At Least Seven HBCUs Receive Bomb Threats In One Day

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Unfortunately, bomb threats were received by several HBCU campuses just days into the new year. Get the full story from Andrew Jeong at The Washington Post below.

The Founders Library at Howard University, one of at least seven historically Black colleges and universities to receive bomb threats Tuesday. (Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/The Washington Post)

At least seven historically Black colleges and universities received bomb threats Tuesday, school officials said, triggering abrupt evacuations of students and employees.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Florida Memorial University, Howard University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, Prairie View A&M University in Texas, and Xavier University of Louisiana reported bomb threats. No explosions occurred.

The schools ordered evacuations or lockdowns and alerted local law enforcement. It was not immediately clear whether the threats were connected or whether they were racially motivated. By early Wednesday, all of the schools had released all-clear notices to their communities.

“Although the threat was unfounded we ask that everyone remains vigilant,” a statement from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff said, adding that the full student body hadn’t yet returned from the holiday break but those who were there were relocated off campus.

Pine Bluff officials said their school received a threat about 5:15 p.m. Shortly after that, North Carolina Central University police received a call regarding a bomb threat on campus. The five other schools didn’t immediately disclose the timing of their threats, though they said the messages had arrived during the afternoon orevening.

In an “Eagle Alert” email to students and employees, NCCU urged evacuation shortly after its 5:30 p.m. call. An all-clear was issued at 9:15 p.m.

The schools could not be reached for comment early Wednesday.

The threats come after three Ivy League schools received similar threats in November and TikTok posts hinting at potential school shootings prompted a dozen school districts across the country to tighten security last month. Law enforcement officials later determined those threats were not credible.

Nationally, the frequency of bomb threats has declined in the past two years, according to the latest tallies disclosed by a federal government data center. But the number of actual bombings has risen — a trend that forces schools to take threats more seriously.

In 2020, the most recent year for which the data center has published tallies, officials said 818 bomb threats had been documented. That figure was about a 20 percent drop from the previous year and about half of the 1,627 threats received in 2018.

But officials reported 428 bombing incidents in 2020, a 71 percent increase from the previous year and the highest number since 2016, when 439 bombings were documented by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Pennsylvania suffered the most bombings in 2020, with 113 incidents.

Ed Gainey Officially Sworn In As First Black Mayor Of Pittsburgh

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Morgan State University alumnus Ed Gainey has solidified his place in history today! Get the full story from Madeline Bartos at KDKA-TV below.

Credit: Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette

Ed Gainey made history when he was sworn in as Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor Monday.

Gainey’s inauguration and swearing-in were held virtually because of COVID-19 with limited in-person attendance in the council chambers. He took the oath of office just before 2 p.m., the judge getting emotional while speaking about the moment’s historical impact.

He started his inauguration speech by thanking his family and those who voted for him, saying he’d never take any support for granted.

He laid out his vision for Pittsburgh, including police community relations, economic inclusion, affordability, transportation access and education.

“Success does and will continue to live and thrive here in our city of Pittsburgh, but not at the expense of those who have been left behind for far too long. Let me be clear, let me be clear: we will be bold, we will aim high and we will work tirelessly until we get there. My administration will be progressive, principled and always on the side of the people,” Gainey said.

“This will take courage, and I know that this word courage means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. But to me, courage means doing the right thing by the people, for the people and most importantly, with the people. No one can do it alone but we can always do it together,” he said.

Gainey said he would represent all of Pittsburgh, including those who had and hadn’t voted for him.

“When I decided to run for mayor, I didn’t decide to run for mayor to make history. I decided to run for mayor to make change. But I would be remiss if I didn’t reflect on the historical significance of today. Being the first Black mayor to hold this seat is not a responsibility I take lightly. I understand that. But I stand on the shoulders of greats,” he said, naming his supporters.

Gainey wrapped up his inauguration speech by saying, “Pittsburgh, let’s go get it.” He was met by cheers, chants and a standing ovation.

The inauguration ceremony began with several video performances including a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and messages from Gov. Tom Wolf and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

“As mayor, he is going to use the full force of his determination and his strength and his dedication to put the people of Pittsburgh first,” said Wolf.

Wolf and Fitzgerald talked about how Pittsburgh transformed itself from a city of steel mills into a global hub for technology and how they believe Gainey will continue to that trajectory.

“Pittsburgh is a special place. It’s a place we all love, and nobody demonstrates that love better than Ed Gainey,” Fitzgerald said, highlighting Gainey’s prioritization of equity and his plan to make Pittsburgh “a city for all.”

“This is going to be a city where people who were left behind are going to have that hope that those opportunities are for them,” said Fitzgerald.

Gainey is Pittsburgh’s 61st mayor. In an upset, he defeated incumbent Mayor Bill Peduto in May’s primary and went on to beat Democrat-turned-Republican Tony Moreno.

Gainey grew up in East Liberty and attended Peabody High School before attending Morgan State University where he got his degree in business management. He served in various government agencies before winning a seat in the state House of Representatives in 2012.

