The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has reached an early milestone in its ambitious $50 million, 10-year scholarship commitment, announcing that more than $4.2 million has already been distributed to students attending Atlanta’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Launched in October 2025, the initiative is designed to provide critical “gap funding” to juniors and seniors who are closest to graduation but may be held back by remaining financial balances. The program focuses specifically on students in their final semesters, a period when financial pressure is often most intense and traditional aid options have been exhausted.

To date, the foundation has supported approximately 600 students across three major HBCUs in Atlanta: Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.

Breakdowns provided by the foundation show $1.45 million distributed to 290 students at Clark Atlanta, $1.24 million to 115 students at Morehouse, and $1.65 million to 189 students at Spelman.

Among the recipients is Kayla Drummond, a first-generation Clark Atlanta University student who is set to graduate this year. Drummond used the scholarship assistance to eliminate a remaining balance that had threatened her ability to complete her degree.

“From my first time stepping on Clark Atlanta’s campus I felt a sense of family and this is where I belong,” Drummond said. “This diploma isn’t just for me, it’s for my family, it’s for my friends, the love, the prayers, the support.”

Foundation leaders say the program is built to scale over the next decade, with the goal of supporting thousands of students while encouraging broader investment in HBCU student success nationwide.

“We’ve seen what’s possible when students get the support they need to cross the finish line,” said Margaret Connelly, managing director of Founder Initiatives at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “That’s what drives this work, and why we hope this initiative encourages others to invest in closing these gaps and helping more students achieve the futures they’ve worked so hard to reach.”

The initiative continues to position itself as one of the most significant private scholarship efforts supporting HBCU students in recent years.

Magic Johnson is reflecting on what he called a “rare privilege” after delivering two HBCU commencement speeches in a single day, addressing graduates at both Stillman College and Tuskegee University in Alabama.

The Basketball Hall of Famer and business executive spoke during a busy commencement season, noting that it is uncommon for a single speaker to be invited to multiple HBCU graduations—especially within the same state on the same day.

In a post shared after the events, Johnson thanked both institutions for the opportunity, highlighting his visits to Stillman College during its 150th anniversary celebration and Tuskegee University, one of the nation’s most historic HBCUs.

At Stillman, Johnson delivered remarks to graduates and also received an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration. He later spoke at Tuskegee University, where he addressed a large crowd in the stadium, with additional audiences gathered in overflow spaces.

Johnson’s message focused on leadership, discipline, and global ambition, encouraging graduates to be “bold, strategic, global, active, and intentional.” He also pointed to the impact of HBCUs in producing Black professionals across multiple fields, citing their outsized role in developing judges, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and CEOs.

HBCU commencement speakers delivering multiple addresses in the same season remains uncommon, placing Johnson alongside a small group of notable figures participating in similar dual engagements this year.

Other speakers this commencement season include Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, who have also addressed multiple HBCU graduating classes.

Johnson’s remarks centered on economic empowerment, personal branding, and preparing graduates for emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and global business.

Charlie Neal, the legendary broadcaster whose voice helped bring HBCU sports into national prominence, has died following an illness. He was 80 years old.

Neal spent decades building a career rooted in preparation, storytelling, and a deep respect for Black college athletics. Born on October 28, 1945, he became much more than a play-by-play announcer—he became one of the defining voices explaining why HBCU sports matter.

At a time when Black college football and basketball received little national coverage, Neal helped change that reality by helping build platforms that treated those games with professionalism and visibility. His work helped elevate HBCU athletics from overlooked competition to nationally recognized tradition.

A pioneer at BET and beyond

In 1980, Neal joined the founding of Black Entertainment Television (BET), where he became a key figure in establishing national coverage of HBCU sports. He served as lead play-by-play announcer and executive producer for sports programming, helping shape both the broadcast schedule and the presentation of games.

For many fans, Neal became the voice of Saturday afternoons in HBCU football and basketball, calling matchups across conferences including the MEAC, CIAA, SWAC, and SIAC.

A voice that preserved HBCU history

Neal was known for more than calling plays—he gave context and meaning to what viewers were watching. He frequently connected current athletes and teams to HBCU legends like Walter Payton and Jerry Rice, helping audiences understand the historical depth behind every game.

His broadcasts helped preserve the culture of HBCU athletics, highlighting not just competition, but marching bands, campus pride, coaching legacies, and community tradition.

