December 21st 2024.
Stillman College, a private Presbyterian HBCU in Alabama, and North Carolina Central University, an HBCU in Durham, North Carolina, have recently been given generous donations of $1 million each from Google. This is part of Google's ongoing efforts to increase diversity within the cybersecurity field. According to Al.com, Stillman College received their donation on December 17th, in honor of the passing of Kevin Lamar Harris on October 5th. Harris is credited with founding the university's HBCU Cybersecurity Clinic in 2022, and played a significant role in securing a $500,000 donation from Google's Cybersecurity Clinics Fund in 2023.
A press release from Stillman College announced the donation, with Maab Ibrahim, Google's cybersecurity lead, acknowledging Harris as the inspiration for the company's decision to fund additional clinics at other HBCUs and minority-serving institutions. Ibrahim praised Harris for his leadership and for facilitating the funding of four other HBCUs, as well as tribal and women-serving colleges. This will be a lasting legacy to honor his memory.
Stillman College President, Dr. Yolanda W. Page, also expressed her gratitude for the donation in the press release. She recognized the immense loss of Harris's passing and highlighted his trailblazing efforts in establishing a cybersecurity clinic at Stillman College. Page also noted that Harris's impact extended beyond Stillman, as he helped other HBCUs establish their own clinics. She promised to continue his work through the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics and thanked Google for honoring his legacy at Stillman College.
In a similar move, on December 11th, North Carolina Central University received a $1 million donation from Google to establish the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research. This is the first program of its kind at any HBCU in America. NCCU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon expressed her gratitude for this transformative investment and emphasized the historic nature of this partnership between the university and Google. She believes it will prepare students to become leaders in the artificial intelligence field.
Chancellor Dixon also mentioned the institute's goal to collaborate with corporations, local community colleges and universities, and the Research Triangle Park network. This will serve as a hub for workforce development, research, and innovation, empowering students to lead in one of the most impactful fields of our time. The institute's focus on equity and inclusivity in AI development aligns with Google's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as stated by their Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, Melonie Parker.
Parker emphasized the importance of developing AI technologies with equity and inclusivity at their core, especially as it continues to transform industries globally. She believes this grant will promote collaboration among HBCUs nationwide and fuel innovation in AI. This will empower a diverse group of future leaders to tackle the technical and ethical challenges in this rapidly evolving field. This partnership between Google and NCCU will not only benefit the students but also have a positive impact on society as a whole.
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