Here’s How Democratic Presidential Candidates Plan To Help HBCUs

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

When Democratic presidential candidates came to Atlanta for the latest debate this week, several of them made stops at the city’s HBCUs. The 2020 candidates are vying for young African American voters to win the nomination and these students are a key target.

Nearly 300,000 students attend the nation’s 101 accredited HBCUs, which graduate more than half of the nation’s black doctors, lawyers and judges, and 40% of its African American members of Congress. More than 8,000 are enrolled at the Atlanta University Center.

Here’s a sampling of what the major Democratic presidential candidates have said about historically black colleges and universities and what they’ve proposed to improve them:

Joe Biden: The former vice president’s overall plan calls for investing $70 billion into black colleges to make them more affordable through grants and to increase enrollment, retention, completion and employment rates. 

The plan would also create research incubators and expand career pathways for HBCU graduates.

Cory Booker: Booker, whose father, Cary, attended North Carolina Central University, got into a bit of hot water in March when he tweeted that “HBCUs are not just for African Americans.” 

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaks to the crowd at Paschal’s Restaurant during National Action Network’s (NAN) Southeast Regional Conference in Atlanta, Ga on Thursday, Nov 22, 2019.Photo: Elissa Benzie/Elissa Benzie

But in January 2018, the New Jersey senator introduced the HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act, which is a bill that aims to help improve the financial health of HBCUs.

Pete Buttigieg: Earlier this week, at Morehouse College, Buttigieg proposed a $500 billion program that would make college more affordable for working and middle-income families. Part of that package would include $50 billion over the next decade to “level the uneven playing field” of historically black colleges and other institutions that serve minorities. 

Morehouse College student Keron Campbell snaps a selfie with presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, as he greets students after speaking while launching a new effort to win over black voters during a conversation at Morehouse College on Monday, November 18, 2019, in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON/AJCPhoto: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Our economy is changing and it’s past time to grow the pathways to opportunity in America,” said Buttigieg. “That starts with making college affordable for every student from a working or middle-class family and making a historic investment in HBCUs.”

Kamala Harris: A 1986 graduate of Howard University, Harris is the only candidate to actually attend an HBCU. 

November 21, 2019 – Atlanta – Presidential candidate Kamala Harris headlined a Black Women’s Power Breakfast co-hosted by Higher Heights and The Collective PAC at the Westin.Photo: Bob Andres/robert.andres@ajc.com

Her plan calls for investing $60 billion in STEM education at HBCUs and minority-serving institutions as a way to open more doors for black entrepreneurship.

Amy Klobuchar: Her “Many Paths to Success” Post-Secondary Education Plan would strengthen and increase affordability for HBCUs through what she calls a “Pathways to Student Success initiative.” 

Amy Klobuchar gestures to an audience at a breakfast event on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, in Atlanta. Klobuchar, along with Pete Buttigieg, Cory Booker, Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer, all presidential hopefuls, spoke at the event hosted by the Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.Photo: AP Photo/ Ron Harris

Participating HBCUs would receive federal funding to waive or significantly reduce the first two years of tuition for low-income students at four-year schools.

Bernie Sanders: Speaking Thursday at Morehouse College, in the shadow of the Martin Luther King Jr. statue, Sanders unveiled a $5 billion plan to train more teachers at historically black colleges and universities and a separate $5 billion program aimed at preparing more black dentists and other health care professionals.

11/21/2019 — Atlanta, Georgia — U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders takes a selfie with supporters following his speech during a New Deal Democrats Rally at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Thursday, November 21, 2019. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal Constitution)Photo: Alyssa Pointer/alyssa.pointer@ajc.com

Elizabeth Warren: In April, Warren proposed a radical higher education reform package that would include $50 billion in aid for HBCUs. “For decades, black Americans were kept out of higher education by virtue of overtly discriminatory policies,” Warren said in April. “Even as the civil rights movement rolled back racially discriminatory admissions policies, the stratification of our higher education system kept students of color concentrated in under-resourced institutions and left them vulnerable to predatory actors.”

11/21/2019 — Atlanta, Georgia — U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., waves to her supporters during her campaign stop at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Thursday, November 21, 2019. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal Constitution)Photo: Alyssa Pointer/alyssa.pointer@ajc.com

Andrew Yang: Yang has promised $250 million in federal funds to provide training programs in grant writing for faculty and staff at HBCUs; to provide $7.5 billion in federal funding for general infrastructure improvements and $750 million for building out a fundraising infrastructure.

November 21, 2019 – Atlanta – Andrew Yang texts folks on his list along with his wife, Evelyn. Democratic presidential candidates including Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Andrew Yang and Pete Buttigieg, along with Stacey Abrahms, were calling and texting voters Thursday whose registrations could be canceled in Georgia at a Fair Fight phone bank at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. The phone bank was in response to Georgia election officials’ plan to cancel more than 313,000 voter registrations next month.Photo: Bob Andres/robert.andres@ajc.com

The plan also includes $6 billion in federal funding for scholarships and internships through the White House Initiative on HBCUs; and to end any practices that allow banks to charge HBCUs higher fees.

