31 New Football Players Headed To Benedict College

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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Benedict College head football coach Chennis Berry and his staff have been busy signing their first recruiting class. The Tigers have assembled one of their largest recruiting classes in school history with 31 current commitments for the 2020 season.

“We’re excited about the young men that we have coming into our program,” Berry said. “They fit into our philosophy of great student athletes that believe in dedication, integrity, God, discipline, effort, execution and pride.  We were able to fill some major needs starting with the offensive and defensive lines as well as addressing the quarterback position.”

The Tigers signed five offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, six wide receivers, two running backs, one tight end, six defensive linemen, three linebackers, and six defensive backs.

“We’ve added some explosive skill guys on both sides of the ball,” Berry said. “This class is filled with young men that are serious about our commitment of chasing A’s, B’s, championships and degrees.  We’re super excited and can’t wait to get these young men on campus!”

The new Tigers are:

Offensive Line
Anthony Crowley, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound offensive lineman from Sebastian, Fla., (Sebastian River HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Good ball get-off … Good feet … Love his frame and physical style of play.”

Marlon Black Jr., a 6-foot-6, 303-pound offensive lineman from Blountstown, Fla. (Liberty County HS / Tennessee State)
Coaching scouting report: “Has ideal size and length … Has good feet and athleticism … Has tremendous upside.”

Josue Bopeya, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound offensive lineman from Milwaukee, Wisc. (Marshall HS / North Dakota State)
Coaching scouting report: “He moves well and takes good angles on blocks … He takes pride in finishing blocks … He has experience playing multiple spots on the line.”

Dontae Jenkins, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound offensive lineman from Flemington, Fla. (North Marion HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Powerful run blocker … Finishes blocks aggressively … Plays with a mean streak.”

Jaylen Striggles, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound offensive lineman from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Blanche Ely HS)
Coaching scouting report: “Moves well and can play in space … Has a strong punch … Plays with a mean streak.”

Quarterback
Wilson Appleton, a 5-foot-11, 194-pound quarterback from Albertville, Ala. (Albertville HS / Auburn Univ.)
Coaching scouting report: “Smart player that makes good decisions … Very mature player that graduated from Auburn University… Extremely productive high school quarterback.”

Taj Gregory, a 6-foot-7, 196-pound quarterback from Coppell, Texas (Coppell HS / Trinity Valley CC)
Coaching scouting report: “Has great field presence and vision because of his frame … He has a very strong arm … He is a student of the game.”

Wide Receiver
Jonis Dieudonne, a 5-foot-10, 180—pound wide receiver from Naples, Fla., (Lely HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Explosive and dynamic … Has the ability to make plays when the ball is handed to him or thrown to him … Played both ways at Lely High School and in a variety of roles.”

Briand Dorgil, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound wide receiver from Orlando, Fla. (Lake Nona HS / Stony Brook).
Coaching scouting report: “A solidly built receiver that is physical … He is an attentive player that has great internal drive … Will bring experience to the receiver room.”

Trey Chancey, a 5-foot-8, 160-pound wide receiver from Jesup, Ga., (Wayne County HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Very fast and explosive player … Has a lot of wiggle and makes something happen every time he touches the ball … Can make plays in all three phases of the game.”

Tayven Grice, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound wide receiver from Lake Charles, La., (Sam Houston HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Super productive player (124 catches and led the state in receiving yards) … Dynamic athlete who can put points on the board … He’s a steal from the state of Louisiana.”

Darius Philon, a 5-foot-10, 161-pound wide receiver from Winter Haven, Fla. (Winter Haven HS / Florida International)
Coaching scouting report: “Talented player that will bring experience to the receiver room … Racked up more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore … Also adds value as a kick returner.”

Te’Sean Pressley, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound wide receiver from Lawnside, N.J. (Haddon Heights HS)
Coaching scouting report: “Tall, athletic receiver who attacks the ball … Makes big plays as a receiver and kick returner … Breaks tackles and gains a lot of yards after the catch.”

