TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) — It appears as though Florida A&M football has found life after Ryan Stanley: Former Kansas State Quarterback John Holcombe announced his intention to transfer to FAMU and play for the Rattlers on Monday.
Holcombe was a three-star dual threat QB in the class of 2018 according to 247Sports, signing to K-State while longtime coach Bill Snyder was still in charge. The Humble, Texas native redshirted the Wildcat’s 2018 campaign. He entered the transfer portal early in the 2019 season, as new KSU Head Coach Chris Klieman stuck with QB Skylar Thompson.
Holcombe was a three-star dual threat QB in the class of 2018 according to 247Sports, signing to K-State while longtime coach Bill Snyder was still in charge. The Humble, Texas native redshirted the Wildcat’s 2018 campaign. He entered the transfer portal early in the 2019 season, as new KSU Head Coach Chris Klieman stuck with QB Skylar Thompson.
While Holcombe has announced his intentions to transfer, a Florida A&M representative has told WCTV he has not officially sent any paperwork to the university.
FAMU’s starting QB for the 2019 season, Ryan Stanley, tweeted about Holcombe’s announcement.
Unable to keep up with Salem University, the Central State University Marauders fell to the Tigers at home in Wilberforce, 88-72.
CSU led the game 63-58 at the 12:11 mark. Then, on a fast break dunk but whistled for hanging on the rim, Darweshi Hunter picked up his second technical foul and was ejected from the game.
This played a pivotal role for SU ultimately winning the game.
A crucial turning point in the contest came at the 12:11 mark as CSU’s Darweshi Hunter slammed home a fast break dunk but was whistled for hanging on the rim and ejected after picking up his second technical foul. Up 63-58 at the time of Hunter’s ejection, a deflated CSU team surrendered an 18-2 run to SU and trailed by 11 by the 7:07 mark. CSU battled back to within six, 78-72, with 3:36 remaining but Salem closed the game on a 12-0 run to seal the victory.
SU made 56.1% (32-57) of its shot attempts and outrebounded CSU 45-37. CSU converted 34.2% (26-76) from the field and were 12 of 24 from the free throw line.
Four SU players scored in double-figures led by Shawn Christian’s 23 points. Marko Tutonivic, Jordan Forbes and Ralph Diaz all recorded double-doubles in the win.
Harris Brown led CSU with a game-high 25 points. Hunter’s shortened night included 20 points and five rebounds.
CSU is now 7-8 overall while SU gets another win and is 10-7 on the season.
According to MarauderSports.com, CSU will play conference opponent Lane College on Monday.
Believe it or not, Hollywood has always been obsessed with Black women and our culture.
Maybe obsessed is not the word… fetishized by how absolutely amazing we are. We are more than just a hashtag. And while #BlackGirlMagic is a cool idea… there is no such thing as hocus pocus when it comes down to Black women. We are intentional and our stories are more than sister-girl-fairy-dusted tropes. Thus, when we think about Black women and the very sensitive portrayal of their lives in sororities, one can’t help but take caution. Does Hollywood care to get it right? Or will sorors be portrayed as petty girls who are all elite snobs, looking for husbands in their brother frats.
We say “nope.”
Thank goodness three Black cinematic offerings, written or directed by Black filmmakers have gotten it right.
ONE: DO THE RIGHT THING
Many people were exposed to the thrills of Black College by watching Spike Lee’s School Daze in 1988. While it was filmed in the historic Atlanta University Center, this fictional school was a composite of the schools at the time that were housed in the consortium. At one time there were seven: The former Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark College, Morris Brown College, Interdenominational Theological Center and Morehouse School of Medicine. School Daze presented them as Mission College and while you might think that the scenes being referenced regarding sorority life are “The Coronation” or the “Wannabe/ Jiggaboo” musicals… there is a more intimate moment that got Delta all the way right.
Do you remember when Dap and Rachel got into an argument in his room?
