How To Get Your Credit In Order

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There are so many things that school didn’t teach us, credit being one of them. Ironically, it is one of the single most important lessons that you’ll need in order to survive in the world today.

In an interview with Black Enterprise, credit and financial counselor, Will Roundtree, shares why credit is so important; the difference between business and personal credit; and what you need to do in order to get your credit in order.

Black Enterprise: Why is credit so important?

Will Roundtree: Understanding the meaning of credit is the first hurdle to get over. Credit is simply a tool, in layman’s terms. Once that has been established, the principles on why it is so important can, then, be discussed. Credit is essential to our lives. We need it to purchase homes, automobiles, apply for apartments and many more day-to-day requirements that allow us to move around in every aspect of our lives. Credit is vital to the lifeline of our personal lives and our business lives. 

credit

Will Roundtree

What is the difference between personal credit and business credit? 

The difference between personal and business credit is not far removed from each other. The major difference is that your personal credit is based on your Social Security number and your business credit is based on your EIN, which is your Employee Identification Number. Your personal credit is generated and curated by three major credit bureaus. They are Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. Each bureau has its own way of reporting information. 

Your personal credit is used for personal expenditures and has a direct impact on your daily life. If you pay your bills on time and apply a healthy knowledge to your credit responsibilities, you have an unhindered buying power. However, on the flip side of that, if you do not pay your bills on time, you will adversely affect your ability to purchase life’s necessities and therefore, have obstacles in your way when deciding to make major decisions for your life.

For business credit, there is a completely different scoring model and a completely different credit reporting agency. Business credit is used, solely, for the purpose of business creditworthiness. The bureaus for business credit are Experian Credit, Equifax Credit, Dun and Bradstreet, and SBFE, which stands for Small Business Financial Exchange. These agencies monitor the financial responsibilities you adhere to when doing business while using credit.  

 How do you help people with credit?

I assist my clients in various ways. My No. 1 way is through credit education. My main focus is to generate knowledge on the subject of credit, especially in the black and minority communities. One of the things I have learned over the course of my journey is that we are economically undereducated in relation to credit, and I teach that if you truly understand the power of credit, you can always leverage it to create wealth. Additionally, I teach the understanding of credit strategies. This aspect is useful when I let people know that credit can always be rebuilt, restored, and repaired. Because believe it or not, the biggest misconception about credit is that it cannot be fixed or that people have to live with the bruises that can happen sometimes when dealing with credit. I simply try to make sure that I cover all aspects of credit when I am out in the community and educate them on their options. 

What are three things that people should focus on to build up their credit?

Make your payments on time. Payment history makes up 35%of your credit score, and even one late payment can drop your score significantly. To ensure a strong score, make all payments on time.

Make sure your credit usage is below 30%. This strategy is at the top of my list. Credit usage makes up 30% of our score. Credit usage is the amount of credit you have used based on the amount of credit you have available. Anytime you have over 30% credit usage, your score will drop. I like to tell people that having high credit usage is not the end of the day. They just have to lower that particular factor. Lowering it below 30% is ideal in most situations.

If there is anything negative showing on your report, it can be disputed. One of the things people may not be aware of, per the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) is that they have the right to dispute anything that reports as negative, inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable.  For example, you have a debt for $513.23. When disputing that debt ethically and legally and the price cannot be proven down to the penny, that company reporting that account has to legally remove or delete it from your credit report. 

This post was written by Sequoia Blodgett, a writer at Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.

Morgan MBA Students Selected For Inaugural Hennessy Fellows Program

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WASHINGTON, DC – Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Hennessy announced today, the selection of the inaugural cohort of the Hennessy Fellows. Three of the 10 hand- selected Hennessy Fellows are MBA graduate students from Morgan State University. The Fellows will spend a week in New York City for an intense professional and leadership development experience that will focus on specific competency areas such as leadership, communication, executive presence, accountability and influence, and business acumen. Hennessy executives, and industry leaders will provide interactive lectures, simulations, and executive coaching to the Fellows.

Tamika Mason Hennessy Fellow
Trevor Alexander Hennessy Fellow
Troy Jefferson Hennessy Fellow

Hennessy Fellows is made possible by a $10-million-dollar commitment from Hennessy into TMCF over 10 years.  This groundbreaking graduate scholarship initiative designed to equip the next generation of African American leaders through financial assistance, access to training and professional development experiences, and real-world skill application. Hennessy Fellows plays a critical role in building the pipeline of diverse, executive talent as failure to develop essential levels of competence, credibility, and confidence early on can jeopardize future advancement of minorities, according to Breaking Through: The Making of Minority Executives in Corporate America.

The Hennessy Fellows from Morgan State University are:

  • Trevor Alexander
  • Troy Jefferson
  • Tamika Mason

“This impressive group of future C-Suite executives from Morgan State University will have the opportunity to learn and be mentored by some of the best in the business in Corporate America,” said Harry L. Williams, president & CEO, TMCF. “Our partnership with Hennessy is singularly devoted to our graduate HBCU students making our Hennessy Fellows the new symbol of success.”

