Oprah Winfrey Talks Race And Division On Apple TV+ Show “The Oprah Conversation”

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Tennessee State University Alumna, Oprah Winfrey is very well known for sending book selections to the bestsellers by adding them to “Oprah’s Book Club.” Recently, Oprah sat down with author Isabel Wilkerson, who wrote the pivotal book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.” Beginning October 9, their thought-provoking 2-part episode of “The Oprah Conversation” will be available to watch on Apple TV+.

Isabel Wilkerson is Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and bestselling author whose book explores history, social hierarchy, and more. Calling the book “a must-read for all of humanity,” Oprah speaks with Wilkerson about the history the book explores, what compelled her to write it, and why we need a new language for race. It comes at perfect timing in a year where racial division is having a significant impact. Wilkerson has said we need a new language for dealing with race. It’s a hot button topic, and many feel uncomfortable when addressing it.

The episode is titled “Oprah’s Book Club” Isabel Wilkerson: Caste, “The Oprah Conversation: Caste” and will air Friday, October 9 on Apple TV+. “The Oprah Conversation” will give a deeper analysis of the book and leave to you reconsider everything you thought you knew about this country’s racial divide. The hope is to inspire others to reflect, seek truth, and have hope. Additionally, the “Oprah’s Book Club” episode “Isabel Wilkerson: Caste” is also available now for free on Apple TV+. Calling the book “a must-read for all of humanity,” Oprah speaks with Wilkerson about the history the book explores, what compelled her to write it, and why we need a new language for race.

In “Caste: Part 1,” both Oprah Winfrey, Isabel Wilkerson, unpack with a panel of readers the idea that America’s foundation was built on a caste system. In “Caste: Part 2,” the panel of readers are able apply concepts discussed in the book to their own lives by sharing personal stories and experiences that parallel the book’s themes.

To further explore the ideas of this valuable episode, Apple Books and Oprah’s Book Club have created a free, jam-packed guide called “Read With Us: Caste, An Oprah’s Book Club Discussion Guide.” It’s available free on Apple Books, and includes an opening letter from Oprah herself, a thoughtful Q&A with Isabel Wilkerson, questions to foster self-reflection and discussions, and further reading options for those who would like to learn more!

Readers crave an even deeper discussion can listen to the new Oprah’s Book Club podcast, available now for free on Apple Podcasts. There are eight podcast episodes with Wilkerson on this topic.

The episode is available for free on Apple TV+ at apple.co/-oprahbookclub. You can also get Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents here in both ebook and audiobook formats at apple.co/OBCCaste.

Here’s What To Expect From The Vice Presidential Debate Tonight Between Mike Pence And HBCU Grad Kamala Harris

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Hey, HBCU family! Many commentators feel as if the first debate between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for the top spot of office in the country, left us out to dry, having a complete lack of substance. With any bias taken out of the equation, we still don’t know who actually won the debate since it was a total fiasco, not to mention Donald and his wife, Melania Trump’s recent diagnosis of the new coronavirus (we wish them both a speedy recovery).

But the first and only debate tonight at 9 p.m. between Vice President Mike Pence and Howard University graduate Kamala Harris at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City should be more interesting and worthwhile to us viewers. Time magazine recently covered a story about this particular debate called “Mike Pence and Kamala Harris Face-Off Tonight. Here’s What To Expect From The Vice Presidential Debate”. Some highlights from the story is below.

Of what to expect from VP Mike Pence:

“Pence’s presence on the debate stage has already been a source of controversy. The Vice President recently attended at least two events with people who were later diagnosed with COVID-19, then worked from home for a few days as more than a dozen White House associates tested positive. Pence has since tested negative at least twice, but even some members of his own party have argued that attending campaign events is an unnecessary risk, given Trump’s uncertain health and the VP’s status as next-in-command.”

“The Biden and Trump campaigns were reportedly arguing over stricter protocols as of Tuesday, the Washington Post reported. The two candidates are expected to stand several feet farther away from one another on the stage than originally planned, and were reportedly set to be separated by a wall of Plexiglass. But the Trump campaign was reportedly eschewing the need for such a screen. “We don’t have enough details on who is ill and who is not,” says Colleen Kraft, associate chief medical officer at Emory University Hospital, in an email to TIME, “but as long as the attendees are screened, or tested, and there is risk mitigation by spacing, this can proceed.””

“Coronavirus is also likely to be a source of political conflict on stage. The Trump Administration’s response to the pandemic has already been a political weak spot for the President’s reelection effort. For months, a majority of Americans have disapproved of his Administration’s handling of the pandemic, which Pence has played a major role in as head of the White House’s coronavirus task force. A series of recent scandals in the wake of the President’s COVID-19 diagnosis — including the White House’s apparent lack of contact tracing and its dissembling over the President’s heath — have kept the Administration’s pandemic-related missteps in the news.”

