Tuskegee University President Dr. Lily D. McNair is taking a medical leave of absence for an undisclosed health issue, according to a statement released by the university’s board of trustees.
Dr. Lily D. McNair
McNair will step away from the presidency on Jan. 15 and will be away for most of the Spring 2020 semester.
“Life sometimes presents us with unforeseen circumstances in our personal lives that cross over into our professional ones as well. Today’s matter is one of those situations,” said Board of Trustees Chair Norma Clayton in a letter announcing the news.
“Please be assured that Dr. McNair is fully committed to returning to her presidential duties upon her recovery,” Clayton wrote. “The university’s day-to-day executive-level operations are in the hands of a full complement of cabinet leaders…”
Wanda Yvette Sykes is an EMMY winning American actress, comedian, and writer. We love her jokes that push the limits and her spunky attitude. This is why she is going to be the perfect host for annual Bounce Trumpet Awards. The award show will air on January 12, 2019 at 9 pm on Bounce. According to the award show commitee, “The 28th Annual Bounce Trumpet Awards, an exciting and inspirational night recognizing African-American achievements and contributions…”
This is a black-tie gala event that will include “show-stopping musical performances and special moments”. They will be highlighting the best in entertainment, humanitarianism and activism. The Bounce Trumpet Award honorees are Martin Lawrence, Cedric the Entertainer, Marsai Martin, Ambassador Andrew Young, Hydeia Broadbent and Phylicia Fant. There will also be performances from Faith Evans, Rapsody, Sheila E, Elle Varner, BJ the Chicago Kid, Nas, B. Slade, Le’Andria Johnson, Jason McGee & The Choir.
As you can tell by the guests being mentioned, the Bounce Trumpet Awards were conceived to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of African Americans. It is to focus on those who have succeeded against great odds and inspired success in others.
Actress and comedian, Niecy Nash, will be presenting Cedric the Entertainer with the Excellence in Entertainment Award for his 30+ year career in film. Funny man Mike Epps will be presenting iconic comedian and actor, Martin Lawrence, with the Luminary Award. Black-ish star, Marsai Martin, will receive the Rising Star Award presented from her co-star, Anthony Anderson. Civil Rights icon Ambassador, Andrew Young, receiving the Xernona Clayton Award of Distinction presented by the 2020 Census.
Music executive Phylicia Fant receiving The Corporate Executive of the Year Award being presented to her by Chairman and CEO of Epic Records Sylvia Rhone. Last but not least, actor Lamman Rucker presenting the Community Activist Award to HIV/AIDS activist and public speaker Hydeia Broadbent. This is sure to be a star studded show you won’t want to miss!
Like a Boss will hit theaters tomorrow, Jan. 10, but earlier this week, exclusive screenings popped up across the country. #LikeaBossMovie
Ladies in Atlanta, Ga, Washington D.C. and Houston, Tx were treated to a sold-out, free ladies night out unlike any other. As the private screening opened its doors, the sounds of Kelis’ famous track, “I’m Bossy,” could be heard, setting the vibe for about 300 lucky ladies in 3 different cities. Alumni, college students, and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. represented their schools and organizations as they filled the theaters.
Attendees were automatically entered into a door raffle, with prizes and giveaways including an official movie poster, exclusive holographic Like A Boss bag and even dozens of $25 giftcards to Sephora. It wasn’t all fun and games though, the host of the evening challenged ladies to define what makes them feel like a boss and a few ladies even took to the mic to share before the movie began.
Michaella(Delta) and Karis(AKA) and a few accompanying linesisters represented their chapters and we caught a few proud HBCU alumnae in the crowd as well:
The world of beauty is about to get ugly. Best friends Mia and Mel (Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne) are living their best lives running their own cosmetics company they’ve built from the ground up.
Unfortunately, they’re in over their heads financially, and the prospect of a big buyout offer from a notorious titan of the cosmetics industry Claire Luna (Salma Hayek) proves too tempting to pass up, putting Mel and Mia’s lifelong friendship in jeopardy. The beauty business is about to get ugly. LIKE A BOSS also stars Billy Porter, Jennifer Coolidge, Ari Graynor, Natasha Rothwell, Jessica St. Clair and Karan Soni.
Check out the official trailer for Like A Boss, starring Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne, and Salma Hayek. In theatres January 10th:
Check your local theatres for movie times and reserve your ticket today!
The Executive Committee of the General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal Church has voted to forgive over $4 million in debt owed to it by Morris Brown College, school officials announced Tuesday.
The college, located near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, has agreed to create a $1.5 million scholarship for AME members worldwide.
Morris Brown College is seen Friday, April 22, 2011 in Atlanta. Morris Brown College could soon settle nearly $10 million in debt for pennies on the dollar in an agreement pending with the U.S. Education Department. The Associated Press has obtained a letter dated April 7 from the Education Department that says it will forgive more than $9.4 million in debt, provided Morris Brown pays the remaining $500,000. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
College officials said the decision is an important step in its effort to regain its accreditation, which was revoked in 2002. Because Morris Brown is not accredited, students are not able to receive federal loans which are critical to paying tuition at most colleges.
“The removal of the long-term debt improves our position … which is a critical part of the accreditation process. We are thankful to the AME Church,” said Shermanetta Carter, the college’s chief financial officer.
