Golden Nugget Online Gaming presents check to Virginia HBCUs, Sept. 22, 2021 (Courtesy – Golden Nugget Online Gaming)
The latest entrant to Virginia’s burgeoning sports betting industry has promised to donate $1 million to Virginia’s five historically Black universities, as charitable giving for historically Black schools nationwide has sharply increased in the past two years.
Golden Nugget Online Gaming, which expects to go live in the coming weeks, pledged $200,000 each to Virginia Union University, Virginia State University, Hampton University, Norfolk State University and Virginia University of Lynchburg, the company and schools announced Wednesday.
Promising a long-term investment, Golden Nugget also will donate 4% of its net gaming revenue, or a minimum shared donation of $500,000, as long as it operates in Virginia.
“We think it’s important to invest in a community that’s been underserved historically,” said Kevin Vonasek, Golden Nugget’s vice president for corporate development.
Owned by billionaire Tilman Fertitta and based in Houston, Golden Nugget operates five brick-and-mortar casinos and online sports betting in more than a dozen states.
In other parts of the country, gaming companies are required to partner with local businesses for licenses. Golden Nugget partners with the Greenbrier in West Virginia and Indian tribes in others states. In Virginia, Golden Nugget isn’t required to partner with a local company, so it is taking the money it would normally spend on the partnership and giving it to the state’s historically Black schools.
Across the country, historically Black colleges have benefitted from higher levels of charitable giving in the past two years. Virginia Union received $11 million in fiscal year 2020 and $13 million in 2021, president Hakim J. Lucas said. In years past, it received closer to $3 million annually in philanthropy.
Dominion Energy gave it $6 million toward science, technology, engineering and math, and social media giant TikTok gave another $1 million for the same focus.
Virginia State University received $30 million from MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who donated more than $800 million to underserved colleges throughout the country. In addition that donation, VSU got about $5 million in donations last year, more than a million dollars above the usual, president Makola Abdullah said.
Golden Nugget also intends to set up internships with the state’s HBCUs. Lucas said it’s critical to connect students to current jobs and to prepare them for jobs that don’t exist yet.
There’s a stark contrast between resources at historically Black and historically white colleges, said Mike Jones, a Richmond city councilman and VUU alumnus. Black colleges need the funds to level the playing field.
Also partnering with Golden Nugget is Virginia Sports Technology Group, a minority-owned business that will conduct marketing and outreach and connect the company to the universities, said Richard Williams, the company’s president.
Once Golden Nugget joins the field, it’ll become the ninth licensed and operating sports betting enterprise in the state, in addition to FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars/William Hill, Wynn, Penn Sports/Barstool and Unibet. Bally’s also secured a license but hasn’t begun operation yet.
Last month, DraftKings agreed to purchase Golden Nugget for $1.56 billion in stock. But the Golden Nugget brand will remain, as will its commitment to HBCUs, Vonasek said.
Golden Nugget submitted a proposal for a brick-and-mortar casino to be built in Richmond, but it wasn’t chosen. Instead, city officials picked a $560 million casino project by Urban One in Richmond’s South Side that still has to be approved by voters in November.
Virginia legalized sports betting earlier this year, and residents of the state wagered $1 billion in less than five months. Virginia became the fastest state to reach the $1 billion threshold. A Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission projected the state would eventually earn $55 million in tax revenue from sports betting.
In a unique partnership, Morris Brown College students will be able to connect with Grammy Award winner Lecrae to offer incarcerated inmates a chance to get some exposure with their music. Get the full story here by Alexis Stevens at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Journal-Constitution below.
Atlanta-based rapper Lecrae performed at the Tabernacle on Oct. 5, 2017, as part of his “All Things Work Together” tour. Photo: Melissa Ruggieri/AJC
Morris Brown College music students will partner with Atlanta recording artist Lecrae in a hip-hop writing contest among competitors who are behind bars.
More than 500 inmates from around the country participated. Once the students winnow the entries down to 25, Christian hip-hop artist and two-time Grammy Award winner Lecrae will make the final selection, record the work at the facility where the winner is incarcerated and release the track both inside and outside the prison system. Inmates who have access to music services and tablets provided by Aventiv Technologies will have free access, according to contest organizers.
The winning song also will be available through streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.
“There are very few opportunities that give those locked up a sense of hope, and even fewer that encourage and recognize the level of musical talent that sits in our prison system,” Lecrae said in a statement. “This contest does both, which is why I’m proud to be involved.”
Aventiv Technologies, the parent company of JPay, provides communications and financial services to correctional facilities, is one of the sponsors for the event. Record producer Zaytoven provided three tracks. Contestants chose one and supplied a song title and lyrics.
“Our brothers and sisters in the incarcerated community are often forgotten, but with this project, I believe that Aventiv is committed to amplifying their voices in a bold and innovative way,” Lecrae said.
The lyrics must be positive, without references to violence, weapons, alcohol, drugs or illegal activity, contest rules state. No profanity is allowed.
Contest entries were accepted from Aug. 16 through Sept. 15. Judging begins Monday on the Morris Brown campus. The winner will be announced Oct. 19 and the track will be released next month, according to event organizers.