Posted by HBCU Editors Posted on 5789 articles

The Hilltop: ‘Young Athletes Should Know HBCUs Can Compete, Too’

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

As the year draws to a close, high school students everywhere are looking ahead at what the new year will entail. Prom, senior trips and ditch days, and most importantly, college acceptances, become the focal points of the new year as a new graduate class steps onto the collegiate landscape. The choice in where to go to college comes with several factors, such as financial affordability, closeness to home and student resources. However, this choice becomes all the more complex for high school athletes looking to play on the collegiate level.

For a student-athlete, the name of the school and its ability to send players into professional athletics is just as important as the condition of its classroom facilities. This proves to be the main reason why top black college prospects are less inclined to go to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Top athletic colleges, such as Louisiana State University or Duke University, have solidified their marks as the go-to schools for the best athletes in the world. The alumni they boast also add to their extensive list of pros for high school athletes deciding where to take their talents. 

For example, the University of Connecticut basketball jersey was once worn by the likes of NBA Legend Ray Allen and current NBA Stars, Kemba Walker and Rudy Gay. Peyton Manning and Reggie White were both members of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville football team before they were world-renowned greats. For any high school athlete with dreams of becoming a pro, going to these types of schools seems like the automatic choice; the line of thinking that if the school can produce greats like Peyton Manning or Ray Allen, then they too can be great there. However, I believe that this line of thinking only looks at a very small part of the whole picture. 

Division 1 schools account for a majority of the profit revenue seen by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In 2017, the NCAA reported $1.1 billion in revenue, with most of it coming from its March Madness Men’s Basketball Tournament. According to a Forbes study in March of 2019, the top five college basketball programs report an average of $30 million per year in revenue with Louisville reporting the most, over $50 million a year. This money stems from sponsorship from big name athletics companies like Nike and Under Armour as well as major network deals with CBS Sports and Turner Broadcasting. 

The amount of money and exposure poured into these schools’ athletic programs becomes all the more shocking when realized that almost all of these big-name schools are predominantly white institutions. This is especially jarring since, in the 65 schools that make up the top athletic conferences, only 2.4 percent of the undergraduate population are black men while they make up more than 50 percent of the athletic teams. We have seen this same plot again and again throughout history; the exploitation of black talent for white profit. I am not downplaying the statuses of these top institutions, however, it is imperative that we as a people look to preserve not only our talent, but our ownership of talent. 

While Louisville, with its 10.2 percent black student enrollment, is able to bring in $30 million in profit yearly on the talents and dedication of its black athletes, HBCUs collectively only rake in a fraction of this amount. While these big-name schools definitely have set their names in stone, it is important to realize that the student-athlete is a student first and their experience while at school with ultimately help shape how they view themselves as players and people in the world. I believe the cultural incubation of Black society that is bred on every HBCU campus that would benefit greatly from the presence of major athletic sponsor and viewership. 

Imagine if Xavier University of Louisiana was consumed with the same competitive fervor that graces University of Michigan’s football stadium every week. What if Howard’s and Hampton’s rivalry was on full display in nationally televised tournaments? Yes, HBCUs have their own woes, both financially and administratively, but we cannot ignore that these problems are also prevalent in predominantly white institutions. The same year that former Howard University student, Tyrone Hankerson Jr., allegedly embezzled over $400,000 from the financial aid accounts of fellow Bison, Columbia University former director of financial aid, Melanie Williams-Bethea, was accused of having received over $300,000 in kickbacks from over-compensated student stipends. 

Additionally, in recent years, with the rise of public white supremacist sentiments, the predominantly white institution has become a place of debate and, oftentimes conflict, between white and non-black students. While they cheer on their black student shooting a jump shot, white students are either active or passive in racism and discrimination at their schools. The appreciation for Black students at predominantly white institutions too often starts and stops on the field, reason enough for top high school athletes to at least consider attending an HBCU. For a collection of higher education options that produce the highest number of black professionals, I believe it is also imperative that we produce the highest number of professional black athletes as well. 

At Morgan State, Faculty Members Take Advantage Of New ‘Guest Coach’ Program To Learn More About the Student-Athlete Experience

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

BALTIMORE, Md. – A new program at Morgan State University (MSU) aims to strengthen the on-campus relationship between athletics and academics by offering new insight into the student-athlete experience.

Morgan’s Athletics Department initiated and launched the Guest Coach Program, which presents select staff and faculty members with a unique opportunity to engage with student-athletes outside of the classroom while furthering a better, more comprehensive understanding of their day-to-day obligations and challenges. As a “guest coach,” the participating faculty or staff member becomes more familiar with the type of effort Morgan student-athletes put forth to be successful in and out of uniform.

In addition, through this exclusive first-hand experience, the program attempts to pull back the curtain for faculty members, providing more information on the breadth of athletic activities and programs being offered and its impact on student-athletes. Additionally, the Guest Coach Program offers gainful insights into the role coaches play in the student-athlete’s educational process. The select professor(s) will get to shadow a student for a complete day — watching them practice, workout, study and compete.