Top Tier UAPB Basketball Player Zaay Green Encourages Other Power 5s To Choose An HBCU

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Top tier University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff basketball player Zaay Green is encouraging other successful student-athletes to choose HBCUs! Get the full story from Desmond Nugent at news station KATV below.

Throughout the country, more Power 5 college athletes are transferring to get the experience at a historically Black college and university. Recently the No. 1 overall player and longtime Florida State University commit Travis Hunter, Jr. signed with Jackson State University, an HBCU. 

According to officials with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, for the first time in school history, the lady Golden Lions received a national basketball player in Zaay Green. The team’s head basketball coach Dawn Thronton told KATV, top tier athletes making the transition to play at an HBCU are allowing those schools to be more in the national spotlight. 

“I don’t know if there’s an HBCU that’s got a top 10 kid in the country on their campus or on their team, a starter for a McDonald’s All-American, we have to be the first,” Green said. 

According to Thornton, HBCU acknowledge the value of Black student-athletes. She said Green is averaging nearly 15 points a game, she’s a leader and is a humble player. Thronton is a former SWAC basketball player and HBCU graduate and calls highly recruited athletes transferring to an HBCU a movement.

“I think as a culture, as a whole we understand that we wanna give back to us. I tell kids all of the time when I’m recruiting student-athletes, nobody can coach us like us, nobody can teach us like us,” Thronton said. 

Green is a guard who played two years at the University of Tennessee, one year at Texas A&M, and told KATV transferring to an HBCU in August was a historic move. 

Credit: Twitter/zaayGreen

“Being on that side, it was totally different,” Green said. “I really was just tired of like the noise around there. It was always if you not doing this, if you not doing that, then there’s no name and you don’t matter.” 

Another player who made the transition to UAPB from mid-major school at Jacksonville University is Khadijah Brown. According to Brown, her experiences at a UAPB feel more like home.

“It’s definitely a culture difference, I feel more comfortable,” Brown said. “I remember going to certain events at my old school which was a PWI and it didn’t feel authentic it felt forced.” 

The lady Golden Lions have a current record of 4 wins and six losses for the season, but almost defeated the University of Miami at the Miami Holiday Classic in early December. 

Brown and Green told KATV they hope their story brings more high-caliber athletes to play for HBCU’S. 

“It doesn’t matter, the name doesn’t matter, like how big the school is and where it’s at. regardless if it’s a school if it’s D-1 you can go hoop, then go hoop,” Green said. 

According to Brown, she believes they can compete and win against highly ranked Power 5 schools. 

“We’re just breaking the glass ceiling and we’re trying to be seen just like any other student-athlete at a Power 5 school or PWI,” Brown said. 

According to Coach Thronton, one of her goals is to push her athletes to get to the next level and she believes Green could be drafted by the WNBA. 

Officials with UAPB said more than 30 football players have been drafted in the NFL and several men’s basketball players have had careers overseas. They said Green could be the first female athlete drafted by the WNBA in school history. 

In March 2022, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design To Become Michigan’s Sole HBCU

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The HBCU experience is making its way to Detroit, Michigan! Get the full story from NewsOne staff below.

When the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design opens in March, it will be the only HBCU in Michigan.

Historically Black colleges and universities throughout the country serve as pillars that sit at the intersection of education and culture, and this year a new institution will open in the city of Detroit. According to WXYZ Detroit, a former business school will be transformed into Michigan’s only HBCU.

The school—dubbed the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design—was cultivated for emerging Black designers, engineers, business leaders and creatives. It was previously the Lewis College of Business; a historically Black institution founded nearly 94 years ago. It initially served as a secretarial school for Black women and emerged into a business school; producing Black leaders that would go on to work at companies that included Ford and Michigan Bell. The HBCU functioned in Detroit between 1939 through 2013; shuttering 26 years after receiving its historically Black college accreditation.

Years after the school’s closure, Dr. D’Wayne Edwards—founder of the Portland-based Pensole Design Academy—petitioned to reopen the institution with a vision for it to be the country’s first HBCU that had a strong focus on design. Last week, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmersigned legislation for its reopening. The bills were supported by Rep. Joe Tate and Pamela Hornberger.

Edwards says he wants the reimagined HBCU to pay homage to the legacy of Lewis College of Business founder Violet T. Lewis. “Thank you to Governor Whitmer and all of our partners for helping the grandchildren of Violet T. Lewis, Pensole and College for Creative Studies establish an HBCU in the state of Michigan,” Dr. Edwards said in a statement. “Our goal is to celebrate Violet T. Lewis’ life’s work she established in the city of Detroit in 1939. Today moves us forward to another major step in continuing her legacy with the support of our founding partners College for Creative Studies, Target, and The Gilbert Family Foundation.” The Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design is slated to officially open in March 2022.

Institutions like the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design are needed as there remains a lack of racial diversity in the design industry.

TSU Alumna Jayvin Washington Services Tulsa With Meal Subscription Company

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Texas Southern University alumna Jayvin Washington had a vision for helping her community make healthier choices, resulting in a new meal subscription service! Get the full story from Anne Brockman at Tulsa People below.

