A Bowie State University alumnus is set to grace the Broadway stage after a shakeup for Michael Jackson’s music “MJ: The Musical.” Learn the details about how Myles Frost will now sing and dance his way into the hearts of all who know and love Michael Jackson in the Entertainment Weekly article below by Nick Romano!
Source: Regina Mogilevskaya
A major shakeup has come for the Michael Jackson Broadway musical as its lead star just beat it.
Newcomer Myles Frost has been tapped to replace Ephraim Sykes as the King of Pop in MJ: The Musical, the producers at Lia Vollack Productions and The Michael Jackson Estate announced on Tuesday.
They cited a year-and-a-half-long shutdown due to the pandemic for the reason, as Sykes is now scheduled to go shoot a feature film.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I depart MJ,” Sykes said in a statement. “This year has brought a lot of change and opportunity, and although it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to an iconic role and production, I look forward to what is to come. Thank you to the MJ team and congratulations to Myles. I can’t wait to see you shine as the King of Pop and for us all to celebrate the return of Broadway.”
Myles Frost to play Michael Jackson in ‘MJ’ Broadway musical. | CREDIT: REGINA MOGILEVSKAYA; FRANK EDWARDS/FOTOS INTERNATIONAL/GETTY IMAGES
Keeping things positive, director Christopher Wheeldon said, “We are extremely excited about Myles. All of his talents point towards a new rising star. I’m very much looking forward to working with him to shape the role of Michael Jackson for MJ.”
Performances will begin this Dec. 6 at New York City’s Neil Simon Theatre, with an opening night set for Feb. 1, 2022.
Though he doesn’t have other big credits to his name yet, Frost showcased his vocals through videos shared to his Instagram page, including covers of Tyrese Gibson’s “Sweet Lady” and Usher’s “I Cry.” He also released his own single, “No Sleep,” on streaming platforms.
Since funding Howard University‘s first NCAA Division I golf program in 2019, Stephen Curry has been in awe of the experience. That was especially so when he attended the first golf classic recently, which he shared more about in the article by Topher Gauk-Roger at People below!
MICHAEL SCHOLIS, COURTESY OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Stephen Curry couldn’t be more thrilled to see the achievements of Howard University’s golf team two years into his funding of the HBCU’s first NCAA Division I golf program.
Over the weekend, the NBA star made his way to Pebble Beach, California for the Bison at the Beach Inaugural Golf Classic, a first-of-its-kind event in one of the world’s most popular golfing destinations.
This event was held to assist the program in raising endowed funds and Curry, 33, exclusively spoke with PEOPLE about what it was like seeing how far they have come since first announcing his support in 2019.
“It’s a special kind of milestone in this journey,” he says. “An opportunity to start something really, really impactful and an amazing experience for these student athletes where you can be at a very iconic place in the game of golf and bring some amazing individuals and groups that want to support the program to elevate the kids’ experiences.”
Howard’s team completed their debut season in Division I during the 2020-2021 academic year, and this new event was attended by Howard University alumni, members of the Board of Trustees, corporate sponsors and friends of the University. As Curry explains, it was “a really exciting opportunity to take that next step in supporting the program and moving into the future.”
Added Howard University president Wayne A. I. Frederick in a statement, “Stephen Curry’s generosity helped bring the Division I men’s and women’s Howard golf teams to life. But to ensure the long-term sustainability of our golf program, we need the support of many more individuals and organizations.”
MICHAEL SCHOLIS, COURTESY OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY
The inaugural season was a success, ending with Howard University rising senior Gregory Odom Jr. winning the individual title at the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Works Collegiate Championship. And for Curry, it has been “surreal” watching them reach such accomplishments in a short amount of time.
“I had no idea what it was going to take to actually make this a reality,” he admits. “I love golf and I love having the ability to use my platform to create opportunity. With COVID, they were only together for a very short time for this first inaugural season, but even looking at the schedule they put together for next next season, it’s great.”
Howard is one of 25 HBCU golf programs and for the Akron, Ohio, native, it’s been an important mission to create new opportunities for young Black athletes around the country.
“I’ve been blessed to play basketball at the highest level, but also have a passion for golf, which has opened up so much in terms of building a network of like-minded people that aspire to create change,” he explains. “Howard is a north star in terms of where these young, talented student athletes can end up, and you can create golf as a conduit for success in life.”
For golf program Head Coach Samuel G.Puryear Jr., having one of professional basketball’s most iconic names involved from the very start has been instrumental in getting them this far.
“In order to be successful, you have to have some gas in the engine, and I think what this has done is basically fill up the tank and allow us to drive and do some of the things that we really need to do in order to make that difference,” he tells PEOPLE. “What Stephen has done with his time, his energy, his resources helped fuel the engine to make the car run.”
Curry and his wife of almost 10 years Ayesha, 32, share son Canon W. Jack, 2, plus daughters Ryan Carson, 5, and Riley, 8. The athlete makes it a priority to pay his success forward to give “them a vision of what they can be themselves.”
JORDAN JIMENEZ, COURTESY OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY
“They ask questions about where I’m at and what I’m doing and it’s cool to tell them I’m trying to raise money for a very special program that is going to change lives,” he says. “Hopefully that means something to them now and can plant the seed of how, [and] when it’s their time, they can carry the torch and make an impact.”
Whether or not his children follow in his footsteps on the court, Curry says he “ain’t putting the pressure on them” and that the couple are letting them find their passions on their own.
St. Augustine University has joined the ranks of other HBCUs who are clearing the debts of their students. Learn about how the university plans to alleviate financial burdens on its students in the article by Kate Murphy at News Observer below.
Members of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 listen to Dr. Christine McPhail, president of St. Augustine’s University, speak during commencement exercises for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 at St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 1, 2021. ETHAN HYMAN
Hundreds of students at Saint Augustine’s University won’t have to worry about their outstanding tuition and fee balances when they return to campus this fall.
