Beyonce’s HBCU-Themed ‘Homecoming’ Premiere On Netflix Drew 1.1 Million U.S. Viewers, Nielsen Says

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Queen Bey pulled in a big crowd on Netflix with the premiere of “Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé” last month — with an audience that was overwhelmingly young, black and female, according to Nielsen.

On its premiere date (April 17), the concert film on Netflix reached 1.1 million U.S. viewers and garnered an average minute audience of 828,000 viewers, according to Nielsen. The film — following Beyoncé and her performance at 2018 Coachella, which paid homage to America’s historically black colleges and universities — received a similar average minute viewing audience over the course of the next few days heading into the April 20-21 weekend.

“Homecoming” didn’t register as big an audience as other recent, high-profile Netflix originals, including “Bird Box” (3.5 million viewers on its premiere day)and Will Smith’s “Bright” (5.4 million), as measured by Nielsen. The research firm was unable to provide estimates for other Netflix concert specials, like Bruce Springsteen’s “Springsteen on Broadway” or Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” stadium tour.

It’s worth pointing out that Nielsen’s estimates do not provide a complete picture of Netflix viewing. Nielsen’s SVOD Content Ratings cover only the U.S. and track viewing only on internet-connected TVs (excluding mobile devices and computers). Given the youth-skewing makeup of the “Homecoming” viewership, the exclusion of mobile may have resulted in a sizable undercount of the total actual audience.

What’s notable is the predominantly young, female and African-American composition of the viewers who watched the Beyoncé special.

On premiere day, the film’s audience was 63% African-American, Nielsen found. Within the first seven days of release, the “Homecoming” viewership was 55% African-American within its first seven days — higher than any other original streaming series or film tracked by Nielsen to date. “Bird Box”’s audience was the closest, with an audience that was 24% African-American. Hispanics were 15% of “Homecoming”’s audience and Asians accounted for 5% in the first seven days.

Beyoncé’s Netflix special also skewed heavily female. Within the first seven days of its premiere, the film’s audience was 70% female, more than Netflix’s “Orange Is The New Black” season 6 (66%), “House of Cards” season 6 (54%) and “Bird Box” (57%). In addition, 43% of “Homecoming”’s audience 18-34, 12% were 2-17 and 27% adults ages 35-49, according to Nielsen.

On the social front, “Homecoming” had 757,000 interactions across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter over its first week, most of which were driven by organic content. By comparison, that’s more than three times Netflix’s “Springsteen on Broadway” special (225,000 interactions across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter over its first 7 days following its Dec. 15, 2018).

Among the most-engaging pieces of social content for “Homecoming” came from Michelle Obama on Instagram, in a video congratulating Beyoncé for raising the bar as well as her celebration and promotion of diversity in the movie.

Of the 757,000 total interactions measured around “Homecoming” in the first week, 65% occurred on Twitter, 33% occurred on Instagram, and just 2% occurred on Facebook, according to Nielsen.

“Homecoming” came to Netflix under a three-project deal with Beyoncé worth $60 million, Variety reported last month. The price tag for the “Homecoming” special was around $20 million. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is credited as executive producer, writer and director of the film.

DeKalb County Girl, Who Just Turned 14, Heading To Spelman College

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Sydney Wilson mastered algebra in the first grade. By the time she was 12, she was studying advanced placement biology and world history.

This fall, Sydney, who just turned 14 earlier this month, will start her freshman year at Spelman College as the youngest student on campus. She is also one of the youngest — if not the youngest — student in the college’s history.

“This is the first time in recent memory that we have had an admitted student this young. Sydney has shared with us that she intends to enroll. We are excited to welcome her to campus in the fall, along with the rest of the incoming class,” Ingrid Hayes, vice president of enrollment management, said in a statement.

Sydney said she plans to study biology. She will live on campus and spend weekends at home, at least during the first semester.

The teenager and her family live in Stonecrest. Growing up in south DeKalb County, Sydney said she rarely watched TV with the exception of animal documentaries. She loved being outdoors — digging in the dirt, searching for bugs and frogs, pretending to make food out of leaves. She went to a Montessori school until she was about 6 years old. She and her family credit that schooling with putting her on a pathway to success.

“A Montessori gives you what you are ready for, and she just kept going,” said Sydney’s father, Byron Wilson. Wilson is the founder of Wilson Academy, a private school in Lithonia.

