Another glass ceiling for HBCU (Historically black colleges and universities) graduates and Hampton University has been shattered in the public office. St. Louis Treasurer, Tishaura Jones will be the first Black woman to serve as mayor of St. Louis after defeating Alderwoman Cara Spencer in Tuesday’s general election.
Ms. Jones, the city’s treasurer, received about 52 percent of the vote over her opponent Alderwoman Cara Spencer’s nearly 48 percent, according to unofficial results posted to the city’s website. Ms. Jones will be sworn in on April 20. Ms. Jones, a Democrat, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. Ms. Spencer, also a Democrat, conceded on Tuesday night and later congratulated Ms. Jones on Twitter, saying, “You have my support in making St. Louis the great city we know it can be.”
This was the first mayoral election under the city’s new election-law overhaul, known as Proposition D. It requires candidates to run without partisan labels, and the two candidates with the most votes in a primary in March would face each other in a general runoff election the next month.
Born in St. Louis to a former city comptroller, Jones studied at Hampton University in Virginia, returning to St. Louis upon graduating in 1994. Following a failed attempt to start a restaurant that left her bankrupt, she entered the world of nursing, graduating from the Saint Louis University College for Public Health with a Master of Health Administration in 2001 and working for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for two years. Jones entered politics in 2002, when she was appointed to the Democratic Party Central Committee for St. Louis’s eighth ward.
In 2008, she successfully ran for the Missouri House of Representatives, being elected to represent the 63rd district over independent candidate Nels Williams with 85.4 percent of the vote. After running unopposed for re-election to the House in 2010, Jones ran for St. Louis Treasurer for the first time in 2012, and won the general election with 77.9 percent of the vote. She was re-elected as treasurer in 2016 and 2020.
While education is key to being able to climb up the corporate ladder, there are thousands of hard workers who aren’t able to afford both school and the cost of living. Enter Sodexo, a company that is embedded in HBCU culture by often supplying meals and more. The company, which has been awarded many times for employee satisfaction, is now going an extra mile to put a smile across the faces of its workforce.
The Sodexo Scholars Program was recently created in collaboration with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to not only assist Sodexo workers in obtaining their bachelor’s degrees at HBCUs, but their dependents as well! The efforts are part of a $10 million initiative to provide scholarships over the next 10 years! Those accepted into this first year of the program will be able to use up to $12,000 for school expenses beginning in Fall 2021.
Sodexo was sure a wide range of its workforce was eligible. Whether you are a full- or part-time, hourly, or non-exempt employee, you are welcome to apply! The same courtesy is extended for the children and other qualified dependents of these workers. Sodexo has recognized that education costs continue to rise, and made the scholarship renewable for up to four years.
An important bonus of this program is that the scholarship winners must attend an HBCU, and there are 23 institutions to choose from! The 2021-2022 list of Sodexo HBCU partners can be found below:
• Alcorn State University
• Bethune Cookman University*
• Central State University
• Claflin University*
• Clark Atlanta University*
• Dillard University*
• Edward Waters College*
• Fisk University*
• Fort Valley State University
• Gadsden State College
• Grambling State University
• Howard University
• Jackson State University
• Kentucky State University
• Langston University
• Lincoln University
• Morgan State University
• North Carolina A&T University
• North Carolina Central University
• Prairie View A&M University
• Shaw University*
• South Carolina State University
• Texas Southern University
• Wiley College*
• Xavier University – New Orleans*
*Colleges and universities with an asterisk are also UNCF member HBCUs.
If you believe you or your dependent would qualify, we encourage you to get more information and apply here today! Don’t wait, as the deadline is Thursday April 15, 2021 at midnight!
Most entertainers dream of making it big in Hollywood, and now one Jackson State University student is a step closer. Read how the American Idol judges were brought to tears by Deshawn Goncalves’ performance in a JSU article from Rachel James-Terry!
JSU student Deshawn Goncalves hopes to be the next American Idol winner as he competes on the long-standing show for bragging rights and a recording contract. Catch Goncalves Monday, March 22, on American Idol (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. Photo by: (ABC/John Fleenor)
Not everyone can say they made Lionel Richie cry.Jackson State University student Deshawn Goncalves visibly moved the “American Idol” judge during his piano playing audition of “Everything Must Change” by Nina Simone. Goncalves’s emotion-laced performance earned him a ticket to Hollywood.
“That was powerful. I needed you today. Just consider yourself hugged, OK,” said Richie. “I don’t know where you came from, but God saw fit to put you in front of us.”
Well, Goncalves came from Ohio and landed at Jackson State via a full-ride scholarship. The music technology and performance major plays the sousaphone, aka tuba, in the university’s marching band, the Sonic Boom of the South.
While performing is not new for the sophomore, he admitted to a slight case of nerves before facing the Idol judges, which also included Katy Perry, pop music sensation, and country singer Luke Bryan.
“But when I walked in the room, that all changed. You know, seeing them smiling at me. It just felt really good,” he said.
Goncalves, 20, was even more relieved to learn he was heading to California.
“It was a big weight lifted off my shoulders. It felt wonderful, you know, for them to care so much about what I’m doing and then to get awesome feedback and to know that I’m being seen.”
