The new program will create job opportunities for minorities in the USDA allowing them to pursue careers in the U.S. foreign service.
The university says that the fellowship will provide funding and support for selected students to receive master’s degrees in agribusiness or agricultural economics at the accredited U.S. university of their choice. Fellows will participate in domestic and overseas internships with FAS and will be offered extensive mentoring and professional development opportunities.
“FAS is proud to launch this program in partnership with Howard University, one of the nation’s premier historically Black colleges and universities, to provide a path for outstanding minority students to become foreign service officers and support our mission of promoting trade and food security around the world,” Whitley said.
“Howard University has a proven track record of developing students from all backgrounds into diplomatic representatives and global leaders. The promise of this collaboration will strengthen USDA’s commitment to ensuring its foreign service team reflects the diversity of our country.”
The program will help ensure that FAS foreign service officers will reflect the diversity that is the strength of the United States.
“Howard University is honored to partner with the Foreign Agricultural Service in establishing this new fellowship program. The University has been a strong proponent of increasing the representation in policymaking and implementation since its founding more than 150 years ago,” Dr. Frederick said.
Dr. Frederick expresses his excitement for the program. “With 20 years of experience administering foreign service fellowships with other U.S. government agencies, we are eager to begin a successful partnership that will provide new opportunities for individuals and allow our government to benefit from the unique perspectives, backgrounds and skill sets that come from embracing diversity, equity, inclusion and access.”
Howard is currently in the process of recruiting the fellows for the program.
Morehouse Alum Dr. Dominique Merriweather has become the youngest principal in the Atlanta Public Schools System and the first African-American leader at Sutton Middle School.
Morehouse Man Dr. Dominique Merriweather has become the youngest principal in the Atlanta Public Schools System and the first African-American leader at Sutton Middle School.
According to Fox 5 News, Merriweather graduated from Morehouse College in 2014 and originally wanted to be a corporate attorney but changed his mind after he began reading to and mentoring inner city students a few years ago.
“One day, I went to go read to elementary school kids in the Atlanta University Center area and I fell in love with the students,” said Merriweather.
Nine years ago Dr. Merriweather began his career as a special education teacher. Today he has risen through the ranks to become the youngest principal in the entire district at 30 years old.
‘When you put your head in it, and never stop learning, and always are open to feedback and being better, the opportunities are there”
Dr. Dominique Merriweather
Merriweather is principal to 1,500-plus students at Sutton Middle School. Two of these students had nothing but nice things to say about their new principal.
“He’s really nice and fair and if we have a problem, he helps us to improve that,” eighth-grader Avery Wicker told Fox 5 News.
“He is a really nice guy, always there for you,” said eighth-grader RJ Scott.
Dr. Merriweather says age is just a number.
“Age does not equate to ability or capacity. If you are driven and open to learning and if you truly want to be the best at what you are doing, it can happen.”
Although Dr. Merriweather is unsure if being a superintendent is in his future, he said he will continue to put his best foot forward and be the best principal for now.
Saint Augustine’s University has been awarded a grant for $1.6M to assist emerging doctoral students in their involvement in research and other scholarly activities.
Yesterday, Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) announced that the university has recently been named the recipient of the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program by The U.S. Department of Education. Beginning in October 2022, the university will receive over $250,000 for the next five years for a total of approximately $1.6M to assist emerging doctoral students in their involvement in research and other scholarly activities.
Working in conjunction with SAU’s TRIO Center of Excellence, the McNair grant program will provide support, resources, and advocacy for low-income and first-generation students working towards their bachelor’s degree with the intention of obtaining their master’s and doctorate degrees. According to the university, the goal is to increase the number of minority students attaining Ph.D. degrees.
“The SAU McNair Scholars Project will have the ability to open unimaginable opportunities for traditionally underrepresented low-income and first-generation college students to break barriers and apply, enter, and be successful in graduate school or beyond. The Project will be ongoing in its commitment to support students during their undergraduate experience by involving them in research opportunities and devoted mentoring. Participants in the SAU McNair Scholars Project will develop the knowledge and proficiencies to become relevant to the scholarly aims of top graduate programs,” said Antonio Stephens, Director of SAU’s TRIO Center of Excellence.
