Benedict College Names Alum Jacob Koon Dean of Students

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Once you get the privilege to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), it is your duty to pay it forward so that others after you can experience it as well. There are many creative ways to do so. Some donate money back towards scholarships or to academic programs related to their major. Some donate their time by volunteering or speaking to current students. Then some, like 2013 Benedict College alumnus Jacob Koon, donate their expertise. Read Benedict’s press release below to see why he is a leading example of how to repay your HBCU. He has just been promoted from the Director of Residential Life to the new Dean of Students!

Over the years, Koon who is an alumnus of the College has served in many roles to include Residential Life Coordinator, Area Coordinator, and Assistant Director of Residential Life. 

“I congratulate Mr. Koon on his promotion to our Dean of Students, said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “During his tenure as the Director of Residential Life, he focused on student development and implemented several training programs for the Residential Life staff. His leadership on campus represents the BEST of BC!” 

Koon’s motto is, “Education begins at home.” With that idea in mind, he developed several co-curricular activities to ensure a holistic experience for students residing in campus housing. He also created training sessions to increase the Residential Life staff’s understanding of student transition on all levels from high school to first-year students, from freshman to upperclassman, and from upperclassman to life after college. 

“Returning to my Alma Mater and seeing the institution evolve has been a great experience, said Koon. “Dr. Artis, the 14th President and CEO of the Benedict College, has demonstrated that she is a Transformational Leader, and she inspires others to do the same across the campus. Her footsteps are marking grounds unseen.”  

Michael B. Jordan Launches Basketball Tournament to Showcase HBCU Players

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Michael B. Jordan is admired by many not just for his craft as an actor, but for his heart as an activist. Next year, he will be turning his resources towards the students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to spotlight Black college basketball players in a refreshing way.

According to People, showcase has been named “The Hoop Dreams Classic.” It’s inaugural kick-off is slated for December 18, 2021 in the actor’s hometown of Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center. According to a statement Jordan made to Forbes, this work in the sports community has been an intention of his for quite some time.

“This past year has been the tipping point for so many, including myself, in revving up support for Black people, said Jordan. As a Newark native, I am committed to bringing change to the community and am honored to be able to present The Hoop Dreams Classic as a way to celebrate the value of community, education, and Black college experiences.”

The tournament will be an exciting and eventful day. It’s a doubleheader that will showcase four of the top HBCU Division I men’s and women’s basketball programs. Elements of HBCU culture outside of sports will be honored as well. There will be a battle of the bands, live performances, film festivals, and culinary events, plus college and career opportunities.

Hoop Dreams CEO Jessica Estrada is will guide the program with Jordan’s spirit of change. “After seeing firsthand the lack of resources and information available to basketball players, I was determined to make Hoop Dreams the vehicle that could provide the tools these kids need to be successful in life beyond the game,” she said. “Michael and I share similar foundations and visions for our communities which is why I am thrilled to partner with him.”

Partial proceeds from the event will go towards organizations that advance HBCUs and the local Newark community. Partners supporting The Hoop Dreams Classic include WME Sports, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, and Scout Sports and Entertainment/Horizon Media.

“Through our shared love of basketball, I look forward to bringing the communal spirit of HBCUs to the city that helped shape me into the man I am today,” said Jordan.

HBCU Heroes Celebrity eSports Event Matches Up NFL Players and NBA2K Pro Gamers

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Sports, and especially eSports are a popular attraction amongst students at HBCUs, but not every student and campus may be able to afford getting in on the action. The non-profit HBCU Heroes has made it their mission to find creative ways to raise funds for HBCU sports programs by providing scholarships and other resources. Now this Wednesday December 16, 2020, they are hosting a special celebrity virtual event for the holidays to provide even more support to HBCUs! Major players have been added to the talent line up for their “HBCU eSports Holiday Showdown,” so read their press release below for more details!

HBCU Heroes was founded by NBA veteran George Lynch and entrepreneur Tracey Pennywell, so you can expect heavy hitters to show up! Streaming on multiple platforms, the 2 p.m. ET tip off will kick start the action, with official NBA2K League commentator Jamie “Dirk” Diaz Ruiz calling the plays.  ESports enthusiasts can watch on  Hawks Talon GC  and HBCU Heroes’ Twitch channels, Facebook Gaming, YouTube, HBCUgoTV, HBCU Gameday, and HBCUHeroes.org. Competitors from HBCUs across the nation will face off for a chance at up to $50,000 in scholarships, prizes, and eSports lab funding to their institutions, sponsored by Intel.   

Celebrities and athletes will suit up to win bragging rights as well as eSports funding for their HBCUs of choice — $2,500 going to the match winner’s selected institution, while $1,500 will be awarded to the runner up’s HBCU pick.  Marquee participants include Tarik Cohen, Chicago Bears running back and proud HBCU alum of North Carolina A & T State University (NCAT) facing off in an exhibition match VS. Boston Celtics NBA2K League gamer Sheriff Cruz aka FTW, playing on behalf of Hampton University.  Old school players will join the fun, showing off their new school skills in a head-to-head NBA veteran’s showdown. HBCU Heroes’ co-founder and former Philly 76er George Lynch is playing to support Cheyney State University opposite Etan Thomas, former player with the OKC Thunder.  Thomas competed against Lynch in the NBA and now faces off against him in this exhibition match to benefit Langston University, Oklahoma’s only HBCU.

In a match themed “Battle for the AUC,” dynamic Miami Dolphins wide receiver Preston Williams goes up against Hawks Talon Gaming Club’s Lee Lamb aka LEE. Hawks Talon is the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks. This match will benefit four Atlanta HBCUs with $5,000 split evenly to assist Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta University and Morris Brown colleges with their eSports efforts.  

HBCU Heroes is producing the event as a gateway to HBCU gamers, who are experts at playing with friends, but may not have had the opportunity to compete in a league or tournament. Joining in the effort, Southern Law University Center will sponsor returning HBCU gamer Jamaal Young with a $1,000 scholarship donated to him through this tournament for his continued esports competitions and studies at Southern University.

Other highlights include returning players from the HBCU Heroes’ summer eSports tournament, such as reigning champion Ahmahd Moore from Fayetteville State University and Jamaal Young representing Southern University. The response from HBCUs has been enthusiastic about participating in the tournament, as well as efforts to boost their eSports curriculum and programming.

“Morris Brown College became the first college in Georgia to offer a certificate and degree program in Esports Performance. We are excited about the new program and expect vast interest. We look forward to becoming a leader in Esports, not just within higher education, but beyond,” said President Dr. Kevin E. James.

The event can be live-streamed by eSports fans primarily through the HBCU Heroes Twitch channel and their website on Wednesday, December 16 starting at 2 p.m. ET. Follow them on Instagram as well to stay up-to-date with more opportunities!

Hampton University Couple Featured On OWN’s Black Love Create Affirmation Album To Destigmatize Grief

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High school sweethearts Karega Bailey & Dr. Felicia Gangloff-Bailey have a Black love story that has weathered storms and lent warmth to others. Their union was even featured on an episode of the TV show “Black Love” on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).  Since graduating from Hampton University together, the two have created a legacy of empowerment and healing with initiatives like their group SOL Development.

Together, Karega and Felicia have each done their own work to ultimately reach their goal of mentoring high school students and creating pipelines for social emotional support and college access. After graduating from Hampton, Karega accepted a leadership position as the Dean of Students at Maya Angelou Public Charter High School. Felicia also focused on youth social emotional development and achievement motivation by pursuing a PhD in Educational Psychology at Howard University. The two married in 2012, and have since helped launch a performing arts social justice school aptly named Roses in Concrete Community School.

It’s true that within the darkest hours comes true strength.  Just as things seemed to be coming together, the South Sacramento couple had their biggest challenge yet. “We always say, we’ve been blessed with a beautiful life, not an easy one,” said the couple. After a radiant 41 weeks of pregnancy, the two became Angel Parents to a beautiful #BabyBaileyGirl named Kamaiu SOL. The term Angel Parenthood describes parenthood after the loss of a child often through the experience of neonatal loss, but definitely not limited to the neonatal spectrum. It can also include the loss of an infant, young child or even an adult child.

“Since Kamaiu’s birth and double transition, our aim is to create a grief processing reference point, documented through multidimensional storytelling for parents who have experienced the transition of their children and the double transition of their child through the experience of neonatal loss. Although we acknowledge that grief is tremendously complex and difficult to experience, we also believe grief is sacred. Thus by honoring the stories of those experiencing grief, we have the potential to radically connect the deepest parts of our humanity. Grief gives us access to a very special part of hearts, the part of us that has the power to love what our eyes cannot see and arms cannot hold. Grief is love and right now it is abundant.”

The couple still fondly remembers their blessing, and she is honored in all they do. In fact, the couple shared that watching baby Kamaiu’s story appear on national television as a part of Black Love’s first ever 1 hour special as one of their proudest moments. They bared even more of how this affected them in the episode’s after-show conversation. And although they had just experienced loss, the couple found strength to do more work. Initially, they had been working as a couple to write their SOL Affirmations book during the pregnancy. 

“SOL Affirmations is a collection of affirmations and manifestations gathered with the sacred intention of helping us to remember our goodness…  when we experienced the devastating passing of our daughter during birth, a friend of ours brought a copy of the book to us in this hospital. Though I didn’t feel like reading it then, once I opened it, the truths it contained were irrefutable. This prompted our conviction to finish the SOL Affirmation album we started when we were pregnant…SOL affirmations is a powerful design of words to help us frame the beauty in every difficulty and increase our capacity to explore our hearts and produce the courage to love; to love ourselves, to love one another, to love what challenges us. Each of the affirmations in this collection have been applied through times of great loss and difficulty and have proven to remain true through all seasons of life.”

Their music has resided in the social justice and healing spaces. Now, as an album, they have used SOL Affirmations to heal themselves and others. The affirmations have also been used to assist in healing spaces including their work with BE-IMAGINATIVE, a healing space for mothers who have lost children to gun violence. The couple has encouraging words for anyone struggling with tough times, which we are happy to share below. 

“There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of even one candle, so never be afraid to let your light shine. And when you feel like life’s hardships are dimming your light, it just may be an invitation into a new dimension of your inner light. Dr. Maya Angelou writes, ‘you may encounter many defeats but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it.’“

You can learn more about this remarkable couple and hear their inspirational affirmations album here.

Black-Owned Food Company Eat Noire Launches Digital Platform

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It’s time to elevate those in our community that are leading in the food and restaurant industries. Eat Noire has stepped up to the plate as a food lifestyle brand focused on shifting the conversation around Black food by highlighting and promoting black culinary experiences. Recently, they launched a global digital platform and merchandise, which has allowed them to extend their influence even further than before! See below for their full press release!

Launched by HBCU alumni and black creatives, Eat Noire’s mission is to cultivate community by highlighting Black chefs, mixologists, and restaurateurs leading in fine dining creativity and influence. Through high-quality content, curated features, exclusive merchandise, e-commerce integration, and lofty events, Eat Noire is changing the game in food blogging.

Tyler Bryant, owner of Black Peppa and co-founder of Eat Noire

The story behind the brand is one of the most captivating pieces of their story. The brand was inspired by friends with a passion for bridging the worlds of culinary, events, art, and technology.This young group of entrepreneurs have built a multi-functional digital platform that strives to properly represent & highlight the spectrum of beauty and range present in the chic Black culinary space while providing a beta e-commerce rolodex listing their favorite Black businesses, to help sell and market their products to the Eat Noire community. Additionally, they launched a community job board to connect job seekers with up-to-date job postings at Black businesses worldwide. Through these various functionalities, they are focused on rallying their constituents to support the array of projects in this industry, emphasizing the importance and power of the Black dollar.

Before the restrictions of COVID-19, Eat Noire focused on executing intimate scale events headlined by some of the biggest Black-owned food and beverage brands in the industry, like Uncle Nearest. Hosting anchor events like the “Rice & Gravy” dinner series and “The Friendsgiving” and has now pivoted to virtual events like their weekly “Wine & Dine Sundays” chat with chefs, mixologists, and bloggers on IG Live. This group is dedicated to educating their community while attracting and building a network of some of the world’s most colorful minds.

With the climate of our current world and the emphasis on amplifying the voices and projects of Black-owned ventures, this platform is exactly what the community needs.

If you are a chef, brand, or creative in the events, food, beverage, photography, or hospitality industry and would like to be featured or listed in their directory, visit their website for more information or tag them on Instagram to be featured on their page!

Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey Announces Retirement After 43 Years

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Dr. William R. Harvey is a leader with a legacy of dedication to HBCUs that few can match. After serving as President of Hampton University for over 4 decades, today he announced his retirement.

In June 2022, Dr. Harvey will step down from his leadership role with what will be 43 years of service. According to Virginia Business, he will be the eight-longest serving university president in the United States. He is Hampton’s 12th president amid the HBCU’s 152-year history. 

Since Dr. Harvey took office, Hampton University has grown to establish itself as a force within the HBCU community and the nation’s higher education system at large. According to a statement from the university, over 36,000 students have graduated during Dr. Harvey’s tenure. His other accomplishments include the initiation of 92 new academic degrees (including 12 new doctoral programs), the erecting of 29 new buildings on campus; increasing SAT scores by more than 300 points; launching four satellites which are currently flying in space; building a state-of the-art weather antenna that can detect hurricanes and storms up to 2,000 miles away; establishing the largest free-standing proton beam cancer center in the world, which treats prostate, breast, lung, ocular, pediatric, spine, head, neck and brain cancers; and increasing the endowment from $29 million to over $300 million. Hampton’s “William R. Harvey Leadership Institute” was named after him, the library was named after he and his wife, and the main passageway through the 314-acre campus is named William Harvey Way.

Through his invested time at Hampton, Dr. Harvey has become a notable figure and inspiration to students and staff alike. 

“As a Hampton University alumnus and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, the growth and development that I have witnessed under Dr. Harvey’s successful leadership have been, in a word, triumphant,” said Trustee Wesley Coleman in a statement.  “The significance of this president’s legendary contributions to Hampton will be celebrated for generations.”

Over the years, Dr. Harvey has done more than just lead. He and his wife have donated $8.5 million to Hampton University. The two own a Pepsi Cola bottling franchise, securing the influence of Hampton within circles far beyond education. 

Although he has much left to do, Dr. Harvey released a reflective and inspiring statement. 

“The formula for any success that I have had is based on five priorities: character traits of honesty, integrity, respect, trustworthiness and good personal behavior; high standards and values; a good work ethic; service to others; and appreciating and utilizing the team approach,” he said.

Wilberforce Is Partnering With Apple To Bring Coding To Its Community

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Coding is a key part of the foundation of technology, but access to learning this skill is not always easy to find. Both Wilberforce University and Apple have worked separately to ensure youth have access to coding classes, and now they will be working together. Find out how from their release below!

Wilberforce University celebrates student technology with Computer Science Education Week.  Building on Apple’s K-12, Everyone Can Code curriculum, Wilberforce announces it will become a community center for Coding and Creativity as part of Apple’s Community Education Initiative and Tennessee State University’s HBCU C2 Initiative. These programs are designed to bring coding and creativity experiences to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their communities.

 “Wilberforce University is excited to be a participating institution in the Apple community education initiative, said Wilberforce University president Dr. Elfred Anthony Pinkard. This partnership aligns wonderfully with our institutional imperative to provide career development and entrepreneurial opportunities for our students. Introducing our students to coding and supporting the development of the knowledge and skills for the 21st century workplace further ensures successful post graduate outcomes for our students.”

Wilberforce faculty leaders will participate in Apple’s ongoing Community Education Initiative Learning Series during which they will learn coding and app development. As part of that ongoing professional development, educators will explore innovative ways to engage learners as they use Apple’s comprehensive, easy-to-learn, Swift programming language.

Dr. Michael Robinson, the dean of Institutional Effectiveness at Wilberforce, says once students understand that coding actually plays an every day role in everyone’s lives, the concept becomes simple. “All students can learn to code – they can create apps for cell phones or tablets. You will learn you don’t have to be a coding expert, just use coding to develop the needs you have.” The theory that coding is for people who use more of the left side of their brain than the right is debunked by Dr. Robinson. He says apps that are used all day, every day, are part of the coding family. Whether it’s to keep track of your calories, taking a selfie, setting appointments on your calendar, or even texting, all are products of someone setting up a code.

As part of its Community Education Initiative, Apple is supporting Wilberforce University, the nation’s first private HBCU with equipment and professional development to help the university become the pre-eminent HBCU C2 community center to bring coding and creativity to the Greater Dayton, Ohio area.

During the 2021 spring semester, Apple coding curriculum will be woven into the Wilberforce course of studies.  Members of the community can expect the weekend, coding workshops to be developed soon and thanks to Apple, they will cost nothing to register.


Capital One’s “The Match” Is Donating Total of $4.4 Million to HBCUs

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Capital One’s “The Match” was a unique celebrity golf game that pitted two legends against two legends. Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley teamed up with golf legend Phil Mickelson to play against Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and future Football Hall of Fame inductee Peyton Manning

The Match is set to make a hugely positive impact on historically black colleges and universities after raising $4.4 million for HBCUs:

Curry has been an especially huge proponent for HBCUs in recent years, as evidenced by a massive contribution he recently made to Howard University.

Last year, Michael A. Fletcher of ESPN’s The Undefeated reported that Curry, who attended Davidson, provided Howard with six years of funding to launch Division I men’s and women’s golf programs.

The 32-year-old is a skilled golfer who has played in many celebrity tournaments. He was also given a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Korn Ferry Tour’s Ellie Mae Classic in 2017.

The Match has become a highly anticipated golf event in recent years, as Mickelson and Tiger Woods went one-on-one in the original Match in 2018.

That was followed by The Match: Champions for Charity in May, in which Woods and Manning faced Mickelson and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.

Read full via Bleacher Report

Talladega College Receives $150,000 Grant From Southern Company

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(Talladega, AL)  Talladega College is receiving a $150,000 grant from Alabama Power and its parent, Southern Company, to support technology and infrastructure needs. The gift is part of Southern Company and its subsidiaries’ $50 million HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Initiative, a multiyear funding strategy announced in January 2020 that provides HBCU students with scholarships, internships, leadership development and access to technology and innovation to support career readiness.  

The funds awarded to Talladega College will be used to help improve technology bandwidth throughout campus, provide technology resources for faculty and staff, and build capacity to support infrastructure expansion.

“We are so grateful to receive this generous grant from Alabama Power and Southern Company,” said Talladega College President Dr. Billy C. Hawkins. “With record-breaking enrollment increases and three new buildings on campus, our technology needs have increased significantly.  In addition, the coronavirus pandemic has altered the way we serve our students and created new challenges. This grant will help us continue to provide an outstanding academic experience for students by expanding our technology capabilities.”

Alabama Power and Southern Company are honored to be part of a growing group of corporate and philanthropic partners that have increased support for HBCUs in the wake of COVID-19 and mounting calls for racial justice. Both businesses believe deeply in the importance of HBCUs in higher education and in their impact on economic development, innovation and American life. 

Alabama Power’s Eastern Division Vice President, Mr. Terry Smiley, is pictured with Talladega College President Dr. Billy C. Hawkins. Mr. Smiley announced that Alabama Power and its parent, Southern Company, will provide Talladega College with a $150,000 grant to support technology and infrastructure needs at the institution.

“Our hope is that this funding will draw further recognition to schools like Talladega College and deepen partnerships between business and civic leaders and these vital institutions,” said Mr. Terry Smiley, Alabama Power’s Eastern Division Vice President. “HBCUs are at the forefront of innovation and academic excellence in Alabama, and across the country, and we hope that our company’s investment will only accelerate this important work.”

Alabama Power and Southern Company are committed to the success of HBCUs and fostering greater diversity and inclusion across the communities they serve. 

About Talladega College

Talladega College, Alabama’s first private historically black college, is consistently ranked among the best southeastern colleges and top HBCUs in the nation. It was founded in 1867 by two former slaves, William Savery and Thomas Tarrant, and is the home of the renowned Hale Woodruff Amistad Murals. For more information about Talladega College, visit www.talladega.edu.

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Wilberforce Receives $500,000 Grant From Dominion Energy In Clean Energy Initiative

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Students at Wilberforce University will be able to take advantage of expanded offerings in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) thanks to a recent grant from Dominion Energy. As part of a program called “HBCU Promise,” the power and energy company has selected 11 total Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to donate to over the next six years! $25 million dollars has been set aside for this initiative to go fund educational programs, endowments, capital projects, and operating expenses. Read more from the press release below on the impact this grant is having at Wilberforce! Natalie Coles, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Wilberforce couldn’t be happier!

“We are so grateful to Dominion Energy for this generous donation! Never in our lifetime have students faced such hardships to attend school. Because of this meaningful gift, Wilberforce students will get the tech support they need to successfully attend classes in safe environments. We can’t thank you enough!”

The half million dollar donation also finances STEM scholarships and the launch of the university’s inaugural Bayard Rustin Lecture Series on Racial Equality, named in honor of the architect of the historic 1963 civil rights March on Washington. Rustin was a student at Wilberforce. The university is also grateful the Dominion gift has purchased laptops for all enrolled students and faculty for the fall semester’s remote learning and teaching experience. The school’s academic schedule was adjusted for off campus study because of concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19.

“Dominion Energy is proud to partner with Wilberforce University in supporting scholarships and other grant dollars to provide basic necessities for students to fully engage and succeed in their college experience,” said Leighton McCoy, Vice President of Gas Distribution Technical Services at Dominion.  “We look forward to uplifting Wilberforce University students and highlighting their achievements as they pursue excellence and success.”Dominion Energy also has committed $10 million in scholarships to assist African-American and other underrepresented minority students who reside in the company’s service areas. Students can learn more and apply here.

Hampton Grad Rashida Jones Is Next MSNBC President

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On February 1st, 2021, Rashida Jones will make history as president of MSNBC. That will make the Hampton University graduate the first Black leader of a news network! She currently holds the Senior Vice President role at NBC and MSNBC.

While at Hampton, Rashida Jones got her start in college by majoring in broadcast journalism. She has since been inducted into the Scripps Howard Journalism Hall of Fame and Hampton University’s 40 under 40 Society. Her expertise lies in breaking news and major events coverage. While serving as Director of Live Programming at The Weather Channel, Jones led coverage and programming of rare weather events including mass tornado outbreaks, heavy snow storms, and Hurricane Katrina. She has also covered significant elections that include Primary and Presidential Debates.

Jones joined NBC in 2013 as an Executive Producer, and in 2014 was named Managing Editor at MSNBC Dayside.  She went above and beyond as a News Director for NBC’s Columbia, South Carolina affiliate. She focused her efforts on a rebrand at the station that prioritized deep investigative reporting. While she was there, the station sat comfortably at #1 in the market. Rashida joined NBC as an Executive Producer in 2013, and in just one year was named Managing Editor at MSNBC Dayside.

“Rashida knows and understands MSNBC, in part because it’s where she started when she first joined NBCU seven years ago,” said Cesar Conde in an email to NBC News employees. Conde serves NBCUniversal News as Group Chairman. “She knows that it is the people who work here that make it great, and she understands its culture. She also appreciates the impact and potential of the brand.” According to an NBC report, Conde went on to note that over the last year, Jones has guided MSNBC’s coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 election, and the unrest of social justice protests. She also lent a hand in ensuring the two series “Justice for All” and “Climate in Crisis” were influential at the network.

Rashida will be replacing current MSNBC president Phil Griffin, who has held his position for over 25 years. Her appointment is the first major role filled in Conde’s goal to have NBC News staff of NBC News be made up of 50 percent women and 50 percent people of color. Considering that MSNBC is under the umbrella of NBCUniversal News Group, with NBC News and CNBC, this opportunity will lead to nothing but more open doors for Rashida Jones.

HBCU Buzz’s Founder & CEO Honored By Nike

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Believing in someone can change their life, but believing in a community can change generations. Thanks to our Founder and CEO Luke Lawal, the students, staff, alumni and supporters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a platform to be connected, highlighted, and inspired. Luke recently received a high Nike honor for his work with HBCU Buzz and beyond. Always a forward thinker, Luke has gone on to found other companies that creatively meet the needs of our community. 

On November 7, 2020, Nike launched #Yardrunners, a content series dedicated to highlighting the achievements of students and graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). #Yardrunners was created to recognize the contributions of HBCUs by celebrating the influence of individuals who are devoted to progressing the evolution of culture and change, underscoring their commitment to their HBCU.

Among the HBCU alumni featured is HBCU Buzz Founder & CEO Luke Lawal, a Bowie State University graduate, Master Mason and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. In 2011, Lawal created the multi-media company, HBCU Buzz, to unite and amplify the voices of the Black College community. By 2017, Lawal launched L & Company, making HBCU Buzz a subsidiary among other corporations, including Taper Inc. and Root Care Health. His passion for entrepreneurship is fueled by his investment to improve the Black community and provide resources for the next generation of leaders to succeed.

“I am very honored that Nike has recognized me as a #Yardrunner for the HBCU community,” Lawal said. “The legacy, values and culture that each Black college represents is the reason I strive to elevate and celebrate my community.”

To sustain the initiative of supporting HBCUs, Nike will highlight HBCU influencers and deploy their stories leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day. To view the content highlighting Luke Lawal, be sure to download and check out his journey in the Nike App.

Bowie State Alumna Jasmine Butler Premieres Cruelty-Free Lip Gloss Line

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HBCU students always know how to take a product and make it better! You can guarantee Bowie State University alumna Jasmine Butler entered the lip products market with a bang. The entrepreneur has shown us and those in her industry that social-consciousness does not mean compromised quality.

Not only are Juicy By Jay products well-made, but they are vegan and cruelty-free as well! The brand also has a philanthropic side. To stand with her community as a business woman, Jasmine donates a lip jelly to women in programs and facilities that protect them. “Every woman, no matter her situation, deserves respect and reminders that she matters,” reads a heart-warming message on her website.  Juicy By Jay makes supporting a black-owned business feel so rewarding, so we had to sit down and learn more from the woman behind the magic.


The HBCU experience is unmatched, but each campus is unique. Having gone to Bowie State, we asked her about the impact of that on her career moves and sense of self.

“College at an HBCU is an experience that is unmatched, for sure! I was a Comms major with a focus on Public Relations, a student-athlete and very active on campus when I wasn’t traveling for track meets. I met lifelong friends there and connected with mentors and leaders that looked like me, which is always important… Bowie was a place where I connected with my peers, professors, coaches and advisors and counted on them to help guide me in the right direction.”

Considering that she majored in Communications in college, we wanted to know what led her on this journey to start her own line. 

“My love for gloss and connecting with women inspired this brand. I’ve always loved glosses and natural beauty so I wanted to create something that I use on my lips every single day, but was more than just a moisturizer. I experimented with different ingredients (sugar + spice + everything nice) and fell in love with what I created. I shared it with my friends and family and they loved it too, and that’s when I knew I was on to something. 

Our signature product, Lip Jelly, is the perfect balance between lip gloss and lip balm. It’s non-sticky but has high-shine, light pigments and ultra hydration. It’s the lip product you’ll use every single day and never get tired of it.“

Entrepreneurs can often find themselves putting profit margins before quality, but with Jasmine that just wasn’t the case. We could tell her business was destined for greatness just based on what she identified as her start-up challenges! 

“Some challenges for me were finding ingredients and creating products that I was proud of; understanding my brand voice and how I communicated my message to my customers; managing the business tools and online platforms; along with preparing for a successful launch — all before I sold a single product…I have so much more to learn, but I think the most valuable thing that I learned was to just do and keep doing, that’s the only way you can make anything happen. Entrepreneurship is not easy or as glamorous as it seems, but it is worth it.”

People already love her glosses, so we know there is a demand for more products! Although we were a bit disappointed that there aren’t any current plans for more products, we have to respect her perfectionism! 

“For now, Juicy by Jay is focused on perfecting all things lips! As a business woman, I’d love to take over the entire market, but as a perfectionist I have to take my time to develop products that you can’t live without. It would be absolutely amazing to see our products in stores, but I am trusting the process completely so we will see!”

You can support Jasmine and the Juicy By Jay brand by visiting her website, and following the brand on Instagram!

Antebellum Demonstrating A Way Forward for Premiere Releases

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Following in the tracks of many other releases this year, Antebellum took the path of releasing simultaneously on-demand and in cinema. Alongside other major films like Da 5 Bloods and Miss Juneteenth, this move proved immensely popular for audiences. With many other upcoming films looking to take a similar route, the question of whether this could remain a permanent system is an important one for both sides of the industry.

How Have Movies and Their Makers Fared?
When looking at going to an on-demand release for movies, the complexities for major studios are immense. For a hundred years, major motion pictures have relied on the established economics of putting people in theatre seats. This sort of funding was effective and easy to measure, and while it could still end up in failure, at least the mechanisms were well-understood.

Traditionally, it was only cheaper movies which made the jump straight to home-release. This was best illustrated by the former dreaded label of ‘direct-to-video’, which generally came with the stigma of lower quality. This also meant that, due to lower visibility and appeal than cinema releases, these tended to bring in much less.

In a more contemporary sense, older funding models have been challenged by the arrival of streaming services. Bird Box and Extraction have been the standouts here, bringing the big-budget quality formerly relegated to theatres straight into viewer homes. These also were massively popular socially, encouraging word of mouth far beyond what older home-release media ever could.

The question then becomes, how could movie studios benefit from these systems? Bird Box was watched by 45 million accounts in its opening week, which would in theory translate to $411 million in traditional ticket sales. However, how the earning for these movies works is nebulous at best, raising questions as to how viable bigger-budget releases are on streaming systems.

Entertainment Genres Like Gaming Show Fans’ Preference for Mobile

For fans, the idea of home-streaming is a much simpler one. Like so many other forms of entertainment, fans are extremely appreciative of being able to experience media how and where they like. This was a big part of what made systems like Netflix hits, no longer holding viewers to particular television sets or timetables. Mobile systems for entertainment have also seen significant success through these more convenient means. Online casino games are one such example of this, where the popularity of former desktop-only access has been massively boosted by mobile connectivity. Today, the best online casino bonuses and websites all run perfectly on smartphones. Whether collecting free spins and deposit matches to accessing any one of dozens of casinos, the advantage of accessibility has been king. Bring this to more movies, fans say, and we’ll be better for it.


As a new development in how movies are now released, it could be some time before we see a final answer in how modern viewing methods are settled. For the movie industry, this could require a major overhaul of how systems are run, potentially leaning into the more diverse approach of multiple release formats. For fans of Antebellum and movies in general, we know what we’re about, where having the choice of watching at home or on the silver screen is something we all can hope for. Either way, this will be something to watch in 2021 and beyond, as big things are undoubtedly coming.

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FAMU, Pharrell Williams Launch ‘Black Ambition’ Initiative For HBCU Entrepreneurs

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Entrepreneurs of color are often under-funded and overlooked. Considering that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are undeniably a large consistent source of black entrepreneurs, a Florida campus decided to bridge this gap in a big way. The administration at Florida A&M University (FAMU) has announced an incredible partnership with grammy-winning artist Pharrell Williams to provide the capital these entrepreneurs need. “Black Ambition” is a non-profit initiative that will unlock unprecedented doors for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs looking to launch into industries like tech, design, healthcare, and consumer products.

Please see below for key points from the press release from this historic project, as released on Business Wire.

In partnership with historically Black colleges and universities (“HBCUs”), The Black Ambition HBCU Prize will offer prizes and mentorship for current and former students at HBCUs as they develop seed or early-stage ideas and launch companies in tech, design, healthcare, and consumer products and services. The grand prize winner will receive up to a $250,000 prize and at least nine additional teams will receive smaller prizes. Teams must include at least one current HBCU undergraduate or graduate student (full-time or part-time), one recent alum within two years of graduation, or one former student within two years of attending the institution who is a member of the founding team. This HBCU-affiliated individual must identify as Black/African/African American and/or Hispanic/Latino/a/Latinx.

The Black Ambition Prize will find, support, and seed early-stage companies in tech, design, healthcare, and consumer products and services. Ventures must have at least one founder or co-founder that identifies as Black/African/African American and/or Hispanic/Latino/a/Latinx. The grand prize winner will receive up to a $1 million prize and at least nine additional teams will receive smaller prizes. For both prizes, a member of the founding team is defined as having a senior role, such as VP or C-level role. The prize will launch with a nationwide call for applications from eligible founder teams. Independent application reviewers will score eligible applications on the strength of their idea, with the strongest applications advancing to the major national event.

In July 2021, the two competitions will culminate in teams competing for these prizes by presenting to luminary judges and investors. In addition to financial awards, the entrepreneurs will receive mentorship and feedback as well as access to peer networks and expert connections. All screened applicants will receive access to online resources, information about business resources, and high-level feedback. Semifinalists will also receive cohort-based mentorship. Finalists will receive personal mentorship, opportunities for media exposure, and introductions to venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerator partners.

Black Ambition’s long-term vision is for inclusive entrepreneurship to be the new normal. The start-up non-profit initiative will be led by an all-star advisory team that includes Grammy Award-winning recording artist, producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist Pharrell Williams, with support from The Bridgespan Group, a global nonprofit organization that advises mission-driven organizations, nonprofits, philanthropists and impact investors. Virgil Abloh, the artist, designer, and philanthropist, is actively involved with the initiative and contributed the Black Ambition logo and identity concept design. Black Ambition is supported by funding from Adidas, Chanel, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation, Tony’s Chocolonely and the Visa Foundation. Individual donors include Ron Conway/SV Angel and Jonah Peretti. Mattel is releasing a product created in partnership with Black Ambition in the coming weeks, and Tony’s Chocolonely is making a special Black Ambition chocolate bar with a portion of proceeds from both products benefiting the non-profit initiative.

For more information on Black Ambition, competition eligibility, and how to apply, please visit the Black Ambition website.

Double HBCU Graduate Releases Children’s Book About Black Dollars

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Bowie State University and Howard University alum Tariq Touré has a lot to say. From growing up in West Baltimore, to being Muslim, writer and award-winning poet Tariq Touré has plenty of experiences to fuel his creativity. Yet although he has crafted an accomplished career from his many inspirations, he found one topic in particular to be missing. 

As a father, Tariq always looks to pour valuable knowledge into his children. But recently, he found there was a lack of resources to help explain to children the significance of the black dollar. Although black buying power is often overlooked, its presence has a significant economic impact within communities of color and beyond. It took four years,  but Tariq has crafted a book conceptualizing group economics that’s actually fun for kids to read!

In “David’s Dollar,” young David Kareem is a Muslim kid who’s just earned a dollar for his allowance. Like other kids, he wants to spend his money on candy. But after he does, he begins to think more big-picture. “Daddy, where did my dollar go?” David asks of his father. That question leads David and his father along a journey throughout their community that over time explains how the spent dollar makes its way to other businesses. 

Children who read David’s Dollar are being prepared for critical thinking skills in areas such as drawing conclusions, making inferences, and making predictions. We asked Tariq how his higher education at HBCUs has shaped the way he looks at the world. 

“Being a graduate of two HBCUs shaped my experience in two pivotal ways. The first was that it surrounded me with other students who were from similar backgrounds who wanted to make a significant change in the world. So many of my classmates have been an inspiration and support for this work. It also built a stronger ideal of community that existed beyond where we were physically at. I learned that HBCUs are a global community.”

With such an important accomplishment, we wondered how far this dedicated HBCU alum went to create a book that would serve his community for years to come.

“I had no idea how difficult it was to get children’s work published. This book has been in the works for 4 years. My first major obstacle was ensuring that my illustrator Anika Sabree was paid properly for her work, which turned out excellent. It took months to work up the courage to do a crowdfunding campaign to pay for the illustration cost. Then the campaign was completed in 48 hours. I knew we had something powerful on our hands. After then we moved carefully in building the world inside of David’s Dollar and now can get the book out to everyone possible.”

David’s Dollar even sold out at one point, and Tariq hasn’t stopped his grind. He also manages his company Pen > Sword, which celebrates the power of literature with merchandise like sweaters, shirts, and hoodies. to build capital to expand into stationery. In 2021, he has plans to  launch a full high-quality paper journal line!

Tariq’s success obviously hasn’t been a smooth road. Since he was twice an HBCU student, the writer gave eye-opening advice for current HBCU students facing obstacles like he has. 

“I think what sets us back is not exploring our innate talents. A lot of times we set out to be successful at whatever another large group of our peers are successful at. I’ve always been inherently attracted to language arts, and anytime I departed from that I ended up wasting my time and losing out on opportunities. The more I decided to master what I already loved to do it opened doors. If we want to reach a destination we have to use what God gave us for free before anything else.”

Now that it is out, we asked David what has made him the most proud of his accomplishment. 

“The proudest moment of my career has been watching my 6 year old daughter read David’s Dollar to her 4 year old and one year old brother and sister the day it arrived,” he said.

You can find more information on Tariq Touré and his impactful book at the official David’s Dollar website.