Tennessee State University alum and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Juanita Brown Ingram has been crowned this year’s Mrs. Universe.
The TSU alum and Chatanooga native is not new to pageantry. She is the first African-American woman to compete and win the title of Mrs. Indiana United States in 2007 and has since gone on to compete and become the first African-American Ms. World International 2012, and has Mrs. Great Britain World 2011, Mrs. UK Universe 2013, and Mrs. UK International 2014 (placing Top 3 at Nationals).
Ingram received her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Tennessee State University and her MBA and Jurist Doctorate from the University of Memphis. She is a US licensed attorney and a former adjunct professor of Business Law and was the recipient of the 2021 NAACP Ruby Hurley Image Award.
Ingram is a woman of many talents as she is an award-winning attorney, filmmaker, author, fashion philanthropist, and actress.
She is also a wife and a mother currently living in Singapore, and formerly residing in London and Taiwan.
Ingram founded Purpose Productions Inc. in 2018, which is a women-led production company with a mission of creating content that celebrates authentic BIPOC narratives while empowering women and youth through film. On Juneteenth 2021, she launched Purpose Streaming, a streaming platform dedicated to content that inspires, informs, and empowers through BIPOC-centric content.
The newly crowned Mrs. Universe ran on the platform “dress for success,” a platform that she says she lives by and is a nod to her service work. She is the founder and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Dress For Success Greater London, an organization that helps disadvantaged women become economically independent by styling them and giving them interview attire, career training, and support. She recently opened a Dress For Success office in her hometown Chatanooga, Tennessee.
In an interview with FOX Chatanooga, Ingram shared words of encouragement for any young ladies interested in pageantry. “I think pageantry with purpose a very powerful, so to all the young ladies who are interested in doing that I say go for it,” said Ingram. “Prepare and just be your absolute best self.”
Grammy-award-winning artist CeeLo Green has graciously donated electronic tablets to the students of Paine College
On Friday school officials announced to students during 140th Fall Convocation that all students attending the college through federal Pell Grants will receive 32-gigabyte Android tablets.
Each tablet comes with 12 months of free internet connectivity and is formatted and distributed by Atlanta-based internet service provider Moolah Wireless.
J.R. Henderson, a member of Paine’s Board of Trustees said that they reached out to CeeLo after seeing what T.I. did at Morris Brown. “We said, “OK, Atlanta has T.I. We have CeeLo,’” said Henderson. “So we picked up the phone and called CeeLo Green and said, ‘You know something? We want to do exactly what we saw another college do.’”
Green could not attend the Fall convocation but sent in a recorded video offering encouraging words for the new students.
According to the Augusta Chronicle, Paine College students who are not enrolled in the federal Pell Grant program currently and did not receive a tablet may still be eligible. Individuals also qualify if they are enrolled in other federal programs such as the National School Lunch Program or Federal Public Housing Assistance.
The Aristocrat of Bands (AOB) at Tennessee State University is setting their aspirations high by submitting an application to the Grammys to be nominated for their upcoming album “The Urban Hymnal.”
On Monday, the band announced the news on social media, documenting the moment they hit the submit button. They are vying to win in the category of Best Gospel Roots Album.
If they win, the band would make history as the first collegiate band to receive a Grammy for an entire album.
The Aristocrat of Bands is no stranger to being a band firsts. They were the first HBCU to appear on national television during the 1955 Rams vs Bears NFL game halftime show; the first HBCU to perform at the Presidential Inauguration for John F. Kennedy in 1961; the first HBCU to be appointed by the NFL in 2002 as an official band for the Tennessee Titans, and the first collegiate band to perform for the NFL Hall of Fame Halftime Show in 2014 just to name a few.
This win would be even more special for the AOB as the album was recorded right on the campus of TSU.
“The Urban Hymnal” is set to be released on September 13, as a 10-track album filled with organic sounds that were created on campus.
Several gospel music pioneers will be featured on the album including, Jekalyn Carr, Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard, John P. Kee, Louis York, Dubba-AA, Sir the Baptist, Prof. Jenkins, Take 6, Mali Music, and more.
