Two HBCUs have partnered with Apple to create a community space for technology and creativity for Black students. Clark Atlanta will join the Apple and Tennessee State University’s HBCU C2 Community Initiative. The program was instituted as a teaching and learning initiative, designed to empower Historically Black Colleges and Universities to expand technology and creativity experiences within their institutions and broader communities.
Clark Atlanta University is now among nearly four dozen universities across the country serving as HBCU C2 community coding centers or regional hubs. The program which began in 2019, has offered new learning opportunities to thousands of degree-seeking students and community learners and has expanded their impact through partnerships with local K-12 schools, community organizations, and local governments.
As part of its partnership, Apple will provide support to Clark Atlanta University through equipment and ongoing professional development.
Through the program, faculty and educators will learn about coding and app development, and work with Apple to identify opportunities to incorporate its comprehensive Everyone Can Code and Everyone Can Create curricula. Not only does the partnership include equipment such as mobile iPad and Mac labs, but it will also provide opportunities for student jobs and scholarships, and funding for staff.
“We continue to move with momentum to ensure our scholars at Clark Atlanta University have access to a world class education and that mission includes offering initiatives that focus on technology and enhancing their analytical thinking skills,” said CAU President George T. French Jr. “We want our students to exercise their creativity, be competitive in the world of technology and be included in the technology career pipeline. Initiatives such as this bring them one step closer to that goal.”
The partnership with CAU will ultimately bring the HBCU C2 community for coding and creativity to Atlanta and invite HBCUs in other major cities to join.
