Former NBA Star Mo Williams Leaves Alabama State For Head Coach Position At Jackson State

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Mo Williams, who played over a dozen seasons in the NBA, has left his coaching job at Alabama State University to be a head coach at Jackson State University. Get the full story from Khari Thompson at the Mississippi Clarion Ledger below.

(Credit: Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune)

Alabama State basketball coach Mo Williams, who played 14 seasons in the NBA and won an NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers, is returning home to be the next coach at Jackson State, according to a report Monday from Stadium’s Jeff Goodman.

The news comes three days after JSU announced that Wayne Brent would retire at the end of the season. Brent went 117-155 with two winning seasons among his nine at JSU. Brent joined JSU in 2013 after an assistant coaching stint at Ole Miss and a noteworthy career as a high school coach in the Jackson-area, winning four state titles in six years at Callaway. 

A JSU spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment. 

It would be the second high-profile former athlete now coach at Jackson State, joining football coach Deion Sanders, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Williams, a Jackson native, starred at Murrah, the same high school as JSU athletics director Ashley Robinson. Williams was selected as a McDonald’s All-American during his senior year in 2001.

Williams played at Alabama where he played under Mark Gottfried. and averaged 13.1 points and 4.2 assists in two seasons with the Crimson Tide. He was named 2002 SEC Freshman of the Year and was a third-team all-SEC selection in 2003. 

The Utah Jazz selected Williams with the 47th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He played with seven different teams over his decade-plus long career, including multiple stops with the Jazz and Cavaliers. 

Several career milestones were reached with the Cavaliers, including a selection to the 2009 NBA All-Star Game and winning the 2016 NBA championship as a member of the Cavaliers with LeBron James. The 2016 Cavaliers were the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in an NBA Finals.

Williams retired in 2017 and began his coaching career as an assistant under Gottfried at Cal State Northridge from 2018-20 before taking the Alabama State job. 

Williams’ coaching record is 14-35 with a 10-23 conference record. Alabama State was 8-24 when he took over the program after the 2019-20 season . The Hornets’ last winning season was in 2015.

UAPB Basketball Players Make History At Their HBCU

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Two basketball players at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff have made school history through their achievements with the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Get the full story from Desmond Nugent at local station KATV below.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is celebrating a historic feat. Officials told KATV for the first time in school history, a basketball player from both the men’s and women’s team were named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Newcomer player of the year.

Both Golden Lions, Zaay Green and Shawn Williams were also selected SWAC first-team all conference.

Williams is a Little Rock native always believed he could accomplish many things on the basketball court, and is very grateful for the recent acknowledgement.

“I been knew that I perform, I just needed the platform and I did it. We didn’t get the wins but I showed that I can perform at the next level,” Williams said.

Williams is guard for the UAPB Men’s Basketball team. In the 2021-2022 season, he averaged nearly 17 points a game. Williams also scored 25 points, three games in a row, and two 30-point games towards the end of season.

“Looking back at it, I’m a part of a legacy, like my grandmomma my big momma used to always talk about Pine Bluff,” Williams said.

Along with Williams who made Golden Lions history, Texas A&M transfer Zaay Green also had a stellar season.

The McDonald’s All-American averaged nearly 16 points per game with a season high of 31 points.

“We’re actually winning and so people are going to respect UAPB since we’re winning,” Green said.

According to Green, it was challenge transferring from a Power 5 school to an HBCU, but she she told KATV it’s a decision she hopes other players in position will pursue.

“Always bet on yourself and you never know what can happen, it was hard for me to make this transition,” she said. “I feel like a lot of people think about that, but once they do it I feel like they’ll be fine.”

UAPB Director of athletics, Chris Robinson said the success of both players shows Historical Black Colleges and Universities are on the rise.

“It goes to show that you can go anywhere you want to go, you can receive the credit you deserve by coming to an HBCU, specifically UAPB as well,” Robinson said.

Williams and Green believe their success could provide the momentum to propel the Golden Lions basketball teams for years to come. They both hope their talents can carry them to have a career in professional basketball.

Fayetteville State University Showcases Student Success With Innovative Video Wall

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Fayetteville State University has found an innovative way to praise student success with a fascinating video wall. Get the scoop from Campus Technology editor in chief Rhea Kelly.

North Carolina’s Fayetteville State University recently unveiled a video wall in its Rudolph Jones Student Center that highlights successful student internships and post-graduate employment. The Wall of Success is part of the historically Black institution’s commitment to increase internship access and opportunities for its students, according to a news announcement. 

