Getty Images And Stand Together Partner To Preserve HBCU’s Historical Archives

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The press team at Getty Images just announced a one-of-a-kind partnership that will chronicle the impact of HBCUs for years to come. Read the release below to find out how!

Credit: Getty Images

Getty Images, a world leader in visual communications, in partnership with the Getty Family and Stand Together, a philanthropic community tackling some of the biggest challenges of our times, today announced the launch of the inaugural Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs, that aims to support the digitization of the invaluable visual history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The launch invites all HBCUs nationwide to apply online at https://grants.gettyimages.com/hbcu-grant through Thursday, September 30, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

The Grants will commit $500,000 towards the digitization of two HBCU’s photographic archives, including the digitization of up to 100,000 archival assets per Grant recipient. Included in the Grant will be opportunities to also apply metadata and licensing opportunities for the winning HBCU’s existing digitized libraries.  

Grant judge, Aba Blankson, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, NAACP said “Black history is American history. While some of that history is known, too much is still hidden. Our HBCUs hold precious and treasured experiences, stories, images, and artifacts. We are excited to participate in this important initiative to preserve and strengthen the ability to amplify our collective story.” 

Grant recipients will retain all copyright for their visual assets and once digitized, the historical content will be placed in a newly created stand-alone photo collection called the “HBCU Photo Collection” and will be available for licensing on the Getty Images platform, which includes and owns of one of the largest privately owned historical photo archives in the world. 

All royalties from the images that are preserved through the Grants are funnelled back into impact programs: Fifty percent will go to Grant recipients, who will retain all copyright of the visual assets; thirty percent of royalties will be used for a financial donation to a scholarship fund focused on furthering the education of students at HBCUs; and twenty percent will be reinvested to fund the Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs each year. 

In addition to being available to license on the Getty Images platform, the HBCU Photo Collection will also be made available as part of Getty Images’ content donation initiative for non-commercial use free of charge in support of learning about and reflecting on Black history for Black storytellers and not-for profits as part of the Getty Images Black History & Culture Collection launching later in 2021.   

Grant judge, Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, Lasry Family Professor of Race Relations, and Professor of Sociology and Africana Studies, University of Pennsylvania said, “Getty Images is one of the main sources for imagery. Historically Black Colleges and University have archives of some of the most important images related to Black Lives. The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs is a collaboration that may increase access and dissemination of these important images to the world. The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs also stands as a model of how to leverage resources and organizational structure to remove barriers to diversity of content and purpose.”

Submissions for the Getty Images Photo Archive Grant for HBCUs will be judged by a prestigious industry-leading panel including;      

  • Dr. Deborah Willis, Academic Director, Professor & Chair at NYU Tisch School of the Arts
  • Aba Blankson, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at NAACP 
  • Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, Professor of Sociology – The Lasry Family Professor of Race Relations at University of Pennsylvania
  • Renata Cherlise, Founder of Blackarchives.co 
  • Raina Kelley, Vice President and Editor in Chief of The Undefeated 
  • Mercedes Cooper, Vice President, Public Programming at ARRAY

Grant judge, Dr. Deborah Willis, Academic Director, Professor & Chair, NYU Tisch School of the Arts said, “Photographic collections housed in HBCU’s from the 20th Century focus on the notion of photography as biography and helped shape the fabric of African American identities. These collections explore the cultural values, educational and religious traditions, as well as perceptions of black communities through to the 21st Century. Collective and individual memories are the foundation of these photographs highlighting the classrooms, student activities on campus, scientific explorations, art practices, and the making of portraits from college presidents to teachers and visitors to the campuses. The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs is an essential part of the on-going documentation and preservation of Black images at HBCUs.”

Stand Together is committed to supporting, telling, and showcasing the stories of talented Black students and is partnering with Getty Images to continue to amplify and lift up the many contributions of HBCUs through the curation of historical images. Additionally, Heal America, a movement supported by Stand Together that fights racial injustice with love and redemption, will also promote the Grant.

The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs is part of Getty Images’ commitment to anti-racism, inclusion, and dismantling discrimination including bringing to market unseen historical content and creating revenue streams for organizations working to build a more inclusive society. It is part of the company’s wider grants program, which since its inception has donated over US$1.8 million to photographers and videographers around the world. 

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Taps Multiple Morehouse Graduates To Serve On Her Administration

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Recently the Atlanta, Georgia Mayor’s Office announced the appointment of multiple new officers, and 3 out of the 5 were Morehouse College graduates! Learn about the new HBCU graduate Officers announced by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the official release below.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks to reporters from City Hall on Friday, May 7, 2021. Bottoms announced she will not run for re-election. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced a number of key appointments to serve in the Administration.

 Chief Financial Officer – Mohamed Balla (Effective July 7, 2021)

Mohamed Balla most recently served as Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Financial Administration. In that role, Mr. Balla led the Department’s financial functions including financial planning & analysis, budgeting & reporting, capital planning, auditing, revenue operations, accounts receivables, accounts payables, fixed asset & inventory management, accounting services, and payroll.

Deputy Commissioner Balla has over 15 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, and public finance.  Mr. Balla joined the City in April 2011 and has been with the Department of Finance since 2013. Prior to joining the Department, Mr. Balla served as a key member of the City’s pension reform team responsible for restructuring the City’s $3 billion pension plan.  Mr. Balla also served as the City’s Cash and Investment Manager overseeing the City’s $1.5 billion cash and investment portfolio.

Mr. Balla earned his B.A. in Business Administration from Morehouse College with a concentration in Finance and an M.B.A from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Chief Information Officer – Jason Sankey (Effective Immediately)

Prior to his appointment, Jason Sankey served as the Chief Information Officer of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). ODJFS operates with a $3.5 billion budget and is responsible for developing and supervising the State’s public assistance, workforce development, unemployment, child and adult protective services, adoption, childcare and child support services.

Prior to joining the State of Ohio, Jason spent 13 years as Vice President at Citigroup in New York City and Columbus, Ohio. He then transitioned into the Public Sector as Chief Information Officer for the Franklin County Clerk of Courts.

He was recently recognized as the 2020 state of Ohio agency CIO of the Year and recipient of the COVID Hero Award. Sankey earned a B.S. in Natural and Behavioral Sciences / Chemistry from Ohio University.

Department of Human Resources Commissioner – Jeffrey Norman (Effective Immediately)

Jeffrey Norman has served as interim Commissioner of DHR since June of 2019. In the last two years, Norman has improved the City’s recruitment and onboarding timelines for departmental vacancies, reducing the time-to-fill period from 67 days to 32 days. Norman also led the creation of the Vacancy Review Board. 

