Dr. Teresa McKinney Named Vice President Of Texas Southern University Student Services

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HOUSTON (June 13, 2019) – Dr. Teresa McKinney has been named as Vice President of Student Services at Texas Southern University.

McKinney, who has served as assistant vice president of student affairs at the University of North Texas since 2013, has an extensive background in all facets of student services. At UNT, she oversaw recreational sports, the student health and wellness center, disability access, assessment, and counseling and testing services.

 “Her skill set as a proven administrator, in addition to her ability to connect with and lead students is what pushed her to the top during the search process,” said TSU President Dr. Austin A. Lane. “She has created innovative, student-focused programs – and measuring their effectiveness. I look forward to her joining our servant leadership team and moving our Division of Student Services to new heights.”

McKinney will begin her position at TSU on July 1, 2019.

Before UNT, McKinney was the dean of students at Chicago State University, where she provided leadership for a division of 10 departments. She also implemented the first Student Leadership Academy at the university and increased multicultural programming and student-oriented civic engagement activities.

At previous institutions, she served as associate and assistant dean of students, as well as an academic advisor at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio; assistant director of admissions and advising on the satellite campus of Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio; and assistant registrar at Walsh University in Ohio. She began her career as a police officer with the Lansing Police Department in Lansing, Mich. 

Dr. McKinney has expertise in a number of student affairs issues, including enrollment management, emergency preparedness and creating cultures of evidence for improved institutional effectiveness. Most recently, her research focused on how higher education institutions could successfully measure institutional effectiveness and use these results to create systems to promote continuous quality improvement.

McKinney earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Eastern Michigan University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Michigan State University and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from National Louis University.

ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Texas Southern University (TSU) honors our designation as a special-purpose institution for urban programming and research. TSU is a comprehensive university providing higher education access to the nation’s underserved communities. TSU’s academic and research programs address critical urban issues, and prepares its diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society. TSU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations – bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees – organized into 10 colleges and schools on a 150-acre campus nestled in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward. The University’s enrollment has a population of more than 9,700 undergraduate and graduate-school academic candidates. Texas Southern has been a distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, and the University has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. TSU has positioned itself as a proactive leader in educating underserved students and many who are the first in their family to attend college.

HBCUs Have A Staunch Supporter In Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover

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Ask an HBCU alum about their college experience and it’s likely they’ll say, “it’s just different.” From their inception, historically Black institutions have served as a testament to the struggle won by survivors. Those who attend them understand why it’s a “different world” and those, like Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, who advocate for them, know exactly what that “different” experience can mean in the lives of Black students.

In February, the Life Member and current president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. committed $1.6 Million on behalf of the sorority to 31 of the country’s HBCUs. It was done in partnership with the Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF), Alpha Kappa Alpha’s philanthropic arm, to help assist in the financial stability of our treasured institutions. Over the next four years, that fund is expected to grow to $10 million with an aim at distributing financial support to 96 accredited schools.

“I actually know firsthand the financial challenges that face HBCUs,” Dr. Glover tells ESSENCE about why she chose to make HBCUs a target for her administration. “I know that we need sustainable solutions for historically Black colleges and universities and the best way to do that is through an endowment because endowment represents sustainability. Endowment is the pathway to student success.” 

DR. GLENDA BASKIN GLOVER PRESENTS THE PRESIDENTS OF HBCUS A CHECK FOR $1.6 MILLION. EACH SCHOOL RECEIVED $100,000 DOLLARS TO GO TOWARDS AN ENDOWMENT.

Though HBCUs have proven their economic impact on the country, financial backing for these educational powerhouses has never adequately addressed the needs of its students or campus infrastructure. Yes, reports show that a low percentage of alumni give back to the colleges and universities from whence they graduate — U.S. News and World Report estimates that number around 11.2 percent — but these schools have also seen little investment from federal and state governments, which has created resource inequities between predominantly white institutions and historically Black ones. Glover understands this. 

In her presidential bio for Alpha Kappa Alpha, Glover is described as “the daughter of a civil rights activist” who “determined early that education and equal justice were important for all people of color.” This lends credence to why the Memphis native—who also serves as the president of Tennessee State University, an HBCU located in Nashville—has used her executive position within the organization to present Alpha Kappa Alpha as an invested source of support.  