“The Wall of Success is representative of student success and possibility. We want to see every student showcased here,” said Chancellor Darrell Allison in a speech during the unveiling event. “The resources are in place. Employers are increasingly eager to work with our exceptional students. Moreover, our impact is stretching beyond campus, economically benefitting our community and the entire state. I’m looking forward to greater opportunities for our students.”

Comprised of 176 LED video modules, the Wall of Success measures 36 by 6.75 feet and will be used to showcase student leadership and achievements, either in their paid internships or in post-graduation careers. It will also recognize corporations and agencies that have employed FSU students. The goal: to “reinforce for students and faculty the importance and the accessibility of internships — and the many paid internships being made available,” the university said.

Last year, Chancellor Allison set a target to launch 100 paid student internships or new careers by the end of this academic year, and 750 by the year 2024. Since spring 2021, 105 FSU students have participated in paid internships, and the university has partnered with more than 70 companies or agencies for its internship program.

Ultimately, the Wall of Success “contributes to the university’s key priority of embracing students where they are and preparing them for the future,” the university said. “It showcases student success stories as encouragement for other students to strive for similar opportunities.”

West Virginia State University To Celebrate Founders Day With Day of Giving Challenge

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

March 17 is a significant day for West Virginia State University. The HBCU was founded on that date in 1891 as “West Virginia Colored Institute”. Now, 131 years later, WVSU will celebrate its Founders Day with a Day of Giving Challenge, which was created to foster even more student success! Get the full story from Tyler Barker at Lootpress below.

West Virginia State University (WVSU) will mark its Founders Day on March 17 with a Day of Giving Challenge designed to support student success.

On March 17, 2022, the university and the WVSU Foundation are hosting the Day of Giving Challenge to support scholarships as well as student activities such as athletics and the marching band, and completion of the Lakin-Ray Field enhancements.

The day will also feature the opportunity to donate to each of the four colleges at the university, the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Business and Social Sciences, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the College of Professional Studies.

“Our Day of Giving Challenge on Founders Day in 2021 was the single largest day for donations in the history of the university,” said Patricia Schumann, vice president for university advancement and president of the WVSU Foundation. “We are looking to build on that incredible momentum this year and invite all alumni, local businesses and friends of the university to join together on this day in support of our students and programs.”

During the past year more than half of all WVSU students received scholarships, loans and grant support. Without these financial resources many students would not be able to continue their education.

The WVSU Foundation and university will use traditional mail, email and social media to spread the word to alumni and supporters about the Day of Giving.

A special Day of Giving website will open on March 14. Meanwhile, advance contributions may be made at http://connect.wvstateu.edu/dayofgiving.

Livingstone College Opens New Podcast Cafe

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Today was ribbon-cutting day for Livingstone College, because the HBCU just opened a podcast cafe! Get the story from David Whisenant at WBTV below.

Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy Jenkins culminated the event by producing the college’s first podcast in an interview-style format (Credit: Livingstone College)

Livingstone College is on the air again – this time from the pod. The college cut the ribbon and celebrated the grand opening of its podcast café at noon on Thursday, March 10.

The podcast café, located on the first floor of the Walls Center, is the only podcast hub in the county and is believed to be the only one among historically black colleges in the state.

It was made possible through a $30,000 Home Depot Retool Your School improvement grant for 2021, which is based on consumer voting.

Livingstone repurposed its existing game room into a podcast café that includes three sound-proof podcast cubicles and a control room. Each cubicle is outfitted with a podcast microphone, and audio and video components for broadcasting.

The main entrance of the game room area was reconfigured to include a stage for performances and small events, such as tiny desk concerts, open mic nights and independent artist showcases.

The grand opening featured Livingstone College band members, a deejay and remarks by Dr. Orlando Lewis, vice president of student affairs; Anthony Brown, student activities director; Keith Anderson, multimedia director; Ne’Kahia Ray, freshman class president; and Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr.

Jenkins culminated the event by producing the college’s first podcast in an interview-style format with Lewis as host. You can find this podcast and others produced by Livingstone College on its official YouTube channel, SoundCloud and eventually other podcast platforms.

“We worked hard to bring this podcast cafe to fruition and have invested many volunteer hours and sweat equity into the project,” Lewis said. “We are grateful to the volunteers who assisted and to Home Depot for this grant program that provides resources to historically black colleges for campus improvements.”

The podcast industry (online audio broadcasts) is growing and appealing more to a younger audience, according to Forbes.com. There are more than 2 million podcasts with more than 48 million episodes. Nearly six in 10 U.S. consumers above age 12 listen to podcasts; and U.S. podcast advertising revenues are expected to surpass $2 billion in 2023.

