Sister Of Sandra Bland Overcomes Grief With Radical Self-Care

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Imagine receiving the promotion you’ve worked a lifetime for and life-changing news all in the same day. Four years ago, that became Sharon Cooper’s reality after receiving news that her beloved little sister, Sandra Bland, was found dead in a jail cell in Waller County, Texas, on July 13, 2015, three days after being arrested for a minor traffic violation in Prairie View, Texas.

Since Bland’s unfortunate and mysterious death, Cooper and her sisters Shante Needham and Shavon Bland, along with millions of people around the world, have been on the frontlines and in courtrooms to advocate and lobby for the truth as it relates to the case of Bland, policing in America, and human rights similar to the way that Bland did as an activist and outspoken vlogger.

At the 2nd Annual TransformHer Summit, Cooper spoke openly with the Tyrona Heath, co-Founder of the TransformHer Summit and Global Lead of Market Development at LinkedIn during a conversation on how to be resilient in the face of tragedy.

Both Heath and Cooper are hardworking women who have the shared experience of losing a sister. And during their conversation, Cooper spoke openly about her and her family’s fight for justice; the importance of self-care; vulnerability, and how to navigate grief.

Sandra Bland

Sharon Cooper and Tryona Heath at LinkedIn’s TransformHer Summit (Image: Screenshot)

Cooper says that one of the ways that she turned her pain into purpose is by following the blueprint that Bland left behind on her Sandy Speaks vlog.

SHARON SPEAKS

When reflecting on that day in July of 2015, Cooper remembers having to make a split decision on how she was going to go on about her day. But she knew that it would no longer be business as usual.

“I worked so hard for my career, and I was ready to level up and show up. And I could not find a way to simultaneously show up for my family,” Cooper shared as she reflected on that day.

In responding to everything that was taking place in her life while grieving, Cooper says that like many people she began to burn the candle on both sides of the stick.

“For the first six months after the ordeal, my feet were hitting the floor at 4:30 in the morning to go down to the downtown Chicago area, do a lot of press coverage around the case the situation and go over –and still was working. I’m a human resources business professional, so I’m hardwired to do this and to help others,” said Cooper.

She went on to say, “We have to be very wary of our burnout. I think it’s important for people to understand that there is a myth behind strength and the ability to do it all. I want you to understand that you can do it all by knowing your limits and knowing when to say no.”

SELF-CARE IS A RADICAL ACT IN ITSELF 

As a prominent figure within this new era of civil rights, Cooper wants people to know that you have to take care of yourself before and as you show up for others.

HERE ARE 5 PIECES OF ADVICE FROM COOPER ON HOW TO EXPERIENCE TRANSFORMATION AFTER GRIEF.
  1. Take off the cape. — It’s something that I think is an art and it’s a skill and it takes learning over a duration of time. But it’s OK for you to take your cape off; that cape that we all wear every single day.
  2. Find your tribe.
  3. It’s OK to be vulnerable and expose yourself.— When we hold on to that notion of what it means to be superman or superwoman, or superhuman—what we do is deny ourselves what it really is to be vulnerable.
  4. Give yourself time and permission to take care of yourself. — I love the hashtags Black Girl Magic, Black Boy Joy, and anything else that I’m forgetting; but here’s the thing, we break, right? So you have to be kind to yourself and be gentle to yourself so that when you’re called up and into that meeting with the top exec that you’ve been planning for your entire career, you show up…as a parent, spouse, partner, or at home so that you can show up in the fullness of yourself as opposed to in pieces because you’re broken because you haven’t taken care of yourself.
  5. On helping others who might be grieving: Meet people where they are. — When we have people in our lives that we love dearly, we want to fix the pain and make it go away. But I think that it’s more natural to allow people to go through the progression of grief.

Since 2015, Cooper and her family have continued to keep Sandra Bland’s message alive with their continued fight for justice and the NAACP award-winning HBO documentary, Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland.

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

5 Things You Need To Know In HBCU Community Today

“I am beyond blessed! Before this opportunity, I was at a point where I didn’t know if I wanted to continue with my passion for entertainment and television but it looks like God had other plans for me,” Jaelon Hodges said.

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1. Virginia State University

VUU student Jaelon Hodges was recently selected to intern with actor Terrance J., becoming one of two historically black college and university (HBCU) students chosen to intern with Terrance J’s management company, Sunset Park Productions, this summer in Los Angeles.

2. Hampton University

A Hampton University student designed an app that helps teachers, and students. “Ever since maybe like middle school, I’ve found programming was an amazing way to do what I love most,” Carlos Mayers, a rising junior at Hampton, said. “I’ve been able to solve problems in a way that pushes the envelope.”

3. Kamala Harris

Howard University Grad Harris campaign boosts efforts to enhance her longtime connection to historically black colleges. She has stepped up that connection in an effort to “mobilize students and graduates of historically black colleges and universities—known as HBCUs—as well as the country’s nine black fraternities and sororities,” the Associated Press reports.

4. Buzzing News

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge introduced the Parent PLUS Loan Improvement Act to amend the Higher Education Act.

From the Office of Marcia L. Fudge:

”Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) re-introduced the Parent PLUS Loan Improvement Act of 2019 to reduce the financial burden placed on parents and families from high-interest Parent PLUS loans. The bill lowers and caps current interest rates, allows for an income-based repayment option for families, and eliminates origination fees.

