Atlanta’s Home Depot quadruples HBCU commitment

Atlanta based Home Depot recently announced its plans to increase its investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) around the country. 

This year, the home improvement giant has committed $4 million and has launched an expanded range of community projects and career resources for students in its Retool Your School program, a key component of Home Depot’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy. 

The company is committed to advancing education for all in the community and driving meaningful change focused on three areas: associate engagement, community engagement and supplier diversity partnerships.

The vote-based Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant is expected to support 30 campuses this year with grants ranging from $40,000 to $150,000 per school.

HBCU students, alumni and advocates can vote for their favorite HBCUs online, on Twitter or Instagram using the school’s designated hashtag found at retoolyourschool.com. Applications are currently open and close February 10th.

Said Arlette Guthrie, senior vice president of human resources at The Home Depot, “We’re strengthening our commitment to HBCUs and their students, from educational enrichment to career development opportunities that will follow them long after graduation. As a proud HBCU graduate myself, I value the education I received and have personally experienced the diversity of thought and innovation that HBCU students bring to the workforce.”

As part of the expanded career-development offerings, The Home Depot is partnering with the United Negro College Fund to award 60 $2,500 scholarships to students currently enrolled at any HBCU. 

In addition, a new business externship will give HBCU sophomores, juniors and seniors the chance to work on real-world projects in Home Depot business groups like home services, marketing and strategic business development.