The Hennessy Fellows were selected after an exhaustive application process. In addition to the all-expenses paid trip to New York City for the boot camp, each fellow will receive executive coaching, up to $20,000 per academic year, $10,000 annual stipend for other educational expenses, an opportunity to compete for a community-related project grant up to $10,000, and access to online training forums, boot camps, networking events and professional development experiences.

For more information, including eligibility requirements and how to apply for the second cohort, please visit tmcf.org/HFP.

ABOUT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND (TMCF)

Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs.

TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: www.tmcf.org.

Howard University Grad Toni Morrison Has Died At 88

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Howard University graduate Toni Morrison died Monday night, her publisher confirms to Associated Press. She was 88 years old. Vulture shares these words in its obituary from Morrison’s Nobel Prize address:

”We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.”

Morrison’s critically acclaimed novel Beloved won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1988. She graduated from Howard University in the nation’s capital in 1953 with a B.A. in English and went on to earn a Master of Arts from Cornell University.

Why I’m Grateful For My Fraternity

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Have you ever pondered to yourself and thought: ”Which fraternity or sorority should I join”? Or have you ever compared yourself to someone else who recently pledged? I have. That was me during my matriculation at a historically black college and university, or HBCU and before I pledged the greatest fraternity ever: Iota Phi Theta. Even when my friends in a fraternity and sorority would tell me that I was a great candidate, I always thought, ”I’m not worthy,” then I would downplay my accomplishments on the yard. No but really, would those ”if only” questions make us feel any better? In my case, I knew that joining a fraternity was only the beginning, and then I would have a lifetime of service in the community to look forward to.

When I was a sophomore at Central State University in Wilberforce, I loved researching on ”The Divine Nine”! That was when I realized that Iota Phi Theta, founded in the turbulent sixties during an era of radical change, was the perfect fit, for me! I later joined the youngest Black Greek Lettered Organization, and is their anything better than that? Let me tell you, there is! And that’s a brotherhood based upon a bond of love between men.

Iota Phi Theta’s motto is ”Building a tradition, not resting upon one.” I always took that quite literally, and I try to wear my letters with pride and confidence. That is to say, members of this fraternity don’t have big shoes to fill. Rather, we are trailblazers paving the streets in brown and gold for those up next.

After I pledged, it didn’t take long for me to become involved. I served as Secretary in my fraternity, in addition to other campus leadership roles and my desk here at HBCU Buzz, leading the online media platform as Editor-in-Chief. Then one day it just hit me — this is one of the best decisions that I ever made. And I’m grateful for that.

I’ve come to love my fraternity, because every time I’m low and need someone to talk to, I can count on one of my fraternity members to be there with a shoulder to lean on, or an inspirational quote via text. This fraternity made me a better me. My fraternity also reminds me of how I can build a tradition, not rest upon one. What’s more, it is awesome to have founders that are still alive today.

For many interested students out there, think about it: you have the opportunity to join a fraternity that appreciates you for being you. What an incredible feeling it is to be able to wear those letters proudly, knowing that you pledged for the right reasons.

If you’re having trouble choosing which fraternity to join, make sure that you give Iota Phi Theta a serious consideration. Brothers of the fraternity are more than willing to help you out on your journey. If you ask one of the brothers to help you, they will show you.

Barack Obama Weighs In On Mass Shootings

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Former President Barack Obama’s silence during the turbulence of Donald Trump’s presidency has been almost deafening. “Obama has largely stayed silent since leaving office in 2017, opting not to endorse anyone in the Democratic primary and only occasionally weighing in to criticize Trump,” reported Reuters. Now, he has taken to social media to issue a statement on the two most recent American mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio:

From Barack Obama’s official Facebook page:

Michelle and I grieve with all the families in El Paso and Dayton who endured these latest mass shootings. Even if details are still emerging, there are a few things we already know to be true.

First, no other nation on Earth comes close to experiencing the frequency of mass shootings that we see in the United States. No other developed nation tolerates the levels of gun violence that we do. Every time this happens, we’re told that tougher gun laws won’t stop all murders; that they won’t stop every deranged individual from getting a weapon and shooting innocent people in public places. But the evidence shows that they can stop some killings. They can save some families from heartbreak. We are not helpless here. And until all of us stand up and insist on holding public officials accountable for changing our gun laws, these tragedies will keep happening.

Second, while the motivations behind these shootings may not yet be fully known, there are indications that the El Paso shooting follows a dangerous trend: troubled individuals who embrace racist ideologies and see themselves obligated to act violently to preserve white supremacy. Like the followers of ISIS and other foreign terrorist organizations, these individuals may act alone, but they’ve been radicalized by white nationalist websites that proliferate on the internet. That means that both law enforcement agencies and internet platforms need to come up with better strategies to reduce the influence of these hate groups.

