The Medgar Evers College (MEC) Educational Foundation received a $25,000 grant from the broadband cable company Spectrum last week. 

The Spectrum Digital Education Grant will be used to purchase laptops for incoming MEC freshmen students at the school and toward tutoring in its Academic Support Center.

SEEK is a New York State-funded program designed to meet the needs of students from low-income households and disadvantaged neighborhoods or schools that have underprepared them for college. The program is offered at senior (four-year) City University of New York colleges to New York State residents who do not meet traditional admissions criteria but demonstrate potential for academic success.

The check presentation event took place on May 4 during the college’s Percy Ellis Sutton Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) annual awards ceremony. 

“With the $25,000, Spectrum will be donating to our SEEK program. Laptops will be purchased for 65 students, enabling them to fulfill their potential while pursuing their degrees,” said MEC President Dr. Patricia Ramsey. “Up to this point, these young people have had to resort to doing schoolwork and homework on their phones, due to their inability to afford their own computers. This grant goes a long way in bridging the digital divide.”

For the SEEK program alone, about 20% to 30% of freshmen have their own devices, a MEC spokesperson said. “Some students rely on their phones, others have borrowed laptops or iPads from the college’s laptop loaner program, and the others complete their work on computers in the library or computer labs on campus,” the spokesperson added.

The grant is part of the company’s six-year, $8 million commitment to promote digital education and broadband technology in communities across the country. The Medgar Evers College Educational Foundation is one of two New York City recipients of the Spectrum Digital Education Grant program. The Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation also received a grant.“Digital skills are critical to navigating everything from finding a job to going to school, to buying groceries––yet too many families still have not adopted internet at home,” said Rahman Khan, group vice president of community impact for Charter Communications, Inc., which operates the Spectrum brand of internet, mobile, TV, and voice services. “Through the Spectrum Digital Education Grant program, we’re committed to supporting local initiatives like [the] Medgar Evers College Educational Foundation to promote digital literacy and inclusion, and help educate community members in New York City about the value of adopting broadband in their lives so they can succeed in today’s connected society.”

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Harlem hosted the Rites of Drum last weekend during the third Annual Spring Celebration at the Marcus Garvey Amphitheater. People of all cultural traditions came with their children, their drums, and their dance to celebrate community drumming.

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New research that sheds light on how business ownership can drive personal wealth creation for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs and their communities – and ultimately close the racial wealth gap.

“For many Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, owning a business can be a tremendous opportunity to build wealth and narrow the racial wealth gap,” said Shena Ashley, President, Capital One Insights Center and Vice President, Community Impact and Investment. “In Richmond, about 35% of Black and Hispanic business owners saw at least $188,000 in personal wealth growth over the course of their business ownership, the same as the median wealth for white U.S. households. With the support of a coordinated business ecosystem, sustained funding, and educational resources, these businesses were able to make a real difference in closing the racial wealth gap for themselves.”

The study, conducted in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), surveyed more than 1,000 business owners and residents in Richmond, Virginia, along with 21 interviews with community organizations, and found unlocking wealth is possible – but under the right conditions.

The report’s key findings include: 

• Successful businesses have shown that it is possible to unlock wealth under the right conditions. Approximately one-third of Black and Hispanic business owners in Richmond experienced personal wealth growth of at least $188,000 over the course of their business ownership.
• Wealth growth is not a guarantee. Wealth growth by Black and Hispanic business owners was roughly half of non-business owners from 2017/18 to 2022.
• Size and scale matter for long-term personal wealth and business success. Businesses that survive the initial start-up years or grow to greater than $500,000 in annual revenue generate greater wealth.
• Business success depends on three critical conditions. Access to and acumen around initial and growth funding, right-sized skills and capabilities, and a supportive business ecosystem are key variables to business success and personal wealth generation.

Based on these findings, the research highlights potential levers that could help entrepreneurs, financial institutions, business and community organizations, and policymakers close the racial wealth gap.

“Working to level the playing field for all small businesses in Richmond requires a multi-faceted and long-term strategy that consists of dedicated investments, available resources, and policy,” said Andy Navarette, Executive Vice President, Head of External Affairs, Capital One. “Public, private, nonprofit, and government sectors must come together to explore innovative ways to increase Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs’ access to capital and make concerted, harmonized efforts to level the playing field for diverse business owners, in Richmond and around the country.”

In order to unlock personal wealth creation for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs at scale, the report recommends 1) continued exploration of innovative ways to increase capital; 2) public, private, and nonprofit support; 3) financial management and digital tools; 4) collaboration among organizations within the business ecosystem; and 5) trust-building between funders and communities of color.

“Being a small business owner in any community is a challenge. When it comes to minority small business owners and closing the staggering racial wealth gap, challenges such as unequal access to capital and business support systems often make their journey even tougher,” said Kedra Newsom Reeves, Managing Director and Partner at BCG and Co-Lead for The Center for Inclusion and Equity. “This research makes clear that while wealth growth through business ownership is achievable, public and private organizations play an integral role in supporting underserved communities and the budding entrepreneurs within them.”

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Rev. Dr. Johnnie Melvin Green, Jr., Senior Pastor of Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem, through the family of Jordan Neely, has requested Rev. Al Sharpton deliver his eulogy when he is laid to rest on Friday, May 19th.

Green is the longtime pastor for Neely’s family and presided over his mother’s funeral in 2007. The specifics of Neely’s funeral, including the time of his wake and service, are still in formation and will be released as soon as possible.

RELATED: Jordan Neely’s family responds to killer Daniel Penny’s admission of guilt

“I have asked Rev. Sharpton to deliver the eulogy at Jordan’s funeral, at the request and direction of the Neely family. As we face sorrow, pain, and uncertainty in the wake of Jordan’s senseless killing, it is crucial that we come together in the spirit of healing, action, and perseverance. I can think of no one better, no one more equipped to meet this moment with that grace and guidance than Rev. Sharpton.

Details on the arrangements are forthcoming and will be announced.

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