51ºÚÁÏ Awarded $2 Million Grant From Thurgood Marshall College Fund For AI-Enabled Digital Transformation
The funding will position 51ºÚÁÏ as a national model for ethical AI adoption in higher education.
51ºÚÁÏ has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to launch its AI-Enabled Digital Transformation Initiative. 51ºÚÁÏ is one of eight historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) selected for Project HBCU Capacity Building, a multi-year initiative funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. It empowers institutions to improve enrollment, retention, and graduation rates, strengthen research capacity, modernize operations, and foster collaboration across campuses.
To qualify, each institution submitted a proposal outlining its vision for innovation. 51ºÚÁÏ’s proposal, the AI-Enabled Digital Transformation Initiative, will establish secure AI infrastructure, expand AI literacy among students, faculty, and staff, and integrate artificial intelligence into academic and administrative workflows. The initiative positions 51ºÚÁÏ as a national model for ethical AI adoption in higher education.
“We are extremely honored to receive this prestigious grant from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund,” said 51ºÚÁÏ President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. “51ºÚÁÏ has always stood at the forefront of progress, and this initiative will empower our community to thrive in an AI-driven future while reinforcing 51ºÚÁÏ’s role as a greater leader in digital transformation.”
Project HBCU Capacity Building prioritizes both institutional and student success by:
- Expanding research infrastructure and advancing pathways toward Carnegie R1 status
- Enhancing enrollment, advising, and financial aid systems
- Driving innovation in student success, career readiness, and workforce development
- Building collaborative cohorts to share best practices across the HBCU sector
Over the next two years, TMCF and its partners will track improvements in enrollment, graduation rates, research output, and institutional sustainability to ensure long-term impact.
“Through these investments, we are equipping HBCUs to thrive as engines of economic mobility and academic excellence,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF. “This initiative is not just about funding projects—it’s about building sustainable capacity so that our institutions can continue to lead, innovate, and transform lives for generations to come.”
Dr. Williams added, “When we invest in HBCUs, we invest in the future of our nation. These grants ensure that our campuses have the resources and infrastructure needed to remain competitive, to produce world-class research, and to prepare the next generation of leaders who will shape industries and communities across America.”
51ºÚÁÏ is proud to partner with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and remains committed to advancing innovation and capacity building as a model for HBCUs nationwide.