The inspiration behind the program was sparked at the Morgan State Athletic Department’s 2019 Summer Retreat, when members of the retreat’s Education Committee were challenged to develop an engaging and a thoughtful way to bridge the gap of understanding between academics and athletics. Their brainstorming resulted in the birth of the Guest Coach Program.

“Our guest coaching program enhances our student-athletes’ experience at Morgan State,” said Robert Anderson, director of External Operations for MSU Athletics. “As a committee, our main objectives are to enhance the bond between student-athlete and professor and strengthen the relationships with our on-campus partners and respective business units. Overall, this will continue the support our student-athletes needs on and off the field.”

Guest Coach

The first participants of the Guest Coach Program were chosen by the Education Committee with input from select student-athletes. Multi-media Journalism professor Hamil Harris from the School of Global Journalism and Communication, and associate professors of Biology Gabrielle L. McLemore, Ph.D. and Ernest Steele, Ph.D. from the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences were presented with the inaugural opportunity. All three began their new immersion into the student-athlete experience on the day that the Bears Football team would host a home game against the North Carolina A&T Aggies.

The faculty members opened their gameday in the morning with Athletics learning specialist Chad Allen. Allen provided the professors with a tour of the athletic academic centers, training room, and the strength and conditioning area inside Hill Field House. This candid gameday walkthrough experience showcased their student’s out of the classroom skills in a more direct and intimate way.

“The guest coach experience was designed to better illustrate to our on-campus faculty how equally invested Morgan’s athletic department is to the success of our student-athletes by providing additional learning resources, personal development and career readiness opportunities,” said Allen. “We also used the opportunity to showcase our GRIT (Growth, Resilience, Integrity & Teamwork) which gives us our competitive advantage.”

The professors were also taken to Legends Plaza where they saw the statues of Morgan’s legendary head coaches Edward P. Hurt and Earl C. Banks, followed by a walkthrough of Hughes Stadium. While there, they toured the press box and video control room, stopping to get a bird’s eye view of the newly renovated field, followed by a meeting with Morgan’s first-year head football coach Tyrone Wheatley on the sidelines. Prior to the kick-off of the game, they were escorted to the on-field V.I.P. hospitality tent where they enjoyed the rest of the football game.

“Our guest coaches gained an appreciation for what our student-athletes juggle, and make sacrifices for, on a daily basis,” said Director of Athletics Edward Scott, Ph.D. “This exercise is a demonstration of how much hard work and time they put into their sport in addition to their academic work.”

Overall, the launch of the program was a success and provided these members of Morgan’s faculty with a better knowledge of the type of well-rounded experience that Morgan student-athlete receives.

“This program is an excellent way for faculty to support our student-athletes,” said Dr. McLemore. “All faculty members must see them excel in their element to be reminded that these young people are performing in ways (outside of the classroom) that most faculty cannot comprehend. The Guest Coach Program will inspire in each faculty member deep-seated feelings of admiration for our Bears.”

About Morgan
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 125 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

Coppin State Beats Cornell In Overtime Thriller

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Coppin State’s men’s basketball team picked up its second victory of the season with a 68-66 overtime victory over Cornell University on Saturday night at PEC Arena.  This is the first time since the 2013-14 season that the Eagles have won a pair of non-conference Division I games. 

The Basics
Final Score: Coppin State 68, Cornell 66 (Overtime)
Records: Coppin State (2-5), Cornell (1-5)
Location: Baltimore, Md. (PEC Arena)
Series History: Coppin State Leads, 2-0 

Inside the Numbers

  • Three Coppin State players finished in double figures, led by Kamar McKnight who recorded 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting and 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
  • Koby Thomas added 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting to go with eight rebounds which matched Brendan Medley-Bacon for a team-high.
  • Andrew Robinson scored 15 points on 6-of-11 from the field with three 3-pointers.  His final three with 43 seconds remaining in overtime sealed the victory.
  • Dejuan Clayton scored five points with three steals and Medley-Bacon finished with four points, eight rebounds and five blocks in just 23 minutes.
  • Reggie James provided a great spark off the bench with three points, three rebounds and an assist.
  • The Eagles outshot Cornell, 41.9% to 29.1% from the floor.
  • Cornell outrebounded Coppin, 54-43 and had 26 offensive rebounds which turned into 20 second-chance points.
  • The Big Red got 25 points and 17 rebounds from Jimmy Boeheim who scored 20 of his points after the first half.