But just as important, all of us have to send a clarion call and behave with the values of tolerance and diversity that should be the hallmark of our democracy. We should soundly reject language coming out of the mouths of any of our leaders that feeds a climate of fear and hatred or normalizes racist sentiments; leaders who demonize those who don’t look like us, or suggest that other people, including immigrants, threaten our way of life, or refer to other people as sub-human, or imply that America belongs to just one certain type of people. Such language isn’t new – it’s been at the root of most human tragedy throughout history, here in America and around the world. It is at the root of slavery and Jim Crow, the Holocaust, the genocide in Rwanda and ethnic cleansing in the Balkans. It has no place in our politics and our public life. And it’s time for the overwhelming majority of Americans of goodwill, of every race and faith and political party, to say as much – clearly and unequivocally.

On Saturday, 21-year-old Patrick Crusius fatally shot 20 people and injured 26 at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. Crusius has since been identified as an extreme right-wing white nationalist with a vendetta against immigrants.

Approximately 13 hours after that mass shooting, Dayton, Ohio, suffered its own active shooting incident. Connor Betts, a 24-year-old white male, killed nine people and injured 27 outside of a popular bar in Dayton.

This post was written by Samara Lynn, a writer at Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.

Lane College President Delivers State Of The College Address: ‘I Count It All Joy’

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(Lane College President Logan Hampton detailed the State of the College while addressing the Lane College National Alumni Association Annual Meeting in Memphis on July 19. Here are excerpts from his talk.)

…Today, I am delighted to update you on the happenings of Lane College. …Time does not permit a full accounting of blessings this afternoon.

I count it all joy to have received the official letter from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) dated, July 2, 2019.… Lane College is accredited with all the rights and privileges afforded to a SACSCOC regionally accredited institution.

I count it all joy when I think of our women’s basketball team. … During my tenure, these women had never won one tournament game. We never had to think about budget because they would go to the SIAC Basketball Tournament, play a game and return home. This year, they won their first game, then beat the undefeated regular season champions, and went on to win their first SIAC Conference Championship in the history of the College. We have been celebrating since March.

It has just been fun to see our students enjoy success. One graduate started his future at BET – Hollywood. Another will begin the PhD program in neuroscience this fall at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Yes, another is moving on to Syracuse. Our volleyball team was recognized for the highest GPA among other SIAC member institutions. They will spike the ball in your face and look better than you.

Our 2019 Miss Lane, Shannel DeFoe, is a member of the volleyball team, competed in the state Miss Tennessee Volunteer Scholarship Pageant, won talent and made the top 15, the first in the history of Lane College since 1985. The baseball and softball teams each won 20 plus games and competed well in their tournaments. Additionally, the baseball team had four players to make SIAC All-Conference, yes, from Lane, SIAC All-Conference in baseball.

I count it all joy when I consider that the College finally completed and submitted its proposal to establish a teacher preparation program to the State of Tennessee. My colleagues have done the work, so we pray now that the proposal finds favor with the Tennessee Department of Education and is approved.

Frankie Grice (right) had plenty of support as she received an award for “your tireless hard work and dedication to The Lane College Memphis Alumni Chapter.” Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Frankie Grice (right) had plenty of support as she received an award for “your tireless hard work and dedication to The Lane College Memphis Alumni Chapter.” Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

I count it all joy when I think of the  $649,801 S-STEM National Science Foundation (NSF) grant awarded to our science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty this year. The grant provides scholarships to science, STEM majors. We want to scholarship the next generation of high achieving STEM scholars to earn their degree. Tell your seniors, apply now, it’s not too late.

 A couple of weeks back, the College received notification that the Lane College Chemistry Department has been awarded a grant in the amount of  $398,786 by NSF Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP).

I count it all joy when I think of the community garden or urban farm that we are currently developing on our 2.5 acres lot on Lane Avenue. We will soon have sweet potatoes, herbs, flowers growing in East Jackson as we grow scholars, grow our community and grow hope.

This year, we piloted several institutional innovations. We created the Student Textbook Exchange Program (STEP), a collaboration of academic affairs, student affairs and auxiliary services that provided each student their course materials. We reasoned that we could provide the materials at a more affordable price than our students could purchase on the Internet. We observed that students who participated in STEP had a higher average GPA compared to those who did not.

Also, we adjusted our fall calendar to end the semester prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Since I arrived, I observed how difficult it is for our students to go home for a week at Thanksgiving and then return to campus for a week of finals. So, we ended the semester early and then hosted a Decembermester.

I count it all joy that Dr. Willie Mae Willett brought CVS to the College to explore a partnership to establish internship and CVS training center on campus.