After attending the Montessori school, Sydney was home schooled for a couple years, then attended a private school. But by the time she was 10, it was clear she didn’t need to be in elementary school, but high school. So Sydney, who is one of five daughters, started attending the school her father founded.

Sydney said she has always had a good work ethic and enjoys being challenged academically. She also loves to cook and plays soccer at a competitive level. Still, she said, she’s just a kid.

“People might think I am separate from the rest of people my age, but there are some facets of my life when I am still just a kid,” she said. “I still like to play LEGOs, and I think it’s cool to still play with LEGOs.”

In the past, she sometimes struggled to fit in with other kids — those her age, as well as her classmates who were as much as seven years older. But she’s come to peace with challenging social dynamics.

“I have been in the middle and torn between two worlds,” she said. “I could be in a classroom and not be invited to parties and it did use to affect me. But not everyone is willing to accept me, and I had to learn sometimes people are not going to be as openhearted, and that’s OK.”

Atlanta teen may be youngest student ever admitted to Spelman College. 

Over time, she’s developed close friendships and has two best friends — both of whom are girls graduating from high school.

And now, the straight-A student, who was still 13 when she received her acceptance letter from Spelman, looks forward to going to the Atlanta college, where she already feels welcome.

September 26, 2018 Atlanta – General campus photo of Spelman College on Wednesday, September 26, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COMPhoto: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Spelman College is No. 51 on the list of the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges, tying with Agnes Scott, Dickinson and Rhodes colleges, as well as Furman University, according to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report’s list of college rankings. Spelman was also listed as No. 1 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities for the 12th year in a row and was included on the list of the nation’s most innovative liberal arts colleges.

“I am so excited to be in the sisterhood,” said Sydney. “So many women have reached out to me and have been very nice and supportive, and I am so excited to see what my life will be at Spelman.”

Educational Policy That Is Inclusive Of The LGBTQ Students At HBCUs

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Recently, I had the opportunity to connect with my cousins who are Morehouse men from different generations. Given the difference in time when attending Morehouse, they all provided unique perspectives of policy changes at the institution over the years. One particular policy change that sparked much conversation was Morehouse College’s recent transgender policy. Morehouse College’s transgender policy comes seven years after their appropriate attire policy. The policy covers the dress code norms regarding what should be worn and who can wear specific types of clothing.

As a graduate of multiple historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), I have seen first-hand the high regard HBCUs hold themselves to regarding diversity and support of educating the next generation of African-American men and women. HBCUs play a critical role in providing social environments and experiences that promote diverse student populations. Unfortunately, when we talk about diversity, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students are often excluded from the conversation. The gaps in federal educational policy and a lack of institutional policy fails to address queer issues and leaves college students that identify as Queer unprotected from discrimination.

                      Denise A. Smith

Traditionally, HBCUs have been places that nurture students and promote diversity. However, when it comes to embracing LGBTQ students, many HBCUs fall short of identifying the best ways to be inclusive on campus. HBCUs have a reputation for being conservative places. Many HBCUs were founded through alignment with religious entities which have deterred HBCUs from engaging in conversations around LGBTQ issues or adopting policies to further ensure students are not discriminated against.

The Campus Pride HBCU Clearinghouse, provides the most up-to-date resources for HBCUs. The website highlights the core policies and program that will help a HBCU determine where they are in terms of LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs and practices. Georgia has 10 HBCUs across the state, nine out of the 10 meets at least one of the 14 criteria on the Campus Pride LGBTQ Checklist. Campus Pride has also been recommended by researchers who suggest that higher education institutions should use to determine where colleges stand in regard to inclusivity and anti-discriminatory policies.

When reviewing the Campus Pride database, Morehouse College made their Dean’s list, meeting 7 out of the 14 criteria which includes: an active LGBTQ student organization, an ally program or safe space, and a special lavender or rainbow graduation ceremony, just to name a few. After visiting the Morehouse College website their transgender policy was accessible, however information about their student support resources regarding their student organizations and safe spaces were inaccessible for a prospective student that aspire to be Morehouse Men. The steps HBCUs are taking to protect students from discrimination while on campus, is subtle and needs to be intentionally woven into the campus culture, and publicly accessible. Unfortunately, this information could not be found on the Morehouse College website.

Due to the historical stigmatizing of LGBTQ students, there needs to be policy recommendations that will address the lack of inclusivity and educational policy that protect college students within the LGBTQ HBCU community in Georgia.