It’s all a bit of a whirlwind for the soft-spoken Goncalves, who described the singing competition as a “dope” experience thus far. “I’m meeting so many talented people and, you know, I’m learning so much about myself, and I’m learning so much about the industry,” he said.
The gifted musician always appears ready to learn. He began tickling the ivories at 13 after being inspired by his seventh-grade teacher at A+ Arts Academy.
“I was very intrigued by the way she played the piano, so I started trying to imitate what she was doing,” he explained. “She really pushed me and saw how important music was to me and took the time to answer all my questions.”
The same teacher Goncalves said made him take note of his voice.
“There was a Black history program, and they needed someone to sing “A Change is Going to Come” by Sam Cooke, and she asked me to sing.”
JSU sophomore Deshawn Goncalves was born in Youngstown, Ohio. He is currently taking his classes virtually as he competes on ABC’s American Idol. Photo by: (ABC/John Fleenor).
Thinking the song was out of his range, Goncalves was doubtful of his abilities.
“But she made me sing that song, and it forced me to believe in myself and get it done. I haven’t looked back since.”
If he were to look back, life could have turned out differently for the golden-ticket winner.
His mother, Treyshawn Fason, was 13 at his birth and his father, Stephon Goncalves, was only a few years older.
“Well, being that my mom was so young, things were really rough. As a young child, I watched us get evicted, and then she worked her tail off to get us a new home,” he explained. “My mom prevailed over all of those things. Watching her work ethics played a huge role in who I am today.” Goncalves also shared that his dad’s incarceration caused him to lash out. His grades took the brunt of his antics and almost upended his future success. But, upon his father’s release, the two reconnected, and Goncalves regained his footing on his path to purpose.
“When it comes to my father, knowing where he came from, where he started, and the things that he’s been through motivated me,” he explained. “He was there to give me advice, like spot-on advice. He was my blueprint for when you get knocked down; just always make sure that you get up and keep pushing.”
Goncalves poured into his schoolwork, graduating at the top of his class, which led to him fielding college scholarship offers, including one from JSU.
He said he chose Jackson State for several reasons: the outstanding music program, his desire to march in the Sonic Boom of the South, and he longed to attend an HBCU.
While the full scholarship offer nudged his decision-making process, Goncalves said it was something about JSU that drew him in, and he knows he made the right choice.
He acknowledges Dr. Roderick Little, director of bands and assistant professor of music, and Dr. Loretta Galbreath, assistant professor of music and assistant director of choral activities, as two of his most influential instructors at the university.
“They both push me musically to limits I didn’t know I could achieve really, especially Dr. Galbreath. She does not let me rest. She sees something in me and makes sure to let me know that there’s more than what I’m giving at times,” he said.
Still attending classes virtually while pursuing his musical ambitions, Goncalves said his intentions have always been to sing for a living.
“I will still be obtaining my degree. That will not change. I will get my degree,” he stressed. “But yeah, I love to sing, and that has always been my plan.”
Catch Deshawn Goncalves on American Idol tonight for the Hollywood Duets Challenge at 7 p.m. CST on ABC.
Science is constantly evolving, and we are happy to share that it is evolving in the right direction. There are many examples with how racism has seeped into scientific discoveries, tainting not only the facts, but the public’s perception. This is especially problematic with reconstructions, but now a new project focusing on ancient hominids is looking to rectify the misinformation. Learn what a Howard University biological anthropologist had to say about the value of these new efforts in a piece by Tina Hesman Saey, originally published by the independent Science News.
New standards for reconstructing extinct hominids could lead to more accurate representations, such as this sculpture of a 2.8-million-year-oldAustralopithecus africanus youngster known as the Taung child. (Credit: G. VINAS, R.M. CAMPBELL, M. HENNEBERG AND R. DIOGO)
Depictions of extinct human ancestors and cousins are often more art than science.
Take, for example, two reconstructions of the Taung child, a 2.8-million-year-old Australopithecus africanus skull discovered in South Africa in 1924. One version, made using a sculptor’s intuition, appears more apelike. A second version, made while working alongside a scientist, appears more humanlike.
Now, the researchers that produced the dueling images are attempting to remove some of this subjectivity by introducing standards that may give more accurate and reproducible portraits of species known only from fossilized bone. The team points out some of the flaws in facial reconstructions of ancient hominids — and the social and ethical implications misleading portraits may have — in a report published February 26 in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.
These two reconstructions of the Taung child depend on subjective decisions to make it appear more apelike (left) or humanlike (right). (Credit: G. VINAS, R.M. CAMPBELL, M. HENNEBERG AND R. DIOGO)
Getting the depictions right matters, says Rui Diogo, a biological anthropologist at Howard University in Washington, D.C. When museumgoers see artists’ renditions of Neandertals or extinct hominids, visitors often don’t realize how much bias creeps into the work. “They think it is reality,” he says. And that can skew people’s views and reinforce existing prejudices of present-day people.
For instance, reconstructions of multiple extinct hominids in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., portray skin getting lighter and lighter in color as species became more and more bipedal. “But there is zero evidence to say the skin was whiter,” Diogo says. Such a depiction might give the mistaken impression that people with lighter skin are more evolved.