TSU Senior and Saxophone Section Leader Logyn Rylander expressed her gratitude to News Channel 5 in an interview. “I feel so honored to just be in the presence of such great people, such great geniuses, people who work hard,” Rylander. “I’m so honored, grateful, and thankful for everything they’ve been pouring into us — pouring into me — and it’s going to take me places that I already know: the sky’s the limit for me honestly. Pressing that button, it just solidified my future, solidified the fact that I can do this.
The band recently performed at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans, which garnered even more attention from the gospel community, according to AOB director Dr. Reginald McDonald.
“And as a result of that performance, so many mega artists within the gospel community have now asked to be a part of the project,” McDonald said.
The album is executively produced by Aristocrat of Bands assistant director professor Larry Jenkins, Grammy award-winning songwriter and artist Dallas Austin, two-time Grammy award-nominated songwriter and artist Sir the Baptist, and artist and TSU alum, Dubba-AA.
Sir the Baptist, who received an honorary degree at TSU last spring, said “We will bring back to life some of the hymnals, but in an urban way,” he said. “To have support from so many people and brands, it means a lot and shows us that we are on the right track. “This is really going to change culture.”
“For me to be the band director of Tennessee State is nothing short of divine intervention. This album can do something to solidify the branding of not just the band, but the university for decades”
– Dr. Reginald McDonald, Aristocrat of Bands Director
According to the Tennessee Tribune, McDonald said “This will be the first (album) from us, it won’t be our last.” He said he is grateful to have the ability to transition students, ‘from dreams to reality.’
Grammy nominees will be announced in mid-November, while the awards ceremony is set for February 5, 2023.
The University of Alabama has announced a new bridge program for students from Stillman College, Fort Valley State University, and Jackson State University who are interested in renewable energy.
UA was awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation for the program that will prepare undergraduate students for graduate programs, industry careers, and entrepreneurial opportunities in renewable energy. The five-year project was awarded through the NSF’s Bridging Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, Communities, also known as RII-BEC.
“RII-BEC is a very prestigious award that will empower us with lots of research and education resources in the next five years to enhance students’ learning and research experience,” said UA professor of chemistry and project principal investigator, Dr. Shanlin Pan.
Program participants will receive mentoring and training in UA’s state-of-the-art research facilities
The goals for the program include enhancing the competitiveness of HBCU student participants as applicants to graduate programs, preparing participants for the STEM workforce through hands-on lab experiences that were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, and providing students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to be successful in a STEM career.
The university says that the program activities will take place through resident summer programs at UA as well as student exchanges between UA and Stillman students during the academic year.
“Participants will receive outstanding hands-on lab training and be engaged in summer research activities related to clean energy and materials science
– Dr. Shanlin Pan
According to Pan students will also have access to the university’s “state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities” This well help to build “more than sufficient knowledge and skills for future graduate school study and the energy industry” Pan added.
The program will sponsor nine undergrads from the three HBCUs each summer of the five-year project by providing stipends, on-campus housing, and travel expenses.
According to the university, it is estimated that 70 Stillman students will participate in exchange activities each year during the fall and spring semesters.
“This NSF award represents a significant accomplishment for UA,” said Dr. Emmett Lodree, director of the UA Graduate School’s Strategic Graduate Partnerships. “It really moves the needle forward with regard to UA’s strategic efforts to cultivate partnerships with bachelor’s and/or minority-serving institutions, particularly HBCUs in the southeast.”
“Recently, the Graduate School launched its Strategic Graduate Partnerships Initiative to coordinate these efforts and has since facilitated the renewal of a 50-year-old institutional agreement with Stillman College. This award further solidifies the institutional agreement between UA and Stillman and represents a promising future of mutually beneficial collaboration between the two institutions. The NSF award also enriches UA’s relationships with Fort Valley State University and Jackson State University.”
“We are thankful for the partnership with Grant Thornton and the continued support they have provided to HBCU golf programs,” saidKendra Greene, NCCU interim head golf coach. “The support by Grant Thornton will provide opportunities to enhance our golf programs in ways we previously couldn’t imagine. We especially look forward to the internship opportunities they will provide for not only our NCCU student-athletes but the NCCU campus community.”
