On Friday, the Andrew Young HBCU Scholarship Program was announced to help students attending HBCUs to continue their education.
Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young along with civil rights leaders, state legislators, students, and alumni gathered on the steps of the Woodruff Library at Atlanta University Center Friday to celebrate the creation of the new scholarship program.
According to WSBTV, the purpose of the scholarship program is to encourage future generations of students to become ambassadors and share the vision of Dr. King and Ambassador Young with the nation and the world.
Former Ambassador Andrew Young speaking at Atlanta University Center (Credit: Rebecca Grapevine).
Young, who graduated from Howard University in 1951 described having to work many jobs to put himself through college but was able to graduate debt-free. He reflected that he probably never spent more than $400 a semester for his education, but “now that won’t get you through the first two weeks,” he said.
Today, the U.S. Department of Education estimates the average cost of college in the United States is $35,550 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
“The challenge today is how do you get an education and get a job to help pay you to pay back all of that money you borrowed that is going to leave you in debt,” Young asked.
“College should not destroy your credit rating and set you back before you start.”
– Former Mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young
Education publisher McGraw Hill Educationprovided seed money for the scholarship fund, putting in an initial $50,000 into the program. This will fund the education of 10 first-year students next fall who plan to attend an HBCU.
Scholarship recipients will also complete a civil rights curriculum designed by the organization Good of All, a group that promotes universal human rights.
Matt Daniels, the founder of Good of All and the chair of the law and human rights division at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C., said the new $5,000 scholarships are designed to advance civil rights leaders’ message of non-violent social change. He hopes that it will help to produce a new generation of civil rights leaders needed to fight hate and violence in American society.
“The only alternative we really have is to raise up a new generation that can go on offense for the good side – not defense against the bad,” said Daniels. “That’s why these young people are here.”
Daniels said that scholarships are designed to help “plug the gap” in reference to students who often leave college between the first and second year due to a lack of relatively modest sums.
“For many students, HBCUs are usually the first ladder out of poverty.”
– Matt Daniels, Founder of Good of All
The scholarship program is expected to grow each year, as Sean Ryan, McGraw Hill’s president said that there is more financial support to come.
“When we have this kind of support from a major corporation … we know it’s a good investment,” Young said of McGraw Hill. “It’s a good investment for them. And it’s certainly a good investment for us.”
On Monday, Morehouse College released a statement cancelling a basketball tournament that featured Donda Academy, a private school founded by the artist formerly known as Kanye West.
On Monday, Morehouse College released a statement canceling a basketball tournament that featured Donda Academy, a private school founded by the artist formerly known as Kanye West.
Morehouse College was set to host the basketball event which was scheduled to take place at the college’s Forbes Arena on November 6, but ultimately decided to cancel the event in response to “recent divisive and unproductive statements by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West,” the school stated.
This comes after numerous companies cut ties with Ye due to his antisemitic and offensive comments in recent weeks.
Ye promoted the basketball event on Sunday on his Instagram account as it was to be the season opener game between the Doves of Donda Academy and the team The Skill Factory. In promoting the game, Ye’s Instagram post said: “Some establishments still stood up that’s love #lovespeech.” He also posted a link to purchase tickets, which ranged from $20 to $500, according to the site.
The online description of the event said it would be a chance to support the team at “a star studded night of hoops alongside Jaylen Brown and many other A-list celebs.”
Brown, who plays for the Boston Celtics, recently ended his association with Donda Sports but expressed support for the young Donda Academy athletes.
On Saturday he tweeted, “It’s important resources are provided for these student athletes not taken away. shout out to @Morehouse for opening their doors to host the Donda Doves’ official 1st basketball game of the season. I need everyone in Atlanta to show love and support! I’ll be in attendance,”
He responded to Morehouse’s cancellation statement with a tweet saying “An unfortunate retraction but the kids and family appreciate the consideration currently looking for another solution.”
Fort Valley State University (FVSU) has received a nearly $3 million grant from the Department of Education to expand the Cooperative Developmental Energy Program (CDEP) to increase the number of minority STEM graduates.
Fort Valley State University (FVSU) has received a nearly $3 million grant from the Department of Education to expand the Cooperative Developmental Energy Program (CDEP) to increase the number of minority STEM graduates.
The grant will be used to address the shortage of women and minority STEM professionals and the need to increase their participation in pursuing STEM disciplines. The project will focus on providing STEM education to students from rural areas and populations of students under-represented in STEM.
The project aims to recruit, mentor, and award scholarships to a minimum of 30 academically talented minority and female students and mentor 120 ninth through twelfth-grade students in STEM through FVSU’s Math, Science, and Engineering Academy (M-SEA).
“This grant is another example of the dedication and focus of our faculty to our mission,” said Olufunke Fontenot, Ed.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “I am excited that CDEP, one of our special programs with a rich history and record of achievements in producing STEM graduates, has garnered this additional funding to advance the institution’s work in producing minority STEM graduates.”
According to the university, FVSU-CDEP has a 30-year track record of successfully recruiting and graduating minorities and women for STEM and has served as a pipeline workforce program that focuses on diversity in the energy and other high-tech industries.
Isaac Crumbly, Ph.D., associate vice president for careers and collaborative programs and director of CDEP, served as the project director for this grant.
“I am thrilled about receiving this grant because there are many academically talented students who don’t have access to financial resources to attend college,” said Isaac Crumbly, Ph.D. “This grant will help high achieving students with limited financial resources to attend college.”
The university says that the project will be beneficial for the state of Georgia. Women and members of minority groups constitute approximately 70% of students enrolled in American colleges and universities. However, when combined, these groups of students only account for about 45% of undergraduate STEM degrees. With this grant, FVSU plans to increase those numbers.
According to NBA.com, Brown officiated 1,110 regular-season games and 35 playoff games in 20 seasons as an NBA staff official. He made his debut as an NBA Finals referee during the 2019-20 season. A graduate of CAU, Brown was a member of the crew that officiated the 2021 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta, which honored HBCUs.
“Tony Brown was one of the most accomplished referees in the NBA and an inspiration to his colleagues,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in an official statement from the NBA. “After his pancreatic cancer diagnosis early last year, Tony fought courageously through countless rounds of treatment to return to work this past season at the NBA Replay Center, demonstrating the dedication, determination and passion that made him such a highly respected official for 20 years. The entire NBA family mourns Tony’s passing and we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Tina; their children, Bailey, Basile and Baylen; and his fellow referees.”
After experiencing some stomach discomfort Brown was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in April 2021.
A fighter till the end, Brown returned to work this past season with the blessing of his medical team, the NBA, and his family after more than a dozen rounds of intense chemotherapy.
“I haven’t had time to sit around and be like ‘Why me?’ or ‘What am I going to do?’” Brown told The Associated Press earlier this year in regards to his decision to return to work.
“Me not fighting would have made me feel like I was letting people down. What kind of example was I going to be to my kids if I just laid in this bed and let it overtake me? I had to show my kids that there’s nothing in life that you can’t challenge and overcome if you have a positive mindset.”
– Tony Brown on returning to work after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
He worked his way through Clark Atlanta after transferring from Florida A&M where he had a scholarship. He worked as a Delta Air Lines employee cleaning planes, and driving passenger carts, then became a flight attendant and remained employed by Delta until retiring in 2007.
Admired and loved by many, there has been an outpouring of condolences for Brown and his family, including from NBA superstar Lebron James, who shared his fond memories with Brown in a touching tweet.
R.I.P. Tony man!! Great ref but greater dude! Loved when I ran on the court for warmups and he would be on the game that night! Your smile & laugh will be missed tremendously here in our sport! 🙏🏾🤎👑 https://t.co/JI23eZczTi
“Tony Brown embodies everything it means to be a Clark Atlanta basketball player,” Clark Atlanta coach Alfred Jordan said. “His hard work, determination, and perseverance are what set him apart from the rest because those qualities are hard to come by these days.”
On October 1, Brown’s family launched a 10-day campaign to raise $100,000 for the endowment. The original goal was met in about 30 days and they now have surpassed it, raising $114,115.
Coach Jordan told 11 Alive News, that the endowment will give athletes at CAU more opportunities, helping them to graduate on time and hopefully give them an early start in getting their master’s degree while they’re enrolled at the university.
In an effort to keep Brown’s memory alive, CAU’s basketball team will honor him by having a patch with his jersey number six added to their uniforms, according to 11 Alive News.
“We definitely want to send our condolences out to his wife, Tina, and children. And we want them to know that here at CAU, that they’ll forever be a part of our family. If they need anything, we’re here; we’re open and helping them. We want to keep Tony Brown’s legacy going from here until the end of time,” Coach Jordan said.
