Howard University College of Medicine Names Dr. Roger A. Mitchell As Chair of Pathology

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The pandemic has rocked the way we think about pathology, and the gravity of the consequences that can result when that science is not understood. HBCUs have done their part to encourage social distancing and now vaccinations amid COVID-19, but leadership is just as important. With that taken into consideration, Howard University has just announced it has appointed a new Chief of Pathology to lead in the pandemic response, research, and more! Find the full release below for more information!

Roger A. Mitchell, Jr. M.D., courtesy of Howard University

The Howard University College of Medicine announces Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., M.D. as chair of the Department of Pathology, effective March 1, 2021. Dr. Mitchell recently served as interim deputy mayor for public safety and justice and chief medical examiner for the District of Columbia. In his new role, he will lead a department that is at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic response and will also oversee the Department of Pathology’s educational, research, clinical and administrative activities. 

”We are pleased to welcome back Dr. Mitchell, who is no stranger to the Howard University community. He returns to us with an outstanding combination of strategic vision, exceptional leadership and a long-standing commitment to raise the health and social equity of all residents in the District of Columbia,” says Dr. Hugh Mighty, dean of the Howard University College of Medicine and vice president of clinical affairs. “Dr. Mitchell is perfectly suited for this new endeavor, which will be critically important in our efforts to advance the Department of Pathology to its highest-level of excellence.”

During his tenure as D.C. chief medical examiner, Dr. Mitchell gained a strong insight of the social determinants that lead to the violence affecting our most vulnerable communities. He also partnered with Howard University Hospital’s Level One Trauma Center on key initiatives to help reduce violence among at-risk public-school students. He has a great interest in violence as a public health issue and has recently co-authored position papers, including “The Violence Epidemic in the African-American Community” for the National Medical Association (NMA) and “Definition, Investigation, Postmortem Examination and Reporting of Deaths in Custody” for the National Association of Medical Examiners. 

Courtesy of Noah K. Murray/The Star-Ledger

“I am honored and excited to join the team at Howard University in the Department of Pathology,” says Dr. Mitchell. “As part of the legacy of Howard graduates, I understand the importance of this institution, specifically in these times of racial inequity. I look forward to serving in this prestigious institution that centers on health equity and access and lending my passion and talent to achieving better outcomes.”

Dr. Mitchell earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University, his medical degree from the New Jersey Medical School, Newark, N.J., and he completed his AP/CP residency at George Washington University. He is board certified in anatomic and forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology and a fellow with the National Association of Medical Examiners, where he serves as chair of the Strategic Planning Subcommittee and is the immediate past chair for the Deaths in Custody Subcommittee. Additionally, he recently served as the national co-chair for the NMA Working Group on Gun Violence and Police Use of Force.

Bowie State Releases 2021 Fall Football Schedule

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The repeat football champions at Bowie State University have just released their schedule for 2021 and it’s looking promising! Learn more about the Bulldogs’ schedule in the release from Bowie State University below!

The Bowie State University Department of Athletics has released its 10-game football schedule for the 2021 season. Bowie State’s 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Bulldogs concluded the 2019 season with an overall record of 11-1, 7-0 in the CIAA and repeated as conference champions.

Player Deron Smith, courtesy of Lawrence Johnson

“I’m excited about our 2021 schedule as we start with a very tough non-conference schedule”, said Bowie State Head Football Coach Damon Wilson. “We will have several challenges even before we start conference play. I look forward to opening up against an FCS opponent before we start D2 games. As a staff we have worked extremely hard to put a roster together that we feel will represent the university well. Our schedule will provide the program to compete against three different respected conferences.” 

The Bulldogs will kick off its season on the road against Division I Delaware State University on Saturday, September 4th. Next on the schedule for Bowie State will be a first-time meeting against the Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals on Saturday, September 11th in Bulldogs Stadium with kickoff is slated for at 1:00 p.m.

BSU will make its longest trip of the regular season on Saturday, September 18th, traveling to the Chargers of New Haven University to conclude the non-conference portion of their schedule. 

The Bulldogs will open conference play in week four and will face the Blue Bears of Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C. on Saturday, September 25th with game time to be announced.  

The first game in the month of October will feature Homecoming for Bowie State as the Bulldogs play host to Johnson C. Smith University. This cross-divisional matchup is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 2nd with kickoff set for 2 p.m. 

Player Brenden Ashby, courtesy of Lawrence Johnson

Bowie State divisional play will begin on the road against the Hawks of Chowan University on Saturday, October 9th. Bowie State returns home Saturday, October 16th to face the Trojans of Virginia State University in Bulldogs Stadium at 1 p.m.

The Bulldogs will load the iron horses in week eight and nine, making trips to Virginia Union University (Saturday, October 23rd) and Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (Saturday, October 30th). Game time for both games is 1 p.m. 

The regular season will conclude Saturday, November 6th as Bowie State hosts its final regular season contest against the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University at 1 p.m. This game has been designated as Senior Day.

The NCAA To Delay The Vote of College Students Receiving Profits From Their Fame

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The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is an organization that supports and looks after the well-being and life-long success of college athletes. It has over one thousand colleges and universities signed up to it, as well as over 100 athletic conferences, and comprises athletic directors, academic support staff, health and safety personnel, faculty athletics representatives, and coaches amongst its ranks, and works to ensure that college athletes are able to succeed in the classroom and on the field, setting them up for success in life whether they go on to become professional athletes or not.

The current situation

Currently, student athletes are unable to cash in on their fame and image, meaning that, unlike professional athletes, they are unable to hire agents and make money from endorsements, social media posts, and the use of their image. The NCAA position is, that as they are amateurs, playing only against other colleges and amateur players, not professionals, the NCAA is best positioned to ensure a fair and level playing field by controlling the name, image and likeness on a national scale, and that the influence from the professional world on the amateur athletic scene could lead to disparities between players.

However, there have been murmurings that this may change. In 2019, the NCAA board voted unanimously to allow amateur athletes to make money from their fame following California legislation that would allow amateur players to hire agents and receive endorsements. The ban, however, has yet to be lifted, and a number of votes due on the matter to pass this proposal have been delayed a number of times.

Are there any benefits to legalising endorsements for amateurs?

The lifting of this ban could bring all sorts of benefits to the players, colleges, and the sports industry as a whole. The NCAA would be able to cash in on increased visibility and promotion of their competitions, bringing in new fans, and having individual players followed through from amateur to professional status.

Proponents of the new law state that it is only fair that players, irrespective of their status as amateurs or professionals, be able to access the same opportunities, and be able to make money from their talents. The limited duration of a sports career (relative to other careers off the field) means that it makes sense to allow players to start making money and developing a brand and presence as early on as possible, as well as encouraging them to remain in school and get a qualification that could help them later on in life.

Football Player Carrying Brown Football

Additionally, it may lead players from lower socio-economic backgrounds to see sport as a realistic option for them if they are able to monetise it early on, and not be starting to build a brand only once they have finished school, whilst encouraging them to complete a college degree. This new law would also allow players to transfer schools more easily and not have to sit out of competition for a year as per current guidelines. All these steps would offer increased flexibility to players and teams across the competition as a whole.

Sports in the USA is very popular, and a lot of professional athletes come from an amateur/college background. A lot of major sports like the NFL and NBA will scout players from different colleges to help with the transition from amateur to professional. The interest in sports in the US has increased over the last couple of years thanks to the restrictions of sports betting be lifted. Citizens in Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey to name a few are now able to legally bet on a sporting match or event which has led to the sports industry growing in popularity with many eager to watch matches to see if their chosen team or player has won. With the interest in sports increasing and more amateurs wanting a sports-based future, many believe that rewarding them with endorsements is the morally right thing.

Free stock photo of ball, basketball, basketball court

What still needs to be agreed?

However, there are a number of issues that still need to be ironed out, which is why there have been delays in ratifying and implementing this proposal:

  • Tax implications for those on sports scholarships at colleges; there is talk from one US Senator, Richard Burr of North Carolina, that the value of the scholarship received could be taxed as part of their income.
  • The president of the NCAA, Mark Emmert, has called for the vote to be postponed so that the US Justice Department calling for input to ensure that any changes in the rules ensure that it remains compliant with current federal anti-trust laws.
  • Greg Sankey, commissioner of the Southeast Conference and a hugely influential figure in college sports also has misgivings about implementing this change whilst there is so much upheaval in Washington due to the change in government, and proposes waiting until the new government is in to ensure the changes stick and are not challenged shortly thereafter. For example, a republican led bill would have exempted the NCAA from anti-trust legislation.
  • There are concerns around how to ensure that players are able to compete fairly both on and off the field, and if there will be external pressure for specific players to be chosen.
  • There are fears of conflicts of interest amongst players on the same team, or between endorsing parties and individual colleges, which could impact the players’ rights to a fair and open market.

There are however many benefits to players and the sport, which is why this issue has been bubbling in the background for years. Whilst individual states like California and Florida have taken steps (on paper) to allow amateur athletes to make money from their involvement in college sport, it will take a national-led change to be able to implement it across the board. 

There are clear benefits to the sport, betting, players, colleges and NCAA in this proposal, but it is clear that the NCAA, as the representative body for all amateur college athletes, needs to ensure that any changes to current rules safeguards all their members, and that all relevant stakeholders are consulted. The delay may be irksome to some, but it is being handled with the best interests of all involved.

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Scholarship Fund In Honor of NFL Legend George Nock Established At Morgan State

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When the top student-athletes at our nation’s HBCUs make it to professional sports leagues, the relationship does not end there. For successful football player George Nock, who unfortunately passed late last year, he never forgot his alma mater Morgan State University, and neither did his family! As a result, posthumously, Nock’s estate has established a fund at MSU in his honor! Read more Nock’s legacy and the new scholarship from The Philadelphia Tribune below.

Mary Nock, the widow of George Nock, who died on Nov. 22, 2020, has established the George V. Nock Endowed Scholarship Fund. A donation in memory of George Nock may be made to the Morgan State University Foundation to benefit the George V. Nock Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Courtesy of The Philadelphia Tribune

Nock was an All Public League football player at Ben Franklin High School and later starred for Morgan State and played in the AFL and NFL. Nock was 74 years old.

In 1963, he was one of the best players in the Public League. He attended Morgan State from 1964 to 1969 where he received a B.S. degree in psychology. Nock was a brilliant running back while at Morgan State earning All-American honorable mention, All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), All-State and All American-Black College honors. He was named captain of the team for two years.

As a freshman, in the 1965 Orange Blossom Classic, Nock returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown in a victory over Florida A&M for the mythical Black college national championship. As a senior, Nock ran for 87 yards to help Morgan State beat Grambling State, 9-7, i the first game played at Yankee Stadium between two Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Twice, he earned All-CIAA recognition and averaged six yards a carry.

Courtesy of NFL Past Players

Nock, a 16th round pick of the New York Jets in the 1969 NFL Draft, played three years there and one with The Washington Football Team. In Nock’s best year (1970) he rushed for 402 yards, caught 18 passes and scored six touchdowns. In a 20-10 upset of the Minnesota Vikings, he ran for 117 yards, the only player to gain at 100 yards that season against the NFL’s No. 1 ranked defense.

In 2017, Morgan State University unveiled its campus memorial to the institution’s athletic greats. The memorial, Legends Plaza, was designed and created by the artistic vision of Nock — a self-taught and celebrated artist. Legends Plaza, a nearly 2,000-square-foot enclosure on Morgan Commons between the front entrance of Hughes Stadium and the University Student Center, features six-foot bronze statues of legendary head coaches Edward P. “Eddie” Hurt and earl C. “Papa Bear” Banks.

You can go to http://www.givetomorgan.org, select the “George V. Nock Endowed Scholarship Fund” in the designation field. For gifts by mail, checks should be made payable to “Morgan State University Foundation” and include a note identifying the George V. Nock Endowed Scholarship Fund as the beneficiary. Gifts should be mailed to: Morgan State University Foundation, Inc, P.O. Box 64261, Baltimore, MD 21264-4261.

New Federal Funding To Support Elizabeth City State University Freshmen

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It is typical college freshmen need a lot of support. Whether it’s regarding choosing classes, career guidance, finding a way around campus, and more. However amid a pandemic, freshmen will need all the support they can get. Thankfully, a new federal grant is set to give the incoming students at Elizabeth City State University just that! Find out how the new aid will strengthen their education at ECSU in the story from channel 10 Wavy below.

Courtesy of Visit Elizabeth City

First-year students at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) will receive some of the benefits of a statewide program designed to support academic development. 

A $75,600 grant will help ECSU participate in a partnership with GEAR UP NC (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs — federally funded through the Department of Education), the UNC System, and Inside Track, Inc. 

“We will partner with Inside Track for training and development and use the coach-platform to develop new practices and strategies to support students who need additional academic resources, academic recovery strategies, or career and major coaching,” said Anderson.

Students who recently graduated from area high schools within ECSU’s 21-county service area are eligible for the GEAR UP services.

ECSU’s University Studies department will house the GEAR UP program. University Studies specializes in first-year student services and academic advising, according to Anderson.

The grant will help support the hiring of a full-time success coach for first-year freshmen.

“The student success coach will provide one-on-one support through appointments,” she said. “The coach will also provide workshops to support students who need guidance and additional support that goes above and beyond the scope of the academic advisors and the course content offered during their first-year seminar courses.”

Courtesy of WITN

The student success coach will also conduct outreach to area high schools. The position will partner with ECSU’s Office of Admissions, providing schools with information about the opportunities that exist for first-year students.

Of the 37 high schools served by the program, Gates County High School, Perquimans County High School, Pasquotank County High School, John A. Holmes High School, Kinston High School, and Washington High School are included. 

“We are excited about this grant opportunity and partnership with GEAR Up and Inside Track, Inc. Additional staffing and grant funds dedicated to student support are always welcome as student success is key and paramount to ECSU’s goals,” said Dr. Anderson.

Cicely Tyson Passes Away At 96, Leaving A Legacy At HBCUs And Beyond

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Today, legendary Oscar Award-Winning actress Cicely Tyson has unfortunately passed away. However, the renowned entertainer has left a legacy at HBCUs and beyond that will last forever. Over her lifetime her accomplishments have led her to receive honorary degrees from HBCUs like Howard University, Morehouse College, and other PWIs. She was also inducted as an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as well.

President Barack Obama (left) and Cicely Tyson (right) at Howard University’s commencement ceremony, courtesy of Getty Images

According to NBC, Tyson was first discovered as a model for Ebony Magazine. After that, the legendary entertainer became a film, television, and stage actress. Even more recently, she became a writer. 

Tyson and President Barack Obama were both given honorary degrees from Howard University in 2016. Tyson was born December 19, 1924, and came from humble beginnings to sharing a stage with the first Black president of the United States.

“I am one of three children, grew up in the area that is now known as El Barrio and that was the East Side (of New York),” she told TV host Steve Harvey according to CNN. “To come from there to the White House with the first black President … to put that medal around my neck: Where can you go from there?”

The entertainment industry has been rightfully humbled by Tysons forty-plus year career. In 1973 she was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the film “Sounder.” Tyson also earned an honorary Oscar in 2018 for her decades of work. At the time, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences noted that her “unforgettable performances and personal integrity” left an indelible mark on the industry. Tyson had also been bestowed with Kennedy Center Honors in 2015 for a lifetime achievement award. 

Most recently, Tyson released her first memoir, “Just As I Am,” in collaboration with Michelle Burford. The book covered what it could of her expansive life, from her childhood to her legendary roles in “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “Roots.” Tyson was also married to legendary musical Miles Davis, but divorced him in 1988. 

In a recent interview with Gayle King for CBS This Morning, the 96-year-old was asked, “when the time comes, what do you want us to remember about you?”

“I’ve done my best. That’s all,” said Tyson.

Courtesy of Pinterest

The South Carolina State University Bulldogs Are Poised For A Comeback

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The South Carolina State University Bulldogs have had a season unlike any other. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, they almost didn’t have a season at all. But thankfully, they’re back in practice and poised to come back with a vengeance. Get all the details on how the team is preparing itself amid pandemic conditions below.

South Carolina State held football practice during a chilly rain on Thursday morning in Orangeburg.

During the workout, quarterback Corey Fields looked at coach Buddy Pough and said, ’Coach, I’m cold!”

“It was not pretty,” Pough chuckled.

At least the Bulldogs were playing football, which has been a rare occurrence since the coronavirus pandemic hit last March.

S.C. State hasn’t played a game since Nov. 23, 2019, and had its 2020 spring practice and fall season wiped out by COVID-19. Pough’s team was able to practice only once in the fall before an outbreak of the virus forced cancellation of fall practice.

Courtesy of Donny Knight Photography

The Bulldogs are now preparing for a four-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference slate that begins Feb. 20, with a berth in the MEAC championship game and a spot in the 16-team FCS playoffs up for grabs. But Pough, in his 18th season as coach at his alma mater, is taking nothing for granted.

“I am looking forward to getting back to normal, or as normal as it can be,” Pough said Thursday during the MEAC’s virtual media day. “But this virus is still kicking a little fanny, so we’ll see.”

S.C. State went 8-3 in 2019, including a victory over Southern Conference champion Wofford. Pough received a one-year extension on his contract last December, taking him through the end of this year, and S.C. State is installing new synthetic turf at Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium.

But those changes pale in comparison with what the pandemic has forced on college football coaches and players.

“We’ve had our problems with some of the issues of the coronavirus,” Pough said. “Some of the issues and protocols you deal with have been hard on our young folk.

“We missed the general camaraderie of being together. We’ve had psychologists and mental health specialists on our staff in ways we’ve never had before. I think it’s kind of been the norm around the country that young folk have struggled with isolation and quarantine and just not being together.”

Pough, who has led S.C. State to seven MEAC titles, including the 2019 championship, has had to learn a new way to coach during the pandemic.

“I never would have believed we could meet and show tape and do all that stuff virtually,” he said. “We do everything on Zoom now. We don’t have face-to-face meetings, except for what we do on the field.

“I can’t snatch a guy up now, because I can’t get to him over the Zoom. It’s a whole different kind of thought that you have to be aware of.”

Courtesy of SC State

Fields, a redshirt sophomore from Baptist Hill High School, returns as the Bulldogs’ staring quarterback. He completed 50.5 percent of his passes for 1,652 yards and 15 touchdowns against just five interceptions in 2019. Among his targets will be receiver Shaq Davis, a 6-5 redshirt sophomore from Summerville.

“Corey can throw it around a little bit, and we’ve got big old Shaq Davis catching balls from him,” Pough said. “We hope those two can get to the point where they enjoy one another’s abilities.”

S.C. State added a couple of transfer running backs in Alex James and Kendrell Flowers. James, a 5-10, 192-pounder from Florence who played three seasons at Coastal Carolina, ran for 629 yards and a TD in 2019 for Albany. Flowers, a 6-0, 205-pounder from Irmo High School, transferred in from Wake Forest.

On the other hand, standout defensive lineman Roderick Perry transferred last fall to Illinois.

The MEAC’s spring season includes six teams, with S.C. State, Norfolk State and N.C. A&T State playing in the Southern Division. Delaware State, Howard and Morgan State make up the Northern Division.

Each team will play the other two teams in its division twice, with division champions meeting for the MEAC title on April 17. The MEAC champ will receive an automatic berth in the 16-team FCS playoffs. S.C. State does have some open weeks in the spring and could add another non-conference game, Pough said. 

“We have an opportunity, a chance to win a championship of some sort,” Pough said. “I’m not sure what the validity of it will be. But I tell you what, we’d like to have it.”

At Talladega College, Baseball Legend Hank Aaron Will Be Remembered For His Support

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Baseball legend Hank Aaron passed away earlier this month, but he will be remembered for more than his broken baseball records. Though at times lesser known, his philanthropic efforts will leave a legacy of their own. For years, Aaron and his wife invested in HBCUs like Talladega College, paving a way for many students to get a top-notch education who otherwise might not have had the opportunity. A recent article shared just a glimpse of the impact Aaron made with his generosity.

Courtesy of  COURTESY OF TALLADEGA COLLEGE

World-famous baseball right fielder Henry Louis Aaron, also known as “Hammerin’ Hank,” died Jan. 22, 2021, in Atlanta. The groundbreaking athlete played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1954 through 1976. While the medical examiner said Henry Hank Aaron died of natural causes just 18 days after taking a press-hyped COVID vaccination, skeptics raised the issue of vaccine hesitation.

Accolades for the extraordinary sportsman came worldwide.

While Hank Aaron will be remembered for his extraordinary baseball skills, Talladega College President Dr. Billy C. Hawkins noted that Aaron’s contributions to higher education were equally legendary. 

“Hank Aaron was not only a sports legend, but a devoted philanthropist and an advocate for higher education. His generosity made it possible for thousands of students to enroll in college and graduate. Here at Talladega College, he and his wife, Billye, established a $500,000 endowed scholarship that has had a tremendous impact,” said Dr. Hawkins. 

Cam Newton (left), shake hands with Hank Aaron (middle), courtesy of Rey Grainger

He continued, “Hank was a personal friend of mine and he was very receptive when I approached him about helping Talladega College students. I am so grateful for the support that he and Mrs. Aaron have provided for our students and for students throughout the nation.”

Hank and Billye Aaron were both conferred with honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from Talladega College in 2013, when they presented the college with a $104,000 check.

Hawkins recalled, “I first met Hank when I served as president at Texas College, his wife’s alma mater. I was immediately inspired by their profound generosity and their impact on the lives of students. While the world will definitely remember him for his amazing athletic skills, thousands of college students will remember Hank Aaron for his remarkable generosity. 

“On behalf of the Talladega College family, I extend my sincere condolences to Mrs. Aaron and the entire Aaron family.”

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.

Center For The Study of HBCUs Report Outlines Plan For Biden-Harris Administration

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The Biden-Harris administration is making HBCUs a priority with plans for new funding, debt relief, and more. With all the layers of planning necessary to get these ambitious tasks done, a study was needed to find the most efficient way to success. That report was just submitted from Virginia Union University‘s Center for the Study of HBCUs. Learn more about the detailed, six-tiered proposal created to best propel HBCUs forward in the details below.

With an HBCU graduate in the second highest office in the country, there is hope that the new administration’s personal connection to historically Black colleges and universities will lead to increased opportunities for funding and advancement. Challenging the Biden-Harris Administration to “build Black better,” a new report highlights areas of impact for HBCUs in the Biden-Harris education agenda. 

Courtesy of Catherine McQueen/Getty

The Center for the Study of HBCUs at Virginia Dominion University identified six key priorities from the administration’s first 100 days plan that will lead to positive changes for the nation’s 101 HBCUs. Subjected to inequities in funding and resources since their creation, HBCUs have continuously built opportunities for Black students. 

Titled “A Pledge of Allegiance to Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Key Priorities of the Biden/Harris Administration,” the report outlined six areas that would have the greatest impact on HBCUs:

  • The plan proposed by the Center for the Study of HBCUs would increase the federal Pell Grant award, potentially doubling the maximum award. It also suggests an increase would cover full in-state tuition at 67 percent of HBCUs. The current maximum Pell Grant award is $6,345.
  • Establishing a federal Title I program for postsecondary education that would employ a funding formula similar to that used for K-12 education to provide additional support for programs to increase retention, student support services, and student employment.
Courtesy of Virginia Union University
  • As a part of the commitment to increasing equity across the administration, prioritizing and increasing funding streams for federal agency grants to HBCUs creates new opportunities.
  • Providing financial support to address distressed building infrastructure, facility upgrades, and developing new infrastructure not only will upgrade physical campuses but provide more opportunities and space for students, faculty, and alumni.
  • Eliminating, or at least reducing, educational debt and expanding support for graduate education in STEM related fields, teaching, and healthcare provides students more opportunities.
  • Increased funding for Title III and Title V can provide more opportunities for student and institutional support services.

“These 101 national treasures punch above their weight, in terms of providing access to first-generation, low-income, and vulnerable populations, as well as cultural advancement, economic development, and student success,” said Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, Provost & Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs at Virginia Union University and director of the center, in a press release. “HBCUs are powerful economic and cultural engines in American society, and the center’s research focus was designed to ensure their sustainability.”

Bowie State University Student’s Podcast Highlights Lesser-Known Community Leaders

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Bowie State University student Zabril Carey does more than draw inspiration from the successful people in his community. He makes the effort to get to know them and their stories. Most recently, he’s created a platform to elevate them. Get his full story from Capital Gazette.

Zabril Carey wants to be a talk show host. The 21-year-old senior communications student at Bowie State University took his first steps toward that goal with the launch of his own podcast “Locked in the Podcast” six months ago.

Zabril Carey, courtesy of LinkedIn

In its first episode, Carey explains that he hopes to showcase upcoming artists, athletes and businesses to learn about their backgrounds, successes and their reasons for “doing what they’re doing.”

“I want to give people a voice, give them exposure and shine a light upon them,” said Carey, who chose to highlight the talented individuals he knew from his hometown of Laurel in the majority of the podcast’s episodes.

“My podcast will feature all types of people,” Carey said. “People with specific talents can give their expertise and why people should get in contact.”

From Coryn Garrett, a nail technician, to Dewaine Williams, a 23-year-old with his own clothing brand, Carey focuses on the ups and downs of their crafts, keeping a casual tone, whether the interview is done in person or virtually.

“Sometimes, people are shy; you have to get them to open up and feel more comfortable,” Carey said. “Beforehand, I might send some questions to help.”

In-person interviews, too, are easier.

“It is nice to meet up with people in person,” Carey said. “We were meeting up outside. I am looking forward to having my own studio one day.”

While Carey wants his own success, he also hopes to help those he features on his podcast.

