What began as a senior capstone project at Virginia Union University has grown into a transformative movement now gaining national attention. Rodney Manning Jr., a May 2025 graduate of Virginia Union University (VUU), launched FOCUS (Financially Optimistic College Men Uplifting Society)—with a mission to equip young Black men with financial knowledge, leadership skills, and a commitment to community advancement. His journey—and the growth of FOCUS—reached new heights during the 2025 Bridge 2 Technologies (B2T) Global Summit, held May 29–30 in Manhattan, NY.Joined by Tyriek Crutchfield, a rising senior at Benedict College, Manning represented the FOCUS initiative at this prestigious gathering of global innovators, corporate leaders, and change makers. Together, they engaged in high-level conversations on inclusive innovation, next-generation technologies, and equitable access to capital—all key themes aligned with the mission of FOCUS.“The B2T Summit was nothing short of eye-opening,” said Manning, Founder and CEO of FOCUS and former SGA President at VUU.
