These stories are an impetus for us to help more deserving students achieve more goals and realize more dreams.
Students who attend HBCUs come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but many of their stories share a common narrative: success. While each college experience comes with its own set of challenges, we’ve found time and time again that our member HBCUs excel at retaining and graduating first-generation, low-income students. Their graduates’ stories are proof enough. HBCU grads are pioneers, advocates and humanitarians—and we couldn’t be more proud.
Gene Morris
Gene, an Allen University grad, was selected to be part of the Obama Foundation Community Leadership Corps in 2018. As part of this six-month initiative created to train leaders and address civic issues in its host cities, Gene helped young leaders learn to spark positive change in the communities they call home. Using his HBCU experience, Gene set the ball rolling on a pattern of mentorship and service that could continue indefinitely—a pattern of bringing up future leaders who can further transform the world for the better.
Shavondria Jackson
If you’re looking for proof of the impact an HBCU education can make, look no further than Shavondria’s story. At the beginning of her journey, things were looking bleak. Shavondria encountered financial struggles from a young age and even faced homelessness, making the idea of going to college seem all but impossible. Thanks to a UNCF scholarship, she was able to attend Xavier University, one of our member HBCUs. And she certainly didn’t waste the opportunity. Shavondria graduated as a Fulbright Scholar and attended the UNCF New Orleans’ 2016 Mayor’s Masked Ball as a guest of honor, where she shared her personal testimony about the life-changing difference a scholarship can make.
Kayla Freeman
Kayla’s achievements have been—literally—out of this world. Thanks to a degree in aerospace science engineering from Tuskegee University, Kayla became an aerospace engineer for the United States Army and, last year, earned the title of first black female pilot in the Alabama National Guard.
“I didn’t think about making history when I started this journey,” Kayla said. “I just wanted to do the best that I could do and hopefully inspire a few people along the way.”
Ciara May
During the senior year of college, a student should be worrying about next steps such as finding a career or pursuing further education—not worrying that they can’t afford tuition for their last semester. Unfortunately, such was the case for Ciara, until UNCF and MUFG Union Bank teamed up to help.
“I woke up on the first day of spring classes to an e-mail saying I had been awarded exactly the amount I was short,” she said. “It brought me to tears.”
Ciara graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2018 with a master’s degree. She is now a Venture for America Fellow.
At UNCF, these stories are an impetus for us to help more deserving students achieve more goals and realize more dreams. Despite all these successes, however, we can still only help one in 10 HBCU students applying for financial assistance. That’s why the support of donors who believe that “A mind is a terrible thing to waste but a wonderful thing to invest in,”® is so crucial. Consider giving today—you could change a life!
Several schools are now offering undergraduate and advanced degrees in the study of marijuana as the cannabis industry surges.
The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) launched a Master of Science (MS) in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics. According to a press release from the school, the two-year program is “to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to support patients and the medical cannabis industry, add to existing research in the field, and develop well-informed medical cannabis policy.”
Some schools, including the University of Connecticut and the State University of New York at Morrisville, offer cannabis specializations within their horticultural program tracts, according to GMA.com.
There’s been an increase in the number of legal marijuana-centric small businesses. African American cannabis entrepreneurs are also emerging. However, there are accusations that black people are being shut out of this lucrative market as more white-owned businesses and corporations vie for dominance in the industry.
Yet, there are efforts to create more investment opportunities and cannabis startups in the black community. Felicia Palmer co-founded the Cannaramic Online Summit—an online summit designed to provide cannabis education and awareness.
One black couple recently launched Cannabis Capital Group, a consulting firm to assist marijuana-based companies with education, advocacy, and investment.
And several black celebrities (besides Snoop Dogg) are making big moves in legal marijuana. It was announced that Jay-Z just joined Caliva—a cannabis startup—as its chief brand strategist.
33 states including D.C have legalized marijuanause for medical and recreational purposes or have legalized cannabis in some form and under some conditions.
As the demand for cannabis increases, a more marijuana-educated workforce will be needed. With schools offering areas of study in cannabis, more African Americans have an entry point into this booming business.
This post was written by Samara Lyn, a writer at Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.
African Americans have been supported throughout the years by amazing community groups that have educated, empowered and emboldened generations. Through engagement with institutions like the Black church, Black Greek organizations, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), we leverage the strength of our collective to build our own legacies and live our best lives.
