Spelman Alumna Adrienne Adams Makes History as First Black N.Y.C. Council Speaker

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Spelman College alumna Adrienne Adams is making history in N.Y.C as the second-most powerful person in the city’s government! Get the full story from and contributor Dana Rubinstein at The New York Post below.

Adrienne Adams will lead the City Council as New York grapples with Covid and an uncertain financial future.. (Credit: Dave Sanders for The New York Times)

Ms. Adams, who became speaker on Wednesday, will lead the most diverse City Council ever as New York tries to recover from the pandemic. She already faces battles with the mayor.

Adrienne Adams had to overcome several obstacles on her way to being voted in on Wednesday as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the New York City Council, the second-most-powerful position in city government.

She had a competitive race to retain her City Council seat representing southeast Queens, including a primary challenge from her predecessor, and entered the contest for speaker relatively late. Mayor Eric Adams did what he had said he would not do and tried, unsuccessfully, to tip the scales in favor of one of Ms. Adams’s rivals.

Ms. Adams, 61, a moderate Democrat, prevailed and will now lead the City Council, as New York grapples once again with being a center of the coronavirus pandemic while facing a difficult financial future.

The new City Council, which is more diverse than ever and has its first-ever female majority, also looks to be more ideologically divided than in recent memory. And in spite of public efforts to show they are on the same page, Ms. Adams already faces potential battles with the mayor on everything from the use of solitary confinement in the city’s jails to new legislation that would grant more than 800,000 legal residents who are not citizens the right to vote in municipal elections.

Ms. Adams, who lost her father to Covid, said her priority would be seeing the city through the pandemic and working to strengthen families that have been damaged in its wake.

“We meet here today as the most diverse Council in history, led by the first African-American speaker,” Ms. Adams said in a speech Wednesday after her colleagues voted nearly unanimously to make her speaker. “While this is a moment to celebrate this milestone, we must realize that we are here because New York is at the crossroads of multiple crises — each one competing for our full attention.”

Ms. Adams, the first Black person to serve as speaker, will lead a historically diverse City Council. (Credit: Dave Sanders for The New York Times)

In an interview, Ms. Adams noted that the pandemic had further exposed existing inequalities on issues ranging from medical care to child care, housing and access to high speed internet. “All roads lead through this pandemic,” she said. “When I think of my priorities, I think of rebuilding a city.”

Ms. Adams’s predecessor as speaker, Corey Johnson, said it would not be easy.

“We’re in this painful and uncertain time with Omicron and not knowing what this will do to our economy,” Mr. Johnson said in an interview. “This new Council has more members who are very far left and more who are far right. To get things done will be a challenge.”

He added: “But it’s not an impossible challenge because Adrienne has the skill set, track record and temperament.”

Yvette Buckner, a political strategist who is vice chair of 21 in ’21, a group that helped elect a record number of women to the City Council, said Ms. Adams would “be able to understand the needs of the city from a different lens,” partly because of her experience as a mother of four and a grandmother of 10.

Even as the country goes through “a long overdue reckoning of racial justice,” New Yorkers need to feel safe from discriminatory policing, “safe from the virus and safe from violence,” Ms. Adams said in her speech.

Mr. Adams will be her counterpart in that effort. Though he suffered a significant political loss when Ms. Adams amassed enough support to become speaker, they both say they have a good relationship.

Ms. Adams and Mr. Adams were classmates at Bayside High School in Queens in the late 1970s. Mr. Adams, discouraged by an undetected learning disability, has spoken often about not being a model student. Ms. Adams, on the other hand, was a cheerleader who founded a gospel chorus at the high school, which was mostly white at the time.

“I actually went to class. We knew of each other but we did not hang out in the same crowd,” Ms. Adams said of her time at high school with the mayor. “But we are so proud of each other.”

After graduating from Spelman College, Ms. Adams worked as a corporate trainer for communications companies. She served as chairwoman of Community Board 12 in Queens before running for office in 2017 after her predecessor was convicted of fraud and removed from office. (His conviction was later reversed.)

