Black History Month is an ideal time to highlight Xavier University of Louisiana Library’s investment in the entrepreneurial endeavors and workforce development of Xavierites from various disciplines. Funded by competition winnings and general budget, the library has invested nearly $500 toward helping a student business owner as well as providing opportunities for others to build freelance work skills.

In May 2022, the library was awarded $250 for competing as a finalist in the 2022 Entrepreneurship & Libraries Conference (ELC) @ the Table Pitch Competition. This week, XULA Librarian Mary A. Guillory returned to the competition’s spotlight to serve as a workshop panelist in an effort to inspire other librarians nationwide to pitch in the 2023 competition. Guillory was given an opportunity to update the audience on what XULA Library accomplished with last year’s winnings and discuss future endeavors.

“I emailed Firdaous after serving on the panel to let her know that I had shamelessly promoted her business to 100 live participants with another 100 signed up to receive the recording. From chat messages, I know some people at least visited the website. I just hope a few actually convert into sales,” said Guillory.

XULA Library invested its 2022 competition winnings in Roots by Rombi. Owned by senior biology pre-med major Firdaous Ningbinnin, Roots by Rombi is a skincare line specially formulated for people of color. This year, Ningbinnin plans to use the library’s Innovation Studio to conduct research and development trials on product packaging. Her hope is to improve packing efficiency, cut costs, and add something “luxurious” to the design by learning to operate the laser cutting and engraving machine.

As far as future endeavors go, the library is currently in the process of piloting paid student social media work opportunities. An endeavor launched just this month to celebrate both Black History Month and Black Futures Month, it has already seen success. Two students were hired to complete three social media projects to be featured on the library’s Youtube channel. Mass Communications sophomore Carys Ross completed her first podcast interview with Gia M. Hamilton, Executive Director and Chief Curator at the New Orleans African American Museum on Thursday evening. After conducting research with the help of a librarian, Ross developed just five questions for the 20-minute interview that revealed an interesting perspective on afrofuturism, paid fellowships opportunities, curatorship as a career, and black institution building in New Orleans.

Hopeful supporters may listen to the first episode of “Black Futures” below. Viewers are also encouraged to like the video and subscribe to the channel.