HBCU Community, you may remember Taraji P. Henson launching the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation — named after her father whom Henson believes had bipolar disorder — in 2018, which aims to reduce the stigma around mental health in the black community. Well, now she is opening up about her personal struggle with depression and anxiety, and it hits too close to home.
Fox News reports, during a recent interview with Self published Tuesday, the historically black Howard University graduate addressed her mood swings, heart palpitations and feelings of helplessness, saying “I noticed the mood swings, like one day I’d be up and the next day I’d be down, feeling like I don’t want to go out in public. Almost agoraphobic, like, ‘Ugh, too much to deal with.'”
She continued, “Feeling really awkward in my skin, feeling out of sorts. And just down, like Debbie Downer, like a dark cloud.”
Henson went on to discuss the pending warning signs and how she also could feel the anxiety she was facing on a consistent basis.
“There were days when my brain wouldn’t stop racing, which I would think of the most worst scenarios in the world, which would heighten my anxiety, and people were like, ‘You just need to meditate and [do] yoga and things like that,’ and I would do that but my brain would still race,” she said.
As for how she’s combating the struggles of depression and anxiety, Henson said she got help from a therapist, prays, and practices meditation, which she believed was crucial for her getting on the right track.
“For me, there was no shame when I started to recognize it,” she said. “It was like, I have to get some help because I’m the life of the party and when I go dark I go dark. I don’t want to leave the house and my friends started to notice me pulling back.”
Byron Dobson of Tallahassee Democrat reports:Florida A&M University has hired former Morehouse College administrator Alan D. Robertson as its new chief financial officer and vice president of finance and administration.
Robertson,
a CPA, served as senior vice president for business and finance and CFO
at Morehouse April 2013-November 2018. He most recently worked as a
consultant for Morehouse’s Division of Business and Finance since
leaving its CFO post.
In January, he was named one
of three finalists to be interviewed for the presidency of
Bethune-Cookman University, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.
Another candidate, E. LaBrent Chrite, got that job.
In
March, Robertson was a candidate for Western Illinois University’s vice
president of administrative services post. He begins Jan. 1 at FAMU.
His appointment marks the third person to serve in the key leadership post since June, when Wanda Ford resigned after an internal audit showed the university had been using unauthorized auxiliary funds to cover expenses in its athletics department until at least fall 2016. Read more via Tallahassee Democrat.
Historically Black Colleges are rooted in purpose and were founded as a result of the tireless efforts of African American’s ancestors. Having a full comprehension of where you came and of those who came before you is paramount as you stride forward.
Let’s see how much you really know about the history of Black Colleges. (Answers are at the end.)
Which HBCU used to have so many rattlesnakes on its campus, it became the official school mascot?
Hint: Located in Florida
Who got expelled from their HBCU?
Hint: It wasn’t the person that went to Meharry.
Which HBCU was founded for African American but is more than 90% white?
Hint: It is a “college” not a “university”
What is the name of the very first HBCU?
Hint: Pennsylvania
Which HBCU is named after John D. Rockefeller’s wife, Laura?
Hint: It is a one-gender school.
What was Barber-Scotia College originally named?
Hint: Each time the name was changed in 1916 and in 1930, only one part “Barber,” or “Scotia,” was used.
Which famous leader enrolled in Morehouse at 15?
Hint: He was a man of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Which HBCU was built right across the street from the local prominent white school, so blacks wouldn’t attend, after a donation from Hugh Roy Cullen?
Hint: Megan The Stallion would know.
Which HBCU stopped accepting men and became an all-female institution?
Hint: It is not Spelman.
TRIVIA ANSWERS
FAMU used to have so many rattlesnakes on campus, they became the official school mascot.
Bluefield State College in 90% white, but still an HBCU.
Both Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and Lincoln University of Pennsylvania credit themselves to be the very first HBCU. Cheyney was established first, in 1837. In 1854, Lincoln University became the first degree-granting HBCU.
Spelman. John D. Rockefeller’s wife’s full name was Laura Spelman Rockefeller.
Barber-Scotia College was originally named Scotia Women’s College.
Martin Luther King Jr. enrolled in Morehouse at the age of 15.
Texas Southern was built right across the street from the University of Texas after a donation from Hugh Roy Cullen.
Bennett College stopped accepting men and became an all-female institution.