It is important for Morehouse College to promote their inclusive program and resources that support queer students and share how they have been implemented. This would provide clarity of any concerns regarding policies that prevent discrimination and promote inclusivity amongst the student population as well as a case study for other colleges.

HBCUs employ faculty and staff from many different generations. Due to the generational divide it’s important faculty and staff are exposed to mandatory training on gender identify and expression. This training should also be woven into student orientation and student events to augment their understanding and acceptance of gender diversity. These training and inclusion in programming will ensure nondiscriminatory policies and practices are implemented effectively. Change is hard but necessary when it comes to providing Black students with the best education and experience achievable.

Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, the sixth president of Morehouse College, encouraged students to generate and challenge ideas, which promoted freedom of expression, therefore developing future leaders. As an advocate for students and empowering them to make positive change, it is important for me to highlight the importance of institutional policies that are inclusive of all the students that colleges and universities serve.  Regardless of a student’s innate gender identity, HBCUs should keep with their legacy of race uplift, calling out discrimination, and provide an inclusive campus environment for all their students. I am so happy that Morehouse is moving in this direction.

Future HBCU Student Becomes HS Valedictorian After Being Told Black Girls Can’t

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Raylynn Thompson is set to graduate from Oklahoma’s Muskogee High School with a 4.7 GPA and as the No. 1 student her class, a feat she was told could never happen because of the color of her skin. 

According to Tulsa World, Thompson was approached in Walmart by a woman who had seen her leaked transcript and was told: “Black people can’t be valedictorians.” 

“That’s not the only racist comments I’ve heard … I just use those kinds of things to propel me,” the 18-year-old told the local news publication.  “If you say I can’t do something, I’m going to go ahead and do it just to prove you wrong. I’m not going to let your words define me.”

Now that she has proved the naysayer wrong, Thompson has offered the woman an invitation to her graduation.

Contrary to the unidentified woman’s racist remark, the Muskogee High’s principal Kim Fleak revealed the school had previously had Black valedictorians. 

In addition to being a top student at her high school, Thompson was also taking college course at both Indian Capital Technology Center and Connors State College. She earned more than 30 college credits.

The 18-year-old was also accepted into over 60 colleges, including Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M and the University of Missouri.The scholarship offers are approximately valued at $1 million. According to The Claremore Daily Progress, Thompson decided on Alcorn State University, a historically Black college located northwest of Lorman, Mississippi.

“Alcorn State not only offered me a full-ride (scholarship), they have the most undergraduates that go off to medical school,” she stated. “I know that they’re preparing their students fully for the future.”

Thompson’s goal is to become a neonatologist, a pediatric specialist focused on ill or premature newborns.

The Muskogee High School graduation will take place on May 25.

At Black Colleges, The Baseball Teams Increasingly Aren’t

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Before each game, Clarence Carter III glances across the diamond as the opposing team warms up. He peeks in the dugout, scans the outfield and takes inventory around the infield during batting practice, counting how many African-Americans he can spot on the other team.

This is not an unusual drill for African-Americans playing in the major leagues, where their numbers have dwindled in recent decades, or in the similarly exclusive world of youth travel baseball.

But what makes this exercise striking is that Carter, a junior infielder at Bethune-Cookman University, plays for — and often against — one of America’s historically black colleges.

“It did catch me by surprise; I’m not going to lie,” said Carter, who transferred to Bethune-Cookman from a community college in Fullerton, Calif. “I would have thought coming to an H.B.C.U. there would be more black people, but things aren’t always what you expect.”

While baseball’s struggles to attract African-American talent and fans are well documented, the depth of the issue comes into sharper relief for teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, a group of historically black colleges and universities stretching from Maryland to Florida. At each of the nine MEAC colleges that compete in baseball, the baseball teams often feature more white and Latino players than African-Americans.

Consider the standard-bearer for the conference, Bethune-Cookman, which has won 19 MEAC championships and plays its home games at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, the same field where Robinson first suited up for a game after signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. At times this season, the Wildcats have not started a single African-American player.

Read more here.

HBCU Grad Kamala Harris Vows To Fine Companies That Pay Women Workers Less Than Men

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Presidential candidate Kamala Harris unveiled her plan to close the gender pay gap by fining companies that pay women employees less than men for equal work. The U.S. senator announced the proposal during a campaign stop in California on May 19, noting that white women working full-time make 80 cents for every dollar a white man is paid, while women of color earn even less.

