HBC-I-Owe-U!

HBC-I-Owe-U is the latest program in the Allstate Quotes for Education initiative. According to the website, the initiative was established in 2009 as a way to provide financial support for students who attend historically black college and universities (HBCUs).
“When the initiative’s 2014 goals are met, Allstate will have donated more than half a million dollars in scholarships for HBCU students over the past six years and contributed an additional $150,000 to institutions that have won voting challenges,” the website stated.
In an effort to support the initiative, the sophomore class held a voting party for this program in the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union’s computer lab on last Tuesday.
Students all over the country are voting and for a good reason. The HBCU with the most votes will win a $50,000 donation to its university scholarship fund.
Kadasjah McMillon, a 19 year-old urban forestry major who also serves as the 2014-2015 Miss Sophomore, was one of the many students in attendance at the voting event.
“This event was basically a way to get the students and school unified, and to also show school spirit,” says McMillon.
“I think it’s awesome that Allstate is willing to donate to an HBCU since we don’t get recognized as much as other institutions. Our main goal with this event is to get the university to win the $50,000 donation.”
To show additional support, Shanice Sam, the 84th Miss Southern University and A&M College voted in support of the scholarship.
Tevonte Bennett, a 19 year-old sophomore nursing major from Zachary, LA was glad the event was fun instead of uptight.
“I think we need to set up events to where it would be fun, and student wouldn’t have to go out of their way to vote,” says Bennett.
“I can’t really say, but maybe they can donate a certain percentage of the award to each department,” says Bennett, in response as to what he would like to see the $50,000 be used for.
“I would just love to see it used to its best ability to help the university in any way possible.”
In addition to the HBC-I-Owe-U program, Allstate has partnered with Tuskegee alum Tom Joyner, who founded the Tom Joyner Foundation.
The vision of the Tom Joyner Foundation, according to the website, is that “All students deserve the chance to attend college so that they can succeed in life.”
Therefore, it is the vision of the Tom Joyner Foundation to provide programming that arranges diverse academic opportunities to students aspiring to or currently attending HBCUs, regardless of social or economic status.
You can also cast your vote for Southern University and A&M College.
The HBC-I-Owe-U program ends on November 30th, 2014. Voters can vote only once a day per email address.
To vote, go to www.allstatequotesforeducation.com and follow the directions given. Visit the same website for more information on the HBC-I-Owe-U program and the Tom Joyner Foundation.
With 21% of the vote, Southern University is currently in second place. Let’s get and keep Southern University number one until the end of the contest!