Artists’ depictions can also give erroneous views of human evolution and extinct species’ intelligence and behavior, says Diogo’s coauthor Ryan Campbell, an anatomical scientist and physical anthropologist at the University of Adelaide in Australia. For instance, Neandertals are often portrayed as having matted, dirty hair. “It’s as if there is a bias toward portraying our ancestors as if they were stupid and didn’t have hygiene,” he says.
But animals of all kinds groom themselves, and there is no reason to think that Neandertals or other extinct hominids were any different. In fact, presenting reconstructions without hair might be more accurate, says Campbell. Hair is usually not preserved in fossils and DNA data from bones may hint at hair color, but don’t reveal grooming habits.
Accurate artistic depictions of extinct hominids begin with precise scans of skeletal findings, such as this digital scan of a cast made from the original Taung child skull fossil. (Credit: G. VINAS, R.M. CAMPBELL, M. HENNEBERG AND R. DIOGO)
“Reconstructing hair is not even informed speculation,” Campbell says. “It’s imaginary speculation.”
Scientists and artists often work together to produce reconstructions, but the choices they make may be driven more by whim than science, the researchers contend. By studying muscles in the great apes and other nonhuman primates, Diogo and colleagues have constructed reference databases that scientists might use in reconstructing faces from fossils. Even then, whether a sculptor chooses chimpanzee or human muscles as their starting point can produce very different outcomes.
“The reconstructions of the past, most of them did not have a scientific basis,” Diogo says. “Our goal is to change the methods and to change the biases” to give a more accurate view of human evolution.
Clark Atlanta University on Monday unveiled the new Harkness Hall Quadrangle Gate Entrance, the latest step in the renovation of the historic campus.
The Harkness Hall Quandrangle is special ground at CAU. The funeral of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was convened at the steps of Harkness Hall. The first African American president of Atlanta University, John Hope, is laid to rest at Harkness Hall.
The morning event began with the ringing of the Bells of Harkness Hall. This was another auspicious moment in the university’s history, as the bells had been silent for nearly 30 years until they were rung on Easter Sunday 2020.
CAU President George T. French, Jr. delivered the key remarks at the unveiling of the entrance, located at Student Movement Boulevard. The renovation work was central to French’s work since he arrived on campus nearly two years ago.
French observed, in prepared remarks:
“Enhancing Harkness Hall’s exterior was paramount. We immediately went to work with enhancements to the Clock tower, where we renewed the golden luster to the clock tower’s dome, reinstituted the ringing of the interior Bells which had been silenced since the early 90s and now fills the entire community with the richness and majesty of music, draped the Doric Columns with banners.
“Additionally, we installed pole banners on the Grande Promenade depicting college life at CAU, did fencing upgrades and today we are proud to unveil the Harkness Hall Quadrangle gate entrance. And yes, there is more to come….
“The campus is a treasure of living history. When you think of the many icons of culture who walked these very grounds like, it is awe-inspiring. W.E.B. Du Bois, James Weldon Johnson, Lucy Craft Laney, Evelyn Lowery, Ralph David Abernathy and President John Hope, the first African American President of Atlanta University, who is buried not far from here, on these grounds, are just a few of the luminaries who called CAU home as a faculty member or a student.”
Harkness Hall was built on the campus of Atlanta University and named after Edward Harkness, a benefactor of the school, according to a report on the school’s website.
Credit: Blueprint
Harkness used the wealth spawned by Standard Oil and other investments made by his father to pay for buildings on college campuses through his family’s Commonwealth Fund, according to a report by the fund. This era of the program lasted from about 1918 to Harkness’s death, in 1940 and provided a total of $67 million in construction funds for college structures.
Legends about Harkness Hall and its grounds abound on the CAU campus. According to the school’s website, four bits of lore observe:
“The grass in front of Harkness is known as the Sacred Grass, it is said that if a CAU student steps on the grass, they will not graduate.
“Buried under the sacred grass is the 5th president of Atlanta University, John Hope.
“In Harkness Hall there are three vaults that hold the records of CAU, Morehouse, and Spelman College.
“It is rumored that in the vaults are passageways to each campus.”
LT. Tristen Johnson took an unlikely path from his studies at Winston-Salem State University to the all new United States Space Force! Read his story in a new release from WSSU below.
Tristen Johnson (Credit: WSSU)
When Tristen Johnson graduated from Winston-Salem State University in 2016 with a degree in economics and finance, he headed to graduate school.
Along the way, his career took a sharp, unexpected turn and today he’s a first lieutenant in the newly minted United States Space Force. And he could not be happier or more enthusiastic about his future.
“This is very exciting. The potential for the Space Force is limitless, and being new, they are open to change,” said the 26-year-old Johnson. “I see my future in space; I want to continue this career.”
Johnson, who attended WSSU on a full Chancellor’s Scholarship, totally expected to continue his education when he left WSSU, and actually spent a year in Clemson University’s engineering program. But along the way, he decided the Air Force offered great career opportunities and by the summer of 2018 he was in officer training school.
He graduated as a second lieutenant and immediately became a combat systems officer. Johnson quickly realized that was not a good fit.
“I was basically going to be like the navigator or weapons operator for the pilot. I got to the point of beginning training and realized that wasn’t what I wanted to do,” Johnson explained. “I was able to express myself, my wants and desires.”
Johnson made his case before a board hearing and it resulted in a change, a change to program manager. “My economics and finance background helped them with that decision.”
