NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A new partnership between Fisk University and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law is creating opportunities for Fisk students to contribute directly to research, policy and advocacy addressing civic challenges across the South. Launched earlier this year through Fisk University’s John Lewis Center for Social Justice, the Partnership for Southern Impact brings together Fisk’s longstanding relationships and expertise in the South with the Brennan Center’s nationally recognized, nonpartisan work in democracy and justice. Based at Fisk’s Nashville campus, the initiative serves as a hub for research, collaboration and nonpartisan solutions aimed at making state and…
Author: Fisk University
Fisk is the only HBCU awarded funding under the Civil Discourse priority area of the national competition NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Fisk University has been awarded a $4 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) to expand the Justice Propulsion Lab (JPL) and its work in civil discourse, constitutional literacy and conflict transformation. Fisk is the only Historically Black College or University awarded funding under the Civil Discourse priority area of the national competition. The four-year award represents a significant federal investment in Fisk’s growing work at the intersection of justice,…
Ceremony held in partnership with the National Bar Association Judicial Council during the NBA’s 101st Annual Convention in Nashville NASHVILLE, Tenn. Fisk University hosted a statue unveiling and dedication ceremony honoring the life and legacy of Justice Adolpho A. Birch, Jr. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Jubilee Hall’s Appleton Room. The invitation-only ceremony was held in partnership with the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association as part of the National Bar Association’s 101st Annual Convention, taking place in Nashville from July 25–31, 2026. The event celebrated Justice Birch’s contributions as a jurist, educator, civil rights advocate, and trailblazer whose…
Fisk University is proud to announce the receipt of a renewed $75,000 scholarship gift from the Patterson Family Foundation for the 2026-2027 academic year. The award will provide ten scholarships of $7,500 each to Fisk students, continuing a transformative partnership that expands educational access and supports student success. “The Patterson Family Foundation’s continued investment reflects a shared belief in the power of storytelling and education to change lives,” said Dr. Agenia W. Clark, President of Fisk University. “Because of their generosity, another cohort of Fisk scholars will have the freedom to pursue their studies without the weight of financial barriers…
NASHVILLE, TN – FirstGen Forward, the center for first-generation student success, recently announced Fisk University as one of five (5) higher education institutions to receive the TIAA Innovation Award. The award, provided by FirstGen Forward with support from TIAA, will support new or existing programs, services, or initiatives that implement creative approaches to enhancing campus-wide success for first-generation students. “We are extremely honored to be selected for a TIAA Innovation Award,” said Fisk University’s Executive Director of Student Success, Dr. Dametraus Jaggers. The TIAA Innovation Award provides institutions with $10,000 in unrestricted funds to apply to first-generation student success initiatives in…
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Fisk University today unveiled “Quantum Leap,” the most robust campus master plan in its 160-year history, symbolizing university leadership’s commitment to ensuring the growth and sustainability of Fisk in perpetuity. This strategic multi-decade roadmap maximizes the institution’s footprint – within existing campus borders – positioning Fisk to serve its students and faculty by revitalizing historic infrastructure, expanding academic resources, and building modern facilities, including a $400 million innovation center to be developed on the southern end of Fisk’s campus. Quantum Leap brings an estimated $1 billion project to North Nashville over the next decade, marking the largest investment in the…
Nashville, Tennessee – Fisk University, one of the nation’s oldest historically Black universities (HBCUs), is proud to announce Academy Award nominee Delroy Lindo as the keynote speaker for the University’s 152nd Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Lindo earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Sinners, a critically acclaimed film that earned a record-breaking 16 Academy Award nominations. Lindo has built a distinguished career across television, film, and theater since his acting debut in 1976, delivering a range of culturally impactful performances. His notable film roles include West Indian Archie in Malcolm X, Woody Carmichael…
Nashville, Tenn. (January 13, 2026) – Fisk University has been awarded a $100,000 grant from The Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation to support the development of its new Student Success Center. This transformative investment will strengthen the university’s commitment to holistic student support and academic excellence. At a time when colleges and universities are navigating reductions to federal student support programs, the Student Success Center reflects Fisk University’s proactive approach to ensuring continuity, access, and stability in the services students rely on to succeed. The Student Success Center will serve as a centralized hub for resources that help students thrive both…
Nashville, TN — The Nashville Fisk University Alumni Association (NFUAA) and the Fisk Jubilee Singers Alumni (FJSA) proudly announce the 2025 Gold & Blue Jubilee Bash Heritage Awards, a signature cultural and philanthropic event honoring legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The gala will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in downtown Nashville. The Gold & Blue Jubilee Bash celebrates the enduring legacy of Fisk University, home to the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers, while raising essential funds for student scholarships. Each year, the event brings together alumni, community leaders,…
NASHVILLE, TN (August 5, 2025) – FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, recently announced Fisk University as one of sixty new members of the FirstGen Forward Network for 2025–26. To be selected as a FirstGen Forward Network Member, Fisk displayed a demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students. “Serving first-generation students is woven into the fabric of Fisk University’s mission and legacy. These students are often pioneers in their families, navigating higher education without a roadmap, and they bring extraordinary resilience, determination, and potential to our campus community. By joining the FirstGen…