Lane’s slogan, The Power of Potential®, not only describes our students; it also describes how we view current and future students.  While it may be all that some see, an underfunded and underprepared student who hails from underserved and under-resourced schools and communities, at Lane College, we see grit, resiliency, hopefulness, gifts, talent and the power of potential.  We employ intrusive, high-touch policies, practices, and processes to cultivate and develop each student’s potential. We do it more affordably than our sister institutions. …

Dr. Anna Cooke described our founder, Bishop Lane, with these words, “Regarded by some as a crank on the subject of education, by others as a beggar, he was often rejected but continued to pray and work for the educational uplift of the young people of his race” (Lane College: It’s Heritage and Outreach 1882-1982, p. 18).

Some might consider it an insult to be called cranky and a beggar. But after, these five years as president, I have confirmed the Ecclesiastical writing, to everything there is a season, a time to be cranky and a time to beg.

When it comes to defending the educational mission of Lane College, I find it necessary sometimes to be cranky. One day, a fella stopped by my office and asked me, more or less, if we had too many black boys with all their testosterone. I got a little cranky.

I told him, “Pick up your newspaper and read it some time.  Turn the nightly news on and watch it some time.  You will find sufficient evidence that we need to provide all of the educational opportunities for African-American males that we possibly can.”

That’s why I’m happy to be here today representing the Lord and Lane College. At Lane, 52 percent of the student body is male with 48 percent female. I celebrate the number of African American males that we enroll.

For too long, our black boys have been marginalized and stigmatized and demonized and ostracized and denigrated. The media goes out of its way to portray them as scary thugs.

So I say bring us your black boys with all their testosterone because we ain’t scared. We are set to make leaders who know the Lord, their lesson, and life purpose.  Bring us your testosterone because we are set to help them be good daddies and strong daddies, active and engaged in the lives of their children. Bring us your testosterone because we are set to make them scholars and intellectuals and preachers and doctors and lawyers.  Bring us your testosterone.  We are ready make men out of boys….

In equipping, educating and empowering our graduates, we make them ready to be lifelong learners, leaders and servants. The graduate leaves ready to compete in the marketplace, compete in the workforce and make their companies, communities and our country stronger.

Again, Lane College National Alumni, I ask you for the following: Pray for Fair Lane. Call us by name. Pray for me, a broken, frail leader…

Say good things about us… In particular, please write your United States congressional representatives and advocate for Lane by asking your senator and representatives to vote for legislation that supports the HBCU historic preservation, full funding of Title III programs, increase in Pell grants…

Send us your students. While our national recruiting is strong, we always have room for one more exceptional scholar.

Send us your gifts. Financial gifts sustain the College. We need you to make your best gift to the College today. The College has great deferred maintenance needs to sustain the historic buildings and unfortunately the new buildings as well. … Also, I remind you that 90 percent of our students are Pell eligible and need your help to make the institution affordable. … Put the College in your will.

Here is my shout today: We, Lane College, that is, sit on the highest point, the highest elevation, in Jackson-Madison County. Jesus spoke about us in the Bible. Read the Lane College translation of the Bible. Jesus said,  ““You are the light of the world (Jackson-Madison County). A city (college) that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men (Jackson-Madison County, State of Tennessee), that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14,16)

These Sorority Sisters Launched A Vegan Lipstick Line To Fund Scholarships At FAMU

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We all know the financial hurdles that exist for Historically Black Colleges and Universities across our nation, which is why a group of AKAs took matters into their own hands and came up with a creative way to give back to their alma mater and live up to the principles of their sorority.

Earlier this year, 58 Nandi Inspired AKAtects Reclaiming Ascendancy, a group of women also known as N.I.A.R.A., partnered with Lovengood Lips, a vegan, cruelty-free lipstick brand for a good cause. April 19 marked the 10-year anniversary of the women joining the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, inc. on the campus of Florida A&M University (FAMU). So to commemorate that day, the ladies released their first lipstick from Lovengood Lips and it immediately sold out — twice.    TOP ARTICLES1/531 DAYS OF SENSUALITY DAY 4: THE ART OF RECEIVING

niara

Source: Justin Robinson / N.I.A.R.A. x Lovengood Lips

Lovengood Lips isn’t just a creative entrepreneurial venture, in fact it’s a solely philanthropic effort. All profits from the sales of its $12 hot pink ultra-matte lipstick will be donated to FAMU to “fuel campus beautification, scholarship and FAMU women.” The alumni are even extending their efforts beyond their college campus to demonstrate “The Beauty of Sisterhood,” organizing service projects funded by Lovengood Lips into three pillars. In addition to giving back to FAMU, the ladies volunteered overseas with a local orphanage that provides services to youth who have been separated from their biological families. N.I.A.R.A is also reviving The Sister Soldier Project, a community service effort they began in the Spring of 2009, which provides feminine products, non-perishable goods, and other essentials to active duty women in the military.

N.I.A.R.A. x Lovengood Lips

Source: Justin Robinson / N.I.A.R.A. x Lovengood Lips

“’The Beauty of Sisterhood’ is our unity, love, resilience, perseverance and strength,” the group’s website states. “It’s a symbol of a powerful and unbreakable bond that promotes excellence and togetherness. We are a true mirror reflection of one another with ten years of sisterliness down and a lifetime to go. N.I.A.R.A. is for us and by us.”