Johnson was transferred to Hanscom Air Force Base outside of Boston and he settled into what he figured was a career in the Air Force. Along the way was promoted to first lieutenant. Then President Donald Trump announced the formation of the United States Space Force.
“I was immediately intrigued,” said Johnson. “I had already seen the commercialization of space with SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin. I saw it was a new rising sector that I wanted to be a part of.”
Johnson’s move to the new organization went smoothly, basically an inter-service transfer. Applications opened in March of 2020 and by early last fall he was notified he had been accepted. On February 1 of this year he was commissioned into the United States Space Force.
Samuel Corum-Pool/Getty Images
It should be noted Johnson will not be traveling into space; his job title remains the same as it was in the Air Force, and actually for the time being he is still working on an Air Force project.
“What I’m doing now specifically for the Air Force is to avoid disruption of services. They didn’t want to move people immediately. It’s the same project, with space, with surveillance and intelligence,” said Johnson, noting because of the sensitivity of his work, he could not be more specific about his job.
By the end of the year, he will move from Hanscom Air Force Base to a Space Force base and expects to be doing a job very similar to the one he’s tasked with now.
Johnson laughingly admits he has been the butt of more than one Space Force joke from family and friends, but says he quickly explains to them need for the organization.
“There are a lot of jokes. There’s a lot of confusion from family and friends. A lot of people didn’t see the need or the reason,” said Johnson. “I guess the good thing about having friends and family that can see the fun side, they can be educated. I have been able to show them the need for this, the need for intelligence and how other countries are gaining an edge (in space), and the need is greater than ever.”
There is one thing Johnson is certain of: his four years at WSSU paved the way for his career in this new and challenging arena.
“Winston-Salem State prepared me well. It made me a more well-rounded individual, especially in dealing with a diverse group of people like in the military,” said Johnson. “Organizations like my fraternity and even being part of the student investment team and interacting with different people from around the country improved my ability and my confidence to articulate myself. I can speak to a small group or much larger groups or speaking to friends or giving briefs to high-ranking officials.
“I have such fond memories of experiencing the Winston-Salem State culture and developing those life-long friendships. It’s something special.”
Rising mogul and Texas Southern University student Megan Thee Stallion never turned her back on HBCUs despite a busy career gracing stages and magazine covers. With so many looking up to her, she partnered with Fashion Nova Cares to support the ladies of Bennett College to the tune of $25,000. To find out where the money will go, and why she focused on the women’s college, read more in the statement from Bennett below.
Credit: Jora Frantzis for Fashion Nova
In honor of Women’s History Month, Bennett College will receive a $25,000 donation from Fashion Nova Cares, Fashion Nova, the leading e-commerce fashion lifestyle brand and GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist Megan Thee Stallion. Throughout the month of March, Fashion Nova Cares pledged to highlight, support and donate $1,000,000 to various women entrepreneurs, female students, educational institutions, women-owned businesses, and female-focused charities and organizations.
Megan Thee Stallion, Fashion Nova Cares and Fashion Nova launched the Women on Top initiative to run in conjunction with Fashion Nova’s ongoing support of various activism and awareness campaigns committed to fighting racial inequality. Today, Fashion Nova Cares is highlighting the work of HBCUs and has chosen Bennett as one of the Colleges.
Bennett College will receive $25,000 for its Center for Entrepreneurial Studies to support and encourage future initiatives among students.
“What a time to be a woman, specifically a Black woman. I am truly appreciative that Bennett [College] was not only selected but pre-selected to receive and participate in Fashion Nova’s new philanthropic initiative, ‘Women on Top.’” said Suzanne E. Walsh, president of Bennett College. “This donation coordinates perfectly with who we are and what we represent as a historical higher education institution for women.”
“Receiving this [donation] is beyond our imagination,” said Tammy McNeil, interim department chair of business and economics and assistant professor. “This donation will surely help us continue our quest to support and encourage students who want to be an entrepreneur, whether their interests are in social entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, or corporate innovation. I am thrilled to see the wheels turning in students’ entrepreneurial minds.”
Credit: Bennett College
Bennett College Center for Entrepreneurship Studies aims to address economic, innovative and social entrepreneurial needs in today’s economy. In conjunction with the Women on Top initiative, the department of business, economics and entrepreneurship hand-selected three students to highlight as Bennett’s bright entrepreneurial standout, Janeal Marshall, a plus-size influencer and freelance makeup artist (@beatbyjanealjay), Zauria Murphy, the CEO and founder of Satin Skin Co., homemade luxury skincare and self-care business (@satinskin.co) and Aariella Houston, the CEO and founder of an apparel company, Zage Apparel (@zage.apparel).
“At Fashion Nova, women empowerment and ongoing advocacy for diversity and inclusion have always been part of our guiding principles,” said Richard Saghian, founder and CEO of Fashion Nova. “We believe the world will be a better place when all women are provided the opportunity to maximize their potential. This program was created to give women greater advantage as they pursue their passions.”
Record labels and artists management groups have utilized influencers to “break” new music for years with high ticket promotional contracts on Tik Tok, IG, etc. The music industry knows exactly how to monetize the power of influence but what about the influencers themselves? Macro influencers with millions of followers might be able to negotiate the right deal for themselves and their brand, but those are few and far between. There is a large market of micro-to-mid-tier influencers that do not get the same partnership opportunities due to sheer volume in this space.