Jayvin Washington is the owner of BiteWay, a meal subscription service based in Tulsa. (Credit: Michelle Pollard)

If you’re one of the millions of Americans resolving to make healthier choices in the new year, a buzzworthy habit is meal planning.

It’s a habit familiar to Jayvin Washington. A graduate of Texas Southern University with a degree in food and nutrition science, the Booker T. Washington High School alumna originally wanted to become a pharmacist. Working as a pharmacy tech in college, Washington realized many of her customers could get off medications for hypertension, diabetes or high cholesterol by changing their lifestyle.

“I felt like I wasn’t going to be successful with changing someone’s life in that role,” she says. After graduation she founded meal subscription service BiteWay in July 2018. She started with one customer, and now has nearly 450 individuals awaiting her brand’s relaunch later this month. 

Washington and her business participated in the first cohort of ACT Tulsa, an entrepreneurial think tank. It helped her expand her business parameters and goals as an owner and for her clients, which was the reason behind the brief hiatus. “Going into 2022 is going to be like nothing I’ve ever imagined,” she says.

BiteWay customers can choose from over 30 meals with various meal plan subscriptions, order at bite-way.com, and portioned and packaged meals will be delivered.

Washington’s recommendations for those considering meal planning in 2022:

Talk to a professional. Whether that’s your physician or a registered dietician, discuss what your goals should be.

Set a goal. “Figure out your why,” she says. “We always have a reason or a why for what we do — is it weight loss; is it weight gain; or  do you just want to eat healthier?” Washington encourages to set a realistic goal — no one should be losing 10 pounds in a week.

Make a plan. “I encourage people to create a menu,” she says, recommending Pinterest or food blogs for meal ideas.

Create a budget. A common reason Washington hears from those she’s helping is the cost associated with meal planning. “Whether you’re single, or you have a family of six, you always can create a budget; it’s just taking the time to do it,” she says. “We make time for what we want to make time for.”

Add movement. Any movement — whether that’s walking around the block, having a dance party in the living room or taking part in a yoga class. 

Eat the darn cookie. “We always try to restrict our favorite foods, but it’s just going to make us want to eat them even more and overindulge,” she says. Healthy eating is about moderation, she adds.

Report On Racial Equity In Finance Released In Collaboration With Dillard University and Wiley College

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Dillard University and Wiley College participated in research examining the racial financial health gap. Get the full story from the Marshall News Messenger below!

PayPal Holdings, Inc. and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, in partnership with two historically Black colleges and universities Dillard University and Wiley College, released new research as part of PayPal’s commitment to advancing racial equity.

The white paper, titled “Reducing the Racial Financial Health Gap: The Opportunity for Responsible Fintech,” addresses the importance of financial health in the Black community and the unique role that financial technology companies can play in reducing the financial health and wealth gaps.

“Positively impacting financial health is complex. The way forward requires investigation and commitment to the social good,” said Herman J. Felton Jr., president and CEO, Wiley College. “Our contribution begins with our desire to see change for our communities and willingness to partner for the creation of research that impacts policy. Our report will be an exercise in what we believe is a strengthening of information, an impetus for new dialogues and a centering of the people and our communities.”

The paper was funded as part of PayPal’s $535 million commitment announced in June of last year to support Black-owned businesses, strengthen underserved communities and address economic inequality. A critical component of the commitment involves partnering with non-profit and public sector experts to explore the breadth of the racial wealth gap and the potential solutions that the public and private sectors can implement to help close it.

“We all have an opportunity and a responsibility to play a role in addressing the ongoing racial inequities within the U.S. economy and around the world,” said Dan Schulman, president and CEO, PayPal. “We need to work together to ensure that future innovation in the financial services industry is inclusive and accessible to all. We’re proud to partner with the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, Dillard University and Wiley College on releasing this important study and are grateful to the faculty members who guided this effort.”

The paper outlines the history of how gaps in education, income, employment, credit access and banking access, reinforced by racial discrimination, have contributed to both the racial wealth gap and disparities in financial health. It also presents recommendations for how both the private and public sectors can help reduce the financial health gap, including:

Partnering with HBCUs

Today, the nation’s 106 HBCUs make up 3 percent of America’s colleges and universities, yet they produce almost 20 percent of all Black graduates and 25 percent of Black graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Companies should look to partner with HBCUs, particularly those that do not benefit from substantial national attention, not only on recruiting efforts but also on building a financial health curriculum that can aid in narrowing the racial wealth gap.

Developing inclusive financial products

The fintech industry has the opportunity to expand inclusive financial products for people who are credit invisible (those with no credit history or credit report at the national credit bureaus) or have thin or low credit. Whether it is through access to affordable credit, fair and flexible small business lending products or products that help build an individual’s savings, fintech companies have the ability to address systemic barriers to wealth creation for Black and underserved communities.

Pairing private sector innovation with public policy

To address systemic issues that have contributed to the racial financial health and wealth gaps, fintech companies should proactively work with government stakeholders to promote the needs of underserved communities to ensure public policy, laws and regulations reflect the changing landscape of financial services and the opportunity they provide to economically empower these populations.