Visibility and outreach for HBCU golf programs have been on the rise recently.
Earlier this year United Airlines and PGA Tour permitted travel grants for 51 HBCU programs to help them get to and from golf tournaments. Each school received $10,000 each in an effort to allow HBCUs to recruit and compete at the highest levels of collegiate golf.
In May, Wells Fargo provided opportunities for HBCU golfers to learn from and play golf with PGA Tour players at the Wells Fargo Championship.
NBA Basketball champion Steph Curry is sponsoring the Howard University golf team, committing to fund the program for six years, and ex-NBA star J.R. Smith is currently a student-athlete playing for the North Carolina A&T Aggies golf program.
Having major corporations supporting HBCU golf programs is extremely significant as it may increase the representation of African Americans in the golf world. According to The Atlanta Voice, there are currently only fourBlack golfers with PGA Tour status out of around 260 Tour regulars. Last year, Mariah Stackhouse was the LPGA’s only full-time black golfer on tour.
Grant Thornton hasn’t announced the terms of the new program yet but according to Rashada Whitehead, National Managing Director of Culture, Immersion & Inclusion diversity is a part of the goal.
“It’s time to go beyond what’s expected in golf,” Whitehead said.
“Grant Thornton is supporting HBCU golf programs around the country to help reimagine and expand the game. This opportunity will build connections that empower the future of the sport and, most importantly, amplify diverse and valued voices. Together, we can create a game that is enjoyed by all.”
– Rashada Whitehead, National Managing Director of Culture, Immersion & Inclusion at Grant Thornton
Saint Augustine’s Univesity (SAU) has partnered with the International Informational System Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC)² to prepare students for careers in cybersecurity.
(ISC)² is the world’s leading and most prominent non-profit organization that provides security training and certificates for cybersecurity professionals.
“This partnership is a critical step forward in reimagining the core competencies of an SAU graduate in the areas of Science, Technology, Research, Arts, and Mathematics,” said SAU President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail.
“We are now positioned to meet the diversity, equity, and inclusion needs of a rapidly growing cybersecurity workforce.”
– Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail, SAU President
This partnership will help grow the cybersecurity workforce as it is experiencing a critical shortage of highly trained and certified professionals.
Veronica Creech, Vice President for Economic Development & External Engagement at SAU said “According to (ISC)²’s 2021 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the Cybersecurity Workforce Estimate and Cybersecurity Workforce Gap suggest the global cybersecurity workforce needs to grow 65% to effectively defend organizations’ critical assets.”
“Saint Augustine’s University is uniquely positioned to train today’s talent for today’s cybersecurity workforce. Our leadership is honored to be blazing a trail in closing these gaps in partnership with (ISC)².”
According to the university, SAU students can receive any (ISC)² certification to diversify the talent pipeline of cybersecurity professionals and the skill and validation needed for the field. This certification will also demonstrate to employers that they have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities for an entry-level cybersecurity job.
This partnership comes as a precursor for SAU’s relaunching of their Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Students will have an opportunity to focus their degree in four key areas: Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Simulation and Game Design.
“Cybersecurity is national security,” said Dr. Terry Kidd, Vice President of Strategic Planning, Research, Technology and Innovation. “With this synergistic partnership, SAU will equip students with the knowledge, research, and skills needed not only for their careers, but for making a lasting impact on the nation’s security across industries and organizations. We, at SAU, are proud to announce this initiative alongside so many others who share a strong commitment to addressing our cybersecurity workforce challenges. We look forward to building more public-private partnerships needed to accomplish this shared goal.”
Jackson State University’s The Division of University Communications is the recipient of four 2022 dotCOMM Awards, an international competition honoring excellence in web creativity and digital communication.
Jackson State University reports that the university’s The Division of University Communications is the recipient of four 2022 dotCOMM Awards, an international competition honoring excellence in web creativity and digital communication. The competition spotlights the role of creatives in the dynamic, constantly evolving web.