Edward Waters University made history on Tuesday with the announcement of its first African-American woman to lead the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in the over 155-year history of the institution.
Edward Waters University made history on Tuesday with the announcement of its first African-American woman to lead the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in the over 155-year history of the institution.
Dr. Ivana Rich was named the Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex.
“We engaged our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, athletic administration, as well as our faculty and staff to be a part of listening sessions to help guide us through this process,” said EWU President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr. “What really resonated with me the most is the feedback from our student-athletes and Dr. Rich connected with them in a phenomenally positive way.”
Dr. Ivana Rich has had a long-standing career in athletics with experience at many different universities.
Dr. Rich comes to Edwards Waters after a seven-year stint at Norfolk State University, where she served in numerous positions such as the acting athletic director, associate athletic director for external relations, and senior woman administrator. She was also the department’s diversity and inclusion officer and deputy Title IX coordinator.
Prior to her time at Norfolk State, Dr. Rich held positions at many other institutions such as Howard University, Robert Morris University, Coastal Carolina University, Virginia State University, and Chowan University.
She served as the athletic academic advisor for all sports at Howard, and in 2015 she was the athletic academic support counselor at Robert Morris University. She also served a short stint as assistant volleyball coach at Coastal Carolina University (CCU) where she helped lead the Lady Chanticleers to the 2014 Big South Championship and NCAA tournament appearance. Prior to CCU, Dr. Rich spent three seasons as head volleyball coach at Virginia State University and was named the 2013 CIAA Coach of the Year during her final season. While at Virginia State, Dr. Rich was also a member of the department’s senior staff, serving as senior woman administrator and student-athlete affairs coordinator.
“I am excited to take this role here at Edward Waters, especially in the 50th anniversary of Title IX to show that there is a need for women leaders and to show that we can do this and we can sit in that seat, I believe that is critically important,”
– Dr. Ivana Rich on her new postion at Edward Waters University
Dr. Rich earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she played both middle-blocker and right-side hitter for the women’s volleyball program. As a senior captain, she helped lead the Lady Rams to the first regular-season conference championship in school history. She also broke two school records, the VCU all-time blocks record and the single-season hitting percentage record.
Dr. Rich continued her education at Virginia State where she earned her master’s degree in sport management. She then obtained a master’s degree in human services counseling from Liberty University, and a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction/educational technology from the University of South Carolina.
She is a graduate of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy and a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics and Women Leaders in College Sports. Dr. Rich is also a member of the 2022 NCAA Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute and currently serves as a subcommittee lead of the N4A Ethnic Concerns Regional Outreach Committee.
Dr. Rich says she has found her new “home” at Edward Waters University.
“To be offered the position and to be the finalist for the position, I felt like things were coming into place,” Dr. Rich said. “I felt like I’d found a home when they called me and said, ‘You are our final selection.’”
North Carolina A&T University’s homecoming week turned deadly after a shooting at an off-campus house party on Tuesday night.
Police report that the shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. on the 900 block of Circle Drive, near East Bessemer and Summit avenues. Upon arriving, officers found two victims with gunshot wounds.
Two people died and four were injured in the shooting. One of those killed was 19-year-old Kaneycha Turner, a freshman at N.C. A&T who was studying management and business administration. She was from Statesville, North Carolina.
A man was also found dead at the scene and police are still working to identify him. Four others were injured in the shooting, and one of them is in critical condition.
Greensboro Interim Police Chief Teresa Biffle said multiple shots were fired but they are still processing forensics to determine how many shooters there were.
“You don’t send your children off to college and expect to get that phone call in the middle of the night,” Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said according to WXII News.
Teresa Biffle, Interim Chief of Greensboro Police Department
Biffle remarked that people who were not even there for the party were a victim. “I mean this is a senseless act,” Biffle said.
“I can’t begin to imagine what they’re going through,” Biffle said of the victims’ families. “The only thing I can do is make sure to do everything we can to make sure to bring justice to the people who caused this.”
According to WXII News, the Greensboro Police Department has no suspects at this time, but it is being investigated as a homicide.
Police are asking those who were there and may know something to come forward and reach out to the police department at 336-373-1000.
After a two-year hiatus, CultureCon is back in person this year and brought Nike Yardrunners (3.0) with them.
CultureCon is the “fastest-growing conference for creatives and changemakers of color who plan to elevate their social network and make a real mark on culture.” This year the conference spanned a three-city tour — Atlanta (May 2-7), Los Angeles (June 16-18), and New York (Oct. 3-8).
During the New York leg of the tour, Nike Yardrunners made their Culture Con debut with a panel on the Culture Stage discussing their mission and commitment to honoring the rich history and heritage of Historically Black Colleges & Universities.
Panelists included: Spelman College alumna, and founder/Executive Director of Justice for Black Girls, Brianna Baker; Morehouse College alum, host of The RapCaviar Podcast, and 2022 Yardrunners Class honorary, Brandon ‘Jinx’ Jenkins; the current Brand Marketing Director at Nike, Deborah Williams; and finally the co-founder of YardRunners and Howard alum, Arinze Emeagwali. The panel was hosted by North Carolina A&T alumnus and TV personality, Terrance J.
Emeagwali says having the opportunity to “put on for HBCUs” and speak on YardRunners’ efforts was very important to him.
“We really wanted to talk about why we started the importance of it, the type of people that worked on it, and how intentional and authentic we are in making sure that we’re taking care of our own” Emeagwali said.
On Thursday, Oct. 6., Nike announced the third iteration of its Yardrunners collection, a project started by Emeagwali and fellow Howard alum Richard Palmer in 2020 to celebrate the history and culture of HBCUs and the contributions of its alumni.
Nice Kicks reports that through the Yardrunners 3.0, Nike is working with the HBCU community to tell authentic stories, co-create culturally relevant products, deliver scholarships, activate on campuses throughout homecoming, and establish networking opportunities through Nike’s university recruiting team. This year’s class is focused on HBCU alumni who are forging a legacy that will inspire future generations.
Emeagwali says being able to honor these HBCU alumni Yardrunners at CultureCon served as a reminder that the work they’re doing is important, and that “there’s still an appetite for telling stories about HBCU trailblazers doing dope things in their own lanes.”
He acknowledges Nike creatives Richard Palmer, Deborah Williams, Tarrick Kabore, Tristan Harvin, Brittany Martin, Lonzetta Simpkins, Karim Alammuri, and Malachi Garcia as well as League Twenty Two founder, Ashley Henderson for their contributions to the success of Yardrunners.
When it comes to being a yard runner, Emeagwali says anyone can be one, “being a yard runner is about doing the work when nobody is watching” he said. “Taking what we learned about running the yard on campus to running the globe in our perspective paths.”
Becoming Collegiate Academy has become Jacksonville’s first Historically Black College and University-inspired elementary school.
The school’s Executive Director, Cameron Frazier says the school was created to implement the best practices from the HBCU experience to kids early on.
“We are replicating the culture of Historically Black College and Universities by focusing on building positive relationships, leveraging identity and culture and holding up high expectations,” Executive Director Cameron Frazier told FOX 30 News.
First Coast News reports that when you open the doors to the school, you can see HBCU flags decorating the entrance. ABCs in classrooms represent “A” for “Alcorn State University” and “Z” for “Zora Neale Hurston.”
Frazier says representation matters.
“It’s very important that our students see role models who look just like them standing in front of them every single day,” Frazier told First Coast News.
“It’s extremely important for our students to experience it in elementary school. They need to see Black males teaching them academic content, letting them know that they are smart, building their identity, holding high expectations and surrounding them with love.”
Frazier has also served as representation for a teacher at the school who was once his student.
Ahmad Levy used to be Frazier’s student and now he’s a teacher himself. He says having a Black male teacher at a young age made a difference for him.
“Seeing someone that looked like me as my teacher, that really inspired me to take a second look at different things to do in life,” Levy said. “I now teach so that I can be that representation for our community.”
As of right now, Becoming Collegiate Academy has 80 students enrolled and a kindergarten and first grade. They plan to add a grade every year to complete the goal of becoming an inspiration for their community and preparing students for higher education.
“Our brown bears are going to make a difference in the world one day,” Frazier said. “You’ll see the big brown bear and you’ll be surrounded by nothing but love.”
The school is still accepting applications for students and looking for educators.
There is a ribbon cutting ceremony set for Tuesday at 10 a.m.
AL.com reports that entrepreneur and Miles College alum, Dale Thornton has made a $500K donation to his alma mater.
Dale Thornton is the son of one of Alabama’s most successful entrepreneurs, Larry Thornton. His father is a gifted artist, author, speaker, and board member at major companies like Coca-Cola, and a franchisee of McDonald’s.
