HBCUs have produced thousands of Black professionals who have learned how to thrive and excel in various industries. With many companies moving to online remote work, it is more important than ever to learn digital skills to navigate the changing landscape. This week, Google announced its partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) for a $1 million investment in teaching HBCU students new digital skills.
The partnership cumulated into The Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program, which is designed to provide more funding for career centers on HBCU campuses that will become available as early as November. The new program will include custom workshops tailored to Black students with a range of skills from product development and professional brand building.
“We are excited to join in partnership with
Google to help students at our member-schools gain the digital skills necessary in order to be successful,” said Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, in a press statement. “We are confident that the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness program will help to move the needle and provide endless opportunities for our HBCU students.”The workshops will be available at 20 HBCU campuses including Virginia State University,
Southern University, Bowie State University, and Winston-Salem State University with the goal of reaching 20,000 students over the course of the next school year. It is expected to be available to all HBCUs by fall 2021.“To address this skills gap and help Black students obtain the digital skills they need to succeed in the workforce, we’re proud to partner with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to launch the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program.”