As a councilwoman, she passed legislation to limit the sale of tax liens and established a task force to make sure the liens were implemented fairly, and she helped allocate $10 million in the budget to create a Black studies curriculum for public schools.

Many in the city’s political class were surprised when Mr. Adams and his team tried to install Francisco Moya, a councilman from Queens, as speaker, particularly because Mr. Adams and Ms. Adams were largely seen as being politically in sync.

Ms. Adams, who was a co-chair of the Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, opposed deeply cutting the Police Department budget as part of the defund the police movement. Mr. Adams is a former police captain who has criticized efforts to cut the police budget and who won the Democratic primary on a message of improving public safety.

“How am I going to dislike someone that shares my same last name?” Mr. Adams said at a news conference on Tuesday. “I love Adrienne.”

The mayor credited Ms. Adams, who endorsed him in the Democratic primary, with playing a “pivotal role” in helping him win.

Ms. Adams also strongly agrees with Mr. Adams that the city, and its schools, should not shut down because of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Ms. Adams faces potential battles with Mayor Eric Adams on the use of solitary confinement in the city’s jails and legislation that would grant noncitizen legal residents the right to vote in municipal elections. (Credit: Anna Watts for The New York Times)

But there are already two potential points of conflict. Mr. Adams has raised concerns about a bill passed during the previous City Council session that would give legal residents the right to vote in municipal elections, saying he believes that the 30-day residency requirement is too short. He has not ruled out vetoing the legislation.

Ms. Adams said she “respected the mayor’s thoughts” about the legislation, which becomes law this month if he does not sign or veto it, and that she “would not be opposed” to revisiting the length of the residency requirement.

Theodore Moore, the senior policy director for the New York Immigration Coalition, said the residency requirement matched state election law, which requires people who move to New York from out of state to wait 30 days before voting. A legal challenge to the city law is expected from conservative groups and Republican lawmakers.

“We just need to remind the speaker that you supported this legislation as is, you were a co-sponsor of it and you voted for it,” said Mr. Moore.

The mayor and speaker seem further apart on Mr. Adams’s declaration that he will allow solitary confinement to be used in the city’s jails for incarcerated people who commit acts of violence against others in custody or correction officers.

Mr. Adams said that he was upset council members had written an open letter objecting to his stance rather than speaking to him directly, and that he planned to ignore them. “I’m the mayor,” he said.

Ms. Adams, whose mother was a correction officer, said she agreed with the letter, which was signed by 29 of her fellow council members and decried solitary confinement as “a “form of torture.”

If an incarcerated person has to be isolated for a violent incident, Ms. Adams argued, that time should be used to administer counseling or other therapy to help address the root cause of the violence.

“Let’s go back to the time when correction meant correction, and rehabilitation meant rehabilitation,” Ms. Adams said.

The mayor’s remarks angered those who signed the letter. Crystal Hudson, who just became one of the first two openly gay Black women to serve on the Council, said she felt Ms. Adams had made a strong statement in her response.

“I have full faith in her abilities as the speaker of the City Council to push back when needed and to have her members’ backs,” Ms. Hudson, who represents a district in Brooklyn, said in an interview. “I know that she will stand firm in her convictions.”

The vote to make Ms. Adams speaker on Wednesday was 49 to 2, with two Black Democrats voting against her. One of them, Charles Barron, who represents East New York in Brooklyn, said Ms. Adams did not represent “independent, bold Black leadership that stands for the people over the party.” The other, Kristin Richardson Jordan, who represents Central Harlem, said, “we need more than symbolic representation.”

Diana Ayala, who represents East Harlem, will serve as the deputy speaker; Keith Powers, who represents several other neighborhoods in Manhattan, will be the majority leader and Selvena Brooks-Powers, who represents parts of Queens, will be the majority whip. Joseph Borelli, a Republican councilman from Staten Island, was chosen as the minority leader.

