A new scholarship fund from the Structured Finance Foundation, an affiliate of the Structured Finance Association (SFA), is driving diversity in financial industry professions that need it most. Students from the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) who are interested finance, accounting, or economics degrees can now have the financial support they need.
Whether the students are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, an $80,000 fund has been set aside for them. Beginning in the Fall of 2021, the Foundation’s inaugural awards of two need and merit-based scholarships of up to $10,000 each, meaning there will be enough funds to extend beyond the current semester.
University of the District of Columbia students, courtesy of UDC
In recent years, SFA has been very intentional about promoting diversity and inclusion in the securitization industry. In 2014, SFA launched the Women in Securitization (WiS) initiative supporting the retention and advancement of women in the structured finance industry. Last year, the keynote speakers at the organization’s annual conference were women or minorities.
Leslie Sack, the Executive Director of the Structured Finance Foundation, shared her intentions for the scholarship to diversify an industry that is missing out on HBCU students as a whole.
“Our foundation is intently focused on helping build a financial services industry that looks more like the people it serves, and that starts by recruiting and supporting a diverse group of promising students,” said Sack. “By entering into this partnership with the University of the District of Columbia, we will provide opportunities for the next generation of leaders and continue to move the needle toward a more diverse and inclusive industry.”
Gregg Silver, the Chairman of the Structured Finance Foundation Board of Directors shared how the opportunity would allow students to have less restrictions while chasing their dreams.
University of the District of Columbia students, courtesy of UDC
“We are excited to enter into a partnership with the University of the District of Columbia and are eager to ease the burden of some of its most promising students with an interest in our industry,” said Silver.“Our foundation will continue to look for additional ways to make a difference in the lives of students, including through mentorship and full-time paid internship opportunities.”
As the Chairperson of the Department of Accounting and Finance in the School of Business and Public Administration at UDC, Alex Tan, Ph.D., considers the long-term impact this partnership would have.
“We are delighted to have the support and sponsorship of SFA for our students,” said Tan. “This will be a great gift and wonderful benefit to our students. We envision that our partnership with SFA will continue to grow and strengthen further in upcoming years.”
SFA and UDC are in continued discussions to continue the progress with non-financial partnerships, job search support, mentorship opportunities, full-time paid internships, and more!
HBCU queens are known for their leadership, success, and ambition. As Miss Talladega College 2020-2021, Patria Gatson was already honored by her campus for the value she brought as a hard worker and change-maker. Now, she has gained an extra leadership role with her election as Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame! Read the full story of this double-crown queen below!
The dynamic biology pre-med major, who is a member of Talladega College’s prestigious Presidential Honor Society and numerous campus clubs, has held a plethora of leadership positions on and off campus. Miss Junior and Miss Presidential Honor Society are but two of the titles she has previously held. Patria was also a member of the team that won first place in the Alabama Business Pitch Competition hosted by the Alabama Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs.
Although Patria began honing her leadership skills prior to college, and was even named prom queen in high school, she credits Talladega for helping her understand exactly how much she is capable of achieving.
Patria Gatson, courtesy of Talladega College
“Talladega College gave me the reassurance that I am capable of accomplishing whatever I want to accomplish. I feel that I can reach my goals and fulfill my dreams because my HBCU told me that I can,” said Patria. “I always take a heavy course load, and I understand the importance of balancing my studies, homework, and meetings. I take at least 18 credits every semester and I am involved in many clubs and organizations.”
Prior to becoming Miss Talladega College, Patria was not very social media savvy. Winning her crown in the midst of a deadly pandemic forced her to quickly learn how to communicate with, inspire and uplift Talladega’s student body via social media and virtual events.
“The pandemic changed everyone’s plans. It left many people feeling isolated and almost hopeless. Almost everything had to be canceled. We couldn’t – and still cannot – gather the way we used to gather. These changes can cause uncertainty and, when you don’t know what to expect, doubt can creep in.”
Patria Gatson, courtesy of the Chicago Crusader
“Through my platform, Aspire to Inspire, I’ve tried to inspire and encourage people to be hopeful and aim high despite the current situation. Inspiration is important because before you can do something, you have to believe you can do it,” Patria said.“I’ve had to work hard to reach people on social media, but the effort is paying off. Sometimes people I don’t even know thank me for inspiring them. It’s very fulfilling to know that I’m making a difference.”
The skills Patria learned as Miss Talladega College have helped prepare her for her role as Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame. Since gaining the national title, she has been featured on television and radio and sought after for interviews. She talks passionately about mental health, creativity, and success.
Talladega College President Dr. Billy C. Hawkins stated, “Patria has always shown outstanding leadership skills on and off campus. I am impressed by her ability to inspire students at Talladega and throughout the nation during this unprecedented season. She and her advisor, Mr. Anthony Jones, have managed to produce the virtual versions of practically every Miss Talladega activity that couldn’t be held in-person due to the pandemic. Through social media, radio and TV, Patria continues to demonstrate excellence and creativity in everything she does.”
