New WH HBCU Advisory Board Has Vaccinations, Booster Shots Among First Challenges

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The White House’s HBCU advisory board exists to make advancements in our HBCU community, but the COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be a formidable foe. Get the full story on how the board plans to tackle everything from lower infections to vaccinations in the story from Francesca Chambers at The Kansas City Star.

Credit: Delaware State University

President Joe Biden’s new advisory board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities will face an immediate challenge of how to approach COVID-19 prevention, with booster shots on the horizon and some states preventing public colleges and universities from mandating vaccinations for their students.

Biden this week tapped his former inaugural committee head Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University, to chair the presidential advisory board and make recommendations on policies to help HBCUs, including with their response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“HBCUs are not only educational institutions, they’re community institutions. These are places where not just students but the public can go and receive some services that they might not otherwise have an easy time getting,” Allen said in an interview.

Delaware State University mandated vaccines on its campus this academic year, and Allen said he would be in contact with fellow advisory board members and HBCU leaders across the country about additional efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus at their schools.

HBCUs have been encouraging their students to get vaccinated and many have vaccination sites on or near their campuses that can help with booster shots to vaccinated Americans as soon as they are allowed.

The FDA will meet with its advisory committee next week to consider the approval of a Pfizer booster shot for individuals age 16 and older, and the Biden administration is eyeing the week of Sept. 20 for a nationwide rollout of booster shots to eligible individuals.

Allen said that if boosters are approved for widespread use, “it is likely that we will encourage, if not mandate, the booster shots” at DSU to help combat the delta variant. HBCUs are also poised to provide booster shots to the surrounding communities, Allen said, just as they did with vaccinations.

After Biden announced Thursday that most workers will be required to get vaccinated or test weekly, North Carolina A&T Chancellor Harold Martin said his school, which has the largest enrollment of any HBCU, is preparing for an influx of individuals seeking inoculations. 

“We expect that we’re going to see a ramp up not only in our employees and our students, but we expect to see a ramp up in the community around us who are seeking to get, to be vaccinated for the first time,” Martin said.

The White House said it would be up to the presidential advisory board to determine its approach to vaccine mandates.

Trey Baker, senior advisor for public engagement at the White House, said that Allen and the board will help guide administration efforts to distribute pandemic assistance to HBCUs that is intended to help the schools remain open and make technological improvements that allow for remote instruction.

“There’s a lot of funding that’s there. And so part of this will be having someone who’s in that position who will help shepherd the universities, the college presidents, to know how to access the resources to benefit the institutions,” Baker said.

Biden signed an executive order this month reestablishing the White House HBCU initiative and the board that will advise Biden and the administration on policy and funding levels.

Lodriguez Murray, senior vice president of public policy and government affairs at the United Negro College Fund, said that he was pleased to see efforts to help with pandemic-related issues explicitly mentioned in the executive order. 

“You can’t call together that kind of task force with as much brain power as they have without really putting them on the spot in terms of dealing with this pandemic,” Murray said. “I think that if that language were not included, it would be an elephant in the room.”

Biden has not yet named anyone besides Allen to the advisory board. His order said the board would be made up of HBCU presidents, educators, philanthropists, business leaders, entrepreneurs and other industry leaders.

Allen said he would be assisting with the selection of board members and the naming of an executive director. 

Biden’s executive order revokes the HBCU mandate established under the previous administration and replaces it with a new initiative. Recent presidents have signed similar orders in February, weeks after their inaugurations. Biden’s new guidance was issued much later, on Sept. 3.

Allen was a former speechwriter for Biden when he was a Delaware senator and an advisory board member on his presidential transition. Before DSU he was head of corporate reputation at Bank of America.

N.C. A&T’s Martin, who sat on former President Donald Trump’s HBCU advisory board, said it is imperative for the committee to have the “trust and confidence and support” of the White House, members of Congress and HBCU heads.

“I think a reconstitution of the advisory board, inclusive of new leadership will help to enhance significantly trust,” he said. “I think having Tony Allen as president of Delaware State, with a strong relationship, with support and the ear of the president, will be critically important for the advisory board.”

Allen said he spoke with Biden and Harris about HBCUs at the January inauguration.

“He knows my interests from the very beginning,” Allen said of the advisory board appointment. “His focus on HBCUs — I can tell you, even at the end of the inauguration, I got to spend just a few minutes with him and Vice President Harris — they both said, you can expect our continued and sustained support as a result.”

Harris is a graduate of Howard University, a private HBCU in Washington, D.C., making her the highest ranking U.S. official to have attended a historically Black institution. She visited Hampton University, a private HBCU near Norfolk, Va., on Friday.

“She’s not just the example of excellence that comes from HBCUs, she’s thoughtful on the topic, has been supportive throughout her public life,” Allen said of Harris, “and I know will help me and the board of advisors, as we shape, what, again, I think should be sustainable, equitable resources for HBCUs, the likes of which we haven’t seen.”

The administration directed $3 billion in pandemic assistance to HBCUs in a COVID-relief law earlier this year, and Biden asked Congress for another $90 billion for higher education institutions that serve minorities as part of his economic agenda. 

Securing funds to improve the physical infrastructure at HBCUs, including at research institutions, and expanding access to Federal Pell Grants will be priorities for the advisory board, Allen said. Student debt relief will also be a “big part” of their efforts, he said.

Baker said he expects the advisory board to help establish partnerships between HBCUs and corporations and that Allen’s previous corporate experience will be vital to that effort.

FAMU flags wave in front of Hard Rock Stadium during the tailgate before the Orange Blossom Classic featuring Florida A&M University and Jackson State University in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, September 5, 2021.(Credit: Daniel A. Varela) 

Inspiring more philanthropic organizations and businesses to partner with HBCUs is crucial to the future success of the schools, UNCF’s Murray said. 