Breakr is a black-owned, HBCU alumni founded, hot new music app that connects influencers with artists to facilitate the “breaking” of new music. Record labels and artists management groups have utilized influencers to “break” new music for years with high ticket promotional contracts on Tik Tok, IG, etc.
Oftentimes, using micro-to-mid-tier influencers will generate more buzz because they are more connected to their followers and hold higher engagement rates. BREAKr seeks to bridge the gap between influencers and artists by offering a one stop shop for them to discover one another and democratize the music industry.
So here’s how it works:
Plan: Music influencers dubbed “breakrs” to set up profiles, update their music preferences, and create and promote digital campaigns that will be made available across different platforms. Simultaneously, artists set up music profiles and submit directly to high-quality influencer campaigns for review.
Connect: Artists and influencers seamlessly connect based on matching interests, goals, and campaign criteria. Artists seamlessly connect with world-class creators, influencers, deejays, and A+Rs to bring their music the audience it deserves.
Grow: Influencers release new music across their digital networks for a predetermined rate, and receive payment upon completion.
BREAKr is designed to be easy to use and whether you have 1 million + followers or 10K followers, BREAKr will get you paid for the content you create. This is also an app for any level artist to reach out to influencers, whether you are a multi-platinum artist or just released your first EP. This incredible app is revolutionizing influencer marketing and we’re here for it. Sign up for BREAKr HERE
While we often don’t think much about why we take selfies, Wilberforce University alumna NaAsiaha Simon sees them as a way to come out of a tough place. Now, Simon is opening up a whole museum so that those in her community celebrate themselves in a new light! Read the release fromNa’Asiaha Simon & Associates below to get the inspiring full story!
Courtesy of NaAsiaha Simon
When 31-year-old entrepreneur NaAsiaha Simon first relocated to Dayton, as a post-grad, fell in love with the city’s heart. During these last four years, she beat back a brain tumor and overcame personal wellness struggles. She took that love and turned it into a lifestyle of service.
Simon, a mental health advocate and champion for engagement and awareness, says that her own mental health struggle triggered a big idea: creating the Gem City Selfie Museum.
Together, working with a close-knit collective of like-minded young professionals, Simon’s big idea is about to come true.
“I want to provide a space for people to have positive, life-changing experiences and a space to heal using photography,” said Simon.
The people of Dayton consistently evolve into a community-focused, creative hub that has intent on supporting and celebrating the diverse talents that have and continue to spring up from the people of the Gem City, throughout the years. But between COVID and all of the mental, physical and emotional weight that has been troubling the region and nation, the city with so many hidden gems needed a fresh new creative space that is fun, informative, and interactive. And with the debut of the Gem City Selfie Museum, Dayton will get just that.
More than just a fun activity, the Gem City Selfie Museum is a creative hub cultivating community engagement and sparking creativity through visual art installations walls to bring focus to positive life experiences and boost confidence. Using vibrant colors, fun, and interactive props, taking the selfie experience to a whole new level!
The plan is to feature local musicians, local and national artists: Bing Davis,Bryon Smith of Smith and Son,Rich Murphy, Zuri Ali-Cole, and Taliaferro Sebastian of ArtHasNoRules. Simon is also partnering with the Ashley Scott Community Healing to offer free therapy.
Weyland Ventures Development Company has been a critical partner in seeing the project through.
“When I was in my season of crisis, dealing with a brain tumor and a lot of emotional trauma in 2020, taking selfies helped me see myself and love that reflection of me, flawed and still beautiful,” said Simon.
The Gem City Selfie Museum’s mission is to be a space with interactive illustrations created to help alleviate anxiety, depression, and stress. We want our guests to feel seen, heard, loved, and welcomed from the moment they enter the facility. The exhibits are specifically selected to evoke positive energy and emotion from guests of all ages.
NaAsiaha and the entire Gem City Selfie Museum collective want the people of Dayton to know that they are loved, appreciated, celebrated, and seen! What better way to commemorate that than with a selfie?
Follow Gem City Selfie on Instagram and Facebook to get to know more about the brand! For additional information on Gem City Selfie, click here.
There is a new Miss Bennett College, and she is well-prepared for the role! Learn who she is and how she is so highly qualified in a recent statement below from BC!
Today, Bennett College is honored to name and present graduating dual-major senior Hannah Marie Ross as its newly crowned 41st Miss Bennett College. The crowning of Bennett College’s 41st Miss Bennett was Bennett College held on March 20.
Bennett College’s illustrious legacy contributes to its traditions, and one of them is the coronation.
Coronation is when the official crowning of Miss Bennett College and members of the Royal Court. Miss Bennett is elected by the student body and serves as a member of the Executive Team of the Student Government Association. As Miss Bennett, the queen’s primary responsibility includes providing community service opportunities for the student body, serving as a Marshall for the Academic Cultural Enrichment Series (ACES) and serving as president of the Queens Association.
For the 2020-21 Coronation year, Hannah Marie Ross was elected by her peers to hold the Miss Bennett title. Hannah Marie Ross is a resident of Hillsborough, North Carolina. She is the daughter of Esther and Joseph Ross and the older sister to TJ. Hannah graduated with honors from Orange High School and is a dual Mathematics and Chemistry major.
