Back-To-Back Darties Spark Most Anticipated Season Of The Year At Howard University

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Darty: a day-time party

Roughly four months into the spring semester, Howard University students finally caught a glimpse of the most anticipated season of the year: darty season.

The sunny Washington weekend weather invited the annual return of on and off-campus springtime festivities with two back-to-back darties Friday and Saturday. Beginning in late-March, the season brings sunshine, sundresses, sandals and smiles.

At Howard, darty season is much more than a single event marked by weather patterns and daylight hours. Like most things at the Mecca, the season symbolizes a culture and experience ingrained into the student body.

Senior Camille Neal has immersed herself into this culture and continues to enjoy the pre-summertime celebration.

Camille Neal poses for a photo before arriving at the first darty of the semester Friday afternoon in Northeast D.C.

“Howard is a vibe within itself. If you throw in a day party, some music and liquor, it’s unmatched. Darty season means that spring is here and spring at Howard is like your annual block party or family reunion. Once it’s hot out, you start seeing everybody especially those you haven’t seen since freshman year,” said Neal.

DJ Noble, also known as Kelechi Ononiwu, shared similar sentiments as a senior.

“Springtime at Howard is very special. This is one of the many times where everyone is able to enjoy our school. The spring semester is always rough academically which is why darty season is highly anticipated. This one month of consistent sunlight is the best time to be at Howard.”

By eagerly capitalizing on every 75-degree day, the season is welcomed with open arms. Students look noticeably happier, El Rey or Pure usually turn into an after move and social media is typically filled with sunkissed photos matched with clever captions.

For women in particular, the pop-out event features an array of trendy yet comfortable looks that usually give birth to a full set of Pinterest fashion boards. After months of hibernation, the time finally comes to ditch the oversized coats and baseball caps for a neck-turning outfit planned days in advance.

A self-described fashionista, sophomore Deja Davenport said she enjoys dressing up for darties–specifically so her entire outfit can be seen.

Deja Davenport (middle) and her friends attended a darty hosted by promotional groups 237, F-Squad and Noble Nation Friday afternoon in Northeast D.C.

Credit: Mikael (@ethio.mike)

“If you look good, you feel good. Many students love fashion and will use any event to make anything into a look. There are so many different combinations that we want to make and create and so many different ways to dress ourselves.”

With the high demand for darties, the season comes with its own challenges for various party promotional groups. F-Squad, one of Howard’s newest groups to emerge into the party scene, says many townhouses in D.C. do not have adequate backyard space to accommodate everyone.

“It’s difficult finding a space that is both close in proximity to Howard and owned by someone willing to let us throw darties. There is also a chance that police will eventually shut it down due to noise complaints from neighbors,” said F-Squad founder Zaire Johnson.

These issues have not stopped F-Squad from showing students a good time. The group hosted the first darty of the semester with promo groups 237 and Noble Nation Friday afternoon.

F-Squad attended All Things Go Fall Classic, an annual D.C. music festival, in October 2017. Pictured left to right: Myles Youngblood, Darien Mercado, Abudullah Muhammed, Zaire Johnson, Owens Vil and Kalonji McCauley.

Credit: Judayah Murray

“It’s great that we are able to leave a legacy and help students create long-lasting memories. As a promoter, when the weather gets above 70 degrees, it’s go time! Everybody on campus is looking for you to provide an event and if you don’t, you have failed them,” said Johnson.

Although most students may not understand the concept of reading a dance floor or mastering transitions and spontaneous improvised set structures, the season puts a big spotlight on Howard DJs. Spinning for at least seven darties, Noble says his role “is slightly undervalued but a very humbling experience.”

DJ Noble is a senior, political science major at Howard University from Sacramento, California. His says hosting a great darty includes having a great theme, flyer, DJ lineup and location.

“As a DJ, I enjoy making people happy by creating a care-free and welcoming environment through music. Since darties last longer throughout the day and students are not pressed to hear the hottest tracks, I can be more unconventional because the crowd wants to hear good music and good transitions.”

“The music hits differently when you’re outside–like a summer vibe. It’s sad that once I graduate, I’ll be too grown to be popping up at darties. My Howard darty days are almost over,” Neal said.

The power of vitamin D should not to be underestimated. During darty season, the sun contributes to what Neal, Davenport and Noble describe as peace, joy and a happier spirit. According to the three, the seasonal change brings a more inclusive environment.