Larry opened his first McDonald’s franchise in 1992, teaching his son in the process by paying him $1 an hour for his time in the store. Dale followed in his father’s footsteps and opened his first McDonald’s franchise when he turned 25 making him the youngest franchise owner at the multi-billion dollar fast-food chain at the time. Now the two men collectively own seven McDonald’s franchises in the Birmingham area.
Dale is continuing to make history by submitting the largest donation by an alum in Miles College history.
Dale takes after his father who donated $1,000,000 to his alma mater, Alabama State in 2011, which was the largest donation by an alum in the institution’s history.
Dale is giving $500,000 to his alma mater and says he decided to donate publicly in hopes of inspiring other HBCU alums to do the same.
“I would’ve just donated anonymously,” Dale said. “But my goal is to get other Miles and HBCU alums to do something similar — maybe not the same amount. Look back at what Miles has given us. Many hands make light work. What if people gave $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, when they’re 40 or below, relatively healthy, not on too many medicines.”
“That’s how the University of Alabama, your predominantly white institutions do it — with endowments,” he said, according to AL.com. “This is something we’re just not privy to. There’s nothing wrong with us. It’s just lack of education. If you don’t know, you don’t know. Imagine what we could do not just for Miles but for Alabama A&M, for Alabama State, for Morehouse. Because the HBCU is in trouble.”
“Hopefully, I can be a catalyst” He added.
He’s slated to publicly announce the news on Saturday morning, just ahead of the school’s homecoming game against Lane.
Capital One hosted a hands-on speed networking event for students at Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University in partnership with Braven and the AUCC.
Several students came out to Walter E. Massey Leadership Center at Morehouse College to spend their weekend building their networking and professionalism skills. The event offered one-on-one resume reviews with a Capital One team member, a LinkedIn profile review, and free professional headshots.
The first hour was from 4 pm – 5 pm and was reserved for Spelman students only. From 5 pm – 7 pm, it was open to all students of the AUCC. Prior to the event, the Capital One team conducted a panel discussion giving advice to first-year students about the importance of networking, finding a mentor, and practicing time management.
Event organizer and HBCU/HSI Partnerships, Events, & Invest Schools Lead at Capital One, Olutoyin Asubiojo said that the goal was to get the students prepared for their future. “With the students just coming back on campus what we really wanted them to get is just all the fundamentals they need to get themselves ready for all the things that will be happening when it comes to internships, full-time opportunities, we really want them to feel prepared. Whether or not they come work at Capital One, we’re just excited to be a part of their journey”
The event saw a great turnout as students poured in wearing their business professional, ready to learn what Capital One had to offer.
In addition to the headshots, resume, and LinkedIn review, they provided free food, a 360 booth, and a guest DJ, Rayymon Beatz to keep the energy high. They also held a raffle every hour for students who completed each station, with prizes ranging from a $50 Visa gift card to a brand-new iPad.
Arrie Dwittin, a sophomore health science major at Spelman College said she came to the event to expand her networking skills. “I think anyone and everyone can build up the skills of networking because after college you’re in the real world and they don’t teach us this is high school, so any chance I can get to learn these are adult skills is very vital.”
Kyra Floyd, a sophomore political science major at Spelman College said she found the event to be particularly helpful for black students when asked why is it important for college campuses to hold these types of events. “I think it’s especially important for black students to understand the professionalism and what big companies are really looking for… I think it’s the opportunity that a lot of kids especially black kids don’t have.”
Carlos Overton, a freshman mass media arts student at Clark Atlanta said the event helped him prepare for his professional career. “They don’t teach us this in high school, but here they’re giving us the format for everything we need to be successful in life.”
Capital One had a table set up where students could scan QR codes for information about internships and full-time positions in the areas of Commerical Banking, Finance, Cyber Security, Design Development, and more. The students were also given the opportunity to speak with Capital One team members about their career aspirations and leave their information with them so Capital One can keep up with students and update them on possible job opportunities.
Capital One will be returning to the AUCC soon for an upcoming career fair and will “definitely” be doing this event again according to Asubiojo. “This is our first time doing this speed networking event and we’re so glad to be able to test it out at the AUCC. We learned a lot and so we’ll definitely try to do this with some of our other partners that we have upcoming and continue to do this event.”
Tuskegee University has recently been granted $7.93 million to build a new biomedical annex to the Carver Research Center facility.
The grant proposal, authored by Dr. Clayton Yates, director of the Center for Biomedical Research, and Dr. Channapatna Prakash, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, received one of the highest scores possible of any institution that entered the national competition involving all major research universities.
The competition was funded by the NIH Biomedical Research Facility for the Center for Genomics Health Disparity Research.
Rendering of the inside of the new cancer research facility.
“Tuskegee has a long, rich history as an advocate for research and healthcare for the underserved community,” said Dr. Charlotte P. Morris, Tuskegee University president.
“What this grant will do by funding a new facility to support our work around cancer research cannot be understated. Tuskegee’s efforts to understand cancer genomics will impact generations within this community and beyond.”
– Tuskegee University President, Dr. Charlotte P. Morris
This grant puts Tuskegee just one step closer to becoming a globally renowned center of excellence in cancer genomics focused on health disparities in underrepresented populations according to the university.
“This is the first time TU has received an infrastructure grant of this size in a competitive arena and only the second science building to be built in the past 30 years and a third one in the past 70 years,” said Dr. Prakash. “This building will be transformational in providing a 21st-century science setting for our cancer genomics research and will help attract top talent as well.”
Rendering of the Tuskegee’s new cancer research facility laboratory.
The university says the 8,600-square-foot biomedical research building will house Tuskegee scientists focusing on computational and genomics related to health disparities. The proposed facility will expand the number of research faculty, students (graduate and undergrad), and post-doctoral fellows engaged in health disparities and biomedical research at Tuskegee.
The research quality is expected to be significantly enhanced due to the state-of-the-art laboratory and supporting spaces from a quantity and quality perspective.
“This award is recognition for the dedicated effort of the faculty, staff and students within the Center for Biomedical Research (CBR) to eradicate health disparities, particularly in Alabama Black Belt,” said Dr. Yates. “We further envision that the new annex will facilitate increased publications, proposal submissions and partnerships and collaborations with other institutions, agencies and the private sector. Students, particularly African Americans and other underrepresented minorities, will receive training to become excellent biomedical research scientists, significantly benefitting from this state-of-the-art enhancement.”
Construction for the facility is expected to begin in Summer of 2023 and will be completed by Spring of 2025.
President Biden has made appearances at Delaware State before as Vice President and again while campaigning for President, but this was the first time a sitting U.S. President has visited the university.
“It’s a beautiful thing, the President of the United States coming to Delaware State University,” said senior Jordan Spencer. “I’m speechless, honestly.”
The president spoke before a crowd of dignitaries, University leaders, faculty, staff, and students encouraging students to apply for the historic debt forgiveness program.
This program will allow people making less than $125,000 annually to be forgiven $10,000 in debt and those who qualified for a Pell Grant will receive $20,000. The plan will affect 43 million Americans, 90% of whom make less than $75,000, and almost 1.5 million will be HBCU students.
“Not a dime, not a dime, will go to the top 5 percent of income earners,” said President Biden. “This goes to people who really need it.”
Biden said that in less than a week since the application launched, close to 22 million people have already filled out an application. He also said the White House has received more than 10,000 letters in support of the debt relief.
He also took the time to call out Republican lawmakers who have attacked the program. “Their outrage was wrong and it’s hypocritical,” he said, adding that many of the critics took advantage of federal debt relief during the pandemic.
During Biden’s speech, the President went on to credit young people for electing him and stressed the importance of the upcoming midterm elections.
As Democrats are in danger of losing control of Congress, Biden codified abortion access if the U.S. Senate picks up more Democratic senators, which was met with cheers from the audience. He also highlighted policy wins like marijuana reforms and infrastructure funding as well as zeroing in on the Republican critics of his debt relief plan.
“Let’s talk about who is against helping millions of you who need the help,” Biden said to the students at the university, where 75% of students are recipients of Pell grants. “Republican governors wrote me a letter saying this relief only helps ‘the elite few.’ Y’all know you’re the elite few? I knew you were really special, but no, you’re the elite few.”
“Who in the hell do they think they are?” he later added.
He also alluded to his plans in 2024: “I’m coming back and I’m going to eliminate assault weapons again.”
Before the President took the stage, Delaware State President Tony Allen, who served as a speechwriter for then-Senator Biden, said that this administration has supported HBCUs in a number of ways, from $5.8 billion in federal aid, hiring more HBCU graduates to work in his administration and increasing Pell Grant awards.