“African Americans still don’t experience the American dream or rights and privileges the same as their white counterparts, thus impeding upward mobility for most African Americans,” said U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, chairman, CBCI. “In the report, data and research show that Black people have on average higher unemployment rates, lower earnings, lower rates of homeownership and pay more for credit and banking services. This report provides solutions and avenues for financial wellness among African Americans. It is an excellent example of good corporate social responsibility in action.”

“We hope that this report leads to robust conversations among policy makers, and spurs additional academic inquiry,” said Walter M. Kimbrough, president, Dillard University. “Reducing the financial health and wealth gaps must become key priorities for a healthy, increasingly diverse nation.”

Delaware State University Delays Campus Return For Spring Semester

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We previously reported that Howard University has delayed its spring semester, and now Delaware State University has decided a similar fate. Get the full story from Chanel Hill Tribune Staff Writers at The Philadelphia Tribune below.

Credit: Delaware State University

Delaware State University is delaying the return of students to campus by two weeks due to the surge in coronavirus cases that’s being driven by the Omicron variant.

Classes will still begin as planned on Jan. 10, but they will be held virtually for two weeks.

To return to campus, all students, faculty and staff will be required to get a booster shot unless they have university-approved religious or medical exceptions.

Those without booster-shot protection will not be permitted on campus during the spring semester. The university will make booster shots available on campus in January.

“The Omicron variant represents a new challenge because it is so highly contagious, but by mandating vaccine booster shots and briefly delaying the start of face-to-face classes, university leaders are giving their community the best chance for students to continue working toward their degrees in relative safety,” Dr. Neil Hockstein, a Delaware physician and adviser to Testing for America, said in a statement.

In a letter to the university community, Delaware State president Tony Allen said a booster is the best chance to defend against widespread infection.

“The Omicron variant is durable, has very high penetration rates even for those who are fully vaccinated and spreads three to four times more quickly than other variants we have seen,” Allen said in the letter.

“Those who are fully vaccinated and have the booster are much less likely to contract the virus,” he said.

“As a result, we have concluded that this is the best path forward,” he added. “The booster is our best chance to defend against widespread infection on campus, protecting you and the people around you.”

Michelle Fisher, associate vice president of campus health, added that students should get the booster shot right away as the shot does not provide maximum effectiveness until two weeks after it’s given.

“With the widespread availability of booster shots, the university is emphasizing to all students that they should get a booster shot as soon as possible,” Fisher said.

“The booster does not provide maximum effectiveness until two weeks after it is administered and the university wants its students as fully protected as possible before they arrive on campus at the beginning of the semester.”

Allen said the university will continue to implement a number of measures to fight the pandemic.

“While COVID-19 continues to disrupt our normal business, the university’s nimble, science-based approach has served us well since the pandemic’s earliest days, keeping case counts low by using the best tools at our disposal, including required vaccination, mask wearing, regular testing, and contact-tracing protocols,” Allen said.

Howard University To Delay Start of Spring 2022 Semester

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The rise in COVID-19 infections has led Howard University to push back the start of the spring semester. Get the full story from Howard Newsroom Staff below.

Credit: Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images

We are continuing to monitor the surge in COVID-19 cases locally and throughout the region. The significant increase in cases is, in part, due to the spread of the omicron variant, which is more easily transmissible than the delta variant. So far, it has resulted mainly in mild to moderate symptoms among vaccinated individuals. Our public health team continually monitors COVID-19 transmission data and the changing local and federal public health guidance. We have also consulted with academic institutions in the D.C. consortium of universities. Further, the CDC predicts a potential peak in COVID-19 cases in January. Our most recent weekly positivity rate has increased to 19 percent, which is the highest number we have seen throughout the pandemic. At that rate, we would not have enough beds to quarantine positive students living in the residence halls, if students returned on the originally scheduled start date for the spring semester. 

As a result, we will delay the start of the Spring 2022 semester for undergraduate and graduate students until Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Face-to-face courses will begin on that date. University administrative operations will begin on January 3, 2022. Students in professional programs will receive specific guidance from their schools to accommodate accreditation and licensure requirements.

Vaccinations, mask usage and regular testing were integral to our successful operations during the Fall semester. We previously announced that all faculty, staff and students will be required to receive a COVID-19 booster by Monday, January 31, 2022, if you are already eligible for a booster, or within 30 days after becoming eligible.

Approved medical and religious exemptions will continue to be granted. Booster vaccines are available on campus on the first floor of the Howard University Hospital, Freedmen’s Hall, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with no appointment necessary. Students should continue to upload vaccine documentation in Med+Proctor, and employees should upload vaccine documentation in Workday. We will continue to require mask usage indoors and in group settings outdoors.

Breakthrough cases of COVID-19 will continue to occur. We know that individuals who have received a booster shot of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) have significantly more antibodies in their system than individuals who have not yet received booster shots and even more than those who are unvaccinated. These increased antibody levels result in greater effectiveness of the vaccines, reducing severe illness or hospitalization. The bottom line is that you are more protected if you are vaccinated.

We are also requiring that everyone returning to campus from Winter Break for the Spring 2022 semester will be required to provide proof of a negative PCR test within four days prior to arrival. 