The rising costs associated with a college education already pose a significant barrier to earning a degree. Pell grants and Stafford Loans are not enough to fully cover college expenses, which can leave parents and students with a hefty financial burden,” said Rep. Fudge. “As PLUS Loan interest rates continue to climb, it is the duty of Congress to ensure parents and families are not crippled by staggering college costs. The Parent PLUS Loan Improvement Act allows for greater access, flexibility, and transparency during the student loan process, and provides much-needed relief for Parent PLUS Loan holders nationwide.””

5. Partners

Black Enterprise: Ava Duvernay, Zendaya Discuss The Importance Of Black People Telling Their Stories

Huston-Tillotson Grad’s Nonprofit Wants Minority Communities To Talk More About Mental Health

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Deandria Wood battled depression and drug abuse on and off for years, even while she was pregnant with her first son.

Then in the mid-1990s, she turned her life around. She spent a decade as an advocate and support figure for others who had struggled with substance abuse.

But in 2010, while her son Fabian was still in college, she took her own life. He had no idea she was still struggling with mental illness.

Fabian Wood blames his mother’s death primarily on her feelings of isolation, a consequence of dealing with her depression and having no one in her community to talk about it.

Even though conversations about mental health have become more common in recent years, studies and reports from the U.S. Surgeon General gathered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness have found minority communities talk less about mental health and have much less access to mental health care than their white counterparts, an issue that has not changed much in the last two decades. According to census data and records from the Travis County medical examiner’s office, minority groups make up 25% of Austin residents and accounted for 20% of suicides from 2008 to 2018.

So seven years after his mother died, Fabian Wood made improving mental health in minority communities and encouraging conversations about it his top priority. He left his job at Apple in 2017 to start a nonprofit named after his mom, the D. Wood Foundation, to work toward those goals.

“The lack of awareness of what’s affecting us is what is the problem,” Wood said. “If you sneeze or cough and you’re unaware that you could have a cold or are unaware that you might have a flu or don’t know what the flu even is, then you’re not going to want to seek treatment.”

Wood started by establishing a student group called the You’re Not Alone Fellowship at Huston-Tillotson University, his alma mater. The group hosts regular meetings about how to get support and access mental health care.

The group’s name stems from Wood’s belief that loneliness and silence are major factors in aggravating mental health problems within minority communities. Mental health counselors say people with depression often don’t talk about it because of a misconception that mental health is not a real health concern. And considering the growing need for colleges across the nation to offer mental health resources such as psychiatric care, one-on-one counseling and group therapy, Wood said it made sense to start the nonprofit’s work at a university.

The group “acts as a bridge in getting people motivated and aware of what’s going on in their mind and their environments and bridging them to the help they need as well as kind of creating a culture of support,” Wood said.

Malachi Peterson, an accounting junior at Huston-Tillotson and current president of the You’re Not Alone Fellowship, said a large part of what the group does is provide resources to students. During the group’s biweekly meetings, the group hosts speakers to talk about mental health issues and how to have conversations with others about mental health.

“A lot of people in the minority community feel like they can’t speak on the issue or they feel like they should be ashamed about how they feel,” Peterson said. “But it’s just important to let the minority community know that people want to understand how you’re feeling.”

Wood said he also wanted to begin the foundation at Huston-Tillotson because, like many other historically black colleges, it has a smaller student population than a major state university and doesn’t have a lot of money to spend on mental health support for students.

Huston-Tillotson has a little over 1,100 students and just one full-time licensed mental health counselor, according to its website. Wiley College, a historically black college in East Texas with 1,400 students, also has just one licensed counselor, according to a spokeswoman for the college. UT-Austin, with a student population of nearly 50,000, has almost 40 licensed counselors, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists that served almost 7,000 students in the 2017-2018 school year.More Headlines

Until her recent departure, Dawn Leisch served as Huston-Tillotson’s mental health counselor and the school sponsor for You’re Not Alone. She said she loved working with the group because as a therapist, they shared the same goal.

“Just their whole name, ‘You’re Not Alone,’ that’s perfect,” Leisch said. “Students would often say, ‘Oh my mom would say: No, you’re crazy. No, there’s something wrong with you.’ … But it’s just part of human to human experience. We all go through things, and it’s OK to reach out for help. It doesn’t make you crazy.”

Grambling State Honors Doug Williams With Street Name: Doug Williams Drive

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On Friday afternoon, Grambling State University honored former Redskins quarterback Doug Williams with his own street name: Doug Williams Drive. The street is located on the corner of Facilities and Stadium Drive on the Grambling State campus in Louisiana. – Washington Redskins

“I was a little shocked,” Williams recently told Larry Michael on “Redskins Nation,” “because you don’t expect anything to happen like that.”

Williams, who was a two-time recipient of the Black College Player of the Year Award, attended Grambling State and played for legendary head coach Eddie Robinson. He guided the Tigers to a 36-7 record as a four-year starter at quarterback and led Grambling State to three Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championships.

In 1977, Williams led the NCAA in several categories, including total yards from scrimmage (3,249), passing yards (3,286), touchdown passes (38), and yards per play (8.6). He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, behind Earl Campbell, Terry Miller and Ken MacAfee.