Norman also oversaw the implementation of Mayor Bottoms’ Order to removed pre-employment physical examinations and drug screening requirements for prospective City employees in non-safety sensitive positions to address systemic discrimination against certain groups of applicants disproportionately affected by such exams.

Norman first joined the City in 1999 as an Associate Attorney in the Department of Law. Most recently, Norman served as Deputy City Attorney in the Department of Law. Norman served as the City’s Chief Compliance Officer from 2003 through 2017. 

Norman is a Morehouse College graduate and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Louisiana State University.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport General Manager – Balram Bheodari (Effective Immediately)

Prior to his appointment, Balram Bheodari served as Deputy Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in 2016. Bheodari first joined ATL in June of 2000.

Bheodari is a retired Army aviator whose leadership as Deputy General Manager for Operations navigated ATL through the most challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, from drawdown to resumption of its expansive operations.   

Bheodari has an extensive career in aviation executive management. During his tenure ATL, he commissioned ATL’s first Operational Readiness and Transition (ORAT) team, which developed and implemented the activation plan for a consolidated Rental Car Center and the ATL SkyTrain automated people mover. Two years later, he expanded the ORAT team and spearheaded the opening of the 1.2-million-square-foot Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, which accommodated more than 12 million international travelers each year prior to the pandemic.

Bheodari holds the American Association of Airport Executives’ Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) designation.  Additionally, he has earned the International Airport Professional (IAP) accreditation from the Airports Council International and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Bheodari graduated from Troy University with a Bachelor of Science in aviation management. He also completed the Emory University Executive Education Management Leadership and Development Programs. He retired from the U.S. Army with 22 years of active military service in the aviation branch as an instrument-rated aviator.

Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) – Jason Ingram (Effective Immediately)

Jason Ingram joins the City as the DCOO of Business and Administrative Services. Prior to joining the City, Ingram served as Chief Policy Advisor and Executive Director of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Baltimore Department of Human Resources.

While serving the City of Baltimore, Ingram provided counsel to the Mayor and City leadership to ensure understanding, application and compliance with City, State, and Federal policies, employment laws and regulations that impacted 15,000 employees in a city with an annual revenue base of $3.8 billion. Ingram led the revision of 60 Civil Service Rules and more than 330 administrative policies, and represented the City in collective bargaining negotiations with nine labor unions.  

In addition to a strong commitment to Human Resources, he has used his professional platform for involvement in groups such as the Executive Leadership Council, Urban League Young Professionals Network, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Blue Ridge), Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, Total Action for Progress, Philadelphia Public Schools, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s leadership development programs.

Ingram earned a B.A. from Morehouse College, M.A. from Columbia University, M.S.W. from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America. 

Young Activist Who Became Her High School’s First Black Female Valedictorian Is Heading To Howard

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A talented young scholar who is passionate about social justice is heading to Howard University! Learn more about Soraya Chanterelle, who is the first black female valedictorian at her Connecticut high school in the story from Isabella Chan at the Hartford Currant below!

(Kassi Jackson)

Soraya Chanterelle is many things: a poet, a youth activist, and now, a 16-year-old high school graduate.

But Chanterelle, who heads off to Howard University in the fall, will be remembered in her hometown as one more thing — the first Black female valedictorian at Manchester High School.

Her success is no surprise to those in her community either. After working with her at many social justice rallies, Keren Prescott, founder of PowerUp CT, describes Chanterelle as “the epitome of success. I wish that when I was high school — and I say this to my niece and my daughter — I wish that I had just an ounce of the strength and the courage that she has. And I just believe she was made for this.”

“Every day for Black people is a celebration when we are pushing ourselves to show up in a world that is trying to eliminate us. And that is what [Chanterelle] has done being the first Black female valedictorian. She’s pushing through the concrete,” Prescott said.

And she’s not stopping there. The young trailblazer say she’s determined to push for change beyond her community and take on the world her own way.

Q: When did you find out you were going to be Valedictorian at Manchester High?

A: In March, my principal had asked to meet with me, and she didn’t say what the topic of conversation was. And when I had gotten on, she basically said “you’re going to be valedictorian for this class!”

nd I was just so happy, like it was just a huge sigh of relief and celebration. Then she had me bring my computer downstairs so that she can tell my parents. So, my mom cried, and my dad was extremely happy, and my sister was elated too. It was just a great moment for all of us.

Q: How do you feel being the first Black female valedictorian at your high school, especially during such a racially sensitive time?

A: It’s really big. I hadn’t found out [I was the first] until a couple of weeks ago, but when I did, I was shocked honestly. My school happens to be one of the most diverse schools in the state, and [Manchester High] not having had a Black female valedictorian yet is crazy to me.

Soraya Chanterelle is Manchester High School’s first Black Female Valedictorian. (Kassi Jackson)

But I think — especially in this town, which is very racially divided at times — it is a big step towards good change, and it can hopefully inspire other students of color, who are often left out or forgotten, that they can also do great things.

Q: What is something in your valedictorian speech that you hope really resonates with people?

A: This was mostly an address to my class, but not exclusively, I want everyone here to always remember that you determine your future, not what others expect of you or see you as. Your life is what you make of it, so when you enter a room: hold your head high, command the space, demand respect. Make your voice heard, speak your truth, never back down, use your voice to amplify the voices of the silenced and marginalized groups. Find your passion and purpose and don’t stop until you make your dreams into reality.

Q: What do you hope that your own accomplishment does for other people?

A: I hope that for others, students that look like me and girls that look like me, just remember how powerful they are and that they can do literally anything they put their mind to.

This is a big testament to that because the school systems are not built for students of color, it was not built for girls of color. And I still think that there are so many flaws with the way it measures intelligence and the way it gives students value. But seeing this accomplishment can help students of color and girls of color remember that they do have a place here and have so much to offer the world.

Q: So, what do you have planned next for yourself?

A: This summer, I will be running workshops with my school for younger students, mainly incoming sophomores, about identity and turn your dreams into reality, basically. And then afterwards I will be heading to Howard University in August.

Q: How does it feel going such a major HBCU like Howard University?

A: It feels amazing. I’ve known I wanted to go there since [April 2020] and I did so much research and put everything into it. So, getting in and actually being able to go is so amazing.