“During my time [at Bennett], I have had the privilege to work with 17 Miss Bennett’s, and each one of them is an outstanding example of what a Miss Bennett should be,” commented Rachel Pridgen, director of campus life and student activities. “Unlike any other year, this year was exceptional, as we faced restrictions and so many limitations due to COVID-19. But the spirit and determination of these young women were mind-blowing, as they did not give up—their support in each other was felt many miles and over Zoom connections. They showed me what sisterhood truly meant.”
“I am beyond words and full of joy to be crowned as the 41st Miss Bennett College,” said Hannah Ross. “To have the support and love from my [Bennett] sisters is a bonus to the education I am proud and humbled to receive this honorable title from my beloved institution. I am so grateful to represent Bennett with grace, love, and support.”
2020-21 Elected members of the Bennett College Royal Court are:
Ashley King ‘22, Miss Royal Blue and White
Seria Bullen Sata ‘21, Miss Senior
Michaela Zeno ‘22, Miss Junior
Ja’Nylah Johnson ‘23, Miss Sophomore
Kennedy Allen ‘24, Miss Freshwoman
“The entire Bennett community is beyond proud of this group of phenomenal young ladies. The Coronation 2020 was UNFORGETTABLE,” Rachel Pridgen continued.
Warner Bros.’ highly-anticipated thriller Godzilla vs. Kong is more action packed than anyone could have imagined. The showdown of the century features all the elements of a blockbuster film: the all-star cast (including a Morehouse College alumnus), the special effects, the storyline, and of course, the monsters!
Credit: Warner Bros
In the film, gigantic legends Godzilla and King Kong collide in their battle to be the world’s top alpha male. Kept away from each other for ages, there is an energy bringing them back together. The resulting fight will leave the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Stuck in the middle are nefarious scientists. the world’s cities, and an innocent orphaned girl who has created a special bond with one of the giant monsters.
The cast of the film is full of familiar faces, and they all brought their A-game. Atlanta star and Morehouse College alumnus Brian Tyree Henry plays the determined Bernie Hayes. For 5 years, Hayes has been spying on the labs holding Godzilla in a makeshift environment, but he believes something big is going to go down, soon. Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown (playing Madison Russell) is attracted to Haye’s conspiracy podcast, and brings friend Dennison Julian (playing Josh Valentine) along to find him. The chaos that ensues takes them across the world as all three run into several close calls. Seasoned actors Alexander Skarsgård, Rebecca Hall, and Lance Reddick also get in on the action as leads in the film.
Credit: Screen Rant
Being that the film is the fourth installment in the so-called Legendary Entertainment “MonsterVerse” franchise, we do think true fans will love this film. If you’re not so familiar with the franchise, try watching the 3 films leading up to Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). Begin with Godzilla (2014), then Kong: Skull Island (2017) and then Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) for the latest refresher.
According to a recent release from Morgan State University, the Maryland institution is confidently heading towards in-person learning. The decision will not only affect classes, but dorm occupancy and in-person commencements as well. Get more information from Morgan State below.
In a follow-up to Morgan State University President David K. Wilson’s annual, university-wide Spring Town Hall meeting, planning continues for a full reopening of the campus and a return of traditional University activities. The reopening is slated to begin moderately with in-person commencement exercises this May and is expected to progress to face-to-face instruction for Summer Session II in early July. Barring any setbacks, namely an upswing in COVID-19 cases or reinstatement of COVID-related restrictions by Baltimore City or State of Maryland leaders, Morgan will restore campus life in time for the 2021 fall semester.
“Make no mistake about it, Morgan is open for business, and our business is student success, which is why it is imperative that we bring our entire Morgan community back to campus,” said President Wilson. “Student interest in returning to their beloved Morgan has been extremely high, and we’ve been too long without their consistent presence at the university. This summer marks the beginning of a return to our traditions, a return to our normalcy and a resocialization, culminating this fall with vibrant university life befitting a National Treasure.”
This past February, President Wilson officially announced the university’s plans to chart a path to a fully reopened campus, providing key details of this effort, then expounded upon those details during his town hall meeting held in March. Wilson also announced the formation of a Resocialization and Re-acculturation Team that would work collectively and collaboratively to plan a smooth campus reentry process for the entire university community while reintroducing students to the rites and traditions that are the hallmarks of the “Morgan Experience.”
For the past two semesters, only a small number of students have resided in on-campus or off-campus housing: the vast majority of students participated in remote instruction because of concerns surrounding COVID-19 and government-mandated restrictions related to the pandemic. With the protective protocols that Morgan has had in place since the summer of 2020, increased testing on campus and the introduction of vaccinations to slow community spread, the university is confident it can fully reopen for the fall 2021 semester and comfortably bring the majority of its community back to campus, thus normalizing operations. Applications for fall housing are now open, and students are encouraged to apply.
A recent survey of Morgan faculty members revealed that a number of professors have requested to return to campus to participate in the more traditional academic setting favoring in-person instruction with safety protocols enforced. The University will also maintain the option for students to participate in classroom instruction remotely to accommodate any unique and/or extenuating circumstances some students may have in relation to the underlying pandemic.
