HCB Institute for the Arts

08/10/2026

07/07/2026

07/01/2026

13K Followers, 131 Following, 0 Posts

05/14/2026

With MCW-Milwaukee’s commencement coming up on Friday, we asked graduating students about their educational journey and plans for the future. Emily Boyd, a cell and developmental biology PhD student, recounts her non-linear path to research.

Growing up, Boyd was a competitive athlete (that’s why you can find her staying active on Wisconsin's endless hiking trails) and originally considered medicine. However, after earning a master’s in nutrition, Boyd realized her true calling was research.

At MCW, Boyd researched megakaryocytes, the cell that produces platelets. Platelets help our blood clot, sealing off wounds and other injuries.

“Up to 50% of hospitalized individuals experience thrombocytopenia or low platelet counts, which can lead to serious bleeding events. My research can inform possible therapeutic strategies to address thrombocytopenia,” she says.

After commencement, Boyd will start a post-doctoral research position at the University of British Columbia. While there, she will continue studying megakaryocytes, zeroing in on their role in bone marrow cancers.

05/14/2026

Ben Crump has made a significant announcement: his legal team has secured a $50 million settlement with Google in a class action lawsuit on behalf of Black employees who alleged years of racial discrimination in the workplace. The case, originally filed in March 2022, centered around the claims of April Curley, Desiree Mayon, and Ronika Lewis, who all said they faced discriminatory practices that impacted their job prospects, pay, and career advancement at Google.

In a powerful statement on social media, Crump emphasized that this settlement is a win for Black employees in the tech industry, sending a clear message that even massive corporations like Google cannot escape accountability for discriminatory behavior. The settlement requires Google to overhaul its hiring and pay practices, ensure more transparency in job postings, and open up communication channels for employees to voice concerns safely.

While the legal battle might be over, the real victory, according to Curley, is the possibility of creating a fairer and more inclusive workplace for future generations. As Curley transitions to teaching and pursuing a career in law, her hope is that her children will grow up in a workforce that reflects the equity and justice she fought for. The settlement isn’t just a financial victory, but a symbol of progress in the fight against discrimination in one of the world's most influential industries.