Why Was Donald Trump At Benedict College?

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Second question: Why were less than 10 students given tickets to attend this event that had an audience of 300+?

Historically black Benedict College recently hosted a 3-day criminal justice reform event, the Second Step Presidential Justice Forum, with 7 students in attendance. The rest of the audience consisted of Trump supporters and political figures, most of which, came from out of state, including black Trump supporters.

The event featured 2020 presidential election candidates including Senator Kamala Harris, former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Cory Booker, former rep. John Delaney, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Amy Klobuchar, former HUD secretary Julián Castro, Senator Tulsi Gabbard and Donald Trump.

Candidates took the stage and joined a conversation on a critical issue our country is facing. The forum allowed the presidential candidates the opportunity to follow up on the passing of the First Step Act criminal justice reform bill last year and to propose their second step to address criminal justice reform.

Donald Trump spoke and was presented with an award for his work on the First Step Act from event organizers, the 20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center.

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During his speech, Trump took digs at his Democratic opponents, criticized the media, and unsurprisingly attacked President Barack Obama’s administration (again).

Democratic candidates for president were not happy. Former president Biden shared, “Let me just set the record straight … President Trump has fanned the fuels of white supremacy.”

Senator Harris was so passionate, she originally vowed not to be apart of certain events. Her sentiments stemmed from Donald Trump being awarded and speaking, but also from her disapproval of students being advised to remain in their dormitories during the event. She shared, “It’s about everybody being here…This is such an important conversation.”

Following Senator Harris’ vow, candidate forum co-host Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin then announced that he and Benedict College would be removing the 20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center as a sponsor of the event, and taking over the weekend’s events.

Positive takeaways include criminal justice reform being recognized as a critical and necessary discussion in the current presidential election.

Tennessee State University Is Struggling With Infrastructure Issues

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Tennessee State University, one of the Nashville’s four historically black colleges and universities, is struggling with infrastructure issues. Most recently, after months of power outages kept students in the dark and without hot water, some launched a petition demanding a partial tuition refund. But the incident reveals the broader challenges facing these historic institutions.

The tradition of Tennessee’s historically black colleges and universities runs deep. At Tennessee State’s recent homecoming pep rally, that pride was palpable as the school’s top-rated marching played.

The fact is, while HBCUs enroll only 10% of African American college students, they’re responsible for much more. They’ve awarded a quarter of the STEM degrees earned by African Americans. They’ve trained half of the nation’s black teachers and doctors. And a 2015 Gallup poll found that black HBCU graduates are more likely to thrive professionally and financially.

And in recent years the schools have been celebrated in popular culture. The now-famous Beyoncé performance at Coachella was a highly produced homage to HBCUs.

But times are difficult for these historic institutions.

“It all boils back to we got to get some money,” says Dwight Beard, the president of TSU’s local alumni chapter and a member of its foundation board. “We got to get more money and we need more support. And that is one of our major problems.”

According to a recent annual report for the school, alumni giving has dropped to its lowest point since the 1930s. And TSU has an endowment of just $52 million. For scale, Vanderbilt has $6.4 billion.    

Part of the issue is the rising cost of college. Plus, 70% of HBCU students qualify for Pell Grants, meaning they are low income and they often graduate saddled with debt. At TSU, for example, 87% of graduates have student loans. 

In recent years, TSU has admitted more students from outside the U.S., those who can pay full tuition. But Beard says the school needs to find other ways to increase revenue.

“It’s no easy answer, but we all have to improve,” Beard says. “We all have to find new strategies, and we all have to turn up the volume and do a better job in what we do.”

Tennessee State University didn’t make anyone available for an interview.

But it’s something Fisk University, another historically black college in Nashville, has been focusing on. After financial struggles repeatedly put the school on probation by its accreditors, the school has been working to rewrite the narrative.

Jens Frederickson, Fisk’s vice president of institutional advancement, says the school made a huge push in the last few years to build relationships with companies like Google, HCA and others. Their pitch: help fund the pipeline of high-caliber minority applicants.