Ms. Adams said the diversity of the new City Council should serve as a “model” for other cities, but she also described it as “bittersweet.”

“It’s amazing and beautiful,” Ms. Adams said. “But it’s still a little disheartening that in the City of New York, we are looking at the first African-American speaker of the City Council.”

Morehouse Alumnus Jamal Simmons Named As Kamala Harris’ New Communications Director

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Jamal Simmons, a Morehouse College graduate, has been chosen by Howard University alumna Kamala Harris to be her new communications director! Get the full story from Steven Nelson at New York Post below!

Vice President Kamala Harris has hired Jamal Simmons as her new communications director. (Credit: Instagram / @realjamalsimmons)

Vice President Kamala Harris has tabbed a new communications director, veteran Democratic aide Jamal Simmons, to try to course-correct her office’s messaging in 2022 after a series of stumbles and staff departures last year.

Simmons, 50, has nearly three decades of experience working in politics and with media outlets. His hiring was first reported by The Hill.

Former Harris communications director Ashley Etienne departed last year to pursue “other opportunities.” Etienne previously worked for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

It’s unclear when Simmons will start his job. But he comes aboard amid reported tension between Harris allies and West Wing aides — as well as reports that Harris is a difficult boss, driving high staff turnover throughout her career.

Symone Sanders, who served as a Harris adviser and chief spokeswoman, also recently departed without announcing a new job.

Ashley Etienne left Harris’ team in December 2021. (Credit: Twitter)

Simmons will bring experience fending off poor press after working for unsuccessful 2004 presidential candidates Wesley Clark and Bob Graham. He also worked on the Clinton White House’s advance team and as deputy communications director for Al Gore’s 2000 campaign.

He also boasts deep relationships on Capitol Hill and in the media, which may prove useful in generating more favorable coverage. In recent years, he’s worked as a contributor to The Hill and CBS News.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Simmons was co-chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance group, which advocates for broadband internet, between 2010 and 2018.

Harris faced a glut of bad press in her first year as VP, undermining her potential bid to be the first female president.

The veep’s staff reportedly are frustrated that President Biden handed her tough assignments, such as reducing illegal immigration from Central America. Other tasks include leading a stalled drive to pass a federal election reform bill, which is unlikely to succeed due in part to opposition from Senate centrists to lifting the 60-vote requirement for most bills.

Harris also took heat for waiting three months to visit the US-Mexico border after Biden tapped her to address the “root causes” of the ongoing migrant crisis. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) recently told the New York Times that he’s given up on trying to work with Harris after arrests for illegally crossing the border spiked to a 35-year high.

Jamal Simmons is a veteran Democratic aide with nearly 30 years of experience working in politics and with media outlets. (Credit: Instagram/@realjamalsimmons)

“I say this very respectfully to her: I moved on,” Cuellar said. “She was tasked with that job, it doesn’t look like she’s very interested in this, so we are going to move on to other folks that work on this issue.”

But Harris defenders accuse Biden’s main White House staff of being insufficiently supportive and possibly racist for allegedly being more eager to defend Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who took paternity leave amid a ports crisis.

“It’s hard to miss the specific energy that the White House brings to defend a white man, knowing that Kamala Harris has spent almost a year taking a lot of the hits that the West Wing didn’t want to take themselves,” a former Harris aide told CNN in November.

Harris would be the front-runner for the 2024 Democratic nomination if Biden doesn’t run, according to a poll released last month by Politico and Morning Consult. Harris would have the backing of 31 percent of primary voters, trailed by Buttigieg with 11 percent and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) with 8 percent, the poll found.

A poll released in late November by The Hill and HarrisX found Harris with 13 percent support among hypothetical Democratic candidates, followed by former first lady Michelle Obama at 10 percent. All other candidates were below 5 percent in that poll.

Harris told the Wall Street Journal in a recent interview that she and Biden have never talked about their 2024 election plans as uncertainty about Biden’s intentions fuels tension among Democratic factions.

