We know the phrase - Go Big or Go Home! Well Spelman College, one of two women-only institutions designated as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), has announced their most ambitious fundraising initiative to date. 

The school’s target of $250 million, under the banner of Spelman Ascends, has already attracted $240 million representing 96% of the intended goal. The remaining $10 million is expected to come from this public phase. 

With the campaign set to end in 2024, Spelman College has strategically given itself plenty of time to meet and exceed this goal. 

Why wouldn’t they? Spelman has a long history of excellence! Here are just a few of the accolades they have accumulated over the years.

• Spelman is the country's leading producer of Black women who complete Ph.D.s in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines.

• US News and World Report ranks Spelman No. 4 for social mobility of graduates among liberal arts colleges.

• The Wall Street Journal ranked the College No. 3, nationally, in terms of student satisfaction. 

• Two of the distinguished grads whose names are in current media cycles include Stacey Abrams and Rosalind Brewer. There are more! So many more!

In speaking of the campaign, here is how Rosalind Brewer (Spelman Class of 1984, CEO of Walgreens, only Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company and chair of the Spelman College Board of Trustees) puts it: “The excellence of Spelman College has significant impact on our global community. The investment that our generous supporters continue to make to our beloved institution transforms lives and lifts communities.”

The press release identified the strategic priorities for Spelman College in this mega effort as:

• delivering on the promise of graduating with a competitive edge every student who enrolls at Spelman;

• elevating the Spelman difference through support of the College’s extraordinary faculty;

• enhancing the technology and operational infrastructure;

• and promoting academic innovation by developing new programs and a new academic facility.

The HBCU Career Center will continue to do its part to expand awareness of the role that HBCUs, like Spelman College, have played in building America’s diverse workforce.