“Staying current and providing our students with programs and services that are popular and in demand is how we remain relevant as an institution,” Brown said. “This podcast café provides an opportunity for students to engage and embrace this popular tool of communication.”

Livingstone also plans to rent podcast booth space to other podcasters.

The podcast café is located next to the campus radio station and will be utilized as a part of the college’s proposed communications program.

17 Family Members of Ahmaud Arbery’s Family Visit Alabama State University

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

The life of Ahmaud Arbery and all he stands for came to life when his family came in full force to the campus of Alabama State University. Get the full story from Hazel Scott at ASU.

Alabama State University Students take a photo with Ahmaud Arbery’s father, Marcus Arbery Sr. (middle, top row), during a luncheon on  March 5 on ASU campus.

Seventeen family members of Ahmaud Arbery, including his dad Marcus Arbery Sr., made a stop at Alabama State University on Saturday, March 5, to have lunch with ASU students before heading to Selma to commemorate the 57th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery.

Arbery was a 25-year-old black man who was chased and murdered on February 23, 2020, by three white men while he was jogging in a neighborhood near Brunswick, Georgia. The three white men were found guilty in state court for shooting and killing Arbery and were later found guilty of federal hate crimes. Arbery’s killing, along with the police shootings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, helped to fuel a global movement against racial injustice.

“Our students had the opportunity to sit and talk with different family members. We had a chance to connect with the family. The students discussed social justice, equal rights, voting rights, ASU, the importance of school and more with some of the family,” said  A. Kai Mumpfield, director of Field Education at ASU. “It was a valuable experience.”

Makhayla DesRosiers, president of the student NAACP chapter on campus, described her meeting with the Arbery family as surreal.

“We have seen them on TV and read about them in news articles and seeing them in person humanized them. It took them out of the public spotlight. It was very humbling and gracious,” said DesRosiers, a senior political science major.  “They said they were proud of what the NAACP was doing on campus.”

DesRosiers said she had the opportunity to talk to the family about their travels, the Selma march and their plans for honoring Ahmaud in the future. “I wish we could have spent more time with the family.”

Diane Jackson, the oldest sister of Arbery Sr., said it’s important for the family to continue to raise awareness about police brutality and systemic racism, and when possible, tell people about their journey.

“We were excited to bring some of our experiences to Alabama State and share those experiences with their students. The students treated us like kings and queens. We were able to share things about Ahmaud’s life and achievements.”

Jackson told the story of Ahmaud giving his paycheck every week to her sick dad until he was able to return to work and giving her $20 to put in the church collection plate when he couldn’t attend. “He had a big heart. These are things people didn’t know about him. It’s a hard thing to deal with the loss of Ahmaud.”

The visit was arranged by ASU alumnus Lionel Woodyard (’72), owner of the Atlanta Chauffeur Service, with the help of the nonprofit Transformative Justice Coalition under the direction of the renowned Civil Rights leader Barbara Arnwine.

“Barbara, who embraced the Aubrey family throughout the trial proceedings, collaborated with Vice President Kamala Harris’s office to transport the Arbery family as special guests to the Selma march. So, as an alum, I facilitated the opportunity for them to visit ASU. The family gladly accepted. They understood the importance of the history of ASU in Civil Rights,” Woodyard said.

Woodyard noted that he coordinated the logistics and transportation for the Coalition during its Voter Rights Drive in Georgia, and he was charged with providing that same support for the Arbery family’s Alabama trip.

Mumpfield said the group left ASU with a feeling of belonging. “The family said ASU was family, that they were happy to have ASU support in their journey and that they are looking forward to another visit.  It was important for us to let them know that as they are doing this difficult work…. they will always have a family at ASU.”

Coppin State’s Historic 1997 NCAA Tournament Victory Spotlighted In New Documentary

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

A light is being shone on the exciting time of the 1997 NCAA Tournament win of Coppin State University‘s men’s basketball team through a new documentary. Get the full story from Mac Nwulu at the ESPN Press Room below.

One-hour documentary on how Coach Ron “Fang” Mitchell built and led the HBCU men’s basketball program to a historic victory in the 1997 NCAA Tournament

On & Coppin, the one-hour documentary featuring the Coppin State University Eagles men’s basketball team and their journey to the Big Dance, debuts Monday, March 14, exclusively on ESPN+. Presented by Andscape, the multi-media platform dedicated to Black storytelling and content exploring the full range of Black culture and identity, the film is part of the critically acclaimed “Black History Always” collection on The Walt Disney Company sports streaming platform.