UAPB News shares, Kayleigh Johnson, a junior Physics major at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), will present her research on Bacterial Motility and Chemotaxis at Different Concentrations of Magnesium Sulfate at the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The conference is hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Human Resource Development (HRD), within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR).
Set for February 6-8, 2020 in Washington, D.C., the conference is aimed at college and university undergraduate and graduate students who participate in programs funded by the NSF HRD Unit, including underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities. The objectives of the conference are to help undergraduate and graduate students to enhance their science communication skills and better understand how to prepare for science careers in a global workforce.
In her research, Johnson discusses Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, its properties, and capability to support human life. According to Johnson, Europa is a good candidate, however, life there must be adapted to high hydrostatic pressure, low temperature, and other chemicals present there. Read more via UAPB News.
“Lenis Stallings’ career as a head basketball coach didn’t begin as the way she wanted as her Wiley Lady Wildcats dropped their first four games. However, they have since won the last two,” shares Nathan Hague of The Marshall News Messenger.
“I think that I had to get better,” Stallings said when asked what the difference was in the two wins. “It was my first time out and I’m just going to blame it on myself. I talked to my mentor, watched more film and spent more time with the girls and I think that I had to make a few adjustments. We’ve just played harder. There’s trust on both ends.”
Wiley College photo
She added she has built trust with her senior class.
“My
four seniors are going to be crazy, crazy hard to replace,” Stallings
offered. “I’ve got leadership on the court and off the court and they
play hard. They play like this is their last go around. There’s a lot of
personality in those four. I don’t think either of those four are
scared to say anything. They don’t hold back but they definitely play
hard for me.”
One of those four seniors is Brianna Tolliver, who Stallings said leads by both vocally and by example.
“It’s hard to say in words because she does so many things for us,” Stallings said when asked what Tolliver brings to the table. “She thinks she’s my least favorite because I’m always talking to her but she just brings a dynamic to the team that makes us that much better. Read more via The Marshall News Messenger.
Colin Kaepernick might be a free agent, but he chose to complete a 40-minute workout. He did this in front of NFL representatives who came from 8 different teams. He’s stated that he is totally ready for a new opportunity and that he also wants the league to stop shunning him. He’s been ready to play for 3 years so far, but it would seem that he has also been denied for this amount of time as well. He has nothing to hide but he does want to stop people from running from the truth. His agent is ready to talk with any team he wants and he has also stated that he is also ready for an interview at any time as well.
Playing for the Fans
If you are a fan who is waiting for the next football game to start then why not check out NetBet casino UK to see what sporting games they have to offer? When you do, you will soon find that they have a great selection and they are also always adding new games too. Speaking of fans, Colin Kaepernick chose to salute 250 of his own fans and he even did a selection of autographs before he approached the media. The workout was moved from the Atlanta Falcon’s training facility to Riverdale. The change in venue disrupted the schedule of 25 teams as they were all scheduled to go and watch Colin Kaepernick at the original site. That being said, he still threw in front of the teams which included the Redskins, Lions, Titans and Eagles.
Superbowl Talent
Colin Kaepernick was once a Superbowl talent. The problem? He protested against police brutality and he took a kneel during the National Anthem. He has since been out of the game. As a player he still has the ability to commit to deep throws and he has also got a level of pinpoint precision that just cannot be compared to anyone else in the league. Colin Kaepernick isn’t interested in doing anything else with his life and the only thing that he wants to do is play football. You can’t blame him for this at all and he has made every effort to make sure that he is able to perfect his ability.
Accuracy
On the day, Colin Kaepernick was able to complete all but 7 of his throws. He threw over 60 and it was a solid effort overall- especially when you look at the circumstances. The NFL originally scheduled the workout but then the camp for Colin Kaepernick decided that this wasn’t what they wanted. They had a disagreement over the liability and this did cause some issues. The NFL was given a chance to have the practice at the facility for the Falcons but this would only be done if the process could be filmed. Colin Kaepernick’s crew would only have an independent film crew but the other half didn’t want this.
The holiday season is more than happiness in the air and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Whether you celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas or all of the above, uplifting those who are less fortunate is a common practice of most end-of-the-year festivities.
Before you write a check or empty the cans in your pantry for an organization whose history and clear purpose is diluted, serving a large, private-sector company, let me make a suggestion.