“We were very deliberate about targeting big multi-nationals here and saying, ‘Listen, we have all these remarkable students, but we also need you to get behind them,'” Frederickson says. 

Between that and targeting more alumni, last year Fisk raised a record $10.7 million, far higher than they expected. And its enrollment has surged, from 705 students in 2017 to now around 900.

But it’s not cheap keeping up the infrastructure of such storied and historic institutions.

TSU is 106 years old, Fisk is nearly 50 years older. And while repairing things like electrical wiring and leaking roofs is needed, it’s far more expensive than people realize, Frederickson says.

“When people say, ‘I want to give $100,000 to that’, we’ve sort of started discouraging that because then the expectation is that it’s fixed,” he says. “And it’s not fixed with $100K, right. It’s fixed with $5 or $6 million.”

Right now, he says, Fisk is focusing on what it can offer to African American students that other institutions simply can’t: a shared history and pride that empowers them to take on life after graduation. 

And Dwight Beard, who has 43 family members who have attended TSU, feels the same way about his alma mater.

“We would be devastated without it,” he says, “because of all the great history and legacy and the great things it’s doing.”

But the fact remains, it will take more money to keep TSU, and other HBCUs, a competitive choice for students.

HBCU Jarvis Christian College Hosts First East Texas Got Talent

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HAWKINS — Fifteen performers got the opportunity to compete and receive feedback from entertainment industry professionals at Jarvis Christian College during its first East Texas Got Talent on Saturday night.

Talent show participants heard from celebrity judges Dr. Mathew Knowles, DJ Michael “5,000” Watts, independent artist Tia P. and celebrity publicist Skyy Daniels.

Knowles is the CEO of Music World Entertainment and father of world-famous singers Beyonce and Solange. He also managed his daughters and the music group Destiny’s Child.

While judging, Knowles gave contestants important advice on being entertainers.

“There’s a big difference between singing and entertaining,” he said during the contest. “Entertaining means connecting with people. It has to have meaning.”

He also emphasized the importance of work ethic.

“It’s a hard work business,” Knowles said. “It takes practice, practice, practice.”

Knowles also gave a lecture Friday on how to be successful and his book titled, “The DNA of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals.”

Watts, who is CEO and founder of the Swishahouse record label, said he looks for work ethic and originality in an artist. He added that some people just have an entertainment factor about them. He called being at Jarvis an honor.

“I’ve always had a passion for helping people out and discovering people. They normally start on the stage right here,” Watts said. “I like people that have good music. It’s something that I can feel.”

Blackk Egyptt, an artist from Dallas, came in first and received a $1,000 cash prize. R&B singer Keke Wyatt closed out the contest with her performance.

Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Development Dr. Kenoye K. Eke Sr. said the show helps up-and-coming entertainers and spotlights the college.

“We think it’s a good opportunity to show talents of young men and women of East Texas as well as drawing people to Jarvis and have fun at the same time,” Eke said.

As an educator, he likes to see young people be able to hear from entertainment industry professionals such as Knowles and the other judges to become better artists in general.

“Nothing will compare to the advice they’ll get from this exercise,” Eke said.

The show is a part of the annual eight-day Jarvis Fest to reach the college’s yearly fundraising goal of $90,000, benefiting the United Negro College Fund.

The fund goes toward scholarships for black students and general scholarships for the 37 private historically black colleges and universities in America.

Eke said the college receives a large return on investment with $6 coming back for every $1 raised by the college.

Jarvis Christian College President Dr. Lester Newman noted the benefits of UNCF and encouraged the show participants.

“Take heed to what you heard and continue to grow and develop your talent,” Newman said.

Howard Grad Kamala Harris Hits Trump With ‘Criminal’ Justice Jibe After Controversial Black College Speech

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Kamala Harris says President Trump put the “criminal” in criminal justice reform.

The Democratic presidential candidate hit Trump with a zinger as the two traded barbs a day after he made a controversial speech to a handpicked audience at a historically black college in South Carolina.