“COVID-19 forced colleges to find creative ways to maintain their cherished traditions. Our Miss Talladega College 2020-2021 Coronation was held outdoors, and Patria arrived in a horse-drawn carriage wearing a face shield,” he said. “Many people thought the outdoor event was among our most beautiful coronations ever and said the horse-drawn carriage added an extra-special touch. Some suggested that we hold future coronation ceremonies outside. In the midst of the pandemic, measures initially taken as health and safety precautions may actually inspire many colleges to form new traditions.”
Patria feels that being an HBCU queen during the pandemic has forced her to think outside the box. Instead of using the pandemic as an excuse to do less, she has opted to make the most of her reign by instilling hope in students and anyone else who hears her uplifting messages. Standing on the shoulders of the many trailblazing queens who came before her, she is motivating thousands to reach their full potential.
Mr. Jones, who has served as the Miss Talladega College advisor for over 20 years, said, “Patria is a sheer inspiration to work with. She rises to every occasion and never ceases to shine. As a queen, she is always ready to represent and she represents so well.”
Virginia Union University has created a new cultural pillar in its initiative to study Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In fact, it’s the first of its kind in the nation.
The Center for the Study of HBCUs is being called the only research center of its kind in the nation dedicated to the study of HBCUs. The Center is the result of a partnership with the Southern Education Foundation (SEF). The vision for the Center is for it to become the country’s leading institution for the advancement of scholarship on HBCUs in the United States and beyond.
Virginia Union University, courtesy of VUU
The Center has high expectations on what it seeks to accomplish, according to a statement it released.
“The Center has a discovery agenda that ranges from foundational inquiry to translational science and disruptive, transformational innovation that ensure the sustainability of Black colleges. Center staff and affiliates conduct rigorous, evidence-based research that aims to advance the research agenda, expand institutional capacities, transform institutions, eradicate institutional inequities, and ensure the future of HBCUs in the nation and beyond.”
The Center seeks to achieve its mission through four (4) primary activities or roles: CONDUCT research and scholarship; CONVENE the HBCU scholarly community and constituents; MOBILIZE resources in support of advancing HBCU research; and DISSEMINATE research and scholarship broadly.
Virginia Union University graduates, courtesy of VUU
The university’s leadership will head the center’s teachings. Virginia Union’s President & CEO, Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, will serve as the Center’s Executive Director. VUU’s Provost & Sr. Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, will serve as the center’s Director.
Early resources of the center include lecture series all the way down to advice on how to cite research conducted at HBCUs. One November lecture series, called “Second Installment of VUU Web Lecture Series Focuses on the Power of the HBCU Story,” featured Forbes contributor Angela Hayes, and Dr. Janelle L. Williams is the Associate Dean of Graduate & Continuing Studies at Widener University. The Center also offers virtual events with Black academic leaders like Roland Martin and Michael Eric Dyson.
North Carolina A&T State University has significantly supported its Greensboro, NC community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, thanks to the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory, a new shipment of freezers will help the school be more prepared than ever to provide vaccinations. Read the full story below for more details.
With doses of COVID-19 vaccine now being shipped around the country, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will be well prepared to receive its share, thanks to new deep cold storage units being distributed to 15 campuses of the University of North Carolina System.
Student Brenda Caldwell, courtesy of North Carolina Public Radio
The 61 freezers are being shipped to all UNC System research campuses. North Carolina A&T will receive two large Stirling Ultracold units and three smaller ones, creating capacity for cold storage of 117,600 COVID-19 vaccines. Those smaller units are mobile freezers, which will enable A&T to help serve underserved community populations.
The freezers are being provided by the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory, which was established by the state General Assembly in 2016 to utilize and disseminate research expertise across the University of North Carolina System for practical use by state and local government. In May 2020, state lawmakers appropriated $29 million to the Collaboratory to develop and oversee a pan-campus COVID-19 research portfolio that has resulted in more than 85 individual projects across 15 UNC System campuses, including A&T.
A Stirling Ultracold Unit, courtesy of PR Newswire
Once the freezers are in place, A&T staff will remotely monitor them to ensure they maintain sufficiently low temperatures to safely store the vaccines. The units will also have backup power connections to make certain they continue to operate properly in the event of an outage.
The UNC System office will coordinate distribution of vaccines to system campuses with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Offices. Neither A&T nor its system peers will independently procure vaccines.
“We are looking forward to receiving vaccines and being ready to serve our campus constituents and others as soon as possible,” said interim A&T Student Health Center Director Padonda Webb, DNP, FNP-BC. “With two vaccines already approved and more candidates in the pipeline, our hope is that vaccines will be readily available in the first half of the new year, helping us to effectively stem the spread of coronavirus and decrease the number of infections, illnesses and deaths caused by the disease.”
Fort Valley State University recently entered a historic partnership with the Robins Air Force Base to open a special military intelligence lab.
FVSU has a long-standing relationship with the United States military, considering it also has an established Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. Upon graduation, students participating in the program are commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and serve in the Active Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserves. See the full story below on FVSU’s latest military partnership.
Courtesy of Fort Valley State University
FVSU hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 4 in the Blanchet Computer, Technology and Mathematics Building in honor of hosting unclassified test versions of the Forward Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (FPED) system on campus. The FPED system provides Air Force intelligence analysts with the ability to analyze real-time, full-motion video, signals, intelligence and other information needed to provide actionable information to commanders in the field.