Running Back
Omarion Coleman, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound running back from Tampa, Fla, (Blake HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Explosive back that can score from anywhere on the field … Has good hands out of the backfield … Can beat defenders with his speed, strength, and wiggle.”

Nanders Lawrence, a 5-foot-7, 160-pound athlete from Dixiana, S.C. (Airport HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Extremely dynamic ball carrier … Can make plays on offense and as a returner … Has home run ability.”

Tight End
Keeilan Thomas, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound tight end from Gulfport, Miss. (Pearl River Community College).
Coaching scouting report: “Big, physical tight end … A diverse player that fits our system well … Can make plays as a receiver and blocker.”

Defensive Line
Anthony Ervin, 6-foot-2, 245-pound defensive end from South Central, Calif., (Moorpark Community College).
Coaching scouting report: “Plays with a high motor … Displays a lot of quick twitch explosiveness … Sheds blocks violently.”

Tysheik Galloway, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound defensive lineman from Belton, S.C. (Belton-Honea Path HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Big physical interior lineman that can rush the passer … Holds the point … Makes a lot of big plays in the backfield.”

Terrell Battle, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive lineman from Florida City, Fla., (South Dade HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Lives in the opponent’s backfield … Great ball get-off … Relentlessly pursues the ball and makes splash plays.”

Carlton Holley, a 6-foot-1, 265-pound defensive lineman from Buford, Ga., (Buford HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Great ball get-off … Disruptive interior lineman … Has a motor that’s running.”

Jaheim Webb, a 6-foot-1, 245-pound defensive lineman from Plantation, Fla. (American Heritage HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Great ball get-off … Extremely disruptive and athletic … Plays with tremendous strength.”

Chrishawn Wilson, a 6-foot-7, 250-pound defensive lineman from Florence, S.C. (West Florence HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Big, long defender with great range … Disruptive against the run and the pass … His combination of size, speed and strength creates match-up problems.”

Linebacker
Orlando Dean, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound linebacker from Auburn, Ala., (Auburn HS)
Coaching scouting report: “Athletic defender with great range … Possesses a lot of short area quickness … Covers a lot of ground and creates turnovers.”

Ja’Varrius Wilson, a 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker from Zephyrhills, Fla., (Clearwater Academy International HS).
Coaching scouting report: “He is an explosive athlete … He plays with violence … He lives around the ball and makes impact plays.”

Keveione Zanders, a 6-foot, 205-pound linebacker from Conyers, Ga. (Heritage HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Adds value as a defender that has played multiple defensive positions … Is an athletic inside linebacker … Understands coverage concepts better than most high school prospects.”

Defensive Back
Cameron Daniels, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound defensive back from Lithonia, Ga., (Alcovy HS).
Coaching scouting report: “He controls the post as a physical force … Makes plays when he blitzes … Inserts with physicality in the run game.”

William Johnson III, a 6-foot, 180-pound defensive back from Jacksonville, Fla., (Raines HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Long and rangy player … An explosive player with a knack for making big plays … Made a lot of plays for a big-time program in high school.”

Ja’Ron Kilpatrick, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound defensive back from Auburndale, Fla. (Bartow HS / Ellsworth CC)
Coaching scouting report: “Physical and athletic defender … Makes plays by frequently stripping ball carriers and receivers … Provides experience at multiple positions.”

Daythan Peterson, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back from Cocoa, Fla., (Merritt Island HS).
Coaching scouting report: “Runs well and will hit you … Can play man and is a physical force player on the edge … Has film on special teams and loves to play.”

Fernando Romero III, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back from Oxnard, Calif. (Channel Islands HS / Ventura College).
Coaching scouting report: “Good blend of size, speed, and skill … Capable of playing multiple positions … Tough physical defender that tackles well in space.”