I’m studying political science. I hope to work in some sort of social justice advocacy or policy reform. So, I’m definitely going to try and continue my activism more in college and beyond. I think getting into D.C. and being able to explore my passion on a greater level is going to be so different but amazing.

Q: What’s a message you believe everyone needs to hear right now?

A: In terms of racial equity, I think “being comfortable being uncomfortable” is something that we all have to grasp and that is one of the norms that a lot of my equity groups use. We use “being comfortable being uncomfortable” because race and equity can be really uncomfortable and hard topics. But being comfortable having racial discussions is the only way we can actually make change.

With Virginia Set To Receive Billions In Funding, A Former Governor Requests Additional Support For HBCUs

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Several HBCUs in Virginia may have funding coming their way thanks to a government official who has never forgotten their importance! Learn which HBCUs would be included and how much is at stake in a piece from Tracy Sears at WTVR.

Credit Norfolk State University

Former Virginia Governor Doug Wilder has asked state officials to provide millions more in funding for historically Black colleges and universities.

Hampton University graduate Spencer Battle said that his four years in college changed his life. He said the opportunity to study at a historically Black university opened many doors for him.

Now, he wants other students to benefit from the same opportunities and experiences. However, in order for this to happen, he said that more funding is vital.

“There’s so much character at HBCU’s, so many people that affect your lives and teach you the culture and teach you how to better yourself, but a lot of people don’t get that opportunity because they have to weigh the pros and cons of going to a place that doesn’t get funded as much as another school,” Battle said. 

In a letter addressed to Gov. Ralph Northam, the Lt. Governor and several members of the General Assembly, former Governor Doug Wilder asked state leaders to provide more in funding for historically Black colleges and universities. 

His request started with $50 million in federal dollars for each of Virginia’s four public and private HBCU’s. 

“Let me ask you this, how do students benefit from the removal of statues?” Wilder asked. 

He shared a recent report by the non-profit organization Education Reform Now that found that while 34% of Virginia’s 18-24-year-old students are Black or Hispanic, only three of the state’s 15 public four-year institutions meet or exceed that proportion, including two HBCU’s. 

Source: WHSV

“We spend more in many instances on athletic programs at some of these schools than they do in allocations they make to ESPU’s. So it’s not fair, it’s not right, it’s wrong and we don’t address it now, when are we going to do it?” Wilder asked. 

On Monday, a spokesperson for Gov. Northam released a statement saying the following:

Governor Northam is an ardent supporter of Virginia’s historically Black colleges and universities – that’s why his 2020 budget dedicated a record $300 million to Norfolk State University and Virginia State University, two public HBCU’s. 

The statement went on to say that state leaders are finalizing plans to prioritize spending using funds from the American Rescue Act and that education is a top priority. 

“There’s so many times I’d tell people I go to Hampton and I’d get the where is that or what is that?” Battle said. 

Battle said he hopes funding will open thousands of doors for Virginia’s minority and low-income students. 

“That’s a beautiful concept, you know, When I heard that I was like that’s an amazing opportunity,” Battle said.

Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith Chosen As Interim President of Harris-Stowe State University

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Harris-Stowe State University is welcoming a new interim president after the exit of its previous president, and she is prepared for the task!

Dr. Corey Bradford has announced that he is leaving Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) to pursue an opportunity at a research university, the HSSU Board of Regents thanks Dr. Bradford for his leadership.

Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith, currently Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, will serve as Interim President, effective June 1, 2021. Collins Smith has more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience with an extensive background in administration and program development. She began her career in higher education at Harris-Stowe State University in 2010 as a project coordinator in the Office of Counseling Services. She has also served the institution as associate provost, assistant provost and as executive director of the Center for Career Engagement.

Dr. Collins Smith is the co-principal investigator of a $5 million National Science Foundation grant to substantially strengthen STEM in the state of Missouri, the largest grant in the history of Harris-Stowe. She currently serves as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the nation’s largest regional accreditation body. She also served as the campus team lead for the following initiatives; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Re-Imagine First Year Project, the Strada Foundation Measuring College Value project, the Complete College America MSI Initiative, the Ascendium Project Success Initiative and the Gallup Alumni Survey Project.

Dr. Collins Smith serves as chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration Commission of Missouri and a member of the Downtown Advisory Board for Greater St. Louis, Inc. She served on both the Alumni Board of Directors and Alumni Foundation Board for the University of Central Missouri. She is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Dr. Collins Smith has received several leadership and service awards including the Equal Education Opportunity Group Pioneer Award, the NAACP Ben Hooks Community Leader award and the AKA Central Region’s Outstanding Educational Advancement Foundation Captain award. She is a 2019 Millennium Leadership Initiative Protégé, a St.

Louis Business Diversity Initiative Fellow and a Higher Education Leadership Foundation Fellow.

Collins Smith earned an educational doctorate in higher education leadership from Maryville University in St. Louis. She holds a master of social work degree and a master of public health degree from Saint Louis University. She is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri, where she majored in social work.

Chair of the Board of Regents Ron Norwood commented that “Dr. Collins Smith has a proven record of outstanding leadership and will serve the University well.”

Educator Opens School To Teach Youth Value Of HBCUs After Being Told Not To Mention Them

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A man who was once instructed to not tell black students about the magic of HBCUs is. now doing his part to make sure they get the exposure they deserve. From naming a class after Edward Waters College to planning college tours, trailblazer Cameron Frazier is determined to make sure students know all about HBCUs. Learn about the work he’s taken on to educate his community in an article from Niara Savage at the Atlanta Black Star below!

Cameron Frazier is the founding principal of Becoming Collegiate Academy. (Photo: Courtesy of Cameron Frazier)

A Jacksonville, Florida native is giving back to his community in a powerful way by establishing a Black-led K-5 school that aims to produce students prepared to succeed at historically Black colleges and universities. 

Cameron Frazier, the 31-year-old founding principal of Becoming Collegiate Academy, said he established the school in order to provide families in the North Jacksonville area with a high-quality option for education that is also intentional about placing an emphasis on cultural identity. 

It’s important “to be shown models of people who look like you,” Frazier told the Atlanta Black Star, adding that Black kids are “missing that in schools.” 

A charter school, BCA is publicly funded and independently run.

Frazier, a graduate of Jacksonville’s Andrew Jackson High School, first began his career in education as a Teach for America Corps member in 2012 and taught sixth- thorough eighth-grade English at Matthew Gillbert Middle School for three years. 

“I wanted to teach Black kids how to read,” Frazier said of his motivation to move to Nashville, Tennessee, and teach third graders at Rocketship Elementary. 