“Jackson State University is honored to be recognized amongst our international peers for our work in the web and digital communication landscape,” said Alonda Thomas, JSU associate vice president for marketing and communications. “These four winning campaigns are excellent examples of the teamwork our marketing, digital media, public relations, and creative services staff produce in support of the university’s strategic plan to foster an environment of student success.”
Winning a dotCOMM award signifies to employers, clients, prospects, and competitors that the winner’s web and digital work is among the best in the industry.
JSU received a Platinum Award, the competition’s top honor, for the 2021 JSU Day of Giving video in the event category; a Gold Award in the inspirational category for the “JSU Strong” video; a Gold Award in the event category for the “Virtual High School Day” video; and an honorable mention for “Play ‘The Show’” video in the entertainment category.
Spencer McClenty, director of communications and digital media at JSU says the global reach of the competition makes winning all that more significant, “This recognition is special to us because submissions for this competition come from all around the world – more than 130 countries.
“The fact that we won a Platinum award shows that we have one of the top digital communications teams in the industry.”
– Spencer McClenty, director of communications and digital media.
The dotCOMM Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), one of the largest, oldest, and most respected evaluators of creative work in the marketing and communication industry. Judges are senior-level, experienced professionals who look for talented high-performing companies and individuals within the industry.
“All four campaigns pushed us to think creatively outside the box to effectively reach our audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s an honor for our institution to be recognized,” said Tangelia Kelly, Ph.D., director of marketing.
“Whether it was reminding our community we are still “JSU Strong” amid the pandemic’s uncertainty, helping attract and recruit high school students through virtual events traditionally held in person, or creating engaging ways to raise funds for the university through digital platforms, our team rose to the challenge. We truly appreciate our students, alumni, faculty, and staff who make our digital storytelling possible.”
Clark Atlanta University announced that their bachelor’s and master’s social work programs have been reaffirmed accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation for another eight years, ending in June 2030.
On Thursday, Clark Atlanta Universityannounced that their bachelor’s and master’s social work programs have been reaffirmed accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation for another eight years, ending in June 2030.
According to Dr. Jenny L. Jones, dean and professor of the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work, the reaffirmed accreditation shows the quality and excellence of the program.
“It is a vote of confidence in the caliber of the programs for our graduates and the public they serve,” she said. “It ensures excellence and is evident that our programs meet the highest level of practice in the field—which allows us to be competitive with other social work programs across the nation.”
The Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work is the first accredited school of social work in Georgia and at an HBCU. The school celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2020 and is currently ranked #51 by the US News and World Report.
“Now more than ever, we need social workers to challenge injustices and work to alleviate human and social issues to effect positive change.”
– Dr. Jenny L. Jones, dean and professor of the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work
The social work program at Clark prepares students to address specific psychological, social, spiritual, and economic problems experienced by people of African descent from an Afrocentric perspective. The program also encompasses the intersectionality of race and other societal factors such as gender, ethnicity, social class, ability status, and sexual orientation.
“Racial, ethnic, and gender inequalities continue to be front and center in our society,” said Jones. “Families are being impacted in every possible way. Gun violence in our schools and communities, racial violence, and income inequality threaten our security. The continued development and enforcement of oppressive policies challenge the values upon which this profession is built.”
Bowie State is offering four new undergraduate programs designed to prepare students for positions in the expanding field of technology. Students can apply now to earn a bachelor’s degree in cyber operations engineering, data science, software engineering and philosophy, political science and economics (PPE).
The university strives to respond to industry and market demands.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in information and computer technology occupations are projected to grow dramatically between now and 2030. The university says that projections show that over 667,000 new positions will be created with an emphasis on cloud computing, collection, and storage of big data and information security, with an average wage of over $97,000.
“Our goal is to bring more value to our academic portfolio so that potential students think of Bowie State as a university that provides high-quality computer science, technology, and engineering degree programs along with its established reputation in liberal arts education,” said Dr. Carl Goodman, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bowie State University.
“We’re committed to ensuring our students are prepared for the new jobs that are becoming available daily in the fast-growing STEM sectors of our economy.”