“We’re actively expanding our students’ knowledge in computer science and cybersecurity with this new collaborative lab,” said LuWanna Williams, FVSU director of the Center for Student Engagement. “The knowledge they are gaining through research and access to this technology is invaluable. We’re elated to have such committed partners in Robins Air Force Base.”
The ROTC Wildcat Battalion, courtesy of Fort Valley State University
After signing an Educational Partnership Agreement with Robins Air Force Base (RAFB) last month, FVSU is able to host and utilize the specially equipped lab on campus. The lab will provide RAFB personnel workforce with a secured location to enhance their unclassified work while simultaneously creating a pathway for FVSU’s computer science students to achieve their educational and career goals.
The placement of the RAFB-FPED lab on FVSU’s campus provides an immediate connection for students seeking experiential learning opportunities in the field of Computer Science with AFLCMC/HBGB. The partnership with the military installation in Houston County, Ga. also creates a pipeline of potential team members for RAFB, and creates a group of highly credentialed college students ready for immediate deployment into Georgia’s workforce.
“OUR BELOVED ALMA MATER IS IN CRISIS!” That is the first line of a new petition aimed at shaking up the Board of Trustees at Tuskegee University. New Years is meant for beginning anew, and the petition has a few reasons as to why the Board needs its own reset.
“TU Alumni Awakening,” the group who initially posted the petition, believes turnover and inefficiency with leadership at Tuskegee is preventing the institution from thriving. Simply put, those who wrote the petition believe “Tuskegee University Board of Trustees Is Not Meeting Its Fiduciary Responsibilities.”
Tuskegee University, courtesy of Tuskegee University
The petition found issue with the fact that Tuskegee has had 3 Presidents within the last 10 years. Lily D. McNair is Tuskegee’s current and 8th President, and also the first female to hold the role. She began her role in 2018. Before her, Dr. Brian L. Johnson filled the role from his appointment in 2014 to 2017. Prior to that Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon served from 2010 to 2013. 4 interim presidents have filled in between all of those appointments. The petition is also seeking to remove specific members of the Board. Those members include current Chair Norma Clayton, immediate past Chair John Page, Erick Harris ’15 who is in his second term, and Chereece Warner ’08, who is in her third term.
Financial irresponsibility is just as jilting of an accusation as poor leadership. The petition cites over $100 million in debt and an additional $140 million in deferred maintenance costs, since the tenure of President Benjamin F. Peyton ended in 2010.
Just last July, philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott donated $20 million to Tuskegee. The funds were unrestricted, meaning the university could use the money as it saw fit. In a statement, Tuskegee President Lily D. McNair shared her plans on what plans were for the money by addressing 4 key areas: increasing student access, strengthening signature programs, advancing research and innovation, and preserving the university’s legacy.
President Lily D. McNair, courtesy of The Birmingham Times
“We will focus on student scholarships, faculty and curriculum development, interdisciplinary programs, and campus infrastructure improvements, she said. “The gift will allow us to become the Tuskegee of the 21st century – a university that integrates knowledge, leadership and service to solve the problems of a global, modern society.”
The petition called for transparency among Tuskegee’s leadership, and requested that no new Board members be appointed until changes are made. So far, nearly 2,000 people have signed the petition.
Grambling State University has been an ambitious institution, earning a name for itself with coveted academic opportunities and world-renowned sports programs. Over the years Grambling has racked up debts to get to where it is today. Yet a new decision means the school will not be under such a heavy financial burden in the new year. Read the full statement below for details on this landmark decision.
Grambling State University will see a direct financial benefit from passage of the Omnibus Appropriations and Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act, which includes the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Capital Finance Debt Relief Act.
Approximately $87 million in debt relief will come to Grambling State from this congressional action. The total includes $80 million for student housing and $7 million for the natatorium and intramural facilities.
The Grambling State University campus, courtesy of Grambling
Debt relief through the Coronavirus Act is another milestone in Grambling State’s continuous fiscal improvement. Over the past four years, GSU leaders have played a significant role in lobbying for debt relief by presenting to congressional leaders and working with national advocacy partners. The strategy started in 2016 with refinancing its debt through the HBCU Capital Financing Program that yielded annual savings of $1.2 million. This action, supported by an intentional focus on revenue diversification and cost containment, fueled a 100% improvement in the fiscal health score of the institution. Combined with recent news of its 10-year reaffirmation by SACSCOC, this additional financial achievement places Grambling State on a sustainable path for continued growth and development.
“We are grateful to Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the members of our congressional delegation for their advocacy,” said Grambling State University President Rick Gallot. “The relief package will be a great benefit for institutions like Grambling State and many others who work daily to develop the next generation of game-changers.”
“Retirement of this debt opens the door to a new financial future for HBCUs,” said Martin Lemelle, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Grambling State University. “It will enable us to sustain our operations and invest in the next generation of student success.”
Grambling State University technology students, courtesy of ABC’s KTBS3
In addition to congressional support, the Omnibus Appropriations and Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act was endorsed by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO).
“The HBCU community has celebrated many legislative victories over the past few years and this is the biggest victory yet,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, President and CEO of TMCF. “The allocation of $1.7 billion in direct aid to HBCUs, PBIs (Predominantly Black Institutions) and other MSIs (Minority Serving Institutions) discharging of over $1 billion in HBCU Capital Finance Program debt, increase in Title III aid and Pell is Congress demonstrating once again its bipartisan support for our institutions and their students. After this challenging year on so many fronts, this infusion of resources and relief sends a clear signal that the future is bright for HBCUs and PBIs.”