“In America today, women for the same work – for the equal work, on average, make 80 cents on the dollar,” said Harris, reports CBS News. “Black women make 61 cents on the dollar. Latinas make 53 cents on the dollar and this has got to end.”

Under Harris’ proposal, corporations with over 100 employees would have to obtain an “Equal Pay Certification” from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within a certain timeframe. Companies would also be required to prove existing pay gaps are not based on gender, but merit, performance, or seniority. Companies that don’t meet the standard to become certified would be fined 1% of their daily profits for every 1% of the wage gap allowed to persist.

“Companies that fail to receive this certification will face a fine for every day they discriminate against their workers,” explained a senior campaign official in an email to BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Harris’ plan will force corporations to be accountable and transparent.”

Over the next decade, Harris’ campaign projects that the fines would generate $180 billion, which would then be used to help fund paid family and medical leave. The proposal aims to eliminate pay disparities between men and women on corporations by placing the responsibility on companies rather than on employees, who, under current law, must file lawsuits if and when they find they’re not being compensated fairly. According to Politico, Harris’ plan also mandates companies to report the percentage of women in leadership positions and how many are among the highest paid employees at the company.

The Harris campaign added that if Congress fails to pass the proposal, she would use executive power to force companies that apply for federal contracts to comply.

Earlier this month, Harris introduced legislation to help students from underrepresented communities gain access to educational materials, mentorships, and work experience related to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Under the 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act, $40 million would be authorized to fund a competitive grant program for school districts to improve participation in STEM education among girls, students of color, LGBTQ students, disabled students, and kids from low-income neighborhoods.

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

Alabama A&M-Morehouse Set For 1st Black College HOF Classic

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Alabama A&M and Morehouse College will play Labor Day weekend at the campus of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the first Black College Hall of Fame Classic.

The season opener on Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. ET will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, which seats 23,000, in the Hall of Fame village. Alabama A&M competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and Morehouse plays in the Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009. It has honored players such as Walter Payton and Jerry Rice, who played for historically black colleges and universities.

It became part of the Hall of Fame village in Canton in 2016.

Two HBCU Graduates Create An Instagram-Caption Generating App

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And once again, Black Excellence is reigning supreme! If you’re part of the “CaPtiOns arE strEsSful” club, these two HBCU graduates turned business partners are making your days on Instagram a little more easygoing for you. Remember that screenshot we posted a while back of a girl asking her sister for a caption?  this is for you sis!

Caption Any Photo is not only free, it has instant captions for days! Basically, you can pick a category of the type of caption you need; like Homecoming Season, Break Ups and Girls Night Out. You can even search strictly song lyrics! It even gives you the option to submit your own captions for the database! On top of all that, it allows you to set reminders for the best time of day to post to get the best engagement.

The creators, Juwon Nickolson and JaBre Jennings are two HBCU graduates (University of Maryland Eastern Shore) and are both from Baltimore, MD. The pair said they wanted to create the app to help individuals and small businesses.

“We found that a lot of businesses were having a lack of engagement due to not knowing what to post,” Jabre said. “So what our app does is once you find the photo, we give you the quote and caption to actually let you post to social media and increase engagement. ”

The pair said they met in undergrad at UMES back in 2010. They were both on Student Government, where they became tight. He said once, they took a photo and it took hours to come up with a caption when the idea sparked, “we should make an app for that!”

The business partners said they plan to expand the app as a subscription service for companies and brands.

The app is user friendly and is definitely the new wave.

Mission Accomplished: HBCU Student, 59, Earns Three Degrees

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LeMoyne-Owen College awarded 156 bachelor’s degrees to graduates on Saturday, May 12. Many of the scholars who walked across the stage have been on an arduous four-year tract to attain their college diploma.

But Alison Turner has been on a 41-year journey to attain her first college degree through bouts with injury, pregnancy and personal loss. Saturday marked her completion of two bachelor’s degrees and one associate degree.

On the eve of graduation, just before rehearsal, Turner, 59,  said the prospect of moving forward with this milestone in life is still nerve-wracking, even after several decades as a mother, wife and professional.

“It’s exciting. It may be scary. I’m not trying to look at the scary part. Right now, it’s exciting and it’s interesting,” Turner said.

“I’m just going to wait and see what happens. I’m going to make some things happen, but some things are starting to happen that are surprising me.”

Turner garnered her two bachelor’s degrees in music and in business administration.

