Stillman President Dr. Yolanda Page said the funding arrives at a pivotal moment as the school prepares for its Sesquicentennial and works to stabilize its long-term fiscal footing. She compared the effort to laying a foundation that would endure far beyond the current administration.
“It’s like building a house,” Page said. “When the original owner builds a house, they want to make sure they’re building it on a very firm foundation… That’s what I want to establish at Stillman.”
Private donors and philanthropic leaders have recently stepped in to ease those disparities, with figures such as MacKenzie Scott contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to Black colleges nationwide. Stillman, however, is the only Alabama HBCU selected for the Brilliance Initiative’s first cohort.
Another primary goal is to digitize critical architectural documents and records. Page recalled that the college had to track down former employees to obtain blueprints for a recent project. “There has to be a better way to do this,” she said, emphasizing that digital archives will prevent those delays in the future.
Despite the costs, Page said the investment is essential for creating a strong learning environment and strengthening Stillman’s mission. “That Black legacy is important,” she said. “A lot of that legacy… is about being financially secure.”
RELATED CONTENT: Inaugural Artist In Residence Dr. Yaba Blay and Most Incredible Studio Create ‘The BAMBOO,’ Elevating Icon to Cultural Artifact
Source: Black Enterprise