The legislation also includes the largest expansion of the Pell Grant program in a decade; simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure students get the support they need; and restores Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated persons. The expanded Pell Grant program will result in hundreds of thousands of students becoming newly qualified and millions of current recipients receiving larger awards. Additionally, the bill restores Pell Grant eligibility for students defrauded by their institutions.
Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina has just established a new program to directly lend a hand to incarcerated individuals with dreams of higher education. The promising Pathways from Prison Program is the result of a historic partnership between Claflin and the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC). In a move that will offset the difficulty of being hired with a record, soon inmates will be able to earn their bachelor’s degrees at no cost!
Beginning sometime in early 2021, inmates will have three different bachelor’s programs to choose from through Claflin’s Center for Professional and Continuing Studies. The two B.A. programs include a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The single B.S. program is a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management. The inmates will also be able to add a minor to their degree program, and earn certificate credentials.
South Carolina Department of Corrections Inmates, courtesy of Compassionate Criminal Justice
This ground-breaking partnership is part of a larger drive to educate incarcerated people. As part of a initiative under President Barack Obama to get the incarcerated university credentials, Claflin University was selected as a U.S. Department of Education Second Chance Pell Experimental Site in April 2020. The Columbia, S.C. non-profit Healthy Routines will also be assisting the program by offering non-credit college preparation courses to the students.
Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, President of Claflin University shared how this partnership plays into Claflin’s larger mission of service.
“Claflin’s Pathways from Prison Program, Second Chance Pell Grant, and our Center for Social Justice all reflect Claflin’s deep and abiding commitment to expanding access to exceptional educational opportunities that can change the trajectory of people’s lives,” said Dr. Warmack. “It’s in our DNA. Claflin was founded as the first HBCU in South Carolina and the first institution of higher education in the state that welcomed all students regardless of ethnic origin, gender, race, or religion. A quality education is the gateway to empowerment and plays a critical role in the successful reentry of formerly incarcerated people into their respective communities.”
Claflin University, courtesy of Boston University
Although the program hasn’t launched yet, there is already an opportunity for inmates to apply through the South Carolina Department of Corrections. The SCDC’s Director, Bryan Stirling, is excited at the chance the Pathways from Prison Program provides for rehabilitation.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our inmates to better themselves and receive an education,” Stirling said. “Our goal is to return citizens to the community with skills to succeed, and a college degree can put them on that path. We appreciate this important partnership. This program will give inmates the opportunity to leave prison with a college degree, something that can transform not only their life but the lives of their family members as well.”
Jay Holder, Director of Public Affairs at Healthy Routines, went through a personal transformation when he was able to get an education during his incarceration. He now also serves on Columbia University’s National Executive Council at its Center for Justice.
“I took advantage of school while inside and I’m in college now that I’m home,” Holder said.
“In less than 20 months after being released, I was able to use the college in prison experience to not only establish new pathways to the university for currently incarcerated people, the returning citizen, and myself – I have also been able to use education to build meaningful relationships with conglomerates who are making a clear effort to improve our communities. Education is real. It takes you places you never knew you could go. The university is the cornerstone to both mobility and public safety,” Holder said.
The need for sanitized surfaces can’t possibly be overstated amid a pandemic. Now, Alabama State University is taking an unprecedented step to keep its campus healthy. ASU was recently chosen as the inaugural site to implement Draganfly’s high-tech Varigard Drone-Applied COVID-19 Sanitizer.
Alabama State University President Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. announced at a news conference in mid-December that the school would be using drone technology on campus to combat COVID-19.
Draganfly, Inc., has patented the drone technology which will spray Varigard, a patented bio-based organic sanitizer. In fact, Draganfly has been named Varigard’s “exclusive flight services provider” to disseminate the pathogen and virus spray. Although they are organic, both Varigard’s surface spray and hand sanitizing gel are strong enough to kill the COVID-19 virus, staphylococcal (staph) bacteria, and E. coli pathogens. They work by sequestering the pathogens for a period of time that is long enough to prevent them from spreading.
Alabama State University staff watch a Dragonfly drone, courtesy of ASU
Following the news conference, Draganfly staged a high-tech demonstration of the drone spraying down the school’s stadium and other surfaces. Moving forward, large areas such as the ASU stadium and Dunn-Oliver Acadome will be able to get sanitized quickly and thoroughly with the drones.
“We are the first University in the country to use this cutting-edge technology,” Dr. Ross said. “Because of our overall safety protocols, which includes sentinel testing, we have been able to keep COVID-19 cases to around two percent of our entire campus population. Draganfly’s technology is a part of our being able to keep those numbers down. Today, we continue our partnership with Draganfly by using its Varigard product. We are excited about this new sanitizer and its innovative delivery method.”
The Alabama State University Stadium, courtesy of Yellowhammer News
The University began its partnership with Draganfly earlier this year with the installation of the company’s Smart Vital Technology and social distancing units. The technology kept faculty, students and staff safe by providing a quick and contactless measurement of elevated body temperatures. With further consent, the technology could also check the person’s heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation level.