Since its inception, Amazon has had brought many features to the Alexa platform, including various sounds for various accents and dialects. However, the latest addition to the collection would make Marvel fans quite happy. Alexa has finally brought the voice of Samuel L Jackson to the digital assistant platform. This means the digital assistant would be answering your questions in Jackson’s voice, provided that the responses for your questions have been covered. Of course, Jackson won’t be there to take care of your grocery list or the reminder list.
This choice does not come for free, though. The voice of Samuel L Jackson for Alexa is now available for an introductory price of $0.99 but the price would skyrocket to $4.99 when the Early Adoption period is over. In the early adoption period, Amazon would be analyzing the popularity and effectiveness of the new voice in a real-life environment. There is also an option to purchase the voice through Alexa interface, and a simple command “Alexa, introduce me to Samuel L Jackson” would suffice. More importantly, users can purchase the family-friendly or the explicit version of the voice, as per the convenience and choice.
Alexa had introduced a number of voices in the past, but the one from Samuel L Jackson could be called the most comprehensive one. There are several commands for which the renowned actor has created his own responses. For instance, there will be a touch of Samuel L Jackson when you ask Alexa for weather updates or to remind you of something at a time. Once again, the family-friendly version of his voice may take away a lot of nuances. An actor known for Marvel series films, Samuel L Jackson has become a cultural icon, thanks to his plethora of movies.
A Washington, D.C. professor is breaking the stigma surrounding incarceration one semester at a time.
Howard University professor Dr. Bahiyyah Muhammad’s passion for criminal justice reform began in college.
As an undergraduate student at Rutgers University, one of her professors took her and her classmates inside a prison.
“Literally that experience completely changed my life. I had never gone into a prison before and seeing all these black and brown bodies locked up behind bars was disheartening,” she said.
“It really sparked my interest as an undergrad and it just gave me an impetus to continue to learn about the criminal justice system, master it, and even go as far as getting a Ph.D. in criminal justice.”
Dr. Muhammad is currently a professor of Sociology and Criminology at Howard University, and designed one of the most popular courses on campus: “Inside Out: Crime & Justice.”
The Inside Out Prison Exchange Program was designed in 1997 by a professor at Temple University. The program was created to bring traditional college students inside jails to take courses alongside those who were incarcerated.
But Dr. Muhammad said she was disappointed by the program’s lack of diversity and decided to change it.
“I noticed that there were Ivy League universities with thousands of students going in, but they weren’t black or brown, but the majority of individuals in these carceral spaces were,” Dr. Muhammad said. “So I felt that it was really important to balance the dialogue. Balance the experience.”
Dr. Muhammad said she chose Howard University, a historically black university, as the home of her version of the program because of the university’s motto “In Truth in Service,” which she felt embodied how she intended to teach the class.
Dr. Muhammad typically starts the semester by meeting with the students separately: the “outside” students on Howard’s campus and the “inside” students inside of the jail.
Unlike other facilitators of Inside Out, Dr. Muhammad teaches her class inside the actual cell block where her incarcerated students live, instead of a teaching area in the jail.
“I want students to see the middle and the heart of the prison. I want them to see where the incarcerated individuals are living where they have their day to day. So typically, my sessions happen in the middle of the unit. D block. C block. E block,” she said.
Dr. Muhammad said that for some, the first day is the hardest and the idea of being locked inside of the jail for the three hours is too much for some students.
“The first combined session typically starts with the students on the university side going through a clearance process,” Muhammad said, “They have to pass through the gates and before they get to the next gate the gate behind you must close. And that is one of the most difficult parts for students.”
Once inside, the students are seated in a way that helps them to quickly get accommodated with their new colleagues.
“You sit every other. Inside student. Outside student… so, you’re not comfortable,” Muhammad said.
“You’re sitting next to two incarcerated individuals and the incarcerated individuals are sitting next to you.”
Student Ty West said, “It started off kind of weird and then by the end of the semester it felt completely normal like we were going to a regular class.”
Dr. Muhammad said her passion is fueled by the love she has for her community and her knowledge of the power of education.
“The Dr. Muhammad Experience really kind of means and fits this philosophy where you think outside of the box. I want students to see things that they wouldn’t necessarily have an opportunity to see,” she said.
Black colleges are the breeding grounds for some of the world’s best lawyers, doctors, teachers, activists, scientists and engineers in the world. It only makes sense that these sane fertile grounds cultivate some of your favorite celebrities. Take a look at these stars from a number of various fields who all enjoyed the historically black college experience before they rose to fame.
