Florida A&M University has always been a leader in HBCU athletics, and now their games will look a whole lot sharper. Learn about FAMU’s new multi-year partnership with one of the biggest global leaders in sports and apparel in the release from FAMU below!
Florida A&M Athletics announced a six-year agreement with NIKE, Inc., to make Nike the official athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment provider for the Rattlers beginning July 1, 2021.
“FAMU is an elite institution with a rich tradition of first, and our student-athletes deserve a student-athlete experience that is second to none. As we transition into a new athletic conference and the opportunity to engage apparel partners, the 23-year relationship with Nike and their commitment to culture, diversity, inclusion, and innovation has never been clearer,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics, Kortne Gosha.
“My executive team and I are focused on setting a new standard and our top priority is to align with the best quality and most innovative products, brands and resources that position our student-athletes and coaches to compete for championships. This partnership allowed us to reimagine, challenge the norms of our industry and be the model for leveling the playing field with the most significant investment in the American Jewels known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities by any footwear and apparel company.”
The agreement will service the university’s athletic department, all 14 of Florida A&M’s sport programs and the Marching 100 band. NIKE will supply all team footwear, uniforms, apparel and equipment. Florida A&M’s sports teams will be outfitted in LeBron James uniforms, apparel and footwear, including footwear designed specifically for the university, as part of this relationship. Florida A&M is not only the No.1 public HBCU in the nation, but it has also produced some of the most significant trailblazers in American sports, with figures such as Althea Gibson, “Bullet” Bob Hayes, and football legends like Jake Gaither and Ken Riley to name a few.
“Florida A&M has a rich tradition of excellence on the court and field, which not only includes athletic success, but equally important is academics, preparation for future careers and community engagement,” said Sonja Henning, Nike’s VP of League Partnerships for North America. “Through our continued relationship with Florida A&M Athletics, we’ll have the opportunity to partner with some of the country’s preeminent student-athletes and the next generation of leaders.”
The partnership extends beyond outfitting some of the most iconic teams in collegiate athletics NIKE, Inc. will also support Florida A&M Athletics’ student-athlete development programs, offer internships and coordinate networking opportunities for Florida A&M students.
As more celebrities, athletes, and successful politicians bring awareness to the power of HBCUs, student-athletes are taking notice. Yet high profile athletes in particular beginning to realize it’s not just about the sport program, but the atmosphere the college or university provides. And especially for young black talent, HBCUs can be the best of both worlds. Catch the new report from Eric Mollo at ABC News below to explore this welcomed pattern.
When five-star high school basketball recruit Makur Maker was weighing offers from top college programs last summer, he looked at traditional powerhouses like Kentucky and UCLA. But the school he ended up choosing to attend was Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Maker felt he could be successful at Howard, even though the Bison won just four games the year prior and had not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since the early 1990s. He said he wanted to attend a historically black college, and encouraged more top recruits to follow his lead and “make the HBCU movement real.”
Historically black colleges and universities have a rich sports legacy and have produced plenty of star athletes despite their lower profiles. Basketball Hall of Famer Earl Monroe, Olympic runner Wilma Rudolph and Pro Football Hall of Famers Willie Lanier and Michael Strahan are a handful of high-profile athletes to come out of HBCUs.
“To go to Texas Southern … it was perfect for me,” Strahan, who was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014 and now co-hosts “Good Morning America,” told ABC News’ “Perspective” podcast. “Knowing the history when you really looked into not just NFL players, but Hall of Fame NFL players, definitely made me realize that if I really wanted to be an NFL player that it could happen.”
Lanier, a graduate of Morgan State University, also spoke with “Perspective,” saying he was ignored by predominantly white schools when he was being recruited.
“It wasn’t about talent, it was about race. It was about a decision that it was not going to integrate,” Lanier said. “The institutions that were white were not recruiting Black students or athletes.”
Despite their legacies, HBCUs have struggled to consistently attract the top athletes in America. Makur is the only ESPN five-star player to ever commit to an HBCU.
Howard University (Credit: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Derrick E. White, a professor of African American studies at the University of Kentucky and author of “Blood, Sweat, and Tears: Jake Gaither, Florida A&M, and the History of Black College Football,” said that recruiting gap stems from decades of institutional inequality.
“What we see really in the late ’60s and early ’70s is desegregation,” White said. “Black colleges … did not have the kinds of resources to compete for the very best players. After 1984, what we see is a massive explosion of new television dollars entering into college sports and those television dollars are being thrown at primarily white institutions.”
Tyrone Wheatley, the head football coach at Morgan State University, was a star running back at the University of Michigan and said student-athletes can feel lost at big programs.
“My first semester at University of Michigan, I didn’t like it,” Wheatley said. “Now, you’re here [at Morgan State] and this is the first time ever in my professional career that I’ve ever felt comfortable doing a situation like Black Lives Matter. … I don’t have to explain if I want to take a knee … or me supporting the young men who want to take a knee.”
Wheatley, a first-round pick of the New York Giants in 1995, told “Perspective” that athletes who have ambitions of turning pro will get the necessary preparation at an HBCU.
“I have met some of the brightest and best coaches out there,” he said. “At the end of the day, we have the essentials and everything you need to be successful at an HBCU.”
Billy Hawkins, a professor at the University of Houston and author of “The New Plantation: Black Athletes, College Sports, and Predominantly White Institutions,” said the next few years could become a time when more five-star recruits consider attending HBCUs:
“I think there is … some racial fear when you talk about the radicalization, or the weaponization, of white supremacy,” Hawkins said. “I think a lot of individuals in the Black community are concerned about where we send our children and want to make sure they’re going to safe places.”