Students in residential housing will return to campus beginning Friday, January 14, 2022 between 7:00am-9:00pm. While administrative operations will resume on January 3, 2022, meetings will be conducted virtually wherever possible, and units with approved telework authority may continue to implement that flexibility. Your cabinet officials will provide specific guidance to each unit.

A virtual town hall will be scheduled to discuss more details and answer any questions we receive prior to the start of classes. Updates will be communicated via email, and general updates will be shared on Howard’s Twitter page. 

Our highest priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. These steps will help us maintain as safe an environment as possible in order to provide the best educational experience to our students. As we continue to navigate the pandemic, we are leveraging our collective knowledge and experience to adapt our community to the many changes in the virus and the pandemic.

Fort Valley State Community Mourns Tragic Passing of MiAysha Brannon

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MiAysha Brannon was a junior Veterinary Technician at Fort Valley State University before her life was tragically taken by a member of her family. FVSU released a statement on the sad news, but you can learn more about the story from Chris Harris at People below.

A South Carolina man fatally shot his 23-year-old daughter before injuring his wife and then killing himself.

According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Arthur Brannon locked himself and his daughter, MiAysha Brannon, in their Boiling Springs home on Sunday morning.

Responding deputies arrived at the home around 6:30 a.m. to find Laquanda Brannon — Brannon’s wife and MiAysha’s mother — outside, suffering from a gunshot wound to her right arm. She said she had been in a verbal fight with her husband, who then opened fire on her and locked her out of the home. 

Laquanda Brannon was transported to the hospital, where she continues to receive treatment.

Hostage negotiators were summoned to the scene to speak with Arthur Brannon. 

After failing to make contact with him, a SWAT team was sent in, where the father and daughter were found dead.

PEOPLE confirms that MiAysha was a junior at Fort Valley State University in Georgia, where she was studying to become a veterinary technician.

The school issued a statement on her death, saying she had a promising future ahead of her.

“The death of MiAysha Brannon is devastating news,” said the university’s president, Paul Jones. “She was a cherished member of our Wildcat family. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this very sad time.”

A GoFundMe campaign has been established online to help Laquanda in the wake of Sunday’s violence.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

Fayetteville State University Designated The First Purple Heart University in UNC System

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Fayetteville State University has made history in the University of North Carolina System. Get the full story from the release below.

 Credit: The University of North Carolina System

The Military Order of the Purple Heart has designated Fayetteville State University (FSU) a Purple Heart University, making FSU the first university in the University of North Carolina System to receive the honor. The Purple Heart University designation is in recognition of FSU’s history of supporting veterans and their families. The recognition letter from the Military Order of the Purple Heart stated that the designation honors the entire veteran community at the University, as well as the students, faculty and staff, Board of Trustees and administration. FSU becomes the first university among the sixteen University of North Carolina System to be designated as a “purple heart university.”

The Purple Heart Medal, which was created by George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit, is the oldest military award given to U.S. military members. The medal is given to U.S. military members who are wounded in combat or to their next of kin if they are killed in action or die from wounds received in action. The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active-duty men and women who have received the decoration. Most importantly, through veteran service officers, the organization provides comfort and assistance to all veterans and their families.

“FSU has a long legacy of educating those who serve in the Armed Forces. At FSU, we lead HBCU’s in military connected student enrollment and this honor demonstrates our deep appreciation to our military students. Our university sits right in the same city with the largest U.S. Army base in the country and it makes us proud that our students reflect that and support that as well.” Says, Siobhan Norris, Associate Vice Chancellor for Military Affairs. 

In June of this year, FSU was named 168th on the Military Times’ ‘Best Bet for Vets’ list. An impressive nationwide pool of 500 universities completed a comprehensive survey consisting of 150 questions aimed at understanding university operations tailored to former service members and their families. Active-duty military members can take advantage of FSU’s online course options and flexible degree programs.

Year in Review: Edward Waters University’s Transformational Year

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Formerly a college, Edward Waters University has had a great year amid its transformation! Get the full story from Will Brown at the Jacksonville Business Journal.

Credit: Edward Waters University

It’s possible 2021 may have been the most transformative year in the 155-year history of Florida’s oldest historically Black college.

 Edward Waters became a university in June when the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges allowed the Jacksonville-based school to offer master’s degrees for the first time. Once approved, Edward Waters University immediately began offering an online MBA program.

Earlier this year, President A. Zachary Faisonsaid the goal for offering master’s courses was to raise Edward Waters’ profile. He noted the university has plans to add two more master’s and four more undergraduate programs by the end of the Spring 2023 semester.

Faison said the university is approaching its academic offerings through a matching what students are anecdotally noting are their interests; data from which majors have the most enrollment and matriculation as well as the needs of the labor market.

Edward Waters is concentrating more on encouraging its students to obtain certifications within their degree programs than on concentrations in order to prepare students for postgraduate careers 

The result? Edward Waters has its largest enrollment in nearly 30 years. Its 14.5% growth in student enrollment is what will power the university financially to incorporate new degrees and programs.