“Less than two years into his term, President Biden has done more for HBCUs than any other president in American History,” said President Allen. “The facts are unmistakable.”
The President has been very supportive of Delaware State in particular, said President Allen. “Since the moment he announced his first Senatorial run in 1971, standing next to one of my most distinguished predecessors, Dr. Luna Mishoe, President Biden has never forgotten about Delaware State University,” he said. “Perhaps even more importantly, he has never forgotten about the plight of people of color in this country.”
Biden credited Delaware State and HBCUs for the institutions’ support throughout his political career.
“We are here at Delaware State University because it holds such a special place in my heart,” said President Biden. “There is no better example of a university that has changed so many lives.”
The Clark Atlanta community is uplifting Clark alum and former NBA referee Tony Brown as he battles pancreatic cancer.
Tony Brown is a retired Delta employee and was an NBA referee for 20 years. According to Fox 5 News, he’s officiated over 1,071 regular season games, 35 playoff games, and several All-Star games, but on April 30, 2021, Tony was diagnosed with stage four Pancreatic Cancer.
Now in hospice care, Brown is not giving up the fight. He and his wife, Tina, who also graduated from Clark, are continuing to “fight in the spirit of giving.”
The Browns are working to raise money for an endowment for the Clark Atlanta Basketball program, making room for younger generations to attend the school and play. On October 1st, they launched a 10-day campaign to raise $100,000 for the endowment and currently have raised over $60,000.
“We are committed to raising the full endowment. We want student-athletes to have the opportunity to succeed at the HBCU that helped us on our road to fulfilling lives. I, along with our three wonderful children, look forward to being there Sunday for this incredible honor,” says Mrs. Brown.
Clark decided to honor Tony and Tina’s efforts to give back to their alma mater in the midst of their battle.
On October 16, The Browns were honored during the Clark Atlanta University Homecoming Basketball Game. Although Tony couldn’t attend physically, Tina and their children were there to be recognized
Earlier this month, the CAU community surprised Tony at the hospital with a team jersey signed by the entire Clark Atlanta Panthers men’s basketball team.
“In his physical, the cancer might be winning, but it’s the other part where we’re beating cancer, and this is one of those moments where we can say we’re beating cancer,” Mrs. Brown told Action 2 News.
“We believe that Tony Brown displays and embodies exactly what it is to be a Clark Atlanta alumnus,” said CAU head basketball coach Alfred Jordan. “Our school motto is find a way to make one. And while he didn’t get a chance to play basketball while he was at Clark, he still found a way to make sure basketball was a part of his life.”
The fund is still taking donations here or can be made by contacting the Attorney Mawuli Davis of Davis Bozeman Law Firm at 404-244-2004.
Hampton University football player Byron Perkins made history Wednesday by becoming the first football player at an HBCU to come out as gay according to Sports Illustrated.
Hampton University football player Byron Perkins made history Wednesday by becoming the first football player at an HBCU to come out as gay according to Sports Illustrated.
Perkins, a starting defensive back for the Hampton Pirates, came out this week on his Instagram story where he wrote “I’ve decided that I’m going to make a change, and stop running away from myself. I’m gay, let it be known that this is not a ‘decision’ or a ‘choice.’ Yes, this is who I am, this is who I’ve been, and this is who I’m going to be. Simply put, I am who I am.”
In an interview with Outsports.com, an LGBTQ sports news site, he shared that his coaches have been supportive and the reception from his team has been “very good,” but also a bit mixed.
Perkins says living authentically has helped him to feel more complete.
“I’ve been self-reflective and trying to prioritize what makes me happy and makes me feel alive,” Perkins told Outsports. “I thought it could be just football and school, but there was a component missing. And recently I’ve been able to figure out that I haven’t been fully happy because everyone didn’t know who I was. Authenticity is everything to me.”
In his coming-out Instagram post, Perkins wrote that he “will no longer be living a lie.”
“No one should have to live a life crippled by what society thinks. I have been told on many occasions that I walk around and look as if I’m upset. This is not because I am an angry person, but because I have put on a mask, a mask that has restricted me. Today, I am destroying that mask.”
– Byron Perkins via Instagram
He continued on to thank his family and friends who have supported him as well as those he may lose, expressing that they all have helped him to grow into the young man he is today.
Perkins told Outsports that he hopes that living his truth will inspire other Black gay men to feel comfortable to be open about who they are.
“Especially at an HBCU, young Black gay men need an outlet, they need a support system,” Perkins said.
“There hasn’t been an out gay football athlete at an HBCU. I want to end the stigma of what people think. I want people to know they can be themselves. It’s about that kid who’s going to see this and think he can be himself too” Perkins added.
The 2022 class of HBCU Buzz’s HBCU Top 30 Under 30 is here! For the past eight years, we have been honoring the inspiring change-makers that HBCUs have produced and this year’s class is nothing short of HBCU greatness! We’re highlighting students who have been making strides in their fields and showing the world what HBCU grads can do.
The 2022 class of HBCU Buzz’s HBCU Top 30 Under 30 is here! For the past eight years, we have been honoring the inspiring change-makers that HBCUs have produced and this year’s class is nothing short of HBCU greatness! We’re highlighting students who have been making strides in their fields and showing the world what HBCU grads can do.
The numbers don’t lie, according to UNCF, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) enroll 10% of all African American students and produce almost 20% of all African American graduates. Additionally, 25% of African American graduates with STEM degrees come from HBCUs. These illustrious institutions have produced countless civil rights leaders, doctors, religious leaders, bankers, writers, Olympians, lawyers, musicians, engineers, actors, humanitarians, professional athletes, educators, scientists, and politicians.
HBCUs provide the foundation and support needed for their students to go out into the world and become prestigious leaders. This year we continue to honor HBCU students from various backgrounds achieving excellence and making their alma mater proud. Some of the leaders featured include a rocket scientist, an award-winning Broadway actor, accomplished doctors, and more.
We’re excited for this Homecoming season to partner with DIAGEO and its brands CÎROC, Crown Royal, Tequila Don Julio, and Tanqueray to honor Black changemakers creating lasting change in their communities to uplift and celebrate Black excellence. Together with DIAGEO at the Mecca of HBCUs, we will honor the next generation of Black leaders and industry changemakers at the 30 Under 30 Reception and Alumni Bison Ball to toast to each honoree’s impact and impressive achievements to build a better future.
Myles Frost – Bowie State University
Myles Frost is a Bowie State University student taking Broadway by storm. In June, Myles received a Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as Michael Jackson in MJ: The Musical. He is one of the youngest-ever recipients for this category and the youngest HBCU student to win a Tony. He was just a college junior studying audio engineering before being selected in 2021 for the starring role on Broadway after the musical’s producers saw a high school YouTube video of him performing Jackson’s hit “Billie Jean.” Myles recently signed with United Talent Agency, one of the world’s leading talent and entertainment companies which will help expand his career across a variety of verticals, including film, television, brand endorsements, and more.
Music has always been a part of Myles’ life as he has been playing piano since he was just six years old. He found his passion for musicals in high school after a push from one of his teachers. He began to put himself out there and landed roles in his high school productions of “Hairspray,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Cinderella.” Myles also briefly starred on the 2017 season of The Voice and landed two small film roles.
Daniel Okegbu – Howard University
Daniel Okegbu is a Rocket Scientist, engineer, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. This Howard University alum was born in Nigeria and grew up in the South Side of Chicago. He is no stranger to adversity and success as he was once a refugee who escaped war in northern Nigeria but did not allow his absence from school to deter his academic goals. While in Chicago, he excelled academically and became a Gates Millennium Scholar. He attended Howard University to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer and is now completing his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. He holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Georgia Tech.
Within the science community, Daniel has been making significant contributions through his research work. Inspired by NASA’s Mars Exploration Mission, Daniel directs his research toward developing a new class of materials with unconventional properties. Such materials will enable the design of stable, lightweight aircrafts and facilitate discoveries during other types of Space Exploration Missions. He is also a VC Fellow at HAX, a deep tech Venture Capital funding groundbreaking technologies. He currently serves as the Principal Officer for UnDelayed, a B2B startup that is disrupting the aviation industry through its flight delay mitigation platform. Daniel continues to serve as a role model and an inspiration to students who wish to pursue a career in science through mentorship programs and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Hope Giselle – Alabama State University
Hope Giselle is an Alabama State University alum and a national organizer, author, artist, and activist. It was at her alma mater that she got her start in activism, facilitation, and inclusion. While navigating through college as an LGBT student at a conservative HBCU, she courageously co-founded and governed their first LGBT organization. Giselle graduated with a Master’s in Fine Arts as the first openly trans woman to do so at the institution as well as acquiring certifications from both Harvard and SHRM. She has served as a contracted master inclusion specialist and HR consultant while continuing to advocate for trans and black bodies in both public and private spaces.