The historically Black private university announced it is clearing students’ unpaid account balances from the 2021 spring, summer and fall semesters after all federal, state and private awards are factored in.
The estimated impact will top more than $9 million and help about 800 students who are eligible for federal Pell grants, according to the university. The money is coming from what Saint Aug’s received from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act this year.
This move allows SAU students who were not able to meet their financial obligations due to COVID-19 to continue their education.
“I come from a low-income, single-parent household and I am a first-generation high school graduate and first-generation college student,” rising senior McKenzie Estep said in a statement. “This type of support brings me one step closer to reaching my dream of starting a career with less debt and becoming financially stable.”
Students will still have to pay back their federal, state or private loans, but once they complete their FAFSA application and fall registration, their charges with the university will be gone.
St. Aug’s President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail said in a statement that the university is “committed to delivering on our promise to be one of the nation’s best universities for personalized education, student life and affordability.”
Historically Black colleges and universities across the nation have been offering relief to recent HBCU graduates and returning students by clearing balances owed in tuition, fees and fines. Black college graduates owe an average of $52,000 in student loan debt, which is about $25,000 more on average than white graduates, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Shaw University used the COVID-19 stimulus package to relieve a total of $116,000 in debt for its graduates, Inside Higher Ed reported.
The money owed by Shaw graduates this year was unprecedented, particularly as students lost jobs during the pandemic, David H. Byrd, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Shaw, told Inside Higher Ed.
Shaw also used federal stimulus money to pay for summer school costs of about $1M for approximately 400 students ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per student, Dr. Paulette Dillard, president and CEO of Shaw, said in a statement Tuesday.
The decision came after students weren’t registering for summer classes because of financial barriers, particularly as COVID-19 disproportionately affected the Black community, she said. The university wanted to provide returning students and incoming freshmen the best preparation for the fall semester on campus.
An Xavier University of Louisiana student is raising millions to ensure other students don’t experience crippling student debt that she avoided. Learn about how much Normandie Cormier has helped other students raise for their education after raising $9 million for herself in the Louisiana Weekly article by Kai Davis below.
It is her mission to ensure students, like her, can attend and graduate from college debt free. Now Normandie Cormier, a 20-year-old Lafayette, La., native, has set out to tackle what she sees as the biggest crisis facing her generation: student debt.
“Student debt is crazy in America,” said Cormier, who started the company XollegePass to help students find ways to pay for college. “I think making sure every student had the pivotal academic and financial resources available to succeed and graduate debt-free was really important to me,” Cormier said, adding that she believes education should be a right, and not a privilege.
Cormier is taking her own lessons to help future college students. She earned $9.4 million in scholarships from 144 colleges she received acceptances from in 2019. She has since worked to help college-bound students earn almost $400 million in scholarships and grants while a neuroscience major at Xavier University of Louisiana.
With the student loan debt crisis that has surpassed $2 trillion for U.S. citizens, many graduates and those who hold professional degrees live at poverty levels as they struggle to pay back student loans while earning an entry-level wage.
Cormier said through XollegePass, she provides tutoring, ACT/SAT prep and scholarship application support for any student regardless of their background.
“I grew up in a low-income neighborhood and was raised by a single mother who worked numerous jobs to make the best for my brother and me, most of my strength comes from my mom,” Cormier said of her mother, Chantelle Gary. “A lot of times I did not see a lot of different academic opportunities to excel. I feel like it is so important for those opportunities to be accessible to students right now,” Cormier said in a statement.
To further the foundation of the program, Cormier has partnered with universities and grant programs to help send students to college. The program offers monthly scholarships, full-ride scholarships, academic scholarships, celebrity scholarships, company scholarships and student-athlete scholarships.
“I would not have it any other way,” shared Christina B. in an online testimonial of Cormier’s program. “I decided to homeschool my older kids after having a baby and was swamped with my busy daily schedule. XP definitely had my back with great homeschool curriculums for success and tutoring,” Christina B. posted.
For African Americans, financial support is important during college, particularly for first-generation students who see college as an opportunity for economic mobility. It also allows first-generation students to begin to consider advanced degrees that can help them build generational wealth.
Experts note that student debt has increased more than 100 percent within the last 10 years, especially during the pandemic in which it has become worse. It has been one of the main policy areas still being debated as part of the Biden administration’s policies.
The average white student loan borrower owes around $30,000 in student debt; the average Black borrower owes closer to $34,000, according to national estimates. This means students who are Black or Hispanic, are more likely to graduate college with an excess amount of debt compared to white students.
“The student debt crisis impacted our community the most, Black students make up more than 60 percent of students in the debt crisis,” Cormier said.
Not only does Cormier help college-bound students, but she has also given kids as early as middle school students opportunities to apply for scholarships by offering test-prep and tutoring, even programs to K-12 students to better their future with the goal to go to college debt-free.
“[XollegePass] is not just an organization or company XollegePass is helping students to achieve their dreams,” said Chantelle Gary, Cormier’s mother. “Helping to take the headache out of wondering how are students going to pay for college and how students are going to be able to succeed and live out their dreams,” Gary added.
Today, XollegePass has numerous award-winning services such as result driven test prep and college preparation, scholarship advising and college admissions consulting, NCAA regulated student-athlete programs, global business and financial literacy courses, home-schooling curriculums and global educational enrichment programs.
“Yes, when you are called to do something, you realize blessing people is a blessing in itself,” Cormier said. “I realized it is not about me, it is about them and being able to help them achieve their academic goals.”
Through raising millions in scholarships for other students so they can avoid college debt, Cormier said she is finding her purpose.
“I feel myself as being someone who was called to do something and I think that what I am doing now through XollegePass is part of my calling,” Cormier said. “This is only the beginning and there is so much more in store,” she added.