His experiences a part of the team that established KIPP Nashville as the founding assistant principal “directly translated” to the process for starting BCA and showed him “What school can be for Black and brown kids.”

The school is specifically aimed at producing students who are prepared to succeed in college and life. One of the biggest goals of BCA is “to make sure 100 percent of our Becoming Bears graduate HBCU-ready, ready to attend one of the 107 colleges that identify as a historically Black college or university.”

In addition, students will be prepared to compete in the 21st-century job market and embody BCA’s core values: Love, community, identity and pride. 

BCA will open its doors to students in the fall. (Photo: Courtesy of Cameron Frazier)

Frazier said HBCUs are a major theme at the school, as BCA strives to “mirror the HBCU experience.” After previously being told to discourage students from attending Black schools by people who didn’t see them as quality institutions, Frazier is now set on pushing back against that narrative and ensuring all students understand the history of the institutions and value the experience of an HBCU education. 

Each cohort at BCA will be named after an HBCU. This year’s founding kindergarten class will be named after Edward Waters College, a private school in Jacksonville founded in 1866 by members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. 

“We pay homage to Jacksonville first!” Frazier said. Future cohorts will be named after Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and other universities across the country. 

Each year, students will have the opportunity to go an a college tour and visit HBCUs. 

“For me, it’s not just about making sure that they’re college-ready; yeah, we want them to go to college, but it’s also about them knowing that there is an education that’s out there that is reflective of you and this is what that education looks like,” said Frazier. 

HBCUs remain major producers of Black professionals. According to the United Negro College Fund, HBCUs make up just 3 percent of Black colleges in America but produce 20 percent of Black graduates and 25 percent of Black graduates in STEM.

A Gallup-Purdue University report also found that Black graduates who had attended HBCUs were more likely to have felt supported while in college and more likely to describe themselves as “thriving in purpose well-being” than students who had gone to mostly white institutions. 

While BCA is open to all students in Duval County, it will be located on the north side of the Norwood community in Jacksonville, an area where Frazier says high-quality options for education are lacking. An exact location for the school will be released in the coming weeks. 

According to a study by 904WARD based on data from the 2018-2019 school year, just 37 percent of Black students in Jacksonville earned enough points to pass the English/Language Arts portion of the Florida state assessment, while 63 percent of white students and 74 percent of Asian students were able to pass.

“In other words, an overwhelming number of Black kids are not reading on grade level,” Frazier explained.

BCA will serve the Norwood and Lake Forest neighborhoods in particular because the community has struggled with historically low reading rates.

Parent Mario McKinney told News4Jax the kids in the community “definitely need a positive and progressive school to go to.” He added, “If it’s Black-owned on top of that we support that also.”

BCA will open its doors to students in the fall. (Photo: Courtesy of Cameron Frazier)

In order to be intentional about addressing existing gaps in achievement, students at BCA will receive about 180 minutes of literacy instruction each day, while students would typically spend about 90 minutes on literacy in a traditional program. 

In addition, students will receive up to two hours a day of small-group instruction. 

By year six, BCA plans to serve more than 600 students. The school began with enrolling kindergarten students only, and it will grow by one grade level each year. More than 100 kindergarteners are already enrolled. 

“Our school is not about giving our kids anything,” Frazier said, “because they already are amazing, they’re brilliant, they were born that way. Our job is to unleash that greatness that’s within them.” 

BCA will open its doors to students starting in the fall.

Recent Donation For Scholarship Renews Commitment In HBCUs

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UNCF and NMSC officers gather with HBCU presidents at the Clark Atlanta University Dubois Statue Platform for the presentation of an additional $2.1 million grant from NMSC for the Achievement Capstone Program. In attendance (from left to right) are UNCF Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer Mr. Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr.; Clark Atlanta University President Dr. George T. French, Jr.; UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax; NMSC President and CEO Mr. Timothy E. McGuire; Morehouse College President Dr. David A. Thomas; and NMSC Executive Vice President Mr. Jeffrey Z. Little.

College is expensive, but a renewed collaboration is bringing costs down for students to attend HBCUs! Read more information from The Seattle Medium about how UNCF and The National Merit Scholarship Corporation have reinvested in a program that will give the highest-achieving students the support they need!

Last week, The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) and UNCF (United Negro College Fund) celebrated the success of the Achievement Capstone Program, a scholarship program that grants financial assistance to high-achieving, underrepresented college graduates at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs).

NMSC joined UNCF at Clark Atlanta University’s Dubois Statue Platform to commemorate the scholarship’s five-year milestone. During the celebration, NMSC President Timothy E. McGuire presented UNCF President Dr. Michael L. Lomax with an additional $2.1 million grant for the Achievement Capstone Program.

For more than 50 years, NMSC conducted the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which recognized and honored academically talented Black American high school students. Four million Black Americans entered the program, and approximately 228,000 received program recognition. Of those honored, more than 34,000 of the most outstanding participants were chosen to receive Achievement Scholarship® awards worth about $108 million. The final group of high school students to be recognized in the program entered college in 2015. UNCF carries on the National Achievement Scholarship Program name and legacy through the UNCF Achievement Capstone Program, launched in 2016 with an initial investment of $5 million from the National Achievement Scholarship Program. The additional investment of $2.1 million is the remaining funds from the National Achievement Scholarship Program now that the obligations to the 2015 scholarship recipients have been fully met.

“UNCF is honored to continue the legacy of a program that has meant so much to Black college students who struggled to finance their higher education,” said Lomax. “I am proud of the work that UNCF has done with this program in helping ensure a college degree is not only a dream but a possibility.”

“NMSC is proud of our partnership with UNCF and their great work and stewardship to successfully carry on the name, mission, and important legacy of the National Achievement Scholarship Program which has recognized and honored so many talented Black American Scholars since the first awards were presented in 1965,” said McGuire. “We believe this further investment in the Achievement Capstone Program is proof of our great confidence in UNCF to carry on this important mission for many years to come.”

“The UNCF Achievement Capstone Program showed other grant organizations that I was capable of writing persuasive material and that I was a leader in my community,” said Alexis Carey, a UNCF Achievement Capstone recipient and third-year Ph.D. candidate currently enrolled in the cellular and molecular medicine program at Johns Hopkins University. 