Hope’s nearly one-decade career as an activist, master facilitator, and author was the catalyst for establishing her own non-profit organization AllowMe, which supports LGBTQIA+youth of color in their journey to becoming productive leaders, artists, and activists. Currently, Hope serves as the Director of Get Phluid and Chief Community Outreach Consultant at Plume Health, while in tandem working with organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Freedom for all Americans, LGBT University, ITEquality, and TransTech Social. Giselle is also a two-time best-selling author of Until I Met Black Men and Becoming Hope which focuses on her lived experiences growing up as a black trans woman in the south. Her selfless efforts aid to ensure that the voices of the communities she’s a part of are amplified.
Joshua Williams – Fayetteville State University
Joshua Williams is the former cornerback for Fayetteville State University and the first HBCU player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft since 2019. In June, Joshua officially signed his rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Playing in the NFL is a dream come true for Joshua and he is making his alma mater proud as he is the first Fayetteville State player to be drafted into the NFL since 1976. He fell in love with football at a young age and grew up watching the Washington Redskins with his father. Even though he played other sports growing up and holds the Jack Britt High School record in the 100-meter dash, his future was squarely focused on football. Joshua is also an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Braxton Simpson – Tennessee State University and North Carolina Central University
Braxton Simpson, a native of Atlanta, Georgia is a 2021 Graduate of Tennessee State University, where she obtained degrees in both Agricultural Sciences and Political Science. While at Tennessee State University, Braxton leaned into student leadership, serving on the University’s Board of Trustees as the 2nd Student Trustee in TSU History, and the first to hold this position for two consecutive terms, gaining the title of being a Top 30 over 3.0 Distinguished Young Professional, a Farm Credit Scholar, serving as a member of the first cohort of Leadership TSU, and a Charter Member of Order of Omega. Braxton loves Tennessee State University and seeks to stay as involved in the operations of the university as possible–which has led to her most recent post-grad appointment to the Futuristic Agricultural College Committee and an advocate for HBCUs.
Most recently, Braxton has started her Master’s in Business Administration at North Carolina Central University. Professionally, Braxton is pursuing a career in Agricultural Marketing for a Fortune 100 Company in which she focuses intently on project management, content creation, process improvement, and strategic planning. Braxton is also the CEO of Braxton Simpson Enterprises, in which she is focused on taking her customers from” PASSION to PURPOSE” through social media management, business marketing campaigns, speech writing, digital media, and career services. All while leaning into her personal brand as an influencer, content creator, consultant, and speaker. She is also the co-founder of HBCULinx–a relationship-building platform tailored to HBCU Love & Connections. Braxton is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in which she has served as a chapter president at TSU, the National Chair for the 2020 HBCU Vote Initiative, an International Leadership Fellow, and a member of the International Membership Intake Process Committee.
Lynae Vanee – Spelman College
Lynae Vanee is a multifaceted performer, poet, influencer, writer, and actress hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. She is a graduate of Spelman College and Boston University with a Master’s Degree in African American Studies and uses her digital platforms to speak on race, feminism, politics, and inclusivity. Lynae’s viral videos have garnered over 20 million views across platforms and has garnered the attention of several celebrities, major networks, and the general public.
Highlighted in the LA Times and Bustle, Lynae has built her brand on “keeping it black but keeping it brief” offering critical context on today’s issues in a succinct and stylized manner. Lynae is an NAACP Image Award Nominee and has collaborated with various brands such as Meta, Target, Revolt, Tommy Hilfiger, and Netflix, to name a few. She has also been a featured guest on The Cross Connection with Tiffany Cross and appeared in the 2021 Amazon Prime television special “Yearly Departed”.
Denville Myrie, Jr. – Howard University
Denville Myrie, Jr. is a 2014 graduate of Howard University and the CEO of Jerk At Nite, DC’s First Organic Food Service that cultivates Old Jamaican recipes with a Modern twist. The inspiration for Jerk at Nite came when Denville got to Howard and felt as though the food options late at night were scarce and unhealthy. He saw a void that needed to be filled and began cooking Jerk Chicken and other Jamaican dishes in his dorm room. He advertised his meals through social media and as it grew he acquired his first food truck in 2015 and the second truck in 2017.
Denville has set himself apart from other food trucks because of the ingredients and organic products used to enhance and bring out the natural flavors in the food. Jerk At Nite food truck uses the Caribbean and Latin fusion to produce eccentric and eclectic dishes, achieving Denville’s goal of bringing good, healthy meals to underserved communities in DC and Baltimore. Denville is driven by success and the need to build his community and break down cultural barriers. He is inspired by his hard-working Jamaican parents and grandparents who strived to give their children the best in life.
Tyrae Reid Jr – Bowie State University
Tyrae Reid is an alumna of Bowie State University with an impressive and extensive experience in coaching. Reid received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Bowie State University in 2014 and a master’s degree in Exercise Science/Athletic Administration from McDaniel College in 2016. In 2013 he spent the season coaching quarterbacks at Bowie State as a student assistant. He is a former four-year letterman for the program and served as the quarterback’s coach during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In March of the 2019 season, Tyrae joined Bowie’s State as the offensive coordinator where under his leadership the football team won three CIAA championships in a row.
Before beginning a coaching career, Reid was a quarterback for the Bulldogs, starting games in all four seasons (2009-2012), and was named to the CIAA All-Rookie Team in 2009. In 2022, Tyrae also was the Offensive Coordinator for the first-ever HBCU legacy bowl that was held in New Orleans, Louisiana. Recently, Tyrae was named the offensive assistant under the Doug Williams fellowship with Washington Commanders where he will work primarily with the quarterback and closely with the Offensive Coordinator. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Reid is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Darian Holt – Alcorn State University and Jackson State University
Darian “Dee” Holt is an Alcorn State University alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and recently received his Master’s in Public Health from Jackson State University He is a 6th-grade science teacher, an influencer, & public figure from Jackson, MS with a huge presence on social media. He went viral in 2021 following an Instagram post about his students mispronouncing his fraternity’s name. In the video, the kids mispronounced Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for “Apple Fried Apple,” a funny mistake that has brought forth many opportunities for Dee. Dee has since started the kid’s organization “Apple Fried Apple Inc.” which is now a non-profit. Several corporations, including Snapple, Motts Applesauce, Dole, Popeyes, and others, have reached out to Apple Fried Apple, Inc., about a possible partnership.
Through his viral moment, Dee has been able to impact kids in a positive way and educate them on HBCUs and Greek culture. His efforts have been featured on Good Morning America, BET Awards, The Nick Cannon Show, The Shaderoom, and local news and radio stations. He is also an HBCU advocate and covers HBCU football games for HBCU Gameday as well. Dee uses his social media following to bring more attention to HBCU culture and the positive impact it has on society. He is most proud of the impact he is leaving on kids and allowing them to be a part of something that can influence them to go to college and better themselves in the future.
Olutoyin Asubiojo – The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
Olutoyin Asubiojo, or “Toy” as she’s often called, is a trailblazer when it comes to leadership and development. Her passion for leadership grew even stronger during her time at the nation’s first HBCU, Lincoln University, where she served on the Student Government Association (SGA) for three consecutive years. During her time at Lincoln, Toy became an Inroads intern, which jump-started her career at JP Morgan& Chase (JPMC). Upon graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Toy began her career at JPMC while finishing her MBA from Wilmington University. While at JPMC, Toy realized the importance of bringing opportunities to HBCU students. In her first year at the firm, she hosted the first-ever “HBCU Day” in the Delaware market for students from Lincoln University and Delaware State University to experience JPMC. That experience with HBCU Day inspired her to travel to various HBCUs to support recruiting needs to help bring black and Hispanic talent to the firm.
Toy now leads the HBCU & HSI Partnerships team at Capital One. In her role she’s responsible for helping the firm to work strategically with external partners to increase opportunities for Black and Latinx students at HBCUs and HSIs. She manages a portfolio of 12+ partnerships supporting HBCU and HSI students including Thurgood Marshall College Fund, United Negro College Fund, HBCU Week Foundation, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and Great Minds in Stem to name a few. Toy is an advocate of the greatness that stems from HBCUs and is also an example of it. Toy’s passion for mentorship and development led her to start her own business, Toy’s Take Branding. This company has allowed her to support women entrepreneurs by creating designs to help create and elevate their brands. Toy’s deep passion for supporting and elevating others is what drives her on a daily basis and her passion touches everyone that she comes in contact with.
