Art is life, and Spelman College has chosen a new executive director for its Museum of Fine Art! Learn about who she is and how she will lead the museum toward more success in the article below.
Credit: Spelman College Museum of Fine Art
Spelman College announces artist, curator, and museum professional Liz Andrews, Ph.D., as the new executive director of the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. A gifted museum professional at the intersection of the arts and social justice who has worked in colleges and arts organizations across the nation, Dr. Andrews will begin leading the Museum on August 2, 2021.
“For decades, the Spelman Museum has celebrated art by women of African descent. We are thrilled to welcome a museum professional as talented as Dr. Andrews to lead the important curatorial and education work at the Museum,” said Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., president of Spelman. “Her social justice scholarship, embrace of innovative technologies and appreciation for interdisciplinary collaborations make her the right leader at the right time for the future of the only museum in the country that is dedicated to work created by Black women.”
With a dedication to artists and re-envisioning art history, Dr. Andrews’ scholarly work is focused on the intersection of art and social justice. Her dissertation, “Envisioning President Barack Obama,” focused on the role of visual images in the 2008 election of Barack Obama as the nation’s 44th president. She argues that elections are about more than voting for leaders; they are battlegrounds upon which cultural values are visualized and contested.
“I am honored to take on this role at such an exciting time for the arts at Spelman College and a moment of great change for museums, arts and culture,” said Dr. Andrews, who has spent the last five years as the executive administrator in the Director’s Office of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. At LACMA, she expanded her role to collaborate on projects and priorities across museum departments, including diversity and inclusion efforts and curating exhibitions.
This fall, Dr. Andrews will open two shows at LACMA with co-curator Christine Y. Kim: the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s “Obama Portraits Tour” and a companion exhibition, “Black American Portraits.” Her other curatorial projects at LACMA included “Alex Prager: Farewell, Work Holiday Parties” (2020), and two Augmented Reality Monuments: Glenn Kaino’s “No Finish Line” (2021) and Ada Pinkston’s “The Open Hand is Blessed” (2021).
Liz Andrews, Spelman College
“At LACMA, Liz Andrews has blended her effective administrative skills with her creative academic and curatorial work to focus on social justice and equity as a path to the future of art museums,” said LACMA CEO and Director Michael Govan. “She is herself on a path to help shape our field.”
Dr. Andrews’ career is defined by a long-standing commitment to engaging undergraduate students through research and the arts. Prior to LACMA, she was a doctoral student at George Mason University, where she co-taught the multi-year Mason Science of Diversity Project. After graduating, she continued to engage with undergraduate students as a guest instructor in Art History at George Mason. Her classes challenged students to reconsider the roles of art in society and develop critical research projects. While working as an administrator in the Department of Photography & Imaging at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, Dr. Andrews advised students and organized public conferences on Black figures and beauty.
A native of Denver, Colorado, Dr. Andrews attributes her commitment to social justice to her father, attorney Irving P. Andrews. She holds a B.A. in American studies from Wesleyan University, a M.A. in arts politics from the Tisch School of the Arts, and a Ph.D. in cultural studies from George Mason University.
The debate team at Wiley College has found amazing support in the Denzel Washington Family Foundation. $1 million is heading towards the team’s way over a decade to help them keep up with the history that the team has established since the 1930s. Read the release from Wiley below to learn about how the funds will be dispersed, and how it will make a difference at Wiley.
Credit: Wiley College
Award-winning actor Denzel Washington’s family foundation has made the fourth $100,000 installment toward a $1 million commitment to support student members of the legendary Wiley College debate team.
The historically Black college in Marshall, Texas is home of “The Great Debaters,” which became popularized by a 2007 film Washington directed and starred in as Professor Melvin B. Tolson, the legendary Wiley debate team coach who led the college on a 10-year winning streak in the 1930s and pioneered interracial collegiate debates during the Jim Crow era.
“Supporting the next generation of brilliant minds in the art of debate at Wiley College will open so many doors of opportunity for these students during college, career, and beyond,” said Denzel Washington, who last visited the campus in 2018 for a debate competition. “We are honored to continue supporting the best and the brightest in the land and look forward to The Great Debaters continuing to do what they do best: win.”
Washington’s family foundation made an initial $1 million commitment in 2007—donating $100,000 per year for a decade—to revive the debate team, which had dissolved after Tolson departed Wiley in 1947. The foundation continued its ten-year $1 million commitment in 2018. Funds are used to recruit debate team members and provide them with scholarships.
“We are grateful for the Washington family’s generosity for 15 years and counting to Wiley College’s phenomenal debate team, which, because of this support, can live out our motto to ‘Go forth Inspired,’” said Wiley College President Dr. Herman J. Felton. “Being a dominant force as home of The Great Debaters makes us a very attractive option for those skilled in debate, and this financial support further amplifies the benefits of becoming a Wiley debate scholar.”
Wiley is located roughly 150 miles east of Dallas and serves just over 800 students, most who are first in their families to attend college and are Pell-grant eligible. The nationally renowned debate team is now called the Melvin B. Tolson/Denzel Washington Forensics Society, named after the legendary coach and the inspirational actor and philanthropist. While they took a break from competing during the pandemic last year, the team of 30 members has consistently won national competitions—including the prestigious Pi Kappa Delta national championship in 2014 and 2016—and will resume competition this fall, under the leadership of coach Caleb Williams.
Jaylon Bolden is a recent graduate of Wiley and was a member of the debate team for the past five years, competing on topics ranging from current events to policy to history. Bolden has been awarded $80,000 in scholarships over the years, thanks to the Washington family’s support, and hopes current and future debate scholars share in the impactful and rewarding experience of being a part of the award-winning team.
“All throughout high school I just knew I was going to play football in college, but we make plans and God laughs. Coming to Wiley to be a part of the Tolson/Washington Forensics Society was divine intervention,” Bolden said. “I was a part of a legacy that was so much bigger than I could ever imagine. Traveling the country to compete on behalf of my college, being a leader on campus, and having it paid for by Mr. Washington, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
The fight for civil rights will always be a global issue, so recently dean and graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff recently traveled to share their thoughts in a presentation. Read about the presentation, called “Catalytic Moments in Movement Building: The Role of Women and Youth Activists in the Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter Movements,” in the article by Will Hehemann below.
This year, the Office of International Programs (OIPS) at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff continued to offer educational programming to governmental and higher education institutions in Japan, said Pamela Moore, associate dean for global engagement at UAPB.
Tim Campbell, a 2015 UAPB alumnus, leads protesters in a march down Capitol Avenue at Little Rock in June 2020 following the killing of George Floyd. During a 2021 presentation for the U.S. Embassy at Tokyo, Campbell spoke about his activism, Black Lives Matter and movement building. (Special to The Commercial/DJ Bruce Bruce)
She and a recent UAPB graduate participated in an event hosted by the U.S. Embassy at Tokyo, presenting on topics including the civil rights and Black Lives Matter movements and women and youth activism.
During the virtual event, Moore and Tim Campbell, a 2015 UAPB alumnus, gave a presentation titled “Catalytic Moments in Movement Building: The Role of Women and Youth Activists in the Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter Movements.” The event was attended by an audience of over 200 Japanese citizens, including students, academics, journalists, representatives of non-governmental agencies and government officials.
Kelsey De Rinaldis, assistant cultural affairs officer for the embassy, said the U.S. Mission in Japan aims to provide its Japanese audiences with authoritative, complete and unbiased information on the U.S. When planning cultural programming, cultural affairs personnel select diverse experts from across the U.S. who can provide the nuanced context necessary to understand current events in America.
