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The Home Depot Announces the 2018 Retool Your School Grant Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)

Published

7 years ago

January 30, 2018

umeektv

The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today announced its 2018 Retool Your School Grant Program. Now, in its ninth year, the program awards accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) grants to use toward creating sustainable renovations and additions to their campuses.

The Home Depot has awarded $1.8 million to HBCUs since the program launched in 2009.

Schools seeking to participate in the contest can enter in either of two ways.

A nomination process for HBCU faculty, staff, students and community supporters to nominate their HBCU to participate in the program via Twitter and/or Instagram using the school’s sponsor-provided hashtag, which can be found at retoolyourschool.com. Accredited HBCUs with a minimum of 100 nominations will thenqualify to enter the voting period.
Schools may accept the nomination or opt-in to the program via the nomination application link found in the eBlast to each of the school’s President and Point of Contact. Within the nomination application, a school administrator must provide primary contact information and official school logo to be included on the website for voting.

Nominations must be submitted between January 29, 2018 at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) EST and February 22, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST, to enter the voting period.

Voting begins February 26, 2018 at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and ends April 15, 2018 at 11:59pm.

During the voting period, there are two ways to vote.

Votes can be cast an unlimited number of times online at www.retoolyourschool.com
Useyour school’s unique, designated hashtag to cast unlimited social votes through Twitter and Instagram (hashtags can be found at retoolyourschool.com).

Nine schools receiving the highest number of votes during the voting period will advance to the final round and submittheir campus improvement project proposals. A panel of distinguished judges will evaluate each school’s proposal.

Judges will consider the quality of each proposal and the school’s ability to execute the project within the specified budget. Proposals for all three grant levels must highlight how each project will make a lasting, positive impact on the HBCU campus.

A total of $360,000 will be granted to the nine HBCUs with winning proposals. The schools will be categorized in one of three clusters, based on each school’s student population. Each cluster will have three winners vying for one $50,000, one $40,000 and one $30,000 grant.

The breakdown is as follows: Cluster 1 is open to schools with a student enrollment of 4,000 students or more; Cluster 2 is open to schools with a student enrollment of 1,201–3,999 students; and Cluster 3 is open to schools with1,200 students or less.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Mayat The Home Depot headquarters in Atlanta, GA.

TheHome Depot Retool Your School Grant Program, launched in 2009, encourages and recognizes innovative projects that contribute to the campuses of accredited HBCUs. Since the program’s inception, more than $1.8million in grant money has been awarded to HBCUs to make sustainable improvements to their college campuses.

Set to celebrate a milestone 10th year in 2019, The Retool Your School Program continues to align with initiatives that celebrate the legacy and sustainability of HBCUs. In 2017, the program provided corporate support to the HBCU 9 Sesquicentennial Celebration, a partnership between the Department of Education’s White House HBCU Initiative, the US Department of Agriculture, and the Arbor Day Foundation to celebrate nine HBCUs that turned 150.

This year, the Retool Your School program, in partnership with the African American Film Critics Association,will present the inaugural 72-Hour Build a Film Challenge, a contest for HBCU filmmakers— currently enrolled students and alums—to create unique and entertaining short films about the HBCU experience. The winner will be revealed at this year’s African American Film Critics Association Awards February 7,in Los Angeles.

“Each year, we see continued growth and engagement with the program,” says Melissa Brown, Senior Marketing Manager at The Home Depot. “The Retool Your School program stimulates anunrivaled culture of community. We are proud to support our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and value their rich legacy and ongoing contribution to our nation’s history.”

For more information on The Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program, visit www.retoolyourschool.com.

AboutTheHomeDepot®

The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,284 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2016, The Home Depot had sales of $94.6 billion and earnings of $8.0 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

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We Speak Events

“Pop Couture” Redefines Fashion during NYFW: A Bold Fusion of Anime, Pop Culture, and High Fashion

Published

41 minutes ago

January 22, 2025

Adavie Gutierrez

Jan. 22, 2025 (New York)— Pop Couture is set to redefine the runway during New York Fashion Week with a runway show and post runway show event on Friday, February 7, 2025, presented by Studio|Couture and Plus Ultra Entertainment. This groundbreaking show spotlights the transformative influence of anime, Japanese craftsmanship, and pop culture on modern fashion, featuring visionary designers who are reshaping the industry with bold, innovative designs.

Pop Couture is a fashion revolution, blending pop culture’s bold artistry with high-fashion craftsmanship to redefine the runway. With Millennials and Gen-Z leading the charge, this event celebrates the storytelling and individuality shaping the future of media, retail, and style. More than a show, Pop Couture is a cultural and economic statement unveiling what’s next in fashion and beyond.