The winner can decide whether Lecrae will be recorded on the music track or not, contest rules state. There is no prize money for the individual whose entry is selected. JPay will present a check at the event for $10,000 to help build the music lab at Morris Brown and proceeds from the recording will be donated to a charity helping the corrections community in the winner’s state.
“I know I’ll be amazed by the submissions and create an incredible moment for one individual with the production and mass distribution of the winning track,” Lecrae said.
Despite the contest’s ties to Atlanta, Georgia prisons aren’t participating.
Department of Corrections in the following states allowed inmates to participate: California (California Institute for Women, California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility at Corcoran, Central California Women’s Facility, High Desert State Prison and Kern Valley State Prison); Idaho; Minnesota; New Jersey; New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision; North Dakota and the Dakota Women’s Correctional Rehab Center; and Washington.
It’s not the first writing contest for those behind bars.
PEN America sponsors a yearly writing contest open to anyone incarcerated in a federal, state, or county prison. Cash prizes up to $250 are awarded for poetry, fiction, drama, nonfiction and memoir. This year’s winners have not yet been announced.
A Texas native who relocated to Atlanta from Memphis in 2009, Lecrae is a Christian artist whose music has crossed over to the mainstream. The married father of three released his ninth studio album titled “Restoration” in August 2020. In October, his second book, “I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion But Gained My Faith,” was released. Both the album and book followed a period of depression, he told The AJC.
“Whatever you’re dealing with in life, I want people to recognize that this is not the end,” Lecrae said. “There is always the opportunity for restoration or hope. Even if you can’t change the situation you’re in, you can be changed by the situation.”
A professor at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania put his foot down when a student shared that she needed to miss class. The excuse was that no one was able to watch her baby, who was born premature, but the educator stepped up to lend a hand. Get the full story from Beccah Hendrickson at 6ABC below.
The story of how a Lincoln University college professor ended up holding a baby during class was life-changing for a 21-year-old student who was finally able to take notes.
“I’ve always wanted to go to an HBCU. So, I decided what’s better than the first, so I chose Lincoln,” said Imani Lamarr, who is now a senior at the Pennsylvania university.
Two years ago, she was taking a class with Dr. Aqeel Dix in the health sciences department.
She had just come back to school from taking a semester off after giving birth to her son prematurely. Lamarr’s son had to spend months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“It was really hard. Every day going to the hospital, seeing him and not being able to help him, it was hard,” Lamarr recalled.
Christopher Murphy, who Lamarr had named for her father, had become her world and her schedule revolved around his.
When she told Dix she had to miss class because she couldn’t find a babysitter, his answer was no.
“‘No.’ He told me no. And I was just looking at him like, no I can’t miss class? I don’t have nobody to watch my baby,” she said.
“I’m not going to have one of my students miss my class because they have no one to watch their child. That’s just not an option for me,” said Dix.
Instead, he told her to bring her son to school.
“That’s my character. I don’t mind helping my students wherever they need me,” he said.
Lamarr had reservations about bringing her baby to class. How would he react? Would he be a distraction to other students? Would she be able to focus? But when Dix started lecturing, something changed for Lamarr, she realized she could do this.
“I never thought that it would come to that, and to have somebody who’s there for me…who really cares … it meant a lot,” she said.
Lamarr is now a few months from graduating and she has two of her favorite guys, her mentor, and her now healthy 2-year-old son to thank.
“You really don’t understand how much this meant to me,” she said.
More and more interest is pouring in by the day for FAMU‘s Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS)! Get more information about the great news in the FAMU release by Andrew Skerritt below.
Florida A&M University Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS) is experiencing record enrollment for the first time in over a decade, according to school administrators.
This year, FAMU DRS surpassed its enrollment projections and currently, the interest level exceeds capacity. “We’ve had to employ a waitlist for the first time in my memory as an administrator at DRS,” said Zellee Barnes, assistant principal for secondary schools. “It’s a great problem to have.”
There are currently 273 students enrolled in FAMU DRS’ elementary school, 354 students enrolled in the secondary schools, and although school officially began Tuesday, August 10, more students are requesting admittance each day. Elementary Assistant Principal Cami Bernales said parents are enthusiastic about DRS’ focus on academics and students’ well-being.
“I personally called a couple of our new parents and they said, ‘the reputation of the culture and academic expectation exceeds our neighborhood school.’ That speaks volumes to the environment and the educational experience we offer at DRS,” she said.
While school administrators are pleased with increased enrollment, they said the ongoing pandemic has prevented them from growing their numbers.
Credit: Glenn Beil/The Tallahassee Democrat
“Prior to the pandemic, we would have admitted and welcomed more students into our district,” said Micheal Johnson, superintendent. “Due to COVID-19 precautions and the continued need for social distancing practices, we are limiting the number of students this year.”
Despite the enrollment limitations, administrators encourage parents and students to learn about DRS. “Our schools provide unique opportunities for students that are not always common in other areas,” said Barnes. “We are leveraging our strengths so our community will continue to consider DRS.”
Founded in 1887, FAMU DRS (formerly known as Lucy Moten), was established as a Teacher Training School for FAMU.