“The only part of criminal justice you can claim credit for is the ‘criminal’ part,” Harris tweeted at Trump.

Trump earlier took a jab at Harris, whom he branded as a “badly failing presidential candidate,” for skipping an event at Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., which rolled out the red carpet for Trump the day before.

Just a handful of black students were allowed into the event, where most of the seats were taken by black Republican Trump backers. Polls say Trump has the support of less than 10% of black voters.

Harris, who attended Howard University and is a champion of historically black colleges and universities, says she will hold her own criminal justice event because she doesn’t want to “paper over” Trump’s misdeeds.

Finding herself in Trump’s crosshairs may give a much-needed boost to her primary campaign. She is struggling mightily in recent Democratic polls.

Fisk University Clarksville Ready To Welcome Students

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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) Educational opportunities are growing in Clarksville-Montgomery County as Fisk University held an open house and ribbon cutting Friday for their new Fisk University Clarksville Extended Site.

The Emmanuel Family Life Center houses the new educational facility that features fully equipped classrooms to enhance student learning. Academic programs offered are Homeland Security, Criminal Justice, Social Justice and Human Development and Leadership.

Shir-earn Rainey, Veterans Affairs Coordinator for Fisk University talked about the new school. “We are super excited that we are here in Clarksville geared towards active military as well as veterans. We are hoping people will come and be a part of this great institution,” said Rainey.

Rainey added that Clarksville is a growing city and Fisk University extended site is the only HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in Clarksville.

“It’s another avenue for our kids to excel,” said Jimmie Garland, member of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Board of Education. “Fisk University has a rich history and is bringing a new venue for our kids to be able to go out into the world and do great things.” Garland is also a member of the Clarksville Chapter of the NAACP.

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Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts along with Montgomery County Commissioners Rashidah Leverett and Walker Woodruff were just a few of the local officials attending the event.

To learn more about Fisk University Clarksville at the Emmanuel Family Life Center, call 931-286-6141 or email srainey@fisk.edu. The website for the new school is still under development but visit the Fisk University Nashville site at www.fisk.edu.

Albany State Organizers: ‘We Are Making It Happen!’

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ALBANY — A group boosting Albany State University and looking to fend off a move to separate it from the state’s university system will continue its efforts at a Monday meeting.

Speakers at the 6 p.m. meeting at Union Missionary Baptist Church will be businessman Gilbert Udoto, the Rev. Lorenzo Heard and A.l. Fleming, Albany State’s vice president of institutional advancement.

As they have gained support, organizers have shifted the focus from, “We love our historically black colleges and universities” to ‘We are making it happen!”

“For the most part, we’re still garnering support from our alumni and even at the national (level),” said Tia Juana Mallone. “It has bolstered giving, because this is a concentration on the need.”

Mallone, Albany City Commissioner Jon Howard and Udoto began organizing after legislation was introduced in January that would separate Albany State and sister historically black universities Fort Valley State and Savannah State U from the University System of Georgia.

On Monday, the group plans to encourage attendees to donate to Albany State to make it strong for the future, regardless of the outcome of the proposed legislation, which could be reintroduced in 2020, Howard said.

Dec. 3 is International Day of Giving, and the idea is to ask people to keep the three universities in mind when they make their donations on that day, he said.

“Whether or not the bill passes, this is something we need,” Howard said.

The group also is planning a telethon to gather financial support for the cause. In addition, they are looking at having four fundraising events next year.

One fraternity has pledged $100,000 so far and another has pledged $25,000, Udoto said.

“There are good people out there who are ready to help,” the businessman said. “They want this university to succeed. They want this city to grow.

“What we’re doing here is just a beginning, a new day in Albany.”

Amazon Studios To Partner With Howard University To Launch Howard Entertainment

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Amazon Studios is the lead sponsor of this year’s Annual Yardfest at Howard University, the historically Black university located in Washington DC.

The university’s most popular concert series also announced that one of the nation’s biggest multinationals, Amazon will be partnering with Howard University to launch Howard Entertainment, a program that aims to diversify the entertainment industry by training African-American students and students from other marginalized communities.