Seated left to right: Mr. Antonio Stephens, Director of SAU’s TRIO Center of Excellence, and Ms. Ashley Smith, Educational Advisor, greet prospective students at SAU’s 2022 Spring Open House. Photo courtesy of Saint Augustine’s University. CREDIT: SAINT AUGUSTINE’S UNIVERSITY
According to Stephens, “With the addition of the McNair Scholars Project, SAU now can assist qualified students within their specific target area with free academic, cultural, and social services from the sixth grade to those entering graduate school through our TRIO Center of Excellence.”
The McNair grant program and TRIO Center will serve 25 SAU students annually who meet the eligibility requirements of the U.S. Department of Education.
All eligible students will receive the necessary resources to complete their degrees. These resources include: research opportunities or other scholarly activities for impactful doctoral preparation, summer internships, seminars, tutoring, academic counseling, financial assistance, graduate enrollment assistance, financial and economic literacy, and mentoring. To ensure that the students are successful, SAU’s TRIO staff will track their progress and will help with any problems they may encounter.
Dr. Leslie Rodriguez-McClellon, Senior Vice President of Student Experience at SAU believes that this program is especially important and beneficial for minority students.
“SAU is proud and honored to receive the McNair TRIO program. This program will allow SAU to increase the number of underrepresented students, particularly students of color, seeking graduate-level education. The McNair program will provide students opportunities far beyond their undergraduate program experience. I want to thank Mr. Stephens and his team for their diligence in obtaining this grant,” said Rodriguez-McClellon.
The McNair Scholars/TRIO project at SAU will be the university’s first program of its kind. The university says despite being in the early stages of the program it will also provide a model for the institution.
“The SAU TRIO Center of Excellence has a rich history of impacting first-generation college students,” said SAU President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail. “This award reflects Mr. Stephens’ leadership and his team’s service to our scholars.”
“Hot Girl” Megan Thee Stallion is back with a new album and she’s on fire. Traumazine is fierce, unapologetic, and just the type of music the industry needs. In her biggest musical project since dropping “Good News” in 2020 and graduating from Texas Southern University, listeners will finally get a side of the artist that she has never bared before.
The tracklist has 18 unskippable songs with a healthy mix of solo tracks and collaborations. She lined up features from other female rappers like Latto and Rico Nasty, male rappers like Key Glock and Future, and even pop and R&B artists like Lucky Daye, Jhené Aiko and Dua Lipa.
Recently, the Houston native opened up to radio personalities Justin Credible and DJ Sourmilk about just how the project gave her the space to reflect and grow. “To me, ‘Traumazine’ means facing your trauma, getting through it, and becoming the person that you were meant to be, and that you want to be on the other side of your trauma. It’s actually about dealing with yourself. With this album, I wrote it as a letter to me, a letter to my mom,” she shared, referring to her mother’s 2019 passing due to brain cancer. “I didn’t even write these songs like regular songs. I wrote them kind of like diary entries. This is the first time I put people in my business! It’s real personal.“
Megan Thee Stallion’s new album is giving her an opportunity to expose and heal wounds in far more ways than one. Prior to the album release she was vocally at odds with her label, 1501 Certified Entertainment and its CEO Carl Crawford. They have been tangled in an ongoing legal battle about whether her project Something for Thee Hotties can actually count as an album. If so, it would fulfill her contractual obligations with the label and allow her to finally move on. Megan Thee Stallion is the most successful artist on the label, so her early departure would be an obvious blow to 1501 financially. As the war wages on, Megan has since accused the label of leaking Traumazine tracks out of spite, and threw some shots at Crawford on Twitter. He responded by alleging that she was using the drama as part of her album marketing strategy.