Williams graduated from Grambling State with a bachelor’s degree in education, and began working on his master’s degree before the 1978 NFL Draft. Read more via KTBS

HBCU Grad Kamala Harris’s Secret Weapon: The Sisterhood Of Alpha Kappa Alpha

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NASHVILLE — It had been on the calendar for months, the annual leadership conference of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. But the talk at the gathering of 8,000 women last weekend was about far more than the usual chapter building, catching up and breaking out outfits in the organization’s signature pink and green: Kamala Harris, who joined the sorority as a college student, had just resurrected the ghost of segregation and busing against former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. in a Democratic presidential debate.

The moment brought a sense of pride and some apprehension about what Ms. Harris’s campaign would hold.

Younger members said Ms. Harris represented a hope for the future. “She just reminds me to be fearless in the pursuit of my goals,” said Shannon Burge, 31, a Denver sales manager.

Older members said Ms. Harris’s challenge to Mr. Biden last week — over his opposition to busing during the 1970s — was evidence that years of sacrifice had not been in vain. “I went to segregated schools. I experienced integration. It wasn’t easy,” said Miriam Joyner-Smith, 59, who works in the insurance industry in Tampa. “We’re just excited and proud because she represents us well.”

Ms. Harris didn’t attend the conference, which began the night of the debate, but provided a video to be shown at the event that bore a striking resemblance to a campaign call to action, while never actually mentioning her presidential ambitions.

“We have a fight ahead of us, and we cannot afford to sit it out,” Ms. Harris said in the video, referring to gun violence, the low pay and high maternal mortality rate among black women, and new laws that stymie access to the ballot box.

“Simply put, the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha have forged paths and led in just about every space imaginable,” she said in the video. Just not, yet, in the space Ms. Harris is imagining: the White House. It’s possible A.K.A. membership will be an advantage there.

Ms. Harris, who is running for president, has said the sorority “changed my life.”
Ms. Harris, who is running for president, has said the sorority “changed my life.”CreditJordan Gale for The New York Times

The group’s sheer numbers, organization and multimillion-dollar budget suggest a potential secret weapon in the campaign arsenal of Ms. Harris, who joined the sorority while an undergraduate at Howard University. She has called A.K.A. a major influence in her life.

Read more here.

Iconic Black Newspaper, ’Chicago Defender,’ Says Bye To Print After More Than A Century

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There was a time when the Chicago Defender was one of the largest newspapers in the world. At its height, it was also nationally recognized as the most influential black newspaper in the country. Today, however, the century-old paper is ending one era and embracing what’s ahead.

Officials at the Chicago Defender recently announced that it is ceasing its print operations and will move to a digital-only format. The legendary newspaper has been a premier news outlet in the African American community since its launch in 1905 by founder John Sengstacke Abbott. From reporting on the anti-lynching legislation to coverage of the first black president of the United States, the Chicago Defender has been on the front lines covering topics that matter most to its community.

Chicago Defender

Photo Credit: J.D. Smith at ceounlimitedfirm.com

Leaders at the paper said it needs to evolve in order to cater to the needs of a new generation. As a result of the digital revolution, Chicago Defender believes that moving toward a web-focused strategy will help them better serve their audience.

“We understand that to some of our loyal readers, this rite of passage is a painful one. However, we are committed to preserving the legacy of the Chicago Defender and are excited to be making this bold step to ensure its vitality for the next 100 years,” said Hiram E. Jackson, CEO of Real Times Media, which owns the paper, in a statement. “We remain committed to being an iconic news organization, but we must double-down in the areas where we are seeing growth. Ceasing print operations allows us to do that. And readers of the Defender are now all over the city, reaching them online is a win-win for all of us.”

Center: Rev. Jesse Jackson (Photo Credit: J.D. Smith at ceounlimitedfirm.com)

On July 10, the Defender printed its’ last commemorative final print edition and shared it with a group of influential leaders in Chicago during a press event. Notable speakers and attendees included public relations pioneer Midge Kimberly, president and CEO of Partnership Radio Abraham “Abe” Thompson, and Rev. Jesse Jackson, who shared stories about the paper’s origins and his time as a writer with the publication.

Longtime ‘Chicago Defender’ reader Midge Kimberly (Photo Credit: J.D. Smith at ceounlimitedfirm.com)

As a longtime reader, Kimberly says she has witnessed the evolution of the Chicago Defendersince the 1980s and shared sentiments about the impact of this transition to digital-only. “The media landscape has shifted rapidly. I’ve been reading the Chicago Defender for decades and was always excited to pick up my copy of the newspaper. But I know the next generation has embraced news in a different way and I hope the Defender gets the support and direction they need to implement a robust strategy.”

She added that she hopes new readers will be just as impacted by the outlet’s coverage. “I want the next generation to experience the feelings of community, support, and empowerment that I felt when I read the paper.”

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

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Oh, The Places You’ll Go! UNCF HBCU Graduate Success Stories

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These stories are an impetus for us to help more deserving students achieve more goals and realize more dreams.