How it Happened

  • Cornell got out to a 9-5 lead in the first 4:09 but Coppin got it going with a 15-0 run over the next 4:16 to go up 20-9 with 11:35 left in the first. Kamar McKnight and Koby Thomas combined for all 15 of the points as McKnight hit three 3-pointers.
  • The Eagles extended their lead to as many as 14 points twice in the first half after a jumper and a 3-pointer by Andrew Robinson.
  • The Big Red pulled to within 32-22 at the half and started the second period on a 15-5 run to tie the score at 37 with 12:02 left in regulation.
  • McKnight put CSU back on top with a three and the lead built back up to 48-44 on a pair of free throws by Thomas at the 5:59 mark.
  • The visitors then went on a 9-0 run to take its largest lead of the game at 53-48 with 2:41 remaining.
  • Following a miss, McKnight went to the hole and converted on a three-point play and Robinson hit a three to give the Eagles back the lead at 54-53.
  • CU hit a pair of free throws to go back on top, and after a layup by Thomas, and a three by Cornell, McKnight hit a jumper in the paint to tie the score at 58 with 30 ticks left to send the game into overtime.
  • Cornell opened the extra session on a 5-1 run as Jimmy Boeheim hit two free throws and a three, but McKnight hit a layup and Thomas drained a pair of free throws to tie the score at 63 with 2:05 to go.
  • After a Cornell miss, McKnight found Thomas with a great pass inside and Thomas tipped in his own miss to put Coppin up, 65-63.
  • At the other end, McKnight forced a turnover and fed Robinson for a three from the wing, giving Coppin a 68-63 lead with 43 seconds left.
  • Cornell made it interesting with a three at the other end and had a chance to tie the score after CSU missed a pair of free throws but came up short on a pair of jumpers in the closing seconds.

Childhood Friends Miss Grambling State & Miss Southern A&M Are Ready For Bayou Classic

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

This article was shared to News Star.

GRAMBLING — They will be on opposite sides of the Bayou Classic field for the annual competition, but Miss Southern A&M University Alacia Brew and Miss Grambling State University Rickenzie Johnikin are friends whose bond extends beyond rivalry.

The two have been best friends since 2005, when they met in their hometown of Farmerville, continuing their friendship through attendance at Union Parish High School. They participated in many activities together, including cheerleading, UACT, National Honor Society and more before graduating in 2016 and enrolling in their respective ideal universities.

Miss Grambling State University Rickenzie Johnikin and Miss Southern A&M University Alacia Brew grew up together as childhood friends in Farmerville. They’ll support opposite sides of a football rivalry this weekend at the Bayou Classic. (Photo: Courtesy)

“The Bayou Classic is such an important tradition in HBCU culture,” said Johnikin, a junior mass communications major. “Alacia and I always dreamed of being leaders at our respective universities and I’m proud that together we represent two of the greatest institutions in the state.”

Inspired by each of their father’s passions for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Brew and Johnikin, both sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., chose higher education at institutions with historically significant cultures. Being on opposite sides of a traditional HBCU face-off is only part of the adventure in their lifelong friendship and pursuit of success. Read more.

Cheyney University’s Accreditation Is Reaffirmed

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

After years of struggle, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education announced on Monday that Cheyney University—the historically Black university located in Pennsylvania—will keep its accreditation.

The news was met with celebrations from supporters of the nation’s oldest HBCU who watched after the institution experienced one set back after the next including declining student enrollment and fiscal challenges.

But things started to turn around for the university over the past year. In August, Cheyney announced a fiscal surplus of $4.4 million for the first time in eight years thanks to money raised by donors, alumni and a state grant. This year’s student enrollment has increased by 32% —an additional 149 students—this year than last. It currently hovers at about 618 students, though university officials predict that they will double that number over the next few years.

“In the midst of a major transformation, corporate partnerships, intensive alumni engagement, ambitious and successful fundraising targets, and strong enrollment growth are breathing life back into a university that has overcome many difficult challenges over the last several years,” read a letter to faculty, staff and students written and signed by Pennsylvania’s Gov. Tom Wolf;  Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia Sherpa; Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Chancellor Dr. Daniel Greenstein;  university Council of Trustees Chairman Robert W. Bogle and university President Dr. Aaron Walton

Dr. Janelle L. Williams, associate dean of Graduate Studies and Extended Learning at Widener University and an alumnus of Cheyney said that she was “overjoyed ” to receive the news that Cheyney’s accreditation was reaffirmed.

“Yet, as an administrator in higher education, I took this news as an opportunity for the institution to reposition,” she said. “This is the beginning of a new era for Cheyney, and I am excited to see how the plans unfold.

Wolf, who has been a stronger supporter, said that Cheyney will continue to play a critical role in educating students

“Cheyney University is the nation’s first historically Black university…” read more.

Howard University Alumna And Founder Of Distinctly Creative, Morgan Davis, Opens New Creative Space For Black-Owned Businesses

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Distinctly Creative, which opened in September, is located at 3510 Rhode Island Ave. in Mount Rainier, inside a three-story 1947 brick building being renovated by Daniel Simon, who also owns Hyattsville’s Palmer Building, where Vigilante Coffee is located, and other notable businesses.

Founder Morgan Davis, who is a graphic and fashion designer and business strategist, has worked with Google’s AdWords team and helped businesses as large as the University of Maryland, George Mason University and the National Trust of Historic Preservation with their branding and creative needs. As part of her work with Distinctly Creative, which she founded in 2016, she offers entrepreneurs and others businesses coaching and advice. 

Davis told the Hyattsville Wire that the new space is designed as a creative hub for black-owned businesses to sell their goods, hold events and network.

The new creative space in Mount Rainier is also home to a coworking outfit, called Goldn Roots, aimed at black entrepreneurs in creative fields. It includes a “marketplace” featuring 15 black-owned brands in six-week increments, mostly in the fields of fashion, skin and hair care, home goods and visual arts. Davis sells her own line of “Black Creatives Matter” apparel in the marketplace. 