Proof of this came as Bennett college faced the loss of accreditation earlier this year. The 146-year-old women’s college was challenged to raise $5 million by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Though Glover already had plans to present a $100,000 check to Bennett at the end of February, she personally notified Bennett’s President, Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, that the first Greek letter sorority founded by African-American college-educated women would support her efforts to keep the doors of Bennett open.

DR. GLENDA BASKIN GLOVER SPEAKS WITH DR. PHYLLIS WORTHY DAWKINS, PRESIDENT OF BENNETT COLLEGE DURING A VISIT TO ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC. HEADQUARTERS IN CHICAGO, IL.

“I made the phone call to Dr. Dawkins at Bennett to say listen we’re here to help. What can Alpha Kappa Alpha do?” Glover recalls of the conversation. “She said ‘Well you can do a lot. You can help us raise $5 million.’” 

One could say that applying a heightened level of personal attention is one of Glover’s trademarks. She showed that same care earlier this month when she traveled to Memphis to award Tupac Mosley, a recent graduate of Raleigh-Egypt High School, a full scholarship to her alma mater. Tupac’s story was special in that he managed to become valedictorian of his senior class all while being homeless. He also received $3 million in scholarships to attend school. Mosley chose Tennessee State University. 

“For the president herself to drive down to one of the schools to actually assist a student personally, one-on-one, to take him or her up there for a visit, it’s just mind-blowing to me,” Mosley said at the time of her visit.

But Glover did not go alone. She brought with her a team of senior university officials who helped present Mosley with the life-changing gift.

“Tupac is not homeless anymore,” Glover said to reporters during a celebration for the future engineering major. “He now has his own room with a meal plan with all the necessary amenities to help him continue his success as an academically talented student. That’s what we do. We are an HBCU, we care about our students. It is in our DNA that we can see a student with this much potential and talent and see what we can do to assist him even before he starts his academic journey.”

In November 1971, Glover made a promise to “be of service to all mankind.” And she’s doing it, daily. Whether she’s wearing the hat of Alpha Kappa Alpha International President or that of TSU president, the civic-minded leader says, “I think I’m just happy that I have a chance to give back in this way.”

Barack And Michelle Obama Partner With Spotify To Produce Exclusive Podcast

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Barack and Michelle Obama recently partnered with Spotify to produce podcasts that will cover an array of their favorite topics with the goal of creating compelling content that entertains and inspires viewers.

According to a recent press release, the power couple will produce under their newly formed production company, Higher Ground Productions, which took flight in 2018 with their initial partnership with Netflix. This will include developing, producing, and starring in the audio voice series. The distribution will be supported by Spotify worldwide.

“We’ve always believed in the value of entertaining, thought-provoking conversation,” President Obama said in a statement provided by Spotify. “It helps us build connections with each other and open ourselves up to new ideas. We’re excited about Higher Ground Audio because podcasts offer an extraordinary opportunity to foster productive dialogue, make people smile and make people think, and, hopefully, bring us all a little closer together.”

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to amplify voices that are too often ignored or silenced altogether, and through Spotify, we can share those stories with the world,” Michelle Obama said. “Our hope is that through compelling, inspirational storytelling, Higher Ground Audio will not only produce engaging podcasts, but help people connect emotionally and open up their minds—and their hearts.”

Spotify is a great home for the Obama’s with its 100 million Premium subscriber base and more than 217 million active users a month.

“President Barack Obama and Michelle Obamaare two of the world’s most important voices and it is a privilege to be working with them to identify and share stories that will inspire our global audience, which looks to Spotify for unique, breakthrough content,” said Spotify Chief Content Officer Dawn Ostroff in the statement. “Connecting people with original and thoughtful creators—especially those with the ability to highlight underrepresented and indispensable narratives—is at the core of our mission and we are thrilled that not only will the Obamas be producing content, but that they will be lending their voices to this effort.”

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

5 Secrets Of Successful Entrepreneurs

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If you have the goal of becoming a successful entrepreneur, it is crucial you work on improving yourself personally as well as professionally. You can’t hope to achieve long-term business success as an entrepreneur if you aren’t constantly trying to hone the skills necessary to build a viable company. Successful entrepreneurs invest time in becoming better versions of themselves—that tends to build stronger businesses as well as an extensive business network. If this is the year you go all in on entrepreneurial growth, following are five life lessons you ought to learn sooner rather than later.