“Through our events, we are able to showcase American values like diversity and inclusion, as well as explain U.S. policy,” De Rinaldis said. “We are also telling the American story in a way our audiences may not have heard. This story, personalized by our experts, enables our audiences to relate to the subject and internalize the lessons shared. This unites us over similarities and fosters conversations about how we can collectively benefit from this shared story, culture and history.”
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
The Black Lives Matter movement has gained attention in Japan in recent years, where it has organized protests and founded several chapters.
While there is quite a bit of information in the media about the Black Lives Matter and civil-rights movements in Japan, not all of it is authoritative, complete and unbiased. It is therefore important for Japanese audiences to listen to American experts discussing the situation in the United States, especially those that can speak first-hand to what they have experienced like Moore and Campbell.
Dr. Pamela Moore, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
During the presentation, Moore stressed the personal nature of African American social movements.
“We are talking about a history that has personally defined us and our communities,” she said. “The presentation focused on the concepts of movements and movement building in the context of the struggle for human, social and economic equality throughout African American history in the U.S.”
Campbell spoke about the history of student activism in Little Rock and also addressed movement building in the contemporary context. During his presentation, he detailed how the Black Lives Matter movement started as a simple hashtag and transformed over time into a rallying cry against police brutality towards the African American community.
The movement continued to evolve further, encompassing different groups with different objectives. Today, the official Black Lives Matter organization is decentralized with chapters spread out across the country that focus on social justice issues at the local level.
Campbell, who recently earned a master’s degree at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, spoke about his own experience in movement building. He helped organize protests and marches for justice and equality that took place in Little Rock in June 2020 following the killing of George Floyd and other African Americans during encounters with police.
“I reached out to local allies with community service initiatives who I knew had great platforms,” he said. “After getting in touch with them, we organized three rallies at the state capitol. The rallies stayed safe, and no one was hurt or injured. They provided a healthy space for people who were experiencing hurt and anguish to express themselves.”
His efforts were quickly noticed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who appointed him to serve on the Task Force to Advance the State of Law Enforcement in Arkansas.
The group, which consisted of 20 community leaders, made recommendations to the governor on ways to enhance trust between law enforcement and communities, as well as improvements or changes needed to enhance the profession of law enforcement to ensure compliance with standards. Since it was founded, the task force has made 27 official recommendations to police policy.
“I was able to build a great relationship with Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who was very receptive to the issues and the deep emotions felt at the time,” Campbell said.
GLOBAL ACTIVISM
Campbell also spoke about how the Black Lives Matter movement ignited activism in Europe, Africa and other parts of the world.
He shared a personal anecdote about how the protests in Little Rock ended up inspiring activism in the West African nation of Gambia, where he had served in the Peace Corps for 2½ years. Over the course of the protests in Little Rock, Campbell would post updates, videos and calls to action on social media.
“A close friend in Gambia took notice of what I was posting and reached out to me,” Campbell said. “He asked many questions about what I was doing and why I was doing it, and I explained the issues that Black Americans were facing in relation to policing. My friend quickly felt a passion and an emergence of empathy for the things I was articulating.”
A few days later, Campbell was surprised and gratified when his colleague informed him that he had requested a permit from the U.S. Embassy in Gambia to organize a movement to support the Black Lives Matter cause.
“It wasn’t until three days later that I received a video that brought me nearly to tears,” he said. “I saw my counterparts in the streets of Gambia in front of the U.S. embassy supporting the Black Lives Matter cause and chanting the same chants I would post to my Facebook page.”
During her part of the presentation, Moore emphasized how the goals of particular social movements vary over time and between different communities. For instance, she gave examples of how the civil-rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s was expressed in different ways across the country by different organizations and their leaders.
“The civil-rights movement was quite diverse and decentralized,” she said. “We had nationally-prominent leaders – most of whom were men – who had such power and presence that there was a perception that, for example, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the leader of the movement, when in reality, he led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which was based in Atlanta, Georgia. That organization did have influence, but it was not the only organization engaged during the civil-rights movement.”
Moore explained how organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee operated primarily in the south, emphasizing non-violent strategies and concentrating on voting rights, desegregation and equality and fairness under the law.
National organizations such as the NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, Urban League and Congress of Racial Equality organized and engaged in activism in the south and other parts of the country.
And some organizations, primarily on the coasts or in large urban areas, expressed the struggle for justice in more radical ways. These included the Nation of Islam, All-African People’s Revolutionary Party and the Black Panther Party.
“Most of the time, when it comes to social movements, there are no predetermined formulas that guarantee success,” she said. “Rather, catalytic moments tend to occur and have great effect. It’s important to understand that change may be slow. Sometimes an event can occur and spark reaction years down the road that leads to even greater impact.”
PROMOTING CHANGE
An example of this phenomenon was Fannie Lou Hamer’s iconic attendance at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, Moore said. A civil-rights activist, Hamer helped found the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which challenged the state’s all-white delegation at the convention.
At the time, the National Democratic Party only granted Hamer’s party two seats at the convention. Hamer then made the famous comment on national TV, “We didn’t come all this way for no two seats.”
“That moment may not have seemed so catalytic, but something great happened as result of Hamer’s challenge to the Democratic Party to allow African Americans to participate in party activities,” Moore said. “Although she did not win, the Democratic Party began to integrate its ranks. But for that historic moment at the 1964 convention, I really wonder if we would have had an African American president and vice president and a fearless leader like Stacey Abrams in Georgia.”
De Rinaldis said the UAPB-led program resonated with Japanese audiences, who were able to draw parallels between historical figures in their own history, namely women who played roles in social movements and those who fought for greater equality.
“It was especially relevant as the Black Lives Matter movement continues to gain popularity in Japan, demonstrating the global impact this American movement has had,” she said. “We challenge our Japanese audience to view the success of these American social movements as inspiration and to identify ways in which they can apply these shared lessons to the obstacles they currently face.”
Promoting racial equity and justice is a key priority within U.S. foreign policy, De Rinaldis said.
“What sets America apart is not that we are perfect,” she said. “It’s that we deal with our imperfections and challenges openly to move forward and defend our fundamental values. Systemic racism and injustice are prevalent in America, but they are not exclusive to America … By acknowledging that there is much work to be done by all to achieve equality, justice and inclusion, we are able to have honest conversations with each other and formulate solutions together. There is always much the United States and Japan can learn from each other, so it is paramount that we provide a platform for these conversations.”
Will Hehemann is a writer/editor with the UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences.
Norfolk State University alumnus Michael Chase has come a long way, and he credits his alma mater with his growth. Read the inspiring story from alum Sharon Riddick Hoggard below on how Chase now uses his platform to extend himself to help the next generation of Spartans.
Ask Michael Chase, senior engineer at Netflix and 2012 graduate of NSU, what Norfolk State means to him, and he will tell you that the University faculty instilled in him confidence. “NSU gave me a lot of confidence in the ways I didn’t know I needed,” Chase said. “Confidence is key. It allows you to speak eloquently when you are speaking about your skills.”
That confidence played an important role in a journey that allowed him to take internships and positions from government to large corporations, to traditional industries in the world of finance to high-tech firms willing to carve out new frontiers. At Netflix Inc., the world’s leading entertainment streamingservice companywith 204 million paid memberships in over 190 countries, Chase explained his role as an engineer by saying he unravels challenges and creates solutions. “We solve issues that usually affect large numbers of customers, or partners and solving them with code — just trying to piece together how data flows from our system that ends up with a video playing on your screen or device.”