On & Coppin chronicles the challenges faced by then head coach Ron “Fang” Mitchell, in his attempt to recruit athletes to a Division I program with no facilities and located on a campus in the midst of crime-ridden West Baltimore, Md. On March 14, 1997 in the face of adversity, Coach Mitchell and his Coppin State Eagles, defied the odds and made history by becoming only the third No. 15 seed to defeat a No. 2 seed in the opening round.

“Andscape is the ideal platform for shining a light on rarely told Black stories such as On & Coppin,” said Raina Kelley, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, Andscape. “This documentary is part of the visionary storytelling and original content Andscape will commission under the rebrand.”

Felicia “Snoop” Pearson, a Baltimore native who starred in the HBO series “The Wire,” narrates.

“What interested me in working on the Coppin documentary was, ‘they’re from Baltimore’. It is a Black college. They really don’t get any recognition, and I was just happy to be a part of it,” said Pearson, about her role as the narrator. “For me to learn that we won the NCAA tournament game – that meant everything.

“We are just Baltimore. From the heart, from the soul. I was just grateful to grace my presence on this documentary. It meant everything.”

The Coppin State men’s basketball team story is told through footage of games and practices from Coach Mitchell’s Coppin State Eagles teams. The documentary features the voices of coaches, players, and journalists who covered the teams. Focused on the impact of the men’s basketball program, On & Coppin reveals how Coach Mitchell turned the disparity in funding for sports at HBCU compared to predominantly White institutions into an opportunity by scheduling away games at programs that pay to play his team. The funds from the pay-for-play games helped defray costs for the athletic program at Coppin State.

Andscape senior writer Jerry Bembry is the writer/director of the project. Bembry was a sports reporter with The Baltimore Sun during the 1990s, the decade Coach Mitchell and his team turned a commuter school into a vibrant program.

On & Coppin’s producer/director is Ashley Bembry-Kaintuck, a producer with Andscape. Bembry-Kaintuck’s credits include serving as an Associate Producer on Summer Of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), the award-winning documentary directed by Questlove, currently streaming on Hulu, and nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary category in 2022.

Deion Sanders Shares That He Lost Two Toes In Battle With Blood Clots

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Resilient Jackson State University head football coach Deion Sanders recently shared more about his health battle with blood clots, and all the ordeal has cost him. Get the full story from Brian Wacker at The New York Post below.

Hakim Wright Sr.

Deion Sanders had two toes on his left foot amputated last fall, the Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback revealed.

The head coach of Jackson State and NFL legend said that his big toe and second toe were removed due to blood clots that were the result of a previous surgery. Doctors also feared Sanders might lose his leg, according to the Associated Press.

“The hardest thing of it all was to look down there and see that and understand once upon a time you was this type of athlete and you don’t even know if you’re gonna walk because all you feel is pain,” Sanders said in a teaser for an episode of his “Coach Prime” web series that will air on Tuesday night. “You just wanna get out of this hospital.”

Sanders was suffering from a dislocated toe and inflamed nerve and ended up spending about a month in the hospital, with the initial procedure taking place in September.

Eventually, the 54-year-old returned to practice aided by a golf cart and crutches and later coached using a push scooter. Sanders said last week the he was also concerned about becoming addicted to pain killers after the surgeries because of his level of discomfort.

However, his toes began to darken under the bandages. He then underwent multiple procedures and developed a femoral arterial blood clot and his leg began to swell, according to the AP.

According to USA Today, the blood clots started at Sanders’ calf and ran the length of his leg. He developed compartment syndrome, which results in pressure on a group of muscles, nerves and blood vessels, according to the Cleveland Clinic, causing muscle and nerve damage that can limit the flow of blood and oxygen and possibly lead to death. According to Andscape, Sanders learned during the process that his mother and two uncles, one of whom died, had issues with blood clots.

“They were talking about the amputation of toes,” Sanders said. “Then they were talking about the amputation of my leg from the knee down. Then, they were trying to ensure I had life.”

Sanders, who was in his second season at Jackson State last year, guided the Tigers to an 11–2 record and the SWAC title.

XULA’s College of Pharmacy Announces It Will Offer Unique Elective Class

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Students interested in pharmacy will now have a very unique class elective opportunity though Xavier University of Louisiana! Get the full story from the XULA release below.

AmerisourceBergen, a global healthcare company, today announced the launch of a unique supply chain elective course at Xavier University of Louisiana’s (XULA) College of Pharmacy, a top-ranked historically Black university. The Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Pharmacy Distribution Leadership Rotation course exposes students to the interconnectivity between pharmaceutical supply chain stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers and providers and gives students an understanding of the system and its essential role in the delivery of patient care.  