5 SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

MANAGE YOUR EMOTIONS

An essential skill you need to hone as an entrepreneur is the ability to manage your emotions. Entrepreneurs who overreact or let their emotions get the better of them tend to make rash decisions not based on hard evidence. Learn to control your emotions and you’re likelier to make smart business decisions.

YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL STORY IS WITHIN YOUR CONTROL

Your story as an entrepreneur is within your control. How you react to challenges, the effort you put into personal and business growth, and your inner motivation all contribute to your entrepreneurial story. If you don’t like how your journey is progressing, it’s up to you to make the necessary changes.

ANALYZE YOUR DOUBTS

Becoming a successful entrepreneur is not without its challenges. There will be many days where you question your own sanity and ask yourself why you chose to be an entrepreneur. If you focus your efforts on analyzing why you feel like quitting or why you are finding a particular situation stressful, you’ll get at the underlying problem. Once you understand what’s really bothering you, chances are good you’ll be able to address the issue and develop a solution.

MANAGE YOUR MENTAL ENERGY

How you focus your mental energy has a huge impact on your success (or failure) as an entrepreneur. Business builders who focus their thoughts on positive endeavors tend to have greater success rates than those constantly immersed in negativity. Learn how to train your thought patterns to focus on positive, uplifting endeavors and you’ll have a much more enjoyable entrepreneurial journey.

INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE IN YOUR NETWORK

If you want to become a more successful entrepreneur, learn how to increase growth opportunities for others around you. If all you ever do is focus on your own growth as an entrepreneur, you won’t develop an extensive network of individuals who want to see you succeed. Learn to lift others up as you attempt to become a better business builder and your odds of developing a formidable social and business network significantly increase.

Focus on learning these five life lessons and you’ll increase your odds of success as an entrepreneur. Work on becoming a better version of yourself and you’ll not only become a stronger entrepreneur, but you’ll also likely build a better company in the process.

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

TSU School Of Business To Host Prestigious Ivey Publishing Case Teaching, Writing Workshop June 24-27

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HOUSTON (June 12, 2019) – Texas Southern University’s Jesse H. Jones School of Business is partnering with a leading provider of business case method training – Ivey Business School – for a four-day case teaching and writing workshop. The event will be held June 24-27, 2019, on the TSU campus hosted by the Gerald B. Smith Center for Entrepreneurship & Executive Development. TSU faculty in the School of Business will participate in the training, and other interested faculty from area universities are also invited to attend, though space is limited. The cost of the workshop is $1,995, including refreshments and lunches throughout the program.

Participants will discuss case teaching during the first day of the workshop, followed by intensive and focused case writing on the final three days. Each day will run from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Dr. Roderick White, professor emeritus of general management and strategy at Ivey Business School, will conduct the workshop.

“Bringing Ivey Publishing case teaching and writing workshops to TSU gives faculty an incredibly valuable professional development opportunity,” said Dr. Claudius Claiborne, interim dean of the School of Business. “Case method training is an important component within the curriculum of our degree programs. In the end, it is our students who will benefit from this training.”

Case teaching and writing workshops explore real-life business scenarios, and TSU has partnered with several local businesses, including A Rocket Moving & Storage, Ortega, and Shipley Do-Nuts, to give the workshops a distinct Houston flavor. Participants will interview key leaders of these businesses to develop their cases.

“The cases to be explored will mean that much more, given that they are local and more relatable to the participants,” added Dr. Claiborne.

 For more information about the Ivey Publishing case teaching workshop at TSU, visit http://www.tsu.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/jesse-h-jones-school-of-business/news-and-events/events/ivey-case-workshop1.html.

ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Texas Southern University (TSU) honors our designation as a special-purpose institution for urban programming and research. TSU is a comprehensive university providing higher education access to the nation’s underserved communities. TSU’s academic and research programs address critical urban issues, and prepares its diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society. TSU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations – bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees – organized into 10 colleges and schools on a 150-acre campus nestled in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward. The University’s enrollment has a population of more than 9,700 undergraduate and graduate-school academic candidates. Texas Southern has been a distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, and the University has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. TSU has positioned itself as a proactive leader in educating underserved students and many who are the first in their family to attend college.

