The first innovation hub built for the future of HBCUs

The PROPEL Center prepares HBCU talent for the future of work, unlocking opportunities and serving as the premier platform to connect with world-class talent across the HBCU ecosystem.

Our Story

The concept of PROPEL was born in 2019 as a proactive solution for systemic barriers impacting HBCUs. As the United States wrestled yet again with the turmoil of social injustice and historical inequalities, companies reacted by investing in equity approaches. Yet, there was still no comprehensive solution for workforce disparities.

Our journey began with a simple yet profound vision: To create enduring prosperity and improve lives through transformative educational approaches.

Envisioned as an innovation hub that upskills and catapults Black talent from the HBCU ecosystem, PROPEL and founding partners Apple and Southern Company are committed to fostering a new generation of Black leaders via programming and workforce development.

To date, we've provided over 1 million dollars in scholarships and 4 million dollars in institutional grants. In an ever-changing world, PROPEL prepares HBCU talent for the future of work, today.

How We PROPEL

Accelerating innovation for all HBCUs.

With a cutting-edge virtual and physical learning center, PROPEL moves at the speed of technology to offer HBCU students the training they need to be leaders in the future workforce.

Cultivating tomorrow’s change-makers today.

PROPEL offers HBCU students comprehensive training and tools to catalyze their growth as creative, justice-minded leaders – who are fully equipped to change the world.

Connecting HBCUs with new opportunities.

PROPEL is the central hub to connect industry with the nation’s HBCU students. We partner with companies to offer programming and work-based learning experiences that prepare students for lasting success.

Our Mission and Vision

To advance economic equity by developing future-ready learners and connecting them to a global workforce.

The premier learning hub that bridges talent and industry for boundless economic opportunity.

Meet the Team

Lisa Herring
President
Michael Johnson
Chief of Staff
Dr. Camesha Whitaker
Chief Learning & Innovation Officer
Dr. Dione Simon
Chief Impact & Programs Officer
Dr. Glenn Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inga Willis
Sr. Advisor to the President for Government & External affairs
Dr. Kenneth Bota
Director of Grants & Research Management
Ashley Sutton
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Mark Anthony Wright, M.ED.
Director, Digital Learning & Industrial Design
Joseph Barrett
Sr. Director of Student Partnerships & Impact
Kenneth Lewis
Senior Program Manager
Darryl Perkins
Director, Worked-based Learning
Dr. Carl Moore
Executive Fellow
Ashleigh Stubbs
Student Success Coach
Khadejah Makkieh
Student Success Coach
O’Brian Spann
Student Success Coach
Lisa Herring
President
Michael Johnson
Chief of Staff
Dr. Camesha Whitaker
Chief Learning & Innovation Officer
Dr. Dione Simon
Chief Impact & Programs Officer
Dr. Glenn Spencer
Chief Development Officer

Our Journey

January
2021
Founded
Launch of PROPEL initiative with Founding Partners Apple & SOCO.
December
2021
Awarded Industry Impact Grants
PROPEL awarded $3M in 15 Industry Impact Grants to HBCUs.
February
2022
Launch Program with Apple
Launch of Beats Campaign & Ambassadors program with Apple.
March 2022
Awarded $1M in Student Scholarships
PROPEL awarded scholarships in entrepreneurship, agritech, social justice, A&E, and energy.
Summer
2022
Arts & Entertainment
PROPEL launches Arts & Entertainment Accelerator. Collaboration begins with Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation Foundation Scholarship fund for HBCU students. Partnerships secured with Disney.
August
2022
PROPEL Center Site
Announcement of location of the future PROPEL Center site at CAU.
August
2023
PROPEL Learn App Launches
Virtual classes connect all 107 HBCU’s. Providing access to the nation’s most respected faculty in higher education and the world’s most influential business minds across industries.
September
2023
New President:
Lisa Herring
Announcement of Dr. Lisa Herring as new PROPEL Center President.