“We’re used to HBCUs saying, we’ve done so much with so little for so long,” he added. “It’s up to Dr. Allen now to figure out the federal role, to figure out how to get rid of that phrase and start saying, HBCUs finally have as strong a level of resources as any other group of institutions, now let’s see how much more we and their students can do with a significant level of investment.”
Read more here: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article254137043.html#storylink=cpy

Allen said that increasing investments in HBCUs is a priority. 

“This is a renaissance moment for HBCUs, but more importantly, it’s a time where folks are paying attention to us,” he said. “And no one HBCU president is going to be able to do that by themselves, I’m going to need all my colleagues to be with me in this effort.”

Alabama A&M University Establishes First Master’s Degree Apprenticeship Program At An HBCU

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Alabama A&M University has just made history with its new apprenticeship program, and the it will benefit vulnerable people in need of social services. Get the full story from the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Credit: Alabama A&M University

FIRST MASTER’S DEGREE REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP WITH A HBCU AS A SPONSOR ESTABLISHED IN THE COUNTRY

Alabama A&M University is taking education and training to a new level with the development of this apprenticeship program, in the field of Social Work.  By creating this program Alabama A&M, a HBCU (Historically Black College and University), is establishing a career path for non-traditional enrollments by non-traditional students.  Historically apprenticeships have focused on the trade industries with larger male enrollment.  An apprenticeship in social work is a new concept, and the social work field is predominantly female. Social workers are critically important to the nagging social ills that undermine so many lives and communities and the demand for them is continually on the rise.

This program has a lot of “firsts”, but what’s really in it for the workforce?

What’s in it for students?  At the successful completion of the apprenticeship program, students will have credentials that demonstrate mastery in this field:  a TCM (Targeted Case Management) Certificate from the Alabama Department of Mental Health, Alabama State Board Licensure, a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW on-the-job training that sets them up for success.  As an additional benefit, the cost of tuition and training during the program are covered. Combined with Alabama’s Last Dollar Scholarship policy the apprentice’s costs for books and tuition are covered by the employer.

What’s in it for employers?

Social workers are in demand, and this demand will only increase.  In a competitive job market providing this program establishes a pipeline of qualified social workers while assuring they have mastered the competencies behind the credentials.   It ultimately reduces recruitment and retention costs for the employer and provides them new employees with the skills and experience they need to be productive.

What’s in it for Alabama?

This program demonstrates the AOA and Alabama A&M’s dedication to providing exceptional educational opportunities and economic benefits to our state and underserved populations.  It helps to fill the demand for qualified social workers in our state and creates a long-lasting pipeline of qualified professionals in our state who will continue to meet the needs of our citizens.

Artist Cordae Plans To Share New Music During HBCU Campus Takeover

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Artist Cordae is planning for an HBCU takeover, and fans will be happy to know that’s when he plans to release his new music! Learn which 8 HBCUs he plans to visit and the rest of the details from Victoria Moorwood at Revolt below.

Getty Images for Revolt

The rapper will share music, conversation and video games with students as part of his “Kickin’ it With Cordae” initiative

Cordae is hitting the road. The Grammy-nominated rapper will soon visit several HBCU campuses — not stadiums — as part of his newly announced “Kickin’ it With Cordae” initiative. According to a press statement, Cordae will travel across the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and touch base at eight participating HBCUs in partnership with Coca-Cola and Cxmmunity. 

The announcement states that students at the participating universities will get a “sneak peek” at Cordae’s upcoming music and get to talk to the 24-year-old “about topics important to students.” 

The release adds that Cordae is an “avid gamer,” so the events will also promote each campus’esports program through “Gaming, Music and Conversations with Cordae.” As part of the program, one lucky student will also have the chance to play a video game with Cordae.

The rapper will begin his college campus takeovers at Norfolk State University on Tuesday (Sept. 14) and later travel to Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and more, before wrapping up at South Carolina State on Sept. 21. 

Back in June, Cordae joined forces with Disney Dreamers Academy and ESPN’s The Undefeated to fund scholarships for students attending HBCUs. 

“So many people need the money more than I do,” the rapper said in a press release at the time. “I feel as though when you’re in such a blessed position, it’s important to pay that forward to be a blessing to others. It’s especially important to me to invest in our youth and the future.”

“Young people are the future of our society and the world, so we must do all we can to ensure they are properly positioned to succeed,” he added. “If I can spark the brain of a few future world leaders and geniuses, I’ll die a happy man.”

Cordae also donated his proceeds from The Undefeated and Disney Dreamers’ Liberated: Music for the Movement Volume 3 EP to help fund the scholarships. See the dates for his upcoming campus tour below:

September 14: Norfolk State University

September 15: Howard University

September 16: Morgan State University

September 17: Coppin State University

September 18: Delaware State University

September 19: University of Maryland Eastern Shore

September 20: North Carolina Central University

September 21: South Carolina State University

Clark Atlanta University Names New Executive Director of University History, Traditions, and Ceremonials

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Clark Atlanta University has a new executive director that will be heading university’s history, traditions, and ceremonials, and she’s not a new face at CAU! Learn more about Gay-linn E. Gatewood-Jasho in the full story from CAU’s official release below.

Source: Blueprint Magazine

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) announced Gay-linn E. Gatewood-Jasho has been promoted to serve as the University’s first Executive Director charged with overseeing the new Office of University History, Traditions, and Ceremonials.
 
In this new role, Gatewood-Jasho will direct efforts to build programs that will safeguard historically significant documents, papers, artifacts, and traditions as well as ceremonial intellectual assets from CAU, along with influences of the parent institutions of Atlanta University and Clark University/Clark College. Previously, Gatewood-Jasho was Senior Director of the Office of Alumni Relations with responsibility for the direct provision of alumni services and support to 40,000-plus alumni.
 
“Gay-linn Jasho brings to this important role an impeccable record of outstanding accomplishments, and her extensive knowledge and strategic planning experience will help us move forward in a manner that is well planned and impactful,” said Dr. George T. French, Jr. He added, “Not only is she a seasoned member of our leadership team but she also has been the longest-serving Director of the Office of Alumni Relations, which has equipped her with exceptional subject-matter expertise ideally for this new role.”      
 