WSSU Mourns Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin, Who Made a Lasting Impression On City’s Arts, Educational Landscape

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A Winston-Salem State University and Clark Atlanta University alumna is being mourned. Get the full story about the life of Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin from Fran Daniel and John Hinton at Journal Now below.

Walt Unks/The Journal

Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin, the chairwoman of the board of the N.C. Black Repertory Company and the executive producer of the National Black Theatre Festival, died Monday. She was 76.

Sprinkle-Hamlin stepped into her leadership roles within the N.C. Black Repertory Company immediately following the 2007 death of her husband, Larry Leon Hamlin. He founded the company and produced its first festival in 1989.

Nigel Alston, the executive director of the N.C. Black Repertory Company, said that Sprinkle-Hamlin will be remembered for continuing her husband’s vision for the National Black Theatre Festival.

“After Larry died in 2007, people wondered if it would continue or not,” Alston said. “It has thrived since 2007.”

The festival, with its theme of “An International Celebration and Reunion of Spirit,” showcases top Black theater companies from across the United States and abroad.

The six-day event attracts nearly 65,000 people every two years to Winston-Salem. The 2019 festival was the largest event in the company’s history, generating more than $10 million for the Piedmont Triad economy, the NBTF said at that time.

Sprinkle-Hamlin and other company officials were disappointed when the 2021 NBTF was postponed until August 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alston said.

Sprinkle-Hamlin and other organizers had been planning for this year’s festival, which is scheduled for Aug. 1-6, since last year, Alston said.

The festival’s organizers will stage a special event to honor Sprinkle-Hamlin at this year’s NBTF, Alston said.

“Definitely, there will be something,” Alston said. “What that will be is too early to tell.”

Sprinkle-Hamlin’s family declined to reveal her cause of death.

“We can’t describe the pain and loss we are feeling right now with Sylvia’s passing,” Sprinkle-Hamlin’s family said. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love from the local community and the Arts community from around the country and the world.”

Chase Law, the president and chief executive of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, also issued a statement Tuesday about Sprinkle-Hamlin.

“We were saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Sylvia Hamlin, an icon within the Winston-Salem arts and cultural sector,” Law said. “It’s a huge loss for our entire community.

“As a visionary, she and her husband, Larry, created something that has had and continues to have an impact on theatre both locally and nationally,” Law said. “(The) Arts Council will continue to help keep her legacy alive. She will be missed.”

Sprinkle-Hamlin retired in December 2019 after a 40-year career with the Forsyth County Public Library system. When she was named director in 2000, Sprinkle-Hamlin became the first African American and the first woman to head the county library system.

Sprinkle-Hamlin oversaw the library’s transformation to the digital age, where people are as likely to download materials as to check out books.

She was among the county leaders who supervised the two-year, $28 million rebuilding of the Central Library on West Fifth Street in Winston-Salem.

Forsyth County Manager Dudley Watts said the Central Library project, which was completed in 2017, was a source of personal pride for Sprinkle-Hamlin.

“The colorful building with lots of light and creative spaces is a reflection of her personality.” Watts said. “She was the epicenter of creative partnerships and reached in to all communities through their branches to meet patron’s needs.

Walt Unks/The Journal

“She was funny and demanding at the same time. My best memories of her where when we disagreed on something and somehow found a way to laugh hysterically about it,” Watts said.

Damon Sanders-Pratt, deputy Forsyth County manager, said he worked directly with Sprinkle-Hamlin in her role as library director for more than 15 years.

When Sylvia assumed the director’s role, she replaced a well-regarded leader in the North Carolina library profession, a daunting task,” Sanders-Pratt said. “Sylvia not only maintained the momentum of the library system, but as (the) library director, she and her team guided the system to new levels in service, technology and facilities.

“Sylvia led one of county government’s most popular services, (and) was a champion of diversity, and a favorite daughter in the Forsyth County community,” Sanders-Pratt said. “Her accomplishments and recognitions as a librarian and arts icon were substantial.”