#HBCUsStillMatter
Originally established to allow recently emancipated slaves an opportunity to pursue higher education, HBCUs remain a necessity today, not only because they continue to outperform non-HBCU institutions in retaining and graduating first-generation African American students,but because they provide a safe environment for students that build confidence, foster success, and cultivate “faith, community, and service.” (1)
Earlier installments of the #ChevyLegacyTrailblazer series highlighted famous members of Black Fraternities, and Sororitieswho are dedicated to their letters for life, and who have adopted community involvement and empowerment as their mission. Today, we’re honoring notable alumni of HBCUs, who have become trailblazers—disrupting industries, breaking boundaries, making history, and changing lives.
Taraji P. Henson- Howard University
Academy and Emmy Award-nominated actress, Taraji P. Henson, graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In addition to her extensive and very successful career in television and film, she recently launched The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) in honor of her late father. Her mission is “to help eradicate the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community and provide support for and bring awareness to mental health issues that plague this community.”
Spike Lee– Morehouse College
Spike Lee is an Academy Award winning producer, director, writer, actor, author, and lecturer who has stood up to the racial inequality of Hollywood, created jobs for black actors, and helped revolutionize modern black cinema. His production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983. The ultimate Hollywood trailblazer, Lee graduated from Morehouse with a B.A. in Mass Communication. It was there that he made his first student film, Last Hustle in Brooklyn.The rest is history!
Will Packer- Florida A&M University
A magna cum laude graduate of Florida A&M University, producer Will ‘Power’ Packer has established himself as one of “Hollywood’s blockbuster hit makers” and is one of the only African American producers in the world that has had eight of their films open number one at the box office. Collectively, his films have grossed nearly $1 billion! He told Diverseeducation.com, “attending an HBCU set the foundation for me to be successful in my career. The nurturing environment and the unyielding push for excellence [at FAMU] provided me with the analytical skills that I have needed to navigate the business world. I go back and give back every chance I get.”
Nikki Giovanni – Fisk University
BROOKLYN, NY – AUGUST 27: Poet Nikki Giovanni speaks during the 12th Annual Afropunk Brooklyn Festival at Commodore Barry Park on August 27, 2016 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Mireya Acierto/WireImage)
Named by Oprah Winfrey as a ‘living legend’, Nikki Giovanni is one of the world’s most well-known African-American poets. The award winning writer, commentator, Civil Rights Activist, and educator graduated with honors from Fisk University with a B.A. in History. According to The Heroine Collective, “Giovanni is currently a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, a position which she has held since 1989. In 2007, following the tragic campus shooting, Giovanni delivered a moving poem We Are Virginia Tech which emphasized the endurance of solidarity and community.”
Valeisha Butterfield Jones- Clark Atlanta University
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 21: Valeisha Butterfield Jones attends the 2019 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on February 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)
An award-winning political strategist, youth and women’s activist and lifestyle expert, Valeisha Butterfield-Jones graduated from Clark Atlanta University in 2000 with a BA in Political Science. She is currently the Head of Community Inclusion, and Black Engagement at Google, as well as the Co-founder and CEO of the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) and the author of the highly acclaimed book, The Girlprint.
DJ Envy- Hampton University
BROOKLYN, NY – OCTOBER 26: DJ Envy performs onstage during 105.1?s Powerhouse 2017 at the Barclays Center on October 26, 2017 in the Brooklyn, New York City City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Raashaun Casey, better known as DJ Envy of “The Breakfast Club”, is a Business Management graduate of Hampton University. According to Hampton.edu, Casey credits his Hampton education as being an integral part of his success, not only as a DJ, but also as a businessman. “My major was business management and marketing… It took marketing to another level,” he stated. I realized that it was not necessarily all about the skills, but also about how I market myself. I used my marketing tools and everything I learned from Hampton to put towards life, and it seems to have worked out pretty well.”
Keshia Knight Pulliam- Spelman College
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 22: Keshia Knight Pulliam attends a celebration of Women for Abrams at The Gathering Spot on September 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
The famous actress, best known for her role as Rudy, on ‘The Cosby Show’, graduated from Spelman in 2001 with honors. During a White House Panel about the importance of HBCUs, she shared, “it is a legacy that you leave with. And it’s so important for us to continue it because for me being here, I needed to be here for my children and my children’s children, and for them to have the ability to walk into any room and know their value, and know their worth and know what they’re capable of.” In this vein, Pulliam founded Kamp Kizzy, a non-profit organization with the mission to inspire, empower and develop youth between the ages of 11-16 into confident and successful young women.