Students who attend HBCUs come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but many of their stories share a common narrative: success. While each college experience comes with its own set of challenges, we’ve found time and time again that our member HBCUs excel at retaining and graduating first-generation, low-income students. Their graduates’ stories are proof enough. HBCU grads are pioneers, advocates and humanitarians—and we couldn’t be more proud.

Gene Morris

Gene, an Allen University grad, was selected to be part of the Obama Foundation Community Leadership Corps in 2018. As part of this six-month initiative created to train leaders and address civic issues in its host cities, Gene helped young leaders learn to spark positive change in the communities they call home. Using his HBCU experience, Gene set the ball rolling on a pattern of mentorship and service that could continue indefinitely—a pattern of bringing up future leaders who can further transform the world for the better.

Shavondria Jackson

If you’re looking for proof of the impact an HBCU education can make, look no further than Shavondria’s story. At the beginning of her journey, things were looking bleak. Shavondria encountered financial struggles from a young age and even faced homelessness, making the idea of going to college seem all but impossible. Thanks to a UNCF scholarship, she was able to attend Xavier University, one of our member HBCUs. And she certainly didn’t waste the opportunity. Shavondria graduated as a Fulbright Scholar and attended the UNCF New Orleans’ 2016 Mayor’s Masked Ball as a guest of honor, where she shared her personal testimony about the life-changing difference a scholarship can make.

Kayla Freeman

Kayla’s achievements have been—literally—out of this world. Thanks to a degree in aerospace science engineering from Tuskegee University, Kayla became an aerospace engineer for the United States Army and, last year, earned the title of first black female pilot in the Alabama National Guard.

“I didn’t think about making history when I started this journey,” Kayla said. “I just wanted to do the best that I could do and hopefully inspire a few people along the way.”

Ciara May

During the senior year of college, a student should be worrying about next steps such as finding a career or pursuing further education—not worrying that they can’t afford tuition for their last semester. Unfortunately, such was the case for Ciara, until UNCF and MUFG Union Bank teamed up to help.

“I woke up on the first day of spring classes to an e-mail saying I had been awarded exactly the amount I was short,” she said. “It brought me to tears.”

Ciara graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2018 with a master’s degree. She is now a Venture for America Fellow.

At UNCF, these stories are an impetus for us to help more deserving students achieve more goals and realize more dreams. Despite all these successes, however, we can still only help one in 10 HBCU students applying for financial assistance. That’s why the support of donors who believe that “A mind is a terrible thing to waste but a wonderful thing to invest in,”® is so crucial. Consider giving today—you could change a life!

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Colleges And Universities Now Offering Degrees In Marijuana

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Several schools are now offering undergraduate and advanced degrees in the study of marijuana as the cannabis industry surges.

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) launched a Master of Science (MS) in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics. According to a press release from the school, the two-year program is “to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to support patients and the medical cannabis industry, add to existing research in the field, and develop well-informed medical cannabis policy.”

Some schools, including the University of Connecticut and the State University of New York at Morrisville, offer cannabis specializations within their horticultural program tracts, according to GMA.com.

Legal cannabis is a $10 billion industry. The market is expected to reach $66.3 billion by the end of 2025.

There’s been an increase in the number of legal marijuana-centric small businesses. African American cannabis entrepreneurs are also emerging. However, there are accusations that black people are being shut out of this lucrative market as more white-owned businesses and corporations vie for dominance in the industry.

Blacks own less than 4% of legal marijuana businesses versus 81% owned by whites, as per the Marijuana Business Daily.

Yet, there are efforts to create more investment opportunities and cannabis startups in the black community. Felicia Palmer co-founded the Cannaramic Online Summit—an online summit designed to provide cannabis education and awareness.

One black couple recently launched Cannabis Capital Group, a consulting firm to assist marijuana-based companies with education, advocacy, and investment.

And several black celebrities (besides Snoop Dogg) are making big moves in legal marijuana. It was announced that Jay-Z just joined Caliva—a cannabis startup—as its chief brand strategist.

WAGS Atlanta cast member, Hope Wiseman, became the country’s youngest marijuana dispensary owner when she opened Mary & Main in Maryland.

Wiz Khalifa, Whoopi Goldberg, and former NBA star Al Harrington are other celebrities with business dealings in marijuana.

33 states including D.C have legalized marijuanause for medical and recreational purposes or have legalized cannabis in some form and under some conditions.

As the demand for cannabis increases, a more marijuana-educated workforce will be needed. With schools offering areas of study in cannabis, more African Americans have an entry point into this booming business.

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

POWERHOUSING: 10 Trailblazing HBCU Alumni

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African Americans have been supported throughout the years by amazing community groups that have educated, empowered and emboldened generations. Through engagement with institutions like the Black church, Black Greek organizations, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), we leverage the strength of our collective to build our own legacies and live our best lives.

#HBCUsStillMatter

Originally established to allow recently emancipated slaves an opportunity to pursue higher education, HBCUs remain a necessity today, not only because they continue to outperform non-HBCU institutions in retaining and graduating first-generation African American students,but because they provide a safe environment for students that build confidence, foster success, and cultivate “faith, community, and service.” (1)  

Earlier installments of the #ChevyLegacyTrailblazer series highlighted famous members of Black Fraternities, and Sororities who are dedicated to their letters for life, and who have adopted community involvement and empowerment as their mission. Today, we’re honoring notable alumni of HBCUs, who have become trailblazers—disrupting industries, breaking boundaries, making history, and changing lives.