“This program is all about intentionality – being intentional about increasing and preparing the next generation of African American, Latin and Native American storytellers, casts, crew, and executives working on these projects,” said Latasha Gillespie, Amazon Studio’s Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The program is set to begin in January 2020 and includes an interdisciplinary curriculum that will allow Howard students to receive hands-on work experience. The program will specifically train these qualified students to network with Amazon’s industry partners.

Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios, said in a press release that Amazon Studios, in partnership with Howard University, is working on a new venture meant to pave the pathway that will support talented atudents from all backgrounds who are interested in becomingentertainment leaders.

Salke also promised that “diverse perspectives and experiences” will be maintained for the best business decisions as they try to please their Prime Video customers.

A competitive application and interview process will screen interested students to qualify for the program. However, the program is only open to the university’s students who are either upperclassmen or graduate students.

The Howard Entertainment Program will be an immersive 2-semester program based out of Los Angeles and the selected ones will have to stay there. There will be a spring semester and a summer semester. The students will be expected to take academic courses and participate in a fellowship during each semester respectively.

The Howard Faculty will be in charged for teaching the academic courses while the Amazon Studios industry professionals invited by Amazon will be training the students during the fellowship part of the program.

The collaboration is meant to “marry academia and industry efforts to build a robust workforce of diverse entertainment industry leaders,” said Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick in a press release.

Frederick also shared that this relationship will enhance the university’s academic excellence and supplement Howard’s reputation for supplying the notable Hollywood personalities, while still pushing forward their goals of inspiring new knowledge. The program’s fellowship is also expected to provide hands-on experience of working in the entertainment industry as it trains students on the key skills required to make a career in the industry.

No Color Like Love: Alabama State Linebacker Colton ‘Bubba’ Adams Just Wants To Play Ball

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The day Colton “Bubba” Adams took his official college football visit at Alabama State, the skies over his hometown of Wetumpka were being fissured by lightning, dark and heavy clouds posed as intimidating figures across the skyline, and violent winds whipped wildly, moving northeast across the Coosa River.

It was the making of EF-2 tornado. Winds reached highs of 135 miles per hour, causing structures to collapses, vehicles to be tossed and trees to be uprooted.  

And not to make light of a very serious situation, but Bubba was very familiar with it all. It looked exactly like himself when the ball is snapped: stoning lead blockers, overwhelming backs as he runs them down sideline to sideline, and playing with an intensity that rivals that January 19, 2019 storm. 

Before Bubba made the decision to commit to ASU that day, he had offers from Tuskegee, Centre, LaGrange, Morgan State, and Gardner-Webb to consider. 

He narrowed his final two options to ASU and Tuskegee, state rivals and more significantly, historically black colleges (HBCUs).   

Ultimately, his selection of either school, though Bubba chose ASU, was an unusual choice for a white inside linebacker, as 95 percent of HCBU football rosters are black and 76 percent of their campuses are as well, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.   

“I knew it was an HBCU, but it really didn’t matter to me,” said Adams, a freshman. “I got a chance at a scholarship and to go to play football and continue my dream.”

That’s just who Bubba is — a ball player with one objective: compete, win and hit everything in sight. It’s been like that as long as he could remember, he said.  

At the age of 4, Bubba began to gravitate to football. His brother Chase, a year older than him, played, but at the time Adams wan’t old enough to meet the age requirement.

Consequently, a competitive edge burned inside him, and after getting acclimated to the game his first season at age 5, he said by the time he was 6 he was “putting people in the car,” as kids retreated to their parents vehicles “crying.”

“He just wants to hit,” his father, Donnie Adams said. “His motor doesn’t stop, and where some kids will take off a play he’s not taking off a play … he was coming downhill and he was coming.”

This illustration is not just a picture of Bubba as a young kid, but a defining characteristic of a young man locked in a never-ending pursuit of more. He expects to hit everything in life and hit it hard. 

Read more here.