Blake Van Putten – Howard University
Blake Van Putten is a Howard University alum and the founder and designer of CISE, a Black-owned clothing line. After receiving his B.B.A. in Supply Chain Management, Blake worked in New York City as a Senior Project Manager overseeing projects across financial institution groups. Originally from Los Angeles, Blake began producing and designing clothes in 2010. CISE is a Los Angeles-based clothing line with a simple idea: Stronger threads for a stronger community. Blake started CISE with the goal of creating apparel that gives a voice to those in society who are typically ignored. The apparel created is purposefully crafted to be both socially impactful and fashion-forward.
CISE has committed to donating to organizations that are committed to advancing minority and disadvantaged groups within society. As the company grows, the goal is to become a springboard for Black creatives and the Black dollar. Some of CISE’s accomplishments include donating over 4,000 PPE masks, over $61,500 in products, and $31,000 in monetary support to Black-owned organizations and businesses. They have accumulated 150K followers on Instagram, won grants from Ali Baba and the JLH Foundation, and have been featured in various publications such as TIME, Who What Wear, Bazaar, and Vogue since our inception in 2020. CISE has also participated in New York Fashion Week’s Black in Fashion Council Showroom on two consecutive occasions, has been featured on television shows including The Chi, P Valley, and Real Housewives of OC, and has been endorsed by various celebrities, such as Lizzo Beating and Marsai Martin.
Bobby Vincent, III, MS, PharmD, RPh – Hampton University
Bobby Vincent, III, PharmD, RPh is a graduate of Hampton University where he obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Cannabis Science and Therapeutics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore – the first degree of its kind available in the United States. Dr. Vincent has experienced a host of unique learning opportunities, including time abroad in Thailand, The United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines as a medical volunteer. He also spent time with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Office of Science Policy and Communications as a pharmacy intern. Dr. Vincent currently serves the northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as a pharmacist and medical consultant providing care for hundreds of cannabis patients.
Dr. Vincent is driven by a passion to bridge the medical cannabis industry with communities in need. He is the founder of Cannabis Health Alliances, LLC., building partnerships to advance therapy, policy, and patient accessibility. He also serves as the Communications Chair for the Virginia Pharmacists Association’s Academy of Medical Cannabis and a member of the organization’s Task Force for Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Dr. Vincent was honored as a Virginia Pharmacists Association “10 Under 10” award recipient, recognizing upcoming pharmacists advancing health initiatives in their community, and is also a recipient of the United States Public Health Service (U.S.P.H.S.) Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award. Dr. Vincent seeks to use his platform to advocate for the involvement of pharmacists in the medical cannabis industry
Carissa Smith – Bowie State University
Carissa Smith is a dynamic creative and political strategist who currently serves as Vice-President of FOX Corporation for Government Relations in the C-Suite. Smith graduated from Bowie State University in 2016 with a degree in Mass Communications. While at Bowie she was a collegiate all-conference hurdler and was voted to serve as Miss Bowie State University 2015-2016. Just this past year, Smith was awarded the Outstanding Alumna Award for her achievements following undergrad by Bowie State Faculty Leadership. After graduation, she served as a CBCF C-Suite intern. Smith has also successfully completed the CBC Institute’s Political Leadership Boot Camp and American University’s We Lead Institute.
Just recently she served President Biden as an appointed Senior Advisor of Public Engagement for Women and Girls and Health at the White House liaising and orchestrating key initiatives on behalf of key stakeholders. At age 24, Carissa served as National Women’s Vote Director for Joe Biden’s Presidential campaign. Her role was to create and orchestrate voter turnout initiatives for the women’s community. In the 2020 election, Carissa spearheaded the program to organize women to the polls which aided the historic turnout of 93% percent Black Women voters. Her prior experience includes serving as the press assistant for now Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), regional press secretary for the Ohio Democratic Party, and the Digital Press Secretary for House Majority Oversight Committee under the honorable Chairman Elijah Cummings (MD-07).
Nia Symone – Alabama State University
Nia Symone is a TV host, storyteller, entrepreneur, and former Alabama State women’s basketball player. She graduated from Alabama State University in May 2019 and is now the founder and creator of Purpose To Be Heard (PTBH), an authentic sports storytelling production company. PTBH’s goal is to change how society views athletes through authentic storytelling. Nia is seeking to show the world the many layers of athletes and the pressures that they endure. Her long-term goal is to help create a safe space for all athletes.
Nia has come a long way after taking a leap of faith and quitting her full-time job as an associate producer at CNN Sports. In 2021 Nia was named the host of Nike’s first-ever talk show “Come Thru.” Described as a show “for her, by her”, Nia interviewed game-changing Black women like singer/songwriter Victoria Monet, 2020 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, retired WNBA legend Seimone Augustus, singer/songwriter Tinashe, and so many more. Nia’s goal is to amplify the voices of the underrepresented and unheard – specifically in HBCU sports. She is a multi-hyphenate creating a lane and space that no one has ever seen before.
Dorian Kirkwood – Howard University
Dorian Kirkwood is a Howard University alum and all-around creative in the Washington D.C. area. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Howard University in May of 2015, where he majored in advertising and minored in graphic design. He is proficient in web design, graphic design, creative design, branding, digital strategy, and apparel design. Dorian loves to network and build genuine professional relationships and would like to innovate and change how marketing and advertising are presented and processed to the world.
Dorian is the founder and head designer of Krown Media, a full-service digital and creative agency based in Washington, D.C. that specializes in brand building, design, content creation, and forward-thinking. He founded the company with the vision to help build brands and promote entrepreneurship. Krown Media has worked with big companies like Nike, Ciroc, Mcdonald’s, Facebook, and Diamonds by Ace. Through this company, Dorian is able to give back to his community with his new design program, These Kids Wear Krowns. This is a free program dedicated to giving back to the creators of tomorrow by teaching High School students in Washington, DC, and New York City graphic design, photography, and videography skills.
Darryl Johnson – North Carolina A&T State University
Darryl Johnson Jr. is an American football outside linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He played college football at North Carolina A&T from 2015 to 2018. He was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) defensive player of the year in 2018 and was an AFCA All-America in 2017. Darryl says wanted to play football “since I came out of the womb,” and is continuing to have an impressive career. Darryl has played two seasons with Buffalo Bills, one season with the Carolina Panthers and is currently playing for the Seattle Seahawks.
Charity Pourhabib – Hampton University
Charity Pourhabib was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and is a graduate of Hampton University. After graduating, she worked at Campbell Ewald and Zambezi on accounts such as Kaiser Permanente, IHOP, Venmo, Beats, and Kissimmee Tourism. She joined Wieden+Kennedy (W+K) Portland in 2019 as a brand executive for Facebook and now works on the Nike account. She is skilled in production, digital marketing, strategic planning, brand management, and more. By developing a strong sense of self, Charity has cultivated her extensive skill set by pushing the limit and resisting stagnancy.
In 2020, Charity founded the ADMagic Program in partnership with W+K Portland and W+K New York. The program seeks to provide more access, knowledge, and exposure for HBCU students into the advertising industry. The inaugural class completed the three-month program in April 2021 leaving with an in-depth look at the industry through mentorship, panel sessions, resources, and a real client brief experience. Outside of work, Charity loves to vacation and spend time with family. You might also find her attending concerts, scouring thrift stores, or practicing Farsi.
Dominique Vaultz – Virginia Union University
Dominique Vaultz is a Virginia Union University alum engrossed in everything film and media since graduating in 2017. She has five-plus years of experience in hosting, writing, production, and creativity which has prepared her for a career that she can dedicate herself to. She’s created two businesses both of which allow current HBCU students to intern and gain experience in the field. Dominique served as her campus queen for three consecutive years and took all of her accolades with her post-grad. She has served as the publicist for many celebrity clients that we all know and love today. Dominique is the epitome of what it means to serve and continue serving HBCUs.
Grant Bennett – Morehouse College
Grant Bennett is a proud native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a Morehouse College alum. In 2020, he graduated from Morehouse with a B.A. in Psychology, and in the midst of graduating during the pandemic, Grant founded a nonprofit organization, The Two-Six Project. The organization was created to assist marginalized youth through intentional programming and scholarship in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina. The organization has provided over $10,000 in scholarships to local youth; in addition, to over $60,000 in community support through its community events and programming. The Two-Six Project has partnered with brands such as Springbreak Watches, Nike, and Dreamville, in addition to hosting community events for music artist Morray, NBA professional basketball player Dennis Smith Jr., and social media influencer Vic Blends.