In addition to this drama, she has been in a prolonged legal battle with Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, who she alleges shot her in the foot following a party hosted by Kylie Jenner in July of 2020. According to The Cut, she initially said she sustained the injuries “as a result of a crime that was committed against me and done with the intention to physically harm me.”
Although pending litigation has made it difficult for either party to further address the situation publicly, Megan Thee Stallion boldly threw shots about her experience in her eight song on Traumazine, titled “Who Me.” Played over the famous beat of Notorious B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya,” Meg comes out with her own guns blazing. “I feel like Biggie, who shot you?/But everybody know who shot me, bitch,” she quipped. Torey Lanez has yet to formally respond since she dropped the controversial track. Regardless, “Who Me” is not the only attention-grabbing song on the tracklist!
In addition to the album’s release, Megan dropped a video for the hit single “Her.” Crafted by well-known music video director and filmmaker Colin Tilley, the video is a black and white masterpiece. Every blonde dancer in her crew compliments her moves as she reminds us that she’s that girl. “Just the other day, I heard a hoe say/Matter of fact, what could a hoe say?/ With a face like this and a bitch this paid/Shit, what could a hoe say?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtJk6Oh1tx4
Featuring the intense knee-bending moves she’s known for, the choreography in “Her” pays homage to the LGBTQIA+-friendly voguing dance culture popping up in ballrooms, across social media, and even in HBO’s Legendary (on which she’s appeared numerous times as a judge). With the spirit of vogueing in tow, “Her” encourages listeners to keep that same confident energy when they look in the mirror. Giving it the rollout it deserves, Megan performed the song for the first time on the Good Morning America stage in New York for their Summer Concert Series.
The song goes in a completely new direction for Meg, and with perfect timing. “Her” was released on the heels of a house music wave being led by two unexpected global artists: Beyoncé and Drake. Drake dropped his surprise seventh studio album Honestly, Nevermind in mid-June with upbeat tempos that surprised many fans. Just a month later, Beyoncé dropped Renaissance, featuring her new hit “Break My Soul” in late July. Created by Black DJs from Chicago in the 1980s, the high energy beats and repetitive choruses of house music bring crowds together all over the world. House tracks are especially on heavy rotation in tourist destinations where partygoers who all speak different languages can still enjoy the vibe.
It can only be hoped that Traumazine will set a precedent that encourages artists to bare their soul. One of her most vulnerable songs yet is “Anxiety.” It’s ironically upbeat, perhaps to soften the blow of letting her feelings out. When speaking to Apple Music’s Nadeska and Ebro during an interview she admitted “the song was supposed to be a journal entry. I feel like this is finally an opportunity for me to put it in music.” She made it a point to remind us that even as their humanity gets stripped away in tabloids and rumors, celebrities are real people too: “Y’all don’t even know how I feel/I don’t even know how I deal/Today I really hate everybody/And that’s just me bein’ real.” But the chorus is just as real: “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday/Bad bitches have bad days too/Friday, Saturday, Sunday, bounce back/How a bad bitch always do.”
Since she began working on Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion has continued to prove to herself that she can make a way out of no way. She recently even expanded into acting with an appearance on thehit STARZ show P-Valley. She also landed on the show’s soundtrack in a song called “Get It On The Floor” with series regular J. Alphonse Nicholson.
Hear Megan Thee Stallion’s new music for yourself, and stream Traumazine on all major music platforms today.
Howard University announced on Monday that they are adding a new edition to their athletics staff with Odicci Alexander joining as the new softball assistant coach.
Tori Tyson, the head coach of the softball program says she is excited to welcome Alexander to the Bison family. “Who she is, and what she represents is much deeper than softball,” Coach Tori Tyson said. “This a big deal for not just our team, but the entire DMV community, the MEAC and all HBCUs.”
Odicci Alexander is known for her success as the pitcher of The James Madison Dukes softball team.
Alexander is known for her success as the pitcher of The James Madison Dukes softball team. Alexander was a three-time All-American and two-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. She also was named Softball America Pitcher of the Year as well as CAA Pitcher of the Year in 2021.
CREDIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Alexander received media attention for her defensive web gem that “shot her to softball stardom” during the 2021 College World Series. She led her team to victory against Oklanhoma State with her game-saving dive which made the top spot on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Top 10 countdown.
With Alexander leading the way, the Dukes became first unseeded team in NCAA softball history to reach the Women’s College World Series semifinals.
According to YardBaker, In her five-year career at James Madison, Alexander posted a 81-18 record with a 2.18 ERA. She also had a .337 batting average with 39 home runs — the fourth most in JMU softball history.
Alexander says she is excited to get to work. “I am super excited and grateful for this opportunity, and to be a part of this Howard community with Coach Tyson. I am extremely thankful for the opportunities this sport has brought me.”
– Odicci Alexander
“Odicci will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program. I can’t wait for our athletes to learn from her,” Tyson said. “She has a real passion for developing pitchers and sharing the game and our bullpen and entire team and staff will benefit greatly from having her in our dugout.”
Alexander currently plays for Athletes Unlimted after being drafted by the USSSA Pride in 2021. In the 2022 collegiate season, she was a volunteer assistant coach for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.
Alexander joins the Howard University Bison after their historic 2022 season where they won their second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title in program history and became the first Howard team to score in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament.
Alexander will join the Bison in late October at the conclusion of her professional season in Japan.
Alabama A&M has already selected one recipient, Lebo Mashego. Mashego, who was inspired to apply for the SAIC STEM Scholarship by his sister, an AAMU alumna, plans to study mechanical engineering.
Alabama A&M is in the process of selecting the second recipient.
“These students are the technology leaders of tomorrow, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to provide support and guidance for them,” said Greg Fortier, vice president of the Army Fires, Aviation and Missile Defense Operation at SAIC. “SAIC partners with reputable universities such as Alabama A&M, who are responsible for helping our future scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians reach their full potential and enable STEM transformation critical to our society’s success and well-being.”
This is the first year SAIC has worked with Alabama A&M to provide scholarships and opportunities for students to pursue through the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences (CETPS) and the AAMU-RISE Foundation, which facilitates research and development efforts with the school, industry and government partners.
“Our relationship with SAIC has provided opportunities for our students to explore comprehensive, rewarding academic experiences, regardless of their financial circumstances,” said Dr. Zhengtao Deng, interim dean of the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences. “We look forward to augmenting our collaboration to educate and equip future innovators, encouraging the continued success of the school’s programs.”
Today, Morgan State Universityannounced that they have secured three-time Olympian, Kenny Monday as their new men’s wrestling coach.
Monday is more than qualified for the role, as his accomplishments include being the first Black wrestler in history to win an Olympic gold medal and a National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee. He most recently served as the director of wrestling and head wrestling coach at Spire Academy, an international high school and postgraduate sports performance training and education complex.
Monday has held positions as the head freestyle wrestling coach at the UNC Chapel Hill Training Center; head wrestling coach for the UFC’s Team Takedown MMA and Blackzillion MMA; co-head coach at Oklahoma State University, assistant wrestling coach for the 2012 Summer Olympics; and assistant wrestling coach at Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, Texas. In all, Monday has coached 30 national champions and 50 All-Americans.
This is a major win for thewrestlingteam at Morgan State since making their comeback after a 25-year hiatus.
“Wrestling is officially back at the National Treasure, Morgan State University! With the hiring of Coach Monday and the vast, winning experience he brings from competing at the highest echelons, we are certain to return to our championship glory and become a destination for student-athletes desiring top-level coaching and exceptional academic programs,” said David K. Wilson, Morgan State University president. “It isn’t every day that you can bring in a leader the caliber of Coach Kenny Monday…someone who has successfully competed and coached at the high school, collegiate and professional levels and has won throughout his career. So, when there was a mutual interest in having him become a part of the Morgan family, we made it happen without hesitation.”