Check out the campaign video below and click hereto give back and purchase your own lippie on National Lipstick Day. Spread the word on social media using the hashtag #NIARAXLOVENGOODLIPS.

Barack Obama Loves HBCUs & They Love Him Back

The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, knows the importance of historically Black colleges and universities.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARACK OBAMA, our FOREVER POTUS – 58 looks awesome!

Former President Barack Obama did much for the nation during his back-to-back terms as President of the United States. One of our favorite things from the now 58-year-old visionary, was his love for historically Black colleges and universities.

From speaking at commencements, to showing up randomly for basketball games, Obama and his phenomenal women of a wife, the revolutionary Michelle Obama, were no stranger to the campuses of HBCU around the country.

Take a look at our favorite HBCU appearances:

Howard University

President Obama delivers the Commencement Address at Howard University in 2016. View.

Xavier University of Louisiana

President Obama walks alongside Xavier University of Louisiana President Francis in 2006. View.

North Carolina A&T State University

President Obama sits down in front of a crowd of 200 at North Carolina A&T State University for a conversation on race, sports, and achievement. View.

Hampton University

President Obama serves as orator for the Hampton University’s 140th Commencement in 2010. View.

Morehouse College

President Barack Obama delivers the Commencement Address to an all-male class of Morehouse graduates in 2013. View.

Tennessee State University

That time Tennessee State University’s marching band, Aristocrat of Bands, performed for President Barack Obama at The White House. View.

Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University

Obama speaks to over 2,000 FAMU Rattlers on the campaign trail in 2008 after a performance from FAMU’s marching band, The Marching 100. View.

Whats a king without his queen? The lovely Mrs. Obama on campus at FAMU, showing off her Rattler “strike.”

NCCU Coach Brian Jenkins Fired After Florida Arrest

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A North Carolina Central University assistant football coach was arrested Sunday in Florida.

Brian Jenkins, 48, was arrested in Volusia County, Fla., after an altercation with an ex-girlfriend and booked on three separate charges, according to an arrest affidavit. Documents show Jenkins was charged with depriving use of 911, battery and criminal mischief. The battery charge was listed as domestic because the two had been in a relationship. As of Monday evening, Jenkins’ status on the Volusia County Corrections website was listed as not in custody.

According to the affidavit, Jenkins went to the home of his ex-girlfriend Sunday evening to talk about their breakup. She asked him to leave and when he did not, she attempted to call 911, the affidavit states. Jenkins then allegedly grabbed the phone from her hand and threw it across the room, cracking the screen. The damage to the phone and physically taking the phone from her hand led to the criminal mischief and domestic battery charges, respectively.

In a text message statement on Tuesday afternoon, North Carolina Central said Jenkins was “no longer an employee of the university, effective today, July 30.” It’s unclear whether he was fired or quit. The school declined to comment further, according to the statement.

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LeMoyne-Owen selects Dr. Carol Johnson-Dean As Interim President

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 30, 2019 – The Board of Trustees of LeMoyne-Owen College, a four-year historically black college in Memphis, today announced it has selected Dr. Carol Johnson-Dean to serve as Interim President, effective Aug. 26, 2019. 

“Dr. Johnson-Dean’s breadth of educational leadership experience and unique understanding of the inner workings of HBCUs made her stand out as a highly qualified candidate for interim president,” said Dr. Christopher Davis, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Selecting Dr. Johnson-Dean to serve in this critical role is just one of the many great strides LeMoyne-Owen is making as we push forward in our mission.” 

Dr. Johnson-Dean currently serves as executive director of New Leaders – South Region in Memphis. She has also previously served as superintendent in Memphis, Minneapolis and Boston Public Schools. 

“It is truly an honor to assume the role of Interim President of LeMoyne-Owen College, an institution with a more than 150-year legacy in Memphis,” Dr. Johnson-Dean said. “As an HBCU, LeMoyne-Owen College continues to play an integral role in educating and serving students, many of whom are first-generation college-goers. I am humbled at the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead for the College, and I look forward to working with faculty, students and community partners in this critical endeavor.” 

A permanent president for the College will be determined at a later date. LeMoyne-Owen also recently appointed Dr. Christopher Davis – pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church and local community advocate – to serve as chairman of the Board of Trustees. 

 For more information about LeMoyne-Owen College, visit www.loc.edu.

About LeMoyne-Owen College 

LeMoyne-Owen College is a four-year college that provides a transformative experience for students of all ages with a goal of preparing them for future professional endeavors. Located in Memphis, it is the city’s only historically black college, among approximately 100 such institutions remaining nationwide. LeMoyne-Owen College is an accredited institution through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOC) to award the baccalaureate degree. 