Originally only serving elementary students, the school later expanded to accommodate secondary-level students. In 1991, the Sidney Martin Developmental Research School Act designated FAMU DRS as a “developmental research school and the legislation mandated FAMU DRS operate as a designated public school district, with the mission to “conduct research, demonstration, and evaluation regarding management, teaching, and learning, emphasizing mathematics, science, technology, and foreign languages.”
Today is a big day for Howard University, the city of Washington D.C., and alumna Alma Woodsey Thomas. Learn about the celebrations for the artist to take place in the coming days, including appearances by former first lady Michelle Obamaand more in the Howard official release below.
The Howard University Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts joins Mayor Muriel Bowser and a host of citywide cultural partners on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 to recognize Alma W. Thomas Day in the District of Columbia. Today, Mayor Bowser issued an official proclamation to acknowledge the artistic and educational contributions of Alma W. Thomas, the Howard University Department of Art’s first graduate, on the 130th anniversary of her birth.
“Miss Alma Thomas was a trailblazing pioneer,” said Melanee C. Harvey, art history coordinator and assistant professor of Howard University Department of Art. “During her time as a student at Howard, she embodied the spirit of creating across the Arts by designing costumes for the theatrical productions of the Howard Players and studying sculpture in the Department of Art. We celebrate her as an art ancestor who demonstrated the necessary contributions that artists make in shaping and improving the world.”
In 1907, Thomas and her family migrated from Columbus, Georgia, to Washington, D.C., and by 1924, she became the first art department graduate at Howard University. For 35 years and in a segregated city, she empowered art students at Shaw Junior High School to see beauty in the everyday and brought cultural enrichment to Black youth. Thomas’ home at 1530 15th Street NW was her artistic epicenter. There, she created small watercolors, aerial landscapes and brightly patterned large-scale abstractions that reflect her local surroundings and her fascination with space and the environment. She also pursued her interests in performance, puppetry and fashion. A leader within her creative community, Thomas shaped the D.C. art scene through her association with Howard University, American University and the Barnett Aden Gallery (one of the first Black-owned private galleries in the nation), which she helped co-found.
In 1966, the Howard University Gallery of Art mounted a retrospective exhibition of her paintings, which initiated nationwide recognition of her art. She made history in 1971, when, at age 81, she became the first Black woman to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Howard University honored Thomas in 1975 by bestowing the Alumni Achievement Award to her for “distinguished postgraduate contributions … in the fields of art and colorifics.” In 2015, Thomas became the first Black woman to have a work of art acquired by the White House Collection. She continues to be a trailblazer posthumously as her painting “Alma’s Flower Garden” (c. 1968-1970) was sold in March 2021 for a record-breaking $2.8 million.
Throughout Fall 2021, cultural and educational institutions across Washington, D.C., will join together to celebrate the life of pioneering artist and educator Alma Thomas (1891-1978) with a variety of exciting programs and events alongside the retrospective exhibition “Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful” at The Phillips Collection, October 30, 2021 to January 23, 2022. The celebration begins on September 22, Thomas’ birthday, with ongoing events that will take place into 2022. Public programming includes a major symposium, workshops, exhibitions and events, including an appearance by former first lady Michelle Obama and other notable speakers.
The schedule of highlight programming and events is listed below.
September 3, 2021 – August 21, 2022: Display of four major acrylic paintings by Alma Thomas, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts |IN-PERSON
September 22-23, 2021: John Wilmerding Symposium on American Art: “Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful,” National Gallery of Art | VIRTUAL
*Including an evening celebration of Alma Thomas with former first lady Michelle Obama
September 24-26: Wilmerding Community Celebration, National Gallery of Art | IN-PERSON
September 24-26: Feminist Art History Conference, held in collaboration with NGA Wilmerding events, American University | VIRTUAL
October
Wednesday, October 13: “Happy Hour: Alma Woodsey Thomas and Her Circles,” National Museum of Women in the Arts | VIRTUAL
October 30, 2021 – January 23, 2022: “Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful,” The Phillips Collection| IN-PERSON
November
November 13: “Alma W. Thomas and David Driskell: Journeys in Art,” The Phillips Collection and Howard University | VIRTUAL
December
December 8: “Alma Woodsey Thomas: Beneath the Surface,” National Museum of Women in the Arts | VIRTUAL
January and beyond
January 20: Alma Thomas staged reading of one-act play by local playwright Caleen Jennings, The Phillips Collection | IN-PERSON
October 6, 2023 – April 21, 2024: “Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas,” Smithsonian American Art Museum | IN-PERSON
Ongoing
VIRTUAL + IN-PERSON: SAAM Collection of Thomas, Smithsonian American Art Museum
VIRTUAL: “Drawn to Art: Ten Tales of Inspiring Women Artists,” Smithsonian American Art Museum
VIRTUAL + IN-PERSON: “Alma Thomas DC Heritage Tour,” DC Public Library
A student at Grambling State University has been chosen as a top representative for the State Early Literacy Commission! Get the full story from GSU below.
Jayla Williams, a senior at Grambling State University, has been selected as the preservice teacher representative for the Louisiana Department of Education Early Literacy Commission. The Louisiana Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (LACTE) chose Williams to represent the association on the commission.