“As one of the top producers of African American pharmacists in the nation, Xavier’s College of Pharmacy is constantly evolving its curriculum to provide our students with a comprehensive education that prepares them for a long and successful career,” said Dr. Kathleen Kennedy, the Dean of the College of Pharmacy at Xavier University of Louisiana. “We thank AmerisourceBergen for developing this program, which not only demystifies the pharmaceutical supply chain and its impact on a pharmacist’s day-to-day operations, but also exposes our students to new industries where their expertise can add value.” 

The APPE Pharmacy Distribution Leadership Rotation course, which launched on February 14 is the product of an ongoing collaboration between AmerisourceBergen’s Health Systems and Specialty Services group and XULA to help enhance the school’s academic programming with career-focused, immersive learning experiences. The APPE course introduces pharmacy students to supply chain business operations, financials, customer engagement, consultative selling and the value-added services and solutions that support health systems, pharmacies and physician practices. Students are presented with various real-world scenarios and work in groups to solve problems and propose solutions. 

“AmerisourceBergen is proud to collaborate with Xavier University of Louisiana on another program that enriches the education and career prospects of its students. The sales trainee program and new APPE Pharmacy Distribution Leadership Rotation course are strategic investments to nurture bright, young talent and encourage diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the spaces in which our organization operates,” said Matthew Glucksmann, Senior Vice President, Health Systems and Specialty Services at AmerisourceBergen. “The APPE course will help prepare young pharmacists for every profession in their industry and empower them to create a positive impact on the supply chain with the knowledge they gain.” 

The two organizations initially joined forces in January of 2021, when AmerisourceBergen’s team launched a version of their sales trainee program for the students at XULA’s business school, the Division of Business. The sales trainee program at XULA, which is now recruiting its second group of students, gives seniors at the business school a first-hand look at a career within the pharmaceutical distribution industry. The students experience “rotations” in sales, customer experience and other teams across AmerisourceBergen’s network, receiving exposure to positions within acute care and other settings that are available upon graduation. 

“This partnership with Xavier University of Louisiana is just one example of AmerisourceBergen’s commitment to realizing the goals outlined in our global DEI strategy,” said AmerisourceBergen’s Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, Ann Anaya. “Through the creation of these meaningful academic programs, we are investing in tomorrow’s diverse healthcare leaders and taking another meaningful step to foster a purpose-driven and inclusive company culture.” 

AmerisourceBergen is committed to cultivating the next generation of diverse leaders through strategic investments in their learning, development and future, and these types of partnerships align with AmerisourceBergen’s expanded commitment to diversity equity and inclusion. In fact, AmerisourceBergen’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Council (GDIC) was created to provide strategic direction, best practice sharing, and accountability to advance business results through a global diversity and inclusion strategy. The GDIC works to ensure the company has a globally diverse workforce, fosters a strong culture of inclusion, drives competitive value and builds collaborative partnerships with key influencers and diverse suppliers in the community. 

Coppin State University Drops Face Mask Requirement

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

After several years of enduring the COVID-19 pandemic, Coppin State University is taking a bold step to show the progress and accountability that it has made in the fight against the coronavirus. As of Monday March 7th, the HBCU will no longer require students or staff to wear face masks on campus! Get the full story from CBS Baltimore staff below.

Credit: Matthew Kirschner Photography

Face masks will be optional on the Coppin State University campus starting March 7, president Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins said Friday.

“Managing personal health and well-being always involves responsibility and accountability on the part of individuals,” said Jenkins. “Members of the community who wish to continue wearing masks on campus to safeguard their personal safety are fully supported and encouraged to do so. At this time, there is no need for Coppin State University to mandate mask-wearing on campus.”

Face coverings will still be required in the health center and athletic training room, and for anyone who is being tested for COVID-19.

Testing will still be required the week after Spring Break, which runs from March 20-25. The university’s COVID-19 Task Force will review the results and provide an update on campus testing for the rest of the semester, the president said.

Since the start of the pandemic, Jenkins said, the university has reported an average positivity rate at or below the city and surrounding counties.

On Feb. 14, the University System of Maryland said individual institutions could modify their COVID-19 protocols.

Baltimore City’s indoor mask mandate expired on March 1. At a press conference last month announcing the decision, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa said the citywide positivity rate had dropped by 77%.

Earlier this week, Baltimore City Public Schools said its requirementwould end at all campuses on March 14, and in the district’s central office on March 7.