Cameron Chell, the CEO of Draganfly, is proud to be bringing the ground-breaking technology to the Alabama State University campus.
“Alabama State University has been a true partner, utilizing our Smart Vital and social distancing units,” said Chell. “We are thrilled to continue working with Dr. Ross and his team’s amazing vision and leadership in keeping this campus safe by implementing safety protocols, including Draganfly’s Varigard spraying program.”
Tennessee State University‘s athletics department has gotten a brand new look! The Nashville HBCU rolled out the news today, giving their TSU Tigers a refreshing way to enter the new year. The university features men’s basketball, football, cross country, golf, tennis, and track & field. The women’s teams include basketball, cross country, golf, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
Courtesy of Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University athletics is renowned for its sports programs and has notable alums like Joe Gilliam, who went on to one of the first African American quarterbacks to start a regular season game in the NFL. Read the full statement on the rebranding below!
The Tennessee State University athletics department introduced today its new brand identity. The refreshed designs provide updates on a brand rich in history and tradition.
The work was developed through a partnership with Nike-BSN Sports and Varsity Brand’s design division, VIP Branding.
Courtesy of Tennessee State University
The refreshed branding process included soliciting feedback from various stakeholders, including university faculty, alumni, athletic administrative staff, coaches, student-athletes and students.
The goal for the finalized logos and marks, was to develop cohesiveness and consistency in the branding for TSU Athletics. The new branding identity includes updates to the “classic” Tiger logo, a modernized Tiger logo and typography for the athletics department.
“We are very excited to launch the new brand identity for TSU athletics,” said Dr. Mikki Allen, Director of Athletics. “This initiative was a huge step towards streamlining our branding while preserving tradition. I’m extremely pleased with our new customized marks, as they are fierce and truly complement the strength, power and history of this storied program.”
The new graphics and marks will be showcased and incorporated in a phased approach on the athletics website, social media, select uniforms, apparel, merchandise, publications and throughout athletic facilities on campus.
The new athletics branding comes a month after TSU launched a new website design for TSUTigers.com.
Versions of the new logos and TSU Athletics word marks can be previewed by clicking the brand guide.
9 students at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania had a weight lifted off their shoulders when Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving recently paid their tuition. The foundation chose to target student tuition relief for graduating seniors, which is especially important amid the ongoing pandemic.
The philanthropic gesture was done on behalf of his foundation’s holiday season of giving. According to Bleacher Report, the KAI Family Foundation (K.A.I.F.F.) paid off the tuition of nine Lincoln University students as part of their 11 days of giving in December. On its website, the foundation shared that it was designed to “support and equip young people, their families, and communities with resources they need to thrive.” In particular, educational support is one of the targeted goals.
Kyrie Irving, courtesy of Bleacher Report
Tyki Irving, the Executive Director for the Kyrie Irving KAI Family Foundation, shared the great news with the students on a zoom call.
“We’re here today to honor you for your commitment to your education. We hope that we’re able to serve you today,” she began.
“And moving forward, with just a small gratitude of your resilience, and your pursuit of being professional young Black men and women, kings and queens,” she explained, “so if we could just help lift a burden and help facilitate that transition to be as smooth as possible, that is what we’re here to do.”
“And thank you for your service and for for yourself. For standing up and showing up for yourself. So on behalf of Mr. Kyrie Irving and the foundation, we are honoring you with paying your tuition for next season. So that way you guys can graduate and have one less burden to worry about. And we look forward to seeing your leadership, your liberation, and your learning experience to change the world,” said the executive director.
Kyrie Irving, who was also on the call, looked admirably at the students.
“I’m grateful for all you young leaders,” shared Kyrie. “You know, I wouldn’t be sitting in my position and embracing who I am without knowing where I come from and people helping me along the way. Just paying it forward.”
“Servitude is something that we all have a choice in. You know, and I’ve committed to my service a long time ago. I’m walking the steps right now and I want the same for others,” Irving encouraged.
As an HBCU nestled in the state North Carolina, Winston-Salem State University is surrounded by car racing enthusiasts. Now, the school is teaching their students the skills of the industry after becoming the first public university or HBCU with a motorsports management program.
Originally created in 2007, the WSSU Motorsports Management program allows students to earn a bachelors of science degree in motorsports management, and experience on the track as well. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, the program runs out of Bowman Gray Stadium, where racing events have been held consistently for over 70 years. There are 10 students in the program now, and students can take classes like “Finance and Economics of Sport” and “Facility Design and Crowd Management.”
“We are strictly the business side — operations, sponsorship, hospitality, general management, and marketing — in the motorsport industry,” said Clay Harshaw, Ph.D., who has run the program at WSSU since 2012.
Sakieo Williams, courtesy of the Winston-Salem Journal
The program gives any interested students the opportunity to live out their motorsports dreams.
“We’ve got a diverse group of students,” he says. “It’s men, women, anybody that’s interested in it. At one point, I kind of laughed and I said, ‘We’ve got the most diverse program of any university program,’” said Harshaw.