Simone Whitmore – Spelman College
Bravo TV’s Married to Medicine (Spelman College)
Cecil Whitmore
Bravo TV’s Married to Medicine (Morehouse College)
2 Chainz – Alabama State / Virginia State
Rapper, (Alabama State 1995-97; Virginia State 1997 – graduation, unspecified)
Matthew Knowles – Fisk University
Record Executive/Father of Beyonce Knowles (Fisk University – 1974)
Eva Marcille – Clark Atlanta University
EVA: Model, Bravo TV Real Housewives of Atlanta Star Michael: Politician
Michael Sterling – Morehouse College
Elijah Cummings – Howard University
Politician and Civil Rights Advocate (Howard University – 1973)
Samuel L. Jackson – Morehouse College
Actor/Film Producer
Dr. Jackie – Alcorn State University
Celebrity Doctor – Bravo TV’s Married to Medicine
Erykah Badu – Grambling State University
Singer/Songwriter, Record Producer, Actress
Toni Braxton – Bowie State University
Singer/ Songwriter
Wanda Sykes – Hampton University
Comedian, Actress
April Ryan – Morgan State University / Claflin University (honorary)
White House Correspondent, CNN Poltical Analyst, Commentator
Walter Payton – Jackson State University
NFL Football Player (Jackson State University 1971-1974)
Terrence J – North Carolina A&T State University
Actor, Model, Entertainment Reporter (NCAT&TSU c/o 2004)
Ohio’s only historically black college and university (HBCU), Central State University in Wilberforce, is seeking funding to renovate its Dayton campus in order to provide better support for people who live in the neighborhoods around Germantown Street.
According to the Dayton Daily News, the black college requested the Dayton Development Coalition lobby for state or federal funds in support of the proposed $1.37 million project.
Each year, Dayton businesses submit ideas for projects that they want either state or federal money for. Businesses submit to the Priority Development and Advocacy Committee and then the committee works with the DDC to choose which projects regional leaders will work together to lobby for at the state or federal level.
The official request to the DDC reads, “Central State University is requesting funds to support the renovation of its Dayton Campus located at 840 Germantown St. This former Reynolds and Reynolds building is in need of major repairs and upgrades to maintain safety, functionality, and accessibility. Our renovation plan includes replacement of the roof, upgrade of the HVAC, build-out of the second floor to provide more affordable leasable space for our nine current and future non-profit partners and re-pavement of the parking lot.”
The proposal said the Dayton Campus serves as an economic driver and funding would support three key community needs:
Provide affordable office and programming space for non-profits and local businesses.
Serve as a hub for social services and can be used by the public for little to no cost and last.
Can be used by the public for little to no cost and last.
According to the request, “This entry point has been identified as one of the major corridors in the Greater West Dayton Framework and serving as the major spine which will connect West Dayton to the new site of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. This makes this location ideal for future use by other non-profit and profit entities.”
CSU is also preparing for the departure of the black college’s president, Cynthia Jackson-Hammond, who announced late last year that she will step down from her role.
Jackson-Hammond has served as president since 2011.
Though her brand is heavily tied to optimism, Oprah Winfrey is concerned about the current state the world is in.
The influential media mogul is also still weighing her options in who she will support during the upcoming presidential election.
While kicking off her Weight Watchers Vision Tour in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, Winfrey offered up some thoughts in an exclusive interview TODAYshow host Jenna Bush Hager.
“I’m also worried about the state we are. How can you live in this world and not be?,” she asked rhetorically.
“But I believe each person has the opportunity to offer the gift of their own higher level of consciousness, and you can only heal the world once you are healed yourself,” Winfrey continued, keeping in line with the self-empowerment message she’s promoting throughout the multi-city trek.
“I work very hard on staying awake and conscious myself.”
When it comes to politics, people are wondering where she stands on the current slate of presidential hopefuls – since many believe she played a huge part in making history with 2008’s election of Barack Hussein Obama.
“I’m waiting to see who presents themselves as a front runner and whether or not I will then join forces with whomever that is,” Winfrey responded when George W. Bush’s daughter asked her how involved she will be in the 2020 presidential campaign.
“But right now I’m really focused on mind, body, spirit, having people make themselves the best that they can be so that you can offer that goodness to the world.”
Howard University alum Diddy and friends Meek Mill and DJ Khaled recently had on some flashy watches courtside at a Miami Heats game, and they did not fail to impress the onlookers.
According to GQ, the watches alone is worth about $870,000.
Talk about bling-bling!
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 22: Sean Combs attends the ‘Killing Them Softly’ Premiere during 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2012 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
A picture is worth a thousand words, they say, but this one of Diddy, Meek Mill and DJ Khaled is worth closer to something like $870,000 (plus whatever it costs to smother them in diamonds) based on the watches alone. The full photo, taken courtside at a Miami Heat game, is something of a hip-hop Last Supper —a collection of immense figures (with Future sitting just out of frame). The watches, obviously, seem beamed down from the heavens: grail pieces already, enhanced with sparkling diamonds. Because on the first day, God (Diddy, obviously!) said let there be light. We haven’t seen a collection of watches this impressive since—well, actually, since just a couple of weeks ago, when Diddy rounded up his famous pals for a 50th birthday blowout that featured more stunning watches than a Christie’s auction. Diddy has a way of bringing out—demanding—the best in people, especially when it comes to their watches.
Diddy never fails to impress. But this is one for the books!
HBCU family, I hope that everyone is having a great start to the New Year!
We know that our favorite filmmaker Spike Lee, who graduated from HBCU Morehouse College in Atlanta, definitely is and in part to Netflix recently announcing that his first film since “BlacKkKlansman” will be streaming straight to your smart TV, game console, PC, Mac, mobile, tablet or whatever device you watch these things on nowadays.
The latest Spike Lee joint is called Da 5 Bloods. But get this.
HBCU Howard University graduate Chadwick Boseman is starring in the film.
We love when a pair of HBCU alums team up to make better happen!
