Spelman College Receives Record Breaking 100 Million Dollar Donation
On Thursday, January 18th, One of the leading Black women’s institutions in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology, Spelman College, announced that it will be receiving the largest donation any HBCU has ever received. We discuss it here!
Photo Credit: UNCF.org
By: Joshua Martin
On Thursday, January 18th, One of the leading Black women’s institutions in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology, Spelman College, announced that it will be receiving the largest donation any HBCU has ever received. According to sources, the generous $100 million contribution was donated by Ronda E. Stryker and her husband William D. Johnson. Both are pillars in the Atlanta community as she has served as a Spelman trustee since 1997 and as a Greenleaf Trust chairman.
Stryker, the billionaire businesswoman who for several decades helmed her family’s namesake medical equipment company, is one of the longest-serving board members at Spelman. While her husband, Johnston, has given significant donations to the college before, with the latest being the largest.
Spelman immediately took to social media to share the historic news by releasing an official statement of gratitude towards the married couple for the funds and pictures of faculty, students, and alumni reacting to the monumental announcement.
“Yesterday, we were excited to share news of a historic donation to Spelman College by longtime Trustee Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston. The Spelman community was joined by members of our board of trustees and other special guests to celebrate the generous contribution during a spirited event in Sisters Chapel. #100for100Spelman”
Spelman Board Chair Lovette Russell addressed the hundreds in attendance, initially breaking the news to the ladies in the audience, calling the moment “transformational.”
“Let me share with you that this $100 million gift is the largest in Spelman’s history. It is also the largest single donation to any HBCU. Honestly, it’s a transformational gift to any institution, period. We are so grateful, proud, and inspired by this phenomenal gift. ”
Spelman College announces a record-breaking $100 million donation — the largest-ever single donation to any HBCU: “Today is a major step to ensure more young women can achieve their dreams.” pic.twitter.com/5Hqv7ixqR8
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) January 18, 2024
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the vast majority of the donation will be allocated to scholarship funds. At the same time, the remaining monies will be used to improve campus conditions, which will include improved and renovated dormitories and a stronger emphasis on public safety and democracy. Spelman President Dr. Helene Gayle elaborated on their plans to use these huge financial commitments to create better experiences for future Jaguars.
“The ability to secure the future for the kinds of young women that I see every day on campus was just awe-inspiring and incredibly, deeply emotional and deeply moving. I hope this is a message that says HBCUs that already punch well above their weight are worth investing in. We know that there’s a huge return in investment.”
The National Science Foundation has ranked Spelman among the top U.S. higher education institutions whose students go on to earn their Ph.D. and has ranked it specifically as the leading producer of Black women who subsequently earn their doctorates in STEM fields, according to the college.
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Colin Kaepernick Will Fund Independent Autopsy of Lashawn Thompson Who Died in Bug Infested Cell
Former NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick will fund an independent autopsy of Lashawn Thompson, a Fulton County Jail inmate who passed away last year while in custody and his bed was infested with bed bugs. We discuss it here!
Colin Kaepernick with the San Francisco 49ers
Photo: AP PHOTO/TED S. WARREN.
By: Omar Cook
According to civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick will fund an independent autopsy of Lashawn Thompson, a Fulton County Jail inmate who passed away last year while in custody in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thompson's family alleges that he was consumed by bed bugs and lice, as evidenced by the bite marks that were discovered all over his body. Colin Kaepernick, a free agent in the NFL and activist, is now offering his support to Thompson's family.
These are the conditions of the Fulton County Jail, where Lashawn Thompson was found dead, covered in lice and feces. At the time of his death, over 90% of his unit was severly malnourished. EVERY person had lice or scabies.
— Clara T Green (@ClaraTGreen) April 13, 2023
He was 35 years old. pic.twitter.com/OnQYGgo4ZL
Although the initial autopsy report from the Fulton County medical examiner listed Lashawn Thompson's cause of death as "undetermined," it did acknowledge an "extremely severe" bug infestation that may have exacerbated other health problems. Yesterday, on April 20th, it was revealed that Colin Kaepernick will finance a second autopsy. The former San Francisco 49ers player reached out to civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump, who is representing the victim's family, to ensure that accurate information about Thompson's death is obtained.
At the press conference, Attorney Ben Crump announced that Colin Kaepernick would help fund an independent autopsy of Lashawn Thompson. The medical examiner’s report did not determine a cause of death but did note the severe bed bug infestation. pic.twitter.com/BWDg9DJFjl
— Matthew Pearson (@justmattphotoj) April 20, 2023
Michael Harper, who is legally representing Thompson's family, stated, "The cell he was in was not fit for a diseased animal. This is inexcusable and it’s deplorable." After expressing his condolences to Thompson's family, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat issued a statement acknowledging that the type of infestations that led to Thompson's death could be a recurring issue in a facility where many detainees sleep on the floor due to overcrowding. Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff has taken measures by initiating an inquiry into the jail where Thompson passed away, as well as two other county jails.
Colin Kaepernick has previously supported families of victims in similar circumstances. As per Sports Illustrated, the former quarterback disclosed in 2022 that he would fund several independent investigations via his Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative. Kaepernick continues to be a voice for change and is using his platform to fight for injustices around America.
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