Meet the Designers Who Are Changing the Game

Frank Huynh | Lê Tâm (He/Him): Frank is the mastermind behind Lê Tâm, where heritage meets avant-garde fashion. Drawing deeply from his Vietnamese roots, Frank’s designs are a stunning collision of tradition and modernity, exuding elegance and artistry. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and storytelling through fabric, Frank’s creations have captivated audiences in prestigious arenas such as the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building and DC Fashion Week, making him one of the most exciting designers to watch this year.

KingKitsu (He/Him): KingKitsu is rewriting the rules of fashion with their transformative, statement-making designs. Known for their daring blend of regal and rebellious styles, KingKitsu creates bold looks that embrace individuality and celebrate self-expression. Their work is a perfect balance of theatrical artistry and wearable luxury, captivating audiences with every collection.

Dykemint (They/Them/He/Her): Dykemint is redefining couture with a bold mission: to create sustainable, one-of-a-kind fashion that’s equal parts chaos and beauty. Fi Black’s anime-inspired, maximalist designs break the mold of fast fashion, delivering handcrafted pieces that are as thought-provoking as they are jaw-dropping. With a commitment to size-inclusivity and sustainability, Dykemint is a rebellious force in the industry, proving that creativity knows no limits.

Aya Sakai | SAI Japan Vintage (She/Her): Aya, founder of SAI Japan Vintage, brings Japanese heritage to the forefront of modern fashion. Her designs reimagine centuries-old kimono fabrics as contemporary masterpieces, each piece telling a story of history, culture, and innovation. Aya’s work is a love letter to traditional craftsmanship and a bold statement about sustainability, earning her a place as one of fashion’s most visionary upcyclers.

Plus Ultra Entertainment (They/Them) is making its fashion debut with an anime-inspired capsule collection set to premiere at the Pop Couture runway show during New York Fashion Week. This limited-edition collection draws on the vivid energy and imaginative worlds of anime, translating them into sleek, wearable art pieces designed to captivate both pop culture and high-fashion enthusiasts.

Featured Makeup Partner

Elevating the runway looks is Yva Expressions, the featured makeup partner for Pop Couture. Renowned for its vibrant eyeshadow palettes, luxurious lip glosses, and stunning use of color, this cruelty-free and vegan brand seamlessly blends pop culture with high-quality cosmetics. With products that cater to both bold and subtle aesthetics, Yva Expressions will craft the unforgettable beauty looks that complement and elevate the fashion on the runway, embodying the show’s dedication to ethical and inclusive artistry.

Featured Jewelry Designer

TruFacebyGrace is a celebration of African heritage and Afrofuturistic vision, crafting bold, culturally inspired jewelry and fashion that bridge tradition and modernity. Drawing on the rich tapestry of African customs and craftsmanship, each piece tells a story—honoring the intricate artistry of diverse regions while embracing a forward-thinking aesthetic. This blend of heritage and innovation has captured the attention of global icons like Janet Jackson, Kelly Rowland, Zozi Tunzi and more. TruFacebyGrace has also been featured in Coming 2 America and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. From the Oscars to the Golden Globes and Essence red carpets, the brand stands as a testament to cultural pride and its powerful connection to pop culture, redefining what it means to wear your story.

Press & Media Invitations Now Open

Members of the press/media are invited to request credentials via [email protected]. Seating and capacity are extremely limited.

Stay Connected
Follow Studio|Couture and Plus Ultra Entertainment on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes looks at Pop Couture.

Studio|Couture and Plus Ultra Entertainment, the event’s award winning, visionary producers, have created a platform that blends impeccable event production with a passion for highlighting emerging talent. From small to large experiences, media features and impact, their expertise ensures Pop Couture delivers an experience that rivals the biggest shows of the season.

About Studio|Couture

Studio|Couture is a premier creative agency specializing in fashion, art, and luxury event production. Renowned for its innovative approach and dedication to elevating emerging talent, Studio|Couture blends high-end aesthetics with cutting-edge storytelling to craft unforgettable experiences. From conceptual design to flawless execution, the agency is committed to pushing boundaries and redefining modern couture.

About Plus Ultra Entertainment

Plus Ultra Entertainment is an award-winning entity and inclusive nerd space dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the diverse voices within nerd, anime, cosplay, and pop culture. With a mission to creatively build community and culture, Plus Ultra Entertainment bridges the gap between fandom and artistry, crafting experiences that unite and inspire. Through its innovative productions and dedication to inclusivity, the company has become a trailblazer in highlighting the transformative power of nerd and pop culture.