Mastercard donates $6.5 million to AUC Data Science Initiative to enhance diversity in data science

The Atlanta University Center (AUC) Consortium and MasterCard announced a significant partnership aimed at expanding data science programs across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The AUC Data Science Initiative received a generous $6.5 million grant from MasterCard to empower AUC students and faculty to pursue careers in data science.

Dr. Talitha Washington, the Director of the Initiative, will use this grant to collaborate with 107 HBCUs nationwide, offering education in data science and enhancing curricula for both students and faculty. The goal is to address the increasing demand for data scientists and professionals with data science skills, as data science plays a critical role in various fields.

The initiative will kick off its partnership at the AUC Woodruff Library, aiming to equip students with the skills necessary for success in emerging industries. 

Dr. David Thomas, President of Morehouse College and Chair of the Consortium Board of Trustees, emphasized the importance of data in the 21st century, stating that understanding data will be essential in various career paths.

Dr. Washington also highlighted the potential for data science to contribute to social justice, particularly for people of color. Diverse data scientists can provide more objective analysis, reducing the risk of biases in technologies like facial recognition systems that have wrongly accused Black individuals of crimes. Washington stressed that diverse perspectives in data science are crucial to prevent such issues.

The AUC Data Science Initiative is committed to exposing young people to data science, including through its Pre-Freshmen Summer Experience program. This program engages incoming college students in projects that leverage data to address health and social justice issues. For example, last summer, students’ research revealed that 81 percent of mass shooters exhibited signs of a mental health crisis, highlighting the potential for early intervention by law enforcement.

Shamina Singh, Vice President for Sustainability for MasterCard and Founder and President of the MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth, emphasized the importance of equitable access to data and technology. The partnership seeks to exemplify this principle and build on existing efforts.

Dr. Washington’s vision includes promoting ethical and transparent data collection and usage, as well as educating individuals about how their data is utilized in various applications and platforms. She believes that navigating the data landscape will become a new norm in the future, and she finds it exciting to be part of this evolving field.

“Data is here to stay and so being able to navigate through the data landscape will be a new normal moving forward and I think it’s exciting,” Washington said.