Kenny Monday winning the Olympic gold medal in 1988
In October 2021, Morgan announced their wrestling comeback after receiving the largest-ever donation to the university’s athletics department in $2.7 million from HBCU Wrestling (HBCUW), a new initiative reestablishing wrestling programs on HBCU campuses.
Kerry McCoy, the president of HBCU Wrestling says he is proud of how he and his team worked with Morgan State to bring in Kenny Monday. “Kenny Monday is an icon in the world of wrestling and has inspired so many. He has the ability to mobilize the Morgan alumni and the local community to generate support for the program. We look forward to continuing to support him and the program in any way we can” said McCoy.
Being that Morgan State is the only HBCU to offer NCAA Division I Varsity-level wrestling, it was imperative that the university found the best of the best for the upcoming 2023-2024 season.
“After conducting a nationwide search of the best talent in wrestling coaching, we are confident that in Coach Kenny Monday, we have selected the right person to restore Morgan’s wrestling program,” said Dena Freeman-Patton, vice president and director for intercollegiate athletics at Morgan. “Coach Monday brings the gravitas and experience to lead a Division I program and attract the top talent in the nation to come to Morgan. We look forward to having him start as soon as possible and build a championship-ready wrestling team.”
Monday is excited to get to work in his new role. “I’m extremely grateful and honored to be named as the head wrestling coach at Morgan State University. Bringing the wrestling program back to an HBCU after 25 years is exciting for me and the entire wrestling community,” said Coach Monday. “I want to thank President Wilson and Athletic Director Dena Freeman-Patton for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to build an incredible program. Every experience in my career has prepared me for this moment, and I can’t wait to get started. Go Bears!”
The University will host a press conference during the week of Aug. 22 to officially introduce Coach Monday, with more details TBA.
For many, “woke” culture has brought long awaited awareness to issues like racism, classism, and mental health. But for others, that same awareness has created more problems than it solves. This is especially true for the rich Gen-Z teens in the new horror comedy Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. The film is named after a dicey game that the self-aware high schoolers should have known better than to play on a dark and stormy night. As they all shelter together in a mansion from an incoming hurricane, their silly houseparty game turns into a murderous whodunnit.
Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is yet another creative, highly-charged thriller presented by A24. Premiering this Friday, the film is directed by powerhouse actress and producer Halina Reijn, and written by Sarah DeLappe. The film stars Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Rachel Sennott, Chase Sui Wonders, Pete Davidson, Myha’la Herrold, and Lee Pace.
As it turns out, the well-to-do group of friends isn’t as solid as they believe themselves to be. For starters, Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) should have never suggested adding such a high-stakes game to a wild night already fueled by drinking and party drugs. In the game, all of the friends must draw a card. The person who gets the card with an “X” on it is the secret killer, and everyone must hide from them without recognizing who they really are. The murderer can only “kill” someone by touching them on the back, but just maybe they will kill for real.
Recently, we had the chance to sit down with Amandla Stenberg and Myha’la Herrold to talk about the film Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. They gave us details about the film, the bonds that they have now with the cast, and told us who they wouldn’t trust if they played the game in real life. Just so you know, the keyword is Men. There are some scenes that were not included in the film, which was Amandla’s character losing it after being confident in the film. The conversation also included topics that surround Gen-Z and portraying the culture we live in.
What happens after the “X” is pulled is nothing short of pure chaos. Always used to holding each other accountable, the friends don’t know who to trust. Fingers are pointed. Secrets come out. There will be some crying. And there will be lots of blood. Amid all the twists and turns, you’ll just have to watch to guess who the real killer is. Choose wisely.
There are plenty of benefits to seeking to experience our African roots. One of the best opportunities in the U.S. to stay connected to the pan-African community is the Evrything Conference! Having taken place in Washington, D.C., the conference was created to encourage Americans to re-envision how they perceive Africa through being educated and having cultural experiences. Because this year’s festivities left attendees inspired, entertained and more tapped into the culture than ever before, we had to give you a recap!