Sprinkle-Hamlin received a bachelor’s degree in education from Winston-Salem State University and a master’s degree in library science from Clark Atlanta University.

She began her career as a children’s librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia. From there, she accepted a position as an information specialist at the Benjamin Banneker Urban Center and then as an instructional media center director for the Philadelphia Public Schools.

In 1977, she returned home to Winston-Salem, where she worked as the assistant director and public service librarian at Winston-Salem State University. She also owned and operated a small business, Fashion Two-Twenty Cosmetics.

“Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin leaves behind an incredible legacy as a respected national leader in championing both of her dual passions, as a librarian and an advocate of the arts,” said Mark Owens, the president and chief executive of the Greater Winston-Salem Inc. “Our community is a better place because of her dedication to the National Black Theatre Festival and the N.C. Black Repertory Company as well as the many local organizations where she volunteered her time over many years.

“Her impact in Winston-Salem will be lasting, and her memory will be treasured,” Owens said.

Civil Rights Leader And Double HBCU Graduate Darryl Owens Passes Away

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Darryl Owens, a graduate of Central State University and Howard University, has passed away. Get the full story from Andrew Wolfson and contributors Phillip M. Bailey and Krista Johnson at the Louisville Courier Journal below.

Kentucky State Representative Darryl Owens blasted the rollout of the new Benefind state health care system, during a Seante Health and Welfare committee in Frankfort (Credit: Pat McDonogh/The CJ)

He grew up in a one-bedroom apartment in Louisville’s Sheppard Square public housing. His mother, a $5-a-day housekeeper, had to buy used clothing for him and his sister. 

He got his first taste of racial discrimination when they ventured downtown to lunch counters that wouldn’t serve them and department stores where they couldn’t try on clothes. 

But stressing a holy trinity of religion, family and education, Dorothy Minter Owens raised a son who quietly became a giant as a civil rights leader, public servant and a man of firsts:

  • First Black assistant attorney general.
  • First Black countywide officeholder.
  • First Black candidate for mayor. 

Darryl T. Owens, former state representative, county commissioner, juvenile court judge and NAACP president, died Tuesday night. He was 84. 

He had suffered from Parkinson’s disease and cancer, illnesses that his lifelong friend Raoul Cunningham said he bore bravely. 

In a tweet, Mayor Greg Fischer said Owens was “a kind, gentle person and also a fierce leader and advocate for our city and commonwealth. He was one of our great social and racial justice warriors.” 

But enshrining him in its hall of fame, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights described him as a “model of leadership.” 

He served the 43rd District in the House of Representatives from 2005 to 2018. 

And representing Jefferson County’s C District — which was 65 percent white — he won plaudits on the old Fiscal Court from community leaders even in neighborhoods that gave him few votes by paying prompt attention to constituent concerns.

He also shepherded such measures as a landlord-tenant act through Fiscal Court. 

Owens also walked a fine line between fighting for issues that such as desegregation and open housing and loyalty to the Democratic Party. 

(Credit: Pat McDonogh/The CJ)

Owens won some public posts in the 1970s, including appointment to the juvenile court bench by then-County Judge-Executive Todd Hollenbach and to the state Workers’ Compensation Board by then-Gov. Julian Carroll. 

He also shepherded such measures as a landlord-tenant act through Fiscal Court. 

Owens also walked a fine line between fighting for issues that such as desegregation and open housing and loyalty to the Democratic Party. 

Owens won some public posts in the 1970s, including appointment to the juvenile court bench by then-County Judge-Executive Todd Hollenbach and to the state Workers’ Compensation Board by then-Gov. Julian Carroll. 

Owens practiced law and quickly became active in social and political causes, joining open-housing demonstrations and stuffing envelopes for state Sen. Georgia Davis Powers. 

He was credited with calming the unrest after the deaths of 10 people during civil rights demonstrations in 1968 and after firebombings at Zion Baptist Church and the Newburg Community Center.

