these glee clubs will perform together (and individually) featuring traditional carols and contemporary-style interpretations of various holiday music.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Overflow locations will be utilized once Sisters Chapel reaches "COVID-friendly" capacity. Those locations are Albro-Falconer-Manley Science Center and the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D., Academic Center Auditorium. Please be mindful that masks are required during each performance.

Viewers can also enjoy the concert online via live stream beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on these events, and the Morehouse College performances, please visit the 96th Annual Christmas Carol Concert page.

A first-year economics major with a minor in management and organization, Leah Arnold, C’2026, is committed to putting her best foot forward – both in the classroom and on the runway.

"Although I'm new to modeling, it has helped build my confidence," said Arnold. "Being around people who look like me has allowed me to build a newfound appreciation for my body."

This fall, she had the opportunity to model during New York Fashion Week, which led to her appearance in the LUNALEE presentation being featured in Vogue Mexico’s round-up of the week’s events and shows.

"Being featured in Vogue [Mexico] was such an honor, and I'm extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to represent my school on the runway," said Arnold.

While at Spelman, Arnold hopes to gain the knowledge and acumen to become an entrepreneur – even planning to take related business and management courses at neighboring Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University that will give her the tools she desires to succeed after graduation.

"I desire to not only do well academically but also to be a part of clubs and organizations that facilitate my development into a well-rounded woman, who operates in a peaceful, creative space," she said.

Select items from the Ralph Lauren Spelman College Collection are now available in the Spelman College Bookstore.

Originally launched last spring in partnership with the fashion brand, the collection seeks to honor the history of Spelman and widen the aperture of Ralph Lauren’s storytelling — including the nature of life at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), a story untold in depictions of Ralph Lauren’s collegiate sensibility until recently.

Inspired by the rich heritage and esteemed traditions of the College, this limited collection is available now for in-store purchase while supplies last.

Growing up, Latasha Cummings, C’97, was always told she did not fit in. When she became a mother and experienced significant life changes, Cummings’ mission became clear: uplifting and supporting all women – especially young girls.

After receiving bachelor’s degrees in business administration and management from Mansfield Business College in 1993 and health services administration from Spelman College, Cummings founded three different business that are still thriving today. It was with the start of her first two businesses – Peaches Party Package and a premier full-service party rental and production company, Tea N Tee Party Rentals, LLC – that she found inspiration for her life’s passion of making a difference in the lives of women.

Today, as founding executive director of We aRe HER Leadership Academy, the award-winning author, entrepreneur and mentor ensures the next generation of female leaders are being empowered through strong mentorship, positive affirmation and the comfort of knowing there will always be someone in their corner.