Jayla Williams
The Early Literacy Commission aims to study and make recommendations on how best to develop and implement a system that provides effective, evidence-based reading instruction for children from early childhood through third grade.
Williams, an elementary education major from Shreveport, La., will travel to Baton Rouge periodically to serve on a panel to achieve the literacy goals set forth for the children of Louisiana.
Dr. Cheyrl Mansfield Ensley, interim department head/associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership nominated Williams for the position. Among other reasons, she said when Williams began her residency (formerly student teaching), she stood out.
“Within the first few days, she received accolades from her principal,” Ensley said. Williams is also active in education-related activities including serving as a member of Aspiring Educators, where she serves as the media coordinator. She offers after school tutoring for students in grades K – 12 via Joyous Learning with Jayla which celebrated its one-year anniversary in August.
“She has helped students increase test scores and improve grade level reading. As a result, she continues to receive recommendations from satisfied customers,” Ensley said.
Williams said she is excited about serving in the role on the commission for LACTE.
“I’m very passionate about all things education so to be recognized and nominated by our department head, Dr. Ensley, I am extremely honored,” she said.
Williams added that she hopes this opportunity will help her inspire future educators.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity,” she said. “I hope by receiving this nomination I can inspire other students coming through Grambling’s Teacher Ed program and show that our gifts and opportunities are limitless.”
She aims to “represent all preservice teachers and children across the state, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and my beloved GramFam.”
Debbie Thomas, dean of the GSU College of Education, said Williams is “the epitome of excellence as a dedicated student and future educator. The College of Education is proud to call Jayla one of our brightest stars.”
After graduation, Williams plans to move to Memphis to complete a teacher residency program and obtain a master’s degree in urban education.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. just celebrated its fourth year raising a goal of $1 million for HBCUs, and this year the goal was exceeded by double! Read the official release below to learn more about the sorority’s efforts.
For the fourth consecutive year, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® has earmarked a progressive goal to raise $1 million in 24 hours for their national HBCU Impact Day. Set for Monday, September 20, 2021, the annual HBCU Impact Day is a part of the sorority’s four-year $10 million fundraising goal led by AKA International President and CEO Dr. Glenda Glover. The organization’s more than 300,000 college-educated members, corporate partners, and donors have been challenged to contribute funds to assist with the ongoing fiscal sustainability and operations of the more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) around the country.
Breaking News!! We have surpassed our goal and raised over $2MM for HBCUS!! Thank you for your dedication and commitment!! pic.twitter.com/kmVcpOQh4L
“Despite the recent national attention given to HBCUs in 2021 and incremental state and federal funding, HBCUs still lag far behind other institutions of higher learning when it comes to ongoing and sustainable support,” said Dr. Glover who is also the president of Tennessee State University and an HBCU graduate.
In 2021, the sorority gifted $1.6 million to 35 eligible four-year HBCUs. The endowments on these campuses will grow in perpetuity and help schools reduce student debt through scholarships, fund industry-specific research, and provide much-needed infrastructure maintenance.
HBCUs continue to face the double threat of a global pandemic and being under-resourced. Although the country is opening up, COVID-19 is ever evolving and brings a high level of uncertainty on whether students can safely return to campus for in-person learning. “Now more than ever is the time for Alpha Kappa Alpha to step up—as we have done for more than 113 years—and be of service to our historic institutions of higher education,” added Dr. Glover. “Currently, HBCUs account for nearly 25% of bachelor’s degrees granted to African Americans.
I cannot imagine a world without HBCUs, but I can imagine how much stronger the world would be if we all supported the HBCU community.”
Members and supporters have surpassed the $1 million goal. Last year’s Impact Day raised $1.3 million in 2020.
HBCU Impact Day is part of the sorority’s recognition of HBCU Week. On September 20, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chapters around the globe will host fundraising events in support of the $1 million fundraising goal. Interested donors can make contributions by giving by mail or online at http://donate.akaeaf.org during the 24-hour campaign. For more information on the sorority’s commitment to HBCUs, visit www.AKA1908.com
From what to wear, where to eat, and what to pack, Xfinity has you covered.
Those who have experienced an HBCU homecoming understand the assignment. Students, alumni, and family of an Historically Black College and University gather to partake in the excitement of celebrating the heritage and culture of the school. It’s a time of joy, honoring traditions, and for some, reflecting on the good ol’ days. Homecoming weekends are spent eating well, laughing plenty, and enjoying the sights; and there is plenty to see! (Spoiler alert: Sleep is not on the syllabus.)
There’s no such thing as doing too much for homecoming. People order outfits months in advance and have items custom made & tailored; it’s a time to show up and show out, whether you are planning to attend or be there in spirit.* For those who will be present, you never know who you might bump into at the tailgate – from famous alumni to journalists or photographers. Students have actually launched full modeling careers during homecoming weekend.
*Due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, select HBCU homecoming sanctioned events have been rescheduled or are TBD.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUGPghCgcZ9/
It’s Called Fashion, Honey
HBCU college students are known for dressing well just to go to class, so of course homecoming weekend is a high-profile event! The yard becomes a personal runway and everyone on campus has a front-row seat to the hottest show in town— they’re looking to be impressed. Attendees have a major task; prepping outfits for the yard, tailgating, the game, and parties. Here are our three favorite style categories:
The Effortless O.G.