From IndieWire.com:
Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods” stars Chadwick Boseman, Paul Walter Hauser, Norm Lewis, Delroy Lindo, and Jonathan Majors in the story of four African American vets who return to Vietnam, searching for the remains of their fallen squad leader and the promise of buried treasure. The film is Lee’s first since winning an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay with “BlacKkKlansman.”
Another year of movies is ahead of us! We’ve mentioned a lot of these films already, but here’s a handy list of all the films coming to Netflix this year…so far. (thread)
DA 5 BLOODS: The latest Spike Lee joint follows four African American vets who return to Vietnam, searching for the remains of their fallen squad leader and the promise of buried treasure. Chadwick Boseman, Paul Walter Hauser, Norm Lewis, Delroy Lindo, and Jonathan Majors star.
Once upon a time, the HBCU sent many football players into the NFL. Actually, nearly 10 percent of the inducted Hall of Famers are from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Famed Grambling coach Eddie Robinson sent over 200 players into professional football including the National Football League. “Coaching is a profession of love. You can’t coach people unless you love them,” Robinson once said. He’s one of the pioneers who helped put HBCU schools on the map. And the future may lead back to the past to rebirth the legendary status that once existed.
The XFL Is giving a Rare Second Chance to HBCU Players
In case you haven’t heard, another professional league will be born soon. In February, the XFL 2020 will reboot to see if this time around, the desire for more football after January can prosper. But this story is not so much about the XFL as it is about the untapped market of the many HBCU fans around the country.
The questions linger as far as what happened to all the mystique for playing for an HBCU school like Grambling, Florida A&M, or Southern. The NFL Hall of Fame is represented by nearly 10 percent, which was mentioned earlier. Now, it’s hard to find one on an active roster.
This is one theory held by some of the people still involved in marketing the HBCU schools to younger players. Ironically, integration had an adverse effect on the HBCU football programs. With the countless choices for students coming into college after the mid-1970s, the HBCUs struggled to keep up.
Opportunity Knocks for the HBCU
This where the XFL can come in. In 2020, the opportunity is there for players from HBCU schools. Former Southern Jaguar Lenard Tilleryis one of them. Tillery was a standout at Southern becoming a member of the Southern and SWAC Hall of Fame. He went from being a walk-on to an all-out legend in Baton Rouge. Now he’s taking his talents to the St. Louis Battle Hawks in the XFL. Tillery is attempting to follow some of the greats in the history of the NFL.
Just in case the SWAC doesn’t sound familiar—names like Jerry Rice, Mel Blount, or even Walter Payton should ring a bell. All were from respective schools part of the SWAC including Mississippi Valley, Southern, and Jackson State.
Don’t Sleep on the Talent
Unfortunately, the lack of resources poured into scouting for HBCU schools has dropped off. And there’s plenty of blame to go around. Still, it’s possible to hit the jackpot—Chad Williams did from Grambling in the 2017 NFL Draft. Williams was the first player since 2006 that was drafted from Grambling since Jason Hatcher in 2006 for the Dallas Cowboys.
Still, the belief is the talent at the HBCU schools has significantly diminished since the glory days. Of course, times were different 30-40 years ago. However, now is the time for a rebirth from a forgotten stomping ground for talented football players. Lenard Tillery is just one player who hopes to make his mark playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks. The XFL could be the last shot for many of these players, looking to get that one moment to prove they can play with anyone.
“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” – Bill Gates.
The dynamics of higher education in America today are driving the demand for a new set of skills and capabilities for tomorrow’s leaders. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) provide quality education to low-income, first-generation, and academically underprepared students. Those institutions of such also serve a diverse population while maintaining the role as the backbone of educational institutions for more than 140-year history.
As President and CEO, Founder at the HBCU Campaign Fund, a non-profit that advocates for HBCUs and MSIs, leadership plays a substantial role in the management of the day-to-day operations of an institution. This third select group of individuals has proven their responsibilities for shaking policies, changing perspectives and making decisions that affect millions of individuals in the higher education sector and the daily needs of an HBCU or Minority-Serving Institution.
Below, HCF has compiled a list of ten chancellors and presidents that currently serve an HBCU or MSI who is a dominant and influential leader that presently displays the following responsibilities in the progress of moving their institutions forward.
President Zaldwaynaka Scott
10. Zaldwaynaka Scott was unanimously voted by the Board of Trustees’ to serve as the 12th permanent president of Chicago State University and assumed the role on July 1, 2018. Under her leadership, CSU has a renewed focus on growing student enrollment, building the school’s regional and national reputation for scholarship and academic research, improving the resources and opportunities available to the student body, and increasing alumni and community engagement.
Prior to her current role, President Scott spent more than 16 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois where she served as Chief of the General Crimes Section. She also served as Illinois’ first Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Governor and Public Universities. President Scott has taught at some of the nation’s most competitive law schools, including Northwestern University School of Law, The University of Chicago Law School and John Marshall Law School. She also served on the Board of Visitors at Indiana University Maurer School of Law and was the Board’s elected Vice President of the Chicago State Board of Trustees from 2010-13.
President Scott’s peers rank her among the nation’s top lawyers, resulting in her inclusion in Chambers and Partners USA, U.S. News Best Lawyers, Women in Business Law Guide, The Best Lawyers in America, Lending Lawyers 2015, Top 10 Women in Criminal Defense and Illinois Super Lawyers.
