PepsiCo Donates $350K To Help HBCU Students In STEM

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PepsiCo is making a significant donation to several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to support Black students in exploring career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). With Black professionals comprising only 9% of the STEM workforce, PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation are addressing the gap by investing $350,000 in financial support and resources specifically for HBCUs with their “Taste of Tomorrow” campaign, according to a press release. 

Over the next four months, the company will donate $250,000 in scholarships for STEM students across nine HBCUs—Benedict College, Bethune-Cookman University, Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Morgan State University, North Carolina Central University, and Prairie View A&M University—for the 2025 school year.

Additionally, PepsiCo is providing $100,000 to Florida A&M University and Prairie View A&M University to enhance their STEM programs and support innovation. The funding will also bring an R&D educational workshop series to the HBCU campuses to further advance their STEM education initiatives. Students can apply for the “Taste of Tomorrow” scholarship now and applications will be accepted from Sept. 9 through Dec. 2.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are often under-financed due to a combination of historical, economic, and systemic factors.

Established during a time of racial segregation and discrimination, HBCUs have historically received less funding compared to predominantly white institutions (PWIs), leaving them with long-term financial disadvantages. HBCUs, both public and private, have significantly smaller endowments compared to non-HBCUs, largely due to historical inequities and discriminatory practices like redlining and blockbusting. These harmful practices have created substantial racial wealth gaps, which in turn affect racial disparities in charitable giving.

Research indicates that in 2021, the endowment per full-time student for public HBCUs was approximately 50% of that for public non-HBCUs, which can limit their financial resources and growth potential. The disparity is even more pronounced at private institutions, where the average endowment per full-time student at HBCUs is about 21% of that at non-HBCUs. Many HBCUs, being public institutions, rely heavily on state funding, which can be uneven or insufficient. PepsiCo’s donation is intended to support students in enrolling in STEM-related courses and to help HBCUs enhance their existing programs, thereby enabling students to excel in the field.

“HBCUs are a critical pillar of impact, influence, and opportunity, nurturing the next generation of Black leaders,” said Kent Montgomery, Senior Vice President, Industry Relations and Multicultural Development at PepsiCo, in a statement. “We are eager to continue our long-standing commitment of supporting diverse talent in our business and provide students with the resources needed to thrive in their careers and make a positive impact on the world. With the launch of this campaign, we’re not only helping to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce for the STEM field, but also drive innovation and progress in the food industry.”

Apply to the “Taste of Tomorrow” scholarship here.

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