Keevan Ross, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back from Augusta, Ga. (Academy of Richmond Co. / Ventura College)
Coaching scouting report: “Tall rangy defender that is skilled enough to play any slot in the secondary … Plays the ball very well … Good twitch and burst.”Print Friendly Version

North Carolina Central University Cancels Homecoming

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This morning, North Carolina Central University announced that it is cancelling homecoming scheduled for this fall. This comes days after 3 other historically-Black universities in the state announced the cancellation of their homecoming celebrations as well. The announcement reads:

Due to current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the university’s desire to ensure the health and safety of all planned attendees, all in-person events for the 2020 #NCCU Ultimate Homecoming Experience have been cancelled.

The Homecoming football game will proceed as planned with reduced spectator capacity. The Division of Athletics will provide further information at a later date.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to your return to the sloping hills and verdant green for the 2021 Ultimate Homecoming Experience!

We look forward to homecoming in 2021!

Juneteenth: 5 Things You Need To Know

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FIVE

“Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another is that the news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another is that federal troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All of which, or none of these versions could be true. Certainly, for some, President Lincoln’s authority over the rebellious states was in question.  Whatever the reasons, conditions in Texas remained status quo well beyond what was statutory,” shares the official website for the national holiday

FOUR

Many states do not formally recognize Juneteenth. It is not yet an official, national holiday. This year, in the uprising catalyzed from George Floyd’s murder, many places of business and organizations are closing business for the day out of respect and to pay homage.

THREE

One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with:

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”

TWO

On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official state holiday through the efforts of Al Edwards, an African American state legislator. The successful passage of this bill marked Juneteenth as the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition.  Edwards has since actively sought to spread the observance of Juneteenth all across America.

ONE

“Juneteenth is July 4th, but for Black People.” In all seriousness, this holiday resonates with African American people more than July 4, because this day indicated when African American slaves were all free (outside of the continued racial prejudices and injustice we still deal with even in 2020.)

Happy Juneteenth!

Source: Juneteenth.com. Visit Juneteenth.com for official facts and information.

Why Wasn’t Juneteenth Taught In Grade School?

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Daniella Silva of NBC News explores this question in the following article:

A Connecticut fourth grade social studies textbook falsely claimed that slaves were treated just like “family.” A Texas geography textbook referred to enslaved Africans as “workers.” In Alabama, up until the 1970s, fourth graders learned in a textbook called “Know Alabama” that slave life on a plantation was “one of the happiest ways of life.”

In contrast, historians and educators point out, many children in the U.S. education system are not taught about major Black historical events, such as the Tulsa Race Massacre or Juneteenth, the June 19 commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

As the country grapples with a racial reckoning following the killing of George Floyd in police custody, educators said that what has and what has not been taught in school have been part of erasing the history of systemic racism in America and the contributions of Black people and other minority groups.

“There’s a long legacy of institutional racism that is barely covered in the mainstream corporate curriculum,” said Jesse Hagopian, an ethnic studies teacher in Seattle and co-editor of the book “Teaching for Black Lives.”

“It’s really astounding how little the contributions of Black people are included in much of the mainstream curriculum and how much of that institutional racism is disguised,” he said.

Historians said curriculums are about identity and learning about ourselves and others.

“The curriculum was never designed to be anything other than white supremacist,” Julian Hayter, a historian and an associate professor at the University of Richmond in Virginia, said, “and it has been very difficult to convince people that other versions of history are not only worth telling. They’re absolutely essential for us as a country to move closer to something that might reflect reconciliation but even more importantly, the truth.”

LaGarrett King, an associate professor of social studies education at the University of Missouri, said the history curriculums in schools are meant to tell a story and, in the U.S., that has been one of a “progressive history of the country.”

“Really the overarching theme is, ‘Yes, we made mistakes, but we overcame because we are the United States of America,’” said King, who is also the founding director of the Carter Center for K-12 Black History Education at the university.

“What that has done is it has erased tons of history that would combat that progressive narrative,” he said.