He also formed a long-running broadcasting partnership with Hall of Famer Lem Barney, becoming one of the most recognizable duos in HBCU sports media.

Continued influence across networks

After BET moved away from sports coverage, Neal continued his career with major outlets including ESPN, where he called the first football game aired on ESPNU. In later years, he remained active with HBCU GO, continuing to lend his voice to the programs he helped elevate.

Honors and legacy

Neal’s impact was widely recognized across college sports. He was inducted into the MEAC Hall of Fame, CIAA Hall of Fame, and Black College Football Hall of Fame. In 2023, he became the first HBCU representative to receive the Chris Schenkel Award, one of broadcasting’s highest honors.

Reflecting on his career, Neal once said, “I have been blessed… I have been able to do things some people can’t even dream of doing.”

Charlie Neal’s legacy is not only in the games he called, but in the visibility he helped create for generations of HBCU athletes and programs. He helped ensure that Black college sports were seen, heard, and remembered.

Free Marketing Services Offered to Boost Business Growth and Alumni Giving

GAUTIER, Miss. – April 15, 2025 – HBCU$™, a new alumni giving and wealth-building network, is set to launch on May 1, 2025, with a bold mission: to help close the multi-billion-dollar public funding gap that has historically disadvantaged Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). By uplifting the entrepreneurs these institutions cultivate, HBCU$™ aims to turn business success into sustainable support for HBCUs.

Founded by Dorsey West, a proud graduate of Tennessee State University, HBCU$™ was inspired by a 2023 report from the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The analysis revealed that between 1987 and 2020, HBCU land-grant colleges were underfunded by an estimated $12.6 billion compared to their non-HBCU counterparts—with Tennessee State alone shorted by over $2.1 billion.

“HBCUs are facing severe challenges as budget cuts at both the federal and state levels continue,” said West. “I created HBCU$™ to harness the power of alumni support and private-sector entrepreneurship to help fill that gap.”

The HBCU$™ model is simple yet powerful: it offers free online marketing services to alumni and student-owned businesses. In return, participating businesses donate a portion of their increased revenue to the HBCU of their choice—creating a win-win cycle of economic growth and educational reinvestment.

By spotlighting these businesses through video podcast interviews, member profiles, and an online directory, HBCU$™ not only strengthens the economic impact of HBCU entrepreneurs but also fosters a culture of giving back.

Consumers can join the HBCU$™ community today by signing up for exclusive offers and early access at https://hbcus.biz.
HBCU alumni and student business owners interested in joining the platform can email promote@hbcus.biz to be featured—at no cost.

About HBCU$™
Founded by Tennessee State University alumnus Dorsey West, HBCU$™ is an alumni giving and wealth-building network designed to generate consistent financial support for HBCUs through the success of their entrepreneurs. The platform offers free promotion for HBCU alumni and student-owned businesses, which in turn pledge a portion of revenue gains back to their chosen HBCU. Learn more at https://hbcus.biz.

As the second presidential inauguration of Donald Trump approaches, the event continues to spark mixed emotions across the country. Recently, an HBCU band found itself at the center of controversy after requesting public donations to cover expenses for performing at the inauguration.

Mississippi Valley State University’s renowned marching band, the “Mean Green Marching Machine,” was invited to play at the ceremony on January 20, an opportunity they eagerly embraced. Dr. Jerryl Briggs, President of Mississippi Valley State, described the occasion as a significant milestone:

“This is not just a moment of pride for our university but for the entire state of Mississippi. It is an opportunity to showcase our legacy, celebrate our culture, and invest in the future leaders of our community. This participation allows students to engage in the peaceful transition of power and gain global exposure while celebrating the university’s 75th anniversary.”

Despite the enthusiasm, the band’s decision to participate has drawn criticism from Trump detractors. The backlash intensified after the university launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $350,000 to cover expenses such as new uniforms, instruments, scholarships, and other essential resources.

The Mean Green Marching Machine has a rich history of political involvement, having performed at President Richard Nixon’s inauguration in 1969. Their participation in Trump’s inauguration, however, has sparked debate, with critics questioning the alignment of an HBCU band with the divisive political figure.

For the band, the event represents more than a political statement—it’s an opportunity to honor their legacy and foster educational growth. Whether or not their fundraising goal is met, the conversation surrounding their participation highlights the complexities of balancing tradition, representation, and contemporary politics.