“The coworking element is a cost-effective alternative for people that are looking for a few hours here and there to work outside of their house/apt/dorm/etc., and to occasionally meet with clients,” she said.  
Davis, who moved to the D.C. area years ago from Michigan to attend Howard University, currently lives in College Park and previously lived in Hyattsville.

“There are so many talented creatives along Route 1, and there’s always something to do when it comes to events, shows, and networking opportunities,” she said.

Distinctly Creative is the first space of its kind in Mount Rainier, joining nearby coworking and event spaces Dream Village and CAMPSpaces in Hyattsville and Five Points Business Center in Woodridge.

Its hours of operation are Thursday through Sunday, 2 to 7 

Alcorn Beats Jackson State To Secure Home Field For SWAC Championship

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

JACKSON, Miss. – A huge first half was more than enough for the Alcorn State University football program as it downed Jackson State 41-6 Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Alcorn (8-3, 6-1 SWAC) raced out to a 31-0 halftime lead, which was never in doubt in the second half. The Braves outgained the Tigers (4-8, 3-4 SWAC) 390-146 in total yards and 116-6 in rushing.

Junior Felix “Triggerman” Harper threw for 274 yards and four touchdowns, and also rushed for a touchdown.

Senior Chris Blair registered 136 receiving yards and a score, while junior LeCharles Pringle tallied 63 receiving yards and two touchdowns. SophomoreJuan Anthony Jr. also registered a receiving touchdown.

The Braves kept JSU quarterback Jalon Jones in-check. Jones finished with 102 yards and two interceptions on 7-of-16 throwing. The two interceptions were by senior Taurence Wilson and juniorQwynnterrio Cole.

Senior Juwan Taylor, the reigning SWAC Defensive Player of the Week winner, submitted six tackles and 1.0 tackles for a loss. Freshman Niko Duffey, the reigning SWAC Newcomer of the Week winner, turned in a game-high 73 rushing yards.

The 2019 SWAC Championship will be played at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi. Alcorn will play either Grambling State or Southern in a nationally televised game on ESPNU.

5-Time MEAC Champs: Howard University Volleyball Team

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

For the fifth year in a row, the ladies of the Howard University Volleyball Team win the Middle Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship title. ESPN aired the match as the Bison dominated the night in 5 sets.

The lady Bison are the only Division 1 Volleyball Team covered by ESPN University.

These lady bison are on fire… and have been for the past five seasons. Since 2015, the lady of the Howard University Volleyball team defeat their way to the competition to tear the title of Division I MEAC Champions.

Tonight, No.1 Howard defeated No. 2, Morgan State, 15-12 shares the Howard University Athletics Department.

Leading Lady Bison in tonight’s game include Jurnee Tipton, Kailyn Williams and Kira Porter. Morgan State’s leading players in tonight’s game include Zoe McBride, Tylar Roberson and Mykaela Ross.

Congratulations Bison!

NCA&TSU Crushes NCCU Again And Heads To Celebration Bowl

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T fans have grown accustomed to spending a weekend in Atlanta watching Aggies football in an NFL stadium. Why change things now? 

The Aggies are headed back to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl and they have secured another Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship. 

On a historic but dreary and rainy Saturday afternoon at BB&T Stadium, the Aggies made things much worse than the weather did for their arch rivals N.C. Central by manhandling the Eagles to the tune of a 54-0 drubbing. 

It was the most lopsided win in the 91-game series history. It also marked the most points the Aggies have ever scored against the Eagles and it was the first time either team reached or exceeded 50 points in the series. 

The win puts the Aggies (8-3, 6-2 MEAC) in the Celebration Bowl for the third straight season and for the fourth time in five years. The bowl game itself is 5 years old. In addition, the Aggies claimed their 11th overall MEAC championship. It is their fifth conference title in six years and their third straight overall. They will have to share the title with S.C. State (8-3, 6-2) who defeated Norfolk State in overtime on Saturday to claim a stake. 

N.C. A&T is on the best run of any MEAC school since S.C. State won six out of seven MEAC titles from 1977-83. The Aggies will not know their Celebration Bowl opponent until Dec. 7 when the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship game is decided. The Aggies will head into the Celebration Bowl to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 21 at noon as the defending two-time HBCU national champions. 

As if the postgame excitement on Saturday wasn’t enough, the Aggies honored 18 seniors before the game as a part of Senior Day. One of those seniors, wide receiver Elijah Bell, had another stellar game against the Eagles (4-8, 3-5 MEAC). Bell finished with three receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns. In the four games he played against NCCU, Bell caught a combined 20 passes for 417 yards and six touchdowns. 

“Central always brings out the best in me,” said Bell who caught his 200th career pass on Saturday to become just the sixth player in MEAC history to accomplish the feat. “Coming in, that’s all I heard about was Central and the rivalry, so I always took it personally. I really think it’s from the senior speeches when I was a freshman. When they talked about how much they wanted that game, it hit me just how big this game is. It doesn’t matter if it is rain or snow, Central is always going to get my best.” 

NCCU also got senior defensive end Tre Smalls’ best. Smalls’ final game at BB&T Stadium was a career one that included nine tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks. N.C. A&T head coach Sam Washington said he told Smalls he was going to have a breakout game on the way to the stadium. Smalls took his coach’s confidence to heart.

“We always preach start fast, finish strong,” said Smalls. “I believe we did that today. It is like times two when it’s against those guys from Durham. The approach is 3-and-outs. We want as many 3-and-outs as we can get. We were only playing with five defensive linemen today, so we knew we had to get off the field.” 

Smalls was a part of an Aggies defense that devoured anything the Eagles wanted to do offensively on Saturday. N.C. A&T held the Eagles to nine total yards. Over the past two seasons, the Eagles have only been able to compile a combined 50 yards against N.C. A&T. 

In fact, the Eagles have not scored against N.C. A&T since the third quarter of the 2017 game between the two teams and have been outscored 99-0 over the past two seasons. 

“I thought they prepared well this week and I think that’s where it all started, in the preparation,” said Washington. “Last week’s practices were highly intense. There was a lot of good energy and a lot of good effort. I think it carried over into the ballgame. Defensively, it was probably one of the best outcomes in my history. They finished with nine yards in total offense. We were able to produce 520 yards offensively. That’s amazing.” 

Junior running back Jah-Maine Martin also jumped into the historic sphere on Saturday. Martin finished with 122 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. It was his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season. He also scored touchdowns No. 20 and 21 to break Tarik Cohen’s single-season school record for total touchdowns. Last week, he broke Cohen’s single-season record for rushing touchdowns. 

After Bell scored on a 68-yard touchdown reception to open the scoring in the game, Martin followed with a 20-yard TD run that broke Cohen’s single-season total touchdowns record. Junior placekicker Noel Ruiz, who has a few records of his own this season, kicked a 35-yard field goal to give the Aggies a 16-0 lead after the first quarter. 

Martin opened the fourth quarter with his 21st touchdown of the season as he raced 55 yards to the end zone for his ninth TD run of 50 yards or more this season. The Aggies went into the locker room with a commanding 30-0 lead after Kashon Baker scored a rushing touchdown from two yards out. 

“It’s special,” said Washington about winning another MEAC championship and earning another bid to the Celebration Bowl. “I know very little champions that 3-peat, and I’ve been in this business for a very long time. It’s just something that just doesn’t happen, so it’s special. We look forward to the opportunity of defending our title.” Aggie Newsroom.

Alcorn Alum Dr. Kristen Broady Appointed Dean Of Dillard University’s College Of Business

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Like many students who come to Alcorn State University, Dr. Kristen Broady ‘02 knew her experiences at the Academic Resort would ultimately prepare her for success in life and her chosen profession. Broady, who earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice now sits at the helm of the business program at one of Louisiana’s most preeminent historically black colleges and universities.

In her new role as dean for the College of Business at Dillard University, Dr. Broady will lead the strategic vision of the college while creating a collegial environment that supports excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship. Some of her other duties include reviewing and updating degree programs within the college, developing new programs that complement the university’s strategic plan, and teaching one course per semester, among other duties.

Broady’s previous stints have taken her from being a visiting lecturer at Howard University, the dean of the Division of Business and Computer Science at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, interim department chair of business administration and economics at Fort Valley State University, and senior supply chain analyst at Ascension Health. Broady earned a doctorate in economics with a minor in management (2011) and a master’s degree in business administration (2006) from Jackson State University.

As an emerging higher education leader, Dr. Broady is focused and excited about her appointment and all the new opportunities the university has to offer.

“It is an amazing opportunity to lead a department that provides valuable business education through innovative, student-centered teaching and relevant scholarship,” said Broady.

Increasing the business acumen of the students and introducing them to more opportunities in the field are some of Broady’s goals as the College’s dean.

“My goal is to involve the students in even more business plan and case competitions. I want to bring innovative business leaders to the College to share advice and opportunities with our students. I also want to increase students’ chances of getting internships, gaining acceptance into graduate school, and earning permanent placement career opportunities.”

Enforcing the financial growth of the College while properly preparing business students with current courses are also on Broady’s agenda.

“I plan to increase funding through governmental and private grants. I also plan to increase enrollment and retention by offering the courses that students need, advisement to ensure progress, introducing programs and speakers to encourage them, and displaying great customer service.”

As a graduate of two HBCUs, Broady aspires to pass along the knowledge she’s acquired over the years to help minority students prosper academically and professionally.

“As a graduate of Alcorn and Jackson State, I am passionate about HBCUs. This position provides the opportunity to share my education, experience, and contacts with the students and faculty at Dillard to move the College of Business forward.”

Looking back over her journey, Broady reflected on the many moments at Alcorn that prepared her for success. She credits being members of the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite Marching Band under the late Samuel Griffin and the Gamma Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., along with being trained in her field for building her into the professional she is today.