“The best thing about darty season is the unity amongst everyone. The communal environment puts everyone in a good mood. At house parties it’s too hot to speak, people are bothered, but at darties it’s the complete opposite. Everyone is excited to be there and talk to each other. The fact that we’re outside changes everybody’s vibe,” Davenport said.

Darty season is the taste of Howard students feen for. Students describe it as a magical oasis filled with memorable events including Springfest, LaTex and Daycation. The season will continue to have a lasting impact on Howard’s culture and help define the HBCU experience.

The experience would not be complete without these 10 must-have songs compiled by Neal, Davenport and Noble for your perfect darty playlist.


See how students are celebrating the season!

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Calling HBCU Grads And Alumni In Jacksonville, Florida

Many graduates of HBCU institutions are either planning
to publish a book or have and working on multiple titles.

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Many graduates of HBCU institutions are either planning to publish a book or have and working on multiple titles. This information is for those in and near Jacksonville, Florida.

A paradigm of digital innovation and literary craftsmanship is happening on the Northwest quadrant of Jacksonville. Empowering authors with the knowledge to adapt diverse technologies to the writing process. It is not enough to just write and publish a book, authors must manage their Brand, find their Niche and manage their content on Social Media platforms using tools and Apps to bring awareness to their
works.

Integration of Social Media platforms, tools, and resources to build Brands and create Niches is a tool-set many authors are learning and integrating. It is not enough to just write a book, authors need to market their Brand.

Building Authors and Integrating Tech

Since its inception Authors RoundTable has been providing guest speakers the opportunity to share their knowledge, tips/tricks and innovative literary creativity to empower and motivate others.

The growing fellowship of men and women, boys and girls of diverse cultural backgrounds share in a brother and sisterhood of literary accomplishment. The goal of writing a book or books that expresses their passions, interests, desires and excitement for reading.

Held at the Jacksonville Public Library – Highlands Branch on the third Tuesday of each month. The gatherings are informative, energetic, inspiring, friendly and fun.

The building of personal and professional self-esteem and providing help in writing, publishing, graphic design, promotion, e-books, technology and other areas that
make the writing and publishing process daunting. Every author is unique, the common thread of being a published author is shared as a common goal.

Events like the Jax Book Fest show the fun and engagement of writing and the community it has built in Jacksonville. Blogging as well has been accepted and welcomed into the publishing arena because many people do not have the time
to sit down with a book, but will read blogs, e-books and listen online from the free resources that the library has to offer with interactive literature.

The Jacksonville Public Library has 21 library locations across the city, this shows the respect for literature and understanding for a growing community that sees education as the means for improvement and economic elevation and stability.  Students
in the schools have access to state of the art resources to help them graduate and obtain higher educational degrees with learning outside of the classroom to supplement classroom instruction.

Jacksonville Public Library is one of the largest library systems nationally and each branch caters to youth, teens and  young adults.

Resources like the Authors RoundTable is just one of many resources that encourage writers to express their talents on diverse platforms and come out to learn from each other.

The bonding and fellowship gained continues to help the goal of writers to accomplish the goal of being published and embracing the chore of promoting themselves, building their Brands and creating a Niche.

All are invited that have a dream and a goal of being published and need help with tech. Social Media assistance provide by Aida Correa, LoveBuilt Life LLC, Twitter @lovebuiltlife, AC Vasquez, Indie Author Instagram: @author_acvazquez William Jackson, My Quest to Teach, Twitter @wmjackson is a graduate of South Carolina State University 1987

For more information to attend or sponsor a meeting:
Authors RoundTable authorsroundtable@gmail.com

Howard Student Nick Cannon Vows To Finish Nipsey Hussle’s Dr. Sebi Documentary

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Howard University student, Nick Cannon has plans to carry the torch by offering to help finish Dr. Sebi documentary that Nipsey Hussle was working on amongst his death. On Sunday afternoon, Hussle was shot and killed in front of his store The Marathon in California. We are still mourning from the loss of the Crenshaw rapper.

Dr. Sebi helped cure AIDS and many people didn’t know his story, so the Victory Lap rapper wanted to share to his community and provide to his people about the information. We will always remember the Grammy-nominated artist as a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and motivation to his fans that you can do anything to set your mind to.

Cannon post small clips of