There is a lack of diversity in health care, but there is so much talent at our HBCUs! So by medical company Baxter donating $1.2 million, the healthcare industry can now begin to bridge that gap. Learn more about the donation and how Tennessee State University, Meharry Medical College, and Morehouse School of Medicine will all do their part to solve the problem through 2 separate programs in the BusinessWire release below.
Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), a leading global medical products company, announced today the introduction of three scholarship and grant programs to support Black students pursuing health and science degrees and ultimately help expand the pipeline of Black healthcare professionals. Over a three-year period, $1.2 million will be distributed to three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Meharry Medical College, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), and Tennessee State University (TSU).
“The lack of diversity in healthcare is a longstanding and multifaceted problem, one that we are focused on helping to address,” said Verónica Arroyave, senior director of Global Community Relations. “Creating opportunities that support and empower Black students to pursue medical and scientific careers is one way we can help drive positive change, and we are proud to partner with respected organizations like Meharry, Morehouse, and Tennessee State to expand this effort.”
Launching the Baxter Scholars Award at TSU and Meharry Medical College
Beginning in 2021, the Baxter Scholars Award will support the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Medical, Dental and Accelerated Pathway Program, a shared program between TSU and Meharry Medical College. The accelerated pipeline program prepares qualified TSU students for early acceptance to Meharry, where students will spend three years in pre-medical courses of study at TSU before being admitted to and enrolling at Meharry to study medicine or dentistry. The Pathway Program participants will complete their undergraduate and medical school studies in seven years, instead of the customary eight years.
“The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute is grateful to Baxter for its support and participation in this journey to increase the number of African American physicians and dentists, to assist young outstanding students in pursuing their dreams, and to invest in the communities we serve,” said Ms. Barbara Murrell, chair of the Institute. “This is an exciting time!”
Morehouse School of Medicine (Source: Morehouse School of Medicine)
Morehouse School of Medicine Grants
Baxter’s donation will support several initiatives within the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) Undergraduate Health Sciences Academy (UHSA), a pre-medical targeting program designed to assist undergraduate scholars as they pursue medical school admissions. Baxter funding will provide support in the areas of student research stipends, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparation for students and related instructor grants. The gift will also be used to support several MSM Graduate Pipeline Programs, including Bridges to Biotechnology & Bioentrepreneurships, curriculum that raises awareness for the biotechnology field and its offerings, and Bridges to Health Informatics, a program exposing students to health information technologies and analytics.
“We must continue to identify and remove barriers for Black students who enter medical school and other fields in health sciences,” said John K. White, associate vice president and chief of staff for institutional advancement at Morehouse School of Medicine. “Baxter’s support allows us to offer more assistance to students as they pursue education in these important areas, and we’re immensely grateful for this support.”
Allen University just signed a partnership with a local school district that will enrich students with college-level preparedness, mentorship, and more! Find out more in the release below!
Dr. Ernest McNealey, President and CEO, Allen University and Dr. Laura Hickson, Superintendent Florence School District 3 signing MOUs.
Allen University and Florence School District Three announce an academic support and community impact partnership. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) aims to increase accessibility to college-level arts and science programming, provide professional mentorship, and engaging enrichment and acceleration programming for students district-wide.
“Florence School District Three has a rich history. Home to the likes of Ronald E. McNair, Florence School District Three exemplifies the talent that lies in our state. The district is dedicated to ensuring all students are college and career-ready and are productive members of society. At Allen University, where we “Teach the Mind to Think, the Hands to Work, and the Heart to Love,” students from Florence School District Three can thrive,” explained Allen University President and CEO Dr. Ernest McNealey. “Providing an increase in accessibility continues our commitment to meeting students where they are and remaining dedicated to the communities we serve.”
The new partnership seeks to increase accessibility to exposure of college-level and professional opportunities to Florence area students. The document outlines areas of cooperation between Allen University and Florence School District Three in developing and delivering programming, access, and exposure to college and professional opportunities that can positively impact the Florence area students.
Dr. Ernest McNealey, President and CEO, Allen University and Dr. Laura Hickson, Superintendent Florence School District 3 pose with signed MOUs.
“We are excited to partner with Allen University to provide our students with another layer of support as well as the opportunity for additional education experiences,” Dr. Laura Hickson, Florence School District Three, Superintendent, explained. “With the rigor of college-level programming as well as the mentorship and enrichment available through this partnership, we can provide our students a more seamless transition from high school to college or the workforce. We thank Allen University for their commitment to this partnership and Florence School District Three students.”
Highlights of the MOU signed June 17, 2021, include:
Allen University will provide
subject matter speakers and presenters for designated occasions and programs at schools in Florence 3,
remote mentoring and scheduled onsite mentoring,
student access to Saturday Art and Science programs,
readers and leaders for enrichment, mentorship, and acceleration programs for schools across the district,
support for programs and initiatives in Florence 3 reflective of the universal obligation of citizenship and pursuit of the Greater Good.
Deserving graduates from Bethune-Cookman University with interests in education now how have a streamlined path for acceptance into a top master’s of education program. To learn more, read B-CU’s new release about their new partnership with the University of Tampa below!
Source: Bethune-Cookman University
Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) announces it has partnered with the University of Tampa (UT) to guarantee qualified B-CU students and graduates admission into UT’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction.
To qualify, B-CU students must have received a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree with specified teaching certification. These qualified students and alumni will receive special admissions consideration from UT, including waivers of application fees, references and resumes. A completed graduate admissions application, transcripts and statement of good standing will still be required.
Both UT and B-CU are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), whose standards ensure that students who graduate from CAEP accredited institutions will have the intellectual ability, aptitude in research, professional skills, personal character, and potential for future productive scholarship to successfully complete UT’s M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction degree program.
