ATLANTA — Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University Football Programs Receive New Helmets Through Arthur M. Blank Foundation Grant

Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University are kicking off the 2025 football season with a major boost to player safety. Thanks to a generous grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, in partnership with the Atlanta Falcons, both HBCU programs have received brand-new football helmets featuring cutting-edge technology designed to enhance student-athlete health and safety.

Chris Millman, Senior Vice President of Community Engagement and Sports Philanthropy at AMB Sports and Entertainment, emphasized the importance of this initiative:

“We are proud to support the football programs at these historic institutions through this grant. Player health and safety is paramount at every level of the game, and the technological advancements in helmet design over the last five years have been remarkable. We’re pleased to help these teams prioritize the well-being of their student-athletes.”

Harold Ellis, Director of Athletics at Morehouse College, expressed deep appreciation for the gift:

“Morehouse Athletics is grateful for this opportunity. The new helmets will significantly enhance player safety and provide our Maroon Tigers with top-level protection as they take the field this season. We thank the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Atlanta Falcons for their generosity and for forming a meaningful partnership that supports our commitment to a safe and empowering student-athlete experience.”

Clark Atlanta University Head Coach Teddy Keaton also acknowledged the broader impact of the donation:

“This is more than just new gear—it’s an investment in the future and well-being of our young men. We are thankful to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Atlanta Falcons for recognizing the importance of protecting our players both on and off the field. These helmets symbolize progress, purpose, and the strength of partnership.”

About the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
Founded in 1995 by Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation works to transform lives and communities by bringing people together to address critical issues. The foundation has awarded over $1.5 billion to causes across its core focus areas: Atlanta’s Westside, Democracy, Environment, Mental Health & Well-Being, and Youth Development.

The foundation also supports essential Atlanta institutions such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Shepherd Center, along with founder-led initiatives focused on veterans, military families, and individuals who stutter. For more information, visit www.blankfoundation.org.

Photo Credit: David Collins, Morehouse College Office of Institutional Advancement.

Hosted by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in collaboration with the NFL, Wells Fargo, and Morgan State University, this empowering clinic gave young girls the opportunity to engage with football fundamentals through drills, mentorship, and coaching from MEAC staff and student-athletes.

These young ladies got the chance to run routes, gain confidence, and build a sisterhood that reflects the heart of HBCU culture and the power of sports.

From the sidelines to the spotlight — girls are making their mark on the gridiron! 💪🏾

🔔 Subscribe to HBCU Original for more coverage from the culture, on and off the field!

📍 Location: Hughes Stadium, Morgan State University
📆 Date: July 20, 2025
🎤 Coverage by: HBCU Original

🏈 MEAC Football Programs Represented:

• Howard University Bison

• Morgan State University Bears

• Norfolk State University Spartans

• North Carolina Central University Eagles

• South Carolina State University Bulldogs

• Delaware State University Hornets

• University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Note: currently no football team)

DOVER, DE — A bold new chapter is being written at Delaware State University. With the announcement of a $20 million investment into a groundbreaking athletic field house, the Hornet Nation is preparing for a transformation that will elevate campus life, inspire future athletes, and strengthen community pride.

🏟 A Dream in Motion

It’s not just a building—it’s a movement. The new 70,000-square-foot field house will be a game-changing addition to the DSU landscape, offering cutting-edge facilities designed to rival top-tier institutions. Located beside Alumni Stadium, this modern indoor facility will include:

• A 50-yard turf field for multi-season training

• Locker rooms and film rooms to support team development

• Academic lounges and tutoring areas for student-athlete success

• A fueling station/café focused on athlete nutrition and wellness

🧭 Vision for the Future

This isn’t just about football or facilities—it’s about identity. The field house will be a central part of the university’s strategy to raise its national athletic profile, expand student opportunities, and build a legacy of excellence.

With rising expectations and renewed school spirit, Delaware State is investing in more than sports—it’s investing in a culture of success.

🏈 A Coach, A Culture, A Comeback

With the arrival of former NFL superstar DeSean Jackson as head football coach, DSU has sent a strong message to the world: We’re here to compete. The new facility is the perfect foundation to support this cultural shift. From elite-level training to recruitment advantages, Delaware State is positioning itself as a destination for athletes who want more than just a jersey—they want to be part of something bigger.

🎓 Beyond the Sidelines

While the field house will support athletics, it will also serve the broader university and surrounding community. Student organizations will have access to meeting spaces, and there’s growing potential for hosting regional events, youth clinics, and indoor competitions.

This project is the first step in a larger vision that includes discussions around a new convocation center—a modern space that could house everything from basketball games to commencements.

🛠 Construction & Momentum

The field house project is expected to be completed within 18–24 months. It will not only modernize DSU’s athletic capabilities but also energize the student body and attract partnerships from businesses, alumni, and local leaders.

🔔 Hornets, This Is Our Moment

Delaware State’s $20 million field house project is more than steel and turf—it’s a rallying point for the entire Hornet family. Students, alumni, faculty, and fans are witnessing a vision unfold that’s been years in the making. This is about legacy. This is about leadership. This is about us.

✊ Join the Movement

Proud of where Delaware State is headed? Share this story. Talk about it. Tag #HornetNation in your posts and let the world know: Delaware State is rising—and we’re just getting started.

HAMPTON, Va. (July 18, 2025) — Three standout student-athletes from Hampton University’s women’s basketball team are gaining invaluable professional experience this summer as interns at the AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Indianapolis.

Tyra Kennedy, Diamond Wiggins, and KiKi McElrath were selected to participate in a groundbreaking internship initiative created in partnership between the WNBA and Mielle Organics. This immersive opportunity allows them to work across various departments during the All-Star Weekend, which culminates with the marquee event at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, July 19.