President Scott holds a law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
Dr. Patricia G. Sims
9. Dr. Patricia G. Simswas named as the fourth president of J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama, in December 2018 by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees. Under her leadership, Drake State is transitioning to become the premier training destination for businesses in greater Huntsville.
Dr. Sims has 25 years of experience in K-12 and higher education. Most recently, she served as dean for the College of Education at Athens State University after 12 years as an administrator for the Alabama Community College System. Before that, she was the director of student services management and dean of instructional and student services at Drake State for more than 12 years. She has also served as a teacher and principal in the Huntsville City Schools Systems.
Dr. Sims was featured in the May 2019 issue of Business Alabama Magazine, representing a diverse field of industry and education, recognizing her work as president.
Dr. Sims holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Alabama, a master’s degree in secondary education from Alabama A&M University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and organizational development from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
Dr. Kevin W. Cosby
8.Dr. Kevin W. Cosbywas named the 13th President of Simmons College of Kentucky (SCKY) in 2015. Two years later, the college returned to its original campus. In the 13 years of his tenure, he has led the institution in generosity and vision, as demonstrated by his refusal to accept a salary from the college. Under his visionary direction, SCKY was granted accreditation by the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) in February 2014, expanded its campus and added three new degree programs, and was officially designated as the nation’s 107th Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in April 2015. Prior to Simmons College, Dr. Cosby has held administrative and teaching assignments at Kentucky State University, the University of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and United Theological Seminary. Additionally, his exceptional oratorical skills have garnered lecture engagements at universities and institutions all over the world, including Harvard University.
Since 1979, Dr. Kevin Cosby has served as Senior Pastor of St. Stephen Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Due greatly to his practical and dynamic Bible teachings, the congregation has grown from 500 to approximately 14,000 members, and has been recognized by Outreach magazine as one of the 100 largest churches in America (2010) and Emerge magazine as one of the six “super churches” in the South.
Dr. Cosby has authored five highly-acclaimed books: Get off Your But!: Messages, Musings & Ministries to Empower the African-American Church; As They Want; Treasure Worth Seeking; Who’s Your Daddy?: Life Lessons from the Prodigal Son and Loyal to the Royal. He has been a contributing writer to a number of books, journals, and periodicals.
Dr. Cosby earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, a master of divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, and a doctor of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has been awarded honorary doctorates from Eastern Kentucky University, Bellarmine University, and Campbellsville University.
Dr. Karrie G. Dixon
7. Dr. Karrie G. Dixon was named the 12th Chief Executive Officer and 7th Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University in December 2018. Prior to her appointment as interim chancellor, Dr. Dixon served as co-lead on the ECSU New Directions Phase 2 Operational Team since early 2017.
Dr. Dixon has served as a senior administrator at the University of North Carolina System since 2008. In 2014, she was promoted to Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. During her tenure, she was responsible for providing University-wide guidance for policy that shapes the work and practice within academic and student affairs divisions. For nearly ten years, she has provided the UNC System office with her expertise in academic policy while leading various student success initiatives and managing processes to increase student access, enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. She has also served as the Chief Student Affairs Officer for the UNC System, working closely with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and other University leaders on efforts regarding community college transfers, enrollment, and minimum admissions requirements, campus safety, and military student success.
Setting an institution-wide expectation for accountability, commitment, and excellence at ECSU from the beginning of her tenure, Dr. Dixon ensures that faculty, staff, alumni, internal and external stakeholders, and other community members know how valuable they are to the success of the university and its students. She was recently featured as one of the “Young HBCU Leaders Look to Carry the Torch” by Diverse Issues in Higher Education.
Dr. Dixon holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations from NC State University, a master’s degree in Speech Communications and Rhetoric from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a doctorate of education for NC State.
Dr. W. Franklin Evans
6. Dr. W. Franklin Evans is the 9th President of Voorhees College, has been in the position since 2016. Prior to being named the President of VC, he served as the Interim President of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC, where he also served as the provost and chief academic officer. Evans is well-versed in many areas; these include leadership and supervision in all academic programs and curriculum development, faculty recruitment, enrollment management, strategic planning, and the accreditation process. During his leadership, the institution has launched its first fully online degree program, unveiled a new surface at its track and field complex, and ended its fiscal year raising $1,150,850.35.
Several years ago, Dr. Evans served as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at VUU and was instrumental in leading the university through a successful reaffirmation of accreditation. He also held academic leadership roles at Elizabeth City State University, J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College, Alabama A&M University, and Tennessee State University.
Dr. Evans earned a doctoral degree in higher education administration from Georgia State University. He earned a degree in journalism, middle childhood education, curriculum and instruction, as well as administration and supervision from Georgia State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in entomology from the University of Georgia in 1984.
5. Dr. Paul A. Jones was appointed as the 10th president of Fort Valley State University in December 2015. Under his leadership, overall enrollment has grown by 0.9%. Before joining FVSU, he served two years as interim president at Darton State College in Albany, Georgia.