UT’s curriculum and instruction program enhances students’ teaching and leadership skills; students who enroll in the M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction do so because they seek to become better educators and leaders. The program emphasizes curriculum theory, pedagogy and innovation in education, educational advocacy, social dimensions of learning, instructional design, leadership and research. Students attending UT also benefit from small classes and close interactions with expert faculty who possess extensive K-12 experience and hold doctorate degrees in education.
“UT’s reputation for curricular quality and real-world results sets it apart among graduate education programs,” said Theoni Soublis, professor of education and program director of the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. “This partnership provides Bethune-Cookman students a respected degree that will serves them throughout their careers.”
“Academically strategic partnerships such as our relationship with UT, create unique advantages that further enhance the B-CU university academic experience,” said Dr. William Berry, B-CU Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost. “Our goal continues to be finding pathways to expand academic and professional opportunities for our students.”
After setting a national record for Nigeria, Hampton University alumnus Chidi Okezie and his teammates are heading to the Tokyo Olympics next month! The track and field athlete successfully competed on Nigeria’s mixed 4×400 relay team, evening creating a record for the country.
According to Punch Nigeria, the mixed team saved the day after Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m relay team was not able to qualify for the event. It was the for the third consecutive time the team had missed the mark. The 4 runners weren’t able to meet the 38.46 second target at relays in Lagos on Sunday and sadly left disappointed.
Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty
Learn more about how Okezie contributed to bringing Nigeria to the Olympics by reading the inspirational article by Megan Plain at local Virginia station WTKR below.
Hampton University track and field alum Chidi Okezie anchored the Nigerian Mixed 4×400 relay team to an Olympic qualifying and Nigerian National Record time of 3:14.09 on Sunday at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos.
The time ranks them 16th in the world and gives them a spot in the inaugural running of the Mixed 4×400 at the Tokyo Olympics. Opening round of the Mixed 4×400 relay will be on July 30 and the finals will take place the next day.
— Hampton Athletics (@HUAthletics1868) June 28, 2021
This marks the eighth Olympian for Hampton University Track and Field under head coach Maurice Pierce. The Pirates have had at least one representative in four of the last five Summer Olympic games.
“I am excited for Chidi to be able to represent the Nigerian National Team at the Tokyo Olympic Games,” said Pierce. “He is a product of the HU track & field program and a prime example of how we continue to produce World Class athletes. Chidi will represent HU well just as all of my other former Olympians did in the past.”
Rattlers can rejoice after Florida A&M University recently shared that renovations for Bragg Memorial Stadium are being completed ahead of schedule! Get the details on construction plans for the stadium in the article from WCTV Staff below.
After FAMU was allocated $10 million from the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board for the project, Ram Construction and Development was awarded the contract, the release says.(Ram Construction & Development)
Florida A&M University says loyal Rattler football fans won’t have to wait long to see the new renovations at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The team opens fall camp on Aug. 5, and phase one of the renovations is moving smoothly, a press release says.
After FAMU was allocated $10 million from the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board for the project, Ram Construction and Development was awarded the contract, the release says. Phase two will begin after the 2021 football season is done in late November. The second phase will focus on the west side of the stadium, FAMU says.
Ram Construction and Development President Heath Anniin says Rattler fans can expect a brand-new experience with the stadium once it’s complete.
“They will be on a solid base that’s comfortable and drains well. There won’t be any issues of deterioration for probably a couple of generations,” Anniin says.
Anniin graduated from FAMU in 1997. The renovations include replacing all steel pans and seats, water blasting, repair and repainting of the steel frame infrastructure or replacement of the steel beams. There will also be a seating replacement as well as upgrades to the bathrooms for better handicap accessibility.
“The east side will have new aluminum versus steel seating and will be much louder than the old steel,” said project manager Michael Rowe. “Bragg Memorial Stadium is a big part of Tallahassee, and we are excited to be working on it and looking forward to that first game.”
Bragg Memorial was built in 1957 and was first renovated in 1983. The latest updates to the stadium were done in 2018, when AstroTurf and a new scoreboard were installed.
FAMU opens the season at home on Sept. 11 against Fort Valley State. The university says it is planning to allow 100% capacity for the season.
A new partnership with Arkansas’ only state healthy sciences university is opening the door for 5 Arkansas HBCU students to expand their careers with post-baccalaureate studies! Learn what students at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Philander Smith College will be doing at the University of Arkansas’ for Medical Sciences in the article by Linda Satter below!
Courtesy of UAMS
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has welcomed 15 students comprising the inaugural class of a post-baccalaureate pre-med program called Medical Scholars in Public Health.
The program is a collaboration between the UAMS colleges of Medicine, Public Health and Pharmacy.
The 15 students who began classes May 24 were chosen from about 45 applicants. The students are: Austin Anderson, Michael Bunyard, Florenz Cruz-Artiga, Samuel Edogun, Madison Hershberger, Savannah Hickman, Tierra Holland, Xavius Hymes, Kayla Jimmerson, Maria Meneses-Ramos, Nidal Shah, Xochitl Shields, Stefany Sierra, Alexandria Smith and Savannah Stacks. They come from Little Rock, El Dorado, Conway, Pine Bluff, Fort Smith, Rogers, Mountain Home, Damascus and DeQueen, with one originally from El Salvador and another originally from Guatemala.
“We’re cultivating home-grown talent with the aim of increasing the medical talent that remains here and gives back to the state,” said Jerrilyn Jones, M.D., an associate professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine and the director of the new program, during a June 9 reception in the Daniel W. Rahn Interprofessional Education Building.
The program is intended to serve as an educational bridge to a master’s degree in public health and/or a medical degree for Arkansas residents who come from socially, economically or geographically disadvantaged backgrounds and who have faced challenges in the medical school admissions process.
