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HBCU track program inks six-figure deal with hair care brand

HBCU track program inks six-figure deal with hair care brand

Miami Herald14-05-2025
North Carolina A&T, the nation's largest HBCU, has announced a groundbreaking multi-year partnership with Mielle, a leading textured hair care brand, marking a \$200,000 investment in its nationally ranked track and field programs. This move further solidifies the role of HBCU athletic programs as key spaces for brand alignment, empowerment, and long-term impact.
As the official textured hair brand of A\&T's track and field program, Mielle's commitment goes beyond surface-level support. The company will provide annual product donations, educational resources on hair health, and direct funding to cover essentials like training, travel, and equipment. These contributions aim to close the funding gap often faced by HBCU athletic programs while enhancing the holistic wellness and confidence of Black student-athletes.
This partnership also reflects a deeper mission. Mielle, led by founder and CEO Monique Rodriguez, has built its reputation on community reinvestment. By aligning with North Carolina A&T, Mielle is not only amplifying a leading HBCU athletic brand but also fostering future leaders shaped by discipline, excellence, and culture.
The Aggies' track and field legacy speaks for itself-with multiple national titles, NCAA honors, and most recently, a CAA championship under Coach Allen Johnson. With this partnership, Mielle and NC A&T continue to push boundaries, proving that HBCU excellence is worth the investment-and ready to take center stage.
The post HBCU track program inks six-figure deal with hair care brand appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
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This Company Looks Like a Dividend Champion in the Making, and It Could Announce Another Dividend Hike Next Month

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Despite federal cuts to higher ed, Mass. free community college presses on, transforming students' lives
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In the latest fiscal budget, the Legislature allocated $120 million to fund both programs for the next year. 'We're proud that in a challenging budget year, Massachusetts was able to continue funding one of the most comprehensive free community college programs in the country,' said Noe Ortega, the state commissioner of Higher Education. To address students' unmet needs, schools across the state have begun opening food banks to support the In percent said improved access to food reduced their depression and anxiety. In 2022, Massachusetts launched the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, which supports food security efforts. The Legislature is now considering Kiara Rosario, a single mother, relied on food support from Roxbury Community College to get through a degree in psychology. She helped to set up the Rox Box, the school's food bank, to assist other students in need. Without state and federal aid, Rosario said she would not have been able to attend college. And without more tailored, individual support from RCC — such as gas cards and a work-study job — she would not have been able to stay enrolled. Advertisement Now graduated, she's hoping to finish her bachelor's in psychology at Boston College, and then to become a social worker. For inspiration, she holds onto how she felt a few years ago, when free community college was first announced. At the time, she was on a Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges advisory committee, which helped to design and implement the program. She was worried the state wouldn't be supportive. 'I had the perspective that the wealthy usually win, so I thought they would go against it,' she said. When it was approved, 'I couldn't believe it, it was our dream. I couldn't believe they were really listening to us.' This story was produced by the Globe's team, which covers the racial wealth gap in Greater Boston. You can sign up for the newsletter . Mara Kardas-Nelson can be reached at

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