Given the heightened focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in recent years, Dr. French said he is pleased that CAU has embraced a unique opportunity this year, establishing the Office of University History, Traditions, and Ceremonials, which he said is backed by the necessity of ensuring that the University’s evolving growth maintains an intentional degree of synergy with the distinguished history, traditions, and ceremonies that make CAU “One Exceptional University.”

Gay-linn E. Gatewood-Jasho (Credit: Clark Atlanta University)


Beginning in 2008 through July 2021, Gatewood-Jasho was CAU’s ambassador to its multi-generational alumni constituents, and she provided supervisory leadership in all alumni activities, programs, and services. Directing the CAU Office of Alumni Relations for more than a decade, Gatewood-Jasho traveled extensively to work with alumni locally and nationally. Signature occasions include: “From Paws to Claws,” a series of alumni-student-networking events that welcomed over 10,000 incoming, first-year students, as well as numerous upper- class students; “CAU on Broadway,” traveling to New York to support Tony Award recipient Kenny Leon’s (CC ’78) directed plays; Golden Sons and Daughters (50thclass reunion) and Legacy Alumni (50-year-plus class reunions), with honoree-enhanced, ceremonial recognition as part of the annual commencement events held in May.
 
“Gay-linn possesses a high degree of second-to-none tenacity in all matters involving CAU’s history, its traditions, and especially its ceremonials,” said Yolanda Thompson (CC ’81), Clinical Chaplain; former Adjunct Professor Mass Media Arts department and former Director of the Office of Public Affairs of the Georgia Department of Corrections. “I am confident she will meet and exceed expectations with this extraordinary opportunity because of her unwavering work ethic.”
 
To date, Gatewood-Jasho has served under the leadership of six Presidents, starting with employment assignments during the terms of the last two Presidents of Clark College.  Among her future initiatives, Gatewood-Jasho said she looks forward to identifying an opportunity to showcase some of the historical papers and documents that reveal how tirelessly devoted CAU Presidential leaders have been to the University’s mission and to their shared commitment to promote the viability of the HBCUs.
 
“I am humbled to be offered such an extraordinary opportunity, and the timing is very exciting to be in this role, helping CAU move forward and build for its future,” said Gatewood-Jasho. “Among HBCUs, our CAU history runs deep. We are the oldest HBCU in the state of Georgia and our more-than-combined 308 years of tenacious passion for education, history, traditions, and ceremonies must be honored and celebrated.”   
 
It is Gatewood-Jasho’s longevity of over 35 years of service to the institution, her reputation for integrity and commitment to CAU’s alumni and programs that one alumni leader perceives will prove invaluable as Gatewood-Jasho begins her new role. Working in conjunction with the Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association, Inc. (CAUAA, Inc.) was vital. While the Office of Alumni Relations has diligently supported 40,000-plus alumni each year to ensure their experiences with alumni programs and services are remarkably unforgettable, Gatewood-Jasho also has supported the leadership and work of the national and local chapters of CAUAA, Inc.   

“This is a great fit for Gay-linn to be the first in this new role because she has been so diligent in upholding history and traditions in the Office of Alumni Relations,” said Devin White, National President of CAUAA, Inc. “She is going to do an excellent job for CAU, and nothing but the best will come out of her efforts in this position.”
 
Thompson provided a reminder of one of Gatewood-Jasho’s memorable events demonstrating her well-timed commitment to help foster CAU’s historical relevance: “Gay-linn offered to support a shared initiative between alumni in Judicial professions and their friends, along with Mass Media Arts and Criminal Justice faculty members and their students – and our first Law Day happened and it was tremendously impactful. Gay-linn convened a panel of guest speakers who came to share their expertise and wise counsel: two of our alumni who had integrated The Law School of Emory University during the turbulent 1960s – Judge Marvin Arrington, Sr. (CC ’63) and Judge Clarence Cooper (CC ’63); Attorney Antavius Weems (CAU ’95/’98), an outstanding attorney who has earned national recognition; the renowned Judge Glenda Hatchett; Attorney Patrise Perkins Hooker, the first African American to serve as President of the State Bar of Georgia; and the Dean of The Law School of Emory University, at that time, Professor Robert Schapiro.”
 
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Gatewood-Jasho, who is a 1981 graduate of Clark College, B.A. degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Management, and a 1994 graduate of Clark Atlanta University, M.A. degree in Counseling and Human Development, began her career at her undergraduate institution in 1986 as the Office Manager in Alumni Relations, followed by other positions that increased the scope of her knowledge and insight of the University community, which included: Reunion Project Coordinator/Manager of Data System in Alumni Relations; Director of the Department of Community Services; and Director of the Department for Students with Disabilities.
 
Previously, Gatewood-Jasho, who is a consecrated Diaconal Minister of the United Methodist Church, served as a visiting lecturer and interpretation specialist for the All Africa Conference of Churches in Nairobi, Kenya. During this two-year assignment, Jasho worked with representatives of 13 nations in Africa.

Howard University Announces Hybrid Homecoming

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This year’s homecoming at Howard University has been highly-anticipated, but anyone who has planned to go should know that there are now plans for a unique hybrid version of events. The good news is that the staple football game against the Howard University Bison and Norfolk State University Spartans will still take place! However, unfortunately homecoming favorites like yard fest will be cancelled. Howard will be adding some virtual events to still keep things fun. Get the full details in a recent statement from The Office of University Communications below, with more information to come.

Credit: Jeff Greenberg/Getty

While we planned for a fully in-person Homecoming, we must remain vigilant to the changing health conditions due to COVID-19. Therefore, we have decided that Homecoming will be hybrid this year.

Our Homecoming football game will continue to take place in-person on Saturday, October 23 in Greene Stadium at 1 p.m. EDT against the Norfolk State University Spartans. Because the health and safety of our Howard community is our priority, it would be unwise for us to hold large gatherings this year. Unfortunately, this means that tailgate and yard fest, among other in-person events, will not take place.