Carey is interested in the interface between aging, chronic inflammation and overall immune function. Her research allowed her to receive several prestigious awards including the Ford Predoctoral Fellowship Alternate/Honorable Mention in 2021 and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Honorable Mention in 2020. She plans to investigate the role that age-related changes to bone marrow play in the progression of melanoma. A 2018 graduate of Clark Atlanta University, Carey actively encourages young students through her participation as a peer mentor to basic science institute and summer internship program students.

Tiqeece Brown, a UNCF Achievement Capstone recipient and second-year law student at Campbell University’s Norman A. Wiggins School of Law, says that the scholarship has inspired him to pay it forward.

“The UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship gave me the momentum to help achieve my dream of becoming an attorney and inspired me to give back to my community,” said Brown.

Brown provides leadership as the chief promotional officer for Campbell Law Reporter and the law student representative for the North Carolina Bar Association. He is an active member of the university’s Diversity and Student Life Committee and Student Bar Association. A 2017 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, Brown served as a teacher and football coach within Catawba County School system. Upon graduation, he has a strong desire to pursue a career in education or public interest law.

“Students like Alexis Carey and Tiqeece Brown are outstanding examples of the talent this particular scholarship empowers,” Lomax added. “And, this additional investment will allow UNCF to turn those dreams into realities for more students at HBCUs and PBIs. For that, we are extremely grateful to NMSC for entrusting us with such a prestigious program.”

HBCU Faculty Have Been Training For Further Distance Learning

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What began as a relatively small training to teach HBCU faculty how to support distance learning, has now blossomed into something much bigger. The training, spearheaded by UNCF and an education partner, now training double the intended professionals, preparing them for education during and after a pandemic that shocked the world. Read about how HBCU educators are rolling up their sleeves for the future of education in an article by Brenda C. Siler at The Washington Informer.

Faculty skill building is part of UNCF’s commitment to HBCUs and PBIs. The scholarship organization has partnered with Strategic Education to elevate skills for delivering higher-education distance learning. (Courtesy of UNCF)

The pandemic forced educators into a largely uncharted world in which distance learning supplanted in-classroom instruction. To address the concerns of teachers, students and administrators, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is collaborating with online learning specialist Strategic Education, Inc. to help instructors at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominately Black institutions (PBIs) deliver quality higher education in a hybrid environment of in-classroom instruction and remote teaching.

UNCF and SEI piloted this professional development training in Summer 2020 with 400 HBCU faculty members at 14 institutions enrolled. The formal rollout has begun for faculty. The training program was ready to offer the training to 500 faculty, but the response was overwhelming with more 1,200 faculty now enrolled. Enrollees train in a four-week program building proficiency for delivering online learning. Those that complete the training are eligible for a $200 stipend.

“We have facilitators from a variety of educational backgrounds who are available to support faculty in this training,” said Crystal Moore, vice president of Higher Education Partnerships at Strategic Education.

HBCUs and PBIs have been seen as a path for educating Black students. Operating within a digital environment will continue to grow for higher education. UNCF and Strategic Education are working to ensure faculty refine skills that today’s students require. To ensure faculty are supported in this program, Provosts and Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs at institutions receive guidance to support their newly trained educators.

“We set up a training program for administrators to understand this professional development scenario,” said Julian Thompson, a strategist in UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building (ICB). “We researched a curriculum that would help institutions learn how to pivot from a classroom environment to online space. Curriculum design scenarios looked at student engagement, evaluation and assessment tools and innovations.”

UNCF reached beyond its 37 member schools to offer this training program. The largest minority scholarship program in the U.S., UNCF turned to Strategic Education to craft a training program in the wake of SEI’s success in training programs for Strayer University and Capella University. The company uses Sophia Learning, a social education platform that provides free tools and resources to teachers.

Training for participating faculty will  feature virtual small group interaction among educators to share best practices.

“There is a community-building aspect to this professional development initiative for participants,” said Moore.

Why More College Students And Athletes Are Committing To HBCUs

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Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are hubs of inclusion and diversity when it comes to education, sports, social action, and more. Yet the power of HBCUs are often times ignored, especially when it comes to the recruiting of top academic and sports talent. Now an increasing amount of people are opening their eyes towards these institutions, driving up applications and even high-profile athlete commitments. Below, read a recent ABC News piece by Abby Cruz, Kenneth Moton, and Sarah Herndon that is exploring why.

Students walk around the Florida A&M University campus in Tallahassee Fla., Sept. 16, 2020. (Credit: Joe Rondone/Democrat via USA Today Network)

It’s the time when high school graduates make that consequential decision: What’s next?

Curtis Lawrence has made his choice. Behind those braces and that megawatt smile is a gifted 16-year-old who recently made a tough choice for his future.

Curtis, a student at School Without Walls High School in Washington, D.C., was offered a total of $1.6 million in scholarships and was accepted into 14 schools, including Harvard and Yale, but he decided on Florida A&M University, a historically Black university also known as FAMU.

“They made sure to reach out to me,” he said, adding that he felt welcomed at the university. “I know FAMU is the right choice for me.”

“Throughout my life, my parents made sure to make me interested in HBCUs,” Curtis continued. “And that there was a place for me to be developed as a young Black man.”

Since the death of George Floyd, many students and athletes have taken it upon themselves to not only use their voices but also take action in a way they believe will make change.

As colleges overall saw a nearly 3% dip in enrollment this spring compared to last year, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, HBCUs are exploding in popularity both in classrooms and on the court.

Numbers show the impact. Morgan State University reported nearly 15,000 undergraduate applications — an all-time high and a 58.5% increase compared to 2019. Howard University said that for a third straight year, it experienced a double-digit increase in applications.

Last year, Makur Maker, one of the most elite basketball prospects in the country, shocked the nation when he turned down top basketball programs, including Kentucky and UCLA.

He became the highest-ranked player in the modern recruiting era to commit to an HBCU when he chose Howard University. Unfortunately, the 6-foot-11 forward played just two games before being injured last season, and has declared for the NBA draft.

“During a social unrest, the George Floyd killing, that was a tipping point of everything,” Maker told ABC News. “That really made me consider a HBCU seriously.”

Makur Maker (20) controls the ball against Sunrise Christian Academy during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., Jan. 19, 2020. (Credit: Gregory Payan/AP)

Maker said he wanted to give others the courage to go with their hearts.

After his decision, other prospective star athletes, such as the son of rapper Master P and the son of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, also committed to HBCUs.

“It’s always hard when you’re trying to pick the right college and the right fit style of play or, you know, the right culture,” Maker said. “But I feel like whenever I’m given an opportunity with a wide variety, whether to lead and learn at the same time, it’s a no-brainer for me.”