Taraji P. Henson- Howard University 

Academy and Emmy Award-nominated actress, Taraji P. Henson, graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In addition to her extensive and very successful career in television and film, she recently launched The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) in honor of her late father.  Her mission is “to help eradicate the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community and provide support for and bring awareness to mental health issues that plague this community.”

Spike Lee– Morehouse College 

Spike Lee is an Academy Award winning producer, director, writer, actor, author, and lecturer who has stood up to the racial inequality of Hollywood, created jobs for black actors, and helped revolutionize modern black cinema.  His production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983. The ultimate Hollywood trailblazer, Lee graduated from Morehouse with a B.A. in Mass Communication.  It was there that he made his first student film, Last Hustle in Brooklyn.The rest is history!

Will Packer- Florida A&M University

A magna cum laude graduate of Florida A&M University, producer Will ‘Power’ Packer has established himself as one of “Hollywood’s blockbuster hit makers” and is one of the only African American producers in the world that has had eight of their films open number one at the box office. Collectively, his films have grossed nearly $1 billion!  He told Diverseeducation.com, “attending an HBCU set the foundation for me to be successful in my career.  The nurturing environment and the unyielding push for excellence [at FAMU] provided me with the analytical skills that I have needed to navigate the business world. I go back and give back every chance I get.” 

Nikki Giovanni – Fisk University 

BROOKLYN, NY – AUGUST 27: Poet Nikki Giovanni speaks during the 12th Annual Afropunk Brooklyn Festival at Commodore Barry Park on August 27, 2016 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Mireya Acierto/WireImage)

Named by Oprah Winfrey as a ‘living legend’, Nikki Giovanni is one of the world’s most well-known African-American poets. The award winning writer, commentator, Civil Rights Activist, and educator graduated with honors from Fisk University with a B.A. in History.  According to The Heroine Collective, “Giovanni is currently a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, a position which she has held since 1989. In 2007, following the tragic campus shooting, Giovanni delivered a moving poem We Are Virginia Tech which emphasized the endurance of solidarity and community.”

Valeisha Butterfield Jones- Clark Atlanta University 

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 21: Valeisha Butterfield Jones attends the 2019 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards Luncheon at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on February 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)

An award-winning political strategist, youth and women’s activist and lifestyle expert, Valeisha Butterfield-Jones graduated from Clark Atlanta University in 2000 with a BA in Political Science.  She is currently the Head of Community Inclusion, and Black Engagement at Google, as well as the Co-founder and CEO of the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) and the author of the highly acclaimed book, The Girlprint.

DJ Envy- Hampton University 

BROOKLYN, NY – OCTOBER 26: DJ Envy performs onstage during 105.1?s Powerhouse 2017 at the Barclays Center on October 26, 2017 in the Brooklyn, New York City City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

Raashaun Casey, better known as DJ Envy of “The Breakfast Club”, is a Business Management graduate of Hampton University.  According to Hampton.edu, Casey credits his Hampton education as being an integral part of his success, not only as a DJ, but also as a businessman.  “My major was business management and marketing… It took marketing to another level,” he stated. I realized that it was not necessarily all about the skills, but also about how I market myself. I used my marketing tools and everything I learned from Hampton to put towards life, and it seems to have worked out pretty well.” 

Keshia Knight Pulliam- Spelman College

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 22: Keshia Knight Pulliam attends a celebration of Women for Abrams at The Gathering Spot on September 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)

The famous actress, best known for her role as Rudy, on ‘The Cosby Show’, graduated from Spelman in 2001 with honors.  During a White House Panel about the importance of HBCUs, she shared, “it is a legacy that you leave with. And it’s so important for us to continue it because for me being here, I needed to be here for my children and my children’s children, and for them to have the ability to walk into any room and know their value, and know their worth and know what they’re capable of.” In this vein, Pulliam founded Kamp Kizzy, a non-profit organization with the mission to inspire, empower and develop youth between the ages of 11-16 into confident and successful young women.

Oprah- Tennessee State University

The iconic Oprah Winfrey, arguably the most influential, and philanthropic woman in the world, and the first black woman billionaire, needs no intro!  She attended Tennessee State University on a full-ride scholarship, but interestingly, did not graduate because she was one credit short – “a fact her father made sure to keep reminding her of so she would complete her studies.  “He’d say,‘Oprah–‘I don’t know what you’re gonna do without that degree,” Winfrey told graduates at a 2008 commencement speech she gave at Stanford.“And I’d say,‘But, Dad, I have my own television show.”  So, in 1986, she turned in her final paper and got her degree from Tennessee State”. (2) 

Michael Strahan-Texas Southern University

ABC NEWS – Michael Strahan (ABC/Heidi Gutman) MICHAEL STRAHAN

Michael Strahan, the record-setting, and Super Bowl winning former New York Giants defensive end, is a graduate of Texas Southern.  After retiring from the NFL, he was not only inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, he became a popular and highly-sought after media personality.  He currently co-hostsABC’s Strahan and Sara, and is a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday.  He attributes his natural hosting acumen to his time at Southern, stating, “here is where I learned how to talk to people and deal with people of different backgrounds and religions and races.”(3) In addition to his on-air career, he has founded the Michael Strahan Foundation to assist disadvantaged youth in the greater New York metropolitan area. 

Tom Joyner- Tuskegee University 

Tom Joyner, often referred to as the ‘hardest working man in radio’, is one of the most influential and recognized media moguls in the industry. His No. 1 nationally syndicated morning show airs in more than 105 markets and reaches 8 million homes. The child of two HBCU alums, he graduated from Tuskegee University with a degree in Sociology.  He’s a true champion for HBCUs– having founded the Tom Joyner Foundation to “support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through student scholarship, endowment, and capacity building enhancements.”

(1) UNCF.org

(2) studyinternational.com

(3) TheHoustonChronicle 

The Annual HBCU Alumni Alliance Run/Walk In Atlanta More Than Just Fundraiser For HBCUs

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The annual HBCU Alumni Alliance Run/Walk in Atlanta is more than just a fundraiser.

Over the course of 12 years this event has raised $1.5 million for metro Atlanta students who plan to attend one of dozens of participating historically black colleges and universities. But this 5K, held Saturday at Piedmont Park, also serves as a homecoming of sorts for Atlanta area graduates of HBCUs and in the process highlights the unique role these schoolshave in African American culture.

Jazz Bean spent a year at a predominantly white institution before transferring to and graduating from Albany State University. It was her first time attending the HBCU Run/Walk, but she said she won’t miss it again after experiencing the camaraderie and school spirit.

“This reminds me of why I went to an HBCU,” she said. “Because it’s a community. It doesn’t matter where I went. If I go to the (Florida A&M University) table, if I got to the South Carolina State (University) table, they’re going to show me love. It’s a culture.”

Minutes earlier, she and other ASU alumni had performed a school cheer starting with the year the university was established: “1-9-1-9-0-3. E’erbody get up! Get crunk! And do the Ram Buck!”

The road race is the main event, with close to 4,000 people signed up for the 5K course this year. After they crossed the finish line, participants retreated to the tents representing dozens of schools where alumni in paraphernalia shared snacks and memories.

The Atlanta HBCU Alumni Alliance formed in 2004 as an umbrella organization for local alumni chapters of eight schools. The Run/Walk launched as the group’s major fundraiser in 2008. This year, students who attend over 50 HBCUs will benefit from the proceeds.

Read more here.

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Three-Time Graduate Of Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Monica Goldson Appointed Prince George’s County Schools Chief

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After serving nearly a year as interim CEO for the Prince George’s County Public Schools system, Monica Goldson will hold the post on a permanent basis, effective July 1.

Goldson, who has spent her entire 28-year career with PGCPS, started as a mathematics teacher at Suitland High School. In addition to serving as deputy superintendent of teaching and learning and chief operating Officer, Goldson is the founding principal of Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School.

Goldson, a PGCPS parent and graduate of Potomac High School, is the just the second woman to lead the school system and the first from the county. As lead officer of Maryland’s second-largest school system, she will have oversights of PGCPS’ 208 schools and centers, more than 130,000 students and nearly 19,000 employees.

“I am proud to announce, without reservation, Dr. Monica Goldson as the permanent CEO of Prince George’s County Public Schools,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela D Alsobrooks. “The reputation and institutional knowledge Dr. Goldson brings is invaluable. She brings a complete and comprehensive understanding of our school system.”

As interim CEO, Goldson successfully advocated for increased school funding, student supports and public-private partnerships to enhance school construction capacity. Her strategic priorities have included driving more resources to low-performing schools, expanding access to prekindergarten and improving the availability of mental health services to students and families.

“Our work to date is only the beginning,” Goldson said. “While the road ahead will not be without challenges, I remain confident that with open communication and collaboration, we will maintain a culture of transparency, accountability and academic excellence. PGCPS has been my home for 28 years and I simply cannot see myself doing this work anywhere else. It is my privilege to work every day towards building a system that fulfills its promise of academic excellence for all students.”

A three-time graduate of historically Black colleges and universities, Goldson holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in elementary and secondary school administration from Bowie State University and a doctorate in educational administration and policy from Howard University.

GM Exec Touts Chevrolet’s DTU Fellowships and other Programs that Feature HBCUs

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During a fellowship luncheon and fireside chat at the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) convention in Cincinnati, Lester Booker, Jr., the project manager for communications operations at General Motors explained to publishers and others why it’s important for the automaker and other Fortune 500 companies to invest in historically black colleges and universities (HBCUS).

“There are so many great men and women that are being developed and minds that are being cared for, cultivated inside of the schools and they don’t necessarily have the recruitment bandwidth and their career centers don’t have the relationships established to actually open up access to larger Fortune 500 companies,” Booker said.

“So, I think it is imperative that if we want to grab diverse talent, specifically in the African American community,” he said during the conversation with NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., on Thursday, June 27 at the Cincinnati Westin Hotel.

Chavis and Booker touted the fourth year of the popular Discover the Unexpected Journalism Fellowship program (DTU) that was developed by Chevrolet in 2016 as an HBCU fellowship program.

“It’s purpose was to create and share optimistic stories while reinforcing the brand’s continued commitment to the African American community,” Booker said.

Read more here.

Digital Innovation And Integration Empowering Global Kids

The unmistakable truth to mastering technology is the reality that 80% of careers require some level to tech knowledge.The ability to read and comprehend what is being read and
following directions is important. Comprehension is Key.

Posted by William Jackson
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William Jackson, graduate of South Carolina State University
Teacher and Organizer of Kids Camp Jacksonville, Fl 2019

The unmistakable truth to mastering technology is the reality that 80% of careers require some level to tech knowledge.The ability to  read and comprehend what is being read and following directions is important.  Comprehension is Key.

Achieving success in today’s digital careers will require youth, teens and young adults to respect the value of learning and gain knowledge and experiences to grow into leaders.

That creativity, innovation, dreams, inspiration, motivation and collaboration does matter with others so youth, teens and young adults along with learning need to learn to get along and work collaboratively.

The access to platforms, tools, Apps, widgets, plugins and other digital programs is not the only thing needed to be successful, it takes networking, education, collaboration and hard work.

Globally kids access to conferences are growing nationally and internationally. Blogging, micro-blogging are needed that encourage youth, teens and young adults to embrace not just
the tech, but embrace the humanity behind the tech.

child working on STEAM project at Kids Camp Jax
child working on STEAM project at Kids Camp Jax

The integration of STEAM, STREAM and CSTREAM are components that are access points to career choices that have not even been developed yet. In cities across this nation and even globally, there is the expansion of environmentally friendly and carbon-less infusion of fossil fuels that are pollutants to our environment.

Educational models are changing in elementary and secondary education to integrate hands-on and project based learning. Teachers are facilitators and advisers, they are encouraging
guided discovery, allowing youth, teens and young adults to be increasingly creative and  allow innovative learning to run classrooms.

The building of kids conferences  is not what it was a few years ago, it is growing into an opportunity to get kids exposed to not just the
tech, but the humanity behind it. How tech can allow for the voices to be heard and a platform for social change.

Teaching the soft-skills of collaboration, respect for differences in color, culture, gender and generational experiences. Taking the
learning from the classroom and applying it to real world experiences in STEAM and Web Development. Youth, teens and young adults
should be empowered to mange growing tech.

IT fields are growing at such a rate that children, especially children of color, culture and ethnic backgrounds are changing their directions from sports and entertainment to new career options that provide increased educational and financial stability and growth.

Aida Correa - Organizer of Kids Camp Jax
Aida Correa – Organizer of Kids Camp Jax

Many kids conferences are stating why just depend on sports and entertainment to change lives when STEAM can produce generational increase through education, economic and
environmental exposures.

Aida Correa – Organizer Kids conferences are helping youth, teens and young adults to create a web presence that is their
digital resume, building Brands, creating
Niches, helping create kids as Influencers and role models. Their voices are being heard on YouTube, Facebook Live and through Instagram videos. The concerns of younger
generations is being broadcast and podcast.

Youth, teens and young adults from Central America, Africa,  the United States and Canada are learning from educators,  business
owners and entrepreneurs.

future Girl Boss and Digital Innovator
future Girl Boss and Digital Innovator
Kids Camp Jacksonville 2019
Kids Camp Jacksonville 2019

It can be seen now that 7 year olds are “digital influencers;” the term digital influencer, thought leader, digital innovator, smart
creative and others carry respect. The changing of the narrative of who youth, teens and young adults are and their thinking is changing because they – youth, teens and young adults are sharing their own
stories on digital platforms that connect like-minded people.

Kids conferences, workshops, meetups, etc,  are allowing youth to even start to solve problems that are not even problems yet and help kids in Africa change the economic paradigm and foundation for education.

Central America and Africa are the new bases for entrepreneurs and solo-preneurs. Kids across the world will have to compete against
African and Central American kids for digital jobs that are remote and high tech. These youth, teens and young adults are smart, creative and innovative.

The growth in online educational institutions coupled with online careers means more and more kids can gain knowledge and skills
digitally and continue to grow faster than their parents.  Education is key and empowering youth, teens and young adults to be the problem solvers the world needs.

The change is here, it is not coming, being done now with conferences providing such unique experiences that kids
have their own panels for discussions  that are seen in PodCasts. Parents would be wise to listen to their kids about their dreams,
aspirations and passions because those maybe the conduits of coming businesses that will change the world as we know it for generations to come.

Posted by William Jackson Posted on 40 articles

America’s First Black Billionaire, Bob Johnson, Praises Trump, Says Democrats Have Moved ’Too Far Left’

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In an interview with CNBC, America’s first black billionaire and the founder of BET, Robert L. Johnson weighed in on what he sees as problems with the Democratic Party.

“The party in my opinion, for me personally, has moved too far to the left,” he said an interview on the network. “And for that reason, I don’t have a particular candidate (I’m supporting) in the party at this time. I think at the end of the day, if a Democrat is going to beat Trump, then that person, he or she, will have to move to the center and you can’t wait too long to do that.”

In the interview, Bob Johnson described himself as a “long-time centrist and Democrat,” who supported Hilary Clinton in 2016. He also urged people after Trump’s election to give the new president “a shot” and “the benefit of the doubt.”