Lasting from August 5-8, the conference began with a nighttime welcome party at 12 Stories in SW DC. An important highlight, however, was a keynote appearance from HBCU Buzz and L&Company founder, Luke Lawal, Jr.
There were more opportunities to learn Saturday, with three panels as well as a screening for The Ones Who Walk. Yanet Adere moderated the Diaspora Engagement Panel, which will cover topics such as business and entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and travel. Panelists included:
Helen Mesfin (Host & TV Personality, The Helen Show)
William Asiedu (Founder, The Distant Relatives Project)
Eric Martin (Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Black & Abroad)
DeMarius Jackson (Program Specialist, John’s Hopkins Center for Communications)
Dr. Jennifer Hawkins (Global Strategists and Global Policy Leader)
DiscoverGidi co-founder Ugo Obilo moderated the Technology & InnovationPanel. The panel navigated how U.S. tech professionals and entrepreneurs can be a part of Africa’s digital innovation, as well as how international partners can help African countries create their own digital solutions. Panelists included:
Lual Mayen (CEO, Junub Games)
Bukky Ojeifo (Senior Manager, Global Culture & Community at Twitter)
Boum III (CEO & Founder, Daba)
Lionel Fotseu (CEO, Custom Scholar)
Isaac Mbimi (Founder, Seremo)
Ayodele ‘Ayo’ Duyile (Co-founder/Chief of Strategy, Back Door Tech)
The Creative Culture Panel was moderated by Hopeteller Media Founder and CEO Sheba Kereere. The panel discussed how African artists influence media, as well as how the panelists have navigated various experiences in the entertainment industry. Panelists included:
Amarachi Nwosu (Visual Storyteller/Creative Executive and Founder, Melanin Unscripted)
Alexander Nate (Musician)
Makki Araya (Celebrity MUA)
Tambea Raye Stevenson (Founder and CEO, Wanda)
Leslie Tita (Co-founder, I/O Spaces)
To cap it all off, there were giveaways throughout the weekend! Discover Gidi and Evrything Africa came together to offer the Experience Ghana Giveaway. Also, Turkish Airlines give away two tickets to anywhere in Africa! To learn more about Evrything Africa, and how to catch the next events, click here.
Rapper T.I. and Moolah Wireless have partnered with Morris Brown College to provide free tablets to Morris Brown students to celebrate the restoration of the school.
Morris Brown College is partnering with the “King of the South” Clifford ‘T.I.’ Harris and Moolah Wireless to provide more than 200 free tablets with 12 months of data service to Morris Brown students to celebrate the restoration of the school.
In April, Morris Brown announced that after 20 years the school finally received its full accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). A major comeback that’s worth a major celebration. That’s where T.I and Moolah comes in.
“I’m excited to partner with Moolah Wireless to be able to provide the students at Morris Brown College free tablets to support their educational endeavors,” Harris said. “This is the first of many schools whose students will receive Moolah tablets.”
091210 Atlanta — Allison Jones, Morris Brown student body president, walks past Fountain Hall on the Morris Brown campus Thursday, December 10, 2009.
Bita Honarvar, bhonarvar@ajc.com
According to CBS 46 News, officials say in addition to offering the tablets to Morris Brown College students, Moolah Wireless also offers free tablets to anyone eligible for the program which includes veterans, senior citizens, Section 8 residents and others.
University officials said that this was nearly 20 years in the making for the historic college.
Students can expect their new tablets to be provided on Aug. 15.
Benedict College and Fresno Unified School District have partnered to launch a program that will allow students to earn 12 college credits to an HBCU by taking virtual classes.
Benedict Collegeand Fresno Unified School District have partnered to launch a program that will allow students to earn 12 college credits to an HBCU by taking virtual classes.
“This year it’s a pilot program, we’re starting with three high schools in Fresno Unified School District, we will be expanding to every high school in Fresno Unified School District,” says HBCU Step Up Coordinator Zerina Hargrove Brown.
The Fresno high schools participating in the first round include Bullard, Edison and Sunnyside. Organizers compared the new program to advance placement courses that are already offered to students.
