UDC receives $300K grant from Propel Center to support AgriTech in Anacostia

The University of the District of Columbia is one of 15 institutions chosen to share $3 million for student and research-centered projects collectively through the Propel Center, an Apple-funded global campus headquartered in Atlanta that supports learning and developments for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The Propel Center presented the University with a $300,000 check on March 24. The proposal, led by Green Infrastructure Project Specialist (CAUSES) Harris Trobman, and Assistant Professor Hossain Azam, Ph.D., aims to establish an effective agrotechnology-based partnership with schools in Ward 8 (Anacostia), an underserved community in Washington D.C., with the help of the Propel Center and Apple. This work will expand UDC’s existing Urban Food Hubs located at PR Harris (Ward 8), East Capitol Urban Farm (Ward 7), Maya Angelou Charter School (Ward 7), Bertie Backus Campus and Community College (Ward 5) and the Van Ness Campus (Ward 3).

The Propel Center is committed to advancing equity in education by serving as a global leadership and innovation hub for HBCUs.

UDC wants to assist in developing the next leaders of innovation by creating sustainable agriculture and technology in Anacostia High School and its middle school feeders.

“We will create a sustainable pipeline of technical, business-ready, climate-conscious and entrepreneurial talent from the vast sources of untapped potential in Black, brown, and economically disadvantaged communities,” said UDC president Ronald Mason Jr.

“UDC will also develop training and mentorship programs with D.C. public school students and faculty members on agrotechnology and climate change.”

For more information about Propel, please visit their website.