Johnson also said that the economy was currently “doing great” and that he gives President Trump “a lot of credit for moving the economy in a positive direction that’s benefiting a large amount of Americans.”

Currently, Johnson is the founder and chairman of The RLJ Cos., a portfolio of companies with holdings in several industries, including the RLJ McLarty Landers Holdings L.L.C., the highest-earning black-owned auto company with revenues of $1.8 billion and ranked No.1 on the 2019 BE Auto 40 list of the nation’s largest black-owned businesses, Black Enterprise‘s annual “BE100s” list.

In 2000, he sold Black Entertainment Television, a company he launched in 1979, for $3 billion to media giant Viacom, which made him the nation’s first black billionaire. Under Johnson’s ownership, BET became the first black-owned company on the New York Stock Exchange.

Since selling BET, he has invested in other business ventures. He showed his proficiency as a serial entrepreneur when he paid $300 million in 2003 to acquire the National Basketball Association’s Charlotte Bobcats expansion team. The transaction was huge as it made Johnson the first black majority owner of a major professional sports team.

Johnson’s deal shattered ownership barriers when it came to a black businessman operating in that realm, though at the time, the NBA had a player base that was roughly 80% black. He sold most of his shares of the team to Michael Jordan in 2010.

Last year, Johnson said he was racially profiled at a 5-star luxury hotel in West Palm Beach.

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

Tennessee State University Is The Latest HBCU Recipient Of Financial Support From AKAs

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NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University is the latest HBCU recipient of financial support from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and it Educational Advancement Foundation. The service organization continued its commitment of creating a $100,000 endowment at each of the nation’s four-year historically black universities and colleges with a donation to TSU President Glenda Glover.

President Glenda Glover admires a commemorative bench dedicated
in her honor by the AKA Sorority, Inc. Submitted Photo

An initial gift of $25,000 was presented to President Glover during a bench dedication in her honor by the sorority. She was joined by Horace Chace, vice president of Business and Finance; Terry Clayton, member of the TSU Foundation Board; and Iris Ramey, associate vice president for Corporate Partnership and Strategic Initiatives. 

“One meaningful part of the AKA Leadership Seminar being in Nashville is the $100,000 commitment for an endowment from Alpha Kappa Alpha to Tennessee State University,” Glover said. “It begins with this initial donation of $25,000 to assist with student scholarships. I’m extremely appreciative to the sorority for this gift.”

The gift coincides with AKA’s HBCU Endowment initiative, which looks to award $10 million to these institutions by 2022. 

“We are trying to assist students and help retain them to continue with their education,” Chase said. “This funding from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is definitely going to be a big plus in helping to accomplish that goal.”

The Executive Director of the TSU Foundation, Betsy Jackson-Mosley, added, “The TSU Foundation is very grateful for the support received from the AKA Foundation for student scholarships. “Scholarships are very important to attract the best and brightest and to help students stay in school.”

The financial support and bench dedication were two of several service projects taking place during the AKA’s 2019 Leadership Seminar in Nashville, TN June 27-30. 

In a litany at the dedication, led by Dr. Norma S. White, 25th international president of AKA, the group acknowledged the significant contributions of Dr. Glover in leadership, education, community service and philanthropy.

“As we dedicated this commemorative bench in honor of the 30th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Glenda Glover, we take pride in her leadership and the many contributions that she has made to the sorority, Tennessee State University and other noteworthy organizations,” the group said. “May this bench be a permanent reminder of the significant accomplishments of Dr. Glover.”

Glover, a native of Memphis and the eighth and first female president of TSU, became the 30th international president of AKA in July 2018.  Immediately upon taking the helm, she sent a clear message that education would remain a priority for the organization, especially supporting the nation’s HBCUs. She launched HBCU for Life: A Call to Action and signature program College Admissions Process, also known as #CAP, to promote and market HBCUs. 

Saying that she leads by example, Glover donated $50,000 to the sorority’s Educational Advancement Foundation to further emphasize her commitment. She made that same commitment to TSU when she became president of her alma mater in 2013. 

Posted by HBCU Editors Posted on 5848 articles

Rickey Smiley To Take Tom Joyner’s Popular Morning Show To ’A New And Expanded Audience’ As Joyner Retires

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Rickey Smiley will replace legendary Tom Joyner, host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, as Joyner announced his plans to retire at the end of the year, according to Radio Facts. In a statement, Smiley said that he will bring ”a new and expanded audience” to the show, keeping ”the party with a purpose going” while finding ”a purpose to the party,” he told Joyner.

“It’s an honor to continue the legacy of my boss and frat brother Tom Joyner,” Smiley said, making the announcement public and sharing the same excitement Joyner had and giving Smiley his best wishes. He continued, ”Not only has he been a friend to my family and me over the years, but we consider him family. Tom’s mentorship has instilled in me valuable wisdom that I will carry with me through this new morning show.” Joyner hosted his popular morning show for over the course of 25 years.

”Twenty-five years ago, there was no template for a syndicated Urban radio show and we worked hard to prove that we could successfully produce and market a national platform that would entertain, inform and empower African-American listeners,” Joyner said in a statement. ”We broke some ground, raised the bar for what audiences expected from Black radio all while partying with a purpose.”

Head over to Radio Facts to read more.