“Marching in the band built my stamina, taught me the importance of teamwork, and allowed me to meet life-long friends. Becoming an AKA gave me 59 beautiful and intelligent line sisters who I am still connected with today. Earning a criminal justice degree provided more insight into law, order, justice, and fairness. The opportunity led to much of my current research on racial disparities in health, incarceration, and education. My experience at Alcorn taught me that I could do anything I put my mind to.”

These On-Campus Hate Crimes Are 100% Unacceptable

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on
Columnist Peyton Hamel argues for change following several reports of racism on college campuses, including Iowa State’s. Hamel calls for Iowa State students to stand up to racism to improve the quality of students’ lives.
Makayla Tendall/Iowa State Daily

CNN reports: a series of racist and anti-Semitic incidents have rattled college campuses nationwide as educators struggle to stop them from spreading.This week alone, at least five incidents have been reported on college campuses hundreds of miles apart from one another. Here’s a breakdown:

University of Georgia: Swastikas at residence halls

At the University of Georgia, student Ariana Dinberg said someone tore off her historically Jewish sorority’s letters from her residence hall door twice in September. At the time, she wasn’t sure it was someone targeting Jews.Later, someone wrote on the white board on her door, “All Heil” with a swastika underneath it. “They knew I was Jewish and then chose to attack me for it. It’s definitely shocking to me,” she said. The University of Georgia confirmed Thursday that someone drew swastikas on placards and message boards at two campus residence halls. It’s unclear who the second victim was. University President Jere W. Morehead said the behavior has no place on the campus. “I am appalled by such offensive and outrageous displays of hate,” Morehead said in a statement to the university community.

Iowa State: Swastika and racist stickers

In an email to students and faculty, the president of Iowa State University addressed the latest racist incidents reported on campus. A swastika was etched into a door of a dormitory community room and racist stickers and posters were found on light poles and bus stop signs, President Wendy Wintersteen wrote Wednesday. The email was signed by the president and Iowa State University Police Chief Michael Newton.”We want to again emphasize that we denounce racism, white supremacy, anti-Semitism and all bigoted rhetoric and actions,” the email says. “We are appalled that people continue to spread hate on our campus.” Just last month, students gathered at the president’s office to protest earlier racist incidents. They included a picture of the student government adviser in blackface and neo-Nazi writings on campus, according to the student newspaper.

Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen and Associate Vice President and Chief of Police Michael Newton wrote a letter to the students regarding the recent incident of racism on campus.

Syracuse: Racist graffiti targeting different groups

Syracuse students are camped out in a campus building to protest racist incidents. A spate of racist and anti-Semitic incidents, and what students describe as the university leadership’s slow response to it, have sparked protests on campus.Several cases of prejudiced graffiti have been found on or next to Syracuse’s campus to date. They include racist graffiti that uses language derogatory to African-Americans, a post-it note with anti-Native American language and graffiti with language derogatory to Asians, according to police.In addition, four students have been suspended. More on the story.

2 New Dorms For Tennessee State University

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

In January, Tennessee State University will begin construction on the first new residence halls on the campus in 23 years.

The State Building Commission recently gave the green light for the six-story, 700-bed facility estimated at $75.3 million. It will be located between Eppse Hall and the Performing Arts Center on the main campus. The new project is part of a number of planned and ongoing constructions, including a new Health Sciences Building, that are changing the landscape at TSU.

TSU President Glenda Glover believes the new residence halls and academic building will play a major role in recruitment efforts.

“The university is undergoing a renaissance of sorts; it began with our new, higher admission standards, and continues with the new construction of the residence halls and Health Sciences Building for prospective students to enjoy and reap the benefits,” Glover said.

“We are proud of our legacy and the current buildings on campus are a part of that legacy. The facilities are the first state-funded construction projects on our campus in 23 years. These are exciting times for the university and our partners.”

Joni McReynolds, president of the TSU National Alumni Association, agreed that “building the residence halls with the best of technology will help us recruit” new students.

“I am extremely pleased to hear that the university will be able to move forward with the construction of two new residence halls,” McReynolds said.

At last year’s Homecoming, TSU broke grounds for the new residence halls, a new Health Sciences Building, and an Alumni Welcome Center. The Health Sciences Building, currently under construction on the main campus, is expected to be completed in early 2020.

Dr. Curtis Johnson, chief of staff and associate vice president for administration, said construction of the residence halls will last for 18-20 months beginning in January 2020. Prior to that, he said the university will soon begin making modifications in parking that will include groundbreaking activity.

“The facility will require some parking shift,” Johnson said. “The intent is not to lose any parking spaces, but to just relocate those parking spaces to another lot to allow the construction area laydown for the new facility.”

The building will also have a high-tech security infrastructure that gives exclusive access to occupants, he said. Outsiders coming in to use dining facilities on the first floor will not be able to enter living areas.

“Security design in this facility will include elevator lobbies, meaning that occupants will have access through their IDs to be able to access the floor you live on. There will be cameras and monitoring equipment throughout the facility,” Johnson said.

Katelyn Thompson, president of the Student Government Association, called construction of the new residence halls “a historic endeavor that will make a big and exciting difference” in student living.

“I am so happy about this news,” Thompson said. “To have them starting the construction this early means the world because I love my university, and to watch it grow with new things is amazing, as new Tigers continue to enroll and leave their mark at TSU.”