Derrick Rice experienced the program first-hand working with Harshaw in the WSSU motorsports program before graduating in 2017. He also raced at Bowman Gray, and in 2016 won the Street Stock Division title. He’s now a sports marketing teacher at Mount Tabor High School, and looks toward a more diverse future for motorsports.
“Here in the last year it has become more diverse. A lot of people of different ethnicities other than white are starting to pay attention,” says Rice. “I feel like it’s going to become more of a kind of gem toward the institution because it’s a gateway for kids to get in there and to understand, A) what the product is, which will be the car and the racing, and then, B) how to run it, how to utilize your resources, have the right business model, and things like that.”
WSSU students in the Motorsports Management program, courtesy of WSSU
NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program is currently working with WSSU in an initiative that supports minorities and women at higher levels of motorsports. Then there’s William Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr., the only Black driver in NASCAR, who will have a particularly important impact on the perception of a diverse motorsports world.
“I’m hoping there could be some positive effects for us,” Harshaw says. “I’m hoping that we can connect our students with their team for field experiences and internships.”
The motorsports program also values outreach. For example, the Diversity in Motion Initiative camp is held at the Ken Carlson Boys & Girls Club to give the young kids an introduction to the motorsports industry. With the expansion of the program and the popularity of motorsports, there will be more resources for students and the WSSU community at large.
Maurice Mander is using comic books to shine a light on his New Jersey community and HBCU education. The Morehouse College and Morgan State University alumnus is even working on a feature film showing how characters like a teacher and social worker can change the world as HBCU Superheroes. Read the full story from Trenton Daily below.
Writer, educator and Trenton-native Maurice “Raheem” Mander has dedicated the past two decades of his life marrying his love for history, creativity and his hometown of Trenton, NJ into a comic book titled ‘Surian Seed:HBCU Superheroes.’ The comic, and soon to be animated film, follows a group of superhuman Trentonians that graduated from HBCU’s (historically black colleges and universities), like Mander himself. Through his storytelling, Mander meshes together the fictitious elements of aliens and superpowers with the unique experience of community members in Trenton.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my city,” said Mander. “We are the summation of our experiences, and while my experiences haven’t always been positive, I’m still here. So you take lemons and turn it into lemonade.”
Mander grew up in the Donnelly Homes area of the city in the early 80s playing football for Trenton Central High School (TCHS). According to Mander, as a teen, residents of Donnelly Homes and Miller Homes had a hostile relationship towards one another. However, because he was an academically inclined athlete from TCHS, he was able to stay out of trouble.
Maurice “Raheem” Mander, courtesy of Trenton Daily
“If you’re from our projects, and you walked pass Miller Homes, and you were identified as being from Donnelly Homes, the fight was on, but when they saw me wearing a football jersey, I got a pass, and that’s kind of how it was back in the day,” said Mander.
Throughout his high school years, Mander thrived academically and athletically, so much so that he received an academic scholarship to attend Lawrenceville Preparatory School in the ninth grade. However, Mander begged his mother to attend TCHS.
“I wanted to go to Trenton High because I wanted to play sports at Trenton High, so we broke a deal,” said Mander. “The deal was real simple. If you got there and your grades maintained, you could stay in Trenton High. If they dropped off, you had to go.”
Wanting to to stay in the city, Mander spent his four years at TCHS exceeding expectations. With unconditional support from his teachers, he was able to take part in opportunities uncommon for a young Black man at the time.
In his junior year, Mander was sent to Northfield Mount Hermon boarding school for the summer to take a chemistry course on a scholarship offered by his teacher. “It was kind of unheard of,” said Mander. “I was one of two Black people in a class on a campus that was 99.9 percent White.”
Mander graduated number 10 in his class rank out of 535 students. According to Mander, he would have been in the top five if it hadn’t been for his bad mouth as a student. Either way, the achievements he made throughout his high school experience paved way for many options when it came time to graduate. Although he succeeded academically, all Mander dreamed to do after high school was to play football. However, with such innate intelligence, his teachers, guidance councilors and mother gave him an ultimatum.
“[They] would not let me sign anything pertaining to football until I visited Morehouse College,” said Mander. “Literally, every phone call, any letters, I could not talk to anyone.”
He continued, “They got the money together, they sent me down to Morehouse College to visit Morehouse in Atlanta, Georgia, and once I got to Morehouse, I decide I wasn’t going to play football anymore.”
That encouragement and financial support given by the community at TCHS is a memory Mander holds strongly to this day. Even after graduating with a degree in history from Morehouse College in 1991 and continuing grad school at Morgan State University, he values his hometown of Trenton and its important role in shaping who he is as an individual.
“Essentially, my school was paid for. Anything academic was paid for by the community and later on by scholarships, and it’s so important to understand that even in this environment, as tumultuous as it was growing up, the academic support was so strong with the teachers,” said Mander. “They were highly invested in making sure that those students who they identified that want to do better, had the opportunity to do better. So, I can honestly tell you, anything that was academically enhancing to me as a student, my teachers got to me, and specifically it was Mrs. Quinn and Mrs. Morrison.”
After excelling in one of the toughest technical writing courses he had ever taken at Morgan State University, Mander realized he had the talent to produce detailed stories. With strong roots in the Trenton community, it was natural for him to channel his childhood upbringing and experiences into his creative works.
