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Spelman College, Morehouse College and the Black Economic Alliance Foundation recently announced that Grant Warner, Ph.D., will serve as the inaugural Bank of America Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE), effective January 1, 2023.

Dr. Warner, a proven leader in entrepreneurship and collegiate programming, will support the CBE’s vision to better connect Black entrepreneurs with corporate leaders and venture capitalist funding they need to succeed in the business world.

"The CBE will benefit greatly from Dr. Warner’s leadership and vision," said Helene Gayle, M.D., MPH, President of Spelman College. "We look forward to continuing to partner with Morehouse College and the Black Economic Alliance Foundation to further strengthen the ecosystem for aspiring Black entrepreneurs, as well as provide them with connections to corporate and venture capital funding under Dr. Warner’s leadership."

In his role, Dr. Warner will develop a visionary and sustainable plan for the CBE that aligns with the missions of the colleges and their commitment to producing entrepreneurial graduates from multiple disciplinary backgrounds. He will also partner with the Morehouse Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC), the Spelman Innovation Lab, Morehouse Business Administration and Economics Division and Spelman Economics Department's academic leadership to implement CBE strategic initiatives, enhance learning experiences for students pursuing the Morehouse and Spelman Entrepreneurship minors and lead an online certificate program that will be available to professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge in areas related to Black entrepreneurship.

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


Two Spelman College students have been selected as Schwarzman Scholars, one of the world’s most prestigious graduate fellowships. Naomi Aladekoba, C’2023, and Sophia Bax-Wooten, C’2023, were among 151 candidates selected for the 2023-2024 Class of Schwarzman Scholars. The program’s eighth cohort includes participants from 36 countries and 121 universities around the world.

"Applying for prestigious awards, like this one, provides our students with an opportunity to sharpen their ideas about what matters to them," said Michelle Hite, Ph.D., Spelman College associate professor of English and co-director of the Prestigious International Fellowships program. "We're grateful that the jury agreed with our impressions of their candidacy, and we're very happy that Naomi and Sophia will experience the immediacy of the Spelman sisterhood in one another in China."

Located in Beijing, China, students have the opportunity to study in a one-year, fully-funded master’s degree program in Global Affairs at Schwarzman College on the campus of Tsinghua University. The program’s core curriculum is focused on three pillars: Leadership, Global Affairs and China. Beyond the classroom, Scholars will gain exceptional exposure to China through internships, mentors and high-profile speakers. Additionally, career development resources are provided to help Scholars lead in various fields upon graduation.

The Schwarzman Scholars Class of 2024 will be enrolled in August 2023. For more information, visit www.schwarzmanscholars.org.

The holiday season is traditionally marked by peace, joy and excitement. However, some circumstances can make this a tough time of year to navigate. As we move into the holiday season and prepare for the new year, there are a few ways we can all welcome the upcoming celebrations and stay mentally grounded.

Pamela Walton, LPC, NCC counselor/psychotherapist, of Spelman’s Counseling Center offers these five tips.

  1. Set realistic goals and expectations As you return home to family and friends, make time to get grounded within yourself. Take time to rest and unwind, get organized and make a plan for how you want to show up.
  2. Communication is key with family and friends Step up and take initiative for having conversations with family on how you would like your visit to go. Consider asking, "How can I show up and be supportive?"
  3. Focus on the HERE and NOW Create new memories moving forward, instead of focusing on the "there and then" of the past. What future memories do you want to create?
  4. Be intentional about how you spend your time Be selective with who and how you spend your time. Prioritize activities that both recharge you and enthuse you!
  5. Pour into others As you are filling your own tank, what is it that you can pour into others? What kind act can you do? Walton suggests volunteering to support those who are less fortunate. She says, "That helps to make a shift in perspective."

For more information and resources, visit
Spelman’s Counseling Center page.

As the fall semester comes to an end and we anticipate the excitement and joy associated with the holiday season, it is important to keep in mind the safety and security challenges associated with this time of year.

With just a little extra focus and attention, you can reduce your likelihood of becoming a victim of crime by heeding the following suggestions:

  • Travel in pairs (or groups) whenever possible.
  • Make a special effort to increase your alertness to your surroundings at all times.
  • When walking, make eye contact with individuals as they approach and remain aware of their actions as they pass you.
  • Have your keys ready when entering your home or vehicle, and lock the doors immediately upon entry.
  • Only make phone calls from safe locations, and never when walking in parking decks or on city streets, to limit the risk of pedestrian robbery.
  • Limit headphone use or keep the volume low when listening to music or talking on the phone.
  • Never leave anything in open view in your vehicle including clothing, small change, bags or boxes.
  • Never use ATM machines in secluded locations or after the first signs of dusk.
  • Share your travel plans with friends and family, including anticipated departure and arrival times and routes of travel.
  • Do not carry large sums of cash.
  • When shopping, separate the credit or debit card you anticipate using from cash and other credit cards.
  • Service your vehicle before traveling, and always keep your gas tank at least half-full at all times.
  • If your vehicle breaks down when traveling, remain in the locked vehicle and call for assistance.

This holiday season, it is better to be safe than sorry. The Spelman College Department of Public Safety urges you to listen to and follow your instincts. If a situation feels unsafe or uncomfortable, please take whatever steps you deem necessary to safeguard yourself and your belongings.

By taking the necessary precautions, you help ensure that your holiday season is safe and joyous. For more information, and to learn more about holiday safety, contact Spelman College Public Safety.

This year, an original and critically-acclaimed Spelman College production – "The New Black Fest’s Hands Up," – won a Suzi Bass Award in the category of Outstanding Social Justice Production.

This production was created by Spelman theatre and performance faculty, Keith Arthur Bolden, Morgan Hawkins, and Moriah and Isabel Curley-Clay, along with Atlanta University Center (AUC) graduates Brandon Burditt, Jessenia Ingram, C’2019, and Alexis Woodard, C’2020.

This recognition was especially momentous for working actor, Bolden. Not only was the production honored for its key message of social justice, but it also provided a voice to the artists that developed it.

"The award that we received is the one I am most proud of…because that is how the show was birthed, that’s how it's grown, and that’s how…we address inequality and social justice issues," said Bolden. "My time here [at Spelman] has been rewarding [as well]. There is nothing more rewarding than having my students find their voice and find their way in their artistry."


It’s a great time to work at Spelman College! With a variety of perks and benefits for staff, including tuition waivers, health and wellness resources, and a beautiful, historic campus, Spelman is more than a place to work.

The Spelman College Division of Institutional Advancement is seeking motivated candidates to fill the following positions:


The Spelman College Division of Strategic Communications & Marketing is looking for motivated candidates to fill the following position:


Below are some staff positions that are also available:


To apply, or to learn more about these and other positions, visit Spelman.edu.

Alumnae Spotlight
 
 
Shalita Myrick, C’2012, became the first graduate of University of Texas at San Antonio’s (UTSA) online master’s program in Facility Management on Dec. 12 – an achievement largely credited to her insurmountable work ethic and her passion for helping others.

Myrick originally graduated from Spelman College with a bachelor’s degree in political science and government. However, her professional experience in tech and data infrastructure – along with strong female influences such as her mother and Kaiser Permanente director of public affairs and brand communications, Jamila Veasley – inspired her to pursue a profession where the results of her hard work were more tangible.

After attending a Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute event, Myrick officially fell in love with facilities management. Through previous experiences at companies like Kaiser Permanente and AT&T, Myrick continues to understand the value of ensuring her passion remains a priority.

Myrick currently works as the senior project manager for Facilities Operations at Texas Children’s Hospital.

 
 
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