Black People Won’t Win With HBCU Grad Kamala Harris’ Student Loan Forgiveness Program

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Over the weekend, Kamala Harris—the junior senator from California and presidential candidate—announced her student debt relief plan for black college graduates interested in entrepreneurship and I was not impressed. Take a look at her tweet for yourself and then I’ll take a deeper dive into it.

About 44 million people account for the $1.6 trillion student loan debt in America. As a result, the wealth gap has been widened. In an outlined report, Reducing the Opportunity Gap: Investing in HBCUs and Black Entrepreneurship, on her campaign site, Harris proposes that she will “make investments that create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to bring great ideas into the marketplace and grow the small business engine of our economy.”

As a part of that investment, she states that one of the ways that black students will benefit is if they are “Pell Grant recipients who start a business that operates for three years in disadvantaged communities.”

Although there are concrete solutions in her plan, here’s the issue that I have with it. When you look at the facts and figures as it relates to black Pell Grant recipients, most students and graduates come from disadvantaged communities. Pell Grants typically are awarded to families that have an annual household income of $50,000 or less. As a result, many first-generation and low-income black students and graduates accumulate more debt than their white counterparts.

In fact, according to the Center for Responsible Lending, a nonprofit in Durham, North Carolina, “Half of Black graduates owe more on their undergraduate student loan after four years than they did at graduation, compared to 17% of white graduates. Even a degree is no shield from racial disparities: Black bachelor’s degree graduates default at five times the rate of white bachelor’s degree graduates, and are more likely to default than whites who never finish a degree.”

With that information at hand, my question to Sen. Harris is: How do you expect black people to win at entrepreneurship in the very communities they’ve struggled in and sustain a business for three years (in which they might accrue more debt) just to be qualified for your program?

The same way that Harris highlights the difficulties black entrepreneurs face when starting a business is the same way she ought to examine and highlight predatory lending to black students and the impact that borrowing has on their financial futures and the barriers that it creates—from homeownership to starting a family let alone a business.

Do you see where I’m going with this?

At the end of the day, this plan sounds good. But, it’s hard to believe that the privileged poor, doubly disadvantaged, and low-income graduates will win at entrepreneurship with the stipulations associated with Harris’ plan.

This post was written by Lydia Blanco, a writer at Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.

Three Aggies Make U.S. Track & Field National Team

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DES MOINES, Iowa–There is no need to ask the question anymore. Yes, North Carolina A&T State needs to be mentioned when discussing the best track & field programs in the country. 

They proved it again at the 2019 USA Track & Field (USATF) Outdoor Championships at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University this past weekend. 

Thanks to impressive showings, there will be three Aggies on the U.S. national team when some better-resourced programs across the country cannot boast one. Former N.C. A&T track & field stars Rodney Rowe and Chris Belcher are on the team, along with current Aggie standout Trevor Stewart.

In addition, former Aggie hurdler Michael Dickson put together the two best performances of his life over the weekend. 

Duane Ross, who has led N.C. A&T to a total of 12 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) track & field championships in eight seasons as the school’s Director of Track & Field Programs, said he is excited for his entire program that includes men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track field and men’s and women’s cross country. 

“We’re only doing what we have been doing all season – training smart, training hard and believing that we are among the best in the world,” Ross said. “I’m happy for all our athletes that competed here. They showed the world that A&T is and will continue to be one of the best track & field programs in the country.”

Belcher was the first to make the national team on Friday. He ran a 10.12 in the 100-meter final to finish third, becoming an automatic qualifier. Stewart, who finished second in the nation in the men’s 400 meters last month, will compete for the U.S. at the IAAF World Championships in the 4×400-meter relay. 

On Sunday, it was Rowe’s turn. He will be a member of the team as a 200-meter runner after makingg the final at USATF by running a qualifying time of 20.59. Rowe then finished seventh in the final in 20.75. Rowe needed to finish in the top-3 in order to be an automatic qualifier for the national team. 

However, since some of the other athletes competing did not have the qualifying standard between Jan. 1, 2018-July 21, 2019, Rowe will make the world championship team.

Meanwhile, Dickson abolished his personal record twice on Sunday in the men’s 110-meter hurdles. Dickson blew away his previous PR of 13.65 by running a 13.47 in the semifinals to qualify for the finals. Dickson’s time was the fourth-fastest qualifying time.

In the final, Dickson again lowered his PR by finishing in 13.45, a MEAC record. 

His fifth-place finish, however, was not enough to place him on the U.S. team.

“Michael has had the potential all along to be one of the best,” Ross said. “Tonight, he proved it.” 

Dickson is a two-time First Team All-American, earning the accolade in both the 110 hurdles and the 4×100-meter relay. He is an eight-time MEAC champion with three gold medals in the 60 hurdles, two apiece in the 110 hurdles and the 4×100, and he has one 4×400 outdoor MEAC title.