The WNBA and Mielle Organics have launched this first-of-its-kind social impact program targeting students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The initiative aims to bridge the gap for HBCU students—especially those passionate about sports—by providing hands-on experience in the professional sports industry.

As HBCU Event Interns, the selected students will be paired with department mentors, gaining behind-the-scenes access and shadowing professionals in key areas such as Player Development, Content/Marketing, Streaming, Events, and Marketing Partnerships. They will also engage in professional development workshops throughout the week.

The opportunity was brought to the players’ attention by Hampton Head Coach Tamisha Augustin, and after a competitive application and interview process, the three were selected as part of the program’s inaugural cohort. The trio departed for Indianapolis on July 15 and will spend five days working in their assigned departments.

• Tyra Kennedy (Tampa, Fla.) will intern with league operations. “I want to thank the WNBA and Mielle for this amazing opportunity,” she shared. “I’m excited to be part of something so impactful.”

• Diamond Wiggins (Norfolk, Va.), a journalism major, is focused on social media and content development. “This is a chance to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom and gain real-world experience in sports media.”

• KiKi McElrath (Columbus, Ohio), a business management major and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will work in marketing. “I’m looking forward to learning how major events like this come together and to build relationships with industry professionals.”

About Mielle Organics
Founded in 2014 by CEO Monique Rodriguez, Mielle Organics is a global beauty brand rooted in natural ingredients and designed for Black women. Black-founded and woman-led, the company is known for its “roots-to-results” approach to beauty and wellness. Mielle products are sold in over 100,000 retail locations nationwide, including Ulta Beauty, Target, Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart.

Players Mentioned

• #10 Tyra Kennedy, G, 5’7″, Sophomore

• #5 Diamond Wiggins, G, 5’10”, Sophomore

Once the backbone of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Black men are slowly disappearing from the very spaces built to educate and empower them. Once nearly 38% of HBCU student bodies in 1976, Black male enrollment has now dropped to just 26%, according to the latest national figures.

This isn’t just a statistic. It’s a crisis. And it’s one that could have ripple effects for generations.

A Growing Gap: Where Are Our Brothers?

The decline in Black male college enrollment is not exclusive to HBCUs—it’s a nationwide problem. But the decline at HBCUs feels different. It feels personal. These are the institutions that have historically wrapped their arms around young Black men, provided safe spaces for growth, and launched some of the greatest leaders in Black history.

So why are fewer young Black men walking through those doors?

What’s Causing the Drop?

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about lack of ambition. It’s about the systems stacked against our young men before they even reach a college campus.

🔹 Systemic Inequities in K-12 Education

Black boys face disproportionate discipline, underfunded schools, and low expectations from educators. Far too many are underestimated long before they sit for their first college application.

🔹 Financial Barriers

College is expensive—and for many Black families, the math doesn’t add up. Rising tuition, limited financial aid, and immediate financial pressures at home often push Black men to skip college and head straight to the workforce.

🔹 Societal Pressures & Perception

Some Black men question the value of a degree when job prospects still feel limited post-graduation. The pressure to “start making money now” often overshadows the long-term benefit of education.

🔹 The “Belief Gap”

When teachers and counselors don’t believe in Black boys’ potential, it shows. That lack of belief sinks in early and shapes how they see themselves.

🔹 Shifting Perceptions of HBCUs

Despite their rich legacy, some young people perceive HBCUs as outdated or less competitive, not realizing these institutions have been—and still are—game changers in Black academic success.

🔹 Gender Disparity

Today, Black women significantly outnumber Black men on HBCU campuses. While that reflects the incredible strides Black women are making, it also highlights the imbalance and isolation some Black men feel.

The Real-World Consequences

The fallout from these trends is more than academic:

• Reduced Economic Mobility: Without a degree, Black men face fewer opportunities for high-paying, sustainable careers.

• Strained HBCU Communities: Enrollment drops hit budgets, alter campus culture, and weaken the support networks that make HBCUs so special.

• National Impact: When fewer Black men enter higher education, entire communities lose out on leadership, innovation, and generational uplift.

What Can Be Done?

The good news? This trend is reversible—but only if we act with intention.

✅ Fix the Pipeline

Invest early in Black boys. That means mentorship, college prep programs, culturally responsive educators, and access to advanced coursework in middle and high school.

✅ Close the Financial Gap

Expand scholarships and financial aid targeting Black men. No one should have to choose between education and survival.

✅ Change the Narrative

We must amplify stories of Black men who succeed in and after college. Representation matters. College must be seen as a bridge to opportunity, not a detour from success.

✅ Support, Don’t Just Recruit

Retention is as important as recruitment. That means mentorship programs, Black male faculty representation, mental health resources, and a culture that truly affirms their presence.

✅ Reimagine the HBCU Experience

HBCUs must reconnect with the needs and culture of today’s young Black men. From curriculum to campus life to career readiness, HBCUs can reclaim their space as the go-to institutions for Black male empowerment.

Final Thoughts: This Is Bigger Than School

This is about saving futures. It’s about equity. It’s about building a generation of leaders, fathers, entrepreneurs, and change-makers. If we let this trend continue, we risk losing more than students—we risk losing the legacy.

So the question isn’t just Where are our brothers?
The real question is: What are we doing to bring them back—and help them stay?

Join the movement. Share this message. Support a young brother. And let’s keep the doors of opportunity open.

#HBCUOriginal #BlackMaleEnrollment #SupportOurSons #HBCUVoices #EducationCrisis #LegacyMatters