King said the experiences and oppression of Black people, Latino people, indigenous people, Asian people and other minority groups in the U.S. are largely ignored or sidelined to fit those narratives.

“So, of course you’re not going to have crucial information such as what happened in Tulsa, you’re not going to have information such as the bombing of a Philadelphia black neighborhood,” he said.

In 1921 in Oklahoma, whites looted and destroyed Tulsa’s Greenwood District, known for its affluent Black community. Historians believe that as many as 300 Black people were killed. View Daniella’s full article with NBC News.

PVAMU Paints ‘Black Lives Matter’ On University Drive

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On June 5, when D.C.’s mayor, Muriel Bowser announced “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” and she debuted a bold street mural reading “Black Lives Matter,” on the street used to access The White House, she re-energized a movement. Since this time, murals have been popping up on streets around the country. The city of Prairie View has teamed up with Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University to paint University Drive. The historically-Black institution released the following statement:

PRAIRIE VIEW – Sandra Bland Parkway, or University Drive, is the latest thoroughfare in the U.S. to feature the mural “Black Lives Matter” on its pavement. Students, faculty, and staff from Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) began work on the mural earlier this week, wrapping up just in time for Juneteenth. The project, a collaboration with the City of Prairie View, was initiated at the request of Mayor David Allen.

“Mayor Allen emailed my colleagues and I asking if we could collect student artists, architects, engineering majors, or any student willing to help,” said PVAMU School of Architecture Dean Ikhlas Sabouni. “Of course, it was a wonderful idea. So I gathered our staff in the Fabrication Center, including Director Yunsik Song, Lab Manager Abel Simie, and Architecture Graduate Student Yesenia Davila to begin work on the templates and renderings. They used CAD [computer-aided design] and plotters from the Fab Center to produce giant letters to be used as stencils in painting the mural.”

Black Lives Matter began as a hashtag and movement in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Black teen Trayvon Martin. Its main goal is to “eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities.” The movement returned to national headlines last month following the on-camera death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Black Lives Matter in Prairie View

Each letter of Prairie View’s Black Lives Matter mural stands 12-feet wide and 19-feet tall, with three-feet of spacing in between.

“Black Lives Matter is painted on both sides of the street, so students and alumni, leaving and coming into [the PVAMU] campus can read it and know that, in Prairie View, we’re doing our part to spread the message,” said Allen. “It solidifies the fact that we’re sick and tired of being sick and tired; we’re not going to leave racial profiling unaddressed.”

Honoring Sandra Bland

A birds-eye view of the block-long mural puts it in front of the spot where Bland, a PVAMU alumna, was pulled over in 2015 by a DPS trooper for not signaling a lane change. She was arrested, and her death in jail three days later fueled nationwide outrage. Supporters disputed her cause of death and alleged racial violence.

A few months later, Prairie View renamed the road after Bland and proposed a city park in her honor. Fellow alumna, Vida Brown, created a memorial, which has since grown and transformed over the years.

“I think the mural adds to the mission of doing whatever we can to continue her memory,” Brown said.

“I wanted the Black Lives Matter mural to be centered on where I saw Sandra Bland get handcuffed and arrested in memory of her. How she responded to the DPS Officer by simply exercising her rights was misunderstood by some. This mural will forever speak for her and tell the world, ‘Sandra Bland’s Life Mattered,’” said Allen.

Protesting for Change

Last week, several hundred PVAMU students led a march in front of the same spot, down Sandra Bland Parkway, to the Waller County jail. Their pleas were also calls for changes within the law enforcement system.

Visit the PVAMU Newsroom for the full article.

Fayetteville State University Cancels Homecoming

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Fayetteville State University has announced that its 2020 homecoming celebration is officially cancelled.

The Division of University Advancement (Alumni Relations) released the following letter:

Dear Students, Alumni and Friends:

Due to issues surrounding COVID-19, Fayetteville State University is canceling Homecoming 2020 and all in-person programs associated with the event.