“I could put your kids in an AP class, force them to take the AP test, either get a good grade or don’t get a good grade, that may get on their college transcript, it might not. Or we can put kids in dual enrollment, where they are guaranteed to get transcript credit at the end of that course,” says Superintendent Bob Nelson.
In order to qualify, students will have to maintain a certain GPA and show they’re committed to the program.
“You have to be excited about learning, you have to be diligent in regards to your academics and serious about what you want to do in higher learning. As long as you have a 2.0 and you have a passion and the heart, and you want to go to college, then you can be in this program,” says Brown.
Students who are accepted and complete the program are guaranteed admission to Benedict College.
Dinkins Hall is home to the university’s administrative offices, over a dozen classrooms, and a 400-seat auditorium. Along with the general renovation of the whole building, it’s set to get a new roof and upgrades to its heating, cooling, and electrical systems.
“The university received a total of $600,000 dollars to make renovations to our main administrative and classroom building here at Selma University,” said President Dr. Stanford Angion.
Angion stresses the importance of the building, “Dinkins Hall was a building that was designed by an African-American architect. And it was erected by African-Americans. And so, it has a lot of history in it, and we want to do all we can to preserve it.”
“In addition to just bringing life to the campus, it brings life to the community, because of the rich history that this building holds,” Angion said.
North Carolina Central University has partnered with The Brandr Group (TBG) to establish a group licensing program for the university’s student-athletes.
Black Enterprise reports that this collaboration creates new opportunities for NCCU student-athletes in all 15 sports who want to use their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) together with the university’s official trademarks and logos. This is just the first of what TBG hopes will be numerous partnerships with HBCUs and creates opportunities for companies and brands to support student-athletes at HBCUs.
Rick Perko, vice president of Program Development at TBG is looking forward to working with NCCU, “We are thrilled to welcome NCCU to our family as our first HBCU partner, and we look forward to working together to support Eagles student-athletes through this new agreement.”
SOURCE: NCCU ATHLETICS
“There are several companies and individuals who are interested in making a difference with student-athletes at HBCUs and group licensing will allow them to have the greatest breadth of impact. Through co-branded opportunities across NCCU’s merchandising and sponsorship portfolio, their talented athletes will have the ability to monetize their NIL, while Eagles fans will also enjoy new ways to celebrate their favorite players,” said Perko.
“This partnership with a respected leader in the group licensing industry will provide our talented and dynamic student-athletes with unique NIL opportunities,” said NCCU Director of Athletics, Dr. Louis “Skip” Perkins. “We are proud to be the first HBCU to join forces with The Brandr Group as a demonstration of NCCU’s commitment to elevating our deserving student-athletes.”
According to Black Enterprise, the agreement with TBG allows for the use of student-athletes NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with the NCCU logos and marks. Student-athletes will have the ability to voluntarily join a group licensing program, and TBG will facilitate group licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes. Participation in the program will not limit any student-athletes NIL rights in their individual licensing and marketing activities. Potential licensees interested in learning more about the program should contact Jim Neish at TBG.
The TBG agency will manage and administer the program as well as develop licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes. This program will benefit student-athletes, allowing them opportunities for licensed merchandise that is similar to professional sports scale.
The official NCCU merchandise, including team jerseys with the name and number of their favorite players who have joined the respective group licensing program, will be available once TBG enters into agreements with applicable school trademark licensees.
Paolo Gilleran and Eddie Gontee of the Morehouse School of Medicine will work with the Falcons, while Kadarius Burgess and Felipe Ocampo of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science will help the staff of the Rams.
Four Howard University College of Medicine students were chosen. Regan Burgess will be with the Bengals, Jason Moore with the Chargers, Justin Moore with the Commanders and Alexandra Cancio-Bello with the Giants.
Omolayo Dada of Morehouse and Andrew Nakla of Meharry Medical College will work with The 49ers. Two more Meharry students Yomiyou Geleta and Kelsey Henderson will be working with the Titans.