“People think that the music degree and the business degree are separate things,” Turner said. “In my mind, they’re not.”

Playing instruments while singing and competing in chorus since a little girl, Turner hopes to be able to merge her love of song with entrepreneurship. She says she’s already got her fingers crossed regarding a position on the board of trustees for a local musical troupe.

After graduating from Hamilton High School in 1978, her education at then-Memphis State University was derailed by chronic migraines.

“I graduated from high school with honors, but some of my grades at U of M would make you think I couldn’t read – because of the migraines,” Turner said.

In 1982, Turner joined the Air Force, hoping that she could earn a living while giving school another shot.

On the first day, she fainted.

“I’ve never fainted before that day or after that day,” Turner said. “But that one day, I passed out.”

After two weeks in the Air Force, doctors discovered she was pregnant with her first child. Turner was honorably discharged.

The new mother decided the best decision was to start working and providing for her family. She started her own insurance business and eventually founded a mortgage company, as well.

In the coming years, she’d have two more attempts at earning her degree.

After a promising start at Christian Brothers University in 1989, Turner was ordered to bed rest in her second pregnancy. Later, Turner tried online classes, but dropped her course load following the death of her mother.

In 2013, she settled into LeMoyne-Owen, the institution that  had always been in her backyard, growing up in South Memphis.

“I live in this neighborhood on College Street. I call myself a college girl who lives on College Street. Sometimes, I’d walk to school,” Turner said.

“I wanted to come to LeMoyne and experience my community completely.”

Although her migraines persisted, she started business administration classes in night school with other non-traditional students. Eventually, her childhood passion led her to the music department’s daytime classes.

“I got the chance to interact with 18- and 19-year-olds. I was in classes with teenagers, really. But, it really didn’t faze me,” Turner said.

“I think the only thing (that got to me) was that I got a lot of (people calling me) ‘Ms. Allison, Ms. Allison.’ ”

Though she still regards her brief tenures at other local universities, she said LeMoyne-Owen felt more like “family.”

“There’s nothing better than experiencing one-on-one interaction your teachers and when people know your name. I mean, when people really know your name. Not just my name, because I’m the oldest thing in the class,” Turner said.

“When you see them know all the other students’ names, or you see them saying, ‘Hey,’ to somebody way over there, in the cafeteria, in the bookstore. People know you. It’s a good thing.”

Even while at LeMoyne-Owen, Turner experienced circumstances that could’ve derailed her most recent attempt at graduating. While in school, she had one surgery on her shoulder and two foot surgeries.

“I live in this neighborhood on College Street. I call myself a college girl who lives on College Street. … I wanted to come to LeMoyne and experience my community completely.”
Alison Turner

But she said these didn’t hinder her as much as her fear of performing for her senior recital.

“I think my music degree was a bit harder than my business degree,” she said.

To prepare for the recital, she had to learn traditional German song, “An die Musik.”

“I had to do it all by memory. That was hard, because those words didn’t necessarily mean anything to me, but I had to push through,” Turner said.

“My German sounded like some Southern, South Memphis German. I had to work on that.”

Though she protested, and nearly quit, she finally sang her solo in front of a small audience. Among the crowd of friends, family and instructors, were the custodians and security staff who turned a blind eye to Turner’s after-hours practices in academic buildings.

“That was the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) experience – everybody working together to help you accomplish your goal.”

Turner said she really can’t pinpoint much of a reasoning for her persistence through the years.

“I don’t think I can explain it in any words other than I always wanted to do it,” she said.

Central State Alphas Promotes The Importance Of College To Young Students

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(HBCU Buzz) Many young students in the gym were thrilled to see the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at Central State University stroll, says Dion Sampson in a post on Facebook. The Alphas recently visited a school in Dayton during their school assembly to talk about the importance of college, and in particular HBCUs to young students willing to listen. ”I’m connected to some pretty amazing people who just happen to be Alpha men,” said Sampson, adding that you simply had to be there. ”However, my greatest joy was seeing these young African-American brothers interact with students in the classroom and in the hallways promoting making right choices, going to college, educating them on HBCUs, and reminding some of the young men that when they go to college that ΑΦΑ was their only option.”

T.I. Awards $25,000 Scholarship To HBCU Student In Honor Of His Late Sister

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During VH1’s annual Dear Mama television special, guest T.I. took the time to honor a pivotal woman in his life by paying it forward to a deserving college student. In memory of his sister Antoinette “Precious Harris” Chapman, the Atlanta native surprised junior college student Tierani Scott with a $25,000 scholarship.

