HBCU graduates Laz Alonso (Howard University) and Keshia Knight Pulliam (Spelman College) were judges at the Home Depot Retool Your School event. Home Depot started this initiative to give back to Historically Black Colleges and Universities by donating sizable grants. The grants will be used towards improvements for the schools.
The 2013 Retool Your School Grants totaled $195,000 to be awarded as one $50,000 Tier I Grant, one $25,000 Campus Pride Grant for the school that received the most votes and social media activity, and 12 $10,000 Tier II Grants. Schools were required to submit a brief description of their projects by Feb. 11, 2013, for consideration.
“The Home Depot is thrilled to once again offer the Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant available to HBCU’s,” said Melissa Brown, manager of multicultural marketing, The Home Depot. “Now in its fourth year, we’ve seen incredible growth of support and popularity of the program. It is such a rewarding program connecting with our communities and it takes school spirit to a whole new level.”
This year, 75 HBCUs competed. The grand prize winner was Oakwood University in Huntsville, Ala.