“My goal is to give people exposure,” Carey said. “I want to give people a chance … who are hoping to build their image.”

Williams, whose clothing line Offdahustle has been featured by Carey twice, appreciated the opportunity.

“It was real cool. Like we didn’t even know each other,” Williams said. “I’ve gotten a lot of comments. It has brought me some more people who are interested in my brand, more followers.”

Carey is planning to do an in-person podcast with the owners of Footage Society, a sneaker boutique on Washington Boulevard, where he is not only a customer, but a friend, as he and co-owner Tyler Copeland were classmates at Reservoir High School.

Zabril Carey along with Dewaine Williams and another business, donated turkeys to the Laurel community in November. (Courtesy photo / HANDOUT)

“He frequents the shop and refers a lot of people to us,” said Nichole Verdejo, owner of Footage Society, and Copeland’s mother. “He tries to help everyone be successful.”

Carey, Verdego said, has helped the shop with different events as a photographer. He also donated turkeys to costumers after he, Williams and another business owner provided turkeys to the Laurel community at an event in November 2020.

“I am so proud of him for choosing this avenue,” Verdejo said. “He is very professional, very well-spoken. He has a great reputation. I definitely wish him a lot of success.”

Carey credits his parents, Nyesha and Raymond Carey, for supporting him “in all types of ways,” including many games and practices while Carey played basketball at Reservoir and then later Howard Community College. He and his father hope to one day own their own building with a gym for basketball tournaments and a studio for Carey’s productions.

“I could have kids talk about their performance,” Carey said. “I am looking to inspire the youth to use their voice as I am giving them a platform and shining light on what they’re doing in today’s society.”

Virginia State University Accounting Students Offering Free Tax Assistance to Local Residents

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Tax season is upon us, and students from Virginia State University are putting their education to good use for their community. Accounting majors at VSU are working with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide income taxes and filing assistance for 2020 tax returns.

The service is especially helpful because low-income filers are often susceptible to scams, surprise and/or excessive fees, and fraud. As a result, the VSU students are providing a safe and trustworthy way to file taxes in their community. The service is available to individual and joint parties filing within the Tri-Cities area. They just must have an income below $58,000. Read more about the program from VSU’s release below!

VSU Accounting Students, courtesy of Virginia State University

For the past 34 years, VSU accounting majors have provided this service, which is coordinated by Prof. Mary Scott, CPA, CFE, Assistant Professor of Accounting at VSU; and Dr. Hari Sharma, Chairman of the Accounting and Finance Department in the Reginald F. Lewis College of Business. The students’ participation is among the requirements of the federal income tax course.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site will accept tax information in 102 Singleton Hall, on the campus of Virginia State University and is being staffed three (3) days a week, beginning on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The days and times are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon to 7:00 p.m. through April 8, 2021. The service will not be available on March 2nd and March 24th due to no classes at the University.

Courtesy of the Houston Defender

Those desiring help in preparing and filing their tax returns should bring with them all essential records – W2 forms, SSA – 1099, if appropriate, etc. Due to COVID-19, tax information and valid identification will be dropped-off and taxes will be picked-up after completion. A VITA worker will call those utilizing the VITA services to review the tax return. Once return is picked up and approved by the taxpayer, the return will be filed electronically. IRS E-File for individuals is the easy alternative to filing paper returns.

First HBCU Teachers Fair Seeking To Increase Diversity In Education

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Efforts to diversify the education field have just gotten much easier with the creation of a new teachers fair! It’s only right for there to be a concentrated effort for teacher recruitment and retention, considering HBCU graduates make up large percentages of other top-earning professions in healthcare, law, and more. Read the story below to see how a new initiative by the Educate Me Foundation and its Tennessee State University alum founder is making sure that COVID-19 won’t further dampen any aspiring teacher’s chances of being hired.

Courtesy of Urban Teachers

As the country combats a teacher shortage, diversifying the classroom has become a priority for many districts around the state. 

The first-ever Educate Me Foundation’s HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) teacher fair aims to recruit a diverse pool of teachers to help with that.

The teacher fair will be streamed online on Wednesday starting at 11 a.m., but people who want to participate need to register here. 

Data shows although Black and brown students make up a large percentage of student population, in many districts, just a fraction of teachers mirror those same ethnic backgrounds. And many say the value of having educators who look like you is priceless.

There are more than 100 historically Black colleges and universities around the country. The Hoosier state is where the Educate Me Foundation is kicking off its HBCU teacher job fair.

“We are definitely looking for those students who have the Circle City in their heart and want to come back home and make a big difference,” said Educate Me Foundation founder Blake Nathan.

Educate Me Founder Blake Nathan, courtesy of The Seattle Medium

HBCUs were founded when Black students had little to no access to higher education. The benefits of having teachers with similar cultural backgrounds still holds value today: About 50% of Black educators are HBCU grads.

“We’re just happy to be mixing the perfect storm with the perfect opportunity,” Nathan said.

With teacher shortage concerns growing as a result of the pandemic, the HBCU teacher fair is another way to tap into a pool of diverse educators. Indianapolis Public Schools has taken steps to improve diversity in the classroom.

“There is research that shows when students of color share the racial identity of their teachers, they perform better academically,” said Alex Moseman, head of talent acquisition at IPS.

Kendra Randle is a Kentucky State University grade and a product of Lawrence Township schools. Randle chose to come back home to teach eight years ago.

“I can count on about one hand how many African American or Black and brown teachers that I have had,” Randle said.

In the last few years she’s moved on to administrative work at Emma Donnan Elementary school, but said every day she sees the value diverse teachers bring to students from all backgrounds.

“They are able to see the impact that their teacher makes and it encourages them to make the same impact.”

N.C. A&T Has The Highest Ranked HBCU Track Team In The Nation

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Led by an award-winning coach, the North Carolina State A&T University men’s track team is getting closer and closer to the top spot. In the latest update, the NCAT Aggies Division 1 track and field indoor team has been ranked No. 2 in the nation. In addition to creating a winning team, many of the runners are among the best in the nation just by themselves. Learn how the Aggies have been relentlessly representing HBCU excellence with the details from a recent NCAT release below.

NCAT Aggie Akeem Sirleaf, courtesy of Erin E. Mizelle

The United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its first installment of the NCAA Division I Men’s Indoor National Track and Field Ranking Index on Monday, with the Aggies sitting as the second-ranked team in the country by the University of Arkansas. 

Joining the Aggies in the top-5 are No. 3 LSU, No. 4 BYU and No. 5 Tennessee. The Aggies have their highest ranking in the index’s history and the highest-ranking ever of any Division I historically black college or university in history. 

“To quote the great Ricky Bobby, if you ain’t first, you’re last,” said Duane Ross, the Aggies director of track and field programs. “That’s what I told them today when they came into practice all excited. Our goal is to be No. 1.” 

Coach Duane Ross (middle) with NCAT recruits, courtesy of NCAT

N.C. A&T is a close second behind Arkansas, according to the USTFCCCA, after an impressive start to the season that includes 14 first-place finishes over two the span of two meets – the McCravy Green Invitational at the University of Kentucky and the Carolina Challenge at the University of South Carolina. 

The Aggies 4×400-meter relay team – sophomore Randolph Ross, seniors Trevor Stewart and Elijah Young and junior Daniel Stokes – moved to No. 1 in the nation this past weekend after running a 3:04.62 at USC.  

In total, N.C. A&T owns seven top-10 marks nationally, including two top-3 rankings by Randolph Ross. Randolph Ross is ranked No. 3 nationally in the 200 (20.69) and 400 (46.20) meters. Freshman Javonte Harding is tied with Randolph Ross nationally in the 200 after both men broke the USC’s Indoor Track and Complex facility record in the 200 last week. 

Junior Rasheem Brown is 2-0 this season in the 60-meter hurdles. He won at Kentucky in 7.84 before moving up to the fourth in the nation by running a 7.77 at USC. Senior Tavarius Wright is sixth in the country in the 60 after running a 6.65 at USC. 

Not all of the success is on the track, however. Junior Brandon Hicklin is seventh in the nation in the long jump after leaping 25-feet, 3/4-inches at USC. 

N.C. A&T is off this weekend before returning to action at the South Carolina Invitational on Feb. 6. 

St. Augustine University Breaks Barriers With The First HBCU Cycling Team

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The Saint Augustine’s University Cycling Team is getting the recognition it deserves as the first established cycling team at an HBCU. Within that accomplishment will hopefully come more HBCU cycling teams, more collegiate support from the greatest in the industry, and an increase of Black representation in cycling as a sport. Get the story below of how SAU’s cycling is changing the sports scene in a recent story and video profile from Canyon Bicycles.

As the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to establish a formal cycling team, the “Falcons” are forging new ground in athletics.

“I see my role as a trailblazer,” says Lavar Stubbs, an SAU cyclist originally from the Bahamas. “This team plays a strong role in the racial justice movement.”

Courtesy of Joshua Steadman

Episode #2 of the Chasing History series “The Road Rarely Taken” highlights SAU following in the tire tracks of the first, and most recent, Black cyclists to win world cycling championships—Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor (1899) and Nelson “The Cheetah” Vails (1985), respectively.

Since Vails, no other Black cyclist has come close to replicating elite-level success. Currently, there is not a single African American rider in any of the seven U.S. Continental teams and none on any ProTeam, WorldTeam or Women’s WorldTeam.

“As a Black athlete, as a kid, you’re thinking: I want to play basketball. I want to play football. Or track,’” says Landon Bishop, an SAU cycling team member. “You didn’t hear a lot of people say: I want to do cycling. Until we had those pioneers start something.”

How professional cycling becomes the road not taken for Black athletes is a complicated issue—after all, all kids start out riding bikes.

Courtesy of Probal Rashid

“Cycling has always been a rite of passage for young people,” says Umar Muhammad, a professor at SAU and cycling team leader. “When you get your bike, it’s your first sense of freedom.”

“Black kids, white kids, all kids grew up riding bikes,” continues Mark Janas, SAU faculty member and cycling team leader. “For some reason, the separation seems to happen somewhere around early adulthood where lots of white riders continue to ride bikes, where not as many African Americans [do].”

They might see themselves as chasing history, but Vails has one last word of advice for them:

“The kids at St. Augustine’s, when I see them riding, it brings such a smile to my face,” Vails says. “I would tell them what I was told: ‘Always keep it fun.’” This series chronicles the SAU Cycling Team’s first year as a team—check out “Chasing History: Episode 1.”