Rachel had shared with Dap that she wanted to pledge Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (like of course) and he tried to forbid it. She told him that she like what they were doing, that they were positive and about serving the community.
Old Spike got this all the way right! Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, 107 years ago. From the very beginning of her origins, the organization had scholarship, sisterhood, and service at its core. Rachel indeed would have been a great Delta at the fictional Mission College.
TWO: QUEEN SUGAR
There has to be someone on the staff that is either a Delta or Delta-ish, because there have been all kinds of Easter eggs throughout the seasons that point to the largest sorority in the world. Like that time that Mellisa Harris-Perry, a decorated member of Delta Sigma Theta, came on to chat it up with her soror, Nova Bordelon.
While they don’t say it, why wouldn’t she be one? Sure she has some deep-seated thangs going on, by Nova is a go-getter and the exceptional. She and her sister Charlie both ferociously attack social justice and civil rights with all of their hearts, and what makes us believe that is a “Crimson and Cream” family is all those African Violets planted all over the place. The African Violet is the official flower for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Yup… them two supposed to be Deltas in the show.
Earlier this week, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner, a graduate of Harris-Stowe State University filed a federal lawsuit accusing the city of St. Louis, police union and others of a racist conspiracy to remove her from her office.
State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore’s top prosecutor announces her support for St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Let’s take a look at the both, the specifications of the lawsuit and the events that led Attorney Gardner to this point.
Lawsuit Specifications
In the lawsuit filed on Monday, Gardner alleges:
· Violations of the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 and other civil rights violations
· Black people are underrepresented in the police department, especially in managerial and upper level roles
· The St. Louis Police Officer’s Association makes deliberate attempts to support and endorse officers who are accused of inordinate force against African Americans
· The St. Louis Police Department “unreasonably delayed any potential investigation” into threatening and reported letters sent to Garder’s office “even thought at least one of the letters had a name and return address on it.”
· The city of St. Louis, the St. Louis Police Officers Association, its business manager Jeff Roorda are defendants in addition to retired police officer Charles Lane who filed a civil suit against Gardner over her office hiring outside law firms during the special prosecutors grand jury investigation; Special Prosecutor Gerard Carmody and his son’s Ryann and Patrick Carmody are also defendants, his son’s played a part in the special prosecutors investigation into the behavior of Garner’s office during the trial of Governor Eric Greitens.
· The special prosecutor’s investigation into her office is efforts of the city conspiring and is completely unsubstantiated. It also claims that Carmody and a lawyer who represented former Governor Greitens are “lifelong friends going back to their days in the same class of 1967 and playing on the same sports teams at Chaminade.”
· Gardner proposed independent investigations of officer-involved shootings but the police union was against it, causing the board of alderman to deny Gardner’s recommendation
· There were consistent head bumps made between the special prosecutor and her office for “overly vague” search warrants.
In response to the lawsuit:
The City Of St. Louis vehemently denies what it considers to be meritless allegations levied against it by Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. The City fully expects to be vindicated once this case is adjudicated in a court of law.
— statement from the Mayor’s Office
This is just the last act of a desperate woman I think…We’re the ones trying to make St. Louis a better place for people of color and every citizen, and Kim Gardner has been an impediment to that.
— Jeff Roorda, Business Manager for The St. Louis Police Officers Association
Read the full statement released by the St. Louis Police Officer’s Association:
Shared to the St. Louis Police Officers’ Associations Twitter.
Timeline of Events
Attorney Gardner’s lawsuit did form itself overnight. Let’s take a look at the series of unfortunate events that led to this point. We’ll need to flashback nearly two years ago, February 2018.
FEBRUARY 2018
Gardner’s office indicted then-Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, accusing him of invasion of privacy, tied to a 2015 affair. Her office later dropped the charge one day after Greitens’ announcement stating that he was resigning.
AUGUST 2018
Attorney Gardner no longer accepted criminal cases from 28 policy officers in the city because she said they had issues with their credibility. She began reviewing open cases for viability.