Of what to expect from HU grad Kamala Harris:

“Meanwhile, the expectations are high for Harris, too. A former prosecutor, Harris has in the past excelled in high-pressure public-speaking settings. Perhaps her most memorable moment during the primary was in attacking former Vice President Joe Biden over his record on busing — questions that she later struggled to answer herself. In the Senate, her deft questioning of people like Attorney General Bill Barr and now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the Senate Judiciary Committee burnished her reputation in the chamber.”

“After Biden tapped her as his running mate in August, Harris has largely stayed out of the spotlight except for her speech at the Democratic National Convention. If the bar is for a running mate to do no harm, Harris just has to continue doing what she has been doing.”

“As a result of these realities, experts suggest that Harris will have to perform more of a rhetorical balancing act than a white, male counterpart might. She is expected, for example, to have to maneuver more nimbly around the fact that Biden has cast himself as a transitional candidate, and may have to be careful in discussing the topic of the President’s ongoing illness. “It might make [Trump] a more sympathetic figure, but I think regardless of whether he had a COVID-19 diagnosis or not, there was likely to be some spin of her being too aggressive or that her questioning was problematic,” said LaFleur Stephens-Dougan, assistant professor of politics at Princeton University. “Damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t.””

Head over to Time magazine to read more.

How Will HBCU Grad Kamala Harris Win Over Black Voters?

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“When I hear young people saying they’re not going to vote, I don’t think that is a static message. I think that’s a challenge.”

That’s what Marcus Bass, a black voter who stood before Howard University graduate Kamala Harris to ask her a tough question, said in regard to young black voters choosing between “the lesser of two evils” during the 2020 presidential election in November.

On Aug. 11, Biden tapped the California senator as his vice president running mate, making Kamala Harris the first Black woman on a major party’s presidential ticket.
CHRIS CARLSON/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Currently, the Joe Biden and Harris ticket for office as the next president and Vice President of the United States has a strong lead with black voters overall, but Bass wants to know how these two Democratic politicians will convince black voters who are young adults and younger to vote for them. Harris’ response was simple and to the point. “I appreciate your question and the point,” she replied, according to ABC News.

“Nobody is supposed to vote for us — we need to earn it.”

From ABC News:

Standing before Sen. Kamala Harris at a campaign event near a Raleigh barbershop, Marcus Bass asked the Democratic vice presidential nominee a pointed question: How would she and Joe Biden convince young Black voters their ticket isn’t simply the lesser of two evils?

“I appreciate your question and the point,” Harris replied. “Nobody is supposed to vote for us — we need to earn it.”

That’s what Harris, the first Black woman to appear on a major party’s presidential ticket, is trying to do in swing states like North Carolina, as the presidential contest enters its final weeks. In conversations at barbershops and historically Black colleges and universities, through ads on popular websites and live Instagram interviews, Harris is pitching herself and Biden as a team that can make meaningful progress on issues that matter to Black Americans, like police reform, ending the new coronavirus pandemic and creating a more equitable economy.

She’ll have the chance to pitch to her biggest audience yet on Wednesday, when she is expected to debate Vice President Mike Pence. Harris is likely to deliver a message that’s particularly resonant for Black Americans, including the disproportionate toll the coronavirus has taken on their communities and the vital need for access to health care.

The theme takes on a new significance after President Donald Trump was hospitalized with the virus, reviving criticism of the administration’s handling of the pandemic.

The intensifying focus on the vice presidential debate offers Harris an important chance to address doubts about the Democratic ticket.

Biden’s history-making selection of Harris as his running mate has energized and excited many Black voters, particularly women, who are among the Democratic Party’s most reliable voters. Harris attended Howard University, an HBCU, and was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Members donning the sorority’s green and pink colors can often be spotted outside her events.

But she’s still facing skepticism about her past as a prosecutor, and some young Black voters say they’re looking for something more than a politician who looks like them. They’re not yet convinced Biden and Harris are committed or able to execute meaningful change.

Head over to ABC News to read more.

Chaka Khan & Vivica Fox Become Honorary Members Of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc announced its new “2020 Honorary Member Candidates.”

Included in the group is legendary songstress Chaka Khan and actress Vivica A. Fox. Also included are fellow “finer women”, Archbishop Mary Floyd Palmer, the First African American Woman and First Non-Denominational Archbishop in the United States, and Linda L. Singh, the First African American and Female Adjunct General – MD National Guard (Retired).