“She was a single mother who worked to make life better for her children and everyone else that she encountered,” he said about his late sister. “In the spirit of that, we have partnered with VH1 to award a deserving student a scholarship in my sister’s name.”

Scott, a student at Philander Smith College, is on track to obtain a sociology degree. T.I. noted that she’s also a single mother and hopes “that this scholarship will help her continue on her path to do great things in her future.”

In February 2019, Chapman passed away following a car crash. Reports state that she suffered an asthma attack before the incident. T.I. publicly paid tribute to her on Instagram.

Delaware State University Has Record Number Of 2019 Graduates

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Delaware State University (DSU)  gave out 750 diplomas during the historically Black university’s 134th commencement ceremony on May 12.


According to local news stationWBOC, that is the highest number of individuals to graduate in one class in the college’s more than 125-year history. The spring graduating class also set another record by producing 238 honor students, which is 20 more than the previous record set in May 2018.

Rep. Alma Adams (D-North Carolina), an advocate for HBCUs, was the keynote speaker at the historic graduation. 

“It is important for you to remember how you got here,” the three-term congresswoman told graduates. “If it had not been for the Lord on your side, had it not been for preparation meeting opportunities, you could have been some place else.”

After her speech, Adams and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware), the first African-American and first woman to represent Delaware in Congress, were presented with honorary doctoral degrees.

The graduates were urged to continue the legacy of their alma mater by Devona Williams, chairperson of the DSU Board of Trustees.

“You are the first generation who have grown up totally immersed in a world of digital technology, putting the whole world and a world of information at your fingertips,” Williams said. “While social media has helped to shape your identities, remember that you are creative and collaborative. We are counting you to use your technological savviness, your creativity and educational skills to make the world a better place politically, socially, economically and culturally.”

Morgan’s 143rd Commencement Casts Spotlight On Success, Achievement And Diversity

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BALTIMORE, Md. – More than 700 bachelor’s candidates and 228 master’s and doctoral candidates received their degrees at Morgan State University’s (MSU’s) jubilant 143rd Spring Commencement Exercises, which included a ceremony for undergraduates held on May 18, and a School of Graduate Studies ceremony on May 16. U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, a member of Morgan’s Board of Regents, was the guest speaker for the Undergraduate Ceremony held in Hughes Memorial Stadium on Morgan’s campus, while across town in Baltimore City, the annual Preakness Day festivities were taking place. RetiredNew York Times sports columnist, journalist and author William C. Rhoden of Morgan’s Class of 1973 received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the ceremony. More than 100 members of Morgan’s Class of 1969 led the procession into the stadium and were honored as representatives of the 50th anniversary class, a day after announcement of its $1.4 million in giving to the University in 2018, during Morgan’s Alumni Day luncheon.

Morgan’s Class of 2019 was rich with success stories reflecting the diversity that is one the University’s core values and a central part of its stated mission.

Alexis Samuels is a self-described “military kid” and former “nerd,” who was born in Germany and grew up in Texas, Tennessee and in Frederick, Maryland, where she attended a predominantly white high school before following her mother’s and sister’s example to attend an Historically Black College or University (HBCU). A Travelers EDGE scholarship paid her tuition and fees and provided internships with Travelers during her four-year Bachelor of Science program in actuarial science. She has accepted a full-time position as a software engineer with JPMorgan Chase.

“Morgan stood out to me because it was the only school in Maryland that had an actuarial science program,” Samuels said. “…I see why my mom loves her HBCU,” she said, “because I definitely love Morgan.”

Timani Richardson, aged 19, received a Bachelor of Arts in political science during the Spring Commencement. Born and raised in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 7 — a low-income area of the city — she excelled as a student and began earning an associate’s degree at George Washington University during her sophomore year at the School Without Walls high school. She came to Morgan two years ago to earn her bachelor’s. Inspired toward a career in civil and human rights during an international relations course at Morgan, she hopes to work as a paralegal or in government while she prepares to take the LSAT exam and apply for law school at Howard University and several other institutions.

“I definitely wanted to get a bachelor’s from an HBCU,” Richardson said, “and I wanted to have (the) experience of being at a black university.”

Lucas Krusinski, a native of France, arrived at Morgan unable to speak English but determined to play for the men’s tennis team, which is the 2019 MEAC champion. Now fluent in English, and a Class of 2019 valedictorian, he has received his MSU bachelor’s degree in nutritional science and has received two fully funded offers for graduate school to pursue a doctorate in food science at Michigan State University.