In 1973, he volunteered as one of the lawyers for the NAACP in its historic and tension-charged lawsuit to desegregate local schools. He later said the threats at home got so bad he had to instruct his daughters not to answer the phone.  

Owens adopted a low profile in the busing case, lead counsel Robert Sedler later recalled.

“There was a tendency of a lot of Black leaders to do a lot of posturing,” he said. “Darryl didn’t operate that way.” 

In the Kentucky House, from which he retired in 2018, he was the architect of the Economic Opportunities Act, which promoted minority-owned businesses in Louisville, and of landmark felony expungement legislation in 2016. 

The state Chamber of Commerce gave him its “MVP award” for that bill. 

Owens lived with his second wife, Brenda, in the Chickasaw neighborhood. 

Cunningham said Owens also quietly stood up for women’s rights. 

When the Green Street Baptist Church, in which they both grew up, wouldn’t allow women to preach, Owens left the church in 1999, Cunningham said.

Louisville attorney Aubrey Williams, also a former NAACP chapter president, said Owens was a “dedicated, resolute and fearless warrior in the movement and struggle for justice and equality of Black people. He was also a dedicated and effective public servant. Furthermore, he was an accomplished lawyer and a wonderful mentor to the lawyers in my age group. He earned his stripes.”

ASU Graduate And CEO Becomes Business Council of Alabama’s First Black Chairman

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Mike Kemp, a successful Alabama businessman hailing from Alabama State University, is making history! Get the full story from William Thornton at AL.com below.

Mike Kemp is the founder, president and CEO of Birmingham’s KMS (Kemp Management Solutions), a program management and consulting company. (Source: AL.com)

The CEO of a Birmingham construction company has been elected as the first Black chairman of the Business Council of Alabama.

Mike Kemp, a longtime fixture of the organization, was chosen for the post at the BCA’s annual meeting.

Kemp is the founder, president and CEO of Birmingham’s KMS (Kemp Management Solutions), an Inc. 5000 company. He has planned and managed more than 1,500 construction projects valued at over $6.8 billion.

He will serve as the BCA’s 36th chairman, succeeding Gary Smith. Kemp has previously served as the organization’s first vice chairman, an executive member and chairman of ProgressPAC, BCA’s political arm.

Kemp said he is “extremely optimistic about what we can accomplish if we communicate, innovate and work together.”

“BCA has been the foundation of business advocacy for 35 years, and I am honored to step into this position that so many talented individuals have held before me,” he said. “BCA is a member driven organization, and I am going to draw on the talents and experience of our leadership team and membership to meet our goals. BCA always acts in the best interest of our state, our employers and their families and that will not change.”

A graduate of UAB and Alabama State University, Kemp holds degrees in civil engineering and mathematics. According to a BCA biographical sketch, Kemp started his first business at 23 as a pipe and valve distributor for American Cast Iron Pipe Co. Eight years later, he returned to large scale construction before forming his own business in 2011 for smaller scale projects with a high degree of service in project management.

He serves on several corporate and community boards, including First Horizon Bank, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama, Downtown Rotary Club of Birmingham and Operation HOPE.

Bubba McDowell Named New Head Football Coach At PVAMU

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Prairie View A&M University‘s Panthers football team has a new head football coach! Get the full story from the PVAMU release below.

Credit: Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) Athletic Director Donald Reed has announced the appointment of Leonard “Bubba” McDowell as PV’s new head football coach.  The appointment follows McDowell’s brief stint in the interim head coach role after former head coach Eric Dooley’s departure in December.

McDowell will inherit a promising and experienced team that finished the 2020 season with a 7-5 record overall and a 6-2 conference record, leading to a western division title within the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).  Long regarded as a vital component of the team’s success, he has been credited with helping to build the current program alongside Dooley.  He served as the assistant head coach for the past eight seasons while also leading the development of the defensive unit over the past three seasons. He also spearheaded recruitment efforts and advanced the team’s range of skills after joining the staff in 2011.