Grant has worked as a producer and consultant for the NFL, Adobe, and HBOMax. He works as a business partner and manager for social media influencer, Vic Blends. In addition, his work has been highlighted by Forbes and President Bill Clinton. Grant was named the Morehouse representative for the 2021 Nike Yardrunner 2.0 campaign and to the 2022 Fayetteville Observer 40 Under 40 list. He currently works at Google as a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Strategist, with a concentration in Analytics, Partnerships, and Storytelling. Grant is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
Daryl Riley, Jr. – Hampton University & North Carolina A&T State University
Daryl “DJ” Riley, Jr. is a first-generation business owner and a two-time HBCU graduate. He received his bachelor’s degree from Hampton University in 2020, and his master’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University in 2022, both in Electrical Engineering, respectively. DJ began his entrepreneurial journey in June 2020 when he and his partners’ senior design project won the “Future of Fashion” section of the Forbes-sponsored pitch competition called “The Future is iCON.” Once he realized there were people out there who believed in their idea, he started looking for more opportunities to showcase the project which eventually became the fashion technology business, Tendaji, which means “make things happen” in Swahili. DJ says that Tendaji’s ultimate goal is to “integrate the productivity that technology provides while also giving our consumers that style and confidence that fashion provides.” Tendaji is still in its business ideation phase but looking to launch as early as January 2024.
Throughout DJ’s two-year entrepreneurial journey, he became a Class 4 Senior Fellow for the venture capital organization, HBCUvc; a Program MVP for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund pitch competition, “The Pitch 2021”; a Lead Legacy Ambassador for the first Annual Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic; a Watch the Yard content creator; a Top 7 Student Visionary for the first Annual Black Girl Ventures x NBA Foundation NextGen Program; as well as a two-time Semifinalist for Pharrell Williams’s Black Ambition Prize Competition. During his time at NCAT, he was a Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Scholar and member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council representing the COE and of the Golden Key International Honour Society. He also served as a lead ambassador for Michael B. Jordan’s Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic.
Christopher Hinton – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Christopher Hinton is a graduate of North Carolina A&T and currently serves the Academy Network of Winston-Salem as a member of the Board of Directors. There, he oversees the operations of five early learning academies. He also serves the community of High Point University as a Professor in the Phillips School of Business.
Beyond academia and his professional life, Hinton is an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and serves as the International Deputy Chief of Staff to the organization. Daily, he strives to give back to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community through his philanthropic nonprofit organization, the Hinton Foundation, which was founded to engage the community, advocate for students, and empower the next generation. He is also a Board Member of the Child Care Resource Center of North Carolina. Further, he’s been recognized as an Alain Leroy Locke Scholar, Appalachian State Horizon Award Recipient, and the 2018 Greek Man of the year.
Matthew Reeds – Morgan State University
Matthew Reeds is a proud alumnus of Morgan State University and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. As a senior at Morgan, he was elected to the Morgan State University Board of Regents, serving as a voting board member. Matthew has become one of Baltimore’s rising young adults in the areas of philanthropy, business, and community service, recently named to the Baltimore Business Journal as a Person on the Move. As an undergraduate student, Matthew also donated 5,000 to the university.
Matthew also started the Reeds Fund, a Baltimore-based not-for-profit that educates, advocates, and liberates families impacted by autism and sarcoidosis after witnessing the lack and utter neglect of citywide resources. This initiative is one close to Matthew’s heart as his little sister was diagnosed with autism at a young age and his mother has been battling sarcoidosis for years, both being on the receiving end of insufficient and inadequate healthcare resources. As a senior undergraduate student, Matthew understood that the city of Baltimore needed a resource to break the socio-economic barriers to lower-income communities and their ability to access specialized healthcare and services. The Reeds Fund understands the necessity to partner with global leaders while identifying high-impact solutions that can effectively alleviate health disparities while providing individuals the opportunity to live vibrant, productive lives.
Elijah Rutland – Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Elijah Rutland is a recent Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. Rutland has made a name for himself in the art space with his brand Fix My Sole, where he focuses on customizing sneakers and vintage clothing items such as T-shirts, jean jackets, hats, murals, canvas paintings, digital art, and many other items. Elijah creates narrative and life-inspired work that pulls from his personal experiences as a young black male in America. He often uses very rich colors to address many issues that have affected African Americans as a people and personal issues that he faces or has had to face throughout his life.
Elijah is already securing deals with Nike, Beats by Dre, Xfinity, and Walmart and has most recently been named National Brand Ambassador for the Pohanka Automotive Grou. He has also been fortunate to collaborate with many notable people such as K. Michelle, KevOnStage, Chance the Rapper, Roy Wood Jr., and Spice Adams just to name a few. He has interned with Warner Brothers and Disney in the past and has now been recognized for his work in many well-known and established media outlets such as Complex, Buzzfeed News, Essence.com, GQ.com, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, The ShadeRoom and many more. Elijah gives back to his community by using some of his profits to support other entrepreneurs and talks to students in his hometown. During his time at FAMU, He was a member of the Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and was also a trumpet player in the university’s Marching 100 band.
Dr. Kilan Bishop – Morgan State University
Dr. Kilan C. Ashad-Bishop is a biomedical scientist and advocate for inclusion who has carved her niche at the intersection of science, health, and social change. She is a proud alumna of Morgan State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, and the University of Miami, where she earned her Ph.D. in Cancer Biology. Dr. Kilan is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Miami and the Inaugural Director of the First Star National STEAM Academy. Her professional experience spans academic research, policy, and the nonprofit and private sectors, but her goal remains to improve the health and well-being of communities of color.
Dr. Kilan is an outspoken advocate for equity and inclusion in health, science, and society and the responsibility of science and scientists to advance positive social change. She is a regular volunteer and advisor to various K-12 and collegiate STEM programs designed to mentor, uplift, and support the next generation of scientists. She co-founded STEMNoire, a research and wellness community for Black women in STEM, and has previously served as the Vice-Chair of the City of Miami Climate Resilience Committee. There she leveraged her research background and community outreach to advance policies to prioritize low-income communities in resilience planning. She has been recognized as a Black Woman in Excellence (2020); National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Fellow (2019); Edward Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Inductee (2018); New Leaders Council Fellow (2016); Legacy Magazine, 40 Under 40 (2016); and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Defining Pearl (2015).
Tasha McCaskiel – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tasha McCaskiel attended North Carolina A&T and graduated with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. After graduating Tasha became a self-employed PR Consultant and started her own clothing brand, Shop TashJMackk. She then moved to New York to pursue her Master’s in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at New York University. During her time in New York, she interned at VH1, Comedy Central, and BET under Stephen Hill, who was the Director of Programming at the time. She moved back to Charlotte but noticed a lack of opportunities in her hometown so she took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles.
Since 2018, Tasha has been connecting minority women in the media industry with career opportunities through her organization Black Girls in Media (BGIM). Black Girls In Media is a networking organization committed to supporting and uplifting minority women in the media industry. BGIM has a community of over 80,000 women, and they just completed their first in-person conference in Atlanta that served over 200 women. Tasha is a trailblazer in the media industry providing a platform to highlight professionals in the field and bless other women with opportunities.
Leah Williams – Delaware State University
Leah Williams graduated from Delaware State University in 2015, making history, as the first person to ever be awarded both the Presidential Academic Award for her cumulative 4.0 GPA and the Presidential Leadership Award for her campus leadership. She returned to DSU, completing her MBA the following year, and currently works as a Program Manager for one of the top Defense Technology companies in the world. Leah obtained her second master’s degree in Cybersecurity Technology in March 2020, with a 4.0 GPA, from the University of Maryland Global Campus. A lifelong learner, she has continued to further her education by obtaining both the Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), and Security+ Certifications. She also serves on the Advisory Council for the Business Women in Leadership Program at Florida International University.
Leah has received several honors, including being selected as one of the top 30 under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars in the Country by Thomas & the Institute of Supply Management in 2017, being recognized as the Top Supply Chain Analyst of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals in 2019, and being named the Woman of the Year by Employee Resource Group within her workplace in 2019 and 2020. Leah is also an advocate for Crohn’s disease after being diagnosed at the age of 22. In 2020, she was selected to present to spread awareness of Crohn’s disease and other illnesses for the Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference. She continues to be involved in the affairs of her alma mater as she currently serves as the youngest-ever President of DSU’s Alumni Association and was also selected as DSU’s 2020 Convocation Keynote Speaker.
Myja Gary – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Myja Gary is North Carolina A&T State University alumna blazing trails in the male-dominated tech space. She received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communication from North Carolina A&T State University and a Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University. Today, she is a Corporate Communications Manager at Zoom and serves as a strategic communications advisor and expert to internal stakeholders and executive leaders. Myja is the first Black woman to lead HR communications at the company and is dedicated to helping increase the representation of minority groups in the tech space. She also works in partnership with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Organization at Zoom where she helped launch and lead the first Black Employee Resource Group, Zoom Soul, and the first DEI Report at Zoom.