Consider sharing your donations, time and holiday spirit with black-owned charities, schools and foundations established by those who received their education from none other than a historically black college or university. Support, for the culture:
Taraji P. Henson
Henson attended North Carolina A&T State University and is a proud graduate of Howard University. In 2018, she launched The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) in honor of her father who suffered mental health challenges because of his service to the United Stated in the Vietnam War. The organization’s vision is to eradicate the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community. BLHF partners with other nonprofit organizations who offer programs that educate, celebrate, and make visible the positive impact of mental health wellness. Support today.
Tom Joyner
Joyner is a proud graduate of Tuskegee University. In 1998, “The Tom Joyner Foundation was founded in 1998 as the brainchild of nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. The mission of the Foundation is to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with scholarships, endowments and capacity-building enhancements. The Foundation has provided necessary support to every HBCU in its 20-year history to help sustain and preserve the legacies of these valuable institutions. Through fundraising and donor development initiatives, $65 million has been raised to support more than 29,000 students attending HBCUs. Additionally, the Foundation has recommended internships, offered matching grant support, and career development to deserving students,” shares the official website. Support today.
Oprah Winfrey
Tennessee State University alumna Oprah Winfrey is no stranger to changing lives and building communities from the “ground-up.” The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation (OWLAF) funds the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG), which was established “through a generous personal investment by Ms. Oprah Winfrey…” reads the school’s official website. Learn more about Winfrey’s movement through this South African school and support today.
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs
“Instead of me complaining about education,” he said, “I want to do something about it. So that’s why I’m starting this school,” says Diddy when asked how he feels about partnering to open Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School. In 2016, the Howard Bison made a longtime dream a reality.
The school serves “160 students in grades 6 & 7, adding a grade per year to full capacity of 700 students. The Capital Preparatory Bronx Charter School is approved to open in 2020, to serve 160 students in 6th-7th grade. The school will grow to serve 600 students in 6th-11th grade during an initial five-year term, and 12th grade in it’s 6th year… Students are admitted to the schools by random lottery in order to ensure equal access to all students regardless of socioeconomic status or academic history,” shares the schools official website. Support today.
Keshia Knight Pulliam
Spelman College’s very own Keshia Knight Pulliam established Kamp Kizzy, “a non-profit organization that’s goal is to inspire, empower and develop youth between the ages of 11-16 into confident and successful young women. Youth of all socioeconomic backgrounds, races and religions are brought together to learn from each other, grow with each other and empower one another,” shares the official website. The camp’s curriculum includes various workshops in performing arts, sensitivity and cultural diversity training, team building exercises, creative writing, etiquette and public speaking. Support Kamp Kizzy today.
These schools and foundations were established with a goal of increasing opportunity for African Americans and minorities and are all transparent about how donations are used. Donate to support worthwhile causes today.
Samuel L. Jackson
The Samuel and LaTanya R. Jackson Foundation was established in 1999 by Morehouse Man Samuel L. Jackson and his wife, spelman woman LaTanya R. Jackson. The family foundation supports a range of philanthropic issues in the United States and Africa. The Jackson’s foundation is one that prioritizes voluntarism and grantmaking.
Debbie Allen
Allen is a proud graduate of the Howard University. She opened the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in 2001 and it was founded with “the belief that arts education defines discipline, creativity and self-confidence. These principles empower individuals whether they pursue a professional performing arts career or not. This is for LIFE,” shares its official website. The Los Angeles academy is a non-profit organization offering comprehensive dance curriculum to students ages 4+. Support today.
“Funding for the minority-serving institutions had expired during a months-long standoff between Republicans and Democrats,” writes U.S. News & World Report‘s Lauren Camera.
NNPA
Senate Republicans and Democrats reached an agreement to permanently fund historically black colleges and universities and other minority serving institutions after a months-long standoff during which federal funding for the schools expired.
“While this funding should never have lapsed in the first place, I’m glad that we were able to reach a deal that provides minority-serving institutions with the certainty of funding they deserve – and I truly appreciate the work done on both sides of the aisle to get us to this point,” Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, said in a statement.
The bipartisan
proposal would make permanent $255 million in annual funding for HBCUs,
simplifies the application for federal student aid, known as the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and eliminates annual
paperwork required of borrowers enrolled in income-based student loan
repayment plans.
The proposal is paid for by simplifying the federal student aid form, which, among other things would eliminate up to 22 questions and require applicants to submit their tax information only once. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the changes would save taxpayers $2.8 billion over ten years, which will be used to pay for the permanent funding for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions. Read more via U.S. News and World Report.
North Carolina A&T plays in its first postseason match in school history against Troy Friday afternoon in Atlanta in the first round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
The
winner of the Aggies and Troy faces the winner of host Georgia Tech and
Alabama A&M Saturday at 7 p.m., in the second round. Tech and AAMU
square off Friday at 7 p.m.
First-team
All-MEAC outside hitter Courteney Pitt still ranks fourth in the MEAC
in kills per set (3.41) and she averages 1.51 digs. MEAC co-player of
the year and first-team setter Edie Brewer ranks seventh in the MEAC in
assists per set (5.74) and eighth in kills (2.79) and hitting percentage
(.268). She is also averaging 2.51 digs and 0.64 blocks per set. She
also leads the MEAC with eight triple-doubles.
Sophomore libero Andrea Laboy-is third in the league in digs per set (4.27) while sophomore middle blocker Shaylynn Hall leads the conference in blocks per set (1.10).
In conference play only, Pitt is averaging 3.20 kills while Brewer is averaging 5.62 assists, 2.64 kills, 2.49 digs and 0.81 blocks while hitting. 275. Laboy-Rivera is averaging 4.23 digs in conference play and Hall is averaging 1.27 blocks.
Delaware State University and American Campus Communities held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 21 to formally dedicate the new Tubman-Laws Hall, the newest residential facility among the institution’s living-learning community complex.
The nearly 200,000-sq-foot residence hall accommodates 620
upperclassmen students in semi-suite and suite-style units and provides a
new dining facility along with a ground floor innovation center. The
ground floor innovation center connects the University’s academic
programs and student affairs environment to achieve DSU’s priority of
student success.
“We are delighted that we have been able to construct and open a
state-of-the-art facility at this time, while still maintaining the
history of the University by keeping the names of the two facilities
that were demolished, Tubman Hall and Lydia P. Laws Hall,”
said University President Wilma Mishoe, president of Delaware State
University. “Harriet Tubman, the great conductor of the Underground
Railroad, and Lydia Laws, the first female instructor in the early years
of the State College for Colored Students, have been a memorialized
part of the campus for about 60 years, and now that will continue with
this new residential hall.”
With this new addition adjacent to historic Loockerman Hall, a total
of 2,900 out of 5,054 students will now have the opportunity to live on
campus. Tubman-Laws Hall replaced two of the oldest residential
facilities on campus, known as Tubman and Laws Hall also eliminating
over $15 million in deferred maintenance from the two original
residence halls.
“We were glad to partner with Delaware State University to offer a fresh and modern on-campus living experience to help enhance students’ college journeys,” said James Wilhelm, executive vice-president of public-private transactions for American Campus Communities. “It is important to us, and those we partner with, that students feel supported and truly love where they live.”
Stillman College is ranked No. 19 in the first regular season NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
The Tigers (7-2, 2-0 SSAC) were ranked No. 14 in the preseason poll. Stillman opened the season with four-straight wins, including then No. 21 Campbellsville University. The Tigers dropped a pair of games in Jacksonville, Florida to Edward Waters College and Florida National University, Nov. 15-16, but won their last three games at home, Nov. 18-23, before entering an extended winter break. Read more via Tuscaloosa News.
Federal funding may not be available in the next fiscal year for The T&D Region’s historically black colleges and universities through the FUTURE Act.
The Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act provides funding for HBCUs and minority-serving institutions within Title III of the Higher Education Act.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a continuing resolution to fund the government until Dec. 20, but that resolution does not renew FUTURE Act funding.
The Future Act allocated $255 million in
funding for minority-serving institutions and HBCUs, including $79.7
million for HBCUs in 2019.
Four
institutions in The T&D Region – Claflin University, South Carolina
State University, Voorhees College and Denmark Technical College –
received a combined $2.7 million from the bill in FY 2019.
Claflin received $788,702, S.C. State received $952,537 and Voorhees and Denmark Tech each received $500,000. Read more via The Times and Democrat.
Cory Booker recently announced that he will be pledging $1 billion dollars to historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) if he is elected president.