In this Jan. 19, 2020, file photo, Hillcrest Prep’s Makur Maker controls the ball against Sunrise Christian Academy during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass (Credit: Gregory Payan/AP)
What could make this moment a turning point? Strahan said athletes should consider the advice they receive before choosing their school.
“A lot of these athletes are told that if you don’t go to one of the larger schools … then you’re not going to have a chance to make it to the next level,” he said. “It’s just not true. … HBCUs provide you with what a great education, but they also provide you with a great opportunity to get to the pros.”
Strahan added that alumni giving time or money to schools can also influence an athlete’s decision. He has been involved with and given back to his alma mater, as has Lanier, who told “Perspective” he is working to install modern playing surfaces at HBCU football fields through his program, The Honey Bear Project.
As for Maker, Howard’s prized recruit appeared in just two games before getting injured, and the Bison had to cancel their season due to a coronavirus outbreak.
Maker may enter the 2021 NBA draft and leave Howard. However, his decision to go to an HBCU could make other prospects consider the same route.
“That is legendary in so many different ways,” Strahan said of Maker’s decision. “If he can come out of there and still be successful, and I hate saying go to the NBA because there’s more than one way to be successful, but … I think it will add a lot of creed … to the argument that HBCUs can be great for young athletes.”
Listen to the full report and the rest of “Perspective” here.
Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Esq. is being remembered at Howard University after his recent passing on March 1, 2021 at age 85. He was not only a Howard University School of Law graduate, but also a member of the Board of Trustees. He was also was an activist who earned over 60 honorary degrees. Learn more about Jordan’s life well lived below from a statement released by Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick today.
Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Esq. (Credit: Howard University)
Dear Howard University Community,
It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of a Howard and American giant, Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Esq. A proud graduate of the Howard University School of Law, Mr. Jordan served on the Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2014.
Mr. Jordan was senior managing director of Lazard Frères & Co. LLC in New York, where he worked with a diverse group of clients across a broad range of industries. Prior to joining Lazard, he was a senior executive partner with the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where served as senior counsel. While there, he practiced general, corporate, legislative and international law in Washington, D.C.
Before his tenure at Akin Gump, Mr. Jordan held the following positions: president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League, Inc.; executive director of the United Negro College Fund, Inc.; director of the Voter Education Project of the Southern Regional Council; attorney-consultant for the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity; assistant to the executive director of the Southern Regional Council; Georgia field director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and an attorney in private practices in Arkansas and Georgia.
Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Esq. (Left) with Former President Barack Obama (Right) at Howard University’s 2016 Commencement (Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Mr. Jordan’s presidential appointments include: the President’s Advisory Committee for the Points of Light Initiative Foundation, the Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee on South Africa, the Advisory Council on Social Security; the Presidential Clemency Board, the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, the National Advisory Committee on Selective Service and the Council of the White House Conference entitled “To Fulfill These Rights.” In 1992, Mr. Jordan served as the chairman of the Clinton Presidential Transition Team. His corporate and other directorships include: American Express Company (senior advisor); Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.; Howard University (trustee emeritus); Lazard Ltd.; Xerox Corporation (senior advisor); and International Advisory Board of Barrick Gold.
Mr. Jordan was a graduate of DePauw University and the Howard University School of Law, and he holds honorary degrees from more than 60 colleges and universities in America. He was a member of the bars of Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Georgia and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the Council on Foreign Relations and the Bilderberg Meetings.
Mr. Jordan authored the book, “Vernon Can Read! A Memoir” (Public Affairs, 2001) and “Make It Plain, Standing Up and Speaking Out” (Public Affairs, 2008).
He blessed us through his annual sermon at Rankin Chapel, sharing lessons gleaned from the richness of his life and the remarkable role he played in movements to win civil and human rights at home and abroad. In his final appearance in April 2019, he reminisced about “four old men” who shaped his life and told a story of the changes he both witnessed and participated in through the years.
Former President Bill Clinton (Left) golfs with Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Esq. (Right) (Credit: Bloomberg)
To illustrate how slavery and Jim Crow had constrained the sense of possibility among so many, he recounted a 1947 conversation with his grandfather, Jim Griggs, who shared his life’s highest aspiration was to “be able to go to the bathroom indoors in a warm place once before I die.”
To call on a new generation of leaders to take up the baton and serve, Mr. Jordan shared his experience working as the chauffeur for former mayor of Atlanta Robert Maddox. Upon seeing Mr. Jordan on television years later working as a lawyer to integrate the University of Georgia, Maddox reportedly remarked: “I always knew he was up to no good.” Mr. Jordan then called to all in the congregation “I’ve come to ask you today: to get up to ‘no good’. The good kind of ‘no good’ that my friend John Lewis called ‘good trouble’… in the days of Jesus it was simply called ‘ministry’. The kind of ‘no good’ that at its core is defying oppression for the sake of justice. ‘No good’ for the greater good.”
To prove his belief that our common humanity can transcend even the sharpest differences, he recalled his interaction with former Alabama Governor George Wallace. Wallace was the first to send well wishes after the 1980 assassination attempt that almost took Jordan’s life. When they met at an event years later, Governor Wallace said, “Mr. Jordan: will you do something for me? Vernon Jordan will you reach down and hug me?” In this time of deep polarization, Mr. Jordan remained convinced that “the road may be long, but we can bring about change in this country in our laws and in the hearts of others.”
The final “old man” he described in his sermon was himself. In what would ultimately be his final address to Rankin Chapel, Mr. Jordan reflected on the words of Psalm 71: “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” His declaration to current and future generations was that, in an age of immediacy, we must remember that the work of justice takes time, and it is important to find your “your rock” – a consistent source of inspiration to weather the moments of doubt and difficulty that will surely come. I was not deserving of his kindness or his love. I will forever remain in gratitude that he was more father than mentor. He never told me what to do or how to do it, but rather he answered my queries with stories of his lived experiences that guided me ever so gently but purposefully. Howard University’s Rankin Chapel was his rock, and Mr. Jordan remained faithful and focused on lifting up others and our community throughout his lifetime and encouraged us all to continue on in this important work.