All of the students will work toward a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. After the first year, those who have a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score of at least 505 and a grade point average of at least 3.5 will receive fast-track admission to medical school. The others can also apply to medical school, with all who are accepted agreeing to complete the master’s degree while attending medical school.
Those who didn’t get accepted into medical school will continue working toward a MPH for a second year, with the option to reapply to the College of Medicine. The master’s degree doesn’t require a thesis but does require the completion of 42 credit hours and a capstone research project consisting of an applied practice and integrated learning experience project.
Sara Tariq, M.D., associate dean for student affairs in the College of Medicine and chair of the program’s planning committee, said committee members reviewed not only the students’ academic credentials but qualities like “grit, compassion and an ability to pivot” that will help them to become first-rate doctors.
Five of this year’s students went through the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) MedTrack program last year.
The MedTrack program is a partnership between UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and Philander Smith College in Little Rock, which are historically Black institutions. The partnership is aimed at helping more minority students enter the medical field. It provides a combination of mentoring, tutoring and assistance navigating the application process for medical school and other health care opportunities.
Both the MedTrack and new Medical Scholars in Public Health programs are supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $7 million with 10% financed with non-governmental sources. UAMS Regional Programs oversees these initiatives.
Both programs are part of UAMS’ multi-faceted approach to increase the number of underrepresented minorities, rural and disadvantaged students entering the state’s health care workforce.
Christopher Westfall, M.D., now-transitional dean of the College of Medicine, tasked Tariq two years ago with starting up the post-baccalaureate program. During the reception, he emphasized the collaborative effort that brought the idea to fruition, naming Jones; Tariq; College of Public Health Dean Mark Williams, Ph.D.; College of Pharmacy Dean Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D.; Robert McGehee, Ph.D., the dean of the Graduate School; and Brian Gittens, vice chancellor for the UAMS Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as members of the Post-Baccalaureate Committee.
“Our goal is to make the state of Arkansas a healthier place while tackling health equity and health disparities,” said Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D., who on June 1 replaced Westfall as dean of the College of Medicine and executive vice chancellor of UAMS.
“This program targets a very important issue in our health care system – how to increase diversity in our physician workforce,” said Kevin Ryan, J.D., associate dean for student and alumni affairs in the College of Public Health. “Research is clear that health outcomes are improved when individuals and families are cared for by providers with diverse characteristics and backgrounds. Importantly, the training in population science that these students will receive will, we believe, result in them becoming very well-rounded physicians, no matter what specialty they ultimately pursue.”
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise including its hospital, regional clinics and clinics it operates or staffs in cooperation with other providers. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. U.S. News & World Report named UAMS Medical Center the state’s Best Hospital; ranked its ear, nose and throat program among the top 50 nationwide; and named six areas as high performing — COPD, colon cancer surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, knee replacement and lung cancer surgery. UAMS has 2,876 students, 898 medical residents and four dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health.
After an impressive performance at the Olympic trials that landed her in first place, Livingstone College alumna Quanera Hayes is on her way to the Olympics! In 2015, Hayes was among our best and brightest when she landed on our HBCU Top 30 Under 30 list in 2015. Now learn more how the track star made it to an Olympics team in the release from Livingstone below!
Credit: Livingstone College
Livingstone alumna and track star Quanera Hayes is headed to the Tokyo Olympics after becoming the USA national champion during the Olympic Team Trials on June 20 in Oregon.
The 2015 Livingstone College graduate and Hope Mills native finished first at 49.78 seconds in the women’s 400-meter race, besting Olympics-decorated champion Allyson Felix, who came in second at 50.2 seconds, with Wadeline Jonathas rounding out the top three. All three women qualified for a spot at the Tokyo Olympics next month.
Justin Davis, track coach at Livingstone, said he was glued to the TV all weekend for the Olympic Trials, cheering on his former student-athlete.
“I have followed Quanera’s career extensively since she left Livingstone. I have always known she would make an Olympic team,” Davis said. “She has the experience because I was able to travel with her to two USA Outdoor Championships while she was a Blue Bear.”
In an interview posted by HBCU Gameday after advancing to the final round, Hayes was asked what it would mean to represent Livingstone College at the Olympics.
“Honestly, it would mean everything. And for me, it wouldn’t be just representing Livingstone College, it would be representing the CIAA and all Division II schools,” Hayes said. “A lot of people out here — they’re from HBCUs — but I’m literally the only one from a Division II school. So it’s much bigger than me just representing HBCUs, it’s me representing Division II as well. And letting them know, hey, just because we’re in Division II, people don’t look at us as being one of the best or top-tier athletes. But, look where I am. Look how far I’ve gotten coming from a Division II school. So it’s much bigger than the HBCU thing. That’s just a bonus.”
Davis said Hayes’ win shows that you don’t have to always go the biggest and most recognized college or university to achieve your greatness. “If you have talent, drive and motivation, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
It was Davis who recruited the Grey’s Creek High School athlete in 2010. She redshirted her freshman year and competed at Livingstone from 2011 to 2015. Davis as well as Tim Dunlap, sprints coach at the time, served as her coaches.
“When I first saw Quanera, I knew that she was different because she was so far ahead of all the competition she had in high school,” Davis said.
Quanera Hayes celebrates after winning the women’s 400-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
When Hayes came to Livingstone, she was able to run against the men’s team in practice and was always right there with them, he said. Her main events were the 200 and 400 meters, but she also competed in the 100 meters, in relay and cross country.
Her collegiate personal bests times were 11.99 seconds in the 100 meters; 23.29 in the 200 meters; and 51.54 in the 400 meters.
She was a 12-time NCAA All-American – indoor and outdoor track; a four-time NCAA Outdoor Track Champion (three times in 400 meters and once in the 200 meters); an eight-time school record holder; and USTFCCCA (US Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association) Athlete of the Year Indoor and Outdoor.