As the son of two proud HBCU grads (@FISK1866 and @NCCU!), I'm proud to announce that today my campaign is proposing the boldest-ever plan to invest in HBCUs: https://t.co/j7kpKmGRjV
Booker said in a statement that HBCUs are the reason why he is here today and he wants to give back to these institutions of higher education. Both of his parents are HBCU graduates (Fisk University and North Carolina Central University).
“You can judge a lot by a country by who they incarcerate,” Cory Booker tells NPR.
“HBCUs make our country stronger and more reflective of the diversity that makes us so great,” Booker said in a statement, according to HuffPost.
He continued, “I am here today because of the power of these institutions to uplift and bring about opportunity to Black Americans. As president, I will redouble our efforts to support and invest in HBCUs across the country ― my mother and father wouldn’t have it any other way.” (Booker attended Stanford, Oxford and Yale.)
Award-winning rapper and actor Common has partnered with Burlington Stores to give away coats for the holidays. For more than a decade, Burlington customers donate new and gently worn coats to their local Burlington store. This year, the Oscar-winning actor along with his Common Ground Foundation launched the campaign in his hometown of Chicago.
“As a caring company, our Coat Drive is part of our heritage and Burlington is pleased to give back to those in need within our local store communities. Over the past 12 years, we’ve collected more than 2.2 million coats to help our neighbors stay warm. To launch this year’s campaign, we are thankful to be joined by Common and students from his Foundation, as well as our long-standing partner Delivering Good,” said Michael O’Sullivan, CEO of Burlington Stores in a press release. “We look forward to continuing our tradition of keeping people warm.”
All donated coats are distributed to those in need of warmth within store communities. Customers who donate a coat receive 10% off their entire Burlington purchase through January 20, 2020.
“I am committed to supporting and uplifting the people of Chicago through any way possible. The Common Ground Foundation has been one of the greatest and most impactful ways to give back to my hometown. I am excited to team up with Burlington and Delivering Good and bring it home so that we can give Chicagoans a sense of hope, keep them warm and make a difference in their lives, “ said Common.
“Coats are one of, if not, the most, important products we receive at Delivering Good. For many, getting a coat during the colder months is a matter of life and death. Every year, through our partnership with Burlington Stores, we provide tens of thousands of coats to people who need them most. It is an honor to work with the Burlington team and this year, with Common Ground Foundation, to ensure that children and families receive the warmth they need, and a sense of hope during the holiday season, which can be a challenging time for so many,” said Lisa Gurwitch, president and CEO of Delivering Good.
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.
Howard University Grad, Kamala Harris dropped her presidential campaign on Tuesday after months of failing to lift her candidacy from the bottom of the field — a premature ending for a California senator once heralded as a top-tier contender for the nomination; says Christopher from Politico.
She wants to make one thing clear:
” And I want to be clear: although I am no longer running for President, I will do everything in my power to defeat Donald Trump and fight for the future of our country and the best of who we are. ”
Kamala Harris
To my supporters, it is with deep regret—but also with deep gratitude—that I am suspending my campaign today.
But I want to be clear with you: I will keep fighting every day for what this campaign has been about. Justice for the People. All the people.https://t.co/92Hk7DHHbR
And that’s what I have tried to do every day of this campaign. So here’s the truth today.
I’ve taken stock and looked at this from every angle, and over the last few days have come to one of the hardest decisions of my life.
My campaign for president simply doesn’t have the financial resources we need to continue.
I’m not a billionaire. I can’t fund my own campaign. And as the campaign has gone on, it’s become harder and harder to raise the money we need to compete.
Starting off beating on his ABC blocks as a baby and just naturally growing into drumming, 5-year-old Jeremiah Travis just discovered that he has received a full band scholarship to Alcorn State University, when he graduates from high school in 13 years.
“To know that he is five and has a full scholarship made me feel so good. I am just amazed at his playing level with him being so young,” his mother, Nicole Jackson said, speaking to USA Today about her son’s scholarship.
The kindergarten is also a snare drummer in the band at St. Helena College and Career Academy in Greensburg, Louisiana and gets to play everyday in a group with band members who are at least 10 years older than him.
“He’s 5 years old but he’s always working on his skills. Any free time in the band room or when we go on break, he’s drumming on the floor, getting other drummers to come and just asking them ‘can we play, can we play,’” Chesteron Frye, the band director at St. Helena College and Career Academy.
We hope that this prodigy seizes his opportunity for a full ride at Alcorn State and we’re looking forward to his progress.