Oprah- Tennessee State University
The iconic Oprah Winfrey, arguably the most influential, and philanthropic woman in the world, and the first black woman billionaire, needs no intro! She attended Tennessee State University on a full-ride scholarship, but interestingly, did not graduate because she was one credit short – “a fact her father made sure to keep reminding her of so she would complete her studies. “He’d say,‘Oprah–‘I don’t know what you’re gonna do without that degree,” Winfrey told graduates at a 2008 commencement speech she gave at Stanford.“And I’d say,‘But, Dad, I have my own television show.” So, in 1986, she turned in her final paper and got her degree from Tennessee State”. (2)
Michael Strahan-Texas Southern University
ABC NEWS – Michael Strahan
(ABC/Heidi Gutman)
MICHAEL STRAHAN
Michael Strahan, the record-setting, and Super Bowl winning former New York Giants defensive end, is a graduate of Texas Southern. After retiring from the NFL, he was not only inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, he became a popular and highly-sought after media personality. He currently co-hostsABC’s Strahan and Sara, and is a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday. He attributes his natural hosting acumen to his time at Southern, stating, “here is where I learned how to talk to people and deal with people of different backgrounds and religions and races.”(3) In addition to his on-air career, he has founded the Michael Strahan Foundation to assist disadvantaged youth in the greater New York metropolitan area.
Tom Joyner- Tuskegee University
Tom Joyner, often referred to as the ‘hardest working man in radio’, is one of the most influential and recognized media moguls in the industry. His No. 1 nationally syndicated morning show airs in more than 105 markets and reaches 8 million homes. The child of two HBCU alums, he graduated from Tuskegee University with a degree in Sociology. He’s a true champion for HBCUs– having founded the Tom Joyner Foundation to “support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through student scholarship, endowment, and capacity building enhancements.”
The annual HBCU Alumni Alliance Run/Walk in Atlanta is more than just a fundraiser.
Over the course of 12 years this event has raised $1.5 million for metro Atlanta students who plan to attend one of dozens of participating historically black colleges and universities. But this 5K, held Saturday at Piedmont Park, also serves as a homecoming of sorts for Atlanta area graduates of HBCUs and in the process highlights the unique role these schoolshave in African American culture.
Jazz Bean spent a year at a predominantly white institution before transferring to and graduating from Albany State University. It was her first time attending the HBCU Run/Walk, but she said she won’t miss it again after experiencing the camaraderie and school spirit.
“This reminds me of why I went to an HBCU,” she said. “Because it’s a community. It doesn’t matter where I went. If I go to the (Florida A&M University) table, if I got to the South Carolina State (University) table, they’re going to show me love. It’s a culture.”
Minutes earlier, she and other ASU alumni had performed a school cheer starting with the year the university was established: “1-9-1-9-0-3. E’erbody get up! Get crunk! And do the Ram Buck!”
The road race is the main event, with close to 4,000 people signed up for the 5K course this year. After they crossed the finish line, participants retreated to the tents representing dozens of schools where alumni in paraphernalia shared snacks and memories.
The Atlanta HBCU Alumni Alliance formed in 2004 as an umbrella organization for local alumni chapters of eight schools. The Run/Walk launched as the group’s major fundraiser in 2008. This year, students who attend over 50 HBCUs will benefit from the proceeds.
After serving nearly a year as interim CEO for the Prince George’s County Public Schools system, Monica Goldson will hold the post on a permanent basis, effective July 1.
Goldson, who has spent her entire 28-year career with PGCPS, started as a mathematics teacher at Suitland High School. In addition to serving as deputy superintendent of teaching and learning and chief operating Officer, Goldson is the founding principal of Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School.
Goldson, a PGCPS parent and graduate of Potomac High School, is the just the second woman to lead the school system and the first from the county. As lead officer of Maryland’s second-largest school system, she will have oversights of PGCPS’ 208 schools and centers, more than 130,000 students and nearly 19,000 employees.
“I am proud to announce, without reservation, Dr. Monica Goldson as the permanent CEO of Prince George’s County Public Schools,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela D Alsobrooks. “The reputation and institutional knowledge Dr. Goldson brings is invaluable. She brings a complete and comprehensive understanding of our school system.”
As interim CEO, Goldson successfully advocated for increased school funding, student supports and public-private partnerships to enhance school construction capacity. Her strategic priorities have included driving more resources to low-performing schools, expanding access to prekindergarten and improving the availability of mental health services to students and families.
“Our work to date is only the beginning,” Goldson said. “While the road ahead will not be without challenges, I remain confident that with open communication and collaboration, we will maintain a culture of transparency, accountability and academic excellence. PGCPS has been my home for 28 years and I simply cannot see myself doing this work anywhere else. It is my privilege to work every day towards building a system that fulfills its promise of academic excellence for all students.”