Courtesy of Matthew Seel
“I think, for me, growing up in poverty increased my ability to be creative,” he said. “Even thinking about making mayonnaise sandwiches and being creative with toasting the bread and adding the butter and sugar…you got to adapt.”
He continued, “As your mind starts to become more efficient at adapting, the easier it becomes for you to start building out a platform where you can tell a story.”
Once Mander became comfortable in his own storytelling abilities, he took a hiatus from 2000 to 2011 to produce the first encyclopedia version of his detailed comic called the ‘Surian Seed Universal Guide.’ Mander invested those 11 years into creating well-rounded, in-depth characters inspired by real individuals from the Trenton community. Unlike any comic book before his, he wanted to highlight the Black experience of Trenton and the multifaceted elements that make up its community.
Each character and personality within ‘Surian Seed:HBCU Superheroes’ reflects a concept relatable to Black culture in the city, starting off with the main character Isaiah Kemet, or in his alter-ego form, Infinite (pronounced infi-night). Isaiah is a 24 year-old honors history teacher at TCHS who has the relatability and fashion of youth culture, but the maturity and intellect of wise man. Through Isaiah, the class in his narrative learn about real historical accounts from this “cool teacher” icon.
“Teachers shape the world for children and I chose Isaiah as a being a teacher because through him, could come so much of what people need to learn,” said Mander. “He represents the academic energy that comes from HBCUs in the Black community.”
Another popular character to come out of ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ is Isaiah’s sister, Monique Kemet (Jaden in her alter-ego form). A social worker by day and leader of the superhero group called the ‘Order of Lights’ by night, Monique represents the spiritual guidance figure within the Black community.
“She’s that passion that flows through the Black community; that understanding that we can save every child, if given the right circumstances,” said Mander. “But she’s also conflicted about how you go about that process because she knows that there’s heroes around her that don’t mind killing to get the point across.”
According to Mander, the way ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ approaches death in the comic is another aspect that sets his story apart from common mainstream comic series’.
Courtesy of Matthew Seel
“When somebody dies in a DC or Marvel comic book, it’s a big deal. In my book, this is the norm, because people die and you can’t have superheroes or villains that live forever. It doesn’t work that way,” said Mander. “So it opens up with [Monique] being in conflict with, ‘how do we go about doing this without becoming what we detest?’ So, that’s kind of what Monique embodies.”
‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ has a a variety of characters with comprehensive backstories and representative personalities, from Range, the worlds greatest assassin, that, according to Mander, is the, “embodiment of Black anger” and Architec, the 16 year old intelligent high schooler with an immature side. ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ has characters that embody the versatility of the Black experience Mander grew up immersed in.
Since ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ release back in 2011, Mander has been pushing his creativity far beyond the binding of a comic book. As of right now, ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ the comic is on hold to make way for ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ the animated movie.
“It’s going to be ‘The Incredibles’ big,” said Mander. “This is not a minor production. This is over the top with everything involved with the bells and whistles. It’s top-of-the-line.”
According to Mander, his team has a Grammy award-winning producer in line to score the soundtrack of the film. In addition, the animation studio (that is remaining anonymous at this time) has animations set that are, according to Mander, “on par with DreamWorks, Pixar and anybody else.”
Back in the summer of this year, Mander was offered a multimillion dollar contract for the ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ script. Being that it was his first offer, Mander turned it down. After taking his time to understand the intense production process he was getting into, Mander realized he wanted to command the creative control over ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ and has been working to produce this film under his own terms with his team of experts.
Although Mander and his ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ is expecting to reach great heights and anticipated to reach nation-wide attention, he is admit on keeping the connection he has with his hometown of Trenton, N.J.
That being said, Mander is in the process of planning a red carpet premier for ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ right here in the city of Trenton along with a book signing and a party. The one day line-up will be called ‘Surian Seed Day.’
With 2021 just around the corner, Mander is anticipating ‘Surian Seed: HBCU Superheroes’ to only grow from here, and he plans on taking his Trenton community with him all the way to the top.
“I put my city on my back wherever I go,” said Mander. “In all this national attention that I’m garnering… those people, they’re writing about ‘Surian Seed’ and ‘HBCU superheroes,’ but you’re writing about “Raheem” Mandar, Trenton, New Jersey, and the process that got me here and it’s important that people understand that part of the story.”
He continued, “People see that you’re from Trenton and it’s hard for them to believe sometimes that you’re actually doing this, but it’s okay. We’ll let them see.”
Hampton University‘s Division 1 men’s basketball team is off to a great start. For the first time ever, the team has taken a lead in the Big South Conference with a lead of 3 wins and no loses. The conference’s unique schedule has featured back-to-back games in order to limit reoccurring travel due to the pandemic. Read more details about the winning streak from WTKR below.
Hampton player Mark Sutton, courtesy of Hampton University Athletics
Behind career-highs from Davion Warren with 31 points and Chris Shelton adding 22, Hampton opened Big South Conference play 3-0 for the first time on Wednesday with an 80-69 win over Gardner-Webb.
