Two Delaware State University graduate students advanced to the final round of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Compassion Challenge, according to a May 1 announcement. The competition aims to develop community-centered solutions for preventing displacement in historically under-resourced communities.
The event, held April 24 and 25, featured nearly 80 teams from historically Black colleges and universities nationwide. Teams were tasked with creating investment-ready proposals that promote green spaces while protecting long-standing residents from displacement.
Delaware State University students Onyekachi Williams and Olaniyi A. Adewumi became one of six finalist teams invited to present their proposal in Durham, North Carolina. In the final phase, participants developed a redevelopment strategy for the historic Hayti community. Although they did not win first place, a developer expressed interest in their proposal and plans to meet with them about possible implementation—a meeting only guaranteed for the winning team.
Dr. Cynthia Newton mentored the team during the competition. Williams said, “It was an incredible experience to be part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Compassion Challenge… For me, this project was about using research and financial modeling to address a real issue: gentrification and displacement in historically Black communities.” He added that working on solutions like their Recirculating Appreciation and Stability Instrument allowed them “to think beyond theory and focus on impact.”
Adewumi described it as “a great opportunity to learn about real life situations regarding community displacement and to develop a means of preventing such.” He said his team created “a novel financial product that ensures that legacy residents are protected from displacement, empowered to build wealth, while also ensuring that investors get reasonable returns on their investments.”
Delaware State University enhances student opportunities through its foundation by managing private funds for scholarships and academic programs according to its official website. The university promotes inclusivity by welcoming diverse students while preserving its heritage as a leading historically Black institution according to its official website. It features advanced facilities such as the Delaware Center for Neuroscience Research and DNA Core Center according to its official website, operates as a public land-grant institution under federal and state legislation according to its official website, maintains a campus spanning 356 acres with more than 50 buildings organized into four colleges according to its official website, and focuses on providing affordable education through dedicated support according to its official website.
The outcome highlights ongoing efforts at Delaware State University both in supporting student innovation addressing social issues like displacement, as well as maintaining inclusive academic excellence.