With the assistance of Student Life, we remain focused on planning exciting and informative hybrid events that will celebrate our students and alumni. Kick off to our Homecoming celebrations will begin Saturday, October 16. In-person events outside of the football game will be limited to current students. Howard University’s Department of Alumni Relations and the Howard University Alumni Association will be partnering on a series of virtual alumni engagement activities to celebrate Homecoming. The University will require health and safety precautions at all in-person events; those details along with the event theme, robust schedule of virtual event and further information regarding Homecoming will be announced at a later date.

Fisk University Receives $2.5M Gift To Establish Risk Management Institute

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In life we all need different types of insurance: health, car, and even renters insurance. Yet many bright students miss opportunities to work in the insurance industry, which is something the R.I.S.E. Opportunity Foundation wants to change. Learn more about how a $2.5 million gift from the foundation will support the establishment of a new risk management institute at Fisk University in the official release below.

Credit: Fisk University

Fisk University is thrilled to announce a $2,500,000 gift from the R.I.S.E. Opportunity Foundation to support the development of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Risk Management Institute. The Institute will focus on preparing Fisk students for outstanding careers in the insurance industry. Over the past five years, Fisk has strategically emphasized the importance of educating the next generation of c-suite executives and business leaders. “The insurance industry provides so many exciting opportunities, and we look forward to seeing Fisk students assume leadership roles within Ryan Specialty and across the industry,” said Michael Blackshear, Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer (Ryan Specialty Group). “This institute is a bold and innovative approach to addressing a need within the insurance industry, and the foundational gift will include faculty, student and programmatic support,” said Patrick Phillips, CEO of the R.I.S.E. Opportunity Foundation.

For the past five years, Fisk has experienced record enrollment and fundraising numbers. More and more students are interested in business and now with this Institute, Fisk will provide students a significant advantage vis a vis careers in the insurance industry. The Institute will include courses in risk management and actuarial sciences as well as specific leadership programing from executives in the industry. “We are so excited about this Institute and what it will do for our students, said Fisk President Vann Newkirk. “Fisk has positioned itself as a leading institution in terms of the next generation of c-suite executives and business leaders, and our students are continually looking for opportunities.”

According to Jens Frederiksen Executive Vice President, “Fisk has established a host of elite corporate partnerships to offer our amazing students all the support and exposure required for them to excel at the highest levels. This investment from the R.I.S.E. Foundation and the Ryan family is game-changing, and we are beyond grateful.”

Inaugural Tech Conference for HBCUs to Expand Access to Tech Careers

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Presented by HP, supported by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, and Microsoft

HP is proud to team up with sponsors Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, and Microsoft to present the inaugural HBCU Technology Conference 2021. Throughout the month of September, HBCU students, faculty, administration, and staff have the opportunity to attend the virtual conference “Tradition, Excellence, Transformation: Empowering HBCUs To Meet 21st Century Student Needs,” designed to inspire digital transformation and accelerate digital equity through impactful learning and intentional networking! 

Credit: stock

Lesley Slaton Brown, chief diversity officer at HP Inc., shared the value of this inaugural conference by saying, “The diverse talent that HBCUs foster are integral to driving innovation not just in the tech industry but across all sectors. Diversity is a business imperative; when we attract and nurture people from diverse backgrounds and increase their representation in the workplace, we can strengthen the company’s long-term growth.” Additionally, she shared, “We look forward to building on our existing partnerships with HBCUs to raise the bar and put together this one-of-a-kind initiative that can help build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive society where HBCU students have equal access to opportunity and their institutions are armed with the knowledge needed to unlock transformational growth.”

The opportunities for students are endless. During registration, students will be able to upload their resume to HP. When each student registers and attends the symposium, they’re entered in a raffle for the chance to win one of three HP OMEN laptops. Learn about HP and Microsoft  internship opportunities and hear valuable discussions about topics such as digital transformation and automation. Learn more about “Tech In The Music Industry,” from Warner Music Group/Atlantic Records executives who will be participating in two of the conference sessions as well.

Faculty, staff, and administration will be able to unpack their career and learn from industry leaders and  HBCU colleagues who can share best practices. The “President’s Roundtable,” features HBCU presidents from Delaware State University, Savannah State University, Clark Atlanta University,  J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College, and Tougaloo College who will discuss how to prepare Black college students for work in the future. Savannah State University President Kimberly Ballard-Washington emphasized the value of the conference, saying, “The HBCU Technology Conference will open and expand opportunities for teaching, learning, collaborating, mentoring and internships not only for our students, faculty and staff, but for all HBCUs. This event is a wonderful collaboration between HP and HBCUs, helping to prepare the students to have a career in various technology sectors and providing the digital transformation needed now and in the future.” 

Learn more about the inaugural HBCU Technology Conference 2021, presented by HP, and be sure to register today.

Howard Alumna Dr. Ashley Jordan Becomes New President, CEO of African American Museum

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After a yearlong search, Howard University alumna Dr. Ashley Jordan has been tapped as the new President and CEO African American Museum in Philadelphia! Learn more about her and why she’s so excited to step into her position in the Philadelphia Inquirer article by Stephan Salisbury below.

Ashley Jordan named new president of African American Museum of Philadelphia. (Credit: Alejandro A. Alvarez/The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Ashley Jordan, former senior director of development at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, has been named president and chief executive of the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the museum announced Wednesday.

She succeeds Patricia Aden, who left the museum almost exactly a year ago to take up the reins of the Blues Foundation in Memphis.

Sabrina Brooks, chair of AAMP’s board of directors, said the museum was “thrilled” by the arrival of Jordan, 37, who has “a well-rounded experience as a manager, curator, and professor of African American studies [that] make her uniquely qualified to lead our esteemed institution.”

Jordan began in her new position Tuesday.