For those traveling to their college towns, overpacking is inevitable (we don’t blame you). Yes, bring extra outfits and let your mood guide your choice. We suggest seeking out boutique items online or handmade pieces from your hometown so there’s no doubt that you’ll stand out. Avoid showing up in the same outfit—fresh off a mannequin—from everyone’s go-to stores.
Comfort Queen
So a 3-piece suit with a bow tie, high socks and hard dress shoes doesn’t exactly scream cozy. It’s okay to switch up your homecoming attire to something more comfortable, because even in the GOAT outfit, limping around in painful heels and tugging at a rising skirt all night is simply not appealing. We suggest a dress rehearsal! Take a lap around the house in whatever you plan to dance, eat, or drink in for hours on end – Are those leggings see-thru? Can you dance how you want to? Remember, comfort can always be made cute!
Classy & Confident
Have you picked up a few quarantine pounds? You could join the club, but we’re pretty full. So consider your evolving body when preparing for the big weekend. Aim for garments that meet you where you are, complimenting new curves and all of your fabulousness. This weekend is about you doing you, so do it well, and take those selfies! But most importantly—have fun, confidence really is the key!
Before the start of the pandemic, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Office of International Programs and Studies implemented a pilot education abroad program in Antigua, Guatemala. Dr. Pamela D. Moore, associate dean for global engagement at UAPB, said the program is currently being expanded for increased student participation. It is also going to be part of a new minor degree program at the university.
“Plans are in progress for this pilot program to become an integral component of a Spanish minor degree track – a first for UAPB,” Dr. Moore said. “This is great news for the university because not only will this make it easier for students to improve their Spanish language skills, but it will also strengthen their academic and career credentials.”
Members of the UAPB cohort to Guatemala during a visit to Volcán Pacaya.
For example, students with solid Spanish-speaking skills will be able to pursue careers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service or businesses that specialize in international agricultural trade, she said. The UAPB program in Guatemala also develops the soft skills needed to work effectively in global career tracks across multiple disciplines.
Five UAPB students completed the one-month pilot program, which emphasized Spanish instruction, service learning and exposure to the culture and social customs of Guatemalan society. Participants included Leon Jones, Alyssa Smith, Cynamon Gates, Randy Thompson and DeMario Williams.
“The program enhances students’ appreciation of different cultures and teaches them about human poverty and the food needs of other societies,” she said. “It also strengthens their skills in teamwork and group dynamics. Most importantly, the students develop a profound sense of confidence in their abilities as they step out of their comfort zone to navigate the realities and challenges of living and learning in a foreign country.”
The 2019 pilot program
During the program, the students received one-on-one intensive language instruction by individually assigned tutors at La Union Spanish School in Antigua. These lessons were reinforced through an immersion experience, including living arrangements with Guatemalan families and daily interactions that took place through a range of organized activities.
Service-learning activities included agricultural and educational work. The students gained hands-on experience with gardening techniques and animal care practices at Eco Farms, a demonstration farm in San Felipe, Antigua that emphasizes sustainable farm practices. They also volunteered at Proyecto Genesis, a community organization, where they taught children the English alphabet, numbers and primary colors.
The students’ weekly program featured various cultural activities, including a visit to an active volcano site. Another highlight was a weekend excursion to the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna community in Livingston, Izabal, Guatemala. Through interactions with community members, they learned about the history of Black Guatemalans and their roots in the African diaspora. They learned about their day-to-day life and the challenges they faced and compared these experiences with that of African Americans.
“The program in Guatemala is a great example of how students can return from a study abroad program with competencies that will serve them in their future careers,” Dr. Moore said. “Each participant said the skills they acquired are applicable to their future careers.”
Dr. Moore said three of the participants recently shared takeaways from the experience.
“It is my hope their stories will motivate some UAPB students to sign up for the subsequent program, enroll in the new Spanish minor degree track or even just consider an education abroad experience for the first time,” she said.
Alyssa Smith
During the summer after her sophomore year, Smith, a 2021 graduate of political science, traveled to Antigua independently to participate in a two-month Spanish language program. After she completed that solo trip, she started working with Dr. Moore and Juan Carlos Martínez, director of La Unión Spanish School, to develop the current program for UAPB students in Guatemala.
She said, “This was the first time I had to organize and facilitate a group trip, especially abroad. This was also my first traveling experience where I was responsible for someone other than myself. I gained leadership, communication and organizational skills.
Interacting with the Afro-Guatemalans in Livingston was an amazing experience. I felt at home, seeing all the cultural customs we share. It was disheartening to learn they are fighting for the same civil rights that we fought for many years ago and continue to fight for now. When I go back to Guatemala, I want to spend more time in the community to learn about their language and way of life.
While volunteering with the children of Project Genesis and Niños de Jesús, I realized that I want to tutor and teach English professionally. Even though it requires a lot of patience and can be very draining, I really enjoyed the experience of working with children. Since then, I have tutored English in China and continue to do so for a Chinese education company.”
Smith is currently in the process of applying to the Peace Corps for an elementary English teaching position in Costa Rica. If accepted, she will live and work in the Central American country for at least two years.