Florida A&M Marching 100 Selected To Play In Honda Battle Of The Bands

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band has been selected to perform at the 2020 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase in Atlanta.

This will be the the band’s seventh appearance in the annual exhibition. 

“The incomparable Marching “100” is delighted to return to the Honda Battle of the Bands,” said Band Director Dr. Shelby Chipman. “We promise to present a dynamic show that everyone is going to enjoy.”

FAMU was selected by voters to be among 38 premiere HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) marching bands to compete as one of the “final eight” bands.

Each band will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to the showcase and will receive a $20,000 grant to support their music education program.

The 270 members of the Marching 100 will be among more than 1,800 student musicians and performers traveling to Atlanta on January 25.

The eight competitors include: Benedict College, Grambling State University, Hampton University, Jackson State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, and Tennessee State University.

Tickets are on sale now starting at $10 and can be purchased by clicking here. 

Here’s Why Parent PLUS Loans Hurt HBCU Students

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When single mother Elizabeth Cain sent her son to college, she did what many American families do to bridge the gap between grants, student loans and the cost of attendance: She took out a federal Parent PLUS Loan.

Her son Chance entered Morehouse College, a historically black school, this year. Cain is a self-employed educational therapist and is in a master’s degree program where she has accumulated $11,000 in student debt. Now, the New Yorker has taken on a $39,000 Parent PLUS Loan for her son.

“I try not to worry about that stuff because it will consume me,” Cain said. “I try to take it one day at a time.”

“I try not to worry about that stuff because it will consume me,” Cain said. “I try to take it one day at a time.”

While the PLUS Loan makes it easy for parents to help their kids pay for college, the program’s administrators aren’t required to check whether families can handle the debt.

It’s a problem that hits African-Americans particularly hard.

For many families, the federal loan program for parents is often the final piece of the financial package needed to realize their college dream. While it sounds like a lifeline, the PLUS program can weigh down families, especially low-income black families, for generations. 

“It puts a real strain on any social and economic mobility that can happen for black families in particular,” said Colleen Campbell, director for postsecondary education at the Center for American Progress. “Once you add Parent PLUS debt on top of whatever student debt the student is accruing, that wipes out any potential advantages or gains that the parent has made in terms of their own wealth.”

Read more here.

Texas Southern University President Named To 2020 Executive Committee

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TSU President, Dr. Austin A. Lane, was recently named to the 2020 Executive Committee of the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors (CPUPC). This 20-year-old Council, based in Austin, is comprised of the chief executive officers of Texas’ publicly-supported general academic universities, two Lamar State Colleges and the Lamar Institute of Technology, system offices and health science centers. It encourages inter-cooperation in meeting the higher education goals of the state, and it typically meets on the day before the quarterly meetings of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

“As President of Texas Southern University, I look forward to representing the unique needs of our university on this CPUPC committee, as well as collaborating with our fellow universities to ensure that we receive the maximum level of support from the THECB and the State Legislature,” said Dr. Lane.

He will serve alongside the presidents of UTSA, Lamar Institute of Technology, UT Arlington, University of Houston, UH Downtown, Texas A&M University-Central Texas and UT Permian Basin on the FY2020 Executive Committee.

ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Texas Southern University (TSU) honors our designation as a special-purpose institution for urban programming and research. TSU is a comprehensive university providing higher education access to the nation’s underserved communities. TSU’s academic and research programs address critical urban issues, and prepares its diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society. TSU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations – bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees – organized into 10 colleges and schools on a 150-acre campus nestled in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward. The University’s enrollment has a population of more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate-school academic candidates. Texas Southern has been a distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, and the University has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. TSU has positioned itself as a proactive leader in educating underserved students and many who are the first in their family to attend college.

HBCU Rivalry Weekend: Alabama A&M Vs. Alabama St.

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It’s a game the city of Birmingham looks forward to every year. The Magic City Classic, which features Alabama State and Alabama Agriculture & Mechanical, is one of the country’s top black college football games.

This Classic between these two long time historically black colleges and universities will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Legion Field. The kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.