A DNIMAS (Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences) scholar and computer science major, with a concentration in computer engineering, Chase began forming his confidence by working on projects in labs at Norfolk State. “I worked in the gaming lab with Dr. Rasha Morsi and served as a tutor in the STARS program,” he recalls. “Dr. Morsi is a leader in creative gaming. She really believed in me. She involved me in million dollar contracts and gave me credit for the work. She gave an incredible amount of freedom and trust that I would deliver.”
Chase continued to hone his programming skills by also participating in coding and robotics competitions. “Michael liked to program and was adept at it,” remembers Dr. Thorna Humphries, graduate program director and associate professor of computer science, who had Chase as a student in software engineering and operating systems. “He also participated in ARTSI, a collaborative robotics initiative,” she said. “He liked problems that challenged him in respect to programming. He took pride in the software products that he developed, in particular the one for his senior project. I knew that he would work diligently to become successful in the industry.”
Chase credits these opportunities, internships, faculty and others for helping him to get employment at Netflix. His internships, while at NSU, included two stints at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Department of Commerce where he worked at the IT Help Desk assisting employees with computer issues. Working through the University’s Career Services Center, Chase received assistance in putting together his resume and got wind of an internship opportunity at JP Morgan Chase, the multinational investment bank and financial services holding company based in New York City. He snapped up the internship and worked with databases in the New Jersey office. Chase’s journey, impacted partly by NSU’s Career Services and his internship at JP Morgan Chase, taught him the necessity of giving back.
“My experience with the Career Center and JP Morgan taught me about reaching back, building those bridges so that there is that open communication. After I graduated, and whenever I found opportunities, I made it a point to reach out to Norfolk State however I could. I like to connect students with opportunities to advance their academic success and professional lives.” Discussing his belief in reaching back to help others, Chase mentioned his role in helping to bring the Netflix Boot Camp to NSU. He said he simply spoke up in a meeting of Netflix executives planning a trip to Washington, D.C.andsuggested they visit NSU. “NSU showed up extremely well. The company was convinced that the University would be a great partner because the faculty and students exhibited knowledge and skills. It left an impression.”
Dr. Aurelia Williams, InterimViceProvost for Academic Administration, sought out Chase to participate in the computer science department’s Computer Science External Advisory Board. He grabbed the chance not really knowing initially how he could help. “I saw it as an opportunity to make things happen like the Netflix boot camp. I thought if we could just get NSU exposure to the west coast and Silicon Valley, it would be an immediate match or connection.” Chase served as head of the external advisory board from 2014-2020 and is still a board member. “His role on the board,” said Dr. Claude Turner, professor and computer science department chair, “was instrumental in bringing the Netflix initiative to NSU.”
Chase believes that companies like Netflix wholly embrace diversity and inclusion because they recognize that their customers want to see stories that they can better identify with. “We want to tell stories that entertain the world so people see themselves in these stories. We have to have diversity in the writing room, diversity in the greenlighting room, and diversity in production,” said Chase. “That trickle-down effect is the power of diversity at the company and throughout all levels in the organization. It’s important to make sure that you have a wide array of voices as you’re solving these challenges that affect people all around the world.”
“Morally, it’s the right thing to do. Companies that are more diverse deliver higher revenue and better products.”
An Alabama State University alumnus with strong ties to the university is now taking a lead in its student affairs! Learn more about accomplished alumnus Dr. Derrick Brewster, and how he plans to change operations for the better at ASU in the release by Hazel Scott below!
Two-time Alabama State University graduate, Dr. Derrick Brewster, returns to his alma mater to take the reins as the institution’s new Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Brewster’s hiring was approved on July 6, 2021, by the ASU Board of Trustees.
Brewster, formerly the Associate Dean of Student Services at Troy University, assumed his responsibilities at ASU on July 1.
“I am so blessed and grateful for the opportunity to come back home to The Alabama State University to be a positive resource for our current and future students,” said Brewster, who has more than 20 years of progressive administrative experience in higher education.
ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., said Brewster’s background and accomplishments are ideally suited to lead the division.
“I am pleased to have Dr. Brewster join our leadership team,” said Ross. “Dr. Brewster has a proven record of success in student affairs and enrollment management. He is a highly innovative and student-focused leader. As a two-time alumnus of our beloved University, he embodies the spirit and student experience of O’ Mother Dear. His dedication to his alma mater has remained constant and will only add to his passion to ensure that our students have a great Hornet experience during their time at Alabama State University.”
In his previous position, Brewster worked closely with the senior administration and managed a staff of directors, assistant directors, coordinators and student workers. Prior to serving as the Associate Dean of Student Services, he served as the Assistant Dean, Director of the Trojan Center, Assistant Director of Student Involvement & Leadership and Coordinator of Student Activities, all at Troy.
In this role, the Cuba, Alabama native leads student engagement and wellness initiatives, enrollment management services, and classroom to career initiatives.
“Currently with COVID changes, I consider my vision and goal is to ‘navigate the sea of change’ with a focus on recruitment, retention, campus engagement, community engagement and to shape our students to be great on a daily basis by creating a rich setting for students to learn and grow into individuals ready to compete on a global stage. The ultimate goal with COVID is to make sure our students are able to learn in a safe environment semester to semester. (My objectives include) collaboration with other departments with a focus on what does it mean for our students,” Brewster said.
His first official act is to “meet with my staff, meet with students and LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. (I will) utilize the information that I gain to create departmental goals/objectives for the remainder of 2021 and for 2022.”
During Brewster’s professional career, he has been dedicated to providing educational opportunities to college-aged students with a particular focus on minority students. His numerous collegiate experiences range from providing programs within intramural sports and coordinating events on campus to serving as an administrator on a college campus.
Brewster said these experiences, coupled with his dedication to higher education, have afforded him the opportunity to assist thousands of students in realizing their educational goals and to mentor countless students.
”Working with and for the students is my daily passion. I truly love student engagement, student empowerment, particularly, mentoring opportunities,” he pointed out. “ I enjoy getting in the classroom particularly to meet first semester students, whereby I can establish a meaningful relationship and be a positive resource to those students until they graduate.”
Brewster received both his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees from ASU and his master’s from Troy University.
He has won numerous awards and honors, sits on several boards of directors and professional organizations and is an active community leader.
Brewster has strong family ties to ASU – his wife, Michelle, aunt and a host of cousins attended the University.
“I currently have a nephew enrolled in his third year at ASU,” he said.
Brewster and his wife have two children — Omari (22) and Jayla (19).
Southern University at Shreveport and Wiley College will both be receiving substantial social and racial justice grants thanks to American Electric Power Foundation! Read the full story below from local KTAL staff to learn how the schools plan to assist their communities with the funds.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP
Two historically black colleges in the ArkLaTex have been awarded thousands of dollars in grant money from the American Electric Power Foundation, according to SWEPCO.
The Southern University at Shreveport and Wiley College both received $250,000 grants as part of the foundation’s Delivering on the Dream: Social and Racial Justice grant program.
The utility company says the program is a five-year, $5 million commitment to fund organizations with programs dedicated to advancing social and racial justice in communities served by SWEPCO’s parent company, AEP. The company is encouraging its workforce to make personal commitments as allies and to act as catalysts for change.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion continue to be critical components of our company culture, but the past year has proven we still have work to do, both at AEP and in our communities,” said Janelle Coleman, vice president, Philanthropy and Community Engagement, and president of the AEP Foundation.