For her part, Jordan characterized AAMP as “a crown jewel in the region that I believe will transform into a world-class destination by focusing on education, engagement, and expansion.”

During the pandemic, the African American Museum has been operating at a much-reduced capacity but has bolstered its online offerings and maintained its financial stability. (Currently the museum, in Center City at 701 Arch St., is open Thursday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

The emergence of the museum’s online presence is something Jordan said she wanted to make use of going forward.

“Our hope is that we’ll be able to reach more people through the use of a virtual platform, that we can engage more people to create more awareness about the museum and the sense that if you can’t be with us physically, you can also connect with us on our virtual platform,” Jordan said in an interview Wednesday. “So through education, engagement, and expansion we are hoping to make the museum a regional destination.”

Jordan said she is interested in the museum’s presence within the cultural life of the city.

(Credit: Emma Lee/WHYY)

“The museum has played an integral role, basically, in the creation and the preservation of African American voices here in Philadelphia,” Jordan said. The role of the city in “the founding of our nation,” the broader story of freedom, “the work that we’re doing in civil rights” — all is fair game for AAMP programming, she said.

“That’s the part that I’m most excited about considering is our work to add to these stories about freedom,” said Jordan.

A native of Ohio, Jordan has served as executive director of the Evansville African American Museum in Indiana and has held curatorial positions with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati and the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio. In addition to her museum work, Jordan served as an adjunct professor for North Central State College in Mansfield, Ohio.

She received her doctorate in U.S. history from Howard University and her B.A. in political science from Kent State.

“For us to tell the complete narrative of African American history, we have to show the robust influences that African American history has had on music … as well as food so we’re looking forward to expanding our offerings as a museum beyond the art world, just to show a more balanced narrative, the multifaceted side of African American history,” she said.

Tiffany & Co. Releases More Details On Promised HBCU Scholarships

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Today more details were released by Tiffany & Co. after the company promised to donate $2 million last month. 5 HBCUs have been hand-picked to be eligible for the scholarships: They are Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Norfolk State University, Bennett College, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Central State University. Get the full story by Miles Socha at WWD below.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé are ambassadors for Tiffany & Co (Courtesy of Tiffany)

Tiffany & Co., which pledged $2 million in scholarship funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in tandem with its “About Love” campaign featuring Beyoncé and Jay-Z, has named the five beneficiaries, which include private and state schools.

They are Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Norfolk State University in Virginia, Bennett College in North Carolina, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Central State University in Ohio.

Tiffany noted that the scholarship program is in partnership with Beyoncé’s BeyGood foundation and Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation. Founded in 2013, the philanthropic BeyGood has forged partnerships supporting education, health, housing, water scarcity, disaster relief and more. The Shawn Carter Foundation, established in 2003, helps individuals facing socioeconomic hardships to further their education.

For the new About Love Scholarships, students must qualify for financial aid as determined by their school, and it’s open to incoming and current students in history, communications and such creative fields as visual arts, media, performance and design. Applications, handled online by each participating school, open on Sept. 10 and close on Sept. 26.

According to Tiffany, priority will be given to students who are facing financial hardships, with scholarship amounts based on need.

Commenting on the new scholarships, Brenda A. Allen, president of Lincoln University, noted the school places a high priority on the arts and humanities. “Providing financial support for students pursuing these majors enhances their ability to more fully engage their studies,” she said.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities “have served as an integral part of Black culture for over 150 years, and as an iconic American brand, Tiffany & Co. is proud to acknowledge, support and highlight historic and present Black influences that have been fundamental in shaping our current narrative,” the company said in a statement. “Rooted in the critical need to support the next generation, the Tiffany & Co. About Love Scholarship program expands access and creates opportunities for students within the very institutions that shape art and culture.”

Jay-Z and Beyoncé in the new Tiffany campaign. - Credit: Courtesy Photo/Mason Poole for Tiffany & Co.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé in the new Tiffany campaign. (Credit: Courtesy Photo/Mason Poole for Tiffany & Co.)

Courtesy Photo/Mason Poole for Tiffany & Co.

WWD exclusively revealed the first image of the campaign with the Carters on Aug. 23. It also features a never-before-seen painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat and the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond.

Now controlled by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Tiffany is putting major firepower behind the yearlong campaign, which includes a short film that depicts Beyoncé singing “Moon River” to her husband. It’s destined for significant exposure in the coming months, including a takeover of all the digital billboards in New York’s Times Square.

Howard University Partially Reopens After Ransomware Attack

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Howard University is allowing some students, faculty, and staff back on campus after a ransomware attack was caught last Friday. Tuesday classes were canceled as a result. While the reopening is in part good news, Howard officials are warning it’s not all over just yet. Get more information from the Howard official updates below.

(Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

The following operational status will be in place for faculty, staff and students during this phase of our emergency management response:

Students:

  • Students enrolled in exclusively in-person classes should report to campus.
  • Undergraduate hybrid and online courses remain suspended for tomorrow, September 9.
  • Graduate/professional students taking online/hybrid courses should remain remote and continue to access those courses remotely. (This instructional modality has typically been through Zoom or Microsoft Teams.) 

All Faculty:

  • Researchers are allowed to be on campus to continue their research. ETS will continue meeting in segmented clusters with various researchers according to the data asset class. 
  • Faculty convening face-to-face courses should come to campus to continue teaching their classes. Please note that any lecture content that requires online activity will not be accessible if you are on campus and are reliant on the Howard network or VPN access. If you have a hotspot or MiFi, you will be able to access your signal. 
  • Faculty who teach undergraduate hybrid and online courses should remain remote, as no WiFi is available in 6 out of 8 dorms on campus. (Our residential students use campus WiFi to connect to our network). Online and hybrid courses remain suspended for tomorrow, September 9. 
  • Faculty who teach graduate/professional online/hybrid courses should remain remote, and students can continue to access those courses remotely. (This instructional modality has typically been through Zoom or Microsoft Teams.)
  • If your office is open to students, in-person meetings are allowed.  

