spelman college Archives - Rolling Out

There’s a line in the beloved Spelman College hymn that reads, “Beacons of heavenly light, Undaunted by the fight,” and Stacey Abrams embodies every word of that powerful phrase. A Spelman College graduate in the class of 1995, Abrams is living a life dedicated to public service, justice and advocacy — fighting for those who…

Melanie Hernquist is an entrepreneur and graphic designer who prides herself on creating joyful and inspiring items for women. Over the course of her career, she has worked in fashion publishing, beauty packaging, event design, and direct sales. Graphic design, however, is her passion. She has spent the past two years curating fashion, accessories, and…

Historically Black colleges and universities are pillars of education and success in the African American community, but they often lack the same funding as other institutions. MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, has decided to use her wealth to pour into HBCUs to ensure their continued success as a part of her…

As many companies have made blanket statements about their views on racial inequality, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter movement following the killing of George Floyd and numerous protests around the country, Netflix has made its support very clear. The entertainment company that was among the first to speak out is now taking its…

If you’ve ever gone to the hair salon for a blowout, silk press, or roller set and unforeseen bad weather has ruined your hair, you no longer have to face this dilemma. In 2016, Tracey Pickett launched Hairbrella, a fashionable and effective rain hat to keep your tresses dry no matter the forecast. The Spelman…

Isabella Jackson is the granddaughter of Atlanta’s first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson, and she is following in her grandfather’s footsteps while fighting for change. Jackson, 21, is a junior at Spelman College who has been attending the protests following the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis. Rolling out spoke with Jackson about her experience…

Marsai Martin will be honored by the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College even though college is still a few years away for the teenage actress and producer. The alumnae association’s Los Angeles chapter will recognize Martin at its annual Sisters’ Awards Brunch on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at the Skirball Cultural Center in LA. Joining…

Coffee giant Starbucks has tapped Nzinga Shaw as its global chief inclusion and diversity officer. Shaw, the Atlanta Hawks’ former chief inclusion & diversity officer, is heading to Seattle. “After five tremendous years, I am leaving the Atlanta Hawks to join the Starbucks family as chief inclusion & diversity officer. I am overly grateful to…

Officials at nationally renowned Spelman College have announced that the historically Black women’s institution has accepted a $2 million gift from billionaire Jon Stryker to create the first-ever queer studies at an HBCU, according to Forbes magazine. Stryker, is an architect, philanthropist and the founder and president of the Arcus Foundation, a private, global grantmaking…

Kathleen Bertrand is a multifaceted writer and recording artist with a stunning three-octave vocal range. The Atlanta native and Spelman College graduate has performed at two Olympic Games and jazz festivals around the globe, toured and recorded with jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers, and recorded six CDs. Bertrand currently serves as founder and executive producer of BronzeLens Film…

Taylor Danielle is a 27-year-old serial entrepreneur. She received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Spelman College and a master cosmetology license from Aveda Institute Atlanta. In 2017, Danielle opened Taylord Styles Beauty Loft, a boutique salon specializing in hair, makeup, lash extensions and nails. She is passionate about empowering women, whether that be by…

Thousands of students who attend HBCUs will become graduates this month. Before the grads enter the real world, it’s important for them to receive keen advice from commencement speakers who can provide words of encouragement. Here are 10 powerful HBCU commencement speakers for 2019. Marc H. Morial, Grambling University Marc H. Morial serves as president and…

Spelman College alumna Victoria Apenteng earned her undergraduate degree in psychology in 2014 and is currently working toward an MBA at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. In addition to working a full-time job at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and pursuing a master’s degree, she empowers others to live a fit and healthy lifestyle through her fitness platform, Bodied…

BET Networks recently unveiled its latest series, “American Soul,” which premiered its first episode Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. Filmed in Atlanta, the 10-episode series depicts the story of how Don Cornelius developed the hit music show “Soul Train.” Singers Kelly Rowland, Kelly Price and Bobby Brown and actor Brad James have starring roles. Actor and…

Atlanta is a bastion of Black intellectual capital cultivated in music, business and centers of higher education, including Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. hailed from Atlanta and attended Morehouse, where he studied under African American intellectuals like Benjamin E. Mays and forged a relationship with a spiritual…

During her years as a student at the prestigious Spelman College in Atlanta, Jasmine Walker was actively involved in numerous activities on the campus of the private women’s HBCU in Atlanta. She was a Morehouse College cheerleader as well as a dancer with Mahogany-N-Motion, the group of Spelman women who perform with Morehouse College “House of Funk” Marching Band. And…

Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a leading liberal arts college that produces exceptional and educated women of African descent who positively impact the world. This year, Spelman graduates are in for a sisterly speech from one of their own. Rosalind Gates Brewer, Starbucks‘ chief operating officer, is set to deliver Spelman College’s 131st commencement address…

“It was four years ago that Pastor [Jamal] Bryant, Butch [Graves] as well as Rev. Jesse Jackson came to Intel and talked to us about the importance of diversity and inclusion in tech,” says Pia Wilson-Body, executive director, Intel Foundation and director of Greater Americas, Corporate Affairs at Intel Corporation. “We’ve always thought this was…

While driving around Atlanta’s West End community, you will find colorful mini-libraries in public places. This art project called House of Knowledge (HOK) was developed by an aspirational college student. While volunteering at Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School in Atlanta, Spelman College student Deanna Hayden noticed the low tests scores among African American students. She created…

As the chief diversity and inclusion officer of the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena, Nzinga Shaw is the first person to hold the position in the National Basketball Association. Shaw credits her educational background from institutions such as Spelman College, the University of Pennsylvania, and studying abroad at the University of Oxford in the United…