Collectively, we now have the collective energy to activate progress and create transformative change. As we observe Juneteenth and honor the African American/Black group, it’s a reminder to proceed to amplify our voice to comprehend the total potential of social justice motion. I’m proud to be a part of our firm’s daring pledge to positively influence the world round us – and supply an replace on Cisco’s dedication to Traditionally Black Schools and Universities (HBCUs).

“Via the ability of connection and a passionate ecosystem, we’ll proceed

to empower HBCUs to the forefront of innovation, alternative, and management.” 

As an government sponsor for Cisco’s Social Justice Actions, I assist steward our firm’s five-year US$150 million dedication to HBCUs. Our mission is to create a generational influence by means of expertise modernization and STEM training entry. We concentrate on 4 areas of influence and we’ve seen early success throughout every. In complete, Cisco has positively impacted 50% of addressable 4-year HBCU establishments within the U.S., and beneath are a few of the vital milestones.

Supporting HBCU STEM college students

• US$25 million donated to the “Entry to Training” endowment
• 35 HBCUs taking part
• 266 college students supported

Constructing expertise excellence

• US$61 million invested in 28 new expertise installations
• 46 Nationwide Institute of Requirements and Know-how (NIST) assessments accomplished

Selling success earlier than and past commencement

Advancing info sharing and engagement

• Cisco’s HBCU Advisory Board established
• Training Pathway for HBCUs launched to Cisco staff

An essential ingredient of the fourth focus space is our potential to evangelize their tales and actively join others behind our imaginative and prescient for HBCUs. An exquisite instance of that is the just-debuted Cisco Tales movie about Jolene Butts Freeman from the Workplace of Institutional Development at Clark Atlanta College (CAU), the place Jolene shares her private expertise and views on Cisco’s partnership with CAU.

Watching Jolene discuss CAU’s relationship with Cisco makes what we’re doing much more compelling – and for me, pressing. There may be nonetheless a lot to do to attain the social justice influence we’re after, and our work to equip HBCUs with long-term, sustainable methods centered on scholar and college success is shifting ahead in full pressure. Via the ability of connection and a passionate ecosystem, we’ll proceed to empower HBCUs to the forefront of innovation, alternative, and management.

Share: