The music industry is easy to dream about, but very hard to break into. When jobs and opportunities for students to intern were cut down due to the pandemic, a big name from the industry stepped in.
Amid the increase in socially-distanced learning, 300 Entertainment set out to provide 3 students with the tools needed to empower their journey from the classroom to the boardroom and beyond. The high-profile label features big artists such as Meg Thee Stallion, Gunna, and Young Thug, so they went all out for the prizes. Among other things, the Intern To CEO program winners received a one-on-one session with an executive at 300 Entertainment, a $1,000 Apple gift card, a $500 gift card, plus a copy of CEO and Morgan State University alumnus Kevin Liles’ book “Make It Happen.” Now, we know who these deserving 3 students are.
Spelman College senior Raquel Thomas immediately stood out as an ambitious applicant. As a first generation college student, Georgia-native Raquel has made the best of her education. She was salutatorian in high school, and pursues a Sociology major with a Spanish minor at Spelman. She has widened her views of the world by studying in the Dominican Republic and Italy as well.
With her eyes set on social justice reform, Raquel applied to the contest as an entry to doing work with music artists’ foundations. Right before the COVID-19 pandemic began, she launched the Liberating Legacies program to address the fact that 1 in 9 Black children has an incarcerated parent. She would eventually like to turn the program into a non-profit that provides children with incarcerated parents and who are in foster care with the social, emotional, and academic resources they need to thrive.
In graduate school, Thomas plans to narrow her efforts in on Black girls, who are the largest growing population in the juvenile justice system. Organizations that she would like to collaborate with in the future include Lil Baby’s 4 the People Foundation, 21 Savage’s Leading by Example Foundation, Big Boi’s Big Kidz Foundation and Big Sean’s Sean Anderson Foundation.
Rodney Anderson
The Intern to CEO program provided a rare opportunity for Arkansas-native Rodney Anderson, who attends the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University. He grew up as a trained dancer in genres like Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, and Hip-hop. Now as a queer R&B and Hip-hop artist, also known as “Rodney Chrome,” he uses his music to uplift an often silenced group in his community. His recent project, Queer Pressure, was created to inspire queer creatives to utilize their gifts and create a change within spaces that need their voices the most.
“Not having the luxuries of worrying about college expenses while also feeling creatively hindered by the world’s current circumstances are reasons why I’m beyond grateful for 300 Entertainment initiating such a beautiful opportunity for students like myself,” said Anderson.
Felix Taylor
With music on her mind, Felix Taylor moved from Northwest Arkansas to southern music capital Nashville, Tennessee after earning her associate’s degrees in Art and Science. She applied to the contest to diversify her creative skills in video production.
“In the one week free trial I had to use Premiere Pro, I had a ton of fun teaching myself how to edit, record voice overs, and shoot b-roll to create my entry,” Taylor said about her application process.
Taylor is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Middle Tennessee State University. She ultimately hopes to create artwork for musicians in the creative department at a record label.
North Carolina A&T State University is well known for its athletes on the field. Brad Holmes, who himself played football at N.C. A&T, will now lead the NFL Detroit Lions as their new general manager! Holmes will leave the Los Angeles Rams as their director of college scouting. Read the full details on Holmes’ impressive resume and new role from The Grio below!
After a competitive interview process, the Lions announced Holmes will join the team. He is now locked in for a five-year contract with the Lions, per the Detroit Free Press.
Courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams
“Throughout our search for a new general manager, Brad was someone who stood out immediately,” said Lions president Ron Wood, “His abilities as a critical thinker, along with his extensive experience implementing technology and analytics into his approach to scouting, were among the many decisive qualities Brad displayed in our time getting to know him during the interview process. We look forward to him helping lead our organization as we take the next steps as a team.”
Holmes, 41, started with the Rams back in 2003 as a public relations intern. He eventually moved his way up and ran the team’s drafts. Though this will be his first stint as an NFL general manager, those who know his work ethic say he is a born leader.
“I think he would do an excellent job (as GM),” said Bill Hayes, his former college coach at North Carolina A&T. “I know he’s going to put in the work. That’s the first thing about it, he’s going to put in the work, he’s going to make the effort and he’s a team guy all the way. He’s not one of those egotistical maniacs. He’s going to be a team guy. He can be trusted. He’s extremely trustworthy, so I feel strongly that he would do a super job.”
(Courtesy of Jeff Lewis/Rams)
While with the Rams, Holmes is credited with being on the team that decided to draft defensive tackle Aaron Donald as the 13th pick in 2014 and quarterback Jared Goff who was the No.1 pick in 2016. Both have become stars in the league on a team that will be contending for the NFC title in this weekend’s playoffs.
“I am thrilled to welcome Brad Holmes to Detroit,” said Sheila Ford Hamp, the Lions owner, said in a statement. “Several weeks ago when we embarked on this process, it was critical that we find the right person to fit our vision for this team. It was evident early on that Brad is a proven leader who is ready for this opportunity. We are thrilled to introduce him to our fans as a member of our football family.”
Keisha Lance Bottoms‘ fierce work ethic and progressive outreach in Atlanta has made her a cultural icon. Just a little after a month after the powerhouse Atlanta Mayor was tapped to join Biden’s cabinet and turned it down, she has been nominated for a new position! Get the full details on the Florida A&M University graduate’s latest offer from NewsOne.
The news of Bottoms’ inclusion in Biden’s reimagined DNC was not expected since it was reported last month that she turned down an offer to be in Biden’s cabinet.
This time around, Bottoms confirmed the report by tweeting that she was “humbled” by her nomination and “ready to build on our party’s progress to make a better future for all Americans.”
I’m honored and humbled to be endorsed by @JoeBiden for Vice Chair of the @DNC. I’m ready to build on our party’s progress to make a better future for all Americans.
If confirmed, Bottoms will be the DNC’s vice hair for civic engagement and voter protection, two things she knows especially well following her hard work in Georgia’s general and Senate runoff elections, both of which had national implications.
Aside from Bottoms and Harrison, Biden also announced the rest of his choices for DNC leadership: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as Vice Chair; Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth as Vice Chair; Texas Rep. Filemon Vela Jr. as Vice Chair; DNC member Jason Rae as Secretary; Virginia McGregor as Treasurer; and Chris Korge as National Finance Chair.
“This group of individuals represent the very best of the Democratic Party,” Biden said in a brief statement. “Their stories and long histories of activism and work reflects our party’s values and the diversity that make us so strong. As our country faces multiple crises from systemic racism to the COVID-19 pandemic, working families in America need and deserve real leadership. We need to elect Democrats across our country and up and down the ballot. To do that is going to take tireless leadership, committed to strengthening Democratic infrastructure across our states. These leaders are battle-tested and ready for this immense task. I know they will get the job done.”
Bottoms previously turned down a chance to serve in Biden’s cabinet.
Courtesy of Drew Angerer
“Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was honored to have been offered a role in the Cabinet, which she respectfully declined,” Taylor told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about a month ago. “The Mayor’s focus remains on the people of Atlanta and the great state of Georgia. Out of respect for the process, and the other candidates under consideration, no additional comment will be forthcoming on this matter at this time.”
Bottoms previously turned down a chance to serve in Biden’s cabinet.
“Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was honored to have been offered a role in the Cabinet, which she respectfully declined,” Taylor told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about a month ago. “The Mayor’s focus remains on the people of Atlanta and the great state of Georgia. Out of respect for the process, and the other candidates under consideration, no additional comment will be forthcoming on this matter at this time.”
It was never established which role was offered to Bottoms.
Students at Coppin State University will now have the chance to further enrich their studies through 2 new master’s programs being offered in the fall 2021 semester. The high-technology master’s programs will cover subjects like biology, engineering, and chemistry in further depth than offered in bachelor’s programs. Read details from Coppin’s press release below to learn more about the new programs .
The Coppin State University Health and Human Services Building, courtesy of Hope Furrer
The new MS in Applied Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (AMBB) and MS in Polymer and Materials Science (PMS) will create exciting new opportunities for students to pursue degrees in science and high technology fields. The AMBB program leads to careers in medical, food, drug and other research fields. The PMS program leads to careers in chemistry, teaching, materials research and development, manufacturing, cosmetics industry, physics and engineering.
The AMBB program is structured to provide undergraduates in biology, chemistry or biochemistry with advanced knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology. Students receive cutting edge instruction in areas of study, including infectious diseases, vision research, metabolic studies in various tissues, chemistry of biomolecules, protein engineering, and cell culture methodologies. Students of the programs are encouraged to apply this knowledge to an area of specialization during their thesis research.
Courtesy of Coppin State University
The PMS program is designed to give students an understanding of the general phenomenon of design, synthesis, characterization, and function of polymers, specifically those classified as biomaterials, bioplastics, blended fuels, nano-materials, biomarkers, and soft polymers (polyester, gel, oil and resins). Students will receive an in-depth understanding of the relationships between the structure and properties of materials. Polymer and materials science enable many advanced technologies to be used to impact everyday life, such as flat screen TV’s, light weight aircraft panels and engines, medical devices, coatings and paints, and more.
To learn more or apply for the programs, call the CSU School of Graduate Studies 410-951-3090 or email graduatestudies@coppin.edu.
With the United States leading in coronavirus infections and related deaths, the need for a vaccine is urgent. While multiple vaccines are already on the market, their efficacy remains to be proven. The new NVX-CoV2373 vaccine, developed by Maryland-biotechnology company, Novavax, may be the next best hope. In a release, Howard University has shared that it plans to come on board with the trials and do its part to keep its community healthy.
“We believe that diverse participation in COVID-19 trials will go a long way toward encouraging potentially life-saving vaccination when it is available,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA, a practicing surgeon at Howard University Hospital. “Along with following COVID-19 prevention guidelines, effective vaccination is the most promising approach to mitigating and ending the pandemic. Our goal through participation is to ensure a safe and effective product is developed to address the needs of Black, Latino, and other minority communities.”
Along with other drug manufacturers, Novavax has been leading the way in the development of a safe and effective vaccine option to help end the COVID-19 pandemic.. This clinical trial expects to include proportional representation among diverse populations most vulnerable to COVID-19 distributed across race/ethnicity, age and those living with co-morbidities.
Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA gets vaccinated, courtesy of WJLA
Howard University’s involvement as a clinical trial site was strongly motivated by concerns about Black, Latino, and other vulnerable populations. These groups have been especially at risk of contracting COVID-19 and dying at disproportinately higher rates. While these groups have suffered the most during the pandemic, to date they have not been well represented in the vaccine trials.
Recruitment for participation in the clinical trial through the Howard University location is beginning now. Howard will manage the trial at the Clinical Research Unit located at Howard University Hospital or through the Howard mobile unit that will be deployed to various community locations to enhance access. Volunteers can register to participate in vaccine trials at the national website www.preventCOVID.org or the Howard University Vaccine Study Site and indicate “HOWU” as the site-code in the registration form. Interested volunteers can also call the national registry site at 1-866-288-1919 and request information on the Howard University-managed clinical trial.
Eligible participants must be age 18 years or older and the trial aims to recruit people who are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19, including people with underlying medical conditions; people with greater chances of exposure at their job; those who live or work in elder-care facilities; older adults (65 years or more); or those who work in jails or prisons. Participants will be compensated for clinical trial participation.
To ensure active community involvement, the Howard University clinical trial team consults with a community advisory board whose members have raised pertinent questions about the research and offered guidance about appropriate ways to partner with the community.
A mobile health outreach clinic, courtesy of Howard University
“Black and Latino communities already have an unequal burden of chronic health conditions like cancer, heart disease, and hypertension. Oftentimes, individuals have more than one of these health problems. If the vaccine trials include significant numbers of people with these diverse medical histories, we can have greater confidence that vaccines will be safe for people with a wide range of health conditions,” said Dr. Siham Mahgoub, Medical Director of the Center of Infectious Diseases Management and Research and principal investigator for Novavax trial at Howard University.
Vaccination has played a critical role in the history in public health prevention, essentially eliminating polio, smallpox and other dreaded diseases. To date, four large scale vaccine COVID-19 prevention trials (Phase 3) have launched in the U.S. with more than 100,000 people participating.
The company has been working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prepare for this clinical trial. Novavax was awarded $1.6 billion in funding from the U.S. government to meet its Operation Warp Speed goals to expedite the delivery of millions of doses of safe, effective vaccine for COVID-19. The award is funding the pivotal U.S. and Mexico Phase 3 trials and manufacturing scale-up.
Since becoming head football coach at Jackson State University, Deion Sanders has put the whole program under a microscope. He has already made waves by recruiting top talent to lead the team. However, his recent comments in a new interview are calling out the conditions that Jackson State will need to leave behind to win championships.
Sanders starred at football school Florida State and spent 14 seasons in the NFL where he built a Hall of Fame career. Those are places that come with luxuries. Jackson State isn’t a place like that.
Deion Sanders, courtesy of Watch Stadium
Sanders spoke with reporters for the first time at Southwestern Athletic Conference media day on Wednesday following big recruitment wins last month and shared the differences in resources.
Sanders called out rickety training tables, uneven practice fields and outdated helmets, pads and practice equipment, via the Mississippi Clarion Ledger. It creates an unequal playing field, metaphorically, for football players at different schools.
“The playing field is horrible,” Sanders said. “It’s not a level playing field. It’s unacceptable. Thank God that God called me to change the game, to open their eyes, to open the door. Not just for Jackson State, but for everybody.”
Sanders starred at football school Florida State and spent 14 seasons in the NFL where he built a Hall of Fame career. Those are places that come with luxuries. Jackson State isn’t a place like that.
Sanders spoke with reporters for the first time at Southwestern Athletic Conference media day on Wednesday following big recruitment wins last month and shared the differences in resources.
Lack of resources outside Power 5
Jan 2, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Team Pressure head coach Deion Sanders looks on during the second half against Team Savage at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports – 13864921
Sanders called out rickety training tables, uneven practice fields and outdated helmets, pads and practice equipment, via the Mississippi Clarion Ledger. It creates an unequal playing field, metaphorically, for football players at different schools.
The money at smaller schools isn’t there like it is at big ones such as Clemson, which opened its $55 million football complex in 2017. It came in part from College Football Playoff payouts and is a cycle that brings in top recruits who then put them in more championships.
The lack of top resources creates a different type of cycle. The players who do go to Jackson State have trouble getting to the NFL, Sanders said.
“Some of the things that I’ve seen thus far early in my tenure are truly unacceptable,” Sanders said. “It causes a kid not to dream. It causes a kid to not have that passion because he don’t see no end result that’s promising for him.”
The players were excited to get a new sweatsuit and a coordinated uniform from helmet to shoes, Sanders said.
“You know my quote, ‘If you look good, you feel good,’ that’s the durn truth,” he told Clarion Ledger.
He’s also met with Golden Corral to get players a place to eat off campus, he said. In the weeks and months after his hire, donations have poured in to Jackson State. Golf star Phil Mickelson announced a $500,000 donation in September and selected the school as his HBCU to support in “The Match: Champions for Change” golf tournament alongside Steph Curry, Charles Barkley and Peyton Manning.
For a former Morgan State University football player, his dream to play pro has brought him from Los Angeles to Philadelphia.
Manasseh Bailey, courtesy of MEAC
Now, Manasseh Bailey is heading to New York after signing with the Jets! Read the full story from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) below!
The New York Jets have signed former Morgan State wide receiver Manasseh Bailey to a reserve/future deal.
Bailey (6-1, 195), signed with the Eagles in May 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Morgan State, was cut at the end of training camp and spent time with the Chargers’ practice squad in the 2020 season.
The Capitol Heights (Md.) product finished his career among Morgan State’s all-time leaders in receptions.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound speedster finished the season ranked 3rd in the MEAC in receiving yards (996 yds) – it ranks as the 2nd highest total in Morgan State history behind Clarence Holzendorf (1,702 yds; 1993).
See below for his year-by-year stats from Morgan State University.
Manasseh Bailey, courtesy of Morgan State University Athletics
As a Senior in 2019: 2019 All-MEAC Third Team selection … Phil Steele’s All-MEAC First Team … Phil Steele’s Preseason All-MEAC Third … finished the season ranked 3rd in the MEAC in receiving yards (996 yds) – it ranks as the 2nd highest total in Morgan State history behind Clarence Holzendorf (1,702 yds; 1993). Bailey also ranked among the league leaders: 3rd in reception TDs (10), 4th in receptions (54), 6th in scoring TDs (11), and 8th in scoring (68 pts) …
As a Junior in 2018: Phil Steele’s Preseason All-MEAC Second Team … started in seven of 11 games played … had 24 receptions for 425 yards (17.7 avg), with four touchdowns … had two catches for 109 yards (54.5 avg), with two TDs at UAlbany (Sept. 15) — also had a 90-yard reception (the 2nd longest catch of the MEAC season) … recorded five catches for a season-high 129 yards, including a TD vs. Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 3) … had five catches for 54 yards at Florida A&M (Oct. 27) …
As a Sophomore in 2017: was converted to WR … started in all 11 games … ranked No. 10 in the MEAC with 37 receptions … ranked No. 8 in reception yards (610; 16.5 avg) and scored six touchdowns … averaged 55.5 reception yards per game … recorded five catches for a season-high 116 yards, including a TD against Savannah State (Oct. 14) … set a personal best with three TD receptions at Delaware State (Nov. 11) … posted a personal best six catches for 89 yards versus Howard (Oct. 21) …
As a Freshman in 2016: saw action in nine games … recorded five tackles …
Alex Fennoy grew up lucky in a 2-parent household. His parents raised him to be grateful but not boastful for what he had. As he graduated from Fisk University and established his career in the finance industry, he searched for ways to give his community the financial blessings he had growing up. Over time, Fennoy has won awards and even worked with Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee to bring families in East St. Louis closer than ever to financial independence. Read his inspiring full story from the Belleville News-Democrat below.
Learning the importance of helping people in his community is a lesson Alex Fennoy understood at an early age.
His mother, Toni, and his father, Nino, were teachers in East St. Louis School District 189. His dad was also an esteemed track and field coach and mentor for kids in the city. His grandfather was a precinct committee officer for East St. Louis.
East St. Louis raised Fennoy. It’s where he developed a firm support system with family and people in the community that translated into a career of connecting underserved Black areas to financial services. As a result of his work, the American Bankers Association honored him last fall with its George Bailey Distinguished Service Award.
Alex Fennoy, courtesy of Belleville News-Democrat
As the executive vice president of community and economic development for St. Louis-based Midwest BankCentre, Fennoy wants to make sure that low-income populations have access to banking needs. It’s a mission that comes naturally for Fennoy, who says his parents always instilled in him a duty to help those who were less fortunate.
“I was blessed to have a two-parent home,” said Fennoy, who now lives in O’Fallon. “Both my parents are retired educators in the public school system for East St. Louis District 189, and I was able to see that other kids didn’t have that. I didn’t look at that as something so much better for me. I looked at it as a blessing, and then never looked down on others who didn’t have what we had.”
“There was a lot of poverty (in East St. Louis). I didn’t know the word poverty at the time, but I knew we had more than most. We weren’t rich, but we were middle class. But my parents put it in my head that it was a blessing and a responsibility to do more for others than it is ‘I’m better than them’, so I never had that conflict.”
‘UNBANKED:’ LITTLE ACCESS TO BANKING SERVICES
The COVID-19 pandemic inevitably exacerbated the recurrent racial wealth gap between Black and white Americans as Black communities disproportionately contracted the virus itself and labor market disparities worsened. In the second quarter of 2020, white households held 84% of total household wealth in the United States compared to 4% in Black households, according to the Brookings Institute.
One factor contributing to this gap is little access to mainstream banking in low-income Black communities. Increased access to banking services can save individual Black Americans up to $40,000 over their lifetimes, according to a 2019 McKinsey & Company report.
It’s why Fennoy opened a Midwest BankCentre branch in 2017 on the campus of Friendly Temple Church in St. Louis. The church is located in the Wells-Goodfellow Neighborhood, a historical underserved area in which over 90% of its residents are Black, says Michael Jones, pastor of Friendly Temple.
“It’s an unbanked community, which means that when people receive dollars to invest or to bank, there wasn’t a bank within the radius of a mile or two in our area to provide those resources, or if homeowners wanted home loans, if small business wanted loans, there were no banking institutions within the immediate community,” Jones said. “It’s also a food desert where there are no shopping centers or food centers. People would have to leave the community and take the resources out of the community to gain access to opportunities.”
Jones said Fennoy, through the Friendly Temple’s partnership with the bank, is helping the church’s effort to restore the neighborhood by bringing more businesses to the area.
“Alex knows our community,” Jones said. “He’s a part of our community. He can relate and identify with the challenges of our community, and he has a passion to want to elevate or raise our community to levels of equity. He knew that this is an unbanked community, and our community needed the services and the resources.”
East St. Louis, Fennoy’s hometown, faces challenges similar to those in Wells-Goodfellow. The city is a food desert, with few grocery stores, and lacks a hospital. Additionally, about 40% of its residents live in poverty. But that’s not the East St. Louis that Fennoy remembers.
“I grew up in the 70s and 80s as a kid, and East St. Louis, at the time, still had tons of opportunity and over 50,000 city population and a bustling small city,” Fennoy, 52, said. “It wasn’t as bustling as maybe 30 years earlier, but it was nowhere near the kind of deficit situation that it’s in now.”
“East St. Louis is about 89 blocks, and we lived on 76th Street and my paternal grandmother lived on the equivalent of 15th Street, not a straight shot, but almost. At 8 years old I could ride my bike from 76th Street down to 15th. That’s my East St. Louis.”
Fennoy remembers making frequent trips as a kid to the candy store, where he first practiced saving.
“If somebody gave me a quarter – my parents, grandparents, my uncle, older cousins – because I did some chore or because they wanted me to have some money in my pocket,” Fennoy said. “It never dawned on me to spend the entire quarter. I remember going to the neighborhood candy store and thinking I have a quarter but I’m not going to spend all this. I’ll put the rest in my piggy bank. That’s never changed from 5 to now.”
‘DIVINE INTERVENTION’
Although banking seemed like a natural fit for Fennoy, it wasn’t the career he initially chose. After graduating from Lincoln High School, Fennoy attended Fisk University, a historically Black college in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was on a path to become a dentist. However, as he neared entering the pre-dental track, he became less interested in the field and more interested in the business classes he was already taking,which led him to switch his major to accounting. Fennoy describes the change as a blessing in disguise.
“I used to say years ago that it was an accident, but I’m a little wiser now to know that it was not an accident,” Fennoy said. “For me, my faith is the most important, (so) it was divine intervention and being led.”
That change in academic majors led to a nearly 30-year banking career for Fennoy that includes his financial work for banks like Boatmen’s, Cass, Regions and National City. Although he said his early career is what fed his appetite to work with nonprofits and churches in underserved areas, it’s his current job with Midwest Bank Centre that he believes best aligns with his purpose.
“It’s about diversity of thought, but it also is about the diversity of people’s experiences,” Fennoy, who has worked with the bank since 2010, said about reaching Black communities.
“I think our philosophy is also that we believe that is going to be needed, especially in historically underserved areas, because it’s a level of hand-holding that, when you’re building that trust, has to happen.”
In January, Fennoy and his team plan to launch a program that will lend up to $200 million in community development loans for the next five years. The loans will be available for minority small business owners or businesses located in low to moderate income areas. Fennoy said although most of the loans will be awarded to owners in St. Louis, a small portion will be open to those who live elsewhere, like the metro-east. He said he’s also working on putting a branch of the bank in East St. Louis, although he doesn’t know when.
Alex Fennoy, courtesy of Belleville News-Democrat
Retired Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee said Fennoy’s work has left an indelible mark on her eponymous foundation. Joyner-Kersee was coached by his dad and remembers meeting Fennoy as a kid. Alex is currently the secretary of the foundation’s board of directors.
“Just to see how he has grown into a young man that takes the community seriously, that looks to give back and try to spread and share his knowledge, especially dealing with the bank sector and trying to get people to understand what it means about being unbanked, is great,” Joyner-Kersee said. “Also him being a part of serving on the board of the foundation and helping to secure opportunities for us that’s fair and equitable is great.”
Joyner-Kersee said Fennoy was instrumental in helping the foundation qualify for a Paycheck Protection Loan, a federal program designed to help small businesses and nonprofits continue to pay employees during the pandemic, this year. She said his financial knowledge has been invaluable to her team and the East St. Louis community.
“A lot of people in the community go unbanked and lack the understanding of having a bank account, so I think his leadership goes beyond his banking experience,” Joyner-Kersee said. “Alex really does care about the community. When you have someone that cares about the community and the relationships, then you start seeing them beyond just that relationship. It’s a true family.”
Being honored for his work in the community was a humbling experience for Fennoy. Each year, the American Bankers Association awards a non-CEO bank employee for their dedication to improving the communities they serve. Fennoy was one of two recipients.
“It’s special, but at the same token, the work ain’t done because so many people in the whole community will be better if we have stronger businesses all throughout our region. If we have opportunities for more people to work because we know that deters crimes. It’s not brutal policing. It’s more jobs, it’s more education, it’s more opportunities. When those things are more, the direct inverse effect on all the negative things that we do to one another in society decreases. It’s proven.”
Apple is showing no signs of ending its pledge to bring HBCUs top-of-the-line resources. Recently, Apple collaborated with HBCUs to increase access to coding technology, and in the process even dispatched some of its own workforce to teach students. Read more details below on how Apple is actually building its next location for HBCU outreach.
Apple is working with Southern Company and a range of community stakeholders to support the launch of the Propel Center, a first-of-its-kind innovation and learning hub for the HBCU community. Apple’s $25 million contribution will enable the Propel Center to support HBCU students and faculty through a robust virtual platform, a physical campus in the historic Atlanta University Center, as well as on-campus activations at partner institutions.
The Propel Center campus (rendering above) — equipped with state-of-the-art lecture halls, learning labs, and on-site living for a scholars-in-residence program — will be located in the historic Atlanta University Center district.
The center is designed to support the next generation of diverse leaders, providing innovative curricula, technology support, career opportunities, and fellowship programs. The Propel Center will offer a wide range of educational tracks, including AI and machine learning, agricultural technologies, social justice, entertainment arts, app development, augmented reality, design and creative arts, career preparation, and entrepreneurship. Experts from Apple will help develop curricula and provide ongoing mentorship and learning support, along with offering internship opportunities.
The Propel Center was imagined and designed by Ed Farm, a groundbreaking organization that works to promote innovation and educational equity. The initiative builds upon Apple’s partnership with Ed Farm and the company’s work with three dozen HBCUs, bringing coding, creativity, and career opportunities to campuses and communities across the US.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Apple on this extraordinary project,” said Anthony Oni, Ed Farm’s founder and chairman of the board, and a vice president at Southern Company. “The Propel Center will help cultivate leadership and drive innovation in tech and beyond, acting as a springboard for change in communities across America.”
Hailee Bryant-Roye, an early-childhood education major at Tennessee State University, has been able to pursue new teaching and learning opportunities with Apple’s Everyone Can Code and Everyone Can Create curricula, offered through the company’s collaboration with TSU. She’ll have access to additional programming, mentorship, and internship opportunities through the Propel Center.
As part of Apple’s ongoing partnerships with HBCUs, the company is also establishing two new grants to support HBCU engineering programs. Apple’s new Innovation Grants will help HBCU Colleges of Engineering develop their silicon and hardware engineering curriculum in partnership with Apple’s experts. The new Faculty Fellows Program will support HBCU educators pursuing R&D with mentorship programs, curriculum development assistance, and funds to equip their lab spaces.
Building on its longstanding scholarship program with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Apple is also now offering scholarships to 100 new Apple Scholars from underrepresented communities. In addition to financial support, the Apple Scholars program includes mentorship and career development experience at Apple.
Read here for more of Apple’s new outreach initiatives in the full release.
Tuskegee University alumna Shayla Redmond loves space, makeup, music, and her alma mater. This week, all 4 of those parts of her life converged after she won a contest hosted by iHeartMedia and Ulta Beauty. Redmond, who is a space advisor and holds degrees in aerospace engineering, physics, and systems engineering never forgot what she learned in college. Get more details on how her experiences landed Tuskegee a sizable donation in this great story from Tuskegee.
Tuskegee University will receive a $30,000 donation from iHeartMedia and Ulta Beauty to support students in its aerospace engineering program. Tuskegee alumna Shayla Redmond ‘11 selected Tuskegee to receive the funds after winning a social media sweepstakes hosted as part of of iHeartMedia’s “HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio.”
As an extension of iHeartMedia’s “HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio” series held in Fall 2020, Ulta Beauty and iHeartMedia hosted a virtual sweepstakes to recognize HBCUs and its homecoming celebrations. To honor the season, iHeartMedia and Ulta Beauty joined together for a month-long celebration of HBCU pride and student achievement with a social sharing challenge – encouraging HBCU students to share their at-home Homecoming style.
Shayla Redmond, courtesy of Female One Zero
Redmond took to social media to share her best “at-home” Tuskegee Homecoming style and was awarded a $500 Ulta Beauty gift card, a virtual meet and greet with celebrity artist H.E.R and the opportunity to select her institution of choice as the recipient of the donation.
“It’s really important to me that this gift go to Tuskegee University’s Aerospace Science Engineering program,” said Redmond. “Given its impact on me, I am deeply honored to have graduated and now I’m helping to build upon the legacy for such a prestigious University.”
Redmond received her undergraduate degree from Tuskegee University in aerospace engineering and physics in 2011; she later went on to receive her master’s degree in systems engineering and space systems at the Air Force Institute of Technology.
An aspiring astronaut, officer in the Reserves, and mom of three, Redmond hopes this funding will inspire other women of color to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
Aerospace Engineering at Tuskegee University, courtesy of Tuskegee
“I am proud to enable this opportunity and expand access to aerospace and engineering research for students as a part of the Ulta Beauty and iHeartRadio’s commitment to the HBCU community,” Redmond noted.
Acting Dean for the College of Engineering Dr. Ben Oni says every dollar counts, and every dollar helps students thrive here at Tuskegee.
“We’re grateful for the funding from iHeartIMPACT and Ulta Beauty because it truly helps students in our aerospace science engineering program succeed, including those who otherwise might have difficulty accessing the resources to graduate,” said Oni. “I’ve seen students struggle, not because they’re not talented, but because they’re fighting to address challenges of finances, access to scholarships, or dealing with issues that prevent them from graduating. This funding helps eliminate some obstacles and helps further Tuskegee University’s impact in the broader engineering community.”
This scholarship, in partnership with iHeartMedia and Ulta Beauty, continues to celebrate the profound impact and influence HBCUs continue to have on our country.
In their own words, Hampton University alumni Calvin L. Butts, Jr. and Carrington M. Carter created private equity firm East Chop Capital in 2018 to pool “the resources of many, to accomplish much more than individuals can on their own.” As real estate developers and experienced entrepreneurs, the two men have found a way to financially support disadvantaged communities and also engage minority investors to lock in on the $170 billion global vacation rental market. In fact, they have brought on other Hampton alumni, HBCU graduates, Divine 9 and Sigma Pi Phi (Boulé) members, and more together to provide the best combined financial, educational, and social returns.
Building wealth for East Chop Capital‘s largely-minority group of investors is prioritized. For example, the firm sets itself apart from others by having investor retreats and bringing people together to learn from them.
Calvin L. Butts, Jr. (left) and Carrington M. Carter (right), courtesy of East Chop Capital
“Our firm was created to help accredited investors build wealth and gain exposure to private investments that they may not have access to,” says Butts, Jr. “East Chop Capital’s first fund exposes our investors to the travel and hospitality industry via luxury vacation rental homes, by owning and operating homes in places like Martha’s Vineyard, Hilton Head, Gatlinburg, Orlando, and several other markets that we will expand to in 2021.”
It isn’t hard to find ambitious Black entrepreneurs, but it is especially difficult for these innovators to find funding. With ECC, the gap created by that funding disparity is combated with the access it offers to capital for not only just Black entrepreneurs, but other minority and women entrepreneurs as well. Financially, East Chop Capital is enriching disenfranchised communities, but it hasn’t been without obstacles.
“It should have been easier to raise $4 million considering we have a 6+ year proven track record, strong network, we’re investing in a thriving industry with significant tailwinds behind us…” said the founders.
During their journey to fundraise for real estate investments, the founders identified several reasons why their target audience of investors weren’t as receptive as they’d imagined. Fear, lack of education, financial literacy, and investing/business acumen were all cited as impediments. In addition, many potential investors didn’t want to part with their money due to their inability to calculate and evaluate risk, a desire for “quick wins” with unrealistic returns and limited risk, inability to find and capitalize on “off the spreadsheet” value, and finally, being too content with the status quo.
Palmetto Manor, courtesy of East Chop Capital
Despite the rocky start, 90 investors ultimately joined East Chop Capital’s first round of funding. Calvin Butts, Jr.’s membership on the Hampton University Board of Trustees and Carrington M. Carter’s membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated played a tremendous role. In fact, 20% of the investors are Hampton alumni, and several are Alphas. Now that ECC has the investors it needs, the founders have gotten to work educating their investors on private equity options they may never have come across. With ECC’s guidance and support, investors are encouraged to make their own vacation rental home purchases. The work has bridged the expertise of the founders with outreach that they truly enjoy.
“As avid travelers, Getaway Society and our vacation rental home fund gave Calvin and I the opportunity to build a business based on something we both love, which is travel,” said Carter. “As experienced entrepreneurs, we know the value of investors. Nurturing these relationships and having their support is what enabled us to build a $10 million real estate portfolio in just five years. Raising $4 million and closing this fund is a huge accomplishment for us.”
When asked about what the most exciting goals are for East Chop Capital to accomplish in 2021, Calvin Butts, Jr. didn’t hesitate to let us know.
“Building wealth for our investors, educating them on new private investment opportunities, disrupting the traditional private equity model, and having FUN,” he said.
Howard University alumna Bonita Stewart is a powerhouse that has companies clamoring for her expertise. She currently leads at Google, having made history as their first Black female vice president. Now, she will be channeling her talents at PagerDuty, a corporate digital solutions company, on their Board of Directors. Read the full release from BusinessWire below for more of her background, expertise, and next moves!
PagerDuty, Inc., a global leader in digital operations management, today announced the appointment of Bonita Stewart to its Board of Directors. Stewart brings to the PagerDuty team more than 20 years of experience leading multi-billion dollar operations, accelerating digital technology adoption and driving digital transformation at scale.
Bonita Stewart, courtesy of The Daily News
Stewart currently serves as Vice President of Global Partnerships at Google, where she oversees the company’s global partnerships team for the largest US publishers across Search, Mobile Apps, Broadcast, Commerce, News, Telecommunications and Domains. The first African American woman appointed to a VP role at Google, Stewart brings decades of experience in marketing and technology, combined with a strong partner ecosystem background from major corporations in the IT and automotive fields. Stewart also offers significant public company board experience, having served on the Board of Directors of Pluralsight (NASDAQ:PS) since 2018 and Decker Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:DECK) since 2014. Prior to Google, Stewart served as Director of Interactive Communications, Chrysler Group (now known as Daimler AG), and during that time Chrysler Group was named Interactive Marketer of the Year by Ad Age. Prior to this she spent a decade in sales and marketing management positions at IBM.
“Bonita is a fantastic culture fit with our board and brings tremendous at-scale leadership experience to PagerDuty. Her experience building market presence and partner ecosystems, and scaling larger global operations make me proud to add her to our board,” said Jennifer Tejada, PagerDuty CEO. “A trailblazer in the industry, her decision to join our board is also an endorsement of our efforts to build a diverse business and create equal opportunity in tech and beyond.”
Bonita Stewart, courtesy Operation Collective
Named a Woman to Watch in Tech by Crain’s, Stewart has spent her career breaking barriers. She pioneered the concept of Howard West, a computer science immersion program for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), powered by Google. While with IBM, she founded One Moment in Time, introducing a new concept in women’s formal wear rentals with a view toward national franchising. Stewart received her BA with honors from Howard University and her MBA from Harvard Business School. In 2020, she co-authored, “A Blessing: Women of Color Teaming Up to Lead, Empower and Thrive.”
“PagerDuty leads the way in making life better for teams tasked with managing complex digital operations in real-time. The company’s focus on customer devotion, coupled with its progressive approach to building a balancing team at all levels aligns with my goal of moving the tech industry towards inclusion to drive better business outcomes,” said Stewart. “I believe we’re at the beginning of a new era in tech, and I look forward to joining Jennifer and her team as PagerDuty continues to lead by example.”
At a time when whole seasons have been cancelled due to COVID-19, an HBCU coach has still managed to make history. North Carolina A&T State University football coach Sam Washington will be the first HBCU coach to participate in ESPN’s MegaCast. This MegaCast will cover the highly-anticipated College Football Playoff National Championship with No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 3 Ohio State set for later today. Read below for more details on this special day from The Undefeated, including an interview with Sam Washington himself.
North Carolina A&T State football coach Sam Washington will be in an enviable position as he watches and analyzes the national title game between Alabama and Ohio State as part of ESPN’s MegaCast Film Room.
Sam Washington, courtesy of Woody Marshall
Washington, whose teams have won two consecutive Celebration Bowls as the top historically Black college football team, has been coaching for 34 years. He landed his first job as an assistant coach with Bethune-Cookman and has had stints on the coaching staffs of Johnson C. Smith, North Carolina Central, Mississippi Valley State and Grambling State. He got his first head-coaching position in 2018 with the N.C. A&T Aggies.
The veteran coach will add his expertise on Monday night alongside SEC Network analyst and former BCS championship-winning head coach Gene Chizik, Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson and Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze.
The Undefeated spoke with Washington about being the first coach from a historically Black college and university (HBCU) on the MegaCast, his thoughts on the Alabama-Ohio State matchup and his mindset in preparation for football returning in February. The Aggies are scheduled to play South Carolina State on Feb. 27.
What will you be doing on the MegaCast?
You know what, to be honest, that I’m not totally clear with [laughs]. What I do know is that I will have a clicker in my hand, and I will have the ability to replay and they want us to treat it just as if we were in the film room. ‘What do I see,’ ‘what do I notice,’ ‘what is this team trying to do and how the other team is trying to stop them.’ Different approaches and schemewise, I think they want us to analyze what is going on.
Sam Washington, courtesy of N.C. A&T
What do you think of the Alabama-Ohio State matchup? What aspect of the game do you think will be the determining factor?
I always felt that the team that is able to run the football had a good chance to win and the team that stopped the run has a better chance at winning. Both of these teams are very explosive, and they have quarterbacks and receivers who can change the complexity of the game in a matter of seconds. So, it is going to be very important that they don’t give up the big play, because the big play is going to be huge. Both teams, I’m sure, are very concerned about that, not giving up that one-play touchdown. They are both very well-coached and, you know, I have been doing some research on them and it is amazing how good they are.
Do you think being on the MegaCast is a good way of getting HBCUs into the CFP championship conversation?
I don’t know about that, but I will put it this way: I think it is the first step to being recognized. It’s the very first step. As far as getting into the playoffs, we would have to become an FBS team first. That is the conversation that I think needs to be had. I would love to see some HBCUs become an FBS-level team in the very near future.
What’s the significance of you being the first HBCU coach on the MegaCast?
You know honestly, I haven’t even thought of it from that perspective. You know, first I just think it is a golden opportunity. I think in these times we are respected as valuable coaches coming from HBCUs. These opportunities have not always been afforded to us, so I’m very humbled and proud at the same time that I was granted this opportunity.
With HBCU football returning in February, what is your preparation mindset right now?
I will tell [you] what, this COVID-19 pandemic is making that very difficult. We try to stick to our regular routine as close as possible. As far as preparation, we’ll go through the conditioning phase initially, then from conditioning we will start putting things together schematically and just do what we do and do it well.
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris continue to walk in their commitment to building the most diverse administration in U.S. history. Recently, the names of their newest appointees were released to much fanfare. Considering Kamala Harris is a graduate of Howard University, it’s no surprise she recognized the value of having a fellow HBCU graduate on her team.
Florida A&M University alumnus Vincent Evans has been appointed to serve the Biden-Harris administration asDeputy Director of the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs. The decision was shared as part of a larger list of 11 individuals appointed to positions ranging from press to economics. According to The Gainesville Sun, Evans, a Florida native, graduated from FAMU in 2011 after earning his bachelor’s degree in political science and pre-law.
Vincent Evans (left) and President-elect Joe Biden, courtesy of Rattler Nation
“Humbled seems too insufficient a term to describe my feelings today. Thank you madam Vice President-elect Kamala Harris for the profound opportunity and honor to serve you, President-elect Joe Biden, your administration and most importantly, the American people,” tweeted Evans after being appointed.