“Livingstone College is proud of Quanera Hayes and honored that she is a part of the Blue Bear family,” said Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. “She is a testament to the type of student-athletes we produce and is proof that with drive, tenacity and perseverance, success will chase you down no matter where you start running. I want to commend her for the exposure she is giving to the CIAA, to Division II schools and especially to Livingstone College, where defying the odds is our business.”
More on Hayes
In June 2017, Hayes won the 400 meter sprint title at the U.S.A. track and field outdoor championship in Sacramento, Calif., posting the fastest time in the event in the world during that season at 49.72 seconds.
Then in August, 2017, Hayes, along with Allyson Felix, Shakima Wimbley and Phyllis Francis, represented Team USA and won the 4×400 meter at the IAAF World Championships. The team won by the largest margin of victory in world championships history – male or female – to capture the first Team USA gold medal in the event since 2011.
Team USA, in which Hayes opened the race, finished with a time of 3:19.02 seconds, followed by Great Britain in 3:25.00 and Poland in 3:25.41.
The Harris-Stowe State University campus now has another field dedicated in honor of history, thanks to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. The Cardinals honor fields every year in honor of Negro League games that were played in the area years ago. Learn more about it in the article from Advantage News below.
The St. Louis Cardinals, in conjunction with Cardinals Care and Harris-Stowe State University, on Friday announced the dedication of Stars Park Field, on the southwest corner of the Harris-Stowe campus on the corner of Market Street and Compton Avenue.
Cardinals Team President Bill DeWitt III was joined at the dedication by Cardinals pitchers Jack Flaherty and Andrew Miller, former Cardinals catcher and Hall of Famer Ted Simmons, former Cardinals pitcher Scott Terry, Cardinals Vice President of Community Relations and Executive Director of Cardinals Care Michael Hall, Cardinals Community Relations and Cardinals Care Director Meghan Essman, Harris-Stowe Interim President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith, Harris-Stowe Athletics Director Dorianne Johnson, Vice President and Curator of the Negro League Baseball Museum Dr. Ray Doswell, and President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Michael P. McMillan.
“Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many individuals who collaborated on this project,” Bill DeWitt III said. “Cardinals Care is proud to partner with Harris-Stowe State University to celebrate the memory of the St. Louis Stars by helping the Harris-Stowe baseball and softball programs improve their facilities.”
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the St. Louis Cardinals and Cardinals Care organizations for their generous donation to Harris-Stowe. Their continuous support of the university is appreciated,” Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith said. “Working together, we have fulfilled our commitment to provide our student-athletes with the tools and resources they need to succeed at the highest levels.”
The $1.2 million field renovation and construction project led by Clayco is the result of a seven-figure investment by Cardinals Care and six-figure investment by Harris-Stowe that includes fully irrigated fields, seating for 200 at the baseball field and 100 at the softball field, enclosed press boxes, enclosed NAIA level dugouts, and new scoreboards. The new state-of-the-art baseball and softball facilities broke ground last July during the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues and sits on the site of that served as the home field of the Negro National League’s St. Louis Stars from 1922-31.
“I am proud to celebrate the dedication of Stars Park Field, the site where the three-time champions of the Negro National League St. Louis Stars played so many years ago,” Jack Flaherty said. “There is still work to be done, but it is important that we keep the legacy of the legendary athletes who played in the Negro Leagues alive for younger generations.”
“I am thrilled to be here today to celebrate the legacy of the St. Louis Stars and the Negro League teams here in St. Louis,” Dr. Ray Doswell said. “On behalf of the NLBM, we thank Harris-Stowe State University and the St. Louis Cardinals for ensuring this landmark will remain dedicated to our great sport and the memory of the great athletes who played here.”
Negro League championships were played at Stars Park in 1924, 1928, 1930 and 1931, with the home team winning three out of the four. Three National Baseball Hall of Famers, including James “Cool Papa” Bell, Willie “El Diablo” Wells, and George “Mule” Suttles, called Stars Park their home field.
Stars Park is the 25th field dedicated by Cardinals Care since its inception in 1997. Prior to Stars Park, the Cardinals dedicated Matt Carpenter Field in August 2019, at the Pagedale Family Resource Center in Pagedale, Mo.
Amid a fight over funding for famers, faculty members at Prairie View A&M University have paired up with the USDA to see what they can do. Learn why funding that was initially guaranteed to farmers of color is now hanging in limbo with the article from Kyle McClenagan at The Battalion below.
On June 16, members of the Prairie View A&M faculty gathered for a presentation in coordination with the USDA to discuss ways to effectively distribute aid to farmers of color.
On June 19, The Eagle reported that around 80 people gathered at Fletcher Williams Farm in Prairie View to hear a three-hour presentation by Prairie View A&M faculty and the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, representatives over the possible benefits of the $4 billion Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act. The act was originally passed as part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act in March 2021.
Just days before this gathering, on June 10, U.S. District Judge William Griesbach ordered a temporary restraining order blocking the USDA from paying any loan debt to disadvantaged farmers through the act. This temporary ban on debt relief was in response to a lawsuit brought forth on behalf of 12 white farmers who believe the law to be racially discriminatory.
Adjunct professor at Texas A&M University School of Law and private attorney Jim Bradbury said the act not only acknowledges the discrimination African Americans and other socialy disadvantaged groups have faced in agriculture, but also to provide relief to those farmers through the USDA.
“In the body of the act itself, it sort of gives just a little bit of a history lesson [about] the elements of discrimination and the difficulties that primarily African Americans, but also socially disadvantaged groups, have had in agriculture over the decades, Bradbury said.he purpose of the act [is to recognize] this has been a historical problem and to redress some of that, by providing debt relief for certain defined categories of farmers under USDA rules.” Bradbury said.
In regard to the District Judge’s injunction, Bradbury said it surprised him.
