Bloomberg’s $20 Million Boost For HBCU Charter Schools
A pilot project at Stillman College has turned into a $20 million donation from billionaire Michael Bloomberg's Philanthropies and the City Fund for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Alabama to invest in charter schools. The I Dream Big Charter School at Stillman became the first of two such charter schools in the state in August.
The academy broke ground on the facility in April and welcomed students in grades 6-8, this fall and will add a grade level every year. Located on the Stillman campus, the new building shares a parking lot with Stillman College’s Houston H. Harte Center, which is home to Stillman’s School of Education. The intent of the tuition-free school is to serve the underserved and pave the way for first generation college students.
New Schools for Alabama is a part of the coalition developing the HBCU associated charter schools. CEO Tyler Barnett calls the schools an opportunity, "... to make a difference in the educational opportunities that kids in typically underprivileged communities have access to,”
Stillman College President Yolanda Page told Forbes that the partnership is already strengthening both academic engagement and community ties with 745 students and aims to reach 1,000 by 2030.
“The partnership between Stillman and I Dream Big Charter School reflects our commitment to Communiversity — a vision where the college and community collaborate to expand educational access, empower families, and cultivate leaders for the future,” Page has said. “We believe this collaboration will not only change the lives of these students but will strengthen West Alabama for generations.”
The D.C. Wolfe Charter School in Shorter, which is being converted from an existing elementary school is expected to open in next fall with a similar association with Tuskegee University.
Jasmine Jenkins, senior program officer for education and advocacy at Bloomberg Philanthropies, told Forbes the initial $10 million donation to the United Negro College Fund to support charter programs serving black students in 2022 was the beginning of the HBCU/Charter School idea. "The long-term goal," she said, "is to expand the model across Alabama, throughout the South, and eventually nationwide.
Read More: Alabama’s First HBCU-Partnered Charter School Opens | https://953thebear.com/alabamas-first-hbcu-partnered-charter-school/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
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