Cynamon Gates
Gates, a senior major of animal science, is currently working toward achieving her dream job as an international veterinarian. During her studies, her goal has been to educate herself in both domestic and foreign agriculture so she can someday help animal species across the globe.
She said, “Traveling to a foreign country was a strategic part of my career goal as an aspiring international veterinarian. It inspired me to strive to make a difference in developing countries. Helping the street animal and livestock populations within foreign communities and using techniques to enhance the growth of the crops are also prominent parts of my career goals.
Volunteering at Eco Farms was a great and relatable experience for me that tailored to my focus of study as an agriculture-animal science major. I worked with a variety of animals and encountered many indigenous grasslands, which expanded my career outlook.
My biggest takeaways from the program are how traveling to this developing country and seeing stray animals on every corner enhanced my vision of becoming an international veterinarian. It has given me even more drive to save the underprivileged animals that cannot receive help.”
Gates recently enlisted in the U.S. Army: Veterinary Corps. The Army will finance her four-year veterinary college education, which she plans to begin in 2022. Upon completion of veterinary school, as a licensed veterinary specialist, she will be sent to foreign and domestic locations on active duty.
Leon Jones
Jones, a senior political science major, had traveled abroad prior to enrolling at UAPB and knew he would want to take advantage of education abroad opportunities during college.
He said, “Being exposed to people of diverse cultures and backgrounds made me more culturally aware and taught me how to communicate with people that think differently than me.
The biggest takeaway I had from the Guatemala program was from interactions with the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna community. Learning about the struggles they had in their own fight for civil rights gives me more perspective on the global struggles that Black people experience. Another thing that stuck with me was the similarities in food that we have. We all have roots in Africa, and Africans that were brought to the Americas also brought with them their food. To see the similarities of our staple foods and knowing that we all have the same roots made us feel like family.
My trip did not change my academic or career goals, but it did give me a new perspective in my studies. I want to go into public service as a career – being in Guatemala gave me another angle to look at policy.”
Currently president of the UAPB Student Government Association, Jones hopes to set up a fund or scholarship for students who want to study abroad but feel they lack the funds. He said lifting some of the burden of payment off students would not only enable but encourage some students to travel abroad.
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders during the game against Tennessee State on Sept. 11 (Credit: Henry Taylor/Commercial-Appeal)
Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders wants to help an in-state rival.
Sanders offered his assistance to get the Alcorn State football program some athletic trainers during Monday’s Southwestern Athletic Conference call.
“I could get them (some trainers),” Sanders said. “I’m not trying to (belittle them), but that’s phone calls, man. I mean, I wish we have the relationship that we could call each other, because, how many hospitals we have here in the city? I promise, I would’ve done it myself, sent you several trainers back because those kids deserve to get down, they deserve to play. We can’t practice? Because the trainers? Like, please.”
The Braves missed two days of practice last week due to not having available trainers on campus, reportedly because of COVID-19-related issues.
“You have to have a certified athletic trainer on campus in the building to do these things, and we didn’t have one,” Alcorn State coach Fred McNair said on his radio show last week. “That’s such a discouraging thing to me that we’re not doing a good enough job to bring in someone of our own to be an athletic trainer at Alcorn State University.”
Despite missing the two days of practice, the Braves nearly upset South Alabama, which competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision, 28-21. On Monday, McNair said his players missed opportunities to condition without the practices.
“My brother McNair, and that’s a darn good coach,” Sanders said. “That’s a darn good, shoot, good team. Man, my brother McNair, if you can hit me right now, if you have a problem call me. If I can help, I’m going to help. Immediately. This is bigger than the little rivalry. This is about these kids, man. And I got love for that brother. He’s a good dude.”
Jackson State and Alcorn State have one of the fiercest rivalries in Mississippi, known as The Soul Bowl. This season’s Soul Bowl is set to take place at on Nov. 20 in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium to close the regular season.
Sanders said when Southern Miss recruited his son Shedeur in high school, he attended USM’s game against Alcorn State and spoke to McNair and the Braves in the locker room after the game because he knew how good the program was in the SWAC.
Sanders said Alcorn’s lack of trainers was not McNair’s fault.
“Now, that’s a problem up top,” Sanders said. “That that’s not him, that’s a problem somewhere else there, that’s a problem for him. We need to address that, and whoever is allowing that to happen needs to be checked. You get this man, he has a wonderful program year after year, and he wins. And you’re going to allow that to happen to him? Please. That’s one of our treasures in the HBCU, we’ve got to have his back.”
Alcorn State travels to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff at on Thursday night.
Bowie State University upcoming homecoming week will be exciting, but won’t come without increased safety measures due to COVID-19. Get the full story from the BSU official release below.
Pregame festivities before the homecoming game against Chowan, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019.
Bowie State University will celebrate Homecoming Week 2021, Sept. 26 – Oct. 3, with enhanced COVID-19 protocols and scaled-back student activities to protect players and fans against the continuing spread of the delta variant.
Only fully vaccinated persons will be allowed to attend the football game that pits the mighty Bulldogs against the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls on Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. in Bulldog Stadium. Proof of vaccination card and photo ID will be required to purchase tickets and enter the stadium.