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 16, 1920, at Howard University, Washington, D.C.  The Klan was very active during this period and the Harlem Renaissance was acknowledged as the first important movement of Black artists and writers in the U.S.  This same year the Volstead Act became effective heralding the start of Prohibition and Tennessee delivered the crucial 36th ratification for the final adoption of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote.  The worst and longest economic recession to hit the U.S. would define the end of the decade-The Great Depression.

Dr. Waka Flocka Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree

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Juaquin James Malphurs also known as Waka Flocka Flame has just been given an honorary doctorate degree in philanthropy and humanitarianism from the Bible Institute of American Theological Seminary.

The rapper, Dr. Waka Flocka now holding a “Dr.” to his name, has joined a list of other artists who have also received doctorates — Kanye West, who received his from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; HBCU Alum Sean Carter Aka Diddy, Howard University; and Missy Elliot and Justin Timberlake, Berklee College of Music, to mention a few.

Flocka’s Stories on Instagram shows candid moments of the rapper on stage receiving the honor, dressed in a black and red graduation gown with the cap. Waka’s longtime partner Tammy Rivera shared a photo on Sunday (Oct. 4) of her husband holding his diploma while wearing his graduation gown. “Proud of you,” she captioned the post.

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CSU Grad Jerel Duren Releases New Music Video Single “CULTURE”

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Sometimes people say things like “the black college experience is transformative.”

First, meet Jerel Duren, a graduate of the historically black Central State University in Wilberforce. He’s a singer and songwriter, a businessman, and young, black and proud. Second, check out his dope new video for his song called “CULTURE” (see below). The song has been doing quite well across all platforms lately as well. Duren told HBCU Buzz in an email that he found inspiration for it by the means of someone in the family (you can check out some of his responses to my questions below too). 

“Well, the song was actually written by my brother,” Duren said, adding that he sat on the track for a while and couldn’t find the right thing for it. “I sent the track to my older brother who is also a songwriter and what he sent back is almost exactly what you hear on the record we released.”

“I think because he’s my brother, he knows my voice. He knows the kinds of things that I say and the kinds of things that I stand for and it worked. He got it right!”

CULTURE

As far as the video goes, Duren said that he wanted to show different aspects of blackness. He also wants people to see that we’re different yet equally valuable, which reminded me of that “black on black, black” feel, you know, the popular song by Buddy called Black #BlaExcellence. Buddy’s song hit social media platforms like a storm a few weeks ago, and I was wondering if Duren found some inspiration or not from him?

Courtesy of Jerel Duren.

“I do love that video! I’m rooting for everybody black,” he said. “I don’t think it was a direct inspiration but I love what they did.” 

More on the video

When I asked Durin What’s one thing you want viewers to know about you after watching your video? he said that he is definitely “for black people.”:

“I want to see us thrive and shine,” he said. “I respect and honor our black women. I was very intentional about Bianca Wiles, who plays my love interest in the video that is portrayed. I didn’t want her to be an accessory. She is my equal. I hope people can see that from watching the video.”

The black college experience

Indeed, Duren is one of many who believe going to an HBCU — the last cultural jewel black people have left in this country —  is transformative: 

“I got to see how expansive black people are; how we’re not monolithic, ” Duren said when asked to describe the black college experience. “I’ve developed life-long friendships and mentorships. There were people at Central State University who took a chance on me. When I was unproven, they gave me opportunities to grow and develop as an artist, student and businessman.”

Courtesy of Jerel Duren.

He continued, “I was being pruned. I also found the confidence to believe in myself and in my dreams. I was able to tour the country and the world with the Central State University chorus. Unknowingly, that experience was a precursor for the career path I’m on now.”

“CSU prepared me for life. I can’t say enough about how valuable those four years were. I can’t say enough about how valuable those four years were.” 

Duren even talked about his HBCU experience on his YouTube series #Top5 things to know that light on different things that we may or may not encounter throughout our lives in mortality. Check out this particular series below! 

He concluded by saying that he is such a fan of HBCU Buzz and is extremely grateful for this interview! Duren also wants us to know that there is more music and more videos coming soon! He said that he can’t wait for you all to see and hear them! Follow Jerel Duren on all social platforms @JDtheCHAMP.

HU Grad Kamala Harris Wishes The First Family A Speedy Recovery After They Tested Positive For COVID-19

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“We’re keeping … the entire Trump family in our thoughts.”

California Sen. Kamala Harris, who was selected by Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as his running mate, and her husband, Doug Emhoff wished the First Family a speedy recovery earlier this morning after President Donald Trump tweeted that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Harris graduated from historically black Howard University in the nation’s capital.

“Doug and I join Joe Biden and Dr. Biden in wishing President Trump and the First Lady a full and speedy recovery,” Harris wrote in a tweet on Friday morning, according to The Los Angeles Times. “We’re keeping them and the entire Trump family in our thoughts.”

The LA Times also reported that Harris will continue her planned travel to Las Vegas on Friday for campaign events after not attending the first presidential debate in Cleveland. Both she and her husband tested negative for the coronavirus.

“Both Douglas Emhoff and I were tested for COVD-19 this morning and thankfully we tested negative,” Harris wrote on Twitter, adding, “This virus is still very much active across our country, please continue to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.”

In addition, Biden weighed in on Twitter, thanking everyone for their concerns about him, and whether he too tested positive for COVID-19. He and his wife Jill Biden both tested negative.

“Im happy to report that Jill and I have tested negative for COVID,” he wrote.

He continued, “Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern,” he said. “I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands.

The president’s recent diagnosis will no doubt cast fresh uncertainty into the final stretch of the 2020 campaign.

But “We have a president that is not only on the job he will remain on the job,” Mark Meadows, chief of staff told reporters without a mask on Friday, adding he is in good spirits and very energetic.

New Peacock TV Film Finds #BlackBoyJoy Amid Racism And Chaos

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If your education was honestly whitewashed, watch Black Boys. If your kid isn’t playing attention in their virtual history class, play Black Boys. The new film streaming on NBC Universal’s Peacock TV boldly confronts the issues that you’ve always asked in your head, but were too afraid to hear the answers to. Things like why does watching pro sports feel like it has overtones of slavery? Also, why can asking for equality be found offensive? 

Throughout this movie, it’s hard to deal with the fact that the oppressed must also be the leaders of change. You’ll smile watching some of the personal moments experienced by young black boys and men. Just as easily, you’ll find yourself heartbroken seeing  just how oppression bleeds through every facet of life for African American males in the United States. It’s hard to forget a message on the shirt that one of the interviewed men, Malcolm, wore: “Everything is political when you’re black.” You’ll enjoy hearing the jokes and aspirations of a few documented black boys, and also learn of the dilemmas plaguing them in sports, education, and criminal justice.

To black youth, the pro athlete is one of the few places they can count on finding a positive image. Almost as a case study, Black Boys profiles the life of former NFL defensive-end Greg Scruggs. “They used to tell me, the NCAA is a meat market. Man they are looking for you, cause you are a gorgeous piece of meat,” said Scruggs. As one interviewee put it, “the black boy is a multi-billion dollar enterprise.” Scruggs comes from a system where black people are always the brawn but never the brain. His body was studied and pushed to its limits. Even with all his fame and fortune, neither he nor any other black man stands today as an NFL team owner. He too idolized sports as a way to rise out of poverty. He lost his father before high school, and his younger brother to gun violence. As many black boys like him vie for what is statistically almost a one-in-a-million job opening, parents and community members are there egging them on. However, if these hopeful black boys happen to get injured or are one of thousands who don’t get drafted, few are prepared with an education to back them up.

Meanwhile on the education front, black boys are vulnerable even as students. When it comes to funding, school districts with predominantly black students receive on average $1,800 less per student. Black boys run a higher risk of subliminally or directly being “put in their place.” These boys often face less compassion, savior complexes, and even bold racism from their educators. In the film, students shared experiences such as teachers insinuating that they should aim for less significant achievements, considering their background. Teachers who lack compassion towards these boys are also more likely to be impatient with them. This can mean escalated situations that result in suspensions and encounters with school police.

As educator Sharif El-Mekki put it, “So many black boys are approached with just this firmness that’s unnecessary…”  It’s hard to imagine how easily these experiences could manifest into lifestyles of self-hate and self-sabotage for such young boys. 

Black Boys really does go above and beyond showing a day in the life of a black boy. It gives a birds-eye-view to their lives, and the systems they are boxed into but still leap out of. Their lives are more than poverty and strife. If there’s one resonating sound byte to take away from this film, it’s the beautiful sound of a black boy’s laugh. 

Watch Black Boys today, streaming free on Peacock TV.

$100k Truist Donation Supports Bowie State Students In Need During The Pandemic

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Truist Financial Corporation has made a $100,000 donation to Bowie State University to provide students a lifeline of much needed funds to continue their education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Truist’s gift of emergency aid for students initiates a partnership with Maryland’s first historically black college and university (HBCU) to support students experiencing hardships during the pandemic and create opportunities for them to prepare for their future careers. The emergency funding is for students whose needs have been identified through the financial aid process.

“We are grateful for the ongoing partnership between Truist and Bowie State University and for this extraordinary gift that will make an immediate difference for students in need of financial assistance to afford the final few courses of their college education,” said Brent Swinton, Bowie State’s vice president of institutional advancement. “Joining with our corporate and community partners, like Truist, strengthens Bowie State’s impact as an economic and cultural driver in this region and enhances our capacity to develop tomorrow’s leaders with innovative education programs.”

The partnership will create comprehensive career pathways for students through Truist to include mentoring, internships and employment opportunities.

“Our relationships with HBCUs, like Bowie State University, are very important to Truist, not only as a way to build up our communities, but also as a way to recruit top talent. It’s a long-term strategy that shows our commitment to higher education and Bowie State University,” said Thomas Ransom, Truist’s executive vice president and head of sales and client experience strategy, who leads the company’s HBCU initiatives.

This HBCU Refutes Biden’s Claim Of Attending University

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It looks like Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden told a white lie when he told a South Carolina audience that he “got started out of” Delaware State University, one of the historically black colleges and universities in the country.

Courtesy of the Washington Times

Of course, his pick for vice president, Kamala Harris, graduated from historically black Howard University in the nation’s capital and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

But as for Biden? No.

From the Washington Times:

Joseph R. Biden declared last year on the campaign trail that he began his academic career at Delaware State University, a historically Black college, a claim that the school refutes.

Carlos Holmes, director of news service for Delaware State, said that Mr. Biden was never a student, although he has made appearances twice on campus for commencement speeches at the public university in Dover, one of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

“Vice President Biden did not attend DSU,” said Mr. Holmes in a Thursday email. “However he was the Commencement keynote speaker in 2003 and [2016], and during the former he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree.”

Mr. Biden made the claim ahead of the South Carolina Democratic primary during a town hall held Oct. 26, 2019, at historic Wilson High School in Florence, which was founded in 1866 by the Freedmen’s Bureau for Black children seeking an education.

“I got started out of an HBCU, Delaware State — now, I don’t want to hear anything negative about Delaware State,” Mr. Biden told the audience, drawing laughter, as shown on video. “They’re my folks.”

Mr. Biden, who went on to win the South Carolina primary on his way to the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, has been long accused of making up the DSU connection, but the university’s denial appears to erase any doubt.

Head over to the Washington Times to read more.

Companies Are Missing Out On Promising Employees From HBCUs If They Don’t Do These Things

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Hey HBCU family, companies like Google and Facebook have been doing more and more recruiting for graduates of historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs. But oftentimes students coming straight out of these historic institutions get overlooked by students from bigger, well-known colleges for lucrative positions at companies, even when we all know or at least should know that HBCU students have talent.

Barbara L. Adams, the business school dean and an accounting professor at South Carolina State University, would like to remind companies of this talent that black college students have, writing an op-ed for Fortune called “If companies don’t recruit from HBCUs, they’re missing out on promising employees” and setting the record straight henceforth. She wrote three recommendations for companies seeking to build stronger relationships with HBCUs. Some highlights of the op-ed are below.

Build relationships with the faculty

Companies must engage faculty members to make sure courses are preparing students properly. PwC is an example of a company that does this well. The professional services firm hosts a yearly faculty forum where it updates HBCU representatives on the latest capabilities it is looking for in new hires, and listens to feedback from our side.

These efforts mean a lot to us. The firm shows that it genuinely wants our students, and takes strides to help us better prepare them for lasting careers. Even something as simple as periodic conversations with faculty members to mutually share any feedback, roadblocks, or advice can go a long way. Real progress in this space is rooted in strong, trust-based relationships.

Courtesy of Fortune

Be present with students

A few years ago, my institution launched an executive speaker series where we host representatives from companies to share career advice. Topics range from “a day in the life” to the skills and knowledge that hiring managers expect from recruits. Two companies that do this effectively are BMW and Boeing: Boeing designates a certain day each year where company representatives speak in different classes, and both companies provide students scholarships.

Efforts like these don’t just offer vital advice to future workers—they send a message to my students that they have a chance to fill a role where they have an equal footing from day one. This form of direct interaction can speak volumes.

Head over to Fortune to read more.

Chris Paul Enrolled At Winston-Salem State

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Chris Paul is following in his parents footsteps and has enrolled in a class at Winston-Salem State University. Paul reveled that he is taking a class at WSSU, a place where his parents, Robin and Chris, both attended.

Paul said on First Take this afternoon on ESPN that he’s taking a class and he’s also partnered with two other NBA players to help HBCU students get to the polls.

“We are providing transportation to HBCU students to get the polls so we are working on that now,” Paul said on the popular ESPN show.

Paul, 35, is a NBA star who played at Wake Forest. Paul left after his sophomore season for the NBA, but ended up graduating a few years after leaving.

Charles Paul said it’s nice that his son is taking a class at WSSU.

“He’s always wanting to learn new things so that’s a good thing,” Charles said.

When Paul left Wake Forest he still had two years of eligibility left, but he definitely won’t be going back to play again in college.

“Not at age 35,” Charles said laughing.

Chris Paul appeared on First Take along with Stephen A. Smith to promote HBCU Week.

Paul said it’s important that folks know about HBCU’s, especially at this important time in our country.

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Insightful Town Hall Held To Unpack Peacock’s Film Black Boys

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Why is it that young black men are often praised as athletes, but find their civil rights neglected daily as everyday Americans? Why is it that black educators are particularly impactful to their futures? Peacock, the new streaming service from NBC Universal, bravely answered these questions and more in the new documentary Black Boys. The film interviews familiar faces like NBA star Carmelo Anthony and journalist Jemele Hill. You will laugh and cry, but most importantly, you’ll do a double-take at the structures that consistently question the value and impact the futures of America’s young black men.

After seeing the film, HBCU Buzz founder Luke Lawal hosted a town hall panel with 3 black men leading in industries from education to rap to sound off what the film meant to them. Rapper Vic Mensa is known for his music, but has also founded the SavemoneySavelife Foundation, which combats American racism and funds three health and arts programs in his hometown of Chicago. Among many other leadership positions, Sharif El-Mekki has served as principal at Mastery Charter – Shoemaker Campus, a school in Philadelphia that has been recognized by President Obama and Oprah Winfrey, and was awarded the prestigious EPIC award for three consecutive years as being amongst the top three schools in the country for accelerating students’ achievement levels. Morehouse and MIT grad Dr. Christopher Michael Jones is an accomplished nuclear engineer and educator who also appeared in the film. We had tough conversations surrounding black boys on issues like sports, education, and criminal justice. 

As an HBCU platform we understand how important education is to shape the path of your life. Especially at a young age, experiences at school can make or break how you shape the rest of your life. Vic Mensa shared that he was once placed in a remedial class in kindergarten because he “didn’t share well.” He remembered being surrounded by students who were drooling and others in wheelchairs. “I could feel it as a kid that my intelligence was being questioned or, you know, my capability in some way. I just knew I didn’t fit in there.” As an adult in his mid-twenties, Vic Mensa said he just recently spoke to his father the day before about forgiving his teacher for that experience. Experiences like his are common, traumatizing, and can cause a lifetime of self-doubt and self-sabotage for black boys.

When it comes to the criminal justice system in this country, young black men are exponentially more likely to be arrested than their white counterparts, and to be subjected to being brutalized by officers both while being arrested and during general interactions. This can be difficult for youth who may want to serve in roles protecting and serving our country, such as Sharif El-Mekki’s brother, who was warned to become a liberator and not oppressor in a system of oppression.  He also noted that he and all 3 of his brothers have had significant negative experiences with law enforcement. It began when he was “snatched up” by an officer when he was 14. “I was arrested as a principal. I was arrested as a teacher,” he said. For many black boys and their families, the narrative of criminalization is nothing new.

Positive representation for black young men in the media continues to be lacking everywhere but the sports market. For many, the chance at a sports career is exciting. However, it is completely unsustainable as a society, and leaves those who don’t excel at sports few options for a better life. Historically, tying the value of black males to their physical fitness and capabilities dates back to slavery. It leaves little room for those who aren’t extremely gifted. 

Christopher Michael Jones weighed in on black power figures that needed to be more popularized. He highlighted people like Dr. Randall Pinkett, Rutgers University’s first black Rhodes Scholar, and the only black person to win The Apprentice. He also mentioned billionaire Robert Smith, who paid the student loans for the entire 2019 graduating class at he and El-Mekki’s alma mater Morehouse College. “If we lift these folks up as much as we lift up our sports icons, then our black boys will say ‘well actually you know what I’m okay at sports, I’m not good at all the sports, but there’s still a place for me to go.’ And I think that’s what may be missing. Like where can I go if I’m not that great at sports?”

Tune in to our town hall for more gems, and definitely watch BLACK BOYS today streaming on Peacock.

Morgan State University Designated As 2020 Early Voting And Election Day Voting Center

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Hey, HBCU family! We just got word that historically black Morgan State University was recently designated as a 2020 early voting and Election Day voting center. The black college will serve as one of only eight early voting sites and one of 24 Election Day voting locations in the city of Baltimore, according to a Morgan State press release.

From the MSU Newsroom:

As part of an effort to expand access to voting this fall, the Baltimore City Board of Elections (BOE) has designated Morgan State University’s Edward P. Hurt Gymnasium as an early voting and election day voting center. Beginning on Monday, Oct. 26, through Monday, Nov. 2, citizens registered to vote in Baltimore City can take advantage of early voting on Morgan’s campus in Northeast Baltimore. The Hurt Gymnasium will be one of only eight locations designated as an early voting site throughout the city. Additionally, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, Morgan will serve as an official election day site along with 23 other city-wide locations. Throughout all of the dates, the Hurt Gymnasium will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Given the extreme importance of the upcoming election and what the outcome may mean to our community, our city, I can’t think of a more appropriate place to serve as a voting site, than at the National Treasure—Morgan State University,” said Morgan President David Wilson. “This University has always stood for what’s right in the face of tremendous challenges to the American democracy and the importance of this election cannot be understated. We can’t fathom the notion of the efforts underway to suppress the vote as we are seeing now and through our involvement in this democratic process, we look to ensure our place in being on the right side of history.”

Additionally, from Sept. 28-30, Morgan’s campus will also serve as a ballot drop box location, where people who request an absentee or mail-in ballot can choose to drop it off. The drop box will be located along the driveway at the front of the newly constructed Tyler Hall at the intersection of Cold Spring Lane and Hillen Road. An officer will be stationed at the drop box location to ensure its integrity.

While Morgan will serve as an official voting center, the Baltimore City Board of Elections will provide election judges and staff to conduct all election activities inside Hurt Gymnasium. Morgan’s election day planning committee is working with the BOE to post signage to assist prospective voters and will also assist in recruiting election judges.

All election judges and team staffers will be required to utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied by the BOE. To further ensure the safety of in-person voting, voters will be required to remain six feet apart and wear a mask. Please be advised that in order to maintain proper distancing, the number of voters permitted inside Hurt Gymnasium at one time may be limited and may potentially result in lines and longer wait times.

The deadline to register to vote in Maryland is Oct. 13.

Are you registered to vote this upcoming election year? Find out and click here for more information. Go vote!

National Black MBA Association Gears Up for Star-Studded Virtual 2020 Conference and Career Fair

Posted by Vanessa Roberson
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We’re just a few days away from the National Black MBA Association’s 2020 Conference & Career Fair: A Virtual Experience. The pandemic may have gotten in the way of the trip, but not the celebration. The NBMBAA would love to see you September 23-25 for an uplifting one-of-a-kind virtual experience! 

With all that is going on this year, it is more important than ever to stay grounded in your dreams and education. Many students aren’t able to attend classes on campus, and we want to remind you that you still have a supportive community that is socially and culturally connected. In fact, you may find the conference this year to be an extension of your beloved HBCU experience. Just like HBCUs have been known for, you’ll be blown away by the caliber of celebrity panels, insider information, and career fair options. 

You’ll see plenty of familiar faces when you tune into the conference this year. 2020’s official theme is all about “Celebrating Visionaries!” The celebrity speakers slated to present are not coming to play. They are well known for impressive accomplishments in entertainment, real estate, politics, tech and journalism.

Iyanla Vanzant tells it like it is. She is one of many special speakers taking part in the conference. As a NY Times best-selling author and inspirational speaker, she has helped people in crisis to turn their lives around through programs like Iyanla, Fix My Life on Oprah Winfrey Network.

Van Jones iis a high-powered political commentator, attorney and author. He has driven change in the criminal justice system for over 25 years and currently serves as the CEO of Reform Alliance, an organization dedicated to criminal justice reform. You may also see Van setting the record straight as a CNN commentator.

This year’s conference is all about getting the advice you’ll need to successfully navigate your career in a world rocked by the pandemic, so take advantage! For example, one highly-anticipated breakout session is titled “Breakout Session – “Do You Have the Skills to Advance in the Next Normal?” This session will give you the tools to calculate your next steps with precision in both your personal and professional life.

On Wednesday, September 23rd, the conference kicks off with a panel called “Leading with Heart and Soul, presented by Emmy Award-winning journalist Jemele Hill and sports analyst & host Emmanuel Acho. They will discuss how leaders can show compassion for their workforce, customers, shareholders and communities during challenging times. 

Other panels will address building wealth, tapping into your potential, social responsibility in the midst of COVID-19, and growing your small business. In addition to high-profile speakers, sponsors like Amazon, FedEx, Nationwide and Bank of America are working to make this a memorable experience for every attendee.

The Career Fair component is perfect for job hunters to connect with professional giants. An estimated 200 academic, corporate and not-for-profit exhibitors with great career opportunities will be available via the Virtual Career Fair. You will be able to learn more about companies and openings, participate in real virtual interviews, interact with recruiters, and confidently put your best foot forward! In addition to the Career Fair, there will be plenty of opportunities to network and socialize through the lounges, on NBMBAA® social media channels and events.

Register today for the National Black MBA Association’s 2020 Conference & Career Fair: A Virtual Experience. You won’t want to miss it!

Deion Sanders ‘Coach Prime’ Named Jackson State Head Football Coach

Posted by HBCU Editors
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A legendary football program and a Pro Football Hall of Famer have joined forces.
 
Jackson State University is excited to announce Deion Sanders will become the 21st head football coach in school history.
 
“I am truly blessed to be the 21st Head football coach of Jackson State University,” said Sanders. “This amazing HBCU has always enjoyed a high level of commitment academically and athletically. It’s my desire to continue this storied tradition and history of JSU and prayerfully bring more national recognition to the athletes, the university, the Sonic Boom of the South, and HBCUs in general. I am TRULY proud to be a part of the JSU Tiger family. ‘I BELIEVE'”


 
JSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson is excited to introduce Sanders to the Tiger family.
 
“I am thrilled to welcome Deion Sanders to Jackson State University, the City of Jackson, and Mississippi,” said Robinson. “Coach Sanders is student-athlete centered and cares about young men and their wellbeing beyond the football field. We expect to compete for and win championships at Jackson State, and Coach Sanders will help us achieve those goals.”
 
JSU Acting President Thomas K. Hudson is pleased Sanders will lead the program into the next decade.
 
“Jackson State is excited to bring in Coach Sanders to lead our football program,” said Hudson. “He understands the legacy and history of football at JSU. I am confident Coach Sanders will solidify the brand of JSU football.”
 
An eight-time Pro Bowler, and two-time Super Bowl champion, Sanders played 14 NFL seasons for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Baltimore Ravens. Sanders is the only player to have played in a Super Bowl and a World Series.


 
A two-time All-American at Florida State, Sanders was the first-round draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1989. In 2020, for the NFL 100th Season, Sanders was named to the NFL All-Time Team.
 
In 2011, Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was also one of 14 players and two coaches to be named in the National Football Foundation’s 2011 College Football Hall of Fame Football Bowl Subdivision Class. Sanders, who holds the NFL record for career return touchdowns (19 by kickoff, punt, interception, and fumble), has recently joined the Barstool Sports team where he is making appearances on various programming including on the Pro Football Football Show, Pro Football Football After Show, and his very own podcast, 21st and Prime, which debuted last night.
 
Sanders originally began his broadcasting career with CBS, co-hosting the NFL Today pregame show from 2001-2003. He spent the next 14 years as an analyst for the NFL Network, headlining popular shows like GameDay Prime and Thursday Night Football.
 
While this is Sanders’ coaching debut on the collegiate sidelines, he has been coaching for over a decade. Sanders is the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas, and has led the Tigers to three-straight Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) titles. Trinity Christian is 42-3 since Sanders has been the team’s offensive coordinator.
 
In 2019, the Sanders-led offense totaled 6126 yards of total offense and averaged 437.6 yards per game. TCC Quarterback Shedeur Sanders blossomed and accounted for 3477 passing yards and 47 touchdowns and only four interceptions. On the ground, Emari Matthews rushed for 1169 yards and 15 touchdowns.
 
Sanders has been part of the coaching team for the annual Under Armour All-America Game for the past ten years. Most recently, Sanders and Team Pressure earned a 30-24 victory over Ed Reed and Team Savage in the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game. The contest featured dozens of college football’s top recruits and also included several much-anticipated commitments.
 
Success – both on the field and in the classroom—has always been at the forefront for Sanders. In 2007, upon retirement from the NFL, Sanders founded TRUTH, a youth organization serving over 1100 kids throughout Dallas, Texas and Memphis, Tennessee, utilizing sports and education as a platform for success and leadership. 
 
Sanders is taking over a program with a strong history and tradition.
 
The JSU football program sports a 462-302-15 overall record and a .603 winning percentage. The winning percentage ranks in the top 25 of all-time in NCAA Division I.
 
The Tigers have produced 99 NFL draft picks, and 150 players have played professionally in the NFL. Among the most notable JSU alums are four Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees: Walter Payton, Lem Barney, Jackie Slater, and Robert Brazile. The four inductees are the most among universities in Mississippi.
 
JSU has won 16 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships, seven division championships, and three HBCU National Championships.
 
Part of the JSU tradition is its supportive and loyal fan base. In 2018 and 2019 JSU led the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in average attendance per game. In 2019, an average of 33,762 per game and over 100,000 people visited Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
 
Following through on a long-standing goal, in 2020, Sanders graduated from Talladega College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Organizational Management.
 
He is the proud father of five children: Deion Sanders Jr., Deiondra Sanders, Shilo Sanders, Shedeur Sanders, and Shelomi Sanders.
 
Deion Sanders continues to be represented by Constance Schwartz-Morini at SMAC Entertainment and Tabetha Plummer of Plummer Law Group. Jordan Bazant of WME was instrumental in the development of this partnership.