Staff:

  • All staff who can perform their duties without being logged into the Howard University network must come to work.
  • No University offices should be closed, regardless of the network status. 
  • All essential staff will report to campus per their usual schedules. 

COVID-19 Testing Centers are Open:

  • Student COVID-19 testing will continue in the Blackburn Center. Students will continue to receive an email notification instructing them on when they should get tested. 
  • Blackburn testing site for students is open from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Faculty/Staff testing will continue in suite 3600 of the Hospital Towers building led by the Faculty Practice Plan. 
  • Hospital Towers testing site for faculty/staff is open from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. CRITICAL NOTE:

As ETS works to contain the environment, we will intentionally be disrupting services to the University. We will do our best to communicate ETS actions ahead of time. However, realistically we may not be able to do so. We ask that you stay vigilant and understanding to this highly dynamic situation. 

Please be ready to act when prompted. 

We appreciate your continued patience and cooperation with the University as we continue our community-wide response to the recent cyberattack. In partnership with our technology system vendors and law enforcement officials, ETS continues its work in investigating and mitigating compromised systems and services. 

UPDATES:

We are continuing our full assessment of all University academic, communications, and service systems for vulnerabilities. Our response committees are currently developing an isolated server environment that will allow protected online and hybrid instruction.

Faculty, staff, and students should soon expect audits concerning devices and access credentials associated with University work and operations. These audits will require sweeping of phones, laptops, and other digital work tools, which may be susceptible to data breaching. All University usernames, email addresses and other login credentials will be verified for authenticity, access privileges, and activity.

We will continue to keep you updated on expected timelines for the restoration of campus wireless access. We are working on standing up WiFi in the safest environment possible. 

MVSU Alum Becomes First Woman To Coach Her Former High School’s Boys Basketball Team

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Janee’ Ford has enjoyed two things over the years: education and basketball. After graduating high school, she attended Mississippi Valley State University, and is currently set to graduate later this year from Jackson State University. Her love of basketball lead her somewhere she never thought she would be: back at her old high school, making history as the boy’s basketball team’s first female coach. Learn more about her inspiring story in the MVSU release below.

Janee’ Ford was not trying to make history when it was announced that she would be the new head coach of the Greenville High School boys basketball.

Ford became the first-ever woman to lead the boys’ basketball team in the school’s history, which was established in 1866. In addition, she is likely the first-ever woman to coach a high school boys basketball team in the Mississippi Delta.  

“I just want to coach young student-athletes,” she said. “Whether it is boys or girls, my goal is the same. I want to teach them the skills they need to not just succeed in the classroom but life.”

While Ford, 32. was not looking to break down this particular barrier, she said she certainly understands its significance and the responsibility that comes with it. 

“It means a lot, especially because I graduated from here,” Ford said. “I sat in these same chairs that the young girls are sitting in now. I am doing something for the young girls at Matty Akin Elementary and Trigg Elementary. I am showing them that if they want to coach a boy’s team, it is possible. I am showing them that whatever they want to do in life is possible. I would have never imagined this moment to have happened, but it has.” 

Greenville Public School District Superintendent Debra Dace and Greenville High School Principal Tarrinasha Jones collaborated to hire Ford and athletic director Michael Banks. After an extensive search, Ford was the obvious person for the coaching position.

A big factor in hiring Ford, said Dace, was that Ford had recently spent five years coaching the boy’s basketball team at Coleman Middle School. A number of the boys Ford coached in middle school are expected to play on the Greenville High basketball team.

“We took into account the work she has done in the past, serving as the head boys basketball coach at Coleman Middle School. The last two years she has coached at Coleman, I have seen the passion, the drive, and the dedication she has for student-athletes,” said Dace.

“I also think hiring her sends a great message to our students. It tells them that if you have a dream, you should continue to pursue that dream. You have to continue to work hard despite what anyone says, and eventually, you will knock down some of the barriers that exist.”

Ford said her ongoing relationship with the players on the team was a big reason she applied for the position.

“I have been in the gym with these kids since they were sixth grades,” she said. “I have coached them, and I have also taught them in the classroom. They are all student-athletes. The game of basketball has no gender.

Ford said she expects to have tryouts for the team in the coming weeks. Greenville High School is currently on a virtual schedule because of COVID-19. However, students are expected to return to campus on Sept. 8.

The Greenville High School basketball teams missed an entire season last year because of COVID-19.

Ford played basketball at Greenville-Weston High School from 2003-2007. She graduated from Mississippi Valley State University in 2013, and she is expected to receive her master’s degree from Jackson State University later this year.

Ford replaces Delmar Sprouse, who announced in March that he was stepping down. Sprouse spent five years at the helm of the Hornets and, in his last two years, led the team to back-to-back playoff appearances, including a trip to the state tournament in Jackson in 2018.

Ford said she knows there will be pressure to succeed in her trailblazing role.

“There is always pressure to succeed as a coach,” she said. “My male counterparts will have pressure as well because we are all coaching to win our district and then go to the state playoffs.

FAMU Choir’s Performance Of ‘Lift Every Voice’ Will Be First Live Rendition In NFL Stadium

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Florida A&M University‘s FAMU Marching “100” Band and FAMU Concert Choir are heading to support the Tampa Bay Bucaneers at one of the first NFL games of the season. Learn how they are making history in the process in the release below by Maggie Duffy at the Tampa Bay Times below.

The FAMU Concert Choir will perform at Raymond James Stadium for the NFL season kickoff game between the Buccaneers and the Cowboys on Sept. 9, 2021. [Courtesy of FAMU]

They perform before the Bucs play the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 9.

As anticipation builds for the NFL’s season kickoff game between reigning Super Bowl champs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys, Florida A&M University announced its FAMU Marching “100” Band and FAMU Concert Choir will be performing in Tampa as part of the festivities.

