The social media giant Tik Tok has announced it will donate $1 million to 10 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to assist underrepresented students.
Tik Tok made the announcement on Dec. 23, saying the funds will support scholarships for students in medicine, public health, and other health fields.
The 10 schools receiving funds are Xavier University of Louisiana, Tugaloo University, North Carolina
Central University, North Carolina A&T University, South Carolina State University, Laredo College, University of South Dakota, Florida A&M University, Delaware State University, and Virginia Union University.“We believe investing in the next generation of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous doctors, nurses, pediatricians, surgeons, and other essential health care workers is one of the best ways to
invest in the future of America,” the company said in a statement.Johnson Akinleye, Ph.D., the chancellor of North Carolina Central, said the donation will help students become doctors.
“This investment will ensure our students who aspire to serve on the frontlines of care can complete their education and pursue solutions for some of the most challenging medical issues confronting our society, including COVID-19,” Akinleye said in a statement
. “NCCU graduates are leaders in the health sciences and provide valuable services to vulnerable citizens in North Carolina and around the country. We are grateful to TikTok for demonstrating the value of this critical workforce with a significant gift that furthers the education of healthcare professionals at our university.”HBCUs have received significant donations this year due to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer. Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, has donated to HBCUs on several occasions this year.
In July, Scott gave $160 million to various HBCUs including Hampton University, Tuskegee University, Howard University, Spelman College and Morehouse College. This month, Scott donated $40 million to Morgan State University and last week Scott donated $25 million to Alcorn State University and $6 million to Tugaloo.