“The Delivering on the Dream grant program puts our words into action. AEP and its Foundation are proud to partner with these organizations dedicated to empowering equity for our customers, neighbors, and employees of color.”
The other institutions are in communities served by SWEPCO — Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, and Bluefield State College in Bluefield, Va.
The Southern University at Shreveport Foundation will use the $250,000 grant to create the STEM Academy to provide academic credits, hands-on experience and scholarships to encourage both high school students and adults of color to pursue a career in a STEM field. The Academy will have a track for high school dual enrollment students and for unemployed or underemployed adults.
Wiley College will utilize the $250,000 gift to improve its STEM academic program, including renovating its science building, updating the campus internet network, and improving its STEM curriculum. The grant also will help update campus safety and security through lighting and emergency communication enhancements.
“These grants from the AEP Foundation will enable SUSLA, Wiley College and Jarvis Christian College to expand their STEM programming, creating more opportunities for minority students to excel in school and beyond,” said Malcolm Smoak, president and chief operating officer of SWEPCO, that provides funding to the AEP Foundation.
“SWEPCO also is dedicated to building brighter futures for the communities where we live and work and remains committed to advancing justice and equity for our neighbors of color.”
The other organizations to receive funds include: the YWCA Columbus, the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, and Youth Services of Tulsa.
Texas Southern University is taking an unprecedented step to launch a one-of-a-kind flight academy! Learn more about the new Navy JROTC Cadet Flight Academy in the TSU release below.
Credit: Johnny Bivera/U.S. Navy
Texas Southern University (TSU) is launching the country’s first Navy JROTC Cadet Flight Academy today. The inaugural class of Navy cadets is comprised of incoming high school seniors from around the country. The selection process for the Navy JROTC Summer Flight Academy is highly competitive, with all cadets meeting the components required of U.S. Navy Academy candidates.
“We are delighted to be one of the first universities in the nation to partner with the United States Navy to train future aviators. Our aviation program is one of the best in the nation and one of only eight located on an HBCU campus,” said Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, President of TSU. “The shortage of pilots and the need for more diversity in the cockpit make TSU uniquely qualified to meet the needs of the U.S. Navy and increase aviation diversity.”
Similar to TSU’s Air Force JROTC Flight Academy, each Navy cadet taking part in the six-week program will be training to earn their private pilot’s license. Summer 2021 JROTC cadets will move into TSU’s on-campus dorms and begin Ground School July 5, followed by Flight School on July 19 at Ellington Airport. During Flight School, they will fly twice a day with TSU flight instructors.
“This honor says a great deal about the support that our Aviation Advisory Board and TSU leadership has given the aviation program. Although our flight program is one of the newest in the country, our goal is to be best in class,” said Dr. Terence Fontaine, director of aviation.
Texas Southern University Aviation is currently hosting eleven cadets in an Air Force JROTC flight program. The cadets are progressing and have achieved major program milestones; eleven cadets have already flown solo and completed night-flight and cross-country training. They have also completed the FAA Part 141 training and are scheduled to take the FAA private pilot’s checkride, the final test to receive their private pilot’s license, next week.
“I want to personally thank our aviation staff for going the extra mile to facilitate these very important programs to the university,” said Fontaine. Both Air Force JROTC and Navy JROTC cadets will be on campus together, training for a short time. During their brief time together, they will fellowship and exchange the aviation knowledge they have learned.TSU is one of two universities in the nation that has partnered with the U.S. Navy to provide opportunities to Navy JROTC cadets.
Tennessee State University has formed a beneficial new partnership with multiple Tennessee organizations to save an endangered salamander species! Read the details in the local WKRN article below.
Many of you may have never heard of the “Eastern Hellbender” salamander, an amphibian common to some rivers and streams here in Middle Tennessee.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has designated them as an endangered species in the state.
“Populations in East Tennessee from the Hiawassee up north into upper parts of East Tennessee, those populations are doing quite well,” explained Josh Campbell, TWRA Chief of Biodiversity. “But here in Middle Tennessee that is not the case, especially here on this stream where we just have a lot of large and older individuals. So, we’ve got one age class or size class here in this population. So, slowly without any type of work or augmentation, this population could be lost.”
So the TWRA, along with the Nashville Zoo and Tennessee State University have joined forces to try and increase their populations.
Six years ago, the Nashville Zoo took in a number of Eastern Hellbender eggs from the Little Buffalo River System in South Middle Tennessee. They hatched them, and have been raising them ever since, even bringing in their natural diet from that same habitat, crayfish, abundant in the Little Buffalo River.
Since they have been finding mostly older adults and nests with eggs in them but few hatchlings, many of the hatched young were not surviving.
“So by taking the eggs, raising them for a few years until they get to a bigger size where they can miss that critical period, we can put them back out,” explained Sherry Reinsch, Nashville Zoo Lead Herpetology keeper.
So in mid-June, the Nashville Zoo along with biologists and researchers from the TWRA and Tennessee State University released 13 of the 6-year-old hellbenders back into the river. A second release of 19 animals was scheduled for later in the month. Each Hellbender being released is fitted with a radio transmitter and an identification tag so researchers can track the progress of each animal. With future studies, they can hopefully find out what is causing the young ones not to survive.
“Unfortunately, human development in forms of agriculture and urbanization do not mesh well with hellbender populations,” according to Bill Sutton, Tennessee State University Associate Professor. “They’re pretty intolerant of any kind of thing that’s upstream in the watershed that impacts sedimentation or anything that affects erosion of the habitats.”
As they release the new Hellbenders, they will be tracking and studying if they survive and where they go to determine what has caused the decline.
Whatever the result, the whole process has been rewarding to the researchers.
“When you get to put wildlife back where it once was or to help facilitate restorations of populations, it’s always exciting,” Campbell said.
“Today I was able to release one, which is really exciting,” exclaimed Mallory Tate, TWRA Region 2 Wildlife Survey Manager. “It’s been months and years of work for some people. So to finally see these animals being released, it was a little tricky because they were ready to go, but it was very exciting.”
In an impressive show of support, the Board of Trustees at Shaw University has extended the contract of President Paulette Dillard by 5 years! Learn why Shaw considers Dillard to be such an asset to the university in the release from Shaw University below.
Source: Belmont University
Today the Shaw University Board of Trustees enthusiastically announces it has extended the contract of President Paulette Dillard for an additional five years. Dr. Dillard was appointed interim president of Shaw University in July 2017 and president in September 2018. In an era of rampant presidential turnover, this contract extension provides continued strength and stability for the university.
President Dillard has successfully led the university for the past four years and her leadership rose to the challenges presented by the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19. She has remained focused on student health and academic success. During the challenging times, she also diligently ensured the university received federal emergency funding to assist students with their varied needs, along with creating financial stability for the university. In 2020 she launched the university’s Center for Racial and Social Justice, a national center to further the development of a more just and equitable society. With notable partnerships with Apple, Google, and Red Hat, President Dillard has led Shaw University to become the preeminent hub for students desiring a pathway into high-paying tech jobs and a place for every student to have access to opportunities that create the career of their dreams.
“President Dillard’s successful leadership has helped Shaw University remain stable during COVID-19,” stated Dr. Bell, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “I believe that working together works. President Dillard, together with the Board of Trustees, has positioned the university for unparalleled success as they lead the university into its 2025 Strategic Plan.”