Vincent Evans is no stranger to working with Biden and Harris. He served as Kamala Harris’ Political Director during the general election, and as the campaign’s Southern Political Director during the primary season.
Well-known in political circles on the national, state and local levels, Vincent Evans has a background in leadership and legislation. Previously, Evans worked for Congress as a member of the senior staff of U.S. Representative Al Lawson of Florida. He also worked as Chief Aide to Tallahassee City Commissioner Curtis Richardson. He has worked in the Florida Senate Demcoratic Caucus for Democratic Leader Nan Rich. He’s also managed or held some other leadership position on the campaigns of two of Florida’s most recent Democratic gubernatorial nominees.
Vincent Evans, courtesy of Tallahassee Democrat
The other appointees chosen alongside Evans included: Yael Belkind as Assistant to the Chief of Staff; Michael Fuchs as Deputy Chief of Staff; Kate Childs Graham as Director of Speech Writing; Dr. Ike Irby as Policy Advisor; Deanne Millison as Deputy Policy Director; Rachel Palermo as Assistant Press Secretary; Mike Pyle as Chief Economic Advisor; Sabrina Singh as Deputy Press Secretary; Peter Velz as Director of Press Operations; and Herbie Ziskend as Deputy Communications Director.
“Building our nation back better requires having the best and the brightest in our administration. These accomplished individuals have the knowledge and expertise to hit the ground running on day one and will work each day in service to the American people. With their varied and diverse backgrounds, they bring a shared commitment to tackling the crises facing America, helping us become a stronger, more united nation,” said President-elect Joe Biden as part of a statement.
“These deeply experienced public servants reflect the very best of our nation, and they will be ready to get to work building a country that lifts up all Americans. Their counsel and expertise are grounded in a commitment to making sure our economy works for working people and all those looking to work. And their leadership will be critical as we work to meet the challenges facing the American people — from the coronavirus pandemic to this economic recession to our climate crisis and long-overdue reckoning on racial injustice. I am proud to announce these individuals will be joining my team and look forward to working alongside them each and every day,” said Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Benedict College is entering the new year with a progressive new addition to its leadership. In its commitment to preparing students for work in the global economy through its School of Business and Entrepreneurship, Benedict has just appointed a dean that will make history! Read the statement from Benedict to see why Dr. Tracy H. Dunn’s new role is so special.
Eighteen years after joining the faculty at Benedict College, Dr. Tracy H. Dunn has become the first woman to be named dean of the Benedict College Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship. She is the fourth dean to head the College’s business school.
Dr. Tracy H. Dunn, courtesy of Benedict College
“Over the past three years, Dr. Dunn has been an exceptional interim dean of the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship. Through her leadership, the undergraduate curriculum was updated, the first graduate program was launched, and the School’s accounting and business administration programs secured national accreditation.,” said Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “Dr. Dunn is very deserving of this promotion.”
Dunn has significantly expanded the breadth and depth of the school’s co-curricular programming with the opening of the Student Innovation Hub. She has increased student participation in local, regional, and national competitions as well as the development of well-designed service-learning projects with options for consulting projects, and outlets for student enterprise.
“This is the right time to be a student at Burroughs,” Dunn says. “Our students are receiving a solid business education supplemented by a plethora of experiential learning opportunities to develop and solidify important soft skills like critical thinking and teamwork. After four years at Burroughs, our students are transformed into well-prepared professionals ready to contribute to society on day one.”
Dunn holds a PhD and MBA from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. She received a bachelor’s degree in German from Wofford College as well as a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Boston University. Her undergraduate and graduate education included study abroad in Germany (Goethe Institute – Prien and Rothenburg), England (Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester), and Russia (Moscow International Business School).
Prior to her educational pursuits at the University of South Carolina, Dunn worked for IBM, AT&T, and INROADS/Jacksonville.
Former Bowie State University President Dr. Samuel L. Myers, Sr. has unfortunately passed away at the age of 101. Myers served as Bowie’s 4th president for 9 years from 1968-1977.
Over the weekend Bowie’s 10th and current President Dr. Aminta H. Breaux shared the sad news with the BSU community in a tweet.
Dr. Samuel L. Myers, Sr. courtesy of Bowie State University
“Under his leadership, the university saw tremendous growth in enrollment, curriculum enhancements and a new program in social work,” shared Breaux. “He also moved the university to the next level with the first offering of a graduate degree, the master of education, and establishment of a Graduate Division.”
A profile from the American Economic Association highlighted just how much Dr. Myers accomplished in his lifetime. He earned a PhD in Economics from Harvard University in 1949. In 1994, he received the National Economic Association’s Samuel Z. Westerfield Award, which is presented to Black economists every few years to honor their “distinguished service, outstanding scholarship, and achievement of high standards of excellence.”
He went on serve as an economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, and a financial adviser to Latin American countries during the Kennedy Administration. He worked with U.S. President Jimmy Carter on Executive Order 12232, which created a federal program “… to overcome the effects of discriminatory treatment and to strengthen and expand the capacity of historically black colleges and universities to provide quality education.” Myers served at Bowie State University both as an economics professor and as president.
Dr. Myers Sr. with his son and other academics at a Westerfield Awards ceremony, courtesy of the University of Minnesota
After leaving Bowie, Myers continued to dedicate his time to advancing HBCUs. For over 20 years, he served as president of the National Association For Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. He later focused his efforts on Minority Access, Inc. where he worked to diversify universities and corporate spaces.
Myers’ children were educated at HBCUs and have created their own legacies. After teaching at Morgan State University, his son and daughters all earned degrees from the HBCU. Myers’ son, Dr. Samuel Myers, Jr., is the Roy Wilkins Professor of Human Relations and Social Justice at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. His daughter, Judge Tama Rose Myers Clark, was Morgan State University’s first female student government president, and became a successful district attorney.
A spring memorial service is currently being planned Dr. Myers, according to Bowie’s President Breaux. His family is also working to establish endowed scholarships in Dr. Myers’ name at both Bowie State University and Morgan State University.