No tailgating will be allowed and fans must exit immediately following the game. No activities will be permitted on the Greek plots or other campus locations on game day.
All persons attending the game and other activities during the week must adhere to the existing campus COVID-19 requirements, which include:
No tailgating pre- or post-game, and fans must exit the campus immediately after the game
No activities on the Greek plots or other game locations on game-day
Masks are required in all indoor locations for all individuals including vaccinated individuals, unless actively eating
Masks are required for large outdoor gatherings of 100 persons or more, including in the stadium
Social distancing of at least three feet is encouraged at all times
Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive, should refrain from attending any events to avoid putting others at risk
Student-planned activities during the week will be limited to only vaccinated students, faculty and staff with a green badge and BSU ID.
The Bowie State campus community has made significant progress with increasing vaccination rates among students, faculty and staff and strong compliance with masking guidelines across the campus. Maintaining these same requirements for major events that bring others into the campus will help reduce the potential for spreading the virus into the campus community. We ask for the understanding and support of our Bulldog fans to help keep everyone safe.
Aspiring law students at Delaware State University will be receiving some support to offset testing costs and mentorship needs thanks to a recent large donation. Learn more about it in the Delaware Public Media story by Joe Irizarry below.
Credit: Milton Pratt/Delaware Publix Media
As part of its 90th anniversary, Wilmington’s Morris James law firm donated $10,000 to DSU to help defray costs of students taking and preparing for the LSAT, and establish a mentoring program.
Delaware State University’s Law Studies program receives a donation to help students pay for the Law School Admissions Test.
As part of its 90th anniversary, Wilmington’s Morris James law firm donated $10,000 to DSU to help defray costs of students taking and preparing for the LSAT, and establish a mentoring program.
The current cost for the LSAT plus prep is about $500 per student, so this donation would cover all expenses for 20 students.
Morris James managing partner Keith Donovan says they’re trying to remove financial barriers so students can focus time and effort on their studies.
According to Donovan the law firm’s diversity inclusion committee suggested the donation as a way to support diversity throughout the state.
“It’s natural to partner with Delaware State University to support these young professionals in their pursuit of law school, not as a feeder necessarily for us, but we recognize that the more students that we have that are home grown students coming through Delaware institutions will help the entire Delaware bar to become more diverse and that will be better for all of us,” said Donovan.
The law firm and the university also plan to establish a mentoring program which Kimeu Boynton , DSU’s Law Studies Program co-director, says is important for students.
“We will pair students with practicing attorneys at Morris James, and that’ll provide them, one with exposure to attorneys that are working in some of the fields that they want to enter into, but two, it’s a great networking component,” said Boynton.
DSU officials say this will be a game changer for students feeling the economic impact of being in college, as well as those affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wait for a tee time. Wait to hit again. Wait for the ball to drop. It’s a sport in which you even have to wait for the rain to stop.
Bethune-Cookman University, which lost its men’s tennis and golf teams this school year because of COVID-19, has a women’s golf team this fall but is going to have to wait a little longer for a complete one.
The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats women’s golf team can be found on a practice green in Port Orange — all three of them. The problem is, a team needs at least five golfers, and when the team plays in a tournament, the top four scores are counted.
“At the end of the day, all I wanted to is be able to do, is be able to play golf, “ says Kyleigh Leaf, who transferred to the team this summer. “Be able to have fun playing golf while getting an education.”
Coach Dan Venema is also waiting to see what options could present themselves for the spring semester.
“I’ve been trying to go in the transfer portal every day,” Venema explains. “Emailing girls, going on other recruiting websites and platforms.”
This fall, members of the team will play as individuals so they can get some tournaments and experience under their belts.
“Every score counts,” Emma Hastie, another transfer said. “We are just going to play as individuals. This is going to be good to get our feet wet with this new conference (Southwestern Athletic Conference).”
But like so many things in the world right now, this is not normal.
“It’s a littler nerve-wracking not knowing what to expect of the future,“ Leaf explained. “That’s just how it has been the past year or two, just the unknowing.”
What the three golfers and their coach do know is that the wait is over. They will play this fall.
Venema now has to wait out the fall to see who he can get to join his team in the spring.
“The right girls will come to this program,” Venema said. “When that happens, if I keep doing my job, as far as reaching out to as many student-athletes as I can, then they will come,”
Now everyone must wait to see how the team comes together in the spring.
According to Venema, the transfer portal includes more than 1,500 players right now, and the Wildcats also will consider athletes from other sports if they need to fill spots for a starting five in the spring.
Fort Valley State University is making renovations on Wildcat stadium.
A new track and turf will be coming to this particular venue.
“This is an unbelievable opportunity that we had,” says Athletic Director Anthony Holloman.
Soon FVSU’s football and track and field program will now have renovated playing surfaces.
“Not only put down a new play surface, but also our state of the art track. Wildcat Stadium is one of the nicest and largest stadiums in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC),” says Holloman.
According to Holloman, this entire project which started in late July costs the university 1.5 million dollars.
The goal was to finish by the Wildcats home opener this weekend against Lane College
But they are going to slightly miss that deadline.