According to ESPN, The one-month clinical rotations will begin as the 2022 season gets going in September. Students will work under the supervision of the orthopedic team physicians, primary care team physicians and athletic trainers.
Morehouse School of Medicine student Felipe Ocampo is hoping his selection in the program will be an inspiration for the youth, “My biggest hope through this experience is to inspire youth, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue professions like medicine where they can do incredible things such as sports medicine with the NFL.”
Jordan has teamed up with Howard to establish academic and athletic opportunities over the next twenty years. Learn more in the story below by Samantha Dorisca at AfroTech.
Black futures will be emboldened through an ambitious 20-year commitment between Howard University and Jordan Brand.
“HBCU‘s have been impacting culture since the beginning. Now we see a new era on the horizon, and an opportunity with Jordan Brand to introduce Howard University to the world. I’m excited to see our university partner with a partner like Jordan Brand that already means so much to the Black Community. Together, we have the power to make a difference and inspire the next generation of students to do the same,” said Jordyn Allen, Howard University Student Association President, in a statement.
20-Year Commitment To Howard
The partnership will build on the legacy of Black excellence at the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) by establishing academic and athletic opportunities over the next twenty years. In addition, the partnership reflects Jordan Brand’s interest in spotlighting HBCU culture and collegiate sports throughout the diaspora.
“We have always been proud of our legacy at Howard University, but we are audacious enough to believe our future could be brighter than our past. Partnering with Jordan Brand is another signal of our ambitions as a university to become an even brighter beacon for Black Excellence. We are thrilled to work on that vision of greatness together,” said Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, Howard University President, according to information sent to AfroTech.
Jumpman
On Aug. 27, new Jumpman football uniforms will debut at Howard University’s Game Zero. The Jumpman logo will also be integrated into all the university’s sports teams except for golf, according to Washington Informer.
“Howard University and Jordan Brand share a legacy of excellence and deep commitment to the Black Community. As a HBCU graduate, I understand the educational impact an institution like Howard University has. We are proud to partner with Howard University and see the growth in Black talent on the field and well beyond it,” said Craig Williams, Jordan Brand President, according to a press release.
ALLBLK gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the life of an actor trying to make it in Hollywood while balancing family and relationships in its new dark comedy series “Send Help.” The show features familiar faces from HBO’s hit series “Insecure” as its co-creators, actor Jean Elie, who portrayed Ahmal Dee on “Insecure,” and Mike Gauyo, who was a writer and story editor for the show.
The series follows Fritz, played by Jean Elie, a first-generation Haitian American as he attempts to bounce back after the cancellation of his hit series, all while taking care of his family and maintaining his relationships. Throughout the seven-episode series, the character grapples with topics such as grief, imposter syndrome, and societal and familial pressures.
Fritz avoids coming to terms with the looming traumas of his past, which in turn affects his present relationships. Fritz is not a perfect protagonist, he’s flawed, which makes him all the more relatable; not to mention the charm Elie brings to the character.
Despite the heavy topics portrayed on the show, it maintains its comedic aspect and is easily relatable to the viewer, especially first-generation Americans.
In an interview with Deadline, Elie described “Send Help” as a love letter to his family and “’others living with tragedy.” “It’s also a shoutout to first-generation Americans daring to step into creative fields despite being discouraged by their immigrant families. I hope young people will see what’s possible when you step out of your own way and defy society’s limits” said Elie.
Co-creator Gauyo echoes these sentiments saying, “This is a series about Haitian people just existing. Not as caricatures or stereotypes, but as fully formed, normalized, human beings sharing the same space as everyone else, while sharing unique experiences that feel universal. I’m incredibly proud of this series and can’t wait to see it on air.”
“Send Help” is a bingeable watch with an interesting storyline and characters, as well as a great R&B soundtrack in between scenes. Despite the specific storyline, the universal themes of loss, insecurity, and regret make it relatable and digestible for the average viewer.
Watch “Send Help” premiering on August 11th on ALLBLK with new episodes dropping every Thursday.