A three-time graduate of historically Black colleges and universities, Goldson holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in elementary and secondary school administration from Bowie State University and a doctorate in educational administration and policy from Howard University.
During a fellowship luncheon and fireside chat at the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) convention in Cincinnati, Lester Booker, Jr., the project manager for communications operations at General Motors explained to publishers and others why it’s important for the automaker and other Fortune 500 companies to invest in historically black colleges and universities (HBCUS).
“There are so many great men and women that are being developed and minds that are being cared for, cultivated inside of the schools and they don’t necessarily have the recruitment bandwidth and their career centers don’t have the relationships established to actually open up access to larger Fortune 500 companies,” Booker said.
“So, I think it is imperative that if we want to grab diverse talent, specifically in the African American community,” he said during the conversation with NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., on Thursday, June 27 at the Cincinnati Westin Hotel.
Chavis and Booker touted the fourth year of the popular Discover the Unexpected Journalism Fellowship program (DTU) that was developed by Chevrolet in 2016 as an HBCU fellowship program.
“It’s purpose was to create and share optimistic stories while reinforcing the brand’s continued commitment to the African American community,” Booker said.
The unmistakable truth to mastering technology is the reality that 80% of careers require some level to tech knowledge.The ability to read and comprehend what is being read and
following directions is important. Comprehension is Key.
William Jackson, graduate of South Carolina State University Teacher and Organizer of Kids Camp Jacksonville, Fl 2019
The unmistakable truth to mastering technology is the reality that 80% of careers require some level to tech knowledge.The ability to read and comprehend what is being read and following directions is important. Comprehension is Key.
Achieving success in today’s digital careers will require youth, teens and young adults to respect the value of learning and gain knowledge and experiences to grow into leaders.
That creativity, innovation, dreams, inspiration, motivation and collaboration does matter with others so youth, teens and young adults along with learning need to learn to get along and work collaboratively.
The access to platforms, tools, Apps, widgets, plugins and other digital programs is not the only thing needed to be successful, it takes networking, education, collaboration and hard work.
Globally kids access to conferences are growing nationally and internationally. Blogging, micro-blogging are needed that encourage youth, teens and young adults to embrace not just the tech, but embrace the humanity behind the tech.
child working on STEAM project at Kids Camp Jax
The integration of STEAM, STREAM and CSTREAM are components that are access points to career choices that have not even been developed yet. In cities across this nation and even globally, there is the expansion of environmentally friendly and carbon-less infusion of fossil fuels that are pollutants to our environment.
Educational models are changing in elementary and secondary education to integrate hands-on and project based learning. Teachers are facilitators and advisers, they are encouraging guided discovery, allowing youth, teens and young adults to be increasingly creative and allow innovative learning to run classrooms.
The building of kids conferences is not what it was a few years ago, it is growing into an opportunity to get kids exposed to not just the tech, but the humanity behind it. How tech can allow for the voices to be heard and a platform for social change.
Teaching the soft-skills of collaboration, respect for differences in color, culture, gender and generational experiences. Taking the learning from the classroom and applying it to real world experiences in STEAM and Web Development. Youth, teens and young adults should be empowered to mange growing tech.
IT fields are growing at such a rate that children, especially children of color, culture and ethnic backgrounds are changing their directions from sports and entertainment to new career options that provide increased educational and financial stability and growth.
Aida Correa – Organizer of Kids Camp Jax
Many kids conferences are stating why just depend on sports and entertainment to change lives when STEAM can produce generational increase through education, economic and environmental exposures.
Aida Correa – Organizer Kids conferences are helping youth, teens and young adults to create a web presence that is their digital resume, building Brands, creating Niches, helping create kids as Influencers and role models. Their voices are being heard on YouTube, Facebook Live and through Instagram videos. The concerns of younger generations is being broadcast and podcast.
Youth, teens and young adults from Central America, Africa, the United States and Canada are learning from educators, business owners and entrepreneurs.
future Girl Boss and Digital InnovatorKids Camp Jacksonville 2019
It can be seen now that 7 year olds are “digital influencers;” the term digital influencer, thought leader, digital innovator, smart creative and others carry respect. The changing of the narrative of who youth, teens and young adults are and their thinking is changing because they – youth, teens and young adults are sharing their own stories on digital platforms that connect like-minded people.
Kids conferences, workshops, meetups, etc, are allowing youth to even start to solve problems that are not even problems yet and help kids in Africa change the economic paradigm and foundation for education.
