Propel Center
Higher EducationGeorgia, United States11-50 Employees
Propel Center is an innovation and learning hub centered on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), supported by founding partners Apple and Southern Company. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it operates a hybrid model combining a physical campus within the Atlanta University Center, campus-based activities at partner institutions, and a robust virtual platform to deliver curricula, resources, and leadership opportunities aimed at expanding the talent pipeline for the U.S. workforce. The initiative seeks to provide HBCU students and staff with programs and experiences that enhance skills and practical learning, facilitating their preparation for roles in the innovation economy. Targeted at the HBCU community and its educators, Propel Center addresses gaps in access to advanced learning and leadership development by offering applied learning platforms, specialized academies, and ecosystem partnerships. Since its inception, the center has pursued collaborations and program launches that broaden pathways into technology-driven careers and leadership roles, positioning itself as a pivotal node in higher education focused on transforming outcomes for Black students and graduates within the broader innovation landscape.