Prior to his interim presidential appointment, he served in numerous senior leadership roles at Georgia College & State University, including senior vice president for finance and administration, vice president and chief of staff, vice president for institutional research and enrollment management, and several interim roles including interim vice president of academic affairs and president. Dr. Jones was also a Professor of Educational Administration at Georgia College.
Dr. Jones earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree at Utah State University, and also holds a doctor of philosophy degree in education and human resource studies from Colorado State University.
Dr. Elwood L. Robinson
4. Dr. Elwood L. Robinson was named Chancellor of Winston-Salem State University in, September 2014, by the Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North Carolina, and assumed his duties in January 2015. Dr. Robinson was inducted as a member of the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame on September 27, 2019.
In 2016, the university rolled out a five-year strategic plan that focuses on strengthening liberal education, enhancing academic excellence, and building a commitment to social justice through community engagement. Under his leadership, the university has made great strides in integrating what students learn in the classroom into every element of campus life. Additionally, WSSU maintains the highest six-year graduation rate of any of the UNC System’s minority serving institutions and is ranked as Money Magazine’s no. 1 public HBCU for 2019-20.
Prior to his appointment, Dr. Robinson served as Provost and Vice-President of Cambridge College. As a Cambridge College’s chief academic officer, Robinson has advised the president on matters of educational policy and the development of teaching and academic programs. Before, he was named Director of the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program, which provides research-training opportunities for students and faculty from minority groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences.
From 1993-1996, Dr. Robinson also served as chair of NCCU’s Psychology Department. During his three-year term, he instituted a new clinical master’s program, developed a faculty development program, increased external funding, and improved graduation rates by 25 percent. In 2006, he was named founding Dean of the NCCU College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, where he oversaw nine departments, five centers and over 200 faculty and staff.
Dr. Robinson earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Carolina Central University; a master’s degree in psychology from Fisk University. He earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from Pennsylvania State University. He later completed his clinical training as a research associate at Duke University Medical Center.
Dr. George T. French, Jr.
3. Dr. George T. French, Jr., was named the fifth president of Clark Atlanta University in September 2019. He served as president of Miles College, 2006-2019 before taking the lead at CAU. During his tenure, Miles College exceeded capital campaign goals – besting previous fundraising records, achieved an unprecedented financial composite score to position the school for growth, increased student access to educational funding, and more than doubled the size of the existing campus with key land acquisitions.
Prior to serving as the president of Miles College, Dr. French served in the roles of acting and interim president for the institution between October and December 2005. Before serving as interim president, Dr. French served as a member of the President’s Cabinet in the capacity of director of Institutional Planning and Development, and as such directed the offices of Alumni Affairs, Federal Contracts and Grants, Title III, Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Congressional Relations, and Public Relations.
Dr. French earned a bachelor degree in political science with an emphasis in policy analysis from the University of Louisville. He was competitively accepted into the University of Richmond Law School and completed two years of studies before being recruited by Miles College to serve as the Director of Development. He completed his final year of law school at Miles Law School, earning a Juris Doctorate. Dr. French received his Ph.D. in higher education from Jackson State University.
In 2015, Dr. French co-founded Higher Education Leader Foundation to help prepare highly-skilled talent for positions of leadership at historically black colleges and universities.
Dr. Cynthia Warrick
2. Dr. Cynthia Warrick was named the 7th president of Stillman College in July 2017, prior to her appointment she served as interim president. Dr. Warrick raised roughly $2 million through alumni outreach to cover debt service and summer operating expenses as well as boost recruiting efforts.
A pharmacist and health services researcher, Dr. Warrick has 20 years of Higher Education experience as faculty and administrator. She previously served as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Management, Policy and Community Health at the University of Texas School of Public Health, Center of Health, Promotion and Prevention Research. Dr. Warrick then served as an Associate Professor and Director of Environmental and Occupational Health at Florida A&M University before she served at Elizabeth City State University as a Tenured Full Professor of Pharmacy, Dean, and Chief Research Officer.
In 2012, Dr. Warrick was selected as Interim President at South Carolina State University. In 2014, she was appointed as Interim President of Grambling State University, where she brought stability to the institution in its crisis. In 2017, Dr. Warrick was appointed as Interim President of Stillman College. Prior to, she was a Senior Fellow at Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and also served as President of the Society for Diversity in the Biomedical Sciences, based in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Warrick earned her bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Howard University; and completed the masters of science in public policy from the George Institute of Technology, and the doctorate in environmental science & public policy from George Mason University.
Dr. Warrick is focused on connecting students and the college to opportunities that advance academic excellence, degree completion, admissions into graduate and professional schools, and fruitful careers.
Dr. Billy C. Hawkins
1. Dr. Billy C. Hawkins has served as president of Talladega College since January 1, 2008. During his tenure, he has stabilized finances, increased fundraising, expanded academic offerings, successfully guided the College in reaching record-breaking enrollment increases.
A 45,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art residence hall opened in January 2019. In 2020, two new facilities will open. On January 31, 2020, a ribbon-cutting will be held for the Dr. William R. Harvey Museum of Art, which will house six critically-acclaimed Hale Woodruff murals, including the renowned Amistad Murals. To construct the museum for Woodruff’s murals, which are valued at 50 million dollars, Dr. Hawkins secured Talladega’s largest-ever financial gift, a one-million-dollar donation from alumnus Dr. William R. Harvey. Dr. Hawkins also secured a 1.5 million dollar contribution from Alabama Kay Ivey and the State of Alabama.
Dr. Hawkins spearheaded a similar transformation at Texas College, where he also served as the 20th President. Prior to his arrival, the College had lost both its accreditation and its membership in the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Prior to joining Texas College, Dr. Hawkins served as Provost, Vice President for Academic and Professor of Education at Mississippi Valley State University. He began his career as an educator in the Lansing Michigan Public Schools System. Dr. Hawkins also served as Vice President for Academic Affairs/Professor at Saint Paul’s College; Acting Dean, Associate Dean, and Assistant Dean/Professor in the College of Education at Ferris State University; and Director of Educational Opportunity Program, State University of New York at Morrisville College.
Dr. Hawkins earned a bachelor’s degree in Teacher Education from Ferris State University; a master’s degree in education administration from Central Michigan University; and a Ph.D. in education from Michigan State University. He completed post doctorate study at Harvard University.
Lebron James’ eldest son and namesake a.k.a. “Bronny” could be on his way to living the historically black college experience… if he wants to.
According to recruitment website Verbal Commits, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, NC has offered the Sierra Canyon High School 6’2, 15-year-old freshman guard a scholarship.
The award-winning, NCCU program is headed by Head Coach LeVelle Moton, a proud alumnus of NCCU and former professional basketball player (1996-1999), who has a number of accolades and accomplishments under his belt including MEAC Coach of the Year and leading his team to the NCAA Final Four for 3 years in a row now.
Moton is no stranger to setting his eye on major recruits. He relentlessly sought after then-Raleigh prep sensation John Wall in the mid 2000s, as he dominated the court throughout his high school seasons.
2019-20 NCCU Men’s Basketball Team
Let’s face it, because of his obvious talent and even more obvious familial ties to the game of basketball, Lebron James Jr. will have no problem selecting to attend school wherever his heart desires.
It is extremely likely that Bronny James will also have his day playing for the National Basketball Association (NBA). How cool would it be if he took the time to experience the life-changing adventure of historically black colleges and universities first?
We wonder which one he’d choose.
Check out the NCCU Eagles on the court this season:
In early December, Adam Kissel wrote an opinion editorial on conservative magazine National Review’s website in regards to historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, and whether [or not] these institutions, and in particular failing HBCUs, deserve billions of dollars of handouts.
According to Kissel, who was deputy assistant secretary for higher-education programs in the U.S. Education Department, 2017–18, HBCUs instead should be encouraged to seek private money if they do not want to fail, and HBCUs should be free to compete on an equal basis with everyone else without special handouts and subsidies.
The opinion piece reads as follows:
The federal government shovels hundreds of millions of dollars per year to America’s 100 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), with minimal accountability. Congress is poised to keep the shovel going full steam, and presidential candidates Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Cory Booker (N.J.) want America to give these institutions as much as $100 billion more. While some HBCUs have modernized their operations and are succeeding, many others that are failing are lobbying for handouts — and Congress has already rewarded the worst performers with loan deferment and forgiveness. Congress should stop giving out so much free money, let failing colleges fail, and showcase the ones that successfully compete.
Let’s look at the biggest number first. Senator Booker hopes to throw $100 billion at HBCUs and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) in general. Under his plan, he would transform HBCUs into social-activist organizations in “the fight against climate change,” though it remains unclear why being historically black makes them particularly well qualified for this task.
This plan eclipses the spending idea of Senator Sanders, who wants to throw only $15 billion at HBCUs, forgive another billion or two of debt, and double current funding under the Strengthening HBCUs program of Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Here’s what we’re already spending on HBCUs under Title III. In 2019 Congress gave these 101 institutions $282 million, plus $79 million in “mandatory” money (for which the institutions need to do little but fill out a form), plus $73 million for Historically Black Graduate Institutions (including law and medical schools), plus $9 million for master’s-degree programs. Doubling this amount gives them $443 million more, or an extra $4.43 billion over ten years.
On top of all that, Howard University gets its own annual appropriation of $237 million, nearly a billion dollars every four years, having been uniquely created and chartered by Congress in 1867.
In 2019, Congress also offered $40 million in loan subsidies that are uniquely available to HBCUs. This number represents another entirely undeserved windfall. This loan program, the HBCU Capital Financing Program, had been required by Congress in 2018 to forgive or defer hundreds of millions in loans to HBCUs, including those that had the full ability to pay. Here’s how it went: In 2013, four HBCUs were still paying off debt in this program due to loans given in the aftermath of the 2005 hurricanes Katrina and Rita, so they got five-year deferments, with the resumed payments based on ability to pay. No matter; in 2018 Congress offered what came to $322 million to fully forgive the loans.
Then, predictably, a bunch of HBCUs and their lobbyists came calling for more. Why not forgive or at least defer our loans, too? Congress came through. In July 2018, eight HBCUs got their deferments by demonstrating how poor their finances were — indeed, demonstrating bad financial status was part of the competition initiated by Congress. And whereas Congress had offered only enough funding for a couple of institutions to get deferments, the HBCUs successfully lobbied to have the funding interpreted as annual deferments, so that all eight could get their deferments.
Then they came for more. They got not just deferments, but also refunds of money they had already paid.