The choir will sing Lift Every Voice and Sing before the game Sept. 9 at Raymond James Stadium. Alicia Keys sang the song, known as the Black national anthem, in a video that was aired during the NFL season kickoff game last year. It hasn’t been performed live in an NFL stadium before. Keys’ video, with updated elements, will play on the videoboards at Raymond James Stadium, then transition to the FAMU Concert Choir’s live performance.

The national anthem will be performed by Michelle Williams, formerly of the R&B supergroup Destiny’s Child.

Fifty members of the “100″ marching band will perform at the 2021 NFL Kickoff Experience, held at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa, before the game at 6 p.m. Ed Sheeran will headline the event, which begins at noon and includes football-themed interactive games, photo opportunities and other activities throughout the day.

“Our Marching 100 members will remind American football fans what it means to be the best band in the land,” director of band Shelby Chipman said in a news release. “We will give them a treat. We are honored to be invited to perform.”

2021 NFL Kickoff Experience performances will air on NBC, Peacock and during the NFL Network’s pregame coverage. A full stream will be available on the NFL’s Facebook page, nfl.com and the NFL app. The Bucs-Cowboys game will be streamed live via nbcsports.com, the NBC Sports app, nfl.com and the NFL app.

Admission to the NFL Kickoff Experience is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The NFL OnePass app is required for admission and is available at nfl.com/kickoff/2021.

Tickets for the game are available at ticketmaster.com. The Raymond James Stadium ticket office is only open on event days. On Sept. 9 the ticket office will open at 5:20 p.m. and is located in the South Plaza between gates C and D.

N.C. A&T Announces Changes To Homecoming Festivities

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GHOE, also known as the Greatest Homecoming on Earth at North Carolina A&T State University, will be taking place with a few modifications due to COVID-19. Learn about what’s canceled, whether vaccinations are required, and how the university still plans to keep things fun in the full story from the official N.C. A&T release by Tom Simmons below.

Credit: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

With planning for the Greatest Homecoming on Earth underway, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has updated safety guidelines for all outdoor and indoor events.

Homecoming festivities will take place for students and alumni during the week of Oct. 24-31.

In an effort to manage overcrowding at events, the university has cancelled the parade, Aggie Fan Fest, and the annual Student Activities-sponsored Greek cookout. Gathering at the Greek plots will be considered an unsanctioned activity and will be discouraged. Any unsanctioned activity in the plot area could result in chapter sanctions. Anyone who assembles at the plots will assume any COVID-19 risks associated with gathering.

The N.C. A&T Department of Athletics will require fans to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for all home football games this fall, including Homecoming. Fans should be prepared to provide proof of vaccination either via the original vaccination card or a printed or digital copy. In the absence of that proof, they must show they have received a negative COVID-19 diagnostic PCR test within 72-hours of the event they seek to attend.

Unvaccinated fans under 12 years of age will be required to take a COVID-19 diagnostic test within 72-hours before the event and must provide proof of a negative result before entering the game zone.

For student and alumni events taking place on campus, the same protocols will be followed for the step show and homecoming concerts, requiring proof of vaccination and/or negative COVID-19 test results.

For events taking place at the Greensboro Coliseum, a mask will be required to be worn for the duration of the event. Failure to comply with any requirements of the venue may result in a patron’s removal from the event without a refund. 

“The leadership of the university understands that Aggie Pride is strong, and we are working diligently every day to make sure that the safety of our students and alumni are top of mind,” said Teresa M. Davis, associate vice chancellor for alumni relations. “Aggies, let’s do our part and keep everyone safe by getting vaccinated or showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test.”

Time still remains to get vaccinated prior to the start of homecoming. Those interested in getting vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 are encouraged to make an appointment at your nearest health department or local hospital. COVID-19 testing and vaccination takes place every day at North Carolina A&T for students and employees. Vaccination and testing are available on Tuesdays at the North Carolina A&T Alumni Foundation Event Center, 200 N. Benbow Road. No appointment is necessary, and walk-ins are welcome.

Please note: All homecoming activities are subject to change. Any revisions to the information above will be shared in a timely manner.

Bethune-Cookman Computer Engineering Program Accreditation Extended To 2027

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The ABET accreditation organization has declared that Bethune-Cookman University‘s computer engineering program is excelling enough to be accredited for 6 more years! Learn more about the exciting news, which students are being thanked for, in the B-CU release below.

It was a banner day for the team that comprises the B-CU College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics as they received an extension of accreditation from ABET, or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Originally accredited in 2013, the Computer Engineering Program has been lauded as producing well-qualified, and highly sought-after students. Graduate programs and industries all across the country come knocking for our fine students.

B-CU Provost Dr. William Berry shared his excitement. “I am delighted for the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics team and, of course, for our fine computer engineering students. The extended accreditation by ABET reaffirms B-CU’s quest for academic excellence for our students. A special thank you to Dr. Herbert Thompson, Dr. Morrison Obeng, Dr. Amed Badi, and the ABET accreditation team for all of their tremendous work during the accreditation process.” 

We are so proud of our remarkable students who rose to the accreditation challenge. Dr. Herbert Thompson, Interim Dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics expressed “It is the students themselves who are most responsible for this achievement as they represent what is good about the program and the university. Their willingness to enthusiastically learn and grow within this most challenging area of study was readily apparent during the ABET site visit. We are eternally grateful for the opportunity to work with such fine representatives of what Bethune-Cookman University can produce.”

Dr. Thompson, beaming with pride, also thanked B-CU Provost Dr. William Berry, Co-Provost, Dr. Roberta Troy, Dr. Morrison Obeng, Professor Emeritus and program founder, and Dr. Amed Badi, Chair of the Department of Computer Engineering for all of their support and assistance during the process.

Delaware State President Tony Allen Chosen To Head Biden’s HBCU Board

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Delaware State University President Tony Allen has been chosen for a prestigious position working with the President of the United States! Allen previously served as President Joe Biden’s former speechwriter, and will now chair his Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)! Get the full story from Katie Tabeling at Delaware Business Times below.