Please know that a lot of thought and consideration went into this decision, but the University feels that in the best interest of public health and safety during the coronavirus pandemic, Homecoming 2020 should be cancelled. We expect the football game to be played as scheduled at 2 p.m. on October 31stwith reduced fan capacity.

More information from Athletics and other campus organizations will be posted at a later date.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Winston-Salem State University Cancels Homecoming Festivities

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Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) announced that homecoming this year is cancelled. Based on guidance from public health officials, feedback from alumni, and the university’s overriding concern for the health and well-being of the Ram Family, Winston-Salem State University has made the difficult decision to cancel its 2020 Homecoming events.

The week-long celebration, originally slated for Sept. 13-19, was expected to bring more than 10,000 people to the campus to participate in nearly 40 events. The decision to cancel was made to proactively protect the health and well-being not only of guests, but also the individuals who study, live, and work on campus.

The goal of this decision is simple: to decrease the number of situations that require the campus community and beyond to gather in large groups. Officials wanted to make this decision early enough for people to change their travel plans for September.

COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on nearly every aspect of North Carolinians’ lives; the university regrets that its traditional Homecoming festivities are among the casualties of this pandemic. Depending on North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, university leaders hope to invite alumni and friends to an event in spring 2021.

For the latest updates on WSSU’s COVID-19 response, please visit our Coronavirus website.

North Carolina A&T State University Cancels “GHOE” Homecoming Celebration

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The North Carolina historically-Black university announces the cancellation of the “greatest Homecoming on Earth,” affectionately known as GHOE. The celebration is an annual tradition attended by students, alumni, faculty staff and even prospective students. Read the full statement:

In response to health and safety concerns relating to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will forgo all in-person homecoming activities for the 2020-21 academic year with the exception of the football game this fall.

“After a great deal of discussion, we believe this difficult decision is the appropriate route to mitigate and reduce the potential spread of COVID-19,” said Teresa Davis, associate vice chancellor for Alumni Relations. “Although we are deeply disappointed we will not be able to honor this highly-anticipated tradition, we believe if we make the necessary sacrifices now, we hope to be able to see everyone next year, with even more anticipation, excitement and enthusiasm.”

Currently, the football game is scheduled to take place on Oct. 31 with reduced fan capacity, pending state restrictions. The departments of Athletics and Campus Enterprises will share additional details for the game, complete football season and related activities such as tailgating, operational plans and fan engagement at a later date. 

Homecoming week was to run Oct. 25 – Nov. 1. The weeklong celebration traditionally draws total attendance of more than 100,000 to its long schedule of events, and has an economic impact estimated by local municipal officials of more than $10 million on the Greensboro economy, with visitors coming in from across the state and around the country.

While the university is carefully considering other opportunities for virtual celebrations, none has been solidified at this moment. Additional information about the university’s response to COVID-19 and return to campus protocols is available at www.ncat.edu/coronavirus.

Media Contact Information: tddixon1@ncat.edu. Visit the NCA&TSU newsroom.

Beats By Dr. Dre Offers Creative Program to HBCU Students

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Beats by Dr. Dre announces a new initiative specifically for Black creatives studying at historically Black colleges and universities. “Black Future is NOW,” says the first line of their announcement.

Beats by Dr. Dre is excited to announce that we’re lending our platform in sports, music and culture to Black creatives from HBCUs. Giving them a chance to come on board to create films, write articles and help design product.

If you’re a current student or recent grad of a HBCU, this three-month, paid program is your opportunity to dive into one of the biggest brands in the world, to be mentored by leaders in the industry, and to express your creativity with Beats by Dr. Dre. In a world that needs to be redefined and reconstructed, empowering Black imaginations is more important than ever. We can’t wait to put you on game.

Open positions include Branded Content Creator, IRL (In Real Life) Creator, Customs Creator, and Sports Editorial Content Creator.

For information on how to apply, email: blackfutures@beatsbydre.com. The submission deadline is June 19.

Netflix CEO Announces $120M Donation To Historically Black Colleges

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The world taking a stand against police brutality and racial prejudice and injustices is causing a lot of businesses, organizations and celebrities to put their money where there mouth is. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, are donating to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to stand in solidarity with the Black community.

“We’ve supported these three extraordinary institutions for the last few years because we believe that investing in the education of Black youth is one of the best ways to invest in America’s future,” said Quillin and Hastings.

“Both of us had the privilege of a great education and we want to help more students – in particular students of color – get the same start in life. HBCUs have a tremendous record, yet are disadvantaged when it comes to giving. Generally, White capital flows to predominantly White institutions, perpetuating capital isolation. We hope this additional $120 million donation will help more Black students follow their dreams and also encourage more people to support these institutions – helping to reverse generations of inequity in our country.” 

Reports indicate, “This is the largest individual gift ever in support of student scholarships at HBCUs.”

“This gift from Patty and Reed comes from two people who care deeply about education, equity and the future of our country. We are enormously grateful for their affirmation of the work of Spelman College.” – Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, Spelman College President

“This gift speaks volumes about the value that must be placed on what institutions such as ours do for the nation and the world.” – Dr. David A. Thomas, Morehouse College President.

The donation is being packaged in 3 gifts of $40 million. The president’s of the 3 institutions being awarded share their appreciation. Listen as Spelman President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Morehouse President David A. Thomas and UNCF CEO Michael L. Lomax discuss the donation.

The colleges released the following social media posts:

Black Men Fighting Within And For America: Watch Spike Lee’s ‘Da 5 Bloods’ On Netflix

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Spike Lee has done it again. The Morehouse College educated Hollywood director, filmmaker and producer has delivered an informative, exceptionally woke, Black classic film. Da 5 Bloods, is a war drama of a few Vietnam War veterans who return to their war grounds and the adventures that ensue. With frequent flashbacks from historical moments, this movie tells the story of Black men everywhere and highlights the beauty and resilience of the African American people. 

DA 5 BLOODS (L to R) Director SPIKE LEE, ISIAH WHITLOCK JR. as MELVIN, DELROY LINDO as PAUL, JONATHAN MAJORS as DAVID, CLARKE PETERS as OTIS and NORM LEWIS as EDDIE of DA 5 BLOODS Cr. DAVID LEE/NETFLIX © 2020

The film opens to tunes of Marvin Gaye and instantly signals warm cultural nostalgia and Black family gatherings like cookouts and holidays spent with love, celebration and great food. Within the first 5 minutes, you’ve heard cultural colloquialisms, “brotha,”fought against the man,” “back in the day,” and the list continues. Lee opens with cameos from historic figures in the Black community like Muhammad Ali, Neil Armstrong, Malcolm X, and Angela Davis. 

The main characters, former soldiers, Paul, Otis, Eddie, Melvin and their squad leader Norman are played by Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isaiah Whitlock Jr. and Chadwick Boseman embark on a quest that is both reuniting and culturally-awakening. The group of Black men who risked their lives for their country unearths shocking but frequent horrors Black men encounter. Among these shocking truths, the film amplifies the poor treatment of African Americans and the impact of systematic racism and prejudicial governing. Especially following the filmed murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, Da 5 Bloods couldn’t be more timely. 

Watch the official trailer:

Did you know 186,000 Black men fought in the Civil War? Did you know 850,000 Black men fought in World War II? Did you none of them returned to a life promised when they enlisted? It only makes sense that Spike Lee used eye-opening prejudice to predicate his latest film. He delivered films like Crooklyn, Do the Right Thing, She’s Gotta Have It, Malcolm X, BlackKklansman, Jungle Fever and School Daze. 

Raw. Black. Unrelenting. Stories!

Lee is a proud Black creative and artist whose production is his individualized form of activism, protest and is notorious for amplifying and celebrating the strife and story of Black people. Lee grew up Spike Lee is a proud graduate of historically Black Morehouse College, the only all-male Black college in the country. Lee’s parents graduated from Morehouse and sister school Spelman College, as did his grandparents and the 1979 graduate has repeatedly announced “Morehouse is where I became a man.” Da 5 Bloods debuted on Netflix on June 12.  The film was written by Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo, Kevin Willmott and Spike Lee. It was produced by Jon Kilik, Beatriz and Lloyd Levin. Watch Da 5 Bloods today!

From left, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Norm Lewis, Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters and Jonathan Majors in ‘Da 5 Bloods.

Wayne Brady And Bill Duke, Newest Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity

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Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., historically African-American Greek letter fraternity founded in 1914, has two new honorary members.

On June 13, the fraternity welcomed actor, singer and television personality Wayne Brady as well as actor, director and screenwriter, Bill Duke. The fraternity announced their membership on social media:

Brady shares, “I’m thrilled to say that I’ve been inducted as an Honorary Brother, along side @realbillduke, into the @pbs_1914 Greek Fraternity. Much love to my @zetaphibeta Sisters! I see you @sherylunderwood! To be surrounded by such excellence is humbling. Blue Phi…YOU KNOW!“

Duke shares, “Thank you Phi Beta Sigma for welcoming myself & Wayne Brady. “We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Martin Luther King.“

Black fraternities were founded over a century ago and pride themselves on propelling the advancement of Black men. “The Divine Nine” is comprised of 9 public-service organizations with highly selective intake processes including 5 sororities —Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (1908), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.(1913), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.(1920), and Sigma Gamma Rho Inc.(1922)— and 4 fraternities—Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. (1906), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. (1911), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. (1911), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. (1914) and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. (1963).

Congratulations to Brady and Duke on joining the legacy of Sigma men!

Beyoncé Pens Letter to Attorney General for Breonna Taylor

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Beyoncé publicly takes a stand in the fight for justice for Breonna Taylor. The 38-year-old mom of three pens an open letter to the Attorney General demanding justice.

Vulture

Her letter references how three months have passed and the open investigation has made little progress. She shares:

Your office has both the power and the responsibility to bring justice to Breonna Taylor, and demonstrate the value of a Black woman’s life. I urge you to use that power and:

  1. Bring criminal charges against Jonathan Mattingly, Myles Cosgrove, and Brett Hankison.
  2. Commit to transparency in the investigation and prosecution of these officers’ criminal conduct.
  3. Investigate the LMPD’s response to Breonna Taylor;s murder, as well as the pervasive practices that result in the repeated deaths of unarmed Black citizens.

Read the full letter:

This is the type of action we need to secure justice.

Shannon Sharpe Talks HBCUs And Professional Athletes

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In the uprising follow the racist murder of George Floyd, the country is having several overdue conversations about supporting the Black community and Black college athletics is a trending topic. Shannon Sharpe, graduate of historically-Black Savannah State University, played professional football for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens. Following his career on the field, he became an analyst for CBS Sports, and now he co-hosts “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed with Skip Bayless.”

Sharpe talks about his young athletic dreams of playing in the big leagues and how he almost transferred to the University of Miami to help him do so. He later shares,

“No regrets. One of the greatest decisions I ever made was to go to an HBCU.”

Listen to his full conversation with co-host Skip Bayless:

In the past month, former NBA Guard Mo Williams accepted an offer as head coach of he basketball program an at HBCU, Alabama State University, top recruit Trace Young committed to an HBCU and star recruit Mikey Williams tweeted that he was considering Black colleges. This could be the beginning of a wave of Black athletic excellence coming from Black colleges and we are excited for college sports to shift.

Texas Southern University Offers George Floyd’s Daughter Full Ride Scholarship

Posted by Brittany Ireland
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In the wake of the murder of 46-year-old George Floyd, the world unites against racial injustice and police brutality. The Black community and allies are also coming together to uplift one another and the families of loved ones who were taken from this world due to racist antics and normalized bias.

A few days ago, George Floyd’s daughter, Gianna Floyd, was gifted a college fund from Kanye West. She has also just received a full-ride scholarship from the Texas Southern University Foundation to attend Texas Southern University. A press release from the university stated:

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

The Board of Regents of Texas Southern University (TSU) honors the memory of George Floyd on the day that he is laid to eternal rest. Mr. Floyd was a lifelong citizen of the Third Ward and a revered graduate of Jack Yates High School.

The Board, in conjunction with the TSU Foundation Board, has approved a fund to provide a full scholarship for Floyd’s beloved daughter, Gianna. TSU’s executive and academic staff will prepare a place for Miss Floyd if she wishes to attend the University.

“This Board is committed to education and understands that a college degree is one of many powerful steps toward a productive and successful life,” said Albert H. Myres, chair of the Board of Regents. “We know that this gesture cannot take the place of her dad’s loving presence, but we hope that it will contribute to easing her journey through life.”

The TSU Foundation is proud to provide this privately-funded scholarship to Ms. Floyd,” said Gerald Smith, chairman of the TSU Foundation. “We know the value of an education in the pursuit of solutions and generational progress. We look forward to embracing her into the TSU family.”

Myres said that George Floyd’s powerful legacy will be strengthened by the offer of an educational pathway for his daughter.

Gianna will never fill the void of her father, but hopefully the community continues to support her through all of her endeavors. An HBCU is without question, the place where Gianna would be welcomed with open arms and learn the history of her people, including her father’s uprising.

Incoming Central State President Jack Thomas: ‘I Stand In Solidarity’

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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In a post on Facebook yesterday, incoming president of historically black Central State University, Jack Thomas, joined in the conversation surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd, saying “I Stand In Solidarity.”

“#GeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMatter #BLM,” he added in the post’s caption.

We all should stand by those words

In these times of uncertainty amid the novel coronavirus, many people are working from home or trying to find a job and praying for better days on their block. But lots of things had to be put on the back-burner while the nation witnessed a 9-minute video of a Minneapolis officer grossly putting his knee of the neck of Floyd, killing him.

The officer kept his knee on Floyd’s neck the entire time during the duration of the video.

It has since gone viral.

“In America, it is not enough to say that we stand for the guiding principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without concern for gender, race or religion,” said Thomas, suggesting that there’s a large picture. “We must actively live these principles every day. When will see injustice big or small in a grocery store, at our workplace, or on the street, we must act.”

He continued, “President Barack Obama stated that ‘if we want our children to grow up in a nation that lives up to its highest ideals, we can and must do better.’ We should all stand by those words.”

DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 7: Thousands taking part in a Black Lives Matter march along Colfax avenue on June 7, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. Denver Public Schools students organized the peaceful march in solidarity with the ongoing efforts around the country to proclaim that #BlackLivesMatter. The marchers gathered in Civic Center Park and marched along Colfax Avenue to the Martin Luther King Jr. statue in City Park. Marchers sang, danced and chanted the entire way. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

In September 2019, the University announced that president Cynthia Jackson-Hammond will be stepping down after the 2019-2020 academic year. Five months later, CSU named him as its next president. The black college’s new man Thomas was the biggest announcement the black university had made since it spoke on the stepping down of the current president Jackson-Hammond.

Read more: Central State President, Cynthia Jackson-Hammond, To Step Down After 2019-2020 Academic Year

The new leader condemned “The needless death of George Floyd” and the “fringe violence it has spawned across the country under the guise of peaceful protests.”

Thomas also said that the matter “weighed heavily upon me.”

“These callous and unwarranted killings [by some people sworn to protect and serve] must stop. Until they do, no American should sit idly by while they continue,” he said, adding “Our actions should not be reactive and random, but rather, like our great Civil Rights Leaders of the 1960s movement, our actions should be strategically planned, coordinated and executed to impact CHANGE.”