Central America and Africa are the new bases for entrepreneurs and solo-preneurs. Kids across the world will have to compete against African and Central American kids for digital jobs that are remote and high tech. These youth, teens and young adults are smart, creative and innovative.
The growth in online educational institutions coupled with online careers means more and more kids can gain knowledge and skills digitally and continue to grow faster than their parents. Education is key and empowering youth, teens and young adults to be the problem solvers the world needs.
The change is here, it is not coming, being done now with conferences providing such unique experiences that kids have their own panels for discussions that are seen in PodCasts. Parents would be wise to listen to their kids about their dreams, aspirations and passions because those maybe the conduits of coming businesses that will change the world as we know it for generations to come.
In an interview with CNBC, America’s first black billionaire and the founder of BET, Robert L. Johnson weighed in on what he sees as problems with the Democratic Party.
“The party in my opinion, for me personally, has moved too far to the left,” he said an interview on the network. “And for that reason, I don’t have a particular candidate (I’m supporting) in the party at this time. I think at the end of the day, if a Democrat is going to beat Trump, then that person, he or she, will have to move to the center and you can’t wait too long to do that.”
In the interview, Bob Johnson described himself as a “long-time centrist and Democrat,” who supported Hilary Clinton in 2016. He also urged people after Trump’s election to give the new president “a shot” and “the benefit of the doubt.”
Johnson also said that the economy was currently “doing great” and that he gives President Trump “a lot of credit for moving the economy in a positive direction that’s benefiting a large amount of Americans.”
Currently, Johnson is the founder and chairman of The RLJ Cos., a portfolio of companies with holdings in several industries, including the RLJ McLarty Landers Holdings L.L.C., the highest-earning black-owned auto company with revenues of $1.8 billion and ranked No.1 on the 2019 BE Auto 40 list of the nation’s largest black-owned businesses, Black Enterprise‘s annual “BE100s” list.
In 2000, he sold Black Entertainment Television, a company he launched in 1979, for $3 billion to media giant Viacom, which made him the nation’s first black billionaire. Under Johnson’s ownership, BET became the first black-owned company on the New York Stock Exchange.
Since selling BET, he has invested in other business ventures. He showed his proficiency as a serial entrepreneur when he paid $300 million in 2003 to acquire the National Basketball Association’s Charlotte Bobcats expansion team. The transaction was huge as it made Johnson the first black majority owner of a major professional sports team.
Johnson’s deal shattered ownership barriers when it came to a black businessman operating in that realm, though at the time, the NBA had a player base that was roughly 80% black. He sold most of his shares of the team to Michael Jordan in 2010.
Last year, Johnson said he was racially profiled at a 5-star luxury hotel in West Palm Beach.
This post was written by Samara Lyn, a writer at Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.
NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University is the latest HBCU recipient of financial support from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and it Educational Advancement Foundation. The service organization continued its commitment of creating a $100,000 endowment at each of the nation’s four-year historically black universities and colleges with a donation to TSU President Glenda Glover.
President Glenda Glover admires a commemorative bench dedicated in her honor by the AKA Sorority, Inc. Submitted Photo
An initial gift of $25,000 was presented to President Glover during a bench dedication in her honor by the sorority. She was joined by Horace Chace, vice president of Business and Finance; Terry Clayton, member of the TSU Foundation Board; and Iris Ramey, associate vice president for Corporate Partnership and Strategic Initiatives.
“One meaningful part of the AKA Leadership Seminar being in Nashville is the $100,000 commitment for an endowment from Alpha Kappa Alpha to Tennessee State University,” Glover said. “It begins with this initial donation of $25,000 to assist with student scholarships. I’m extremely appreciative to the sorority for this gift.”
The gift coincides with AKA’s HBCU Endowment initiative, which looks to award $10 million to these institutions by 2022.
“We are trying to assist students and help retain them to continue with their education,” Chase said. “This funding from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is definitely going to be a big plus in helping to accomplish that goal.”
The Executive Director of the TSU Foundation, Betsy Jackson-Mosley, added, “The TSU Foundation is very grateful for the support received from the AKA Foundation for student scholarships. “Scholarships are very important to attract the best and brightest and to help students stay in school.”
The financial support and bench dedication were two of several service projects taking place during the AKA’s 2019 Leadership Seminar in Nashville, TN June 27-30.
In a litany at the dedication, led by Dr. Norma S. White, 25th international president of AKA, the group acknowledged the significant contributions of Dr. Glover in leadership, education, community service and philanthropy.