“The turf is down, but there are a few more things that need to be taken care of before we can open the stadium,” says Holloman.
Getting goal posts is on the list.
“Also putting up new play clocks. So, we had to move different wiring we are doing some different things with the fencing. To make it a better place to watch a football game,” says Holloman.
Because of the delays, Fort Valley’s home opener will be played at Peach County High School, this Saturday at 2 PM.
“Dr. Lionel Brown the superintendent was very good to us in allowing us to play a football game at their new facility,” says Holloman.
FVSU head football coach Maurice Flowers says because of the new turf, the early bird will get the worm.
“Turf brings ways for us to practice in the morning, and make sure all of our young men are up and ready to go to class. Studies have shown that once the athletes are up, they’re more than likely to go to class. That’s what it’s all about and that’s being a student-athlete,” says Flowers.
These renovations will be complete by October 9th.
Just in time for their home game against Central State University.
Athletes and others at North Carolina A&T State University are mourning the passing of former coach Gene Littles. The coach had a history at N.C. A&T and was even a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Get the full story from N.C. A&T below!
The North Carolina A&T Athletics family mourns the passing of former A&T head men’s basketball coach Eugene Scape “Gene” Littles (June 29, 1943 – Sept. 9, 2021). Littles was 78.
Littles was the head coach for the Aggies from 1977-79, compiling an overall record of 40-15 (.727) and two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships and the MEAC coach of the year honor in 1979.
Littles played his college ball at High Point University from 1965-69 and is regarded by many as the best player in school history. He was a three-time NAIA All-American and, in 1969, led High Point to a school-best 28-3 record and the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament. He is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,398 career points and his No. 14 jersey is in the rafters.
The Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) drafted Little after his college days. He chose to play in the ABA.
The Carolina Cougars later claimed his ABA rights. Eventually, he became the starting point guard for the league’s all-rookie team and finished his career with the Kentucky Colonels.
Littles got his start in the coaching realm as an assistant for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to North Carolina to join the staff at Appalachian State, where he was before coming to A&T.
Littles returned to the NBA as a head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers for the remaining 19 games of the 1985-86 season. Then, midway through the 1990-91 season, the Charlotte Hornets named him their head coach, and he remained in that position until the end of the season.
His last stop was for the Denver Nuggets in 1994-95, where he was an assistant and even stepped into the head coaching role on an interim basis for the final 19 games of the season.
Littles is a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the High Point University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Elizabeth City State University’s Master of Elementary Education and Master of School Administration degree programs have received advanced accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation, or CAEP.
According to Dr. Joy Smith, dean of the School of Education and Business and director of Graduate Education, advanced CAEP accreditation means that students in these graduate degree programs in the “teacher leader track,” are now covered by this accreditation. CAEP is an organization created to advance the excellence in educator preparation “through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.”
ECSU Provost Farrah J. Ward announced the news to the university’s board of trustees during their quarterly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 14. She explained that these programs had previously been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, but the accreditation responsibility has now moved to CAEP, which had accredited ECSU’s undergraduate teacher education program and Masters of Elementary Education’s initial licensure track two years ago.
“We received both of these accreditations (for the master programs) without recommendation,” Provost Ward told the trustees. Without recommendation means that CAEP is 100 percent satisfied that ECSU’s program meets its standards.
According to CAEP’s standards for advanced accreditation, these programs are defined as “educator preparation programs at the post-baccalaureate and graduate levels leading to licensure, certification, or endorsement.”
Advanced level programs such as those at ECSU are designed to develop pre-K through grade 12 teachers who “have already completed an initial preparation program, currently licensed administrators, other certificated school professionals for employment in P-12” schools and school districts.
Accreditation means that ECSU shows “evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators,” and show “solid evidence that the provider (ECSU) has the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.”
Dr. Smith says the CAEP standards represent a “sea change” in the way programs are assessed by the accreditation organization. Programs, she says, that are CAEP accredited have shown how they assess their students and have “developed metrics that document evidence of the education received by their students.”
“Achieving CAEP Advanced-Level Accreditation shows the evidence of the focused and rigorous learning undertaken by graduates of these programs,” said Dr. Smith.
In January 2019, ECSU began offering its first online Master of Education degree program. In addition to the Master of Elementary Education Teacher Leader Track that prepares students to seek National Board Certification, the university also offers a Master of Elementary Education Initial Certification Program for anyone with a bachelor’s degree that chooses to become an elementary school teacher.
ECSU also offers a Master of School Administration degree. Many of the region’s public-school principals have graduated from this program and have going on to lead K-12 institutions.
ECSU continues to receive high rankings from national organizations such as the recent Washington Monthly top 20 for bachelor’s degree colleges nationwide or the Military Times Best Bet for Vets, and most recently U.S. News and Worlds Report for Top Public Schools in the Regional South, 10th for Top Performers in Social Mobility in the Regional South, 22nd in the nation for Top HBCU, and 33rd for Best Regional College South.
Elizabeth City State University is a UNC System constituent university in Northeastern North Carolina. ECSU offers 28 bachelor’s degrees and four master’s degree and is the only four-year university offering a bachelor’s degree in aviation science and unmanned aerial systems, or drones.