The HBCU rivalry has been around for 78 years. This game is huge for the Hornets and the Bulldogs in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) standings. It’s also a big contest for bragging rights in the state of Alabama.

Alabama State (2-1) heads into this SWAC East contest with a little momentum. ASU defeated Jackson State, 31-16, two weeks ago. 

Offensively, the Hornets are led by running back Ezra Gray and wide receiver Michael Jefferson. Gray is the team’s leading rusher with 241 yards on 73 carries and one touchdown. Jefferson, a terrific receiver, has 24 receptions for 425 yards and five TDs.

On defense, Alabama State’s key performers are defensive backs Irshaad Davis and Joshua Hill and lineman Christian Clark. All three players have done a great job of playing the run. Davis is the Hornets’ leading tackler with 38. Hill and Clark have 28 tackles each.

The Hornets will need a strong defensive presence in this matchup. Alabama A&M (1-1) will be looking to bounce back after dropping a 23-10 decision to Grambling State before the bye week. The Bulldogs, averaging 32.7 points a game, have one of the best offensive teams in the SWAC. 

Alabama A&M quarterback Aqeel Glass has been sensational this season. He is the No. 1 passer in the conference and has completed 164-of-259 passes for 2,062 yards with 19 TDs and just six interceptions. He has a great receiving corps with Zabrian Moore and Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim. Moore has 36 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns.

The Bulldogs have a good ground game with running back Jordan Bentley racking up 662 yards rushing on 138 carries while scoring nine touchdowns.

Alabama A&M has a balanced offense. It should be a good test for Alabama State’s defense in one of the biggest games of the season.

In the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) action, Miles College defeated Edward Waters, 49-28, to continue its winning ways. The Golden Bears’ quarterback Daniel Smith had a magnificent game connecting on 16-of-25 passes for 221 yards and two TDs.

Miles College will travel to Wilberforce, Ohio to face Central State on Saturday, Oct. 26. The kickoff will be at 12 p.m.

SWAC SCHEDULE

Texas Southern at Mississippi Valley State 2p.m. Itta Bena, Miss.

Southern at Alcorn State 2 p.m. Lorman, Miss.

Alabama A&M at Alabama State 2:30 p.m. Birmingham, AL

Grambling State at Arkansas-Pine Blue 3 p.m. Pine Bluff, AR

SIAC SCHEDULE

Fort Valley State at Clark Atlanta 1 p.m. Atlanta, Ga.

Tuskegee at Lane 4 p.m. Phenix City, AL

Edward Waters at Kentucky State 1 p.m. Frankfort, Ky

Miles College at Central State 12 p.m. Wilberforce, Ohio

Benedict at Morehouse 3 p.m. Atlanta, Ga.

Albany State at Savannah State 3 p.m. Savannah, Ga.

NFL Great Eddie George Encourages Donors To Continue Celebrating The Legacy At The Steve Air II” And Mechelle McNair Endowment Gala

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To this day, the late Steve “Air II” McNair’s name is synonymous with football excellence, philanthropy, and his alma mater, Alcorn State University. The Alcorn State University Foundation, along with the Steve McNair Memorial Foundation, held a special event to celebrate his legacy and inaugurate a fundraising initiative that will support students for years to come.

The new Steve “Air II” and Mechelle McNair Endowment was announced during the Celebrating the Legacy Endowment Gala Thursday, Oct. 24 at The B.B. Club in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The endowment will support both academic and athletic endeavors for exceptional students at Alcorn. McNair’s former Tennessee Titans teammate and 1995 Heisman Trophy Winner, Eddie George, hosted the event and served as the keynote.

The Steve McNair Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to continuing McNair’s charitable efforts. Established in 2019 by his wife and two sons, Mechelle, Tyler, and Trenton McNair, the foundation supports academic, athletic, health, and wellness endeavors in underserved communities.

When reflecting on his old friend and teammate, George spoke highly of McNair. He praised the former Titan for his selflessness and ability to mentor the youth.