Since Faison arrived in 2018, Edward Waters has sought to use athletics as a figurative front porch to the university. This was the year, some of those early seeds began to sprout.

In July, the National Collegiate Athletic Association approved EWU’s application to become a provisional Division II institution. The SIAC welcomed the Tigers back to the fold for the first time in more than 80 years later that month.

Also, this summer, Edward Waters christened the Nathaniel Glover Community Field & Stadium. The $4.3 million facility will house the Tigers football and women’s soccer programs.

Edward Waters kicked off the stadium in grand style in August with a 24-20 victory over Florida Memorial. The Tigers finished their first Division II football season with 4-7 record.

“We have some additional sports that we are going to be adding,” Faison told the Business Journal in October. “The next two or three years we expect nothing but continued, phenomenal and record-breaking growth.”

Harris-Stowe State University Launches $3M Effort To Turn Historic Building Into Home of Jazz Institute

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Harris-Stowe State University is kicking off on-campus renovations with a bang! Get the full story from Diana Barr of the St. Louis Business Journal below.

Once the project is complete, the building will house the Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute and National Black Radio Hall of Fame

Harris-Stowe State University on Thursday kicked off an estimated $3 million renovation and expansion of the historic former Vashon Community Center, located on the southwest end of the university’s main campus in Midtown.

The renovation will include an addition on the building’s north side that will serve as a new accessible entry, officials said, bringing the facility to 15,459 square feet. The work is expected to be completed in fall 2022.

Once the project is complete, the building will house the Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute and National Black Radio Hall of Fame on its upper level. The building’s lower level will house orientation and support spaces for the university, as well as classroom spaces, officials said.

The building, at the corner of Market Street and Compton Avenue, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Opened in 1937, it was one of a handful of public recreational facilities available to the Black community in St. Louis due to segregation at the time. HSSU received the center and its land from the city of St. Louis for $10 in 1999, according to a campus history. In 2009, the university received a $1 million federal grant from the National Park Service to stabilize the building’s structure, and the exterior was restored in 2013.

The building’s floor plan also includes a repository for historical documents to hold works from former U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay Sr., D-St. Louis; the late Frankie Muse Freeman, prominent St. Louis attorney and civil rights leader; and the late Henry Givens Jr., president emeritus of HSSU. 

Click here for the full story.

West Virginia State University Is Seeking Its Next President

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West Virginia State University is looking for a new president, and if you feel like you may be a great fit, it’s your time to apply! Get the full story from Ryan Quinn at the Charleston Gazette-Mail below.

West Virginia State University is now accepting applications to be its next president.

The application deadline “for full consideration” is Feb. 11, 2022, according to the presidential search timeline. Nominations, applications, resumes, references’ contact information and cover letters may be mailed to wvsupresident2022@agbsearch.com, said university Board of Governors Chairman Chuck Jones.

The 16-member search committee includes several board members and people from Kanawha County, according to a document Jones provided. They include the state’s higher education chancellor, the university’s National Alumni Association president, Encova Mutual Insurance Group’s board executive chairman, Democrat House of Delegates member Larry Rowe and community organizer and pastor the Rev. Matthew Watts. Jones said more members might be added next week.

This committee will choose three finalists, who will visit the Institute campus for presentations and question-and-answer sessions March 14-18. Jones said they will meet with alumni, faculty, and students.

“We’d have individual times for all the constituent groups to meet with them individual, ask them questions,” he said.

According to the timeline the board approved earlier this month, the new president is expected to be named in late March or April.

The separate board of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, which oversees four-year colleges, still must vote on approving the university’s search procedure. Later, that agency will have to vote on approving the compensation offered to the new leader.

The historically Black university is again using Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search to help find a new president. The school paid AGB Search to more than $80,000 for the search that ended with hiring Nicole Pride. Because Pride resigned after less than a year as president, the search firm is waiving the fee to redo the search, but not waiving additional expenses, such as consultant travel.

Pride served as president from Sept. 1, 2020, to July 30, 2021. She resigned after most members of her senior Cabinet asked the university’s board to remove her “to allow for an investigation.”

Their letter accused Pride of violating an employee’s privacy and “condescending and abusive dialogue” that had contributed to a “hostile work environment.”

Ericke Cage, who was hired as Pride’s chief of staff 11 days before she resigned, has been leading the university’s day-to-day operations since. The board named him interim president in September.

New PVAMU Alumna Uses Nursing Degree As Powerful Example of Perseverance

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A Prairie View A&M University nursing graduate has pursed education despite motherhood, low GPA, and other obstacles. Now, she is showing others that they can achieve their dreams too! Get the full story from the PVAMU release below.

Prairie View A&M University alumna Ilene Robbins ’21 knew it was her destiny to become a nurse. From a young age, she watched nurses care for her aunt and knew she wanted to enter the healing profession. The road to graduation ended up being a far tougher path than she imagined, including the challenge of trying to graduate during the COVID-19 pandemic. But she finished strong this past spring and completed the RN-BSN program offered through PVAMU’s College of Nursing.