“I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for demonstrating their continued support of my leadership,” stated Dr. Paulette Dillard. “My focus will remain on bolstering student success and leading the academy’s stellar faculty and staff along with engaging our distinguished alumni.”
For over 155 years, Shaw University has faithfully lived out the mission of transforming its diverse community of learners into global leaders. And with the strong commitment of support from the Board of Trustees, President Dillard will lead Shaw University into the boldest time of expansive growth and boundless opportunity of the university’s history.
After fallout over denied tenure at UNC Chapel-Hill, acclaimed journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones has found her new home in Howard University, but not alone. Accomplished Howard alumnus Ta-Nehisi Coates will be joining Hannah-Jones as well, and together the two will establish a center for journalism and democracy! Read all the details in the release from Howard below.
Nikole Hannah-Jones (John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation)
The appointments are supported by nearly $20 million donated by Knight Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation, as well as by an anonymous donor, to support Howard’s continued education of and investment in Black journalists.
Howard University announced today that Nikole Hannah-Jones and Howard alumnus Ta-Nehisi Coates will join the Howard University faculty. Hannah-Jones will be a tenured member of the faculty of the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, filling the newly created Knight Chair in Race and Journalism. Coates, journalist and author, will be a faculty member in the flagship College of Arts and Sciences. Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, will also found the Center for Journalism and Democracy, which will focus on training and supporting aspiring journalists in acquiring the investigative skills and historical and analytical expertise needed to cover the crisis our democracy is facing. The center hopes to work across multiple historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) that offer journalism degrees and concentrations.
“It is my pleasure to welcome to Howard two of today’s most respected and influential journalists,” said Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA, president of Howard University. “At such a critical time for race relations in our country, it is vital that we understand the role of journalism in steering our national conversation and social progress. Not only must our newsrooms reflect the communities where they are reporting, but we need to infuse the profession with diverse talent. We are thrilled that they will bring their insights and research to what is already a world-class, highly accomplished team of professors.
“Further, we are grateful to the Knight, MacArthur and Ford foundations, as well as to an anonymous donor, for their support in our continued efforts to train the next generation of journalists and to provide a diverse pipeline of talent to America’s newsrooms,” said President Frederick.
(CNN)
Hannah-Jones, the creator of the 1619 Project, will be the inaugural Knight Chair in Race and Journalism and will begin her faculty role this Summer. Award-winning author Coates will hold the Sterling Brown Chair in the Department of English and will begin this position following completion of several current obligations.
“I am so incredibly honored to be joining one of the most important and storied educational institutions in our country and to work alongside the illustrious faculty of the Cathy Hughes School of Communications and the brilliant students it draws in,” Hannah-Jones said. “One of my few regrets is that I did not attend Howard as an undergraduate, and so coming here to teach fulfills a dream I have long carried. I hope that the decision that Ta-Nehisi and I made to bring our talents to an HBCU will lead others to make a similar choice.
“We are at a critical juncture in our democracy, and yet our press does not reflect the nation it serves and too often struggles to grasp the danger for our country as we see growing attacks on free speech and the fundamental right to vote,” Hannah-Jones continued. “In the storied tradition of the Black press, the Center for Journalism and Democracy will help produce journalists capable of accurately and urgently covering the challenges of our democracy with a clarity, skepticism, rigor and historical dexterity that is too often missing from today’s journalism. I am so grateful to the Ford, Knight and MacArthur foundations for the initial funding to launch the center and hope to very quickly meet the center’s $25 million fundraising goal.”
Ta-Nehisi Coates (University of Oregon)
“I heard a wise man once say, ‘A man who hates home will never be happy.’ And it is in the pursuit of wisdom and happiness that I return to join the esteemed faculty of Howard University. This is the faculty that molded me. This is the faculty that strengthened me,” Coates said. “Personally, I know of no higher personal honor than this.”
For 50 years, the Howard University School of Communications has trained the nation’s top communicators and media professionals, from award-winning news anchors and journalists to filmmakers, public relations executives and researchers. The school will celebrate its 50th anniversary during the 2021-22 academic year, highlighting its history of disseminating truth through communications and providing community service through storytelling.
The College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) is at the heart of Howard University, recognized worldwide as a premier, comprehensive research university. COAS is often referred to as the University’s flagship because it is the oldest and the largest of the University’s 13 schools and colleges. Its predecessor was founded in the second year of the University’s existence, and today it enrolls more than 3,000 students – making it the most popular choice among Howard’s undergraduates.
Three foundations and an anonymous donor have contributed nearly $20 million to support the University’s demonstrated academic and journalistic excellence.
Florida A&M University‘s longtime professor Kellie O’Dare is working in a place very unusual from her normal line of work. It’s been a week since a waterside condo in Miami collapsed in the middle of the night, and now she’s on site working to make a difference amid the rubble. Learn about her work in mental health at the site, and the conditions she’s working to improve in the Tallahassee Democrat article by Ana Goñi-Lessan below.
Members of the Tallahassee Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, also known as Florida Task Force 7, prepare to deploy to Surfside to aid in the aftermath of the Champlain Towers South Condo collapse at Fire Station 4 on West Pensacola Street Sunday, June 27, 2021. Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat
As soon as you step outside the barricade at the Surfside condominium collapse site, it’s like a switch.
It’s Miami Beach. People are on vacation, and it’s a beautiful day.
“Many are not even aware what’s going on down the street,” Kellie O’Dare says.
O’Dare is a faculty member at FAMU and director of the 2nd Alarm Project, a mental wellness initiative for first responders in the Panhandle.’
She is now embedded with Task Force 7, members of the Tallahassee Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team, who left Sunday for Miami-Dade County to help with recovery efforts.
Task Force 7 members, CFO Jimmy Patronis and other first responders pose for a photo on site at the Surfside condo collapse in Miami. (Source: Tennessee Democrat)
Rescuers have been working to find victims in the rubble after part of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside collapsed June 24. So far, 22 people been confirmed dead with 126 still missing as of Friday evening.
“It’s hot, it’s pouring rain, and they don’t stop because they have a task,” she says. “No matter how challenging it is for them, physically and mentally, they are driven to accomplish their mission, to bring these family members back to their loved ones.”
O’Dare is providing mental health support for the first responders at the site of the collapse, also known as “the pile.” She also is working closely with the International Association of Fire Fighters with their peer support initiative and with the State Fire Marshal’s office.
Peer support is one of the most important resources for first responders at the site and can be more effective than professional services, O’Dare says.
Fire chief: ‘We can’t just … shut ourselves off emotionally’
Tallahassee Fire Chief Jerome Gaines has been a firefighter for 38 years. When he first started, he says first responders were expected to just tough it up and keep moving forward.
It took years to change that mentality: “We can’t just respond and shut ourselves off emotionally,” he says.
Rescuers continue to search through the rubble of the Champlain Towers south condo collapse in Surfside, Florida on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 (Credit: Andrew West/The News-Press)
Gaines says that other than 9/11, the Surfside condo collapse is one of the most traumatic incidents he’s seen, and peer support is essential to keep his team healthy.
“Very few understand what first responders do on a day-to-day basis,” says Lance Butler, an engineer EMT with the fire department and the peer support team leader.
“Of course it’s not always this big or it’s not going to be on the news, but you can pretty much guarantee that a first responder every day sees someone on their worst day,” he adds.
Butler, who has worked with the department for seven years, says it’s crucial to talk about the emotions of the job. Encouraging mental health support, especially on the most difficult days, can help first responders enjoy a long and successful career.