DECEMBER 2018
Gardner settled a $63,009 fine issued because the Missouri Ethics Commission (MEC) determined her election committee committed seven campaign finance violations. Public file here.
Violations include exceeding cash contribution limits and failure to record finance reports of the campaign in a timely and accurate manner. The MEC believes it found evidence to support the fact that Gardner’s campaign failed to file 255 expenditures equaling approximately $90,000.00 and almost 100 monetary gifts or donations that add up to more that $305,000.00! Gardner’s office issued the following press release.
JUNE 2019
The former FBI agent Attorney Gardner hired to investigate former Governor Greitens named William Don Tisaby was charged with 7 felonies. The alleged felonies include perjury and tampering with evidence.
Tisaby was unsurprisingly charged with (1) intentionally concealing information and documents away from Greitens’ team, (2) lying about he and Attorney Gardner coordinated to share information and collaborate before and after interviews with Greitens’ mistress.
JULY 2019
A retired Judge named Michael Bradley was named as the special prosecutor to investigate the public officer tampering allegations against the lawyers who represented Greitens in 2018, while being investigated for invasion of privacy.
Though Greitens lawyers deny, KSDK reports Gardner “told The Associated Press in a 2018 interview that several of Greitens’ lawyers came to her office in March 2018 to try to persuade her to drop the case.”
DECEMBER 2019
A case from Attorney Gardner’s office against two police officers (William Olsten and Joe Schmitt) was thrown out by St. Louis Circuit Judge Beth Hogan. Gardner’s office charged the officers with felony assault after a shooting at Bomber O’Brien’s bar in south St. Louis. Hogan reprimanded Gardner’s office for withholding evidence from the police’ attorneys. DETAILS:
The first grand jury declined to indict the officers and when the second grand jury indicted the men, Judge Hogan noticed the grand jury was not privy to the fact that the victim made a deal with prosecutors to testify against the officers and they were not showed the surveillance video of the shooting.
JANUARY 2020
Chief Trial Assistant for Gardner, Rachel Smith resigns after 19 years and after being the fourth prosecutor to assume the role since January 2017 when Gardner assumed her office.
Under Gardner’s tenure, 65 attorneys have been fired or resigned.
This Harris-Stowe State University graduate is definitely shaking things up!
The Cannes Film Festival announced Tuesday that Spike Lee would serve as president of its jury in May, making the American director the first black person to do so in the French festival’s 73-year history. Catch the full story shared by Sonia Rao of The Washington Post.
Director Spike Lee, pictured at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival during a photo call for “BlacKkKlansman,” will head the festival’s jury this year. (Ian Langsdon/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
In a statement signed from what he called “Da People’s Republic of Brooklyn, New York,” Lee detailed his history with the prestigious festival dating to his 1986 debut feature, “She’s Gotta Have It,” which won the Prix de la Jeunesse, an award honoring young directors. Lee, 62, has since returned to Cannes six times. His most recently chosen film, 2018′s “BlacKkKlansman,” won the Grand Prix, or second place overall.
“In this life I have lived, my biggest blessings have been when they arrived unexpected, when they happened out of nowhere,” Lee wrote. “When I got the call that I was offered the opportunity to be President of Cannes Jury for 2020, I was shocked, happy, surprised and proud all at the same time.” Read more via Washington Post.
J. Charles Jones, the civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the civil rights eventsthroughout the 1960s has died, The New York Times reports. The Chester, South Carolina native was a spokesman for the Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-in Charlotte. Jones was 82.
The son of the former Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee member said that his father passed from Alzheimer’s disease and sepsis.
Jones will be remembered for his participation in the protest that desegregated lunch counters throughout the city of Charlotte. He also attended the meeting at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C. that the S.N.C.C. was birthed from. In 1960, Jones chose to spend 30 days in jail on a chain gang rather than be bailed out. It was a strategic effort known as “Jail, No Bail.”
The Howard University Law school alum was a civil rights attorney for 35 years, often speaking to media and members of the community about the movement that pushed for the Civil Rights Bill of 1964.