His legacy as a Civil Rights activist and influential advocate for social justice will live on through the lives of the numerous students he mentored. Throughout the mountains and valleys of my presidency, Mr. Jordan has been a consistent support, offering both sage advice and constant encouragement. His love for this institution and our community are difficult to overstate. I have ordered flags across the Hilltop to be flown at half-mast in honor of this great man, who was also a father figure to me. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this fallen Bison hero.
According to the founders of WEAR BRIMS, “everyone deserves a compliment.” And with the confidence that wearing their luxury fedora hats brings, it’s easy to get one. Since founding their hand-crafted brand in 2017, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brothers Archie Clay III and Tajh Crutch have taken the hat game to another level. In just 4 short years, WEAR BRIMS went from being an idea on paper to a brand that is featured in Huffington Post, British GQ, and The Root. The brand has even more moves planned for expansion in its future.
We sat down with co-founder and Tuskegee University graduate Archie Clay III to learn how he was molded by his HBCU, and what it’s like being a driving force for Wearbrims.
Poising himself to learn the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, Clay graduated B.A. in Sales and Marketing at Tuskegee. His fraternity brother and business partner Tajh Crutch, attended Troy University in Alabama. Shortly after walking the stage, Clay entered the retail industry and focused his talents on Human Resources and Operations. Through having this foundation in the fashion industry, he prepared himself to run a business with Crutch from every angle.
Tahj Crutch (Left) and Archie Clay III (Right)/Credit: WEAR BRIMS
However, as most entrepreneurs can tell you, the path to success wasn’t a smooth one. Initially, Clay struggled to a build team and strategized how to handle people who didn’t believe in the brand. Some of those people even included manufacturers, who at times made building a lasting business relationship difficult. Yet, there was no mountain too high to climb. “If it was easy we wouldn’t be where we are right now,” said Clay.
WEAR BRIMS was built on “Family, Faith, and Confidence,” and those three pillars have provided the basis of a well-made, authentic brand that continues to thrive. In fact, WEAR BRIMS just launched an exclusive partnership with Nordstrom this month! It’s the first black-owned luxury fedora hat company to be positioned in Nordstrom. Celebrities and influencers such as Chris Paul, Eva Marcille, Mookie Betts, Karen Civil, and Lance Gross have all rocked WEAR BRIMS. Now with the brand’s expansion, this high-fashion brand will be more visible and accessible to there fashion enthusiasts.
With such an inspiring self-made story, we had to ask Clay what his advice would be to the HBCU students to aspire to attain similar success. “My advice to HBCU students on pursuing the dreams would be to have faith in their journey, keep their family close, and be confident in their ability to change the world,” he said.
Tahj Crutch (Left) and Archie Clay III (Right)/Credit: WEAR BRIMS
Bennett College President Suzanne Elise Walsh is the latest HBCU leader to be interviewed in our President’s Corner series! As an interviewer, HBCU Buzz Founder and CEO Luke Lawal Jr. helps show a different side to HBCU presidents that we rarely get to see.
As a leader of one of only two all-women HBCUs in the nation, Walsh is a bubbly person despite holding such a high office. For example, we got to enjoy an unbelievable story as she shared her favorite concert was when Whitney Houston open up for Chaka Khan! Walsh comes from a place of really wanting her students to enjoy their college experience, so you’ll also hear her talk about Bennett’s commitment to tailored mental health and wellness initiatives, and the unique women-centered culture she has fostered at Bennett.
Bennett wasn’t always a women’s college, but if you let President Walsh tell it, she’s happy that history turned out the way it did. “I’m so curious about the culture, said Lawal. “What it is like being at an all-women HBCU, and how is it to be the president of an all-women HBCU?”
“Women are leaders all over campus, whether they are students— every student club is led by a woman, specifically a woman of color, specifically a black woman,” answered Walsh. In fact, she shared that her leadership team and even the faculty also consists mostly of women of color.
The culture is one that reinforces the idea of black women as leaders… It’s a place where it’s okay to make mistakes, because you’re not going to be judged because you’re a woman, a woman of color.”
Suzanne Walsh (Credit: Bennett College)
Ironically, Bennett College was founded in 1873 as a co-ed institution. “So our football team is still undefeated,” joked President Walsh. It was a wave of the women’s movement back in 1926 influenced a change for the college to become all-women’s. It’s unique for an institution to be as ready to evolve as Bennett is.
That ability for the college, especially as an HBCU, to transform itself based on larger world events shows why Bennett is more prepared than many colleges to survive unexpected obstacles. This includes not only patterns of racial and gender discrimination, but an economic and scientific issue like COVID-19 as well.
“It continues to be important the role of women’s colleges, it’s never been more important,” said Walsh. “Specifically having HBCUs focused on women, [is] critical, given all that’s happened in the world. I think Bennett College is no stranger to radical transformation. “We’ve done it before, we’re in the midst of it yet again.”
To learn more about President Walsh, watch the full conversation here. For more President’s Corner, tune in live on Facebook and Youtube every Tuesday at 12pm PT/3pm ET. You can also listen to #PresidentsCorner anywhere you get your podcasts.
Journalism is an undeniably captivating way to combat racial injustices around the world. For Hampton University student Jamaija Rhoades, journalism is her way to address problematic discrimination in education in the city of Richmond, VA. Learn more about how she will be supported in journey towards activism from the Pulitzer Center in a release from Hampton below!
Jamaija Rhoades (Credit: Hampton University)
Hampton University student Jamaija Rhoades has won a Pulitzer Center Fellowship and will partner with journalism experts to examine racism in the Richmond, Va., school system. Pulitzer Center staff and editors will advise her throughout the process and act as her mentors. Her final project will be featured on the center’s website as well as on the website for the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications.