Credit: Prairie View A&M University

McDowell began his coaching career through a series of appointments at Houston-area collegiate programs after engaging in extensive development through the National Football League’s (N.F.L) minority coaching program. McDowell had a successful career as a starting safety in the NFL with the Houston Oilers and the Carolina Panthers.  He retired in 1996.

“I’m proud to have Coach McDowell as our new head of the football program,” said PVAMU Athletic Director, Donald Reed. “I chose Coach McDowell because of his vast and successful experiences in collegiate and professional football. His leadership style and student-athlete centered approach align with our goals to see our athletes excel in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. I’m impressed by Coach McDowell’s commitment to PV and I know he’ll lead us to accomplish great things.”

Former DSU Caterer Balances New Restaurant With Youth Outreach

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A former worker in Delaware State University‘s catering department has branched off to not only start her own restaurant, but pay it forward to the students in her community! Get the full story from Logan B. Anderson at Bay To Bay News below.

Kushana Perry, right, cuts the ribbon at a ceremony celebrating her business, Kay’s Kitchen N’ Krafts, joining the Greater Milford Chamber of Commerce in December. At left, is her husband, Wayne Perry Jr. The couple’s business is looking to expand to a restaurant in Milford in 2022. (Credit: Bay To Bay News)

If your new year’s resolution is to give back to your community, be an active parent and to start or expand a business — then be like Kushana Perry.

Ms. Perry is a mother of three, the owner of Kay’s Kitchen N’ Krafts and runs her own nonprofit organization helping disadvantaged youth. In 2022 she is working to expand her business to a brick-and-mortar spot, hopefully, in downtown Milford.

Currently based out of her home in Frederica, Ms. Perry operates Kay’s Kitchen N’ Krafts with the help of her husband, Wayne Perry Jr. and her children. Her family-owned business provides catering services, regular lunch delivery specials and coordinates craft parties, among other things.

“I feel what I do is my purpose. I’m purpose-driven to follow and fulfill what’s in my heart. So, any idea I get is for a reason and most likely to help or be beneficial to someone. Therefore, I have to put it into action,” Ms. Perry said.

In 2018, Ms. Perry worked in the food service department of Delaware State University. There she was part of the university’s many catered events. 
While at DSU, she received a lot of compliments on her cooking.

“When I was at DSU, I catered the dinners or lunches and things and people would say to me, ‘You need to turn this into business.’ And I was like, ‘You know what, thank you.’ So, I left DSU and pursued my own business,” Ms. Perry said.

Now almost four years later, she is looking for a space to set up a restaurant. 
“We have blown up so much the last couple of months, to where we can’t even take all the orders,” Ms. Perry said.

She recently joined the Greater Milford Chamber of Commerce to aid in her search for a place to expand. While looking for a new location, she is also working on building a new website. Currently, she connects with her customers through social media, Facebook and Instagram. She also keeps a text list on her phone.

Weekly she sends out a menu of lunch specials, via her social media and text list. Every day is different. Past lunch menus have featured teriyaki chicken and salmon. Kay’s Kitchen N’ Crafts delivers their specials. The lunches usually cost between $5 and $14 and always include a drink. The $14 meals usually include an appetizer and or dessert.

“We deliver all over … we get people from Seaford and they might meet us in Greenwood, or something. People like the delivery service because we’re bringing it to you,” Ms. Perry said.

Last November, Kay’s Kitchen N’ Krafts was featured in the Greater Milford Chamber of Commerce’s Tastes of Milford event at the Milford Elks Lodge.

“I pride myself on doing things you can’t get out of the store. Like our desserts, sweet potato bread or flavored pretzel salads, peach cobbler, cakes that you can’t get at the store,” Ms. Perry said.

Ms. Perry’s nonprofit organization is called the HAPPY Project — Heartfelt Actions Preparing Positive Youth.

“We go around to different neighborhoods and do things for the youth there,” Ms Perry said.

During winter and summer breaks from school, the HAPPY Project made and distributed special care packages for kids.