“As we dedicated this commemorative bench in honor of the 30th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Glenda Glover, we take pride in her leadership and the many contributions that she has made to the sorority, Tennessee State University and other noteworthy organizations,” the group said. “May this bench be a permanent reminder of the significant accomplishments of Dr. Glover.”
Glover, a native of Memphis and the eighth and first female president of TSU, became the 30th international president of AKA in July 2018. Immediately upon taking the helm, she sent a clear message that education would remain a priority for the organization, especially supporting the nation’s HBCUs. She launched HBCU for Life: A Call to Action and signature program College Admissions Process, also known as #CAP, to promote and market HBCUs.
Saying that she leads by example, Glover donated $50,000 to the sorority’s Educational Advancement Foundation to further emphasize her commitment. She made that same commitment to TSU when she became president of her alma mater in 2013.
Rickey Smiley will replace legendary Tom Joyner, host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, as Joyner announced his plans to retire at the end of the year, according to Radio Facts. In a statement, Smiley said that he will bring ”a new and expanded audience” to the show, keeping ”the party with a purpose going” while finding ”a purpose to the party,” he told Joyner.
“It’s an honor to continue the legacy of my boss and frat brother Tom Joyner,” Smiley said, making the announcement public and sharing the same excitement Joyner had and giving Smiley his best wishes. He continued, ”Not only has he been a friend to my family and me over the years, but we consider him family. Tom’s mentorship has instilled in me valuable wisdom that I will carry with me through this new morning show.” Joyner hosted his popular morning show for over the course of 25 years.
”Twenty-five years ago, there was no template for a syndicated Urban radio show and we worked hard to prove that we could successfully produce and market a national platform that would entertain, inform and empower African-American listeners,” Joyner said in a statement. ”We broke some ground, raised the bar for what audiences expected from Black radio all while partying with a purpose.”
Bennett College has named Suzanne Walsh, an executive with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as its next president. Just last Friday, college officials at the historically black, all-women’s school announced that Phyllis Worthy Dawkins would be departing as president immediately. No reason was given for her abrupt departure. Gwendolyn O’Neal, a Bennet alumna and college administrator was appointed interim president.
Suzanne Walsh has been named president of Bennett College. CREDIT BENNETT COLLEGE
Bennett officials say Walsh will begin work as the school’s president on August 1. O’Neal will continue as interim president until that time and then stay on as the college’s chief operating officer.
“Bennett College sought a new president to embrace and champion innovative ideas that ensure our long term viability,” said Gladys A. Robinson, chair of the Bennett College Board of Trustees. “Suzanne Walsh has the experience, passion, fundraising expertise and personal qualities that will ensure she is embraced by our students, faculty, staff, alumnae and community.”
Bennett officials say Walsh, who earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Cornell University and a law degree from Case Western University, has significant experience working with organizations in transition and helping educational institutions find new ways to be innovative.
Bennett has struggled with convincing its accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SACS, that it is financially viable long term. The school successfully raised nearly $10 million in February to convince SACS officials otherwise.
The school spent two years on SACS’ probation list because of financial concerns and in December its accreditation was not renewed. Bennett officials have filed a lawsuit and remains accredited as that legal process plays out.
Walsh says she looks forward to leading the school as officials work to revamp the college financially and academically.
“Bennett College has a compelling mission to produce accomplished young women who are ready to lead,” said Walsh. “In an ever-changing world that I believe is thirsting for their leadership, that mission feels more relevant than ever, and what excites me is the opportunity to help translate it for a new era. I look forward to working closely with our board, faculty, students, alumnae and supporters to find new and powerful ways of delivering on Bennett’s promise, which is the promise of a great education.”
Bennett is one of only two historically black colleges for women in the country. The other is Spellman College in Atlanta.
Morgan State University (MSU) President David Wilson has announced the appointment of Donna J. Howard, CFRE, as the university’s new vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director for the Morgan State University Foundation, Inc. The announcement comes after a nearly yearlong national search, led by a selection committee in collaboration with an executive search firm. With the appointment, Howard will oversee operations for the University’s Division of Institutional Advancement, which includes the Offices of Alumni Relations, Development, and Public Relations and Strategic Communications, in addition to the MSU Foundation.
“I commend the selection committee for its diligent and exhaustive work to find just the right candidate to fill this vital position at the University,” said Dr. Wilson. “And as is sometimes the case when it comes to an undertaking of this kind, you may not have to look very far. Donna Howard made the most of her opportunity as the interim vice president, leaving an impression that was hard to ignore. She brings a wealth of fundraising knowledge and more than two decades of results-driven experience to this role. As we move forward in meeting the future financial goals for our University, I eagerly anticipate what we can accomplish together under her leadership.”