Rowe finished his career with 11 MEAC titles, including a four-year claim on the 4×100-meter relay gold medal. He won the outdoor and indoor 200-meter titles two times apiece and he has a 60-meter, 100-meter and 4×400 relay title in the MEAC. Rowe is also a two-time first-team All-American in the 4×100 and he has a First Team All-American accolade in the outdoor 200 meters. 

Stewart, a rising senior at N.C. A&T, is considered one of the favorites to win an NCAA national title in 2020. In 2019, Stewart’s 44.38 ran in the 400 meters at the MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships at N.C. A&T’s Irwin Belk Track made headlines because at the time, it was the 14th-fastest time in world history. Stewart went on to finish second nationally in the 400 meters with a 44.25. 

In his career, Stewart has claimed four MEAC championships with two 4×400 relay indoor titles, one 4×400 relay outdoor title and one 400m title. 

Belcher ran an incredible 9.99 in the 100m at the 2017 Aggie Invitational. He would later go on to run a 9.93 in the 100m at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He earned first-team outdoor All-American honors in the 100 and 200m in 2017. He is a nine-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion with two 100m titles, two 200m titles, two 4×100-meter relay titles, one 60-meter title, one indoor 200-meter title and one indoor 4×400 relay title. 

Howard University Hospital And Adventist HealthCare Enter Letter Of Intent Agreement

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WASHINGTON  – Howard University Hospital (HUH) and Adventist HealthCare today announced they have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to explore partnership opportunities. The agreement outlines that the two organizations will enter into exclusive conversations to determine how they could best collaborate to serve the D.C. region. 

This collaboration would include the development of a management agreement between Adventist HealthCare and Howard University where Adventist HealthCare would bring in a senior leadership team to operate Howard University Hospital, starting in 2020.

“Adventist HealthCare and Howard University Hospital share long traditions of caring for our communities,” said Terry Forde, President & CEO of Adventist HealthCare, one of the longest-serving providers in the D.C. region. “We hope by working together, we can expand access to care for a growing part of our region.” 

The partnership between these two institutions will go a long way to addressing the challenges that face teaching hospitals in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. In addition, it could increase medical opportunities and provide access for the talented Howard University Hospital medical trainees (medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health), residents, medical students, and graduates to Adventist HealthCare’s network of hospitals in the region. This is vitally important given the national shortage of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. 

“Stand-alone teaching hospitals in the U.S. continue to face a multitude of unique challenges,” said Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick. “The opportunity to partner with Adventist HealthCare demonstrates our shared commitment to find solutions that serve the healthcare needs ofthis community and also forwards Howard’s 150-year mission of training diverse healthcare providers that share the common goal of servicing underserved populations.”

Howard University Hospital is a private, nonprofit institution that has served the community for more than 150 years. It is one of the most comprehensive health systems in the District of Columbia, with a Level 1 Trauma Center and an emergency department that sees approximately 50,000 patients annually. It is recognized as a national leader in training future doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Adventist HealthCare, founded in 1907, serves patients throughout the region. Based in Gaithersburg, MD, it employs close to 6,000 people, has more than 1,700 physicians and cares for more than 800,000 community members each year. It includes three acute-care hospitals: Shady Grove Medical Center, Washington Adventist Hospital, and Fort Washington Medical Center, which is joining the system later this year. It also features: a 97-bed rehabilitation hospital and outpatient clinics; mental health services; physician practices and outpatient locations. On Aug. 25, it will open White Oak Medical Center in Montgomery County to replace Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park.

This HBCU Is Ensuring That Black Students Will Be Competitive In The Growing Esports Space

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Esports is large and continuing to grow, this we know.

Look no further than this past week when Fortnite held their inaugural World Cup Solo tournament, which was won yesterday by 16-year-old Bugha, who took home the $3 million prize.

Yes, $3 million!

As Esports continues to grow, many colleges and universities are getting in on the trend, institutions like Marquette announcing a move into Esports, becoming the first Power 5 school to have an Esports team as part of their varsity sports offerings.

Well HBCUs aren’t going to be left out of the Esports wave, and Hampton is making sure of that.

Per HBCU Gameday, we’ve learned that Hampton’s Department of Sports Management has secured a technology grant from the Department of Homeland Security for roughly $340,000 to develop an Esports lab, one that will enable students to take courses in the emerging field.

“This is a great example of how Hampton University continues to be ahead of the game.” said Hampton President, Dr. William R. Harvey in a press release. “We always provide students with the best opportunities to excel and advance in whatever profession they choose. We are excited to see the elevation of this new addition to our campus.”

This addition to the University’s curriculum will ensure that HBCU students aren’t shut out of this exploding career path.

“Esports is the newest thing in sports management. Since 2016, there has been $16 million allocated for Esports Scholarships. Many African Americans have not been afforded these opportunities. There is a void in diversity between HBCUs and the history of the white institution level.” said David C. Hughes, Instructor of Sports Management. “I’m looking to increase the diversity in Esports and also have a revenue opportunity for this institution at the same time.”

