African women leaders are becoming guiding lights for millions of girls who need to see what is possible. Their mentorship is a powerful force capable of transforming lives and shaping the development of the African girl child.
Higher education is under fire from every side: families questioning the return on investment, political pressure reshaping what campuses can say, and a cultural climate that treats disagreement as dangerous. And in the middle of that, Rev. Lamont Wells’ message throws a challenge: “If colleges were founded to widen access and form ethical citizens, why are so many institutions shrinking into fear?”
You may have heard the term STEM, but what does it stand for? It is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. But before it became a buzzword, it was already alive in our communities. From skincare formulas mixed in kitchens to our parents fixing what couldn’t be replaced, Black communities have always blended science, technology, and innovation into everyday life.
On a Saturday afternoon at Penn’s Gutman College House, a group of Black boys is doing something radical. They are learning to hold a violin bow or read sheet music; preparing to sit in a PEACE circle with total strangers and to facilitate a community-building circle session to complete their rite of passage.
Jumping straight into graduate school after finishing a bachelor’s degree sounds like the most logical next step. It felt like a smooth, professional decision. However, halfway through this first semester, I have realized it is a massive adjustment, but it is teaching me things about my resilience and capacity.
Grad school is intense. Some weeks feel like I am running on fumes, juggling deadlines, projects, and the constant pressure to prove myself.
With various educational support initiatives like grants, scholarships, alternative financial aid, student loans among many others, young Black teens from the ages of 15 – 17 years are gaining access to universities and enrolling for programs across various fields of study.
I don’t think anyone really prepares you for what it feels like to be responsible, let alone for little hearts and growing minds. I walked into the job thinking I was there to teach—to show up, lead with intention, guide behavior, model maturity. But what I didn’t expect was how much I’d learn in return. Not from a manual or a supervisor but from the very kids I was supposed to be teaching.
Nearly 70 students graduated from The Samuel Staten Sr. Pre-Apprenticeship Program (SSSPAP) recently at its Second Annual Graduation Ceremony at the Sheet Metal Workers’ Union Hall in Philadelphia. The program is one of the region’s top emerging, comprehensive programs providing opportunities for pre- training and other career pathways.
Here’s the thing about African higher education right now, it’s having a serious moment. For African students looking beyond the typical study abroad destinations, 2025 might just be the perfect time to consider the continent where it all began.