O’Dare says Task Force 7 has already worn through their first pair of work boots in five days. As long as there’s no lightning nearby, workers continue sorting through the rubble in the rain. They can’t just easily walk up the pile because it’s jagged.
And it’s South Florida summer hot.
Kellie O’Dare, a professor at FAMU, is embedded with Task Force 7 and providing mental health support for first responders in Miami (Credit: Tallahassee Democrat)
“But when they’re on that pile, they’re laser focused on the task at hand,” she says.
Butler says as soon as the team gets back to Tallahassee, they have the potential to go right back on shift and get right back into any type of emergency.
Fortunately, he says, Tallahassee is a town that supports first responders. It’s not uncommon for residents to come up and thank them.
Before the pandemic it might have been a hug — now it’s a fist bump. But the small gesture still matters.
“Those little things make a world of difference,” Butler says. “Even with everything else going on in the world, knowing your community supports first responders is a big deal.”
Virginia Union University has several keys members of its athletics history heading to its Hall of Fame. Learn more about who made the cut in the local Richmond Free Press‘ article by Fred Jeter below.
Virginia Union University’s rich athletic tradition will be celebrated Oct. 1 with its Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The Class of 2021 features eight individuals and one team—the 1973 CIAA championship football team.
They will be inducted on the evening prior to the VUU versus Shaw University football game at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. The inductees also will be honored during the football game.
Here are the honorees:
•1973 Panthers football team: Under Coach Willard Bailey and defensive coordinator Jesse Chavis, the 1973 Panthers posted a 9-1 record and won their first conference title in 50 years. The lone loss was to South Carolina State University. The 1973 Panthers shut out six of their last seven opponents, including a streak of putting four straight “doughnuts” on the opposing scoreboard.
•Willard Coker: From Winston-Salem, N.C., he brought glory to VUU as a basketball player, assistant coach and head coach. He was recruited to VUU by Coach Robert Moore and played under Coach Moore and Coach Dave Robbins.
He was a key coming off the bench for VUU’s first NCAA Division II title in 1980. He also served as an assistant coach under Robbins for 23 seasons, helping the Panthers to two more NCAA crowns, 10 CIAA championships and 19 NCAA playoff berths. In his three seasons as head coach, the Panthers went 55-25.
•Melvin Edison: The speedster left a lasting impression on the Panthers’ indoor and outdoor track and field history. From 2006 to 2010, Edison excelled in the hurdles and sprints, earning multiple CIAA and NCAA honors. He accumulated three NCAA All-American awards and was an eight-time, All-CIAA performer. He was named VUU Athlete of the Year in 2008 and 2010.
•Tracie Harris Haygood: The Lady Panther was a superstar on the basketball court and in the classroom. She scored 1,122 points in basketball while compiling the highest cumulative GPA between 1989 and 1993.
Her numerous honors included Most Versatile Female, Most Outstanding Player and recipient of the Jesse Chavis Outstanding Sports Leadership Award in 1993.
•Alvin Hunter: He was a big name in Panthers golf as both a player and coach. He played for VUU from 1969 to 1972 and served as coach from 1982 to 1996.
Hunter garnered All-CIAA honors three seasons and helped the Panthers win the 1969 and 1971 CIAA golf titles. The 1971 squad was VUU’s last to win the CIAA championship until 2019.
•Ralph “Pete” Hunter: The Atlantic City, N.J., native is among the last Panthers to take their game from Hovey Field to the NFL. Hunter enjoyed a six-season NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns and the Seattle Seahawks.
Playing under Coach Willard Bailey at VUU, Hunter helped the Panthers to the CIAA championship in 2001. As a senior, he led the CIAA with 11 interceptions, while also blocking six kicks and recording 50 tackles.
•Jacqie McWilliams: Now in her ninth season as CIAA Commissioner, McWilliams was the first VUU volleyball coach in 1994 and also served as an assistant men’s basketball coach under Coach Dave Robbins.
She started her career in coaching, compliance and administration at VUU. She is the CIAA’s first female commissioner and the first appointed African-American commissioner representing NCAA Division I, II and III.
•Dr. S. Dallas Simmons: The late Dr. Simmons served as VUU president from 1985 to 1999. He is credited with outstanding fiscal management and building the university’s endowment. During his 14-year tenure, he initiated VUU’s criminal justice program, restored several campus facilities and built a new library. During his presidency, VUU won its second NCAA basketball title in 1992.
•Rob Timmons: He was a rare two-sport athlete in football and golf, playing from 1986 to 1991. As the Panthers’ place kicker, Timmons accounted for 234 points on field goals (21) and extra points. That places him third on VUU’s all-time scoring chart.
He made the All-CIAA Rookie team in 1988 and was All-CIAA in 1989 and 1991.
Jewel Bronaugh has taken her experiences at Virginia State University, and beyond to gain the momentum that has taken her to the top ranks of the USDA! Learn about the first black woman in the position, and how she plans to excel in the full story below from staff at Emporia, Viginia’s local Independent Messenger.
During statewide travels as an Extension specialist and dean of Virginia State’s College of Agriculture, Jewel Bronaugh met with farmers from all over Virginia.
This wasn’t the original path for Jewel Bronaugh. She didn’t intend to become the deputy secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture and the first Black woman to hold the position.
An educator by trade, Bronaugh instead wanted to follow in her parents’ footsteps and become a teacher. She wanted to work with people and help them achieve success in the classroom.
But instead of following their path – she forged her own. Now, she’s not only helping youth achieve success, she helping the entire country.
On May 13, the former dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University and 4-H youth development specialist was confirmed as the deputy secretary of the USDA after being nominated in January by then President-Elect Joe Biden.
“I fully understand the historic nature of this confirmation, along with the responsibilities of my service in this role,” Bronaugh said. “I join thousands of dedicated civil servants at the USDA who work in every state and 100 countries around the world. I know from experience how their work touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. I value their work and identify with their selfless commitment.”
The former commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will face her biggest hurdle yet when she becomes second-in-command at the USDA.
But her roots in Virginia Cooperative Extension and at Virginia Tech’s partner land-grant institution, Virginia State University, helped her prepare to handle everything that awaits in the road ahead.
“Dr. Bronaugh has done exceptional work for the commonwealth, and we have no doubt that she will continue to do so at the federal level. We look forward to working with her and USDA as we address our country’s agricultural, nutritional, and infrastructure needs.”
—Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine
Land-grants and leadership
Virginia’s land-grant institutions exist to give higher education opportunities to people who otherwise would not have had that chance. It’s the outreach arm that disseminates knowledge to the people.
“These institutions took a chance on me before I even believed in myself,” said Bronaugh, who earned her doctorate from the Virginia Tech School of Education in 2000. “They gave me the chance to become an administrator. Where would I be without Extension, Virginia State, and Virginia Tech? I have no idea. They’re the ones that pushed me forward and let me stand on their shoulders.”
The Petersburg, Virginia, native got that start when she returned to the commonwealth to be closer to her family after teaching at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. An opening for a 4-H youth development specialist job caught her eye. She had taught high school before, so she knew what it was like to work with youth.
“4-H is an incredible organization for youth that is focused on how to empower young people to become leaders,” Bronaugh said. “From my involvement in 4-H and 4-H camp, there are so many people I know who are successful because of 4-H.”