In a tweet, Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles said, “Charles and I had a connection deep as the roots of the trees that line Biddleville’s streets. As the principal of the segregated school in Chester, South Carolina, Charles’ mother became my own mother’s friend and mentor as she worked as [a] teacher at the same school.
She continued, “Charles Jones organized people, bringing them together to change the way we all experience and are treated in this country. He will be missed by many, and his legacy will be forever felt by this entire nation. Well done good and faithful servant.”
If you’re excited about Birds of Prey, the girl squad superhero movie based around Harley Quinn leaving The Joker behind, then you will be stoked to hear the first song off of the movie’s soundtrack. This first single is none other than Normani and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Diamonds”and the music video reveals film footage, with the setting in Gotham City. The girl power anthem is just one song off of the 16-song soundtrack.
The first single off the Birds of Prey, which is officially premiering in theaters on Feb. 7, is a major hint at what one can expect from the rest of the entirely female soundtrack. This song is “Diamonds,” a power anthem, indeed, and one that takes inspiration from a surprising place. The two artists channel their inner Marilyn Monroe by including a nod to starlet’s tune “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” which made its appearance in 1953’s movie musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The music video gives a nod to the iconic scene as well, via a dolled-up Harley Quinn and Normani, with other Monroe references appearing in the Birds of Prey trailers.
The music video begins in a dark landscape of Gotham City in an abandoned fairground. The result is a mash-up of glamour shots and all-around woman power, with both singers yielding a giant hammer or baseball bat like Quinn’s. We see the two singers travel in a car to the dreamy landscape of the fairground, full of giant hands, multi-colored surroundings, and bright carnival lights. This is complemented with actual footage from the film, showing Quinn in the same setting.
The lyrics start with Normani singing the chorus first:
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend (Tiffany) / Di-Diamonds are a girl’s best friend / Southern girl like me, I ain’t afraid to catch a case / VVS’ on me and I flooded out the face (Hey, hey, Cartier)
The Clark Atlanta University Panthers overcame a 15-point deficit to win their sixth game in a row, defeating Fort Valley State 69-61 Saturday at L.S. Epps Gymnasium.
The Panthers (7-9, 7-1 SIAC) haven’t lost since mid-December – their only conference loss so far this season – and continue to lead the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division race. Fort Valley State falls to 3-12, 1-5 in the SIAC.
Saturday, the Panthers had to deal with a stubborn Wildcats squad that turned a 20-19 lead midway through the first half into a 14-point lead at halftime.
That lead grew to as many as 15 points early in the second half after Malik Clark’s 3-pointer made it 44-29. CAU whittled that lead down to six after Colin Bell’s free throw made it 48-42 with 13:44 remaining. After FVSU increased that lead to ten points at 52-42, Clark Atlanta made another big run.
The Panthers outscored Fort Valley State 12-2 over the next seven minutes to tie the game at 54-54 on Romaine Thomas’two free throws with 6:54 remaining. Thomas’ next basket tied the game again at 56-56, but took the lead for good on Malik Williams’ free throw with just under five minutes remaining.
The Wildcats kept it close, but Clark Atlanta was able to hold them off for the win. Clark Atlanta only gave up six baskets in the second half and forced 18 turnovers.
Tyler Singleton and Elijah Stewart both had 17 points for CAU. Singleton also had three rebounds and three assists, while Stewart two assists, a steal and a rebound. Thomas finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Williams had eight points. Shannon Smith added seven points while Bell pulled down seven rebounds and had three points.
K’Viontae Williams led Fort Valley State with 18 points, along with seven rebounds. Shawn Foxbrennen added 12 points and seven boards.
The Panthers are off until Monday, Jan. 20 – the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday – when they host Savannah State in L.S. Epps Gymnasium at 8 p.m.
Morehouse College has launched a new undergraduate software engineering degree program, leading the nation as one of the first HBCUs to offer the major. Sixteen students are currently pursuing their degrees in software engineering, including some who have transferred into the major from computer science, business, biology, and dual degree engineering. Dr. Kinnis Gosha, Morehouse College’s Division Chair for Experiential Learning and Interdisciplinary Studies and Hortenius I. Chenault Endowed Professor, has developed courses for the program that prepare students to compete for internships and jobs at top tech firms.
“In my nine years working in the computer science department here at Morehouse, I have learned that the curriculum had to be radically changed to keep up with the pace that tech companies were moving at,” Gosha said. “As a result, we have built a curriculum centered around the skills that the large tech firms are looking for that we didn’t teach consistently in our computer science program. It is designed to prepare students so that they don’t just get a job, they get the best, most competitive job.” The new software development program is staffed by existing faculty but will expand to include adjunct professors and industry partners in the tech industry. Students take required classes in full-stack web development, mobile web development, computer ethics, and human values, as well as human-computer interaction. Its first graduates could earn their degrees as soon as May 2021.
Currently, there are freshmen, sophomores, and juniors enrolled. Based on an informal audit of computer science programs at HBCUs across the country, Gosha said it appears that Morehouse is the first to offer a degree in software engineering. Recently, the program received an important endorsement from a national leader in business. JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon has donated $100,000 to Morehouse College for the creation of a Software Engineering Innovation Lab under Gosha’s direction. Gosha said the gift will support the development of a spacious area in which students can brainstorm and work together on group projects as they would at tech firms.
The Innovation Lab will include collaboration spaces, a video wall, a digital whiteboard, and quiet spaces for reflection and meditation. “In the industry, one person doesn’t develop Google Maps or Microsoft Word,” Gosha said. “You have to work in large teams. This gift will assist us in developing a world-class program for men of color who want to become software developers. Black males have been woefully underrepresented in the nation’s computing footprint, and this gift is one small step in changing the narrative.” Only seven percent of employed black professionals with a bachelor’s degree or higher work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, a study by Pew Research shows. The average salary for a software engineer is about $107, 300, according to Glassdoor.com.
If you follow actress Taraji P. Henson on social media or watch the interviews she gives throughout the year, you’ll notice that she has a beautiful head full of natural hair. It’s full, bouncy, curl-defined and with the color she’s added, dynamic. In a word, it’s beautiful.
And while we all have our own unique hair journeys—marked by diverse textures, lengths, and different responses to various products, Taraji is getting ready to introduce a hair care line that will show you what works for her hair specifically.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 07: Taraji P. Henson attends the FOX Winter TCA All Star Party at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on January 07, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
According to Vibe.com and the brand’s Instagram page, Taraji will release TPH on January 29.
In the promotional video for the line, Taraji said:
“I created this hair care line because I wanted to maintain healthy hair, a healthy scalp while wearing a wig, weaves or installs. I know you’re always asking me on my social media how do you keep your hair so healthy, girl? How did you save your edges all these years? Well now, I am going to share my secret. Healthy hair starts with the scalp. And if your scalp isn’t clean, your hair will not grow. And that’s what I realized. A lot of women were putting weaves in their hair and totally neglecting their hair. And I know the wig is fabulous honey but you have to take care of that hair underneath. And that’s what TPH will give you, the most amazing, refreshing experience. This line is perfect for taking care of your natural hair. A scalp cleansing line, moisturizing and styling. TPH by Taraji. Go get it now at Target.”
The product will be on shelves at Targets nationwide on January 29.
Taraji’s own hair are the receipts. Check them out on the following pages.
Is not free to leave or come at will. Is unpaid, paid very little, or only through tips. Works excessively long or unusual hours. Under 18 and providing commercial sex acts. These are some of the signs of human trafficking.
On National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. addressed human trafficking and sexual assault, posting on Twitter their I-S.H.I.E.L.D. (Iota’s Saving, Healing, Improving, Empowering, Lives, Daily) initiative, supporting President Barack Obama’s 2011 Presidential Proclamation to end the evil of human trafficking. The historically black fraternity’s 5 Point program also aims to address issues of domestic violence, elder abuse and bullying.
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed every year on January 11th. This observance was started in 2011 by the Presidential Proclamation of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention… https://t.co/lUj6z9Jm7l
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed every year on January 11th. This observance was started in 2011 by the Presidential Proclamation of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In 2011 President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation, designating each January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The anniversary of this proclamation became known as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Slavery was officially abolished in the USA by the Thirteenth Amendment in December 1865. Sadly, however, human trafficking is growing at an alarming rate. Despite the USA being a first world country, human trafficking has become a lucrative business for some members of our society. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The victims affected and forced into modern-day slavery can be of foreign nationalities or the citizens of the USA, but they are all subjected to the horrific injustices of human trafficking-sex trafficking, forced labor, involuntary servitude, forced marriage and debt bondage. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Many anti-trafficking organizations arrange awareness-raising campaigns year-round, but January is when this awareness day is recognized and publicity is at its peak. It is important to know the signs of human trafficking and who you can contact should you have suspicions. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline, a resource that anyone can call to submit a tip about potential incidents of trafficking, received 28,335 calls and had 10,949 cases of trafficking reported in 2018 alone, with figures increasing every year. Help raise awareness and potentially save people’s lives by educating yourself more about the despicable act of human trafficking and what you can do if you suspect anyone of being a victim or organizer of this terrifying act. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I-SHIELD (Iota’s Saving, Healing, Improving, Empowering, Lives, Daily) is a 5 Point program within Iota Phi Theta that not only addresses sexual assault and human trafficking but also issues of domestic violence, elder abuse, and bullying. These are issues deemed significantly important for not only the African American and Hispanic community but more importantly the world. This forum is to give members of the community an opportunity to discuss these issues and provide resources from experts in the areas of human trafficking, sexual assault/abuse, domestic abuse, elder abuse and child abuse in the communities we serve. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As an organization, we have an opportunity and obligation to deal with what continues to be a national crisis of confidence and conflict in the communities we serve! We believe the I-SHIELD Initiative serves parts of that ambition. This process is designed to facilitate systemic changes in the communities we serve. We recognize there are galaxies of issues that need to be addressed, and we believe this is one way Iota can meaningfully impact our communities. For more information please contact Victor Peoples, I-SHIELD Coordinator at ishield@iotaphitheta.org
Iota Phi Theta was founded in 1963 during an era of radical change. Today, the historically black fraternity is the fifth-largest predominantly black social service fraternity and headquarters in Maryland.
“Luxury clothing brand Ralph Lauren is apologizing amid fallout over the brand’s use of lettering and symbols associated with a historically Black fraternity,” shares Atlanta Black Star(ABS).
Members of Phi Beta SigmaFraternity Inc. sounded the alarm this week after a pair of chino pants featured on the brand’s French site used Greek letters representing the fraternity’s nomenclature, according to the Black Greek lifestyle blog Watch the Yard, which first reported the story. The red and black lettering appears on the back knee of the pants, which retail for about $335.
I have a hard time believing Ralph Lauren was unaware phi beta sigma (well known black fraternity) sold clothing merchandise including pants to its members. And then the model was indeed white 😐
The Yard said that less than three hours after it published a story
on the apparent infringement it was contacted by a Ralph Lauren rep who
said the company would be removing the pants from sale.
“The use of these symbols on our products was an oversight for which we deeply apologize,” the company said in a statement. “We are immediately taking action to remove this product from our sales channels. While we have a rigorous review process in place for all of our designs, this has prompted us to take another review of our protocols to help ensure that this does not happen again.” Read more via Atlanta Black Star.
Michelle Obama as a college student at Princeton.Credit…The Obama-Robinson Family Archives
Obama and her initiative Reach Higher have partnered with ATTN:
on a new IGTV series, “A Year of Firsts.” The series aims to empower
and inspire freshman college students across the country. Each episode
will spotlight the journeys of the students as they embark on their
quest for higher education. “A Year of Firsts” continues the tradition
that Obama started as first lady of uplifting and inspiring young people and supporting their educational potential.
“As a first-generation college student myself, I know how intimidating it can be to take that leap and pursue your educational dreams,” Obama said in a statement. “That’s why I’m so proud of these students. By sharing their stories, they’re helping others see that the ups and downs of the first year of college are something everyone goes through—and they’re creating a supportive community for others facing similar challenges.”
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) – The Hampton University Marching Force received a proclamation of praise during Wednesday night’s City Council meeting.
Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck read and presented the honor, recognizing the band’s service and positive representation of the city stateside and abroad.
The band recently participated in Rome’s New Year’s Day parade. They were the first HBCU to do so.
“We are beyond honored and humbled to be recognized by the City of Hampton as a result of the dedication and hard work of our students. They truly embody the Hampton University values and are reflections of Dr. Harvey’s visionary leadership. We have gone from a band of 78 members to over 200 members in less than two years, and this is no doubt due to the overwhelming support we have received by the Hampton University and Hampton, Virginia communities,” said Dr. Thomas L. Jones, Hampton University Director of Bands, in a news release from the school.
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is donating $1 million to help a private, historically black college in Alabama.
The former Auburn University standout, who starred for 16 seasons in the NBA, told Miles College Interim President Bobbie Knight in a telephone call Wednesday, AL.com reported.
“I’ve gotten to know Bobbie over the last year and it was something I really wanted to do,” Barkley told the website. “To have a female president is a big deal. I want to help Bobbie be as successful as she can be.”
Barkley donated $1 million each to two historically black colleges: Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta in 2016, WBRC reported. In 2017, he pledged $1 million to Morehouse College in Atlanta, AL.com reported.
Knight said the donation will launch a campaign to raise $100 million for the college, the website reported.
“What Barkley has done helps lay the foundation for the campaign,” she said. “I don’t think he realizes what he has done.”
Barkley, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame of 2006, said he hoped the donation to Miles College will go toward academic scholarships, but there were no strings attached.
“They can do what they want to do with it,” Barkley told AL.com.
Boosie recently apologized to members of Kappa Alpha Psi after he wore a fraternity sweater to an Atlanta Hawks game, enraging many KAPsi brothers across the country.
The “Wipe Me Down” rapper posted a pic wearing the fraternity sweater on Instagram — then all hell broke loose.
One member of Kappa Alpha Psi wrote, “This isn’t cool at all. Not sure if you’re doing this for a laugh or because you think you’re above order due to your celebrity status. This is extremely offensive and disrespectful to my fraternity as a whole. This post needs to come down,” according to Revolt.
Other Kappas made fun of the situation. One member wrote, “Yo Yo lol Boosie really out here in my frat’s gear lmao wipe me down then boosie!”
Boosie responded to all of the backlash saying, “I WAS N THE MALL LOOKING FOR RED N SAW THE SWEATER N IT WAS HARD. YES I KNEW IT WAS A KAPPA SWEATER. I THOUGHT I WOULD GET LOVE FROM WEARING IT NOT HATE. CALM YALL AS DOWN BRA I WAS JUST GETTING FRESH #leavemealone.” He then captioned that post, “Y’all pissing me off frfr be mad at the mfs n the mall selling em for the low DONT BE MAD AT ME smh.”
In another Instagram post, Boosie appears in a video, saying, “Aye, check this out. I want to give a shout out to all the Kappas, man. If I offended y’all in any kind of way that’s my bad, you know. But, I ain’t going to wear y’all shirt no more.”
He continued, “But I just found out that y’all step to “Wipe Me Down.” I’m pulling up on YouTube and all y’all do is step to “Wipe Me Down” so I’m not going to wear the shirt, but this what y’all got to do for me: since y’all step off “Wipe Me Down,” y’all got to teach me how to do the dance.”
