HBCU ALERT — Howard University has reinstated more than 200 of the 502 incoming students it initially disenrolled over financial and enrollment deadlines. The interim president outlined changes to improve future communications, including clearer messaging about payment requirements and more direct support for students navigating the process. Hundreds remain without spots weeks before the fall semester begins August 17.
POLICY WATCH — Maryland and Vermont enacted state Voting Rights Acts that provide new legal avenues for voters to pursue claims against attempts to suppress or dilute votes of protected communities, as federal courts chip away at the original Voting Rights Act. California, Connecticut, Colorado, Virginia, and Washington also enacted laws to protect election systems from interference.
HEALTH EQUITY — Black Houstonians live an average of 72.8 years compared to 77.5 for white residents; Black infants die at twice the rate of white infants; and Black women face the highest pregnancy-related mortality rates. UH Health brings medicine, nursing, pharmacy, optometry, psychology, and social work under one structure to address these disparities through community clinics and coordinated care.
President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the largest Medicaid cut in the program's history, into law. Black Americans, who comprise over 20% of Medicaid recipients, will face devastating coverage gaps beginning November.
A screening of the award-winning documentary 'Can We Kick It?' was held at Morgan State University on August 1; the film won Best Documentary at the 2026 People's Film Festival.
Visionaries awards one founder $10,000 in unrestricted cash each cycle for operations, growth, marketing, hiring, or infrastructure; the program is moving to monthly awards after this initial round.
The 2026 Sephora Beauty Grant designed for underrepresented beauty founders offers support with scaling, mentorship, retail visibility, and brand development for product-based beauty brands with strong growth potential.
| S&P 500 | 7,757.64 +0.6% | |
| Dow Jones | 54,036.93 +0.3% | |
| 30-Yr Mortgage | 6.69% | FRED / Freddie Mac |
| CPI (YoY) | 3.5% | BLS via FRED |
| Bitcoin | $64,944 +0.3% | CoinGecko |
| Ethereum | $1,916 +0.0% | CoinGecko |
| UONE | $5.16 | -1.1% |
| RLJ | $11.13 | -6.6% |
| CARV | $1.70 | +0.3% |
Founded in 2016 by CEO Denise Woodard when her daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, Partake is a Certified B Corp offering delicious, allergy-friendly cookies, baking mixes, and pancake & waffle mixes free of the top 9 allergens. Now in 18,000+ stores across the U.S., Partake makes snacking safe, joyful, and inclusive.
Visit Business →The UNCF STEM Scholars Program awards 75 scholarships to students aspiring to earn STEM degrees, with up to $25,000 in tiered support, academic mentoring, career guidance, and funding for approved internships with stipends up to $5,000.
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