Ed Jones, the director of Virginia Cooperative Extension, has worked with Bronaugh since she was an Extension specialist. The two continued to collaborate as she rose through the ranks at Virginia State University, Extension’s partner institution. Jones said a large part of the excellent working relationship between the two universities can be traced back to Bronaugh’s tenure as dean of the VSU College of Agriculture.
“Jewel does not have a big ego, so people warm to her easily, and consequently she can build meaningful and lasting partnerships,” Jones said. “Her style is very authentic and that gives people the space to trust her and know their trust won’t be betrayed.”
Jones said these traits, along with her willingness to listen, make her an excellent leader.
“The value of listening as a leader is incredibly important, and Jewel does it extremely well,” Jones said. “If you are not listening you are not taking in additional perspectives that can help you make decisions better. Leaders who do not listen only hear themselves.”
Throughout Bronaugh’s roles, she has maintained her passion for the people, said M. Ray McKinnie, dean of Virginia State’s College of Agriculture and 1890 administrator.
“To me, her greatest ability is that she understands that there’s a person at the other end of the policy, programs, and program development,” McKinnie said. “We build programs and we design things, but they impact people. She’s never forgotten that.”
“As dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University, Dr. Bronaugh inspired many first-generation college students from rural communities to become outstanding leaders in their fields. That is understandable considering her positive, uplifting nature. She speaks respectfully of producers and rural Americans and believes that as a public servant, her job is to find a way to help those who need it. I look forward to working with Dr. Bronaugh to ensure USDA lives up to its calling as the People’s Department, to be a department that serves all people equally and fairly.”
— USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack
Richard Booker, a retired Extension Specialist and assistant administrator for Extension at Virginia State University, worked with her at the university and helped mentor her.
“Jewel has always been significantly concerned about the programing, methodology, involvement, and the results of programing for our clientele, especially the communities of the minority and underserved,” Booker said. “She had a genuine concern for the diversification of small farmers in their production techniques and crops.”
Alan Grant, dean of the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, served on the Virginia Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services board with Bronaugh when she ran the board meetings.
“I’m always so impressed by her leadership style, and I think she is so effective because of her strong interpersonal skills,” Grant said.
He also said her strong belief in the land-grant system and its inherent ethos of service has been a guiding light throughout her career.
“I think that those of us who work at land-grant universities are serving society, and that is something that has been part of Jewel’s career,” he said. “I think that the land-grant university experience prepares people well if they want to go work in government because it is all about service. This is a core part of who Jewel is and is one of the many reasons she’s going to excel in this new role.”
An open ear for farmers
Bronaugh honed her leadership skills during the statewide travels with farmers as both an Extension specialist and dean of Virginia State’s College of Agriculture and 1890 administrator.
During some of these travels, she saw the heart and soul of Virginia’s producers firsthand, and she got to know Robert Mills, who is the 2017 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year, a former member of Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors, and graduate of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
At a Farm Bureau convention in Hot Springs, Virginia, Mills opened up to Bronaugh – who was then the commissioner of the VDACAS – about the mental state of farmers in Virginia. It’s a difficult topic that few people want to talk about.
This was at a time where prices were depressed. The economy wasn’t great. There was a constant stream of farms that were going up for foreclosure. The suicide rate of farmers was high.
“We sat down at the couch there in a little atrium room and I poured my heart out to her,” Mills said. “Her response to what I told her about the folks that I love so much here in Virginia was from the heart. It was overwhelming in the sense that she took what I told her, ran with it, and started a farm stress task force.”
Bronaugh’s ability to listen to farmers has led to an increased focus on the vital topic.
Coinciding with the new task force, Virginia Cooperative Extension and professional agency partners conduct and go through training on how to identify critical mental health needs of farmers and farm family members in their communities. This includes agents having much-needed tools for talking to and providing referrals for farmers and family members who may need professional support and health care interventions.
“Sometimes it’s sitting down or standing across from a farmer and seeing them cry. Sometimes it’s been out of frustration. Sometimes it’s been out of joy. They are honest in what they share with me and the help that they need to continue to make the contributions to their communities and their families,” Bronaugh said. “It moves me, and it’s what motivates me to do the work that I do. The decisions that we make impact someone’s life.”
To this end, Bronaugh helped create the Virginia Food Access Investment Fund and Program, a statewide program that aims for equity and justice in underserved food systems in the commonwealth.
Because of her ability to listen to the needs of farmers, they love her, said Rosalyn Dance, a former member of the Virginia Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates.
“She wants to hear what farmers have to say and to find a solution,” Dance said. “That’s why they trust her. They can’t be anything but happy to know that someone they know and who is genuinely concerned with their issues is at the USDA.”
An inspiration for those to come
In a voice vote, the United States Senate confirmed Bronaugh in May, officially making her the first Black woman and woman of color to serve as the USDA’s deputy secretary and a role model for many.
Bronaugh said she understands the responsibilities that come with a position of this magnitude.
“My job is to represent all people who are clients of the USDA,” Bronaugh said. “But I do understand that my role as a woman and my role as an African American can require me to speak up for people who may feel that they have suffered systemic racism and discrimination. I have a role to play in being a voice and in sharing a perspective, if necessary. I realize that this is part of the responsibility of who I am and what people see in me in this role.”
Through all of her positions and roles in agriculture, Bronaugh continues to be a trailblazer.
“As the first in Virginia to be a woman, minority and Black in holding the positions that she has held, Jewel should and will continue to be a role-model for African Americans, especially females, and women of all backgrounds,” Booker said.
Dance, who has known Bronaugh since childhood, knows the caliber of her character.
“She hasn’t changed over the years,” Dance recalled of Bronaugh’s willingness to work hard and the dedication to her family. “She’s done everything the right way. Her confirmation is a promise to African American girls that they too can excel and can reach the highest levels of government in the United States.”
In her new role, Bronaugh will rely on the experiences she had at Virginia State University, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia 4-H, and Virginia Tech in working for all farmers, producers, and rural communities that rely on the USDA. Virginians saw what she can do. Now the United States has this opportunity.
“Jewel’s confirmation is great for Virginia, great for the country, and great for farmers,” Mills said.
Stillman College has joined the ranks of other HBCUs that are forgiving the debts of students to their elation. So far, Saint Augustine’s University, and Wilberforce University and a few others have also done something similar for their students. Why, and how much funds Stillman will provide to students in the article by Kelvin Reynolds at local station WBRC below!
Stillman College(WBRC)
Tuscaloosa’s Stillman College will use money from the Cares Act to help its own students. Now hundreds of them have less of a financial burden.
Stillman College President Cynthia Warrick approved giving a portion of its Cares Act money from the federal government for coronavirus relief to help students to pay off student debt.
“It’s going to give so many students a fresh start and a new lease on their education and financial future. With so much going on about student debt, student debt is climbing across the country. This provides our students with a unique opportunity to continue their education while they minimize the debt to pay for that education,” Dr. Tyshawn Gardner, Vice President for Student Affairs at Stillman College, said.
He says the school put $760,000 towards that effort. Stillman gave that money to students who had balances to pay off tuition and housing debt. Several hundred students enrolled in the Spring and Fall of 2020 and Spring or 2021 were helped.
“It allows the number one to return to school to continue their education unimpeded by financial constraints. It also allows enrollment numbers to continue to climb and hopefully will lead to a vey prosperous and successful Fall,” said Gardner.
Stillman College now joins a growing list of Historically Black Colleges and Universities that have helped pay off at least a portion of student debt.
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Florida A&M University has officially joined the SWAC after over 40 years as a member of the MEAC. Get the exciting full story and learn how it will impact FAMU athletics from Rory Sharrock at the Tallahassee Democrat below!