The grant will enable the University to build a lab and create courses geared towards Esports.

“The first thing we have to do is create a lab, then we’ll offer a concentration in Esports at the graduate level. In the lab, we’ll have TV’s, video games, computers, and people can practice their craft of playing video games,” continued Hughes. “They can learn how to play a video game, play with each other and against each other. The lab will be on the fifth floor of the library. We have a goal to kick things off summer 2020.”

While there have been a few tournaments geared towards HBCU students, Hampton is now taking a major step in enabling its students to not only compete in Esports, but to also develop a possible future career for themselves as well.

Alcorn National Alumni Association Makes History, Charters First Ever South Florida Chapter In Miami

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Faithful Alcorn State University alumni have teamed up to form the university’s first charted alumni chapter in the state of Florida.

Alcorn’s South Florida Alumni Chapter made its debut during the fifth annual HBCU Picnic at Rolling Oaks Park in Miami Gardens, Florida Saturday, July 13. Alcorn and a host of other Historical Black Colleges and Universities alumni groups, National Panhellenic organizations, and the South Florida Black Professionals Network joined together to sponsor the event and bring awareness to HBCUs.

At the picnic, representatives from the newly formed chapter sponsored a tent where they served food, shared information about the university and fellowshipped with others.

Rolonda Bridgewater, chapter president, expressed her passion for the university and why it was vital for her and fellow Alcornites to represent their alma mater in the local community.

“The feeling is humbling as well as an honor to be the first to give Alcorn a presence in South Florida officially,” said Bridgewater, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in May 2019. “To be able to form a group of like-minded alumni to promote Alcorn leaves me speechless. There are no words to describe my true emotions, so I decided to put some of my time, energy, and money where my heart is. We are privileged to help increase Alcorn’s student enrollment from Florida. We are excited to give back to the university that empowered us, instilled values and morals, and educated us.”

Alumni leaders are enthusiastic to see the rise of the new Florida chapter. Neddie Winters, president of the Alcorn State University National Alumni Association, welcomes the South Florida chapter with open arms. Winters expressed his eagerness to get to work with the chapter.

“We are excited to welcome the first-ever alumni chapter in the state of Florida,” said Winters. “Braves are everywhere, and it’s good to know that they have come together to form a chapter. I’m looking forward to working with them and making them an integral part of the national alumni association.”

Janice Gibson, director of Development & Alumni Affairs, spoke about the importance of alumni chapters and how their presence will play a significant role in the life of the university.

“I am very thrilled to see our newest alumni chapter being formed in the South Florida area,” said Gibson. “Joining the national alumni association is the best way for alumni to keep in touch with the activities and events happening at Alcorn. Alumni Chapters are so important because they allow Alcornites the opportunity to play a role in the future of the university.”

With the new platform, South Florida alumni plan to help promote the university to those unaware of its accomplishments. Bridgewater said that this is an excellent recruiting opportunity.

“The birth of this alumni chapter will preserve the university’s legacy, remind some that we are proud to be the first HBCU Land-Grant university, and attract new students that will give back. It allows us to speak of our academic reputation, our world-class athletic program, campus lifestyle, and promote Alcorn to those who are not informed.”

The future looks bright for the growth of the chapter. Bridgewater said that more events and fundraisers are in the chapter’s future, along with attending events such as Alcorn’s annual Mid-Winter Conference. She also hopes to one day bring the Mid-Winter Conference to Miami.

TSU Selected As Venue For Democratic Primary Debate

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Texas Southern University will serve as the venue for the third Democratic primary debate, to be held Thursday and Friday, September 12-13, 2019, in the Health & Physical Education (H&PE) Arena. The agreement between ABC News and TSU was announced on ABC’s “This Week” show with George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, July 21.

“As the heart and soul of Houston, Texas Southern University is proud to serve as the venue for for such a prestigious event,” said TSU President Dr. Austin A. Lane. “Not only does this reflect positively on the university and the City of Houston, it also provides our students with opportunities to work directly with ABC and its partners to gain valuable experience throughout the process. We are thankful for the strong relationship we have with proud TSU alumnus Michael Strahan, who does an incredible job at ABC and has a strong appreciation for the historic significance of our university.”

The agreement between ABC News and TSU includes H&PE Arena for the debate itself, as well as the Student Recreation Center, which will serve as a media center throughout the week of Sept. 9-13.

“Our students will gain valuable experience leading up to – and during – the event,” added Dr. Lane. “ABC will provide ‘real world’ work experiences for students who will serve as interns, runners, pages, etc., for both ABC and its partners throughout the event. We are working with our schools of Communications and Public Affairs specifically to make sure our students are involved and engaged in this event from a learning perspective. Likewise, ourpublic broadcast radio station, KTSU 90.9 FM, and KTSU2 student streaming station will be involved on the media side.”

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 9,700 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.