President Dwaun Warmack Is Leaving Harris-Stowe State, Will Lead Claflin

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Dwaun J. Warmack is leaving Harris-Stowe State University, where he has served as president since 2015, to lead Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, which was founded in 1869 as the first South Carolina university open to all regardless of race. He will assume his new duties as president on August 1.

Dwyane Smith, Harris-Stowe State University’s provost, will assume the role of interim president until a full presidential search is completed. Ronald A. Norwood, chairman of the Harris-Stowe State University Board of Regents, said the board would immediately begin consulting with university leaders as well as campus and community stakeholders for the selection of a new president.

“The members of the Board of Regents greatly appreciate the transformative work of President Warmack and his team that has radically changed Harris-Stowe State University in countless positive ways,” Norwood said in a statement.

At Harris-Stowe, Warmack shepherded more than $24 million in external funding to the institution, including a $5 million STEM grant, the largest in the school’s history, and increased the Harris-Stowe Foundation fund balance by 681 percent.

He cultivated more than 16 partnerships and collaborations with Fortune 500 companies, regional organizations and other higher education institutions. Partnerships with other local universities led to new programs in Engineering, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Pharmacy.

As part of the institution’s strategic plan that he spearheaded, the university expanded its academic offerings, with degrees, minors, and certificate programs increasing from 14 to more than 50 offered. These include new majors in Communications, Psychology, and History, and a minor in Africana Studies.

Under his leadership, Harris-Stowe witnessed a 34 percent increase in headcount, applications to attend the school soared to more than 7,000 in 2019 compared to 667 in 2013, and the student profile diversified, as the student body now represents 37 states and 17 countries. 

“This was a difficult decision for me. Within the last five years, we have done some transformational work at HSSU, which has been recognized nationally. There is something special about the spirit found at this university. It is intense, real, sincere, authentic – and I have been proud to be a part of HSSU’s rich history,” Warmack said in a statement.

“The dedicated faculty and staff who work here, and the students are second to none. I can confidently leave knowing that HSSU is in great shape with a tremendous leadership team in place to continue our momentum, growth, and success.”

At Claflin University, he succeeds Henry N. Tisdale, who is retiring after 25 years of leadership. “I am humbled by the opportunity afforded me to carry the torch and to continue the growth and development of Claflin University as a dynamic and powerful center of scholarship, research and education,” Warmack said in a statement.

Texas Southern University To Celebrate Dr. Freeman’s 100th Birthday

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HOUSTON (June 11, 2019) – On June 29, 2019, a 100th Birthday Brunch will be held in honor of legendary Texas Southern University Debate Coach Dr. Thomas F. Freeman’s 100th Birthday. The event, “A Legend in His Own Time,” will occur at 11 a.m. on the campus of Texas Southern University in the Ernest S. Sterling Student Life Center. This event will recognize Dr. Freeman for his 70 years of extraordinary and outstanding service to the university and the community. The Birthday Brunch is hosted by Texas Southern University Debate Team alumni (1949-2019) and members of the “A Legend in His Own Time” 100th Birthday committee. All white attire is requested.

Interested persons can participate by:

· Purchasing a table for ten (10) at $750.00 per table.

· Purchasing an individual ticket at $75.00 per person.

· Selling tickets to friends and acquaintances.

· Purchasing an ad in the souvenir journal.

· Making a contribution and encouraging others to make a contribution to the Debate Travel Fund.

Checks can be made payable to: TSU Foundation/The Debate Travel Fund, 3100 Cleburne, P.O. Box 1047 Houston, Texas 77004. Credit cards payments can be made by visiting https://giving.tsu.edu/dr-thomas-f-freeman-100th-birthday. Should you have any questions, or need additional information, please call Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts at (713) 313-7205 (day) and (713) 858-4733 (evening) or Wendell King at (832) 888-9281.

Esteemed debate coach, orator and minister at Mount Horem Baptist Church, Freeman has been a staple at Texas Southern University since 1949. In 2007, Freeman was sought out as an advisor to actor Denzel Washington for the Golden Globe-nominated film The Great Debaters, and in 2009 the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College was established at TSU.

ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Texas Southern University (TSU) honors our designation as a special-purpose institution for urban programming and research. TSU is a comprehensive university providing higher education access to the nation’s underserved communities. TSU’s academic and research programs address critical urban issues, and prepares its diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society. TSU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations – bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees – organized into 10 colleges and schools on a 150-acre campus nestled in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward. The University’s enrollment has a population of more than 9,700 undergraduate and graduate-school academic candidates. Texas Southern has been a distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, and the University has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. TSU has positioned itself as a proactive leader in educating underserved students and many who are the first in their family to attend college.

HBCU Grad Oprah Winfrey To Interview Central Park Five For Special To Air June 12

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The Queen of All Media will sit down with the Central Park Five for the first time ever for a special in-depth conversation scheduled to air on Netflix and OWN on Wednesday.

The streaming giant and the basic cable channel announced on Friday that Oprah Winfrey will interview Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise — the subjects of the acclaimed four-part miniseries “When They See Us,” which chronicles the controversial case of five teenagers, labeled the “Central Park Five,” who were convicted of a 1989 rape they did not commit in the city.

Winfrey serves as an executive producer of the miniseries which has an ensemble cast that includes Asante Blackk, Felicity Huffman, Michael K. Williams and John Leguizamo.

Cast members will also talk to the media maven during the closing night of Netflix’s Emmy showcase in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The series, co-written by Attica Locke, Robin Swicord, Michael Starrbury and Julian Breece, has become a lightning rod on social media, and has led to New York City prosecutor Linda Fairstein to be removed from her positions on boards of colleges and charitable organizations. There is also an online petition to end the production and sale of her crime novels.

Both interview sessions will be packaged into a “Oprah Winfrey Presents When They See Us Now,” that a Netflix rep said will be one hour. It will air at 10 p.m.

Woman Given 3 Days To Live At Birth Graduates Medgar Evers College

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BROOKLYN, New York City (WABC) — In a sea of graduates, there’s one who is easy to overlook…if only for her stature.

But Nekhidia Harris is a force, and on Wednesday, she graduated Medgar Evers College with honors and took a beautiful walk across the stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“I was like, oh my gosh, this is really, really happening,” she said. “Oh my gosh, I thank God every day.”

And so do her parents. When Harris was born, doctors gave her just three days to live. Now, she’ll turn 25 in October, and she has a college degree.

“I feel so excellent,” she said. “After the hard work, and sleepless nights sometimes, all-nighters, it feels really good that I accomplished my Bachelor’s (degree) in social work.”

Harris was born with many issues, including brittle bones, and she’s undergone numerous surgeries and had dozens of fractures. But nothing breaks her spirit.

“She lights up a room,” mom Dasline Harris said. “No matter what darkness is in the room, she lights up that room.”

She’s about the size of a toddler, but her impact is so much larger.

“No one has shunned her,” dad Michael Harris said. “Nobody treats her differently, because they see her as tall as they are.”

And that may be because of a bit of advice imparted by her father.

“Use my brain as my height, and I’ve stuck with that,” she said. “And I surely have used my brain as my height.”

Harris already has a non-profit that she uses to motivate others with disabilities. But her energy alone can do just that.

“I like to help people, and especially children,” she said. “I also have a voice, and I love children. They gravitate to me, so I want to help them in every way I can.”

Next up for her is a Masters program at York College. 

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Changing The Game Of Financial Literacy For African-American Kids

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Goalsetter is a new financial literacy platform for kids. The platform lets the whole family get in on the savings action. Family members can use birthdays and holidays to send kids GoalCards instead of gift cards so kids receive real money towards real dreams.

Parents can also set up round-ups or auto-save to help kids save for big goals over time, and children can earn money via a Goalsetter Allowance.

“Goalsetter is a goal-based FDIC-insured savings, gifting and allowance platform made just for kids and powered by those who love them,” explained Tanya Van Court, founder of Goalsetter. “Goalsetter lets kids save in three big categories: saving for their future, sharing with others, and spending on things or experiences that matter to them.”

As an African American mother, Van Court understands the importance of teaching kids about money and saving early on. As per the company’s website, “The seed for Goalsetter was planted by Gabrielle, who told her mom, Tanya that she only wanted two things for her 9th birthday: a bike and enough money to start an investment account.”

“Kids who have savings accounts in their names are not only six times more likely to go to college; they’re also four times more likely to own stocksby the time they are young adults,” said Van Court. “Goalsetter’s mission is to get every household in America saving, one kid at a time.”