A Senegalese Howard Student Is Fundraising To Invest In Education Within His Home Village

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Howard University senior Omar Mbodj is doing what he can to innovate the education system in his native Senegal. Get the full story from Ashleigh Fields and Myia Borland at The Hilltop.

Credit: Children in Mbodjene. Photo courtesy of Omar Mbodj

Omar Mbodj is working to be a living embodiment of Howard University’s motto, “In truth and service.” As a senior, Mbodj knows first hand the benefit of learning at a school with the proper resources. Howard has served as a launching pad for his career. 

Mbodj wants to make sure other students have the same chance. On Jan. 6, he started a global initiative entitled, “Renovate Education.” His hope is to improve the learning conditions for elementary school students from his home village, Mbodjene, in Senegal, West Africa, by raising money with his brother, Ali Mbodj, via GoFundMe. 

According to Mbodj, Mbodjene is home to the Walo-Walo people and Thiédo Warriors who defeated colonization. Although he loves returning to his village because of the collectivist nature of his family, he finds it unfortunate that the quality of life is not ideal. Mbodj believes that investing in the education of the younger generation will ensure a brighter future for students and their families.

“They are working with very minimal school supplies and overall facility level; it’s very sad,” said Mbodj. “ There’s a definite feeling that I can do something about it, especially with my Howard network, I know I can make a difference.”

Mbodj’s goal is to renovate the broken floors and walls; purchase desks and chairs to accommodate all the students; install two restrooms, a small computer lab, library, solar panels, and an enclosed playground that is safe for kids to perform recreational activities and engage in sports. Mbodj hopes to start building this month and complete the project by the end of the summer. 

This is not the first time that Mbodj has given back to his village. In Dec. 2021, Mbodj held a prize competition that rewarded students who received the best grades with tablets. 

“I was elated by the extent to which students valued education and were eager to learn more,” Mbodj said. “They all would like to seek a profession in law, medicine, or tech.”

So far, the Mbodj brothers have raised nearly $4,000 out of their $20,000 goal on GoFundMe. Mbodj credits an effort from the Bison community and his line brothers from the Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alph Fraternity Incorporated. 

“All of my line brothers have been really helpful in this process – a lot of them have helped raise funds through sharing and donating,” Mbodj said. “Many are willing to help and be hands on with building.”

To find out more about Mbodj’s cause and to donate you can visit the Go Fund Me here.

ECSU Working To Restore Power To Few Remaining Buildings After Weekend Outage

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Over the weekend Elizabeth City State University announced the campus was dealing with an expansive power outage. Power has been restored to all but a few remaining buildings. Get the story from staff at the local Daily Advance below.

Source: Speaker Tim Moore Official Website

A number of Elizabeth City State University buildings and facilities, including the campus dining hall, were still without power Monday, two days after a brief power outage on campus.

ECSU said on its website that the city of Elizabeth City experienced a brief power outage on Saturday that included the university campus. When the city restored power, the university’s power infrastructure was affected, causing outages at a number of facilities, the campus said.

Buildings affected by the outage and still without power for most of Monday included Bedell Dining Hall; the commuter center/bowling alley; Dixon-Patterson Hall; the E.V. Wilkins Academic Computing Center; Griffin Hall; McLendon Hall; the Ridley Student Complex; the Walter N. and Henrietta B. Ridley University Center; the Thorpe Administration Building; the R.L. Vaughan Center; University Towers; and Williams Hall.

Students with classes in any of the buildings without power were advised to contact their professor so they could learn whether their class was being held in another building or would switch to being held remotely.

Because Bedell Dining Hall was without power, students were told to report to the K.E. White Center for breakfast and lunch on Monday. ECSU provided shuttle service to the center for students eating meals.

Students at University Towers were relocated Sunday to alternate housing sites both on and off-campus, and were expected to remain there until power was restored. Students were provided the alternate accommodations at no cost to them, ECSU said.

ECSU staff were stationed at the off-campus housing sites to assist students and provide those lacking transportation shuttle service to and from campus.

Monday evening, ECSU announced that power had been restored to both Bedell Dining Hall and University Towers, and that campus staff would continue to work on restoring power to other facilities and buildings still without power.

ECSU said it planned to schedule students’ return to campus over the next two days. Students were advised to wait until contacted by Residence Life personnel before returning to University Towers.

The university also announced that because of the power outage, the last day to remove incomplete grades had been extended from Tuesday to Friday, March 25.

Faculty and staff were advised to come to work on Tuesday if their building had power. Non-essential employees who work in one of the buildings without power were advised to telework on Monday and Tuesday.

Faculty members who teach in buildings without power were supposed to be notified about alternative classroom locations.