“We are incredibly proud of Ms. Jamaija Rhoades for winning this distinguished fellowship. Her proposal to report on racism in education in the Richmond school system reflects the university’s values of respect and inclusion of all people. We know that Ms. Rhoades will continue to live up to our university commitment to ‘Dream no Small Dream’ as she forges her unique path,” said Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey.
Rhoades is a senior journalism student in the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications from Midlothian, Va. She has written for the Hampton University newspaper, The Script, and Her Campus, a weekly magazine.
In her proposal, Rhoades wrote: “I would like to write a story that focuses on how Richmond’s history of discrimination and racism lives on through the city’s school system.”
The project will focus on racial disparities in the district, including the difference between the resources available for schools with a higher percentage of students living in poverty versus the resources available to more affluent schools. Additionally, she wants to examine the results of a study conducted by the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium, which indicates that Richmond black students are suspended four times more than white students.
“We’re excited to partner with Hampton University and want to congratulate Jamaija Rhoades. Exploring the impact of discrimination and racism on the Richmond school system is ambitious and challenging, and Jamaija, a journalism major, is uniquely qualified to take this on. She has deep ties to Richmond and is herself a graduate of Richmond public schools,” Kem Sawyer, Contributing Editor and Director of the Reporting Fellows Program, said in an email.
“Recent events have only underscored the importance of her topic. Reporting on racial justice is core to the Pulitzer Center mission—we look forward to adding Jamaija’s project to our portal [pulitzercenter.org] on this issue,” Sawyer said.
Her research will include interviews from Richmond teachers who can “speak to the disparities and the lack of resources provided for black students and how this has affected the district’s graduation rates and scores on standardized tests.” Because of the pandemic, much of the work for the project will be done virtually
Hampton University first partnered with the Pulitzer Center in 2020. The first fellowship was awarded to Sara Avery who proposed writing about 3-D printed houses being produced in Haiti for the homeless.
The fellowship is through the Campus Consortium, which is a network of partnerships between the Pulitzer Center and universities and colleges to engage with students and faculty on the critical global issues of our time. The consortium’s aim is to connect international reporting supported by the Pulitzer Center directly with communities across the United States to expand knowledge of the world, spark conversations across disciplines and inspire individuals to expand their horizons. Hampton University is a Campus Consortium partner.
Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications Assistant Professor Lynn Waltz helped Rhoades with the fellowship application. “Jamaija Rhoades is an excellent reporter who comes up with unique stories that no other students have thought of,” Waltz said. “For instance, she wrote about African Americans who think the statue of Robert E. Lee should stay in Richmond, Virginia because the graffiti makes it a new icon for this century. She truly wants to make a difference with her work. Her proposal about racial disparities in the education system in Richmond was very appealing to the Pulitzer Center selection committee.”
The Dean of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, Ms. B. Da’Vida Plummer, is excited for Rhoades. “We are very grateful to the Pulitzer Center for its work with the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications and with Jamaija. Her examination of racism in the Richmond school system is aligned with our effort to launch a Center for Investigative Journalism within the School,” Dean Plummer said.
Rhoades is excited about being accepted into the program, calling it an “honor.”
“Not only do I get the chance to work with some of the best journalists in the world, but I also get to shed light on my hometown,” she wrote in her application. “I get to use my platform to highlight the issues within the school system that have shaped me into what I am today.”
Rhoades said she wants to bring awareness around the issues of systemic racism in the educational system and “create change for a community of people who are often overlooked and mislabeled.” The fellowship, she wrote, is giving her that chance.
Rhoades is expected to graduate from Hampton University in May 2021. Her project will be completed by mid-summer.
Get ready to see some football for a good cause. This September, find out why the next matchup between HBCU football teams Tuskegee University and Fort Valley State University is significant in the new article below from Jayla Jones at The Undefeated.
Tuskegee University and Fort Valley State will play in the inaugural Red Tails Classic football game in September to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, the legendary Black military aviators who served in World War II.
Credit: Golden Tiger Sports
The game will open both teams’ schedules on Sept. 5 at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. It will be among many football games from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that will broadcast across ESPN’s network.
“We are extremely pleased to highlight Tuskegee University in an annual kickoff event in Montgomery for the next three years,” said Pete Derzis, ESPN senior vice president for college sports programming and events. “The history of this outstanding HBCU institution is accented with the important role the Tuskegee Airmen played in World War II, and serves as a great source of pride we hope to highlight within the nationally televised event.”
The NCAA Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) is home to both programs, and because of COVID-19, they opted not to play during the academic year. The Red Tails Classic will be the first game a SIAC team has played in since the SIAC championship in November 2019.
Tuskegee athletic director and head football coach Willie Slater didn’t hesitate to accept the offer when approached by ESPN Events.
“I am excited about it. I think it’s a great opportunity for our players and our school,” he said. “When the opportunity presented itself for us to play in the Red Tails Classic, I was all for it. I think it’s a real good opportunity to play on ESPN.”
Tuskegee interim president Charlotte P. Morris said it was a great chance to highlight the team and school on ESPNU.
“Tuskegee’s Labor Day football game will certainly be different this year,” Morris said. “We are excited about taking on conference rival Fort Valley State University in this year’s inaugural Red Tails Classic. The Tuskegee Airmen are our American heroes, and we are elated to honor them in this newly branded classic.”
The Tuskegee Golden Tigers and Fort Valley State Wildcats have a long-standing rivalry. Fort Valley State (6-4, 4-2 SIAC) finished third in the SIAC East Division in 2019, while Tuskegee (5-5, 4-2 SIAC) finished second in the SIAC West Division.
