NC Black Alliance Awards $10,000 to FSU Public Health Program

FAYETTEVILLE, NC. – The North Carolina Black Alliance bestowed its annual HBCU Award to Fayetteville State University’s B.S. Public Health Program, which includes a $10,000 grant, during the 2025 Grounded in Justice, Rooted in Wellness Environmental Injustice and Healthcare Summit in January at the Rocky Mount Event Center.

The award recognized FSU’s contributions to the community and desire to address issues of environmental injustice in the area, such as forever chemicals in the Cape Fear River.

“We are extremely thankful for NC Black Alliance honoring us with this award and funding,” said Melissa Haithcox-Dennis, associate professor of public health at FSU. “Our students, some of who have lived experiences related to environmental health injustices,  will shape how the $10,000 award will be used to increase environmental health justice in the community and provide students with career readiness opportunities in public health.”

“Our communities are always going to be, unfortunately, subjected to environmental concerns, health concerns,” said Brayndon Stafford, environmental justice coordinator with NC Black Alliance. “With the recent natural disasters, we’re seeing — not only with the fires in California but at home here with Helene recently — it was important for us to have conversations around what agency and resiliency, specifically to our communities, means because that conversation, I haven’t heard it.”

The Summit brings together environmental justice and healthcare advocates, leaders, and community members to collaborate on strategies that directly impact communities. This year’s theme emphasized empowerment, resilience, and reclaiming agency over health and the environment. The summit also included a keynote speech from Tyra Gross, Ph.D., an associate professor of public health at Xavier University of Louisiana.