February 24, 2024 - March 1, 2024 The Afro-American A5 THE BLACKwww.afro.com MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM $2.00 $1.00
Volume 132 No. 30
FEBRUARY 24 , 2024 - MARCH 1, 2024
Black excellence on full display at 2024 BEYA STEM Conference Artificial intelligence and HBCU funding key topics of discussion
AFRO Photos / Edoghogho Joy Ugiagbe
The BEYA STEM Conference returned to Baltimore on Feb. 15 for the first time in over a decade. The event highlighted Black students, professionals and members of the military that have made strides in the armed forces and STEM fields. Shown here, Tyrone Taborn (top left), chairman and founder Clear Communication Group, which hosted the conference, Morgan State University (MSU) student Alyson Jones and MSU President David Wilson, Ed.D. The conference pulled together leaders in the STEM and military fields, as well as dignitaries and elected officials like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (bottom, left) and Vice Admiral Anthony Wins. By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
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Several experts in artificial intelligence (AI) gathered at the 2024 Becoming Everything You Are (BEYA) STEM Conference on Feb. 16 to discuss the power and potential of the emerging technology. The seminar addressed the importance of AI adoption, its impact on the workforce and barriers to implementing technology. Fear, triggered by
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misconceptions and a lack of education, was named as one of the most significant challenges to individuals embracing AI. “The first problem is education. There’s a lack of information around what these technologies can and can’t do,” said Marcus Finley, CEO and digital director of FIN Digital. “The first thing people think of is ‘Terminator,’ the end of the world or that their
data is insecure if they use AI tools or technologies.” Without proper education about AI, individuals– especially those who are underserved– may refuse or be unable to use the technology. This could delay tech equity, preventing people from having equal opportunities to utilize and benefit from emerging technologies. “Tech equity is a major issue across our nation
when it comes to minorities leveraging technology and being aware of technology,” said Howard R. Jean, CEO and co-founder of Black Meta Agency. “Creating partnerships with BEYA and corporations [is important] to addressing equity.” Tonia Bledsoe, a certified AI consultant and strategist, recommended that people test AI tools, Continued on A3
Biden Administration announces $1.2 billion in student debt forgiveness for 153,000 borrowers By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire In a significant move to alleviate the burden of student debt, the Biden administration revealed on Feb 21, its decision to automatically forgive $1.2 billion in student loans for 153,000 borrowers. Those eligible for debt relief are individuals enrolled in the saving on a valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan who have diligently made payments for at least 10 years. The Department of Education said it would
email those who will receive the debt cancellation today, another step in the administration’s ongoing efforts to address the nation’s staggering $1.77 trillion student debt crisis. The announcement comes after the Supreme Court invalidated the administration’s previous plan for widespread student loan forgiveness, which aimed to assist over 40 million borrowers in wiping away up to $20,000 in debt. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized the administration’s commitment
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
The Biden-Harris Administration announces student loan forgiveness for one group of Americans.
AFRO Archives on display at Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis By Bacarri Byrd Special to the AFRO The AFRO Archives are officially on display in the Banneker Douglass Museum as of Feb. 24 with the opening of the exhibit, “REVISIT/REIMAGINE: The Civil Rights Era in Maryland and Parallels of Today.” The multidisciplinary exhibition is a tribute to the enduring legacy of the civil rights era and its profound influence on Maryland’s social landscape. The exhibition
showcases 43 rarely seen photographs from the archives of the AFRO American Newspapers, allowing visitors to see history in a new light. The exhibit includes captivating works from Maryland artists, highlighting the ongoing impact of the civil rights movement on art and culture. This exhibition coincides with Governor Wes Moore’s declaration of 2024 as “The Year of Civil Rights in Maryland,” leading up to the momentous anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on July 2.
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to providing relief, stating, “If you’ve been paying for a decade, you’ve done your part, and you deserve relief.” This latest move brings total approved loan relief to nearly 3.9 million borrowers, with a cumulative debt cancellation of almost $138 billion through various executive actions. The 153,000 qualifying borrowers represent the first group to benefit from the SAVE plan policy, which allows debt forgiveness after ten years of repayment for those who borrowed $12,000 or less in student loans. Originally scheduled Continued on A3
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