“Steve would give you the shirt off of his back,” said George. “He didn’t like to disappoint others. He was known for embracing and immersing himself into his community. He mentored so many young football players that went on to have NFL careers. He mentored them and taught them how to be leaders. He operated with a spirit of kindness.”

George told the story of his first time watching McNair play in a college game against Youngstown State in Ohio. He said that despite a losing effort, McNair not only had a stellar game, but also he played the whole game with a severe injury. George said he respected McNair for the grit he showed on the field that day.

“He was a great player. To watch him sacrifice his body for his team despite it being his last collegiate season before entering the NFL was inspiring. Watching him sacrifice his body for his team earned my respect.”

As George went to his seat, he encouraged the supporters to honor McNair’s legacy by contributing to the endowment to help students prosper.

“Let’s further Steve’s legacy by multiplying our efforts to produce love, kindness, perseverance, inspiration, and excellence by supporting the Steve McNair Foundation. Our support for this initiative will inspire young men and women to be successful.”

The charitable efforts of the McNair family are a reflection of the person he was. His wife, Mechelle, acknowledged his affinity for giving back. She’s happy about partnering with Alcorn to preserve his giving legacy.

“Steve would always say that receiving awards felt good,” said Mechelle. “But for him, what felt better was his ability to help and touch the lives of others. We are a family that has been blessed to bless others. As long as this foundation lives, Steve’s legacy will live on.”

Several other guests shared their feelings about the Alcorn legend. Dr. Jason Cable, senior associate commissioner for administration for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), said that McNair’s dominance brought visibility to the SWAC during his era.

McNair’s former coach, Cardell Jones, spoke about McNair’s love for Alcorn. He also thanked the McNair family for trusting the Braves coaching staff to nurture him into the player he became.

Former teammate and NFL wide receiver, Torrance Small, said that he learned the importance of perseverance, engaging with others, being content, gratefulness, and love from his old friend.

Dr. David Marion, the grand basileus for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., spoke about McNair’s drive to bring attention to the fraternity.

President Dr. Felecia M. Nave closed the event by stating the importance of celebrating McNair for being an iconic figure in the eyes of many.

“It is important that we celebrate our icons because if we don’t, nobody else will,” said Nave. “We celebrate one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game.”

FAMU Alum Is Helping S. Side Chicago Kids Win Tennis Championships — And College Scholarships

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When Kamau Murray was in high school, he had a hard decision to make on whether he should keep playing basketball, the sport he loved, or pursue tennis, a sport he also had been playing since he was a boy.

At the time, he was on the Whitney Young Magnet High School basketball team that starred Murray’s best friend, Quentin Richardson, who would go on to play in the NBA. But a blunt conversation with his parents about his future prospects, the fact that tennis offered generous college scholarships and the family’s finances put everything into perspective.

They said, “‘You know what, you’re probably not going to be 6-9 like your brother’” — former DePaul forward Malik Murray, Murray recalled. Tennis, they said, “‘might be a good opportunity for you.’”

Murray realized, “I was not going to be successful on that basketball team.

“So I always say tennis chose me.”

The decision to pursue tennis turned out to be crucial to his future.

He went on to play in college and later started the XS Tennis and Education Foundation, which opened a massive indoor tennis facility on the South Side now used by 3,000 kids annually. 

XS Tennis’ goal is to provide a space for kids from underserved communities to play the sport year-round and to go after college tennis scholarships that are often unused or less competitive than sports like football and basketball. The program has sent nearly 50 students to college on Division I tennis scholarships since its inception. 

One of his students, Sloane Stephens, won the 2017 U.S. Open, while Taylor Townsend, played into the fourth round of the 2019 U.S. Open. 

He’s extremely proud of how everything has turned out since he took up tennis. 

“I found a lot of pleasure in helping somebody else achieve their goal,” he says. “ … Getting a kid a scholarship helps me sleep good at night.”

Read more at the Chicago Sun-Times.