HBCUs started growing in the early 19th century to educate people of African descent including freed slaves and their descendants who were not allowed to attend white institutions.

Many HBCUs survived decades of racism-based challenges, such as Jim Crow laws, underfunding and accreditation issues.

Bowie State University, Maryland’s oldest HBCU, has seen a 70% increase in applicants from across the country, said university President Aminta Breaux, the first woman to lead the school.

“Our doors have been open to every race, every gender and orientation,” she said. “We are an open, diverse community, and we feel that there’s a greater benefit to us all.”

Students walk near the new Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing at Bowie State University, June 5, 2017. (Credit: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Bowie State and Maryland’s other HBCUs are now preparing for a major infusion of cash to help with expansion plans. The state approved sending a total of $577 million dollars to HBCUs over 10 years.

“I believe this is a wrong that has been righted,” Breaux said. “So now we’re looking to the future to build up our programs, to create greater academic innovation, to provide the scholarships so sorely needed for our students as we see a growing gap across the country.”

As Curtis prepares to graduate from high school, the 16-year-old has already earned his associate degree from The George Washington University, which means he’ll join FAMU as a rising junior.

When asked what he wants other young people to know about HBCUs and why they should attend, Curtis’ face beamed with light.

“I would say that HBCUs are where you should go,” he said. “They have a specific culture to them that other schools don’t exactly have, that they can’t match.”

Alabama State University Establishes Hall Of Fame

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Student-athletes and many more at Alabama State University are welcoming the surprise news that the university will be establishing an athletic Hall Of Fame! Get the full details and learn will be among those considered for honors in the article from Janae Smith at Alabama News Network below!

Credit: Alabama State University Athletics

The Alabama State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the establishment of an Athletics Hall of Fame today.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize and pay tribute to former student-athletes and coaches who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments during their enrollment/career at the University, as well as individuals who have demonstrated significant support to the advancement of the Department of Athletics through dedicated service. A Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be scheduled to take place during the 2022 football season, with a date and location to be determined.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame may be submitted by any Alabama State University affiliate (employee, Hornet Club member, Board of Trustees member, alumnus, inducted Hall of Famer, and any Hall of Fame committee member). All nominations will begin being accepted June 7, 2021, and the nominations will close on August 30, 2021. Nomination forms will be available via BamaStateSports.com or by clicking here. The nominations will be received by the Selection Committee during the nominating period and will be verified upon receipt.

Nominees may include a former student-athlete, coach, administrator, a team, or an individual who has made significant contributions to the department. Each person may nominate only one individual or team for consideration per cycle.

The Selection Committee has been assembled and consists of the following: ex-officio, director, presidential designee, a member of the Board of Trustees, a community member at large, member of the Athletic Strategic Communications office, current student-athlete, person who has achieved Hall of Fame status via Alabama State and/or SWAC, and a member of the current SGA.

After the Hall of Fame selections have been confirmed, all honorees will be notified and announced as part of Homecoming Week festivities in October 2021.

The Alabama State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the establishment of an Athletics Hall of Fame today.

Credit: Alabama State University Athletics

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize and pay tribute to former student-athletes and coaches who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments during their enrollment/career at the University, as well as individuals who have demonstrated significant support to the advancement of the Department of Athletics through dedicated service. A Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be scheduled to take place during the 2022 football season, with a date and location to be determined.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame may be submitted by any Alabama State University affiliate (employee, Hornet Club member, Board of Trustees member, alumnus, inducted Hall of Famer, and any Hall of Fame committee member). All nominations will begin being accepted June 7, 2021, and the nominations will close on August 30, 2021. Nomination forms will be available via BamaStateSports.com or by clicking here. The nominations will be received by the Selection Committee during the nominating period and will be verified upon receipt.

Nominees may include a former student-athlete, coach, administrator, a team, or an individual who has made significant contributions to the department. Each person may nominate only one individual or team for consideration per cycle.

The Selection Committee has been assembled and consists of the following: ex-officio, director, presidential designee, a member of the Board of Trustees, a community member at large, member of the Athletic Strategic Communications office, current student-athlete, person who has achieved Hall of Fame status via Alabama State and/or SWAC, and a member of the current SGA.

After the Hall of Fame selections have been confirmed, all honorees will be notified and announced as part of Homecoming Week festivities in October 2021.

NC A&T Students Work Hard On Inaugural Marketing Case Study Competition

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Hard working marketing students at North Carolina A&T State University worked to develop solutions for marketing in a case study competition that’s never been done before! Winning students not only came out more prepared to be problem-solvers at work; they came out with some cash too! To find out which company posed the questions and who came out on top, check out the article from Jackie Torok at NC A&T News below!

Credit: North Carolina A&T University

Three teams of undergraduate marketing students earned cash prizes after completing an inaugural case study competition sponsored by International Paper at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics.

During the spring 2021 semester, students enrolled in a marketing retailing class split into 18 teams to develop comprehensive solutions that incorporated retailing, marketing, supply chain management, and management science approaches to address a business problem presented by International Paper. The case focused on business-to-business relationships that ultimately impact the means by which consumers receive products.

Along with background and foundational information provided in conjunction with the case, students were tasked with conducting independent research on the industry, International Paper, International Paper’s business customers and end users.

Credit: North Carolina A&T University

“This experience of working virtually in a team also provided students with an opportunity to experience the direction many companies are heading with their workforces, albeit in a low- to no-risk environment,” said Roland Leak, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management in the Deese College. “As students graduate, they can use this experience to know that they can collaborate with team members in a virtual environment and produce impactful solutions that can support the goals and aims of their organizations.”

The top four teams presented their solutions virtually to International Paper representatives, who chose the three winning teams based on the students’ effort, delivery, thoughtfulness, and understanding of the issue.

The first-place team of Brandon Flowers, Simone Simmons, Ashtyn Jones and Micayla Steele received $1,500; the second-place team of Cheyla Wolfe, Diamond Bethea, Cedric Maddox, Sadaris Rhodes and Raelynn Sanders received $1,000; and the third-place team of Desmyne Gaines, Jada Heron, Tevonna Penn, Aaliyah Rodriguez and Sydnee Wallace received $500.

“The ability to work with a quality organization like International Paper truly enhances the Deese College faculty’s ability to demonstrate the skills students need to build in their undergraduate years so they can enter careers boldly and confidently,” said Leak. “Student experiences like this work in conjunction with the rigor of the marketing program to create knowledgeable and competitive professionals that are ready for the work world.”