Slater said playing a longtime conference rival at the Cramton Bowl returns the program to familiar territory.
“We have a good history with Fort Valley and the Cramton Bowl,” Slater said. “Fort Valley is one of the best teams in the Eastern Division and we played them for the SIAC championship in 2017. We’ve played some big games in the Cramton Bowl.”
The Red Tails Classic joins more than 20 HBCU classic football games that are expected to return in the fall, including the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis and the Black College Hall of Fame Classic in Canton, Ohio, in September; the State Fair Classic in Dallas and the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Alabama, in October; and the Bayou Classic in New Orleans in November.
It’s been a pretty good homecoming for Chesapeake native Thomas Calhoun Jr., all things considered.
The Norfolk State University graduate just secured a $600,000 contract for his employer to work on one of the largest roads projects in Virginia history.
Credit: Inside Business
Blackstar Diversified Enterprises, a Black-owned small business with headquarters in Baltimore and New Orleans, is providing key electrical components for much of the construction work on the $3.8 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion project. And the company hopes that the contract will be the first of many it secures in Hampton Roads.
“I’m super proud of this particular project,” Calhoun said.
Thomas Calhoun Jr. (Credit: Inside Business/HANDOUT)
Blackstar’s leadership combines decades of experience and the foundational education from two historically black colleges and universities. Founder, owner and principal officer Hugh Blackwell earned his bachelor of science degree from Howard University. After working for years for companies like Siemens, Blackwell started Blackstar in 2016.
After finishing school at Norfolk State in 2000, Calhoun moved to the Washington, D.C., area and worked for companies like Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems in software development and management consulting. After a few years, he shifted to full-time entrepreneurship.
“I decided that ‘I get it. I can do this,’” Calhoun said.
That decision led Calhoun on a path toward Blackstar. After meeting at church and working on a few projects together, Calhoun joined Blackwell as the company’s vice president of marketing and innovation.
The company specializes in helping facilitate infrastructure projects in Virginia, Maryland and the D.C. area. It makes electrical equipment at its New Orleans location for use in everything from car tunnels to the Washington Metro. In Hampton Roads, Blackstar has sold electrical equipment for U.S. Navy dry docks. The company also makes and sells traffic equipment like traffic signals, traffic control cabinets and parking gates.
Calhoun said he found out about the bridge-tunnel job through an article in Inside Business about the Virginia Department of Transportation looking for small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses to fill hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts. Calhoun said he had to chase down the job while running his startup investment business, Nafasi, at the same time.
“We were just persistent, and eventually we got the opportunity,” he said.
The work was complex and under a tight deadline, Blackwell said. Blackstar had to ship 10 transformers, each weighing 18,000 pounds, from a supplier in South Carolina to its New Orleans facility. Once there, the company used cranes to mount the transformers on skids — steel rectangular bases that can contain the transformer fluids in case of leaks. The company then put the units on flatbed trucks and shipped them to Virginia the same day. The transformers will help power equipment like the tunnel boring machines in remote locations.
“It was a pretty good stress test of what our company can handle,” Blackwell said.
For Calhoun, the contract is an immense source of pride — the company was able to successfully transport all of the skids to the tunnel site and beat its summer deadline by several months. It was equally impressive for the company to do all this and survive during a global pandemic, he said.
“That’s a feat, in and of itself,” Calhoun added.
Blackwell said he was driven by a chance to help upgrade and maintain the country’s aging infrastructure. In its most recent report, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the U.S. infrastructure a grade of D+ and said the country needs close to $2 trillion in improvements.
Hugh Blackwell (Credit: Inside Business/HANDOUT)
“Firms like ours need to exist,” Blackwell said. “We need to exist.”
The bridge-tunnel project plans to add two more two-lane tunnels to the HRBT and widen the four-lane portions of Interstate 64 in Hampton and Norfolk. The project is expected to be complete by November 2025.
Blackstar isn’t finished working in Hampton Roads, either, Blackwell said. The company is bidding on several more local contracts. Additionally, he hopes to start hiring more talent and establishing a pipeline from schools like Norfolk State and Hampton University.
In honor of the end of Black History Month, and on this Golden Globe Awards Sunday, it’s important to honor the next generation of great black entertainers! Each of the 28 young artists below have excelled in acting, modeling, music, poetry, and entrepreneurship! Continue to look out for every single entertainer on this list in the future as they grace our tvs, speakers, magazines, and history books.
Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman is an American actress, singer and producer. She started her career as a child model, backup dancer, and actor on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up.
Storm Reid is an American actress first appearing in the period drama 12 Years a Slave and the superhero film Sleight. Her most recent breakthrough role was in the fantasy film A Wrinkle in Time, for which she received Teen Choice Award and NAACP Image Award nominations.
Miles Brown, also known by his stage name Baby Boogaloo, is an American actor, dancer and rapper. He is best known for his role as Jack Johnson in the ABC comedy series Black-ish.
Dominique Thorne is an American actress who most recently starred as Judy Harmon in Judas and the Black Messiah as Judy Harmon. In 2020, she was confirmed to be starring as Riri Williams / Ironheart in her first Disney+ television series, Ironheart.
Alex Hibbert is a young actor who got his start as Little Chiron in Best Picture winner Moonlight and will return for the upcoming second season of the Showtime drama The Chi.
Jaden Christopher Syre Smith sometimes known by just the mononym Jaden is an American actor, rapper, singer, and songwriter. Smith’s first role was with his father Will Smith in the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness and would again appear with his father in the 2013 film After Earth.
Amandla Stenberg is an American actress and singer. Stenberg has received several accolades, and was included in Time’s list of Most Influential Teens in both 2015 and 2016.
Lil Yachty (Miles Parks McCollum) is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He rose to fame in August 2015 for his singles “One Night” and “Minnesota” from his debut EP Summer Songs. He released his debut mixtape Lil Boat in March 2016.
