Wilberforce University Gets a Retool From Home Depot

Wilberforce University (WU) will receive a $20,000 campus uplift thanks to the votes sent to the Home Depot Retool Your School Campaign. Wilberforce came in seventh place in Cluster 3. The top 10 schools in each of the three clusters were awarded grant money ranging from $20,000 to $75,000.

An interview provided by the company’s diversity and inclusion officer explained why Home Depot wants to have a hand in improving HBCUs. “Since 2009, The Home Depot has continued to increase its investment in campus improvements for HBCUs,” said The Home Depot’s Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Derek Bottoms. “We are ensuring HBCU students have an upgraded environment that enhances their educational experience as they progress on their journey to become the next generation of leaders,” he continued.

Earlier this year, the Wilberforce campus community called on alumni, members of the board of directors, students, employees, and supporters, and asked them to cast their votes for WU in the weeks-long drive that ended March 15. “We are so grateful to Home Depot for the support shown to HBCUs, specifically Wilberforce. Our campus community, board of directors, alumni, and friends rallied around this campaign which will offer campus beautification projects that directly impact our students. Our campus is excited and ever so grateful” said Natalie Coles, the vice president of Wilberforce University Institutional Advancement. WU students will advise the administration on the campus project that will benefit from the $20,000 grant.

WU was established in 1856 and is the nation’s first, private, historically black college or university (HBCU). Located in Greene County—near Dayton, Ohio—the four-year, accredited university is a member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the Ohio LINK Library Consortium and the NAIA Athletic Conference. According to HBCU.com, Wilberforce is one of the top five HBCUs in the midwest.