18-Year-Old Graduates Summa Cum Laude, Debt-Free From Howard University

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Some HBCU graduates struggle to graduate debt free. And with all the possible distractions on campus, some HBCU graduates have difficulty graduating with top grades. Yet for one Howard University graduate, she beat the odds to graduate having overcome both those obstacles. Learn more in the piece from Charlene Rhinehart at Black Enterprise below.

Credit: Twitter/nadiyabee

Nadiya Blair just graduated from one of the world’s leading HBCUs debt-free, according to Defender Network.

At only 18-years-old, Blair has earned her Bachelor’s degree from Howard University. Despite the challenges associated with remote learning during the pandemic, she was able to achieve honors status, graduating Summa Cum Laude as a member of the Class of 2021.

“I definitely give credit to my creator. But also my parents are just exceptional people,” she said. “The amount of love my parents have poured into me was awesome. They weren’t helicopter parents. But they did encourage me and were extremely supportive, but they didn’t force me to do anything. They took the approach, ‘If you get a bad grade, that’s on you, and you can’t do the things you want in life with bad grades.’ That onus just made me want to do well.”

Graduating Debt-Free From Top HBCU

In 2015, Blair started high school. She took advantage of a dual credit program that expedited her educational success. According to her LinkedIn page, the young achiever was able to earn college credit from San Jacinto College while pursuing her high school diploma.

https://twitter.com/nadiyabee/status/1387544394421657602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1387544394421657602%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackenterprise.com%2Fthis-18-year-old-just-graduated-from-top-ranking-hbcu-debt-free-now-shes-taking-a-year-off-to-pursue-her-dreams%2F

Four years later, Blair accomplished her goal of reaching two educational milestones. First, she walked across the stage as a high school graduate from the Grace Christian Academy. At the same time, she received her Associate of Arts degree with honors. At only 16-years-old, Blair had put herself on the fast track to academic success.

In 2019, Blair matriculated to Howard University as a junior. She received a tuition scholarship but that wasn’t enough to cover her college expenses. Blair turned to scholarships to fill in the funding gaps. She applied for multiple scholarships during her program — even those that were only $100.

“My number one tip is don’t snub your nose at small scholarships,” Blair told Defender Network. “I spent a lot of time going after $100, $300, $500 scholarships because they add up. Everybody wants to apply for the big 10, 50 grand. Those scholarships are fantastic, but it’s easier to get the smaller ones.”

Applying for scholarships can add up to the hours associated with a full-time job. But graduating debt-free may be worth the time. According to The Institute for College Access & Success, over 60% of the class of 2019 graduated college with student debt. Many students rely on loans, making the average loan debt for a bachelor’s degree $28,950.

Blair recommends that students devote time to filling out scholarship recommendations. Although Blair had a full list of activities on her plate, she prioritized scholarship applications to eliminate debt worries.

“Take a weekend and just dedicate time to applying for as many small scholarships as possible. You may not get them all. But if you keep persevering, it will work.”

Next Steps

Now that Blair has her degree in hand, she’s looking forward to taking a year off. First, she plans to recuperate and indulge in self-care. Before graduating from Howard, Blair had to produce a 40-page thesis. Now, she’s on a mission to regain her mental energy to prepare for the next leg of her journey. Spending time with family and learning how to play the guitar are fun priorities on the list. In addition, she hopes to enhance her Spanish fluency.

Blair also has her eyes set on receiving the Presidential Lifetime Service Award. She plans on accumulating over 2,000 hours of service within the next year. She’s partnered with many community organizations in the past, earning two president’s volunteer service awards.

After her one-year sabbatical, Blair’s goal is to pursue a master’s in public policy and focus on nonprofit management. There’s no doubt that Blair will be successful in whatever direction she decides to go in. The opportunities are already looking bright. She’s running a multi-million dollar franchise for her own vector marketing business that could impact the next steps of her journey.

Xavier University of Louisiana Earns Fifth Consecutive Howell Cup, Totaling 10 Wins

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Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) is rejoicing after winning yet another Howell Cup in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference! Read about XULA’s lasting athletic legacy in an article by Brain Baublitz Jr. of Crescent City Sports below!

Credit: Yamlak Tsega/XULA Athletics

Courtesy of three regular season championships, three runner-up placements and a fourth place finish, Xavier University of Louisiana was able to claim its tenth and final Thomas Howell Cup as a member of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

XULA was dominant once again, securing its fifth consecutive Cup and 10th over the past 11 seasons with 30 points, 10 more than the second place finisher. The Gold Nuggets swept the regular season championships for all women’s sports (track & field, volleyball, and cross country) while seeing three of its four men’s squads getting runners-up (track & field, basketball, and cross country). The only squad that did not end up in the top-three was the women’s basketball program, who went on to win the GCAC Tournament anyway as the fourth seed.

Dillard University finished in second place with 20 points, securing the slot with a men’s track & field victory with second place finishes in both volleyball and women’s track & field. They also won third place for their showing in women’s cross country. DU had its best Howell Cup finish since winning its lone Cup in 2016.

Edward Waters College came in third place, sliding in at 18 points. EWC was unable to win any regular season championships but were solid across the board as they had four third-place finishes via both track and field teams, men’s cross country and women’s basketball. This is the fifth consecutive year that the school has finished third or better in the standings.

Talladega College and Philander Smith College tied for fourth place, each garnering 17 points apiece. Talladega was boosted by its men’s basketball regular season title and women’s basketball’s runner-up placement while PSC had a champion (men’s cross country), runner-up (women’s cross country) and third place winner (volleyball).

Rust College was sixth at 12 points primarily due to its GCAC regular season championship won by its women’s basketball program as well as four points coming from its male counterparts on the hardwood.

Finally, Tougaloo College came in seventh, its best showing coming by way of the men’s cross country team who placed fourth.

Xavier (La.) now joins Mobile as the only two conference members in history to win double-figure Howell Cups with the Rams laying claim to 18 while the Gold Rush now have 10.

With the departure of Xavier to the Red River Athletic Conference, the only current member who has won the trophy is Dillard University, winning it for the first and only time so far at the conclusion of the 2015-2016 campaign.

The Thomas Howell Cup, named for the GCAC’s longtime commissioner, is awarded annually to the school with the most points based on order of finish in various sports.