– Dr. Carl Goodman, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bowie State University
Students can also enroll in online degree programs to earn their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees this fall. The online undergraduate degree programs include computer science, computer technology, and criminal justice. A graduate student can earn a master’s degree online in computer science, culturally responsive teacher leadership, management information systems, reading education, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership.
“We recognize that students now, more than ever before due to COVID, need to have options on how they earn their degrees,” said Dr. Goodman. “The online degree programs are primarily designed to attract working professionals to Bowie State and provide them the opportunity to begin or continue their education from anywhere in the nation and around the globe. These are only the initial online degree programs with more scheduled to be available next year,” he said.
I stand here today knowing that my Howard University education prepared me to play Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, and T’Challa.”
Credit: Rick Rowell via Getty
A Howard University alumnus has been selected by The Walt Disney Company for a very prestigious honor at its upcoming D23 Expo presented by Visa. Chadwick Boseman will be one of fourteen Disney Legends honored for their lasting contributions to DIsney’s iconic legacy. Most known for his celebrated role as the Black Panther, Boseman will be honored posthumously after passing away from colon cancer in August 2020. However, thanks to this award he will formally go down in history as one of the company’s most influential figures of all times.
The D23 Expo has served as Disney’s largest and most comprehensive fan experience in the world since 2009. The sold-out Expo takes place September 9, 10, and 11 and is packed with events at the Anaheim Convention Center near Disneyland. Attendees can expect to enjoy conversations and special celebrity appearances tied to Disney’s parks and brands (Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic).
Disney’s influence stretches over nearly 100 years, and this year’s D23 Expo will be centered around a Disney100 campaign. The “D” in D23 stands for Disney, while the “23” acknowledges when founder Walt Disney established the company in 1923. “For nearly a century, Disney has been entertaining and inspiring people around the world,” said Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “I can’t wait to give fans a first look at what we have in store for our hundredth anniversary, and how we’re using this occasion to celebrate all the fans and families who have welcomed Disney into their lives.”
Chadwick Boseman (L) and Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick (R) | Source: Seattle Medium
The D23 Expo will begin with a bang, featuring an opening ceremony that puts the 35th Anniversary of the Disney Legends Awards front and center. The ceremony will be live streamed, and will include special guests and surprises. For one, fans can appreciate special musical performances from cast members of Disney Broadway productions like Aladdin and The Lion King. In addition to Boseman, the Disney Legend honorees will include familiar faces like Anthony Anderson, a recent fellow graduate of Howard University. Anderson’s black-ish co-star Tracee Ellis Ross will also be honored, as well as Rob’t Coltrin, Patrick Dempsey, Robert Price “Bob” Foster, Jonathan Groff, Don Hahn, Josh Gad, Doris Hardoon, Idina Menzel, Chris Montan, and Ellen Pompeo. Emmy® Award winner and key broadcast journalist winner Tamron Hall will host the award ceremony.
According to the Walt Disney Archives, each Disney Legend embodies three special elements, each of which have representations on their award: “The Spiral—stands for imagination, the power of an idea. The Hand—holds the gifts of skill, discipline and craftsmanship. The Wand and the Star—represent magic: the spark that is ignited when imagination and skill combine to create a new dream.” Throughout his life, Chadwick Boseman demonstrated that he always had the essence that Disney Legends are made of.
During his 42 years on earth, Boseman built the career of a lifetime. He first got started with small roles in Law & Order, All My Children, CSI: NY, and ER. By 2008 he booked his first recurring role on Lincoln Heights, then on Persons Unknown. Yet his first big break came in 2013 when he played the role of Jackie Robinson in 42. His success in that role led him to a secure blockbuster biopic – playing James Brown in the hit film Get On Up.
Perhaps the most defining role of his career though, was his dual role of T’Challa and The Black Panther. As a key member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), he first appeared in Captain America: Civil War. However when Black Panther came out, it truly made history. The film became the first superhero movie nominated for an Oscar in Best Picture, won three Oscars total, and has since reached beyond $10 billion at the global box office since its release. He went on to play the role several more times, including in Avengers: Infinity War in 2018 and Avengers: Endgame in 2019.