Forging relationships with national non-profits, school systems, and corporations — Goalsetter helps create the next generation of savers, investors, and wealth-creators. The company’s partners include Morgan Stanley, New York City, and Boston public schools, as well as the Center for Changing Lives.

Before creating Goalsetter, Van Court served as senior vice president of partner marketing at Discovery Education, where she launched digital textbooks to schools across the country. She also led Nickelodeon’s digital preschool and parenting businesses, including NickJr.com. Prior to Nickelodeon, Van Court served as vice president of new media products for ESPN, where she led the launch of ESPN3.

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

Delta Sigma Theta Honors Educators, Professionals

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LUMBERTON — The Lumberton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. recognized and honored six individuals who it says have, are or will continue to make a significant impact in the community, county and state.

Historical black colleges and universities professionals honored during a program held at the African American Cultural Center in downtown Lumberton were Robeson County Commissioner Pauline Campbell, Fayetteville State University; Tuskegee airman mechanic James (Jimmy) Jones, North Carolina A&T State University; educator and community advocate Priscilla Leazer, Livingstone College; Judge Herbert L. Richardson, North Carolina Central University; and educator, Robeson Community College board member and community advocate John Staton, North Carolina A&T State University.

A special presentation was made to the guest honoree, 16B District Court Judge Vanessa E. Burton, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University.

The chapter’s May Week program placed emphasis on the contributions made to education in the Robeson County community and aimed to raise the understanding by young people of the importance of higher education. The Lumberton Alumnae Chapter, through its scholarship programs, hopes to inspire and motivate high school students to attend college and maintain high scholastic grade point averages.

Groove Phi Groove Hosts College Tour For Philly Teens

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PHILADELPHIA—The Philadelphia Graduate Chapter of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship sponsored a bus trip for junior and senior high school students to participate in the HBCU experience while visiting Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania and Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Trip organizer Khary Atif, president of the Philadelphia Graduate Chapter, told The Final Call the tour has been happening for six years and its goal is to expose inner-city youth to specifically Black colleges and universities. “We think Black colleges and universities represent the essence of our striving as a people under trying and difficult circumstances. It lets us know we can have some measure of self-reliance in doing for self.”

The Grove Phi Grove fellowship represents an alternative to mainstream Black Greek Letter fraternities. Founded at Morgan State in 1963 it has as its goal to serve Black communities and pledges to support endeavors that project positive images of Black American men and help to move them forward. 

(l) Students from Philadelphia visited Lincoln University, an HBCU in Oxford, Pa. (r) Dennis Thomas, international president of Groove Phi Grove Social Fellowship.

According to the organization’s international president, Dennis K. Thomas who met the group of students at Morgan State, “The men of Groove Phi Groove has accepted the challenge and recognize that our future success depends on our ability to serve as positive role models who will instill positive moral values in our children.”

Young high school students have to understand the importance of higher education, he explained. “You cannot do anything unless you understand that you must expand your mind. We are just doing our part to inspire and expose them to something that can positively impact their lives,” said Mr. Thomas.

Fainese Morris, a senior at the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, said this to The Final Call about the college tour: “I felt like I was on a road trip with my family. I will be attending Morgan State University come September.”

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Attacking The 2 Percent Problem: Black Male Teacher Recruitment

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Now that school is out, teacher recruitment is kicking in. We all know that you can’t teach all students the same right? Well, guess what? Not only can we not teach all students the same, but we also need to have the right teachers in front of our students in the classroom. We have powerful sisters in the classroom, but a scarcity of black male teachers.

So, what does this mean? What role models do we have for our students? Our African American student populations need powerful black male role models to lead by example and guide them to successful lives to shut down the pipeline to prison.

The current buzzword phrase is “diversity and inclusion.” But, how are schools or districts adhering to this goal without representation in the classroom? Fifty-one percent of the kids sitting in the seats in classrooms are minority students. Eighty-two percent of the teachers teaching them are Caucasian teachers.

Without black teachers in the classroom to teach black students, many negative factors come into play. Black students are less apt to see college graduation. They are less prone to enroll in Pre-AP, AP, or gifted courses. They are expected to do less from those that don’t look like them.

