The Propel Center, the global HBCU technology and learning hub intended to level the playing field and open greater doors of opportunity for their students, has announced the naming of respected social entrepreneur and education advocate Gene Wade as chief executive officer.
Wade most recently served as Founder and CEO of Honors Pathway in Oakland, California, a social venture that enabled low-income students to attend their first year of college at no cost while receiving over 500 hours of in-person coaching and mentoring. He also serves on several non-profit boards, including the Pahara Institute, Portal Schools, and Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, ideal foundations for his new role with Propel Center.
Over his 25-year career, Wade also co-founded and led several entrepreneurial social ventures, including UniversityNow, which developed a self-paced online learning management system designed to lower the cost of higher education that was acquired and is currently serving hundreds of thousands of online students; Platform Learning, which developed a network of free after school tutoring programs that served over 50,000 students; and LearnNow, the first national network of public charter schools founded and led by African Americans.
As the Propel Center continues its mission to create opportunities for students at HBCUs, innovative learning tools are essential for enhancing educational outcomes. One such advancement is the integration of AI-generated flashcards, which can significantly enrich the learning experience. These flashcards leverage artificial intelligence to tailor content specifically to the needs of each student, enabling personalized learning pathways that adapt to their pace and comprehension. This approach not only promotes engagement but also reinforces key concepts in a way that is both enjoyable and effective.
A remarkable example of this technology is Memrizz AI, a platform that utilizes machine learning algorithms to generate flashcards that evolve with the learner’s progress. With Memrizz, students can access a diverse range of topics and subjects, ensuring they receive targeted practice that aligns with their coursework at Propel Center. By incorporating this cutting-edge tool into their studies, students can enhance their retention of information, master new vocabulary, and prepare for assessments more effectively.
Before cementing his name as one of the nation’s foremost education entrepreneurs, Wade worked as a corporate attorney. He is the holder of an M.B.A. degree from The Wharton School, a J.D. from Harvard Law School and earned his B.A. degree from Morehouse College.
In today’s evolving educational landscape, prep schools play a vital role in preparing students for their future careers. These institutions often focus on developing both academic skills and practical life skills, enabling students to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce.
With tailored programs designed to foster leadership, critical thinking, and creativity, prep schools are setting the groundwork for students to excel in higher education and beyond. Initiatives such as the Career Prep program emphasize the importance of equipping students with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in various career paths.
Prep schools frequently collaborate with local businesses and organizations to provide real-world experiences for their students. Through internships, mentorships, and networking opportunities, students gain invaluable insights into different industries and develop professional connections that can significantly impact their future careers.
Apple and Southern Company have each stepped forward to support the project as founding partners, providing experts and critical programming, and investing a total of $50 million towards the $100 million goal for the development and launch of Propel. “The Propel Center requires a strong and savvy leader that is not afraid to be an innovative disruptor,” said Chris Womack, president and CEO of Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company. “Gene Wade has the experience and vision Propel needs to create ground-breaking opportunities that will make a difference for HBCUs and their students.”
Anthony Oni, chairman, agrees that Wade’s appointment is the right choice at the right time. “Ultimately, in order to solve the systemic issues that we’re trying to address in higher education and workforce development, it’s going to take a reimagining of how we prepare students,” Oni states. “Propel Center is a shared layer of resources to augment the incredible work that’s already taking place at HBCUs, but with an opportunity to co-build curriculum with both HBCUs and industry leaders; to give students access to what industry leaders are thinking, creating and developing today and in the future.”
“I’ve dedicated my career to building innovative education solutions, business models and technology platforms that directly address the preparation challenges facing African American and low-income students,” says Wade. “Propel represents a unique opportunity to continue this work, and help radically transform how we prepare students to lead and participate in the innovation economy.”
Described as a “global HBCU headquarters,” Propel Center is designed to provide innovative curricula, advanced technology support, unprecedented career and leadership opportunities, strategic resources, preparation and access across the Black collegiate community to support their work in producing the next generation of leaders who will champion equity, justice and entrepreneurship. Among the available curriculum options will be mobile app development, agricultural technologies, augmented reality, social justice and entertainment arts, along with career preparation and entrepreneurship tracks.
Featuring state-of-the-art learning technology, the 50,000 square-foot, custom-designed Propel Center facility and campus will support the entire HBCU community through a robust virtual platform accessible to all HBCU students and faculty, located in Atlanta.