In keeping with its commitment to maintaining the health and safety of the campus community, University officials are monitoring the varied reopening strategies that are currently being implemented across the national landscape of higher education. From the continuance of routine testing to vaccination requirements, Morgan is investigating all allowable options and best practices that are within the University’s control.
Morgan has also announced its plans to hold two in-person commencements in May: one for students who graduated during the spring, summer or fall of 2020 and were not able to participate in an in-person commencement because of COVID restrictions, and a second for students graduating in spring 2021. The events, which will be held on Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15, respectively, will be conducted in accordance with all current COVID protocols and will be subject to existing safety guidelines. More details will be made available as they become finalized.
Former Morehouse College alumnus and President Dr. John S. Wilson has found a new role on the board of Zovio. Find out what type of technology Zovio specializes in, and how the new appointment will fit in with Dr. Wilson’s larger expertise in the release from Zovio below.
Dr. John S. Wilson (Credit: Morehouse College)
Zovio (Nasdaq: ZVO), an education technology services company that partners with higher education institutions, announced today the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Dr. John S. Wilson, former Morehouse College President who serves as a Visiting Scholar at the Harvard Business School and Mr. Ron Huberman, Chief Executive Officer of Benchmark Analytics and formerly the leader of Chicago’s public schools. Both Dr. Wilson and Mr. Huberman bring significant higher education, government policy, business, and human capital management experience to the Zovio Board in addition to their long-standing commitments to diversity, equity, and access to education.
“We are delighted to have Dr. Wilson and Mr. Huberman join the Zovio Board. As we complete our transition to an ed tech services company, we are especially pleased that they bring impressive expertise and knowledge to strengthen our commitment to meet learners where they are,” said Zovio Board Chair and Interim CEO George Pernsteiner. “John’s vast experience in higher education and governmental policy and Ron’s expertise in business, data analytics, technology and K-12 education bring new insights as we continue to execute on our strategy of becoming a leading provider of education technology services to higher education institutions, K-12 school districts, charter schools, and corporations.”
“It is an honor to be joining Zovio’s Board of Directors. Their commitment to meet the needs of each student, particularly nontraditional students, aligns with my personal and professional philosophy as a life-long educator,” said Wilson. “I’m looking forward to contributing my experience and insights from higher education to help Zovio support institutions to innovate and optimize their use of technology and data analytics to thrive while helping learners achieve their goals.”
Dr. John S. Wilson (Credit: Zovio)
“I’m thrilled to join the Zovio Board at this transformational moment in the history of the company,” said Huberman. “There is tremendous opportunity in harnessing the power of technology to create products and solutions to help institutions and learners and I’m excited about the impact we can make together.”
Dr. Wilson has agreed to serve on Zovio’s Nominating and Governance Committee and Mr. Huberman will serve on its Audit Committee. Mr. Huberman’s appointment also satisfies a term of Zovio’s February 2020 agreement with SevenSaoi Capital to appoint a mutually acceptable director to the company’s board. With these appointments, the Zovio Board will be composed of ten directors, including two women and two persons of color, demonstrating Zovio’s commitment to Board diversity as a strategic imperative.
Congratulations to the first place winners that will receive $10,000 courtesy of Metamucil: Southern University, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.! In second place is Howard University who will receive $7,500, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. who will receive $5,000. In third place is North Carolina A&T State University who will receive $5,500, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will receive $3,000. The remaining Divine 9: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will each receive $2,000.
At the beginning of 2021, Metamucil announced an exclusive HBCU Metamucil 2 Week Challenge to promote digestive health in the African American college community.The Metamucil 2 Week Challenge invited HBCU students to take Metamucil daily for two weeks. Metamucil is a super fiber supplement made from psyllium that helps promote digestive health by trapping and removing the waste that weighs you down*, leaving you feeling lighter and more energetic**. When taken daily, it can also help lower cholesterol† and promote healthy blood sugar levels*.
Credit: Metamucil
The Talk’s Sheryl Underwood partnered with Metamucil (a Procter & Gamble brand) to host the Metamucil 2 Week Challenge that will award winning HBCUs and Divine 9 organizations with scholarship prizes worth up to $10K! The contest was simple to enter, and the 3 HBCUs and Divine 9 organizations with the most sign ups won. The winning HBCUs and Divine 9 were announced on Saturday March 27th live at the NAACP Awards by Sheryl Underwood.
The Metamucil 2 Week Challenge got over 10,000 sign ups from HBCU students and Divine 9 members! We’re so proud of all the HBCU Students and Divine 9 members that showed up to support their university/organization.
For more on information about The Metamucil 2 Week Challenge, visit HERE.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
**Survey of 291 adults who self-reported that they felt lighter and more energetic after completing the Metamucil 2 Week Challenge.
†Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 7 grams of soluble fiber per day from psyllium husk, as in Metamucil, may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. One serving of Metamucil has 2.4 grams of this soluble fiber. One serving of Metamucil capsules has at least 1.8 grams of this soluble fiber.
Always looking to boost the HBCU experience for other students and alumni, North Carolina A&T State University alum Terrence J is ambitiously working to bring financial literacy to campuses across the country. Get the full story original story from News One written by Brandee Sanders below.
