EAST GREENSBORO – The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at North Carolina A&T State University recently received a generous gift of 15 Intel NUC computers to support student-athletes and sports programs impacted by COVID-19. The computers are a donation from HBCU Heroes partnership with Intel.
HBCU Heroes, a 501c3, non-profit organization founded by George Lynch and Tracey Pennywell, along with brand strategist, Kwame Jackson made the announcement following a collaboration with former Aggie Athletic Foundation Board Chairman, Ponce D, Tidwell, Jr., and late-spring #TECH4COVID Town Hall with Chancellor Harold Martin, Sr.  

"We received communication from our past chairman that through his partnership with HBCU Heroes leaders George Lynch and Tracey Pennywell, HBCU Heroes was considering making a technology donation through a collaboration with Intel", stated Dr. Eric D. Hart, deputy athletic director. "We are so honored and thankful to Tracey, George, Ponce and Kwame for their thoughtfulness and willingness to support our athletic programs at North Carolina A&T.

Access to reliable technology was one of the items weighing heavily on the minds of many of our student-athletes who were put into a virtual space instantaneously. The compactness of these CPUs, allows N.C. A&T teams travel with technology that allows them to remain connected to the university to complete their studies virtually."

According to co-founder, Tracey Pennywell, HBCU Heroes mission is to raise funding for HBCU athletic programs to help them better compete in athletics, academics, and access to opportunities.

"From playing college basketball at UNC to the NBA, to becoming the former head men's basketball coach at Clark Atlanta University, Lynch has personally experienced the disparities of funding and has seen the growing economic and educational divides," said Pennywell. "Together, as leaders of HBCU Heroes, Lynch, Jackson, and I are committed to doing our part to help lessen these gaps."

Lynch, founding partner shared the overall need of supporting athletics departments.

"The coronavirus pandemic has forced HBCUs nationwide to shut down and enforce distance learning programs. However, not only were many HBCUs not equipped to provide online classes, many student-athletes lack laptops needed to continue their educations through distance-leaning. We are committed to helping with as many HBCUs as possible," said Lynch. 
 
HBCU Heroes partnered with Grambling State University for the first initial computer drive donation. https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissheridan/2020/04/05/ex-tar-heel-george-lynch-trying-to-raise-money-for-small-black-college-student-athletes/#3fced0486114