Deuce Dean also joined the career-high group dishing out 14 assists as Hampton evened its record at 4-4 and 3-0 in the Big South Conference. The Pirates are 3-0 for the first time in league since the 2015-16 team started 6-0 in MEAC play.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs started the game with the first seven points to lead 7-0 on a Lance Terry 3-pointer with 17:06 left in the half. A 3-ball from Shelton got Hampton on the board 63 seconds later and started a 14-0 run by the Pirates. Warren scored the last five points of that run to lead 14-7 following a 3-pointer at the 11:28 mark.
After a 3-pointer by Jaheam Cornwall brought the guests to 37-35 with 18:19 left in the game, Hampton doused any hopes with a 15-3 run to take a 52-38 advantage on another 3-pointer by Shelton with 13:22 remaining. Saheem Anthony drained a 3-ball to give Hampton its largest lead of the night at 65-49 with 6:55 left.
Hampton University Coach Buck Joyner, courtesy of WTKR
Hampton matched its season high of 10 3-pointers and hit a season-best 45.5% from behind the arc. Shelton going 6-for-7 matched the school record for highest 3-point percentage in a game (85.7%) last done by Lysander Bracey on Feb. 3, 2018 against N.C. A&T.
Anthony joined Shelton and Warren in double figures with 10 points, while Daniel Banister just missed with a career-high eight points.
The same two teams will tangle on Thursday at noon inside the Hampton University Convocation Center.
Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina is at the forefront of an impactful partnership with several other HBCUs. Recently, the school received a sizable grant to help give HBCU students more access to the data science field. Find out how those funds will be put to good use with the details from The Charlotte Post below.
Charlotte’s historically Black college will collaborate with five other HBCUs on an HBCU Data Science Consortium. They received a seed grant of $100,000 from the National Science Foundation funded South Big Data Innovation Hub for development and implementation of the consortium. JCSU assistant professor of computer science Felesia Stukes will work with faculty from Alabama A&M University, Bowie State University, Florida A&M University, Morehouse College and Norfolk State University.
Professor Felesia Stukes, courtesy of US Black Engineer
An inaugural workshop titled “HBCU Data Science Consortium—Building Data Science Pillars” is scheduled to take place virtually Feb. 19-20.
“African American and Hispanic or Latino professionals are underrepresented in the field of data science,” Stukes said. “Johnson C. Smith University and several other HBCUs have been working to address this need by providing students across the nation with high-demand data skills. The HBCU Data Science Consortium is an exciting way to build a diverse community of practice that could help accelerate and expand our reach.”
The HBCU-DSC will serve as a space to inspire and expand on a culture of academic development and research collaborative opportunities by establishing a consortium of analytics researchers, scholars and industry partners. It is designed to allow for increased collaboration between HBCUs in terms of sharing data analysis tools, data and innovative ideas.
John C. Smith University, courtesy of the university.
JCSU also announced earlier this month a partnership with Apple to become a community center for coding and creativity as part of Computer Science Education Week. It is part of the Apple community education and Tennessee State University HBCU C2 initiatives.
North Carolina HBCUs Shaw University and Saint Augustine’s University also joined the initiative.
The end of 2020 has been an especially tough time for journalist and activist Marc Lamont Hill. The Morehouse College alumnus just recently shared that not only has his father recently passed away, but his sister as well.
Marc Lamont Hill
Hill opened up about the terrible news Wednesday morning with a somber tweet.
“My sister died this morning. We just buried our father yesterday. This is the cruelest year that I’ve ever experienced,” he shared.
My sister died this morning. We just buried our father yesterday. This is the cruelest year that I’ve ever experienced.
The sad news comes at the end of a year that hasn’t been very positive for most people. As an activist Hill was had much to handle during the tumultuous 2020 U.S. presidential election 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has halted plans and become a dangerous challenge as well.
Hill announced his father had passed on December 11, just a few days before his birthday on December 17.
My father passed away early this morning. 92 years old. I’m grateful that I got to see his face yesterday and make him laugh one last time. Although I’ve lost a great deal of my joy, I’m trying to find comfort in the fact that he has lost all of his pain. Rest Well, Dad.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Hill’s father, Leon Melvin Hill Jr. was a pioneering educator in Philadelphia. As reflected in his son, Hill was known to be patient, but disciplined.
“While he enjoyed the classroom, he saw children whose needs weren’t being met, and knew it was important to pursue higher education to help meet their needs,” said Marc Lamont Hill of his father.
Leon Melvin Hill Jr., courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer
The senior hill had a lengthy career with the School District of Philadelphia, which lasted from 1954 to 1990. He started as a fifth-grade teacher and eventually came a school counselor. Like his son, he was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
“He was a proud Kappa and one of the city’s most widely regarded and known Black educators,” said the younger Hill.
According to Shondaland, before his father’s passing, Hill shared how said he was that his father was alone and could not receive any visitors due to the virus. He shared this in an opening essay as part of his new book “We Still Here: Pandemic, Policing, Protest, & Possibility,” which Hill wrote will he actually was battling COVID. Considering Hill’s father struggled with dementia, the book reflects the challenging state of black health disparities and how the pandemic has affected people in that demographic.
“In the United States, being poor and Black makes you more likely to get sick. Being poor, Black, and sick makes you more likely to die. Your proximity to death makes you disposable,” he shares in the book.
It is unclear what led to the passing of Hill’s sister just this morning, but we will keep his family in our prayers.