Credit: Jennifer Johnson
Actor and media maven Terrence Jenkins is on a mission to use financial literacy as a vessel to empower HBCU students. According to AfroTech, the New York native has joined forces with the Black-owned banking platform First Boulevard for an initiative designed to equip students at historically Black colleges and universities with the knowledge and resources needed to cultivate a solid foundation for financial success.
Through the effort—dubbed Project Tassels—Terrence J and First Boulevard will launch a video series that covers an array of money management-related topics including budgeting, saving and credit scores. Jenkins and the financial institution are aiming to help 1,000 HBCU students take charge of their financial futures. The North Carolina A&T State University alum says he lacked money management knowledge while in college and early on in his career and that inspired him to use the lessons derived from his personal experiences and share them with students. “I wasn’t entirely knowledgeable about the importance of financial literacy while attending North Carolina A&T State University, or even at the beginning of my career,” he said. “Had I known then what I know now about wealth building, I would’ve taken small steps to better manage my finances sooner. With Project Tassels, helping 1,000 students get the degree they’ve earned will add an additional $1B to circulate within the Black community. It’s a great start, but to really change the game, I’m challenging other organizations to join us.”
"With Project Tassels, helping 1,000 students get the degree they’ve earned will add an additional $1B to circulate within the Black community," @TerrenceJ said ✊🏾 https://t.co/NIhiNJG8OB
Donald Hawkins, who serves as President and CEO of First Boulevard, says Project Tassels is part of the neobank’s larger mission to address systemic racism and build Black generational wealth. He added he is excited to team up with Jenkins for the effort. “Through his work with Project Tassels, Terrence J will help over 1,000 people gain a new lease on life and with a focus on financial education, he’ll also make a significant impact on HBCU students by providing modern-day financial tips to avoid the debt trap and reach their goals,” he said.
News about Project Tassels comes after Greenwood—a digital banking platform founded by rapper and activist Killer Mike that is centered on Black economic empowerment—secured $40 million in funding.
Hercy Miller, son of Percy “Master P” Miller, is heading to Tennessee State University! Many many be speculating why the 3-star recruit skipped other Division I schools like LSU and UCLA. Yet Master P recently shared how he even wants to own an HBCU, which may have led to the decision. Read more below for more details about why the talented baller is heading to play with the Tigers in a story from Mike Organ at the Tennessean!
Credit: Tennessean
Hercy Miller, the son of hip-hop mogul Percy “Master P” Miller, committed Friday to play basketball at Tennessee State after saying he also received offers from Vanderbilt, LSU, UCLA, USC, Missouri, South Carolina, Arizona, Georgetown and several other larger schools.
Miller, a 6-foot-3 senior guard at Minnehaha (Minnesota) Academy, announced his decision at his school.
He had narrowed his final decision to Vanderbilt or TSU and chose the Tigers because wanted to be a part of a movement across the nation where several high-profile high school athletes are choosing HBCUs over bigger schools.
“I want to be a leader and a dream of mine and a goal of mine is to change the narrative,” Miller said. “I want to show people you don’t have to go to one of these big schools, Power Five conference schools, just to be great. There are a lot of great people who came out of HBCUs or mid-major schools. I want to be the next one.
Miller mentioned that Oprah Winfrey graduated from TSU, and Rob Covington, who is in his eighth NBA season currently playing for Portland, played for the Tigers.
He also pointed out that Ja Morant, now with the Memphis Grizzlies, played at Murray State, which is in the Ohio Valley Conference along with TSU.
Miller’s brother Romeo played two seasons at USC and Master P said the family spent a lot of time in Nashville over the years, first in music and then during his sons’ AAU basketball careers.
Master P said the decision was left solely up to Hercy.
“He had a lot of big schools on the table — Vanderbilt, LSU, USC, UCLA — and I said, ‘Son, this is all your decision; you’ve got to live with whatever you do,” Master P said.
“We’ve been in and out of Nashville before and everybody thought he was going to pick Vanderbilt. When he told (TSU) coach Penny (Brian Collins), ‘This is where I want to go,’ it was a surprise to all of us. I think this is bigger than just going to a school and bigger than basketball. What Hercy is doing is going to change the game and I think a lot of great players are going to want to go to HBCUs.
According to NCAA rules, Collins is not allowed to comment publicly until Hercy Miller has signed his letter-of-intent.
Credit: KARE
Master P and Hercy were impressed by Collins’ boldness to recruit Hercy and go head-to-head with coaches from so many bigger schools.
“That’s the thing that got my attention,” Hercy said. “Because I feel like most people would have felt like, ‘Oh, he would never come here,’ but that’s not the case. With me I don’t see a school as having to be big or whatever to have to be good.”
“I had never seen a coach with that much confidence,” Master P said. “Coach Collins was like, ‘We want you to come here and I was like, ‘Coach, for real? Do you know all the big schools that are offering us?’ He said, ‘Yeah, I looked at that. But they’re nothing like Tennessee State.’ I felt a realness in him and his staff. He wants a winning program and he wants to change how people think about Tennessee State and we’re going to do that.”
Hercy can play either guard position.
Master P played briefly in the 1990s in the preseason with the Charlotte Hornets and the Toronto Raptors.
“I feel like Hercy is going to bring the whole community together,” Master P said. “Because we not only want to play basketball. My thing is about being a part of the community, helping the next generation, helping the elderly. Just being in that environment and saying, ‘How can we build something?'”
