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.
HBCU Top 30 Under 30
Congratulatory tweet from her school.