Chance the Rapper (Chancelor Johnathan Bennett) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, activist, actor, and philanthropist. From Chicago, Illinois, Chance the Rapper released his debut mixtape 10 Day in 2012.
Megan Thee Stallion (Megan Jovon Ruth Pete) is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Houston, Texas. She rose to fame from her freestyle rap videos posted on social media sites such as Instagram.
Doja Cat (Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini) is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer born and raised in Los Angeles. She was first noticed on SoundCloud as a teenager making music.
Saweetie (Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper) is an American rapper and songwriter. Her debut single “Icy Grl” got her signed by Warner Records and her manager Max Gousse’s record label Artistry Worldwide.
Lil Nas X (Montero Lamar Hill) is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. His viral hit “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus pushed the young artist to prominence.
Skai Jackson is an American actress, YouTuber, and author, who started acting at the age of 5. In 2016, she was named Time’s list of Most Influential Teens.
Caila Marsai Martin is an American actress best known for her role as Diane Johnson in the ABC comedy series Black-ish. She is also an executive producer and nine-time NAACP Image Awards winner.
Amanda S. C. Gorman is an American poet and activist who creates art to address issues such as oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora.
Imani Hakim is an American actress best known for her role as Tonya Rock on Everybody Hates Chris and her portrayal of Olympic gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas in the 2014 Lifetime original movie The Gabby Douglas Story.
Yara Sayeh Shahidi is an American actress, model, and activist who gained recognition for her starring role as the oldest daughter Zoey Johnson on the sitcom Black-ish and its spin-off series Grown-ish.
Kiersey Nicole Clemons is an American actress, singer, and producer. She rose to prominence from her role as Cassandra “Digirthe 2015 comedy drama film Dope.
Samantha Jade Logan is an American actress best known for her lead role as Olivia Baker in The CW series All American, Nina Jones in the second season of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, and Tia Stephens in the Freeform series The Fosters.
Legendary TV Producer Bentley Kyle Evans famed for “Martin” and “The Jamie Foxx Show” introduces a new sitcom “Millennials” on ALLBLK. The series debuted yesterday February 25, 2021 and will run for six weeks with a new episode every Thursday at noon EST. ALLBLK is a streaming platform where Black creators can tell authentic Black stories. During the virtual CTAM Winter 2021 Press Tour, General Manager of ALLBLK and WeTV Brett Dismuke said this of the streaming network, “While we’ve updated our brand, what remains unwavering is our commitment to representation and identifying new and emerging talent both in front of and behind the camera.” Subscribers can expect a wide range of curated Black content spanning across genres and generations from movies to tv shows to short series, ALLBLK has it all.
The six-episode series “Millennials” follows the lives of four roommates as they navigate the chaos of being young, finding success, and finding themselves in Los Angeles, California. The hilarious group of friends includes a business student (Kyle Massey), a YouTuber (Philip Bolden), a college dropout (Aaron Grady), and a personal trainer (Keraun “King Keraun” Harris), and their aspiring actress neighbor from across the hall (Teresa “Topnotch” Celeste). The star studded cast will bring a sense of nostalgia for viewers that are fans of “That’s So Raven” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”
Viewers can expect a light hearted relatable comedy that reflects their own Black experience being freshly out of college and finding their place in the world. Bentley Kyle Evans says the show is, “The Black experience from a male’s perspective hasn’t really been seen in a fellowship kind of scenario, we wanted to give a message of what that black experience was like, like that dorm room experience. With this ensemble piece, I think we’re able to capture that in a very unique way.”
Don’t miss the exciting new sitcom series Millennials OUT NOW on ALLBLK with new episodes every Thursday at noon EST. Enter Code: HBCU30 at SIGN UP for an exclusive 30-day free trial!
We are sorry to share the sad news that Frank B. Coakley, a founding member Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. has passed away. The fraternity shared the sad news today on Twitter.
“The Brotherhood of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. has lost one of our most Honorable Founders, Brother Frank B. Coakley,” said the tweet. “As we remember Founder Coakley, tag @Ipt1963 to your photos and videos with him and use hashtag #IPTFounderCoakley.”
Frank B. Coakley served as a Chief Lending Officer at BC Lending in Baltimore, Maryland. According to the company, Coakley “served in a variety of community development and lending positions at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Harbor Bank of Maryland, and Fannie Mae” prior to joining BCL. Once he made the move, he worked at BCL to review and advise loan officers on applications, finalize Loan Committee requests, and connect with clients to conduct pre-loan review meetings.
Serving in the organization’s presidential role, 22nd International Grand Polaris Andre’ R. Mason remembered Coakley in a statement.
Credit: Iota Wear
“It is never easy to lose a loved one,” said Mason. “It becomes even more difficult when you lose someone who is a pillar, a giant in his own right, and an inspiration to so many… I cannot articulate the words or give enough examples to show the amount of love we have for our Beloved Founder. Please take this time to reflect on the importance and magnitude of the involvement of our Founders to our fraternity – the friendships formed and the moments that were and are shared…”
On September 19, 1963 Coakley, along with 12 other students founded Iota Phi Theta at Morgan State University. He was number 4 on his line. Currently, only founding members Lonnie Spruill, Jr. and Louis Hudnell are surviving. Today Coakley joins 8 other line brothers in transition into the posthumous Alpha Iota Omega Memorial Chapter. Those members are Albert Hicks, Charles Briscoe, John Slade, Barron Willis, Webster Lewis, Charles Brown, Charles Gregory, and Elias Dorsey, Jr. The whereabouts of 12th member, Michael Williams, are unknown. The fraternity currently boasts about 30,000 members worldwide.
Andra Day stars in THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY from Paramount Pictures. Photo Credit: Takashi Seida.