2020-21 Thomas Howell Cup Final Standings
Rank Team Points
1. Xavier (Louisiana) 30
2. Dillard 20
3. Edward Waters 18
T4. Philander Smith 17
T4. Talladega 17
6. Rust 12
7. Tougaloo 6

All-Time Winners
Rank Team Championships
1. Mobile 18 – 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
2. Xavier (Louisiana) 10 – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
3. Spring Hill 3 – 2000, 2002, 2003
T4. Dillard 1 – 2016
T4. Belhaven 1 – 2010
T4. William Carey 1 – 1986
T4. Louisiana College 1 – 1986

Stillman College’s Kelvin Reese Leads In HBCU All-Star Baseball Game

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A freshman at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama made his mark on the recent HBCU All-Star baseball game. Also from Alabama, player Kelvin Reese had left the game with impressive stats, leading many to speculate just how well he can perform at his remaining career at Stillman! Read more about Reese and the eye-catching game from Ryan Phillips at Patch below.

Credit: Stillman College Athletics

Stillman College’s Kelvin Reese, a freshman from Montgomery, had a noteworthy performance in the inaugural HBCU All-Star Game Tuesday at Hoover Met Stadium. 

Starting in center field, Reese logged a two-RBI double down the left field line in the bottom of the second inning to give his team the lead on its way to a 3-1 victory. 

“It felt so surreal to be out here and to be able to perform to the best of my abilities and go out and get in it,” Reese said. “It’s been amazing. Being out here with these guys, being able to be on the field, it’s a blessing. To God the glory. Thank God for everything. Without Him, I wouldn’t be able to do this.”

The two teams for the game were sponsored by former Tampa Bay Rays Rickie Weeks and Desmond Jennings, a Birmingham native, with Reese playing on Jennings’ squad. The goal of the game was to showcase athletes from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), who organizers have said are often overlooked by professional scouts. 

Stillman head coach Terrance Whittle attended the all-star showcase Tuesday and said Reese was deserving of the opportunity to be featured among the best in his class.

“I wasn’t surprised at all by his performance. I knew he was going to come out here and play hard and be a team guy, which is what he is,” Whittle said. “I’m so excited for him and Stillman College.” 

During the 2021 campaign for the Tigers (3-25) Reese hit .278, with 20 hits in 26 games. He also notched eight doubles and 11 RBI during his freshman season.

A New Platform Is Giving HBCU Students Early Access To Roles At Private Equity Companies

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HBCU students interested in working at private equity firms and more now have a new resource to help achieve their goals. A new platform will not only bring them access to roles, but will alert them to their specific interests and help them be the first to apply! Learn more about career portal “Apollo HBCUNet” in the article from The Atlanta Voice below!

Credit: Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA

Tuesday, Apollo Global Management announced the launch of Apollo HBCUNet, a new platform powered by CareerBuilder that aims to connect students and alumni from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with career opportunities at Apollo and across its private equity funds’ portfolio companies.

“At Apollo, we are focused on championing opportunity in our workplace, throughout our marketplace and in our communities,” said Apollo’s Head of Leadership Development and Diversity Jonathan Simon. “Historically Black Colleges and Universities have diverse student bodies and educate many of our country’s most promising young professionals. We want to make it easier for those students and alumni to connect to career opportunities here at Apollo and across our broader portfolio.”

HBCUNet offers students access to open positions at Apollo and across its network of fund portfolio companies, including both full- and part-time employment at companies spanning a variety of industries, with roles in finance, legal, sales, technology and more. HBCUNet members can opt into alerts to be made aware of new positions that open in their identified areas of interest, receiving notifications of roles matching their profiles and encouraging them to be among the first to apply.

The launch of HBCUNet follows the 2019 launch of VetNet, aimed at helping veteran candidates enter the private sector and find jobs within Apollo’s network. With the help of VetNet, Apollo and its funds’ portfolio companies have hired more than 3,000 veterans since the portal’s inception. Both platforms are powered by CareerBuilder, an Apollo fund portfolio company, and the collaborative effort across dozens of companies in Apollo’s network demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I).

CareerBuilder CEO, Irina Novoselsky, said, “CareerBuilder is proud to power HBCUNet to help Apollo and its broader network of companies build a future workforce that better represents the world in which we live. This technology creates more equitable opportunities for diverse candidates and makes hiring easier and faster for both job seekers and employers.”

Apollo Co-Presidents Scott Kleinman and Jim Zelter said, “We are pleased to launch Apollo HBCUNet and build upon our success to-date with VetNet. At Apollo, these initiatives are just two of many efforts underway to increase opportunity and attract, develop and retain diverse talent.”

Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager.

Toni Braxton’s Son Diezel Is Headed To Howard University

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Recently, singing legend Toni Braxton shared some news that was both surprising and exciting: her son Diezel is headed to Howard University! Learn more about his journey to HU in the article below by Victoria Uwumarogie at Essence!

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We were well aware of the fact that Toni Braxton‘s sons, Diezel and Denim, weren’t the little boys we remembered them as from their days moving about with her as she did press and from Braxton Family Values. Nevertheless, we can’t help but feel a tad bit long in the tooth now that her youngest son has graduated from high school.

The singing legend shared a photo of Diezel, 18, on graduation day as she gave him a peck on the cheek with big brother Denim, 19, present. The caption read, “Congratulations @diezel.braxton! Mom is so proud of you. 💜 Howard University here he comes!”

Diezel’s success is especially heartwarming when one remembers that Toni spoke publicly on a number of occasions about him being diagnosed as autistic as a very young child.

In 2011 she told OK! that she used to blame herself for his diagnosis. 

“It’s been rewarding to see how he’s grown, but I remember when I first found out. I remember blaming myself; I thought it was my fault,” she said. “I wish I knew what triggered it. Still, often, as a mom, I blame myself. I didn’t take my vitamins every day … maybe it was the medications I was on before I got pregnant.”

She added, “They haven’t figured out what triggers it, but whatever it is, I don’t care, find a cure. Help my kid; help all the other kids.”

MEDIAPUNCH/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

A few years later, she believed that he had been cured of the condition and said in 2016 that he was no longer showing symptoms of it and that “I am one of the lucky parents. Early diagnosis changes everything.”

Since then, Diezel has been thriving,signing to Wilhemina as a model in 2018 and now graduating from high school and preparing for adult life as a Bison at Howard.

And while he preps for college, sounds like Toni will have to get ready for life as an empty nester. Seriously, though. Where did the time go? 

While we figure that out, check out a gallery of the boys from over the years and feel as old about it all as we do.