“It’s quite unusual to see a federal judge put a stop to a program that has been passed by Congress,” Bradbury said.
Bradbury, having himself looked at the lawsuit claiming racial discrimination, said in his opinion the law was sound.
“I do think given that there is a clear racial element in it in choice by these groups, Caucasians not being one of them, I think it is certainly going to get a look by federal judges, a constitutional look,” Bradbury said.
As for the Prairie View forum discussing the act, Clarence Bunch, Ph.D., the agriculture and natural resources program leader of Prairie View A&M University, said the event was held to help reach out to minority farmers on how to benefit from the Relief for Farmers of Color Act and get them in contact with the USDA.
“The goal was to really bring about information to minority landowners, African Americans in particular, as to the American Rescue Plan that President Biden has releasedBunch said. …s to how funding was to be released to the producers as well as bring them face to face with the individuals who are administering the program.”
However, Bunch said it’s unknown how long it might take for farmers to receive funding the Act offers them.
“The government said they won’t make any payment, but they are still going to go through the process with the producers to get them prepared to be able to receive payments, but they’re not going to release it until they have [gone] through the process with the lawsuit that’s been filed,” Bunch said. “So that could be weeks or it could be months.”
Bradbury had a similar opinion.
“The question is really the injunction, because this is something that I would expect is going to go through the trial court where it is now, to a court of appeals, and then maybe on to the Supreme Court. I mean there are interested groups on both sides here that are very charged,” Bradbury said.
In the end, Bunch believes once funding is released, it will benefit many farmers in the area.
“I think that the American Rescue Plan is a good answer for helping African American farmers, as well as other farmers across and within the state of Texas,” Bunch said.I think the plan is wonderful, I commend the administration; I commend the USDA for its courage and initiative and everything it’s doing for the producers. I think it’s absolutely fantastic.”
Two accomplished men who both hold degrees from “Tuskegee Institute,” now known as Tuskegee University, will now sit on the university’s board! Get more information on the two in the release from Tuskegee below.
Earlier this month, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced she had appointed two new members to the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees: Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice John H. England, Jr. and John Douglas Chambers. Each individual (appointed to a four-year term) brings more than three decades of experience in the management and governance of post-secondary institutions of higher learning. In addition to these new appointments, Governor Ivey reappointed Henry Davis, Jonathan Porter, and Pebblin Warren to another four-year term as state-appointed trustees.
“Both Judge England and John Chambers are two great additions to the Board of Trustees,” said Norma Clayton, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “They both are strong supporters of higher education, specifically in the state of Alabama, and will lend their talents in the strengthening of Tuskegee University as we engage in carrying out our new five-year strategic plan.”
The Honorable John H. England, Jr.
The Honorable John H. England, Jr. graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1969 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1969. He received his J.D. degree from the University of Alabama Law School in 1974. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Tuskegee University in October 1999. After serving on the Tuscaloosa City Council, Judge England was elected to the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County in November 1994, where he served until he was appointed by Governor Don Siegelman to the Alabama Supreme Court in September 1999. After serving on the Alabama Supreme Court from September 1999 until January 2001, he returned to the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County and was re-elected in November 2002, 2008, and 2014. In January 2021, he retired from the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County after serving for more than twenty years.
Judge England currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Alabama System, and has held leadership positions in numerous civic, professional, and social organizations on the local and state level, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Jaycees, Tuscaloosa Exchange Club, and the Tuscaloosa Civitan Club, to name a few. In addition, he currently serves or has served in the past on the Board of Directors of the following organizations: Boys and Girls Clubs, Barnes Branch YMCA, Easter Seals West Alabama, Alabama Civil Justice Foundation, West Alabama Aids Outreach, Elizabeth Project Care, Indian Rivers Mental Health Board, A Plus and the UAB Health System Board.
John Douglas Chambers
John Douglas Chambers received his B.S. in Sociology and M.Ed. in Student Personnel Services / Guidance and Counseling from Tuskegee Institute in 1971 and 1972, respectively. A two-time Tuskegee alumnus, he began his career in higher education as the director of student recruitment at Tuskegee University. He subsequently left Tuskegee to begin a twenty-year tenure with the Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) in Phenix City, Alabama. While at CVCC, he served as a student counselor, psychology instructor, associate dean of student development, and dean of student development. He served in the role as dean until his appointment as the executive assistant to the president of the College. In 1997, the Alabama State Board of Education selected him as the president of J. F. Ingram State Technical College, where he served until his retirement in December 2011.
Mr. Chambers’ involvement in civic, community, and professional organizations reflects his commitment to education and the improvement of life for others. He is a member of the Tuskegee National Alumni Association (TNAA), and is a proud Eminent Associate at Tuskegee University. He is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He has provided valuable services to the Alabama community by serving on the Phenix City Board of Education, Habitat for Humanity, 100 Black Men Association of Greater Montgomery, where he served as mentor on the education committee.
Oakwood University will have a plethora of new resources on campus thanks to the new opening of the Community Health Action Center! Learn why the introduction of awareness classes, a food pantry, and more is so great for the Oakwood community with a story from Keneisha Deas at Fox station WZDX below.
Source: WZDX
Leaders and people living in Northwest Huntsville got a first look at Oakwood University’s “Community Health Action Center.”
The school had the center’s grand opening and its goal is to tackle food, job, and health insecurity.
Our WZDX News reporter spoke to some people there who shared why this center is needed.
“It brought tears to my eyes, because of the vision that the people have seen and that has been fulfilled,” says former Oakwood University student, Carole Sullivan. She adds, “When I came here, it was one dormitory for the ladies and one for the men.”
Sullivan attended Oakwood in 1964 and the campus has since expanded with the opening of Oakwood University’s Community Health Action Center.
One side of the facility hosts health education and a food pantry. The other, a clinic in partnership with Huntsville Hospital.