However before he became the iconic Black Panther, Boseman chose to develop his talents at Howard University. The South Carolina native graduated from the Washington, D.C. HBCU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing. As he accomplished feat after feat as an actor, writer and director post-graduation, he gained international recognition. However, he never forgot his roots. In 2018 returned to his alma mater as a commencement speaker and shared words that will last a lifetime. “I stand here today knowing that my Howard University education prepared me to play Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, and T’Challa,” he said. He also shared how the personal standards he developed at the HBCU taught him to hold his head high and stand in integrity. “Sometimes you need to get knocked down before you can really figure out what your fight is and how you need to fight it,” Bosemen told the students. “Sometimes you need to feel the pain and the sting of defeat to activate the real passion and purpose that God predestined inside of you.” During his visit, the icon received an honorary degree, a Doctor of Humane Letters.
A year after his passing, Boseman was honored by Howard University tremendously. In 2021 the HBCU unveiled the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, as a nod both to him and his field of study. To sweeten the deal in a way that even benefited Howard students, iconic actress Phylicia Rashad was signed on as Dean. “Chad was a very proud Bison — both Howard and Ms. Rashad played integral roles in his journey as an artist,” said his widow Simone Ledward Boseman. “The re-establishment of the College of Fine Arts brings this part of his story full-circle and ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire young storytellers for years to come.”
Over his lifetime, Boseman has won accolades from the Golden Globe Awards, People’s Choice Awards, BET Awards, Hollywood Black Film Festival, African-American Film Critics Association, Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. According to CinemaBlend, he posthumously received honors such as Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama at the 78th Golden Globe Awards; NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Ensemble for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; an NAACP Outstanding Supporting Actor award for Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, and even Outstanding Actor from the Black Reel Awards. He even received an Emmy nomination for his work in the Disney+ animated series What If…?, which was his last time playing T’Challa and the Black Panther.
Throughout it all, Boseman has made a lasting impact. “Boseman reminds us that the quality of life is not measured in time, but rather it is measured in how well we live it and what we prioritized,” said outgoing Howard University President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick. “He prioritized his wife, his family, his friends, his craft, and loving others. The characters he portrayed will be celebrated but his greatest gift to us was himself.”
Although the D23 Expo is already sold out, many of the events, including the Disney Legends Awards, will be livestreamed on D23Expo.com.
An upcoming horror movie shows what bad things can happen when you don’t follow your gut. Presented by 20th Century Studios and New Regency, Barbarian tells the story of a woman named Tess who arrives on a rainy night to a home rental that she had booked a month prior. When a man answers the door and reluctantly shares that it must have been overbooked, she goes against her better judgment and decides to stay the night. Tess does her best to protect herself from the man, but he isn’t the only one-or thing- to be afraid of.
Tess does her best to protect herself from the man, but he isn’t all she has to be afraid of.
Barbarian stars Georgina Campbell as Tess, Bill Skarsgård as Keith, Justin Long as AJ, and Matthew Patrick Davis as The Mother. It should be noted that there are a few horror heavy-hitters supporting the project. With his chilling portrayal of Steven King’s Pennywise the Clown, Skargård is a well-known horror figure behind the film adaptations of It and It: Chapter Two. Skarsgård is even among the executive producers for this film. Additionally, Barbarian producer Stephen Roy not only produced both of those Stephen King adaptations, but served as an executive producer on cult classics The Grudge and The Ring as well. Other producers on the film include J.D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules, and Armon Milchan. Barbarian is written and directed by Zach Cregger.
Barbarian capitalizes on the apprehension that some travelers experience when choosing between Airbnb rentals and traditional hotels. Although there is often no contact between hotel guests and hotel staff prior to reservations, many guests find comfort in the reputation of the hotel, as well as the presence of other hotel guests. Airbnb was created as a more intimate way to experience an area, but since its launch the company has encountered unanticipated problems with reservations. For example, many renters, like a few in Texas, have discovered hidden cameras in their rentals. Some renters may find that their rental doesn’t have the view they expected. Then of course, there’s the small chance that like Tess, someone else is unexpectedly home.