“We call them joy packs. They’ll have bubbles, chips, cookies, something fun for the kids. I just wanted to bring joy to kids, especially during COVID,” Ms. Perry said. 

To be able to do all that she does, Ms. Perry said she relies on her family, “I have a great support system.”

“I’m the type that supports anything she wants to do. She’s my better half. We just gel so great. So, anything she needs from me, I am there with her whatever she wants to do 110%,” Mr. Perry said.

For more information about Kay’s Kitchen N’ Krafts find them on Facebook or call 302-393-3347. 

Hampton University Receives $1M To Establish 6 Funds For Student And Alumni

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Hampton University just announced a substantial donation received for the establishment of 6 funds! Get the full story from the Hampton release below.

Credit: Visit Hampton Virginia

Hampton University announced today that the New York Life Foundation, the charitable arm of New York Life, has contributed $1 million to the institution for the establishment of six separate funds, with the focus of helping diverse STEM-focused scholars succeed and grow in their academic careers. Award disbursals will begin in spring 2022 for the fall academic school year. 

“We are grateful for the New York Life Foundation’s commitment to Hampton University and its students,” said Dr. William R. Harvey, Hampton University President. “By investing so broadly in Hampton, the New York Life Foundation is setting itself apart as a supporter of diverse students and creating opportunities for the growth and development of a diverse new generation of scholars.”

“This investment in Hampton University illuminates a clear commitment that we both share in helping students to overcome obstacles that may prevent them from pursuing academic achievement in general and especially with a STEM-focused career track. Our intention with this funding is to create brighter futures for these students and for generations to come,” said Heather Nesle, President of the New York Life Foundation. “This is a partnership that aligns with our philanthropic and social justice goals and we look forward to working with the Hampton faculty, students, and alumni over the next two years.” 

The funds created through this gift include: 

  • Student Bereavement Fund: This fund provides financial support for students who have lost loved ones and provides funding for the varied needs that may present themselves in such situations.
  • Alumni Engagement Fund: This fund supports partner programming executed throughout the country at National Hampton Alumni Association, Inc. hubs. 
  • Career Services Engagement Fund: This fund supports the arrangement of specialized and targeted student engagement programs and activities, including info-sessions, career fair engagement, and resume-building workshops.
  • Senior Gap Funding Scholarships: This fund is specifically for graduating seniors studying in STEM areas who have gaps in their accounts that prevent them from graduating. The New York Life Foundation does not want “money” to be the reason a student does not graduate.
  • Sixteen-$20,000 Scholarships: This fund supports academic scholarships for sixteen (16) students who, once selected, each will receive a “renewable” $20,000 award for two years at Hampton. 
  • “Full-Ride” Academic Scholarships with Internships: This fund supports two (2) students studying in STEM-related areas. Each will receive a $40,000 scholarship to Hampton. Selected students also will be recommended as interns in New York Life’s coveted summer internship program.

“We are thrilled with the New York Life Foundation’s generosity and support of Hampton,” said Dr. Joyce Shirazi, Dean of the Hampton University School of Engineering and Technology. “We know that they are specifically interested in computer engineering, computer science, and actuarial science majors, but they have broadened their lens to recognize that Hampton has a unique talent pool of excellent student scholars from across the campus. We believe this will indeed be a lasting partnership.”

There are criteria for the academic scholarships available for students competing for the awards. Student applicants must:  

  • Attend Hampton full time
  • Have a minimum 2.75 GPA to be considered
  • Major in a science, technology, math, or other STEM-related academic areas
  • Demonstrate a financial need, as determined by the Hampton University Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

 The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will oversee the selection of scholars based on the criteria identified, in coordination with the School of Engineering and Technology, the Office of Admissions, and other campus partners.

For additional information on submitting an application for this fund or if you have questions, contact Dr. Demetris Geddis at demetris.geddis@hamptonu.edu in the School of Engineering and Technology, or contact the Office of Admissions at (757)728-5358. 

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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Credit: Benton-Michiana Spirit News

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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Credit: News Messenger

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.