TSU’s Dean of Student and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Frank Stevenson, said the new residence will greatly help relieve the university of the growing demand for student campus housing.

‘This will be a state-of-the-art facility that creates a more dynamic student experience,” Stevenson said. “We are tremendously excited about the progress.”

The new residence facility will include an assortment of room types, four dining concepts, a fitness facility, indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, spa concept in some bathrooms, and laundry rooms. It will have three towers, and 4,5 and 6-story living areas. Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2020.

Department of Media Relations

Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a  premier, historically black university and land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees.  TSU is a comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, Tennessee.  With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee State University provides students  with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

UMES SGA Gets 12 Walmart Stores To Commit To On Campus Thanksgiving Drive

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES) is holding a 30-day, campus wide campus drive to collect items for families that are less fortunate to make it easier during the holiday season.

UMES is no stranger to Thanksgiving and holiday drives, and in the past few years, has fed thousands of grateful families with help from organizations like Maryland Food Bank.

The 2011 UMES Thanksgiving food drive met its goal of helping 600 families.
Previous UMES Thanksgiving Drive

This year, the Junior class student government association(SGA) just got TWELVE Walmart Stores to make donations to support their efforts! Way to go UMES Hawks!

BET Networks And Facebook Watch Launch Digital Series, ‘We Own Homecoming’

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

“We Own Homecoming” will examine the history and legacies of HBCU’s through the lens of homecomings.

There’s a new series all about HBCU homecomings coming to a digital screen near you.

BET Networks is teaming up with Facebook Watch to launch We Own Homecoming, a digital series that examines the legacies of HBCUs through the lens of homecoming.

The first three episodes of the series are available to watch now.

The series, hosted by actress and content creator Jasmine Luv, looks at the homecomings of Clark University, Morehouse College, Winston Salem State University, Florida A&M University, North Carolina Central University, and Texas Southern University. More info.

Spelman, Morehouse And PVAMU Receive $3M In Grants

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Spelman College, Morehouse College and Prairie View A&M University announced that they are the recipients of $3 million in grants from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Rockefeller Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the development of faculty on their campuses.

Excellence and student success at the historically Black colleges and universities rely on pedagogically innovative, research active and creative faculty who provide students with the tools that enable them to take responsibility for their learning. The grants allow the colleges to provide an array of faculty support structures and require the three institutions to share best practices with each other and with the broader HBCU community.

Prairie View received $1 million from Mellon. Carnegie awarded $1 million to Morehouse and $500,000 to Spelman, which also received $500,000 from Rockefeller.

“Faculty are the heart of a liberal arts education. At historically Black colleges and universities, heavy teaching loads often get in the way of professional development, time for research and/or creative production. Yet, time for these activities not only keeps faculty current in their fields, but provides undergraduate research opportunities for our students,” said Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., president of Spelman. “We are grateful for the foresight of the Carnegie, Rockefeller and Mellon foundations in making this historic gift to Spelman, Morehouse and Prairie View. We anticipate using a portion of the funds as well to document and disseminate the innovative teaching strategies that have accounted for the academic success of Spelman students.”

Expanding Development
The colleges’ plan to deepen and expand faculty development through the generous grants and support the institutions’ innovative and effective teaching, excellent academic outcomes, robust research and creative activity.

Spelman College: Academic excellence requires faculty excellence. The Carnegie  Corporation and Rockefeller grants enable Spelman to provide enhanced support to its excellent faculty by investing in their continuing development as teachers and scholars. Specifically, the grant supports faculty plans to grow the curriculum in areas of emerging importance, and nurtures their trajectories as leaders on campus and in their respective fields. Spelman’s strategic plan identifies faculty as “The Spelman Difference” because the college’s distinguished and dedicated faculty are the drivers of student success. These generous grants will enable Spelman to expand our support of our faculty and to share with Morehouse and Prairie View what is learned over the next five years about the strategies that work to recruit and retain excellent faculty in an era of heightened market competition.

Spelman will use the funds to support faculty success, recruitment and retention efforts through the awarding of “Distinguished Scholar/Maker” grants and course-release funding for academic departments, seed grants to develop curriculum in emerging areas like data science and analytics, research grants for global learning and accessing international archives, furthering strategic partnerships that advance faculty research and grantsmanship training for junior and mid-career faculty. The funding will allow Spelman to create a sustainable action plan for development, host off-campus writer/maker retreats for faculty to focus on scholarly and creative endeavors common to the academy, including completing books, book proposals, articles, manuscripts and screenplays. Spelman will also use the awards to gain membership in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity for professional development, training and mentoring through the organization, which has a proven record of success in improving productivity.

“The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to support this effort to ensure historically Black colleges and universities continue to thrive and promote equal opportunity and academic excellence to its diverse community of scholars and alumni,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, president of The Rockefeller Foundation. “This mission is as important now as it was when John D. Rockefeller Sr. and Laura Spelman Rockefeller first committed resources to Spelman College in 1882. Today, we honor their legacy with a grant to support the development of the next generation of women leaders at Spelman.”