Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University are among 24 colleges and universities to receive grants to implement programs aimed at improving employment rates for graduates.

The Lilly Endowment will give Morehouse $1.2 million and CAU $1.5 million, according to the United Negro College Fund. The total grants given by the endowment to 24 colleges and universities comes to $35.3 million.

The grants got the attention of the endowment because more than half of recent African-American college graduates are underemployed and 12 percent are unemployed, according to the UNCF.

Many of these students will be the first in their families to earn college degrees. The majority of students are from low- to moderate-income families and must receive federal financial aid.

These colleges and universities submitted proposals commiting to strengthening career advising and mentoring, enhancing curricula, and will develop academic programs, student internships, industry partnerships, specialty certifications, and faculty development.

Although historically black colleges and universities represent 3 percent of all two- and four-year U.S. colleges and universities, they enroll 10 percent of all African-American undergraduates, produce 18 percent of all African-American college graduates, and generate 25 percent of all bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields earned by African-Americans annually.

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Michelle Roache, pictured with her two youngest children, 3-year-old Elijah and 4-year-old Gianna, recently graduated from Clayton State University. She received a child care scholarship through Quality Care for Children and the federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant, which made it possible for her to finish her degree. Now the grant is on the chopping block. (Courtesy of Michelle Roache)

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Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat speaks during a press interview at the district attorney’s office in Atlanta on Friday, July 12, 2024. Public safety officials presented findings from a report on repeat offenders. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

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