Barbarian will premiere in theaters nationwide on September 9, 2022
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced that he will forgive $10,000 in federal student debt for qualifying borrowers and will also cancel up to $20,000 for recipients of Pell Grants.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced that he will forgive $10,000 in federal student debt for qualifying borrowers and will also cancel up to $20,000 for recipients of Pell Grants.
Those who qualify for the relief include Americans who make less than $125,000 per year or $250,000 for married couples or heads of households. According to the Education Department, the relief is also capped at the amount of a borrower’s outstanding eligible debt.
The President will also extend the payment freeze one final time until the end of the year.
(DoD News photo by EJ Hersom)
Biden’s decision fulfills his campaign pledge and delivers financial relief to tens of millions of Americans.
“In keeping with my campaign promise, my Administration is announcing a plan to give working and middle class families breathing room as they prepare to resume federal student loan payments in January 2023,” Biden said in a tweet on Wednesday.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement, “Today, we’re delivering targeted relief that will help ensure borrowers are not placed in a worse position financially because of the pandemic, and restore trust in a system that should be creating opportunity, not a debt trap.”
Around 9 million borrowers could have their balances entirely cleared by Biden’s plan, according to higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.
CNBC reports that Biden’s decision to move ahead with $10,000 in student debt cancellation for borrowers who earn under $125,000 will cost the federal government around $244 billion, Kantrowitz estimated. The $20,000 in relief for Pell Grant recipients may add around another $120 billion to the government’s costs.
NPR says according to a senior administration official, about 43 million borrowers will benefit, and 20 million will have their debt completely canceled.
The Education Department will announce further details on how borrowers can claim this relief in the weeks ahead.
President Biden will speak at 2:15 p.m. ET to formally announce the plan.
North Carolina A&T has announced a coaching change as Men’s Basketball Head Coach Will Jones will no longer be a part of the program.
Jones has been with the Aggies for two-and-a half seasons, originally taking over the program on an interim basis before taking a permanent position before the 2020-21 season. He leaves with a 37-35 record and a 24-15 mark against conference opponents.
Assistant coach Phillip Shumpert will be taking over for Jones interim basis while the school conducts a national search to fill the head coaching vacancy following the 2022-23 season.
“We appreciate all that coach Jones accomplished for the North Carolina A&T men’s basketball program and wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Earl Hilton, NCAT Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “We will rally around coach Shumpert as he prepares our young men for our first season in the CAA (Colonial Athletic Association).”
The university says that they cannot provide further comments on the move due to university policy. However, HBCU Gameday reports that a source said Jones had recently been suspended, but he was expected to get at least one more year before Thursday’s news.
Benedict College is now the first South Carolina HBCU to offer an accredited environmental engineering program.
The Environmental Engineering Program at Benedict College received its initial accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the national organization that accredits undergraduate programs in engineering, engineering technology, and computer science.
Clemson University is the only other institution in South Carolina with an accredited Environmental Engineering program. Now Benedict makes history as the first HBCU with an accredited program of its kind. Since the program debuted in 2012, it has more than doubled its enrollment, showing the growing demand for the major.
“ABET accreditation is the recognized seal of approval that validates that our environmental engineering program meets the highest standards and positions our graduates to pursue careers as licensed engineers and representing the BEST of BC!” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President, and CEO of Benedict College.
The university says that the 2022 graduating class had a 100% hiring rate. The environmental engineering program prepares students for careers in water and wastewater treatment, solid waste management, remediation in polluted sites, and air quality engineering.
“I commend our talented and hard-working faculty who have demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service,” said Dr. Janeen P. Witty, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Benedict College.
“ABET accreditation is a game-changing for Benedict’s Environmental Engineering program, in terms of recruiting and the opportunities available to our students after they graduate.”
– Dr. Jessica Furrer, Program Head and ABET Coordinator.
“Earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program will allow our students to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam immediately after graduation and ultimately pursue professional licensure, which is critical for design engineers in this field. Employers look for students to have an ABET- accredited degree because it gives them confidence that they are well-prepared for a career in environmental engineering” said Furrer.
Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) and Bethune-Cookman University have partnered to launch a program that will expand educational access for aspiring medical students.
Minority Bethune-Cookman students and alumni who meet RUSM’s program requirements will be eligible for direct admission and scholarships to RUSM to pursue a medical degree.
The scholarship is available to Bethune-Cookman pre-health medical students and alumni, up to five years after graduation, and will cover tuition and housing for the first semester, and the flight to attend the first semester. RUSM will also cover the travel and housing costs of recipients who visit the campus in Barbados prior to the start of the program to experience a day in the life of a RUSM student.
RUSM is working to diversify the healthcare workforce and advance health equity by training students who represent the communities they serve.
Business Wire reports that the U.S. could see an estimated shortage of up to 139,000 physicians by 2033. RUSM is preparing a workforce to fill that shortage by achieving strong residency placements with a 95% first-time eligible residency attainment rate for 2021-22 graduates and expected graduates. In 2022, 73 Black and 43 Latinx RUSM graduates secured residency positions.
“RUSM is committed to advancing representation in medicine and preparing future physicians who will contribute to a just and effective healthcare system for those in the communities they serve,” said Heidi Chumley, M.D., M.B.A, dean of RUSM. “This partnership with B-CU supports our shared goal of expanding educational access and opportunity, to ensure a pathway for potential doctors from diverse backgrounds to pursue their passion.”
Representation matters; diversifying the profession increases health equity and improves patient outcomes and the physician workforce is far from reflecting the patient community it serves.”
– Heidi Chumley, RUSM Dean
According to Business Wire, in 2021-2022, U.S. medical school matriculants were 11.3% Black or African American, not yet mirroring the total U.S. population at 14.2%. RUSM’s student population is diverse with 16% Black or African American and has been able to outpace U.S. medical schools in graduating more Black physicians than any U.S. medical school.
Dr. Lawrence M. Drive, Bethune-Cookman interim president reflects on the history and legacy of the university, “A century ago, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune founded a hospital and created the only training school for African American nurses on the east coast. Today, we are reimagining her legacy for the 21st century by creating new opportunities in medicine for our students and alumni.”
“This is the first of many new partnerships and programs to give our students access to more high-skill, high-paying careers. With direct admission and scholarships at RUSM, our students have new ways to build their competencies and use their gifts, talents, and experiences to selflessly change the world for the better” said Drive.
Dr. Christopher Davis, associate professor of biology and chemistry at Bethune-Cookman University spoke highly of the RUSM faculty, “While on the campus in Barbados, I was able to interact with faculty who blew me away with the level of passion, excitement, and commitment they have toward their students,” said Dr. Christopher Davis, associate professor of biology and chemistry at Bethune-Cookman University.
“Their facilities and classrooms are innovative, engaging, and interactive. RUSM students are provided with an exceptional environment to learn and immerse themselves in medicine, and the faculty are invested in their students to help them on a path to success after graduation” said Davis.
JCSU reveals a new on-campus health center operated by Atrium Health, free to students without increasing the cost of tuition.
City Metro reports that the university entered a multi-year agreement with Atrium where the health care company committed $3 million in support of JCSU as part of a $250 million Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative. Roughly half of Atrium’s commitment to the university will go to the staff and support the health center.
Atrium Health Logo (PRNewsfoto/Atrium Health,Navicent Health)
The JCSU Health Center will offer services including:
testing for common illnesses
chronic condition management and monitoring
wellness exams and athletic physicals
routine lab work
sexual health
vaccinations
The center also will provide a limited on-site pharmacy and over-the-counter medications as well as electronic medical records and referrals to off-site care if needed.
JCSU faculty and staff will also have limited access to the center.
Atrium continued its support to JCSU by committing $1.5 million from a newly created Bishop George E. Battle Jr. Scholarship Fund to go toward scholarships and pipeline programs for students who are pursuing careers in health care.
Atrium President and CEO Eugene A Woods said in a statement that “health, education, and access to opportunity are the essential building blocks of a bright future for our community.”