Then other HBCUs came for more. Congress came through again. The additional five applicants, even those with such poor applications that they did not make the “top” eight, also got their deferments.
Meanwhile, early in 2018, Howard was still reeling from its failure to update its steam plant, whose pipes had burst in the cold and caused a delay in the start of classes. The taxpayers’ billions over the years had not gone into plainly required maintenance.
All of this spending comes with minimal accountability. Insiders in the U.S. Department of Education, where I worked that year, including the Federal Student Aid staff who keep track of institutional financial health, know how truly bad things are for so many HBCUs. They know there is precious little to show from the work of grants staff, who supposedly are there to help these institutions succeed, but who too often facilitate the dysfunction.
The only bright spot is the HBCU Capital Financing Program’s work to ensure, prior to closing a loan, that an HBCU is financially sound enough to pay back its loan. It is true that the program did not predict the mismanagement by some of the HBCUs, but it calculates such risks in the same way that a regular bank would. Anyway, if Sanders gets his way, all of this debt will just be canceled.
Mismanagement on the part of the worst-performing HBCUs, however, should be considered alongside the high quality of those that have successfully reinvented themselves or maintained sound financial footing. In Texas, for example, Paul Quinn College has done so well in preparing graduates for the workforce that its model earned a $1 million private-sector grant from Strada Education Network in 2018 to expand. While other colleges sought handouts for being badly run, Paul Quinn earned respect and money by being great.
Furthermore, now that the $79 million in “mandatory” money has expired after a decade, the HBCU lobby is clamoring for that allocation to be made permanent. In fact, these millions are just part of $255 million in mandatory funding to MSIs under the same law. The U.S. Senate has voted to keep the free cash flowing, but there is still time to stop it in the House.
This hardly competitive, minimally accountable bonanza should simply stop.
The diversity of HBCU quality shows, first of all, that we should not think of HBCUs as a bloc. Instead, if federal grants to HBCUs should exist at all (though they should not), HBCUs at least should compete among themselves for all funding — not just on the basis of enrollment but on the basis of quality. A better approach would be to merge all grant programs for MSIs (grants that also should not exist) into the same competitive pool.
And better still would be to stop defining MSIs as institutions that meet specified racial quotas of students. Believe it or not, several programs require quotas at various percentages of selected minorities, which universities predictably game. When it comes to federal grants, equal opportunity and equity should mean removing the MSI and HBCU categories entirely, letting all institutions of higher education compete on the same playing field.
Historically black colleges and universities — the best ones — graduate high proportions of the nation’s future black leaders, men and women alike, especially in STEM fields. I have personally talked with almost all the HBCU presidents and know many to be incredibly dedicated to their students’ and institutions’ success, including some who inherited dire situations from their predecessors.
But good intentions and historic discrimination do not justify free money. The “mandatory” money should be left expired, Booker and Sanders should be ignored, the failing HBCUs should be encouraged to seek private money if they do not want to fail, MSI race quotas should end, and HBCUs should be free to compete on an equal basis with everyone else without special handouts and subsidies.
Let’s be honest about our nation’s failing colleges and honor the HBCUs that have demonstrated excellence.
Howard University has announced that the college has received a $4 million gift from the Hopper-Dean Foundation to help fund the Bison STEM Scholars Program (BSSP). The monies will provide 10 computer science or computer engineering students with a full-ride scholarship for four years to the university.
“The Hopper-Dean donation will make a life-altering difference in the lives of our students and we appreciate their investment and confidence in the University. This generous gift will further enhance Howard’s strategic plan and University mission to diversify the workforce with skillfully trained students who are prepared to focus on careers in computer science and computer engineering,” says President Wayne A. I. Frederick in a press release.
“We have made significant progress over the last three years through the Bison STEM Program to change the landscape of what STEM Ph.D.s look like. This significant financial contribution by the Hopper-Dean Foundation speaks volumes to the caliber of the program and the student success achieved thus far.”
The gift will support the expansion of Howard’s STEM education program and is Howard’s largest gift received from a foundation to date. In addition to student scholarships, the gift includes $1 million designated to the President’s Innovation Fund to support future programs and initiatives related to STEM education.
“As the importance of computing and computer science continues to grow, we truly believe the population of computer scientists should reflect that growth in terms of diversity,” said Jeffrey Dean and Heidi Hopper. “This gift to Howard University is designed to support Howard’s robust STEM education program and help expand its reach in the future.”
Every year, the program accepts 30 scholars enrolled in programs from the College of Engineering and Architecture and the College of Arts and Sciences. Bison STEM scholars are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.30 and are expected to meet with a professional mentor, participate in summer research internships, study abroad, and complete the summer bridge program for incoming freshmen. After graduating, the scholars will pursue careers in research, policy development, or leadership roles related to STEM.
“This generous contribution will allow the Bison STEM Scholars Program to continue providing minority students with a rigorous and supportive opportunity in STEM education. By participating in our program, these emerging scholars will be some of the most well-prepared candidates for graduate or professional degrees amongst their peers,” said Ron H. Smith, program director for the Bison STEM Scholars Program. “We look forward to growing our capacity to serve more students interested in pursuing professional careers in STEM with the support of this gift.”
This post was written by Cedric ‘BIG CED’ Thornton, a writer at Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.