“My whole nursing journey has been one for the books,” Robbins said. “I want the next person to know—no matter what obstacles get thrown at you, it can be done.”

Robbins began her studies at PVAMU in 2015. It wasn’t long before life took unexpected turns, and she took a leave from the university in 2017. Her dream of becoming a nurse never wavered, though. As a single mother, she knew she would return to school no matter how many difficulties she faced.

“My daughter was definitely my ‘why.’ I wanted her to know that if God puts a dream in your heart, there is nothing that can stop you,” Robbins said.

As a first-generation college graduate, Robbins credits the support of her family in helping her accomplish her dream. Because she left PVAMU in 2017 with a low GPA, it took a lot of time and studying to get back on track while balancing work and motherhood. In 2019, she was accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing program at Houston Community College and was able to get her academic career started again.

Shortly after, in January 2020, a massive manufacturing explosion occurred near her mother’s house, where she and her daughter lived. The explosion made national news, and her mother’s home was declared uninhabitable. For more than a year, she lived in a hotel, temporary housing, and with friends and family until they could return home. During that year of instability, she managed to stay on top of her courses, work, and taking care of her daughter.

“It helps your character—you learn to persevere,” she said of the situation. “You just do it. I saw it like I have no other choice; I have to take care of my daughter.”

She decided to see the setback as a positive. During her hotel stay, she focused on the fact someone else was making the beds and cleaning the bathroom while she and her daughter had access to breakfast each morning in the lobby. She used the experience to propel her forward toward her goal.

Robbins (left) and her daughter (right)

“I decided I’m going to be positive because being negative isn’t going to help. Having a pity party wasn’t going to help me graduate,” Robbins recalled.

During that time, she was determined to pass the NCLEX nursing exam and return to PVAMU to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She passed the NCLEX exam just as the COVID-19 pandemic was starting and was accepted into the PVAMU RN-BSN program. That was when Robbins had to redouble her efforts.

She was able to attend the program online, but her daughter was also attending class online due to COVID-19. Robbins became both a teacher and mother while trying to do her own work as a student.

“Starting my nursing journey during the high impact of COVID made everything feel as though it was moving at a faster pace,” she said. “I’m thankful that the people I work with were patient and willing to answer all my questions.”

After her six-week preceptorship, Houston experienced the “great freeze” of February 2021. The city – along with much of the state – lost power and water for days and even weeks in some places.

“I was in the hospital for three days – we lost water,” she said. “We passed meds with bottles of water. There was also COVID, so we had to make sure each patient was safe, had their own bottle of water and was accommodated.”

Robbins said the challenge went beyond keeping patients safe in the hospital. They also had to ensure that transportation was safe and that patients had a safe environment to return to when they were discharged.

“Everything’s a learning experience,” she said. “Our hospital is short [of nurses]; everywhere is short. Every hospital is short; every hospital is bombarded, whether it’s from COVID or not.”

At graduation, Robbins stayed on in the Intermediate Care Unit at HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball. Today, she assists patients who are well enough to be released from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but not yet well enough to return to the general hospital population.

“Originally, I attended PVAMU because I knew they had a great nursing school. I was truly happy that I was able to come back and complete my BSN here,” Robbins said.

Her goal is to work in the ICU before continuing her education journey and earning her master’s degree. Robbins advises students to never give up on their dreams, even if the path is difficult.

“It may look impossible on the outside, but nothing is impossible with God. There were dark days for sure, but God brought me to the other side,” she said. “Learn as much as possible. Be inquisitive and don’t miss any opportunity to learn something, even something small. It will all help you grow in your career.”

By Jocelyn Kerr

John Madden Coached These HBCU Greats

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John Madden recently passed away, but his legacy is evident in HBCU football. Get the full story from Kyle T. Mosley at Sports Illustrated below.

John Madden coached Willie Brown (Grambling) and Eldridge Dickey (Tennessee State)

John Madden was a legendary head coach and broadcaster who coached several outstanding HBCU great players in the NFL — two became a Hall of Famers.

NFL legendary coach and Hall of Famer John Madden passed at the age of 85 on Monday, Dec. 28. I enjoyed hearing him with Pat Summerall and later Al Michaels commentate on featured football games, championships, and Super Bowls for CBS, FOX, ABC, and NBC. 

He was an icon.

His legendary name has impacted generations of sports fans familiar with his reputation through the popular EA Sports video game “Madden.”

Before John Madden became a colossal success in the digital world, he coached the then Oakland Raiders as linebackers coach (1967-68) and head coach (1969-78). He earned PFW AFL Coach of the Year honors in 1969 as he guided the Raiders to the Super Bowl XI championship that season.

Madden was responsible for coaching eighteen of the fifty-five players who played for HBCU schools before playing for the Raiders organization. During his tenure, those men helped John Madden-led teams to a winning record of 103-32-7.

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ART SHELL

Shell came to the Raiders after being a fantastic professional prospect at Maryland State (now known as the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore).  The longtime Raider was named one of the Top 100 NFL players of all-time.  

He played for the Raiders and Madden at offensive tackle from 1968 to 1982.  Al Davis hired Shell as the first African American head coach in the NFL’s modern era.  The two-time Super Bowl champion was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989 and became the 1990 NFL Coach of the Year.

