Hopelab Launches Translational Science Fellowship for Researchers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to Benefit Black Youth Wellness

SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, 2024 – Today, Hopelab, a progressive force in social impact investing focused on advancing technology-driven solutions for youth mental health and well-being, announced a new Fellowship opportunity aimed at supporting HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) researchers in translating their work into practice. The Fellowship is designed for research faculty and career researchers who are ready to translate adolescent development and well-being expertise into meaningful applications that benefit young Black people.

In amplifying the visibility of Black youth mental health research within the broader mental health field, this initiative aims to increase the number of viable solutions that support the mental health and well-being of Black adolescents. Generous co-funding support from the Bezos Family Foundation, a grantmaking organization focused on the application of fueling science and learning to improve young people’s success will help propel the Fellowship’s impact, enhancing the quantity and quality of mental health and well-being solutions for young Black people, as well as elevating nuances regarding the resilience and developmental assets of Black adolescents and their communities. Hopelab’s long-standing experience in funding and advising translational research that centers young people will help HBCU researchers access the resources and networks they need to translate their research into meaningful action.

“Empowering young Black people to thrive requires a deep understanding of their unique mental health and well-being needs,” said Julie Tinker, Principal Designer of Equity Innovation at Hopelab. “Following the success of Hopelab’s 2023 Health Equity Fellowship pilot, we’re excited to continue forging opportunities for cross-disciplinary and intergenerational exposure as a means to bridge the gap between research and action.”

Research indicates that multiple factors contribute to the racial health disparities that have harmed generations of Black Americans, including the role of structural racism that has created inequitable access to health care, implicit bias, and discriminatory care. More than 50% of young Black people experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression, and about 18% report exposure to racial trauma often or very often in their lives. Hopelab’s HBCU Fellowship embodies our dedication to supporting investments aimed at fostering positive mental health outcomes for underserved young people, particularly those within the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities The initiative will commence in September and continue through the 2024-25 academic year. Learn more about Hopelab’s HBCU Fellowship program and apply here.

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About Hopelab
Hopelab is a transformative social innovation lab and impact investor working to support the mental well-being of adolescents, ages 10-25, especially BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth. Through targeted social impact investments, youth-centered design and research support, and translational science partnerships, the organization leverages 20+ years of co-creation experience to influence systems change while centering health equity. Learn more at hopelab.org.