Withelma T. Ortiz Walker Pettigrew, a.k.a. T. Ortiz, received her Bachelor of Science in strategic communication, with honors, and has begun full-time work as the anti-trafficking and anti-exploitation coordinator for the Baltimore Child Abuse Center. Her 11-year journey through higher education came after she suffered years of childhood sexual, physical and verbal abuse and had become a nationally recognized advocate for children. A native of Oakland, California, she came to Baltimore homeless in 2014, the same year she was recognized as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People.”

“I needed somebody that was culturally competent in all ways….” Ortiz said. “Not only do you need to understand me as a person, as a black woman, you need to understand my adversity. You need to understand my struggle. You need to understand where I come from. And as soon as I got to Morgan, I had that…. Leaving Morgan is going to be one of the most profound moments of my life.”

Dominic Dingle received a Master of Science in sociology during the School of Graduate Studies Commencement and was commissioned with eight other MSU students as a U.S. Army second lieutenant during a Morgan Bear Battalion ROTC ceremony the next day. Morgan’s first graduate student to receive an ROTC commission, and the son of U.S. Army Brig. Gen. R. Scott Dingle of Morgan’s Class of 1988, Dominic called his graduation experience “pretty emotional: following in my dad’s footsteps (and) having him there speaking at my commissioning, and then being pinned by a family member.” Dominic is headed to his first duty station, Fort Carson, Colorado, where he will begin his military career as a member of the sports staff for the 10th Special Forces Group.

Angela Mathis is a member of the staff of Prince George’s Community College’s Communications and Marketing Department. As a student in Morgan’s Community College Leadership doctoral program, she brought her long experience in K–12 and higher education as well as her track record in broadcast and cable television. The Washington, D.C., native and second-generation HBCU graduate hopes to use the knowledge she gained in earning her Ed.D. to help community colleges use video more effectively to support student success and to launch a website, Motivate2Graduate.com, to inspire students of color to complete college.

Morgan, she said, “has certainly surpassed my expectations. I’ve enjoyed my professors and my advisors and have really developed a strong relationship with the cohort of colleagues who were in this program with me. And I will cherish this the rest of my life.”

“Life flourishes most at the crossroads where two diverse ecosystems meet,” said Congressman Cummins in his address. Drawing on his own childhood experience, Cummings spoke of the power of diversity to lead the U.S. past what he called a “critical crossroads” for the nation.

Growing up in an underserved area of Baltimore City, Cummings said, he attended a poor school and was assigned to “the third group” of students, what is now known as special education. He recalled wondering how the words “liberty and justice for all” in the Pledge of Allegiance applied to him, and he remembered a school counselor’s berating him for aspiring to become a lawyer. Later, in Congress, when he had become a lawyer, he questioned his own qualification to serve on a committee, until he realized he was the only “expert” in special education in the room. He was able to advance legislation to support special ed.

2019 Graduates
2019 Graduation
2019 Graduates Cheering
2019 Graduations

“You, each and every one of you, are better and more valuable to our country because of the obstacles that you have faced and overcome,” Cummings told the audience. “….Your life experiences and your educational achievements are essential elements of our potential to lead our nation during a very difficult and challenging time.”

“What I do ask of each of you is to appreciate the value of our democratic republic in its hour of peril,” Cummings said. “What I do ask of each of you, and especially our graduates, is to call upon the challenge and education that you have received at this great institution and stand up for our democracy in your own communities.”

Six undergraduate candidates with perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point averages shared the title of class valedictorian: Jamielle Davis (B.S., accounting), Kristina Kincaid (B.S., social work), Lucas Krusinski (B.S., nutritional science), Eduardo Lopez (B.S., industrial engineering), Pierce Perkins (B.S., chemistry) and Ethan Simms (B.S., social work).

MSU President David Wilson honored Averi Maxine Turner (B.S., business administration) with the President’s Second Mile Award for outstanding leadership and participation in student affairs, and Kayla Griffin (B.S., psychology) with the President’s Award for Exceptional Creative Achievement.

In her salute to the graduates at the Undergraduate Exercises, Senior Class President Emani Majors (B.S., construction management) called upon Morgan’s newest alumni to disregard titles and instead search for their mission, their “why.” Master’s degree candidate Stanley Jenkins (M.A., African American studies) and doctoral candidate Valerie Riggs (Ed.D., urban educational leadership) inspired the audience with their salute to the graduates at the School of Graduate Studies Commencement.

