December 21, 2024
The donations represent the latest effort to reinforce the tech giant’s commitment to diversifying into the cybersecurity industry.
Stillman College, a private Presbyterian HBCU in Alabama, and North Carolina Central University, an HBCU in Durham, North Carolina, both recently received $1 million in donations from Google, representing the latest efforts to reinforce the tech giant’s commitment to diversifying the cybersecurity field.
By: Al.com:, Stillman’s donation on Dec. 17 in honor of the Oct. 5 death of Kevin Lamar Harris, who founded the university’s HBCU Cybersecurity Clinic in 2022 and was also credited for playing a “pivotal role” in securing a $500,000 donation from the Google Cybersecurity Clinics Foundation in 2023 . .
According to a university press release announces donationMaab Ibrahim, Google’s head of cybersecurity, said Harris was inspired by the tech company to fund additional clinics at other HBCUs and minority-serving institutions.
“Dr. Harris was instrumental in Google’s decision to provide $500,000 to Stillman College in support of the first cyber security clinic at an HBCU. His leadership inspired and facilitated our funding of additional clinics at minority-serving institutions, which now include four other HBCUs, also tribal and women’s service colleges; a legacy that will forever honor his memory,” Ibrahim explained.
Harris’ contributions were echoed by Dr. Yolanda W. Paige, president of Stillman College, in a press release.
“Dr. Harris’ untimely death is a tremendous loss to Stillman and the HBCU community,” said Page. “He pursued a cyber security clinic at Stillman. He also helped other HBCUs establish clinics on their campuses the work he started with the Consortium of Cyber Security Clinics to his work and legacy live on. We are grateful to Google for this gift to honor his legacy here at Stillman College.”
In a similar move on December 11, North Carolina Central University received a donation of 1 million dollars from Google to create the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research, the first such program at any HBCU in America.
According to NCCU Chancellor Kerry G. The partnership between Dixon, the university and Google will help prepare students to become leaders in the field of artificial intelligence.”
“North Carolina Central University is grateful to Google for a transformational investment of $1 million to establish the Institute for Research in Artificial Intelligence and Justice, a historic first for an HBCU,” said Chancellor Dixon.
He continued. “This partnership will prepare our students with the tools and knowledge to lead the field of artificial intelligence while developing technologies that benefit society at large. Through partnerships with corporations, local community colleges and universities, and the Research Triangle Park network, the institute will serve as a workforce an epicenter of development, research and innovation, empowering students to lead one of the most influential industries of our time and help advance AI as a force for good in the world.”
Melonie Parker, Google’s chief diversity officer and inclusion officer, echoed Chancellor Dixon’s sentiments in her own statement.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming industries around the world, and it’s important that AI technologies thrive on equity and inclusion,” Parker said. innovation in intelligence, empowering a diverse group of future leaders to address both the technical and ethical challenges in this rapidly evolving field.”
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