On Tuesday February 23, 2021, we hosted our latest HBCU Movie Night, and it was a moving way to honor Black History Month. It’s very rare that we are able to experience the mannerisms of a late legendary singer in the way that starring actress Andra Day is able to portray in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” Day, who is a Grammy-nominated singer and honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, incorporated, brings every emotion out of you, yet leaves you wanting more. Her portrayal of Billie Holiday brought a legend to life, and highlighted Holiday’s sacrifices to bring haunting racial injustices to light.
Also known as Lady Day, Billie Holiday had a charismatic voice that brought black and white audiences together during heightened racial tensions. It’s difficult to imagine how black Americans fought to thrive and break barriers during the Jim Crow era when they were still being lynched from trees. Yet “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” chronicles the bold way that Holiday used music to peacefully protest the violent killings of her people. Ironically, the film displays how her ominous record “Strange Fruit” confronted the bloody side of racism, and yet empowered the police force at the time to punish the words of the song more than the violence itself.
In an unfortunate way, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” was a fitting film for the current political climate in the U.S. While some white Americans are privileged not to know the underhanded side of the police and the justice system, people of color in this country know it all too well. As a result, many won’t be surprised watching the depictions of the police’s relentless efforts to take down Billie Holiday by stalking her, harassing her, and censoring her. The idea of the police framing her isn’t surprising. The ascension of lead harasser commissioner Harry Anslinger’s career through the Bureau of Narcotics, to the point that he worked with U.S. presidents, isn’t surprising either. Holiday was cornered for her drug addiction in many scenes by the bureau, yet even that was politicized as the “war on drugs” harshly targeted and penalized users of color.
Ultimately, although Billie Holiday struggled with racism and drug use in her lifetime, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” will show how much she laughed and loved as well. She left a catalogue of music that warmed hearts and opened eyes, and she is respected for it. In fact, in the film Day was correct, Anslingers’ grandchildren and those in their generation still analyze and appreciate “Strange Fruit” to this day.Be sure to watch Andra Day play the lovely Lady Day starting this Friday when “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” premieres on Hulu.
“They do things right around here,” shared Norfolk State University President Javaune Adams-Gaston. She is just the latest great HBCU president to be interviewed in our President’s Corner series by HBCU Buzz Founder and CEO Luke Lawal Jr. We discovered President Adams-Gaston has a fierce but relaxed style, and loves her work at NSU. Tap into the conversation to learn things you may never have known about her, like her family history with HBCUs, her take on COVID-19, how she truly feels about the MacKenzie Scott donation to her university, and an NSU moment she’ll truly never forget!
President Adams-Gaston comes from a line of people who appreciate an HBCU education. She has a sister who is a Howard University faculty member, a son that attends Morehouse College, and an aunt that is a graduate of NSU. In fact, she shared “since I’ve been here I’ve found many family members who are graduates of Norfolk State University!”
When asked what makes her happy, she discussed her personal growth tied into the success of Norfolk students.
“First and foremost is every day I start my day with prayer meditation, and that really centers me. And so all the things that might give me anxiety or might make me concerned or worried sort of get damped down because I really begin to think about ‘what is the journey and what’s most important’ of course for me in this journey I’m here because I think we have an opportunity and a way to help our young African-American students and any students who want to participate in this environment to soar. And so really, I’m really laser-focused on our students and their success, and utilizing the incredible skills of our faculty, our administrators, and our staff to get us there.”
Credit: President’s Corner
To learn more about President Adams-Gaston, watch the full conversation here. For more President’s Corner, tune in live on Facebook and Youtube every Tuesday at 12pm PT/3pm ET. You can also listen to #PresidentsCorner anywhere you get your podcasts.
ALLBLK is a streaming service focused on Black creators and they are launching a new variety show Social Society hosted by actor, host and social media personality Kendall Kyndall. ALLBLK is a platform for Black voices to be heard and seen.
Kyndall says, “It’s definitely a platform for Blacks where we can come and have a voice… We’re definitely not going to be afraid to talk about race and especially what we saw that was happening in 2020.”
“As audiences tune-in from week to week, Social Society will stand out as a premiere destination for staying up to date on what’s happening in Black culture.” said Brett Dismuke, General Manager of ALLBLK and WeTV. He also described the show as “a fresh concept that merges the best elements of sketch comedy shows like In Living Color, and news commentary programming like Last Week Tonight.”
Kendall Kyndall rose to fame from his unapologetic social commentary of VH1’s popular Love & Hip Hop franchise. Kyndall’s most recent roles include serving as the host for Love & Hip Hop: Secrets Unlocked special and backstage correspondent for Love & Hip Hop reunion shows. His popularity and best friend persona makes him the perfect host for Social Society as viewers will feel like they are hanging out with their best friend every week catching up on the latest news.
The new weekly programming Social Society will include a comedy sketch followed by discussions around topics such as Black entrepreneurship, Black love and financial literacy. Each week Kendall Kyndall will have a rotating social media influencer guest co-host join him as well as lifestyle experts and tastemakers. Viewers can expect to hear Kendall Kyndall’s take on the week’s entertainment highlights, life hacks, and social media buzz.
Social Society premiered yesterday with the first episode co-hosted by social media influencer Jasmine Luv, with special guests Dr. Lexx, Gary “G-Thang” Johnson, Renny and a live performance from R’n’B artist Neilà.
Social Societyis OUT NOW on ALLBLK with new episodes every Monday at noon EST. Enter Code: HBCU30 at SIGN UP for an exclusive 30-day free trial!
Legendary singer Gladys Knight is gearing up to perform at one of the most unique NBA All-Star games in history. In mid March Knight, who attended Shaw University, will be singing to a mostly empty stadium due to COVID-19 concerns. However, basketball fans are still awaiting the action-packed event famous for unique move difficult shots, special appearances, and more! This year’s event is even more special because it’s honoring HBCUs! Read the full story from Daniel Holloway at Variety below.