Kevon Dix, a Morgan student killed tragically by gunfire in late April of this year, was memorialized with a posthumous Bachelor of Arts in music. In addition, Abdulaziz Bin Zaid, a School of Business and Management student who suffered an accidental death in Las Vegas during the winter break, was awarded with a posthumous Bachelor of Science in Marketing.

Robert F. Smith – 10 Things To Know

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Billionaire Robert F. Smith received an honorary doctorate degree at Morehouse College’s 135th Commencement exercise, where he delivered the commencement address before delivering a $40million announcement, that he was taking care of the student loan balance for the nearly 400 graduating men. You should know that the billionaire businessman and investor also has a heart for philanthropy and has been fairly humble, considering his contribution to society. 10 things you should know:

ONE
Smith was named the world’s richest African-American man by Forbes in 2015. (And the worlds 268th richest man.) Then valued at $2.5billion, curently, valued at $5billion.

TWO
His youngest sons, ‘Hendrix’ and ‘Legend’ are named after Jimi Hendrix and John Legend

THREE
Smith became the first African American named as chairman of Carnegie Hall, the nation’s most prestigious concert stage (He grew up playing and now owns one of Elton John’s old pianos!)

FOUR
His company, Vista Equity Partners, started a foundation, the Fund II Foundation; giving commencement addresses; and donating money. When he donated $50million to his alma mater, Cornell, it renamed its School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering after him.

FIVE
Smith worked for Goldmah Sachs. He left the company in 1999, beginning his company, Vista Equity Partners, a year later in 2000.

SIX
When the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) opened, he made the second-highest private donation of $20million, led by Oprah, with her donation of $21million

SEVEN
Smith is the chairman of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights and is a trustee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America-San Francisco

EIGHT
His company, Vista Equity Partners, has over $46billion in assets and posts annualized return of 22% since inception, currently averaging 30% returns.

NINE
Smith is the first African-American to sign the Giving Pledge, a commitment to contribute the majority of his wealth to philanthropic causes.

TEN
He takes time to enjoy his life 5 kids and enjoys fly fishing.

Morehouse Commencement Speaker Pays Loans for ALL 2019 Graduates

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And the award for the BEST commencement speaker, in the history of commencement speakers gooooooeeeeessss tooooooo: Robert Frederick Smith, cleary.

The 135th Commencement exercises at Morehouse College took place on its Century Campus, awarding commencement orator billionaire Robert Frederick Smith an honorary doctorate.

Along with Smith, nearly 400 young men received degrees for their hard work as symbols of crossing the finish line on this portion of their education.

Smith, pictured on the left, shares a moment with Angela Basset, who was also honored by Morehouse College

In his inspirational message to the class, the 56-year-old philanthropist, businessman and investor already shared his plan of a $1.5million gift to the school, when he shared other news:

“My family is going to create a grant to eliminate your student loans!” HE announced a grant from his family to eliminate the student debt for the Morehouse College Class of 2019. “This is my class,” he said, “and I know my class will pay this forward.”

Tonga Releford, mother of graduating Charles Releford tells AJC “I feel like it’s Mother’s Day all over again.” She estimates her son had about $70,000.00 in student loans prior to his balance being covered by Smith. Her younger son Colin is a junior at Morehouse. Tonga shares her hope for Smith’s return, “Maybe he’ll come back next year.”

Robert F. Smith’s gift is valued at an estimate of $40million.

If Smith is a businessman and investor, with a networth upward of a billion dollars, we hope the men of Morehouse realize how powerful it is, to have him (who looks just like them) literally place an investment in them!

Hate Group To Protest At HBCU Graduations In Atlanta

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The infamous hate group Westboro Baptist Church plans to picket outside of the graduations of three historically black colleges in Atlanta according to CBS46

Protesters say they’ll be at the commencements of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College on Sunday.

Representatives of the group say they’re protesting a pastor at Clark Atlanta, LBGTQ groups at Spelman College and the decision to admit transgender students at Morehouse College.

Graduating seniors say they’re confused and upset.

“It’s our big day and this is us going into adulthood. You’re trying to take that last moment away from us,” said Clark Atlanta student Miracle Jones.

Schools are working with police on crowd control and extra security. No word yet on any counter protests.

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