Howard was instrumental in enabling Morgan to complete its Anniversary Campaign, the largest such effort in the University’s 150-year history. The campaign, which attracted more than 13,000 donors, successfully raised $254 million in public and private funds. Also, during her seven-year tenure as director of Development at the university, Morgan saw its alumni participation-in-giving rate elevate to an impressive 17 percent, higher than at many private HBCUs and public regional institutions nationwide.
In her new capacity as Morgan’s vice president for Institutional Advancement, in addition to leading a combined staff of nearly 40 people, Howard will be responsible for overseeing the university’s fundraising, marketing and communications, which includes managing campaigns, special events, the annual fund, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, constituent relations, prospect management, gift processing and acknowledgement, strategic communications and publications. She will serve as a member of the university’s leadership team and will work closely with the president, the Board of Regents, the Foundation Board, other senior administrators, faculty and staff to achieve Morgan State University’s strategic goals.
“I’m inspired by Morgan’s history and mission and extremely excited to have been selected to lead the university’s fundraising and external communications priorities,” said Howard. “The university has a special place in my heart, primarily because of the wonderful alumni and friends I’ve had the privilege to meet along the way. I look forward to continuing to work with Morgan’s visionary leadership with a clear commitment to advancing philanthropy and growth.”
President Wilson appointed Howard as the interim vice president for Institutional Advancement in January 2019, after the retirement of Cheryl Y. Hitchcock, who resigned from Morgan after nearly 19 years of service. Before assuming the interim role, Howard served as the assistant vice president for Development under Hitchcock, raising support for scholarships and student success initiatives, teaching and learning programs and activities, and community outreach.
Before coming to Morgan in December 2011, Howard built her higher education experience at the New England Conservatory of Music, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland School of Social Work, where she served as the director of annual giving and alumni relations, director of annual giving and director of development, respectively. Outside of her work in higher education, she served in fundraising and public relations roles at the United Negro College Fund, the Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council in Boston. She is also a former member of the Maryland Board of Directors for the House of Ruth.
Howard received her B.A. in Non-profit Marketing, magna cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Her appointment as Morgan’s vice president for Institutional Advancement is effective July 1, 2019, and she will report directly to the president.
The Division of Institutional Advancement is committed to informing, engaging, partnering with and securing financial support from a diverse spectrum of audiences through strategically aligned communications, engagement initiatives and philanthropic opportunities. It is charged with the task of building lifelong relationships that engage the time, loyalty and intellectual and financial resources of individuals and institutions in support of Morgan’s mission, goals and aspirations.
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.
It was just four years ago that I started my social media management business on a whim. I had no idea if it would work, but as a mother of a child with epilepsy, I needed to do something where I could work from home. I remember telling my friend, ‘If I could make $5K a month in revenue that would be amazing.’ I surpassed that number by the end of my first year in business and looked around for my next goal to achieve. For some, entrepreneurial success can be scary. It is at this point that you must figure out what your next move is.
For instance, now I am closing in on the second goal I set and in reviewing my accomplishments, I now must figure out how to take things to the next level. Part of that assessment is figuring out how to get out of my own way.
For many business owners, success comes as a surprise. You’ve put your head down, rolled your sleeves up, done the work to get there, and you get lost in the work. You’ve reached a goal, and then the next goal and the next and you find yourself standing on this plateau going “OK, now how do I take this further up the mountain?”
THE FIRST HURDLE IS YOU
Growing your business means adding more people; trusting more people with your dream and vision. To some extent, you must let go and open yourself up to others. Until now, all of it depended on you and your work ethic, something that you and you alone control.
Inviting people to help you grow is not always easy. The fear of failure can lie heavily upon you. It is this fear that either drives you or holds you back. The need to be perfect because now you have an audience keeps many entrepreneurs from being the true success they want to be.
You must believe in the journey you are on and be willing to bring people along for the ride. When you believe wholeheartedly in what you are doing, others will want to join in and help you achieve it. Success doesn’t happen on a straight and narrow path. It has hills and valleys and sometimes mountains to walk and climb over. Taking others with you on that path is part of attaining success.
Remember these key points when assessing your success and your future:
Failure is a learning opportunity
Trust in your vision for your company
Understand that no one is perfect
TRUST IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING
When I started my social media management company, my one goal—besides making money—was to create a service that my clients value. I genuinely believe in giving excellent service, and that customer service is what would make me successful. Today, as I look back on how things began, I realized that by providing a valuable service to my clients and being consistent and accessible I have built relationships that have allowed me to keep them as customers and as friends for all these years. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with planning and hard work, it can be yours!