Record-Breaker Zachaeus Beard Becomes Langston University’s First Track National Champion Since 2013

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Langston University student Zachaeus Beard has made history at both his HBCU and beyond at a recent championship. Over the weekend, he earned the top spot at the NAIA T&F Championships. The move also earned him a spot at Langston that hasn’t been touched in almost 10 years. In fact, Beard has become the first tracker runner to bring Langston University a national track championship since 2013! Learn more about Beard’s history-making run in the 60M dash and how he found success in the story from Kyle Taylor of Langston Sports Information.

For the first time since the 2013 season, the Langston University Lions returned home for the NAIA indoor Track and Field Championships with a national champion.

Zachaeus Beard won the men’s 60-meter dash and set the meet record with a time of 6.61, breaking the previous national meet record of 6.65 seconds by two different runners (Mike Rodgers of Oklahoma Baptist in 2007 and Kejavon Moore of Indiana Tech in 2018).

Beard became the first Langston University Lion or Lady Lion since 2013 to gain the distinction of national champion. The most recent being David Walters during the 2013 season in the same event, the 60-meter dash.

“This makes me feel so grateful, so thankful. I have so many to thank for my success. Glory Glory Hallelujah! I’m just so happy man, I worked for this,” the junior sprinter said when reflecting on his accomplishments. “I haven’t really understood the magnitude of what I’ve done yet, but they’ve been telling me it’s big! Not only was it big, but it’s only the beginning.”

Dion Collier also picked up NAIA All-American honors, finishing fourth overall in the 60-meter dash with a final time of 6.78 seconds.

The sprinting duo now looks to continue their success as Langston transitions to the outdoor season on March 26th at Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee, Okla.
 

Kyrie Irving Hires Dillard University Alumna Stepmom As Agent, Making History

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Dillard University alumna Shetellia Riley has made history as the presumed on Black woman sports agent in the NBA after her stepson Kyrie Irving tapped her to represent him. Get the full story from Derek Major at Black Enterprise below.

(Credit: NBA.com)

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has changed his representation and is keeping it in the family, hiring his stepmother, Shetellia Riley Irving.

According to The Athletic‘s NBA insider, Shams Charania, Riley Irving currently serves as the vice president of ad sales at BET and is believed to be the only Black female agent representing an NBA player. Roc Nation and Jeff Wechsler previously represented the Nets guard.

Irving has a player option for the 2022-23 season that will pay him $36.6 million, but he can also decline the option and become a free agent. Irving has played in just 15 games this season, all in road games outside of Brooklyn due to his reluctance to get the COVID-19 vaccination and New York City’s vaccination mandate for indoor events.

(Credit: Christian Vierig / Shetellia Riley Irving)

Many fans hoped New York City Mayor Eric Adams would make an exception for the superstar point guard, but Adams refused. Although mask mandates have been relaxed for indoor venues, the vaccination mandate still stands, meaning Irving cannot play home games.

The Nets entered the season as an NBA Finals favorite, but things haven’t gone well for them whether or not Irving has played. Teammate Kevin Durant has dealt with injuries all season, and James Harden eventually expressed his displeasure with his two teammates constantly being out and was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Ben Simmons, who the Nets received when they traded Harden, is currently out with a back injury.

The Nets are eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 32-32 record and are holding onto the conference’s last playoff spot by one game. In the 15 games Irving has played, the Nets are just 5-10.

Irving previously played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning a title with LeBron James, and the Boston Celtics. Irving has been to seven All-Star games and is a three-time All-NBA player.

Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson To Speak At N.C. A&T During Entrepreneurship Event

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

North Carolina A&T State University will welcome Earvin “Magic” Johnson during an event later this month that will explore lessons that can be learned from his business endeavors. Get the full story from the N.C. A&T release below.

Credit: Getty Images

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will welcome business mogul and NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson to the Chancellor’s Speaker Series, “Building Black Businesses,” Tuesday, March 29, at 6 p.m. Johnson will deliver a tailored keynote address to an audience of students and community members in Harrison Auditorium, located on the university’s campus.

This event comes on the heels of the “Building Black Wealth” speaker series, which featured financial expert Mellody Hobson. Both conversations bolster the university’s continued goal of cultivating an intellectual climate and offering a platform for creative exchange of ideas. “Building Black Businesses” is an opportunity for participants to gain foundational principles and glean from Johnson’s lived experiences as a leading businessman.

Having left the basketball court for the boardroom, Johnson has successfully parlayed his skills and tenacity from the court into the business world as chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE). MJE provides high-quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved urban communities.