NFL: How NFL legends Deacon Jones and Jerry Rice put Mississippi Valley State on the map

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HBCUs have a legacy of bringing top football talent to the NFL. Although its contributions have been at times overlooked, Mississippi Valley State University has produced multiple Pro Football Hall-of-Famers! Read below for the recent NFL profile that delved more into the histories of the 2 great players, and how they have put respect on their alma mater’s name.

Below, Pioli discusses the history of Mississippi Valley State, from which Pro Football Hall of Famers Deacon Jones and Jerry Rice hail.

Jerry Rice, Courtesy of AP Photo/Greg Trott

No football series about HBCUs would be complete without discussing Mississippi Valley State, which produced two of the NFL’s greatest and most celebrated players: Deacon Jones and Jerry Rice. And as a football history buff, I found myself in Itta Bena, Mississippi, in 1990 during my coaching days at Murray State.

I went on a lot of recruiting trips, with one being to all the Mississippi community colleges. And on this particular trip, I was scheduled to go to Mississippi Delta Community College. I’ve mentioned before how I often wandered to indulge my fascination for football history, and I was always interested in the influence HBCU football had on the AFL and NFL. So naturally, having heard so much about Itta Bena — Rice, who’d become an NFL star by that time, really put the little town on the map — I drove the extra 15 miles to see the university. To learn and see the place where Rice, Jones and so many others had played prior to their great NFL careers was a highlight of that trip.

The reason for the school’s existence derives from our country’s sad history when it comes to civil rights. Renamed Mississippi Valley State University in 1974, Mississippi Vocational College was originally opened by the state in 1950 in an attempt to deter Black students from applying to public schools (Mississippi State, University of Mississippi and University of Southern Mississippi), as the Mississippi legislature expected that legal segregation of public schools was in danger.

Jones’ story is particularly interesting. He started his college career at South Carolina State, but left after his scholarship was revoked by the university for participating in a civil rights protest. He then spent one year out of college before enrolling at Mississippi Vocational College in 1960, joining one of his former South Carolina State coaches. He played just one season with the Delta Devils and was discovered by accident by the Los Angeles Rams, who were scouting the school’s opponents. The Rams ended up drafting Jones in the 14th round of the 1961 NFL Draft. A way into the league was all Jones needed, as he quickly became a dominant defensive player and eventually would be considered the top pass rusher of his era. In fact, he is credited with coining the phrase “sack” because that’s what he called his tackles of the quarterback. Jones was also known for his violent — and highly effective — hand usage on the field. He mastered the head slap, a pass-rush move that has since been banned.

Deacon Jones, courtesy of Famous African Americans

An eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro, Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, his first year of eligibility. He also earned a spot on the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

While some may not be as familiar with Jones’ illustrious NFL tenure, Rice’s storied career is quite well-known, as he was the star wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers during their dynastic years with Bill Walsh, Joe Montana and Steve Young. However, Rice’s college career at Mississippi Valley State was legendary on its own.

Rice played for head coach Archie “The Gunslinger” Cooley, who played under HBCU coaching legend John Merritt at Jackson State in the late 1950s before going on to become the winningest coach in Mississippi Valley State history. Rice and his QB, Willie Totten, were known as “The Satellite Express” in Cooley’s innovative pass offense that featured five-receiver sets and the no-huddle offense. The pair rewrote the NCAA passing and receiving record books.

Although Mississippi Valley State University may not boast as high a volume of NFL draft picks as some other HBCUs, it provided two of the greatest players to ever come through the league.

NBA Analyst and Jackson State University Alum Sekou Smith Passes Away

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The sports world is mourning the loss NBA sports writer and analyst Sekou Smith, who unfortunately passed of COVID-19 complications. Read more about how Smith got his start at Jackson State University and grew his career to work amongst the greatest in the NBA in the story below.

Courtesy of The Athletic

There was tremendous outpouring from around the league as they reacted to the news. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Chris Paul among many other former and current players reacted to his passing. 

“Man today just got a little heavier… My condolences to Sekou’s wife, family, friends, and extended NBA family. What a kind and compassionate man we just lost 🙏🏾🕊,” tweeted Chris Paul.

After getting his Bachelor’s Degree in communications from JSU in 1997, Smith was a Mississippi State beat writer for The Clarion-Ledger. He went on to the Indianapolis Star and the Atlanta Journal Constitution before joining Turner Broadcasting.

With Turner Sports, Sekou was an NBA senior analyst. He appeared on NBA TV frequently, wrote for NBA.com and was the host of the Hang Time Podcast.

Marshal Ramsey, editor-at-large for Mississippi Now, was Smith’s friend for more than two decades. They worked together at The Clarion-Ledger.

Kevin Durant (left) and Sekou Smith (right). Courtesy of Instagram

“He had a big smile that just filled the room,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey said the news of his friend’s death hit him hard. 

“I went to bed feeling like garbage, and then I woke up this morning feeling like garbage. Then I was like, ‘No, I don’t think Sekou would want that. I think he would want us to keep moving,'” Ramsey said.

Wednesday morning, Ramsey shared memories of Smith on his Facebook page. Ramsey said he was planning a visit to Smith when the pandemic was over.

Smith spent over 20 years in sports media. He leaves a wife and three children. He was 48 years old.