This post was written by Wendy Pace, a writer at Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.
Now that the Sixers have assembled their new starting five, general manager Elton Brand is turning his focus to the bench.
Brand and the Sixers have agreed to a one-year, veteran minimum contract with Kyle O’Quinn, from Norfolk State University a team source confirmed. Kyle Neubeck of Philly Voice first reported the deal.
The 6-foot-10, 250 pound O’Quinn has seven years of NBA experience and spent last season with the Pacers, averaging 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. He’s a sturdy, dependable option at backup center and a good team defender.
Backing up Joel Embiid was a major issue for the Sixers in 2018-19. The team largely addressed that Sunday with the signing of Al Horford, who will presumably play both as a power forward and at the five when Embiid sits. The 29-year-old Quinn presents another solid option.
With a deal in place with O’Quinn, you’d expect the Sixers to now prioritize perimeter players — capable outside shooters, in particular — as they continue to fill out their roster.
UnitedHealth Group is making a five-year, $8.25 million investment to help train data science and analytics experts at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine and Spelman College.
WHY IT MATTERS The money will help those colleges, part of the Atlanta University Center Consortium. The new AUCC Data Science Initiative will offer technical classes for students seeking to specialize in analytics for healthcare and beyond.
UnitedHealth notes that job openings for data experts in the U.S. will exceed more than 2.7 million by next year.
The hope is that the AUCC initiative will be able to emphasize the value of data science across academic disciplines, officials say, teaching more than 9,000 students new techniques for analytics and research, especially for healthcare and disparities that exist in minority communities.
In addition, the initiative will enable the development of new certificate programs focused on data science and analytics.
UnitedHealth Group says the investment is aimed at continuing to develop a 21st century health workforce that can develop “personalized, culturally competent care, particularly in underserved communities.”
THE LARGER TREND “The colleges in the Atlanta University Center, for decades, have been in the vanguard of educating African Americans who succeed in STEM fields,” said Mary Schmidt Campbell, president of Spelman College. “This gift by UnitedHealth Group is an investment in our commitment to continue that primacy in STEM by making the AUCC a center of excellence for the study of data science across a range of disciplines in medicine and the liberal arts.”
In our focus on workforce development this month, Healthcare IT News and Healthcare Finance are exploring the ways healthcare workforces are changing – and how they ought to be changing – in the era of accountable care, population health management, artificial intelligence, evolving technology and emerging data-driven care models.
ON THE RECORD “The Data Science Initiative has the potential to make the Atlanta University Center Consortium a national resource for experts in data analytics,” said Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, president and dean of the Morehouse School of Medicine. “This program will not only produce talented data scientists who will be leaders in their fields, but increasing the number of degree offerings with data science competencies at HBCUs will assist in diversifying a career field that is currently made up of less than 7% of under-represented minorities.”
“Technology in general, and data science in particular, are critical to better meeting the needs of our customers,” said David S. Wichmann, CEO of UnitedHealth Group. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support this initiative because it aligns with our desire to ensure our workforce for the future is diverse and possesses the skills needed to propel our company for continued success.”
Sports Illustrated shares, “Five years after setting the Little League World Series ablaze, Mo’ne Davis is college-bound to play softball and chase her TV-host dreams.
On an unseasonably cool afternoon in mid-June, Mo’ne Davis strode into the student center on the harborside campus of Hampton University in south-east Virginia, nearly 300 miles from her home in Philadelphia. It had been a little less than five years since those weeks in August 2014 when Davis’s well-developed right arm grabbed the sporting world’s attention.
Pitching for the Taney Dragons in the Little League World Series, 13-year-old Mo’ne, only the fourth American girl to ever play in the tournament, threw two shutouts, paving the Dragons’ way to the semifinals. Her precocious, composed demeanor and dazzling performance landed her on the cover of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, on Jimmy Fallon’s couch, onstage at the ESPY Awards—all before she had started ninth grade.
Now, with all of high school complete and her first
day of college less than three months away, she headed for the second
floor of the student center, where a coach and two future teammates
awaited to present the new spikes and uniforms Davis will be wearing for
the next four years, at her new home, playing her new sport: softball.
The road that brought Davis to the Pirates’ incoming class was a winding one. Back in 2014 she said basketball was her best sport, and she wanted to play at UConn. But a junior-year ankle injury had back-burnered that plan. She played varsity baseball as a freshman at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, the private school she attended in the Philly suburbs, but then gave it up for softball because she “was just wasting [her] time on the bench not doing anything.” read more