“Everybody can’t afford health care, and for this community to reach Black, White, Hispanic, whomever; it is a blessing that Oakwood University is a part of it,” says Sullivan.
“We’re going to be providing primary care, as well as walk-in type services for that may be a little bit more urgent, but may not necessarily need the emergency room. We’re providing and offering care to the students,” says Huntsville Hospital Physician Associate, Rashida Dossman.
At a time where Northwest Huntsville needs access to healthcare the most, the center will offer COVID-19 vaccination and testing.
“I grew up in this community. I graduated from Oakwood University, and I’m very proud to be able to serve the members of this community because this is my community,” says Dossman.
“I’m getting older, and this place is right here. And if I need to come, I’ll come. I’ll come and support in any way that I can,” added Sullivan.
The Huntsville Hospital wing is set to be operational sometime in July, and the Community Health Action Center is set to be operational in August.
At least 7 HBCUs are partnering with San Bernardino County school representatives in California to add more black educators to their ranks. Read about the partnership that includes Winston-Salem State University and Howard University, plus how students can benefit from black role models in the article from S.E. Williams at Black Voice News below.
Source: John Hopkins University
Research has shown again and again that teachers of color not only help close the achievement gaps of students of color but they are also highly rated by students of all races, noted the Learning Policy Institute.
The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools recognizes the important potential additional teachers of color can have in an area with a growing minority populace and is launching a groundbreaking strategy—the creation of recruitment partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in hopes of drawing more Black teachers to the area.
Hiring a diverse group of teachers can help students academically and provide role models for their future. “Students of color generally have higher test scores, are more likely to graduate from college and to succeed in college when they have teachers of color in the classroom they can look to as role models,” according to a 2019 Ed Source report.
The benefits for minority students are clear, yet only four percent of the state’s teachers were Black and 20.7 percent were Latino compared to a student population that was 5.4 percent Black and 54.2 percent Latino in 2017-18.
San Bernardino is hoping to change the paradigm. The County’s Superintendent of Schools Human Resources Manager, Sandra Khodadadi, spoke with IE Voice and Black Voice News about the district’s new efforts in this area focused on recruiting teachers from HBCUs.
Although the groundwork for the new recruitment strategy was laid before she took on her new role in February she explained, “When I learned about it, I realized the value of it. We need to tap into all of our highly qualified candidates and resources and working with the HBCU’s will give us that opportunity.”
Khodadadi, who comes from a long line of educators and has a myriad of extended family members who are engaged in this field continued, “Working with the HBCUs, we feel like we are going to be able to tap into more [of the] highly qualified and diverse candidates we are working to try to recruit.”
Khodadadi believes it is important in education to embrace diversity so that you can touch the lives of children from every cultural aspect, from all the different groups. “I think when you have educators that can do that, that can reach out and connect with these kids, we are able to really get the kids at a time that is important in their lives.”
Khodadadi said she buys into the HBCU recruitment program because it reaches a group of candidates, “We haven’t typically been able to connect with.”
A current teachers’ shortage in the state also makes the need to expand the pool of qualified teacher candidates an important strategic move.
Brandon Miller, 2nd grade teacher, “The need for Black male teachers is the greatest it has ever been.” (source: facebook.com)
Recruiting teachers from HBCUs might be considered as a progressive move for San Bernardino by some and yet there is buy-in in the district for the program, according to Khodadadi. “When I came here that was advantageous for me [that] there was already buy-in here. There is interest in the program and the organization is excited about this.”
She continued, “Mr. Hardy Brown [a trustee on the San Bernardino County Board of Education] had spoken with William Roberts, our Assistant Superintendent of HR. He is encouraging us to participate in the program. Both gentlemen are encouraging it,” Khodadadi stressed. “They’re advocating for it.”
When asked whether she had encountered any resistance to the program’s implementation from others on her team she quickly noted she had not encountered any at all.
According to Khodadadi, the district is in the process of reaching out to HBCUs to establish these new partnerships. “We partner with other colleges and universities so we’re going to be mirroring those relationships and expanding our partnerships with the HBCUs.”Admittedly, according to Khodadadi, outreach has been a bit difficult due to restrictions in doing normal business owed to COVID-19. “It put a little bit of a hindrance on making those contacts because people were working in different work settings and so forth. You don’t have as many people physically at the organizations.”
They have, however, been successful in building relationships with the outreach attempts they made so far and are continuing to contact other HBCUs.
“I am familiarizing myself with all [HBCUS] that are out there. One of the things that we’re doing is working with Handshake. It’s a platform that connects the organization to the university and then the university is able to share job postings.”
Handshake enables students to find jobs, internships, and connect with employers hiring at individual schools. “If you have a vacant position, it gets posted and then everybody at that university using that software or platform has access to the information,” she explained.
Khodadadi was unaware of other K-12 school districts in the region or state with similar outreach efforts to HBCUs. But, said when she discovers any, “I’m going to tap into that because it’s so much better if you can collaborate, when you can work in tandem with others.”
San Bernardino is currently working with Bowie State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M, Howard University, North Carolina A&T State University, Winston-Salem State University, Morehouse College, and the list of HBCU partners continues to grow.
Since this is a new recruitment program for the district, its goal is to enhance the teacher recruitment program already in place for other universities they work with like the University of Redlands, Cal State San Bernardino, or Cal Poly Pomona, for example. “We’re expanding them to include and incorporate the HBCUs. As far as having goals, the biggest goal we have is to recruit and hire highly qualified teachers—that is our goal with any of our partners,” stressed Khodadadi.
She also encouraged readers to share information about this program with anyone that would be a great candidate. “We are here and willing to answer questions. If they are a recent HBCU graduate and want to reach out or maybe someone who graduated previously, or even if they have not yet graduated, are still [earning their degree] and are local and want to seek employment, I encourage them to go online at edjoin.org.
