An HBCU education is truly a privilege. It provides a priceless atmosphere for students of color to receive a solid education while instilling unapologetic confidence. In the current national climate of heightened racial tensions, a volatile political environment, and an impression that most are only out to help themselves, we are thrilled to celebrate how 30 passionate young minds took their HBCU foundation and made history.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) produce more than a quarter of all African-American graduates in the country and are responsible for producing many of the nation’s black leaders. Iconic civil rights leaders, doctors, religious leaders, bankers, writers, Olympians, lawyers, musicians, engineers, actors, humanitarians, professional athletes, educators, scientists, and politicians have been educated at HBCUs.
Every year, the HBCU Top 30 Under 30 honors talented young men and women who are making remarkable strides in a variety of industries including sports, STEM, entertainment, media, business, public service and fashion. Among this year’s nominees are a star female rapper, an agile NFL quarterback, a community activist bringing fresh produce to the inner city, and a viral YouTube influencer. Check out the former classes here.
This year, with a record-breaking amount of nominations, we are exceptionally proud to present the 5th HBCU Top 30 Under 30 class. Congratulations to the young leaders who have been recognized, and congratulations to the esteemed HBCUs that have indisputably provided a strong and lasting foundation for the leaders of today and tomorrow.
3Olympia Auset | Howard University
Olympia Auset is an LA native on a mission to eliminate racial inequality in LA through improved food access. At Howard University, Olympia connected her steady fast food diet as a child in LA to political and systemic racism. Historically, neighborhoods with mostly black and brown members are filled with plenty of fast food restaurants and liquor stores, while the quality grocery stores with fresh produce tend to be plentiful in white neighborhoods. Low access to healthy food is a direct contributor to conditions like obesity and life expectancy.
SÜPRMARKT, a pop-up grocery store offering low-cost, organic foods, is her first step in solving the problem. People in various south Los Angeles communities come to Olympia’s store to choose from an all-organic and affordable selection of fruits and vegetables. The communities she serves can often be described as food deserts. She buys wholesale and imperfect-appearing produce to keep prices low. A few times a month, she brings the SÜPRMARKT to community centers and parks across areas like Leimert Park and Crenshaw YMCA. She also offers a produce delivery service that will do drop-offs for about $100 a month.
Auset and her team have also launched the nonprofit SÜPRSEED, an effort to fund the SÜPRMARKT mission. Financially, SÜPRMARKT breaks even for Olympia. Any donations or grants to SÜPRSEED will improve the outreach, help the food get into more hands, and keep prices down.
Even with her pop-up and nonprofit, Olympia still isn’t done. She serves as a trailblazer behind the scenes as a board member of Co+opportunity. Co-ops are locally-owned markets that serve as the go-to place for people to access quality healthy and affordable food. On the board Olympia ensures that operations align with organization’s policy. She also serves on the production team for The Shine Movement. Follow Olympia Auset’s work on Instagram and Twitter.
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Eeeeeee-Yip! So pRHOud of the work my SoRHOr and Bestfriend is doing! Keep it up! You inspire us all.