Shell played in eight Pro Bowls and was an AP All-Pro twice in his storied career.

Jan 9, 1977; Pasadena, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders (24) Willie Brown (24) runs back an interception against the Minnesota Vikings at the Rose Bowl during Super Bowl XI . The Raiders defeated the Vikings 32-14. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports

Jan 9, 1977; Pasadena, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders (24) Willie Brown (24) runs back an interception against the Minnesota Vikings at the Rose Bowl during Super Bowl XI . The Raiders defeated the Vikings 32-14. (Credit: Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports)

WILLIE BROWN

Defensive back Willie Brown attended Grambling State University and played for another coaching legend, Eddie Robinson.  

Willie Brown’s Career:

Brown lettered all four years at split end and outside linebacker during his time at Grambling. He was a member of Coach Eddie Robinson’s first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship team in 1960. Although undrafted out of college, he would retire the only NFL player to intercept at least one pass in 16 consecutive seasons. During his 12 years with the Oakland Raiders, he played in three AFL and six AFC championship games, as well as Super Bowls II and XI. He is still considered among the premier cornerbacks of all time. Finishing his career with 54 interceptions, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Willie Brown’s Career from the Black College Football Hall of Fame

HBCU PLAYERS COACHED BY JOHN MADDEN

  1. DB Howie Williams (1964 – 1969) – Howard
  2. DT Carleton Oats (1965 – 1972) – Florida A&M
  3. RB Hewritt Dixon (1966 – 1970) – Florida A&M
  4. WR Warren Wells (1967 – 1970) – Texas Southern
  5. DB Willie Brown (1967 – 1978) – Grambling State * Pro Football & Black College Football Hall of Fames
  6. OL Art Shell (1968-1982) – Maryland State *Pro Football Hall of Fame
  7. DT Al Dotson (1968 – 1970) – Grambling State
  8. TE John Eason (1968) – Florida A&M
  9. QB/WR Eldridge Dickey (1968 – 1971) – Tennessee State *Black College Football Hall of Fame
  10. DB Nemiah Wilson (1968 – 1974) – Grambling State
  11. DB George Aktinson (1968- 1977) – Morris Brown
  12. DB Alvin Wyatt (1970) – Bethune-Cookman 
  13. DE Harold Rice (1971) – Tennessee State
  14. WR Frank Pitts (1974) – Southern 
  15. RB Harold Hart (1975-1975, 1978) – Texas Southern 
  16. T Henry Lawrence (1974 – 1986) – Florida A&M
  17. RB Hubert Ginn (1976-1978) – Florida A&M
  18. DE Charles Philyaw (1976 -1979) – Texas Southern 
Dickey

ELDRIDGE DICKEY

Former Tennessee State legend Eldridge Dickey was drafted by the Raiders in the first round of the 1968 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Dickey never had a real opportunity to earn the starting job for the Raiders with quarterback Ken Stabler on the roster. 

Later, the team made him a wide receiver. The highly-talented signal-caller “left the game without taking a regular-season snap at quarterback and who never forgave football before he died of a stroke, in 2000, at 54,” wrote Michael Lee.

Many fans and experts have considered Dickey as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play in HBCU history.

John Madden lauded the skills and abilities of hundreds, perhaps, thousands of players during his days as a coach and broadcaster. The historic coach’s passion, knowledge, and quirky sayings for football will be missed by many, but his legacy will continue by simply saying one word — Madden.

Talladega College Receives Historic $2.5M Donation

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Known for putting its students first, Talladega College has received a helping hand from a special donor. Previously, the college helped to clear over $1 million student debt to help make education more affordable during the pandemic. Now, a hefty $2.5 million donation, which set a record for the HBCU, will help Talladega continue to support students through the creation of a new scholarship program. Get the full story about how Talladega College plans to use the funds from the release below.

Credit: Talladega College

Talladega College recently received an anonymous and historic donation of $2.5 million in support of student scholarships. 
 
With these funds, the College plans to expand its ‘Angel Award’ scholarship program which will tremendously impact the lives of current and incoming students.
 
“This donation is the first of many,” said Dr. Lisa Long, acting president of Talladega College. “Our mission is to equip our graduates for the global community through academic excellence, moral values, community service, and professional development.”
 
“These funds will enable us to continue our path of success and our unwavering journey to remain an institution of excellence,” she added.
 
In August, the College received an anonymous donation of $250,000 which was used to create the ‘Angel Award.’ This scholarship has provided financial assistance to nearly 100 students who were facing economic struggles.
 
According to Long, she is not certain about the identity of the College’s ‘angel in disguise,’ but she is exceedingly grateful for their generosity.
 
“Our College’s most important asset is our people,” said Long. “This donation is yet another validation that we’re on the right track with facilitating the needs of our students.”
 
Among many other demonstrations of generosity and merits, the College recently cleared $925,666 in debt for students with balances for the terms of Spring 2020 through Summer 2021, and was recently ranked in the top 100 most affordable public administration colleges.