Credit: Auckland Live
Gladys Knight and Alessia Cara will be among the artists set to perform for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta. The All-Star festivities will also include performances by HBCU musical groups, including marching bands, step teams, glee clubs and choirs.
Knight — an Atlanta native, seven-time Grammy winner and graduate of one of the nation’s oldest HBCUs, Shaw University — will sing the U.S. national anthem live from State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Knight, who is 76 years old, recently received the COVID-19 vaccine.) She will be followed by Cara, who will sing the Canadian national anthem remotely from Toronto.
Performances will begin airing at 8 p.m. on March 7, prior to tipoff on TNT.
Credit: Derek Blanks
The NBA will pay tribute throughout the night to the legacy of HBCUs. The Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society Choir will deliver a virtual performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” from an iconic location on the school’s campus. The performance will pay tribute to Clark Atlanta alum James Weldon Johnson, songwriter of the Black national anthem.
The Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band and Florida A&M University Marching 100 will perform remotely from their respective campuses during the NBA All-Star player introduction. During the game, step teams from Spelman College and Morehouse College will be introduced by members of the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities, a prestigious group of nine historically Black Greek letter organizations.
This year, for the first time, the NBA’s skills competitions — including the skills challenge and the three-point contest — will take place on the same night as the All-Star Game. The slam-dunk contest is scheduled to take place during halftime.
The COVID-19 pandemic was devastating for the health of many in the United States, as well as for our country’s healthcare systems. Yet what exasperated the effects of the pandemic was our lack of preparation for any such outbreak. For example, very few school-aged children were equipped with the resources they needed for immediate at-home learning.
Thankfully, Clark Atlanta University alumna Lisa Love co-founded the affordable and safe Tanoshi Computers for kids before COVID-19 was even a thing. Love also serves as the Chief Marketing Officer as well. As CMO, she oversees the planning, development, and execution of the marketing strategy at Tanoshi.
Initially, Lisa Love began her career working in brand and product marketing for Heinz, Del Monte, and other Fortune 500 CPG (consumer packaged goods) companies. She was always great at managing finances, having managed a portfolio of brands that generated revenue of up to $75M. Over time, she also worked as a marketing consultant, boosting the efficiency of several businesses and non-profit organizations.
Confident that the computers were a game-changer, she appeared on Shark Tank with her Tanoshi Team and was awarded funding by famous investor Draymond Green. With an idea so impactful, we became inspired by how she gracefully pivoted her career to uplift children that are often left behind. As she shared more of her story with us, it became no wonder she has been named among 100 Powerful Women of 2020 by Entrepreneur, and among Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs of 2020 by Inc.
When asked what brought her to create the Tanoshi computers, she touched on concerns for the education, economic standing, and technological accessibility of today’s youth. According to Love, the mission at Tanoshi is “to provide an equitable digital education for all kids around the world, no matter their socio-economic background,” she said. “I am passionate about giving all kids a fair chance to succeed. At Tanoshi, we are bridging the digital divide by providing affordable computers for kids with pre-loaded, curated content. Kids can do their homework and learn to code on the Tanoshi, without Internet access.”
Born to a school teacher mother and an engineer father, Lisa Love’s parents created somewhat of a perfect storm for Love to eventually think up Tanoshi.
Credit: Lisa Love
“My mom taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 50 years, mainly the primary grades,” said Love. “She taught in South Central where many of her students fell behind. I watched my mom persevere through systemic challenges just to bring her students up to grade level.
My dad was an engineer and worked for IBM during my childhood. I grew up seeing the benefits of technology and more specifically, the advantages of a computer.
Over the years, my parent’s passion for education and technology not only opened my eyes to the issues surrounding our education system, but also how I can do my part to help solve these issues through technology.”
The issues that Love is talking about include the lack of school funding, resources with outdated technology such as old computers, and lack of technological literacy. Much of those problems were already burdening children at many public schools and low-income districts around the country. COVID-19 has exasperated this issues and added even more problems with spotty or non-existent wifi, plus less opportunities for tutoring.
“Every child should have the opportunity to develop 21st-century computer skills needed to excel in today’s school environment,” said Love, “such as typing, familiarity with common productivity apps including Google Docs and Sheets, and coding. However, millions of kids, especially from lower-income households and school districts, do not have the same opportunities as those from more affluent families and school districts, resulting in a homework gap.”
SHARK TANK – “1114” – A mother and daughter from Houston, Texas, demonstrate their portable gadget designed as a solution to safely and quickly get children in and out of a car. A tech-savvy trio from San Francisco, California, pitches their lower-cost computer for kids to make technology accessible to more people. Another entrepreneur from San Francisco tries to sell the Sharks on a data-driven approach to personalized skincare with her product line. A computer scientist and engineer from Columbia, South Carolina, shares a device created to bring a robot revolution to children’s education on “Shark Tank,” WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Jessica Brooks)
GREG SMITH, LISA LOVE, BRAD JOHNSTON
As Love works to help children close gaps in their learning, her Tanoshi Team was not without its own problems. Funding is an unfortunate issue for entrepreneurs of color. Yet even with that in mind, we were supposed that there was also a supply issue.
“There’s greater demand than supply for our computers, which is a good problem,” said Love. “However, we continue to run out of computers when customers need them the most, which is frustrating. Securing funding has also been a major challenge. Less than 1% of Black women founders receive VC funding. And since we have not received funding, we have not been able to grow the company to its fullest potential.”
Ultimately, we hope to see more HBCU students and alumni support this innovative product! To learn more about these innovative Tanoshi computers and how you can get involved, check them out here.