Historically Black College Dance Teams Are The Heartbeat Of Homecomings

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In April 2018, one morning around 3 a.m., I found myself barely awake yet determined to watch the live stream of Beyoncé’s performance at Coachella. Through my tired eyes, I saw something familiar: a uniformed snare drummer whistling to signal the elegant strut of nine dancers perfectly in sync, from their campy arm extensions to their touch-the-floor-with-it body drops. 

All eyes were on the women as the rich culture of dance teams at historically Black colleges and universities was being presented to the world. Nearly three thousand miles away, I was bursting with HBCU pride.

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY’S EBONY FIRE, WHICH BECAME A PART OF THE MARCHING FORCE’S BAND IN 1983, PERFORM AT GAMES AND IN NATIONAL PARADES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. PHOTO CREDIT: FORCE MEDIA TEAM.

Back when I was a freshman at Hampton University, my most vivid memories were of Hampton’s dance team, Ebony Fire, power-strutting during half time at big games—especially homecomings. Majorettes were the featured performers for bands, but by the late seventies and early eighties they evolved into modern dance teams, incorporating ballet, hip-hop and contemporary styles alongside traditional marching techniques. This shift birthed groups such as Ebony Fire, Alabama State’s Stingettes, Southern University’s Dancing Dolls and many more squads that continue to be the centerpiece of HBCU homecoming weekends throughout the fall. 

By the time homecoming arrives, says Selena Makell, a Hampton University sophomore who’s one of four leaders of Ebony Fire, “everything is in place because it’s the biggest performance of the year for the band. Everyone’s there. We want to make things big—exciting.” The squad’s coach, Brint M. Martin, agrees. “A perfect show means each young lady going out there and doing her absolute best,” she says. “They leave it all on the field. They give 110 percent of their energy, of their effort.”

REHEARSALS FOR THEIR NEXT SHOW. PHOTO CREDIT: FORCE MEDIA TEAM.

That perfection comes from weeks of disciplined training at band camp underscored by a deep commitment to upholding Black dance traditions. “We get to represent an art form that’s just amazing,” says Martin. “We perform in NFL stadiums, we travel, we represent your school, we represent your family, we represent African-American culture. We’re like no other. Whether we’re from an HBCU or from a predominantly White institution, the reaction is the same. People love it. They love what we do; they love the culture.”

For Martin, the core value of Ebony Fire is freedom of expression. “It’s our ability to use our talents to tell stories,” she explains. “To share our love for who we are and what we do, and then find new and unique ways to do that at every homecoming, every show, to take it to the next level every single time.”

Benedict College Students Are Asked To Stay In Dorms During Trump’s Speech At The HBCU

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COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a way, what happened outside Benedict College’s gates in the heart of downtown felt quite small. At its peak, the crowd covered less than 100 yards of the sidewalk. But the scene itself represented something much bigger: the fractured, divisive, sometimes ugly and often loud American political climate.

Protests erupted outside the 150-year-old historically black college where inside a school auditorium President Donald Trump spoke to a room filled with more political allies than students.

The event was billed as a keynote speech on bipartisan success in criminal justice reform, which the president tied to the booming economy he takes credit for and that he told his audience has helped black people more than ever before.

Benedict students, who the week prior pondered what questions they might ask the president once his surprise visit to the forum” was announced, were asked to stay in their dorms.

Seven students were allowed inside for the speech.

The requests for students and faculty to remain inside was a matter of security, school spokeswoman Kymm Hunter said. The school’s police worked in conjunction with the Secret Service to develop a security plan out of “safety concerns and threats of protests,” she said.

Classes were canceled, and students were served lunch inside their dorms from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

As Trump spoke, protesters marched in opposition while supporters stood with flags waving and hands clapping. The two groups met at the gates, a couple hundred people in all. And it was loud, so loud that it was hard to hear either side clearly.

As the protesters chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go,” a supporter blew her whistle with every syllable. Shouts of “No more years!” overlapped with “Four more years!”

Sometimes they responded to one another, like when one group yelled “Shut it down” and the other yelled back, “Build a wall.” It was discord – not dialogue.

Read more at USA Today.