Only 2% of educators in the classroom are black males and 2% are Hispanic males. There is a racial gap that needs to be addressed here. Districts need to hire the population being served. Teachers need more culturally-relevant training and awareness. More males need to be hired as the industry is comprised of 23% males in a female-dominated field.

One black teacher in 3rd through 5th grades reduces a black student’s probability of dropping out of high school by 30%.

Recently, I worked with a student at a charter school in Dallas on Algebra. When the STARR results came out recently here in Texas, I advised this student that she passed. The entire time I was working with her, she thought she wouldn’t pass (and at times had an attitude when I was trying to help.) Upon the great news, she said, “Wow, I passed? I’m going to cry. You are kidding right?”

As a matter of fact, all the black students in Algebra 1 that I and the teacher worked with, passed the test. This particular young woman was the only black girl in her sixth grade and she struggled.

According to a report in The Chicago Tribune, the University of Illinois at Chicago will invest about $1 million in an initiative to recruit and train male elementary education majors of color, similar to how universities recruit and train star athletes.

There are about 575 black male public elementary school teachers in Illinois—roughly 1% of the total—and the number who are Hispanic and male is even smaller, at approximately 465. Black students with black teachers were suspended less often than black students with white or Hispanic teachers. Black students were three times more likely to be assigned to gifted programs when taught by a black teacher than a non-black teacher. In addition, having one black teacher in early elementary grades led to greater expression of interest in college by African American boys and raised the proportion of black students taking a college entrance exam by 10%.

SOLUTIONS FOR RECRUITING MORE BLACK MALE TEACHERS

  • Hire male educators of color for elementary school education
  • The Call Me MISTER program in Chicago, Clemson, and other schools (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models). Each person admitted to the program receives a full scholarship covering tuition and room and board for becoming an elementary education major
  • Hire millennial black male educators who can relate to students.
  • Increase teacher retention by ensuring teachers are heard by school administrators when addressing issues. Teachers are normally unhappy with school administration, teaching assignments and accountability/testing. Better relationships with administration, getting teachers in front of schools that make sense for them, and reducing the accountability/testing strain will increase retention immensely.

The journey may be long, but getting the right people on the right bus going the same direction is key to the success of our minority teachers and black and brown students.

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

Morris Brown Seeking Donations After Fire Causes $100K In Damages

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Morris Brown, Georgia’s first historically Black college, has been hit with another setback after the college’s multi-purpose center caught on fire.

WSB-TV reports the fire happened over the weekend and caused a tremendous amount of damage to the multi-purpose center, which happens to be the school’s only functioning facility. Interim president Dr. Kevin James was informed about the fire on Saturday, but the fire started Friday and the sprinklers were activated later that evening.

“About 6 a.m. Saturday morning I got a call from my security team and they said there was a fire here at the campus,” Dr. James said. While the fire was contained, the water caused a flood. Restoration crews worked on the building and faculty were told not to come to work on Monday.

In total, Dr. James believes the fire caused nearly $100,000 in damages. The school hopes alumni can step up and help assist with costs of repairs as well as the public. A GoFundMe was set up by the school to help reach their $100,000 goal.

“We’re going to be reaching out to the alums to give what they can, and the community and other supporters to help us to raise the dollars needed to restore the building,” he said. They also reached out to the insurance company to see what can be covered.

Morris Brown hasn’t had the best luck in restoring its good name. After losing its accreditation in 2002 due to their debt, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports several administrators committed fraud by registering for financial aid and in their students’ names as well as people who never applied to the school.

Former president Dolores Cross and financial aid director Parvesh Singh were charged in December 2004 on a 34-count indictment with Cross sentenced in 2007 to five years’ probation. Since then, the school’s attendance has plummeted with only 42 students currently enrolled; a stark difference from its peak attendance of 2,700 students. Because the school isn’t accredited, students cannot register for federal loans.

In March, Dr. James became the interim president and stated a plan for accreditation with the Virginia-based Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. “We will be accredited within 12 to 18 months,” James said.

Founded in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Morris Brown’s history in Atlanta is rich as it was included in HBCU-based films like Stomp The Yard and Drumline.

“It’s just another roadblock but guess what? We’re going to overcome this and we’re going to keep moving forward,” Dr. James said. “Restore Morris Brown, the hard reset.”

This article originally appeared in VIBE.