Stanley Denmark/FAMU Athletics
A new era in the storied history of Florida A&M begins on July 1 with the university officially joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) as a full-time member.
FAMU President Larry Robinson, Vice President/Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha and SWAC Commissioner Charles McClelland will host a press conference Thursday at 10:30 a.m. inside the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center welcoming the Rattlers to the league.
Rattler coaches from each program will also be in the building for this landmark occasion.
This is a follow-up to the announcement from last summer regarding the university’s move from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The switch was unanimously approved by the FAMU Board of Directors.
FAMU has previously been a member of the MEAC since 1986.
“This is a transformational moment in our athletic department’s history. I would like to thank our President Dr. Larry Robinson and our Board of Trustees for supporting this next chapter of Florida A&M athletics’ storied history,” Gosha said.
“Excitement is an understatement for our student-athletes, fans and alumni. To have the opportunity to compete against HBCU royalty every week is an honor and the natural rivalries that exist in the SWAC will give every game that homecoming vibe.”
In this 12-team conference, the Rattlers will play in the East Division. Their divisional foes are Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State and arch-rival Bethune-Cookman.
The Wildcats followed suit with FAMU in departing the MEAC.
Schools representing the West Division are Alcorn State, Grambling State, Prairie View A&M, Southern, Texas Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (UAPB).
In 2020, the MEAC and FAMU canceled fall sports due to safety concerns from the coronavirus pandemic.
The MEAC moved its fall activities to the spring. However, FAMU opted not to compete during the season.
FAMU’s three active fall programs are football, volleyball and women’s cross country.
Similarly, the SWAC held its fall sports schedule this past spring.
Listed below are the defending SWAC championship teams from these respective sports. There’s also a head-to-head comparison of these programs against the Rattlers.
FAMU running back Bishop Bonnett in a game versus Southern at Bragg Memorial Stadium in 2019. (Credit) Stanley Denmark/FAMU Athletics)
Football
The Alabama A&M Bulldogs won the SWAC football championship on May 1 following a 40-33 victory over the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions.
Alabama A&M – winner of the East Division – is located in Huntsville.
FAMU faces both championship game participants on the road this fall.
The Rattlers and Bulldogs meet on Oct. 16. They’ll visit the Golden Lions on Nov. 13.
Currently, there are 22 players on the Bulldogs’ roster from Florida. The local connection is linked by defensive back DeJuan Hughes of Wakulla High School.
There are also coaching ties between FAMU and Alabama A&M.
Rattlers associate head coach/tight ends coach James Spady was the head coach of the Bulldogs from 2014-17.
FAMU and UAPB share common ground from the relationship between head coaches Willie Simmons and Doc Gamble.
Both men were assistants on the staff at Alcorn State in 2012.
Simmons was the offensive coordinator/running backs coach. Gamble worked with the running backs alongside Simmons. He also coached tight ends and served as the recruiting coordinator with the Braves.
FAMU opens the 2021 season against Jackson State in the Orange Blossom Classic. The game takes place Sunday, Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. in Miami Gardens. This live broadcast airs on ESPN2.
2021 Rattlers SWAC Schedule
Sept. 5 – Jackson State (Miami Gardens)
Oct. 2 – Alabama State
Oct. 16 – at Alabama A&M
Oct. 23 – at Mississippi Valley State
Oct. 30 – Grambling State (Homecoming)
Nov. 6 – at Southern
Nov. 13 – at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Nov. 20 – Bethune-Cookman (Orlando)
Volleyball
Jackson State reigns as the 2021 spring volleyball champions.
The title match featured a match-up versus UAPB. However, the contest was canceled due to a COVID-related issue and subsequent quarantining of student-athletes within UAPB’s program.
As a result, Jackson State was awarded the title.
FAMU head coach Gokhan Yilmaz is finalizing the scheduling details for the upcoming season. He is eager to return to the court after a year away from the game.
“You just keep practicing to get ready. We redshirted a lot of kids the last time we played. This is a very important year for us,” Yilmaz said.
FAMU has a little familiarity with the level of competition in the league. It has played in the 2019 MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Alabama State.
The Rattlers lost in four sets to Alabama State and Alabama A&M.
Adjusting to life in the SWAC will be a weekly learning curve taking place on the floor.
“Overall, the SWAC and MEAC have had one team that’s been on top. It was Howard in the MEAC and Alabama State in the SWAC. This league has more teams that have won in the past four or five years,” Yilmaz said.
The SWAC Volleyball Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 19-21 at Alabama A&M University.
Women’s Cross Country
Cross country in the SWAC was eliminated from the schedule in 2020 and for the spring 2021 semester.
The 2019 championship trophy was awarded to Texas Southern (men) and Alabama State (women).
FAMU cross country head coach Nadia Alexander-Pompey is piecing together the race schedule for 2021.
She knows the talent on the trails will be different from the MEAC. This is especially true with programs such as North Carolina A&T and Bethune-Cookman no longer in the conference.
FAMU Cross country runners (Left to right): Shalet Mitei, Mercy Rotich, Emmax Kiplagat, Hunter Walker, Itianna Redding and Sharon Kibiwott pose for a group shot during a meet in 2019. (FAMU Athletics)
I’m excited about being in the SWAC. With A&T and Bethune gone from the MEAC, the competition wouldn’t be the same,” Alexander-Pompey said.
“We’ll go against some great competition like Alabama State and Prairie View A&M. We should be running against SWAC teams during the regular-season meets.”
This year’s conference championships are held on Oct. 18 at Choctaw Trails in Clinton, Miss.
Langston University students and more will assist in bringing the HBCU experience to youth at an Oklahoma City band camp! Learn all about the new band in the CBS News 9 article by Anjelicia Bruton below.
Credit: KOCO News
Oklahoma City Parks is offering a band camp to local students to learn about what it’s like to play in a historically Black college and university-style band.
The Oklahoma City All-Star Band is working to preserve and introduce students to historically Black college and university marching band culture. One of the band directors, Larry Birden Jr., described HBCU bands as show-stopping, upbeat, a band that doesn’t compare to most.
“They play top 10, top 40 hits, and they’re usually populated with kids from the urban cities. So, it has an urban, hip-hop type of culture style to it. So it’s very flashy, it’s very entertaining and it’s very competitive, as well,” Birden said.
All of the students have experience playing in bands, but some said this experience is an eye-opener.
“The school that I go to doesn’t do much of marching band. HBCU style and marching in general, there’s a lot of passion in the music. The dancing and the fun you have with the rest of the band at the same time,” said Michael Pulliam, a rising junior at Classen SAS.
“Most of the bands in Oklahoma City tend to be on the corps style which is fine and beautiful if that’s what you want to do, but I don’t feel like there’s a big HBCU culture which is why we’re trying to establish it here,” Birden said.
Birden said he wants students to come out of this program more confident and a stronger musician.
“I’m not a snare player at heart. I use to play an instrument called the quince so when I first starting play snare a lot of people kind of doubted me when I started playing so I was just want to show them I can play both instruments,” said Delante Hutcherson, a rising freshman at Millwood High School.
Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom Band (Source: HBCU Sports)
Band members from Langston University are also there to assist kids. Program leaders hope this experience could also encourage students to go to an HBCU for college.
The HBCU all-star band are planning to showcase what they’ve learned so far at noon on July 3 at Fredrick A. Douglass High School. They said they’re also looking for more students from any background to join.
