AT&T Dream in Black recognizes 2022 HBCU rising future makers

By Liza Montgomery
Contributing Writer

AT&T Dream in Black awarded 25 honorees from its second Rising Future Markers Class. The 2022 class recognizes students, all from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, who are making a positive difference within their communities and on their campuses.

Among this year’s class is Miss Xavier, Nina Giddens, a senior, public health major at Xavier University of Louisiana who said that attending an HBCU is what has led her to a career rooted in service.

“The amount of people that I am connected to because of the educational institution I chose to go to has really made a difference in my life and I’m so glad that HBCUs are getting the amount of recognition they deserve for the amount of excellence that they put into our society,” Giddens said.

The year’s awardees will also each receive $5,000 presented by AT&T 5G, a 5G-enabled phone with one year of AT&T service, and other gifts from the company to acknowledge the new class of game-changing HBCU students. Dream in Black aims to give the students the resources they need to help pursue their professional dreams and goals, according to the company.

“To have a large company like AT&T see the work that I’ve been doing for many years, and not only see it but say ‘We want to support you and give you resources to continue this work and possibly turn it into a career’ means the absolute world to me. I really hope that this program serves as a stepping stone as I enter my career,” Giddens said.

Since the inaugural class of 2021, many students have graduated eager to begin their careers in law, health, communications, and politics with the networking and connections made through the opportunity, said Sabina Ahmed, the assistant vice president for Sponsorships & Experiential at AT&T.

“Since last year’s launch of the Rising Future Makers program, we have seen a surge in how our audience has tapped into the conversation – quadrupling the number of applications received for this class,” Ahmed said.

The program is intended to uplift, encourage, and support this prestigious class of HBCU students by providing them professional workshop opportunities, including mentoring sessions with AT&T executives focused on growing their network and advancing their career opportunities.

“[It’s] being highlighted and serving amongst an amazing class of other HBCU students who are doing astounding things on their campuses and communities as well,” said Kalaya Me’Kenzie Jadi Sibley, a senior at Dillard University and one of this year’s honorees who attended a special event on Dec. 9 at AT&T’s St. Charles Ave. store.

“Also, to know that I would receive mentorship and connections to expand my network of AT&T individuals and their partners to help advance me as a Black student and a future Black lawyer,” Sibley said.

The Dream in Black Rising Future Makers program will continue to honor their commitment to promoting young Black talent and guaranteeing they are not limited in access to mentorship opportunities and resources they need to jumpstart their careers.

“Through our collaboration with companies like Aux Cord Wars and our dedicated touchpoints at HBCUs across the country, we are excited about the continued potential of this initiative and look forward to supporting this next generation of leaders, providing them with the resources and connections they need to succeed,” Ahmed said.

This article originally published in the December 26, 2022 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.