Danyelle R. Carter, a senior at Spelman College in Atlanta, majoring in Comparative Women’s Studies, was named the 2015 National Historically Black Colleges / Universities (HBCU) Female of the Year at the annual AARP HBCU awards by HBCU Digest, a national news resource of record for historically black colleges and universities.
Carter was recognized for her dedication to HBCU and commitment to empowering and raising awareness on women and girls issues. While pursuing her studies, she has been involved in a number of volunteer activities including Generosity Water, in which she launched a clean water initiative to provide not only provide clean water, but to combat rape. Women would walk up to 30 miles to get water, and were often raped in their journey. In 45 days, Carter raised $4,155, $3,000 fully funded a well to the eastern region of Ghana to a village of 900. The remaining funds were donated to an unfinished well in India. Since then Carter has interned with The Girl Power Agency and the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women writing communications and public relations material.
Her ambition is to continue to serve women and girls as a political strategist and advocate. Currently, Danyelle is volunteering with The White Dress Project to galvanize support and promote global awareness of the fibroid epidemic. Since being a part of the WDP, she launched The White Dress Project Ambassadors Program at Spelman, a total of 18 young women and create awareness. In April, Carter spoke at a Legislative Brunch with Governor of Georgia Nathan Deal and The Honorable State Representative Erica Thomas to speak on the importance of passing WDP’s U.S. Resolution in the House for July to be declared nationally as Fibroids Awareness Month.
In the same week, Carter was also ranked no.1 for HBCU Buzz’s 2015 National Top 30 Under 30. Making her the first woman to hold this rank and the second student from the Atlanta University Consortium to hold this rank. Per her HBCU accomplishments, Carter was significant in shaping communications for Chelsea Clinton, board member of the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative; House Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi; American Theater Ballet Principle Dancer, Misty Copeland
Carter graduated summa cum laude with a joint associate degree from Miami Dade College. This summer she was a UNCF PRIME (Public Relations, Internship, Mentorship and Education) Scholar and served as corporate communications and public relations intern at Univision Communications incorporated in Miami, FL.
2015 National HBCU Female Student of the Year
HBCU Top 30 Under 30