Still a commanding presence in popular culture, Johnson made history in 2012 when he became co-owner of MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers. He also co-owns the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club, and eSports franchise Team Liquid. He continues to expand his influence through his many businesses that include EquiTrust Life Insurance Co. and SodexoMAGIC, a food service and facilities management company.

The Lansing, Michigan, native is constantly evolving and remaining relevant in a dynamic digital age by broadening his scope into infrastructure improvement in the United States and technology. He is one of the leading investors in several minority-owned technology companies that include Uncharted Power, a power and data infrastructure technology company; Jopwell, a diversity and hiring recruiting platform; and ShotTracker, a company that makes wearable technology for basketball players that helps track player and ball movement.

In 2021, Johnson was appointed to the board of directors for Fanatics, a sports licensing company, and Cameo, a company that lets celebrities sell personalized messages to fans. With his unique positioning as a businessman spanning multiple industries and generations, he aims to help companies expand and foster a positive impact domestically and globally.

The speaker series event is open to the public. Free tickets will be available beginning March 15 at the University Ticket Office located in Brown Hall.

CIAA To Establish A Scholarship At Livingstone College Honoring The HBCU’s President

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. will have a scholarship named after him as an honor to his 16 years at the HBCU. Get the full story from WBTV staff below.

Livingstone College says Dr. Jenkins was inducted into the 2022 CIAA class of the John B. McLendon Jr. Hall of Fame on Friday. (Credit: Livingstone College)

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) will be establishing a scholarship in the name of Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., according to the college.

Livingstone College posted to social media that the CIAA just announced it is establishing a scholarship in Dr. Jenkins’ name.

Jenkins is the longest-tenured president among the CIAA-member institutions and was inducted into the CIAA John B. McLendon Jr. Hall of Fame on Feb. 25 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

President Jenkins recently announced to the Livingstone Board of Trustees on Feb. 9 that he will retire from his role on July 1, 2022, after 16 years of service.

Jenkins was appointed to lead the historically black college in February 2006. He is the second longest-tenured president in the history of the school.

According to the college, under Jenkins’ leadership, the campus saw its first major construction in more than 40 years in that of Honors Hall, apartment-style units for new students with high grade-point averages.

President Jenkins is credited with saving the college from closure from its accrediting agency and the college boasts reaffirmation of accreditation for the next 10 years without a single recommendation.

“Jenkins also raised the net asset value of the college by $15 million; acquired a former Holiday Inn to establish the hospitality management and culinary arts program; and reactivated the college’s 40 acres of land to grow food and supply culinary arts. College enrollment grew 35 percent to 1,400 students, the largest in school history (pre-COVID-19), resulting in Livingstone purchasing College Park Apartments, a four-building complex that houses 100 students,” Livingstone College’s website reads.

Livingstone College says Dr. Jenkins was inducted into the 2022 CIAA class of the John B. McLendon Jr. Hall of Fame on Friday. The induction was among several recognitions for the outgoing Livingstone College president.

Jenkins is the longest-tenured president among the CIAA-member institutions and currently serves on the CIAA’s Board of Directors.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Jenkins recalled when McWilliams informed him he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his 28 years with the CIAA.

The CIAA recognizes inductees for their excellence in the conference, significant contributions in the community, leadership within CIAA athletics, and commitment to the conference mission.

“When I first joined, I was the youngest member on the board. And now as I depart, I’m the oldest member on the board,” Jenkins quipped during a talk-show style interview at the induction ceremony. “And just to have my colleagues who are younger than I to see something in me to the point where they voted me into the Hall of Fame is something that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life.”

Jenkins is credited with saving the historically black college in Salisbury from losing its accreditation and with raising its net assets value by $15 million.

“When we arrived at Salisbury, the school was on the verge of losing its accreditation with SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) … We were able to move the institution to financial stability. I’m proud we were able to save the institution. Since that time, 16 years later, we’re moving forward and got reaffirmed a year ago now with no recommendations, which is historic for the institution.”

Jenkins has not one, but two buildings named after him.

Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) in North Carolina has a science building that bears his name and Edward Waters University in Jacksonsville, Fla., named an athletic field after Jenkins. He is a past leader at both universities.

“I think its surreal,” Jenkins said.

When asked about the future of HBCUs, Jenkin said, “We have to remember that these HBCUs were established at the time to educate the children of the just-freed slaves. This is war and it’s a war against ignorance. Many of our students are not able to perform on certain standardized tests – not because of their intellect but because of exposure. If we get that exposure, they will be able to perform well and be able to command their rightful place in the global society.”

Jenkins was joined at the induction by his wife, Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins; their children and grandchildren; and his brother and sister