Myja is an activist and champion for women leadership and hosted the Turn Up and Turn Out the Vote Virtual Bus Tour alongside Madam Vice President Kamala Harris to help educate students at HBCUs on the importance of voting. During her undergraduate tenure, Myja served as Vice President of Print for the NCA&T chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, Copy Editor for the campus yearbook, and Reporter for the campus newspaper, amongst many other honor societies and campus organizations. She is also the former Miss Agricultural and Technical State University, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She went on to place 1st runner-up in the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame competition of HBCU Queens and was crowned Miss Black USA 2021. Through her platform, Bridging the Gap, Myja advocates for creating a pathway for the next generation of women leaders through mentorship, and career readiness.
Alena Jackson – Texas Southern University
Alena Jackson is a Texas Southern University alum currently serving as the Senior Marketing Manager at SALxCO, home to some of the best entertainers in the world. She was first introduced to the music industry after enrolling in an entertainment management class taught by businessman and former Destiny’s Child manager, Mathew Knowles at Texas Southern University. After one semester she was so inspired by his impact on the music industry she made it her mission to make her mark as well.
After graduating from Texas Southern Alena headed straight to Los Angeles to make her dreams come true. That’s when she got her first music job at Motown Records. After 2 years at Motown, she took her talent to the #1 entertainment management company in the world SALXCO as Senior Marketing Manager. She is in charge of overseeing and leading all marketing and digital campaigns and has executed remarkable album rollouts for artists such as Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby, City Girls, London On Da Track, and more.
Diamond Young – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Diamond Young is a proud 2x graduate of North Carolina A&T State University where she received both her BS and MBA degrees. After completing grad school, Diamond relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area to start working with the Learning & Development team at Twitter when she soon discovered the lack of black businesses in the area. She is now the founder of Diamond Unlimited & BLK Directory and is teaching entrepreneurs and small business owners how to be limitless and strive in their ventures. Through the BLK Directory platform, Diamond is able to bring discovery, respect, and attention to minority entrepreneurs from all over the world. BLK Directory is an online platform that helps to increase the visibility of small black-owned businesses across the globe.
Diamond also produces and hosts the BLK Directory Podcast, a weekly show that focuses on sharing the stories of black entrepreneurs with a wide lens. Through the podcast, she has been able to reach an audience that spans over 20 countries all over the world. Diamond is passionate about helping her clients create a clear and strategic plan to reach their goals as an entrepreneur. She’s also taken on the title of a Podcast mentor and leads workshops that give aspiring podcasters the tools and confidence to create their own show. Outside the app and podcast, Diamond has been able to curate unique and remarkable events, like Melanated Yoga, in the Houston community under the BLK Directory umbrella.
Jade Lawson – Hampton University
Jade Lawson is a proud graduate of Hampton University and an Emmy-nominated journalist. As a journalist and creative producer, she has contributed to several platforms under the ABC News flagship including ABC News Digital, Good Morning America, and Primetime specials. She has interviewed some of music’s biggest stars like Lil Kim, Megan Thee Stallion, Mary J Blige, and Jazmine Sullivan. Jade is a 2x NABJ Salute to Excellence award winner for her coverage on environmental racism and for speaking to the descendants of Black leaders like Frederick Douglass, Ida B Wells, and Malcolm X. She loves bringing awareness to HBCUs through her stories.
Earlier this year, Jade covered the 54th anniversary of the Orangeburg Massacre at South Carolina State and Howard’s on-campus housing protests. She’s worked on ABC News prime time specials including Soul of a Nation, the Real Queens of Hip Hop, and Mike Tyson: The Knockout. She also collaborated with Togethxr’s ‘Title IX Triumphs,’ celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX and the push for gender equity in education and sports. Jade is currently developing an independent documentary exploring women in hip-hop.
There are so many things in college that feel like a whole new world, this includes dating. If you’re anything like me you might have grown up watching movies like Drumline, Love & Basketball, and Stomp the Yard and dreamed of having your own HBCU love story. Under no supervision of your parents, you get to play house with your boo in your dorm, have sleepovers on that tiny twin XL mattress, and take late-night walks around campus just talking about life. I mean it all sounds so romantic, doesn’t it? But truth be told, college dating is a little more glamorous in movies than it is in real life.
Luckily this article can serve as a guide for the various ups and downs of dating in college. We asked several HBCU alumni for advice and this is what they have to say. Here are ten gems from HBCU Alumni on College Dating!
Put Your School Work First
There are so many things to balance in college, social life, organizations, and of course relationships. While it can be easy to get swept away in the excitement of a new romance, securing your degree comes first. Don’t let a potential partner distract you from your goals and education, that’s why you’re in college.
Balancing relationships and schoolwork can be tricky but pay attention to whether your partner is encouraging you to go to class or telling you to skip it. It’s important to find someone who pushes you to be your best self and shares the same values as you. Don’t let someone you can’t grow with drag you down.
Be Open-Minded
You might have had a “type” in high school but in college, it’s time to broaden your horizons. There are people from all walks of life on a college campus and if you just stick to your typical type you may miss out on a great relationship.
College is all about meeting new people and getting out of your comfort zone. So, take a chance and say yes to a date with someone you normally wouldn’t consider, you may have more in common than you think. Hey, even if it doesn’t work out at least you tried something new and now you have a funny date story to tell your friends about.
Don’t Rush into a Relationship, Have Fun!
Don’t make the mistake of making your college journey all about someone else. This is a unique experience that goes by faster than you think, when you look back at it do you want to remember stressing about a relationship or having fun with your friends?
There’ll be several opportunities to meet someone so there’s no need to rush into a relationship as soon as you get on campus. You’ve got to give yourself space to focus on your needs before you make someone else a priority. Take time to find yourself and discover what you want from this time of your life before jumping into a relationship.
Don’t Overplay Your Role
Hookup culture is very common in college, so before you start planning your future with the first person you kiss keep that in mind. Keep open clear communication with your partner to avoid any confusion about the status of your relationship. One of the worst things you can do while dating in college is to play the boyfriend/girlfriend role to someone who isn’t feeling you that way. If your energy isn’t being reciprocated, take a step back and act accordingly.
Wrap it Up!
Like we said before, hookup culture is very common in college, so if you’re going to be hooking up make sure you’re wrapping it up. Protect yourself, and wear a condom. Practicing safe sex is so important, especially in college. Most campus health centers offer free condoms and will help with directing you where to get more extensive forms of birth control. Also, be upfront with your partner about any STDs you might have. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their sexual history and sexual health as well, it may make things a little uncomfortable but it’s better to be safe than sorry and the right person will understand.
Stay True to Yourself
Remaining true to yourself and your values is key to successfully dating in college. You might feel pressured to change yourself or do things you’re not comfortable with, but you shouldn’t lose sight of who you are in order to make your partner happy. You owe it to yourself to be your authentic self and let go of anyone who doesn’t see your worth.
Don’t Forget About Your Friends
Getting caught up in a new relationship and finding yourself wanting to spend all your time with your partner is normal, but not necessarily a good idea. College friends usually turn into lifelong friends, don’t miss out on them because you spent all your time catering to your relationship. That doesn’t mean to never spend time with your partner, but to find a healthy balance. You don’t want to neglect your friends, after all, they’re the ones who will be there for you if things don’t work out with your partner.
Properly Vet Your Potential Partner
Before you decide to date someone on campus you need to know what you’re getting yourself into. Looking at their socials, finding out who’s in their friend group, and seeing what organizations they’re a part of are just some ways to vet your potential partner. You don’t always have to “stalk” your potential partner on social media to properly vet them, sometimes just asking around about them is enough. It’s all about doing your research and paying attention to red flags.
Date Off-Campus
In college, it happens far too often that you meet someone and think you’ve found the one, just to find out that your roommate is in the exact situation with the same person. Listen, college may seem big but the dating pool is surprisingly small. The chances of talking to someone whose been involved with a friend or acquaintance are very high.
Thankfully, dating in college doesn’t mean you have to date someone on your own campus. Dating off-campus at one of your neighboring colleges expands your options and might enhance your college experience.
It’s Okay to Stay Single
Lastly, it’s perfectly okay not to date in college. Being single is fun! Less drama, and more time to think and focus on yourself, your friends, and your studies. If you feel like you’re missing out on something or college dating life isn’t what you imagined it would be, know that you have your whole life ahead of you. Not everyone meets their soulmate in college and that’s okay, there’ll be plenty more opportunities to date and find love after you graduate. As long as you’re happy and living on your own terms who needs a relationship?