Two Howard University Students Named 2019 Boren Scholar And Fellow

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WASHINGTON –Two Howard University students, Diane Ijoma and Darryl L. Jones II, have been selected to receive the prestigious 2019 David L. Boren Award. The Institute of International Education (IIE), on behalf of the National Security Education Program (NSEP), awards David L. Boren Scholarships to undergraduate students and David L. Boren Fellowships to graduate students with the goal of adding important international and language components to their education through study abroad experiences in regions critical to U.S. interests.

NSEP’s Boren Awards program provides U.S. undergraduate and graduate students with resources and encouragement to acquire language skills and experience in countries critical to the future security and stability of our nation.

“On behalf of Howard University, I extend congratulations to our two extraordinary Boren award winners,” says President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “As future leaders, the international experience and perspective they are committed to developing will serve them well in their careers of global service.”

Ijoma, a junior political science and economics major at Howard University from Howard County, Maryland, has been named a 2019 Boren scholar. An alumna of the Freshman Leadership Academy, Ijoma is also involved in the International Affairs Society and the Petey Greene Program. She is managing editor of The Liberato, Howard University’s first publication dedicated to political discourse. As an intern for the U.S. Department of State, Ijoma worked closely with American Diplomats serving in Juba, South Sudan. She spent last summer in Arusha, Tanzania, studying Swahili as a Critical Language Scholar. She is also a recipient of the HBCU ETS Presidential Scholarship, a one-year, full-tuition merit award sponsored by the Educational Testing Service.

As a Boren scholar, Ijoma will receive more than $20,000 toward her French and Wolof studies. She will also participate in both a domestic summer program at the University of Florida and a fall semester abroad in Dakar, Senegal.

“I am tremendously honored to receive the Boren Scholarship,” says Ijoma. “Dakar is one of West Africa’s most vibrant cities, and I am excited to improve my French proficiency and be exposed to Senegalese culture for a semester. I look forward to representing the students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in study abroad, especially on the African Continent.”

Jones, a doctoral student in the Department of African Studies, has been named a 2019 Boren fellow. Jones’ research focuses on the impact of desertification and drought on nomadic and pastoral societies, and traditional forms of slavery in the West African Sahel. He holds a master’s degree in African studies from the University of Ghana, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the International University of Monaco.

As a Boren fellow, Jones will receive $23,500 to study Arabic and Tamazight (“Berber”) in Morocco for the entire 2019-20 academic year. By learning these languages, Jones hopes to enhance his ability to access centuries-old archival records for further investigation.

“It is an extraordinary honor to have been awarded a Boren Fellowship to study in Morocco,” says Jones. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to explore Morocco and its rich customs and culture, and to be able to study the storied Arabic and Tamazight languages. I look forward to representing the very best of black America and Howard University in all my encounters abroad once again.”  

This year, 851 undergraduate students applied for the Boren Scholarship and 273 graduate students applied for the Boren Fellowship. The IIE awarded 244 Boren Scholarships and 106 Boren Fellowships in 2019.

Since 1994, more than 6,000 students have received Boren Awards. Boren scholars and fellows represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena, and program alumni are contributing to the critical missions of agencies throughout the federal government.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

U.S. Air Force’s 1st Black Woman Thunderbird Officer: Remoshay Nelson, Howard Grad

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One day before the anniversary of World War II, the United States Air Force shares the announcement, the 29-year-old Remoshay Nelson will make history in her position as public affairs officer.

“Capt. Remoshay Nelson, 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, has been selected as Thunderbird No. 12, the team’s public affairs officer. She will assume the team’s extensive media relations, community relations and public relations programs,” shares the official announcement.

Remoshay Nelson graduated from Howard University in 2011, where she trained in the Howard University ROTC program.

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds are a national team of just 12 officers supported by 120 enlisted personnel. Established in 1953, the Air Combat Command team serves as the official air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force assigned to the 57th Wing.

“Since the team’s inception, 325 officers have worn the distinguished emblem of ‘America’s Ambassadors in Blue.” shares the Thunderbird’s website… with Nelson now representing as the very first female, Brown face to be leading and managing the PR and branding for the squadron.

Congratulations are in order! We look forward to seeing Remoshay traveling to the numerous prestigious events serving the country along with her colleagues, representing for African Americans, Black women and HBCU graduates.