Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida A&M University (FAMU) proudly announces that Jason Black, Ph.D., director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Creativity and Innovation; and Harold Lundy, Ph.D., assistant professor of management and accounting, are members of the inaugural 2025 cohort of VentureWell Ecosystem Futures Fellows. This national fellowship recognizes faculty and higher education leaders dedicated to strengthening STEM innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) ecosystems through the lens of environmental and social sustainability and inclusive innovation.

"We are proud to have two FAMU scholars selected as fellows for this one-year program,” says Allyson Watson, Ph.D., FAMU provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “Their participation in this interdisciplinary collaboration not only enhances their research platforms but also fosters the exchange of valuable knowledge across the wider landscape of STEM innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education.”

Black and Lundy will join a distinguished cohort of 26 fellows from 18 institutions to develop bold strategies that translate STEM research into real-world impact. Their work will focus on Expose, Empower, and Elevate: Multi-University STEM I&E Ecosystem to Accelerate Socially Conscious Solutions, driving institutional transformation and fostering inclusive innovation ecosystems.

“We are extremely excited to be a part of the VentureWell Ecosystem Futures Fellowship, as it perfectly aligns with FAMU's initiatives focused on building and strengthening our current entrepreneurship and innovation programs,” says Black. “Venture Well has a well-established and long-standing tradition of excellence and quality in this area, and we hope to benefit for the leveraging of their educational and mentoring resources.  We are very optimistic about this relationship and looking forward to an amazing experience.”

FAMU will be part of a multi-state ecosystem, including Alabama (Tuskegee University), Florida (FAMU), and Georgia (Clayton State University), spearheaded by Stacey Reynolds, Ph.D. 

"The Ecosystem Futures Fellowship from Venture Well will aid in the development of a STEM innovation & entrepreneurship (I&E) ecosystem that is socially conscious,” says Lundy. “The result will be more opportunities for FAMU students including a STEM based social innovation pitch competition.”

The Ecosystem Futures Fellowship, funded by The Lemelson Foundation, provides fellows with immersive programming, funding, and a vibrant community of practice to build long-term change in STEM ecosystems.

Learn more about the fellowship and the selected cohort: https://bit.ly/3XRr9sX

Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu

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