Delaware State University President Tony Allen has been appointed by President Joe Biden to chair the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Tony Allen | Photo Courtesy of Delaware State University

The role would guide the board’s efforts to directly advise the Biden administration on legislative, regulatory and funding solutions related to HBCUs as well as policy-making efforts to eliminate barriers the colleges face. Allen and the board will also be tasked to issue an annual federal plan that includes support from the federal government and outlines recommendations to include the private sector.

Allen is a longtime friend to the president, and a former speechwriter for Biden when he served as a U.S. senator from Delaware. He also assisted in planning the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which was officially held in Milwaukee but was largely completed in Wilmington, and later oversaw the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

“I am humbled to chair the President’s Board of Advisors for Historically Black Colleges and Universities … the president has been an advocate for DSU since the early 1970s, and [Vice President Kamala Harris] is a Howard University graduate,” Allen said in a prepared statement “They know what an undervalued treasure our 100 plus HBCUs represent, and they’re taking action.”

Allen became president of DSU in 2020, after serving as provost and executive vice president since July 2017. He also has a strong, diverse background in the private and nonprofit sectors, including serving as the managing director of corporate reputation at Bank of America and co-founding the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and Public Allies Delaware. Allen also led public education reform efforts in Delaware’s school system.

He has leveraged these relationships to take DSU to a new level in the past year, including raising $40 million in fundraising efforts and appearing on several national news outlets. Allen has overseen DSU’s acquisition of Wesley College, which settled earlier this summer, and has expanded the university’s northern Delaware campus to host a molecular diagnostic lab on Kirkwood Highway. 

Next, DSU plans to repurpose a former Capital One office on the Wilmington Riverfront for its graduate, adult and continuing education programs.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund President and CEO Harry Williams, who was president of DSU for eight years before Allen, heralded the announcement as a new chapter for HBCUs, as Allen’s background might make it possible to continue forging partnerships to fortify these institutions.

“Dr. Allen’s executive experience in both the private sector and the higher education space has imbued him with an intimate understanding of the strengths of our institutions, the areas of needed attention and investment, and a unique insight into how the federal government and corporate America alike can partner with our institutions to bridge the divides that exist,” Williams said in a prepared statement.

HBCUs graduate roughly 350,000 students per year, representing almost 20% of all Black college graduates in America. The Biden administration has reportedly made major financial commitments  to HBCUs through the American Rescue Plan and forgiving capital improvement debt up to $3.6 billion. 

Allen’s appointment to the board signals “strong leadership at the head of the board [which] will allow the administration to build on that financial commitment with continued institutional support,” according to the White House announcement.

Among Allen’s and the board’s chief goals is to build support for the passage of the Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology and Education [IGNITE] at HBCUs Act, which creates funding for construction, renovating, preserving or modernizing school facilities and more.

Noting that a majority of Black professionals with advanced degrees got their start at colleges like South Carolina State and Dillard, Allen said it’s time to invest more in students to pave the way for their future success.

“We provide the nation’s best high-quality, low-cost education, but we also face tremendous challenges. Large numbers of our students come from families with limited financial means, while our infrastructure is both insufficient and antiquated. President Biden and Vice President Harris understand this like no other administration ever, I think,” he said.

Inaugural Carolinas Football Classic Presented By Pepsi Was A Weekend Of Surprises

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The HBCU Buzz Tailgate Takeover Was Star-Studded

Over the Labor Day holiday weekend, the inaugural Carolinas Football Classic presented by Pepsi featured two HBCUs that hadn’t competed since 1966: the Benedict College (BC) Tigers versus the Allen University Yellow Jackets. As with any HBCU football game, there were plenty of events outside of the field and HBCU Buzz was onsite to capture it all!

Photo Courtesy of Benedict College

HBCU scholars were the real winners of the weekend, as over $100,000 dollars in scholarships were awarded. Three students split $8,000 in winnings thanks to their innovative ideas presented in the 3rd Annual Think Big Now Benedict College Pitch Competition. The first place winner, Taylor Foulks, won $4,500 for the idea to create a Benedict College app to help students navigate the HBCU campus. Emori Mitchell earned second place and a $2,500 scholarship for a Service-Learning Center idea. Then the third place winner, Jahaveed George won a $1,000 scholarship for pitching a student garden that would provide fresh produce. 

Pepsi, the title sponsor of the event, donated $200,000 in support of the Classic as well as BC scholarships, the Benedict College Band of Distinction, and programs. “Pepsi is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor for the 2nd Annual Carolinas Football Classic,” said Pepsi Market Director Kourtney Moody as she presented BC President Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis with the check. She continued, “The Carolinas is the birthplace of Pepsi, and we have a long history of supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We have enjoyed a great partnership with Benedict College for over 20 plus years and we are happy to support their programs and to provide scholarships for students.”

The energy was high all weekend at the Columbia, South Carolina festivities, but Saturday’s events surrounding the game really took the cake. The morning began with the Mayor’s Brunch, where fans and community members enjoyed food, networking, and an appearance from City of Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. 

At the HBCU Buzz Tailgate Takeover, special guests Rocsi Diaz (E! News), Darren “Big Baby” Brand (Wild ‘N Out), and TV personality Krystal Garner turned the student body up before kickoff. Celebrity DJ and Jae Murphy kept the music pumping, with enough tunes to hold fans over until the upcoming halftime show featuring the Benedict College Band of Distinction and the Allen University Band of Gold. 

The game between the BC Tigers and AU Fighting Yellow Jackets at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium was highly contentious and hard to look away from! BC President Dr. Artis shared her excitement, “the Carolinas Football Classic was the next best thing to Homecoming!” Benedict College ultimately won the game with a score of 45-12, allowing the HBCU to claim a 56-year winning streak against Allen University. Dr. Artis continued, “what a wonderful opportunity to bring together two neighboring HBCUs along with our alumni, students and fans all in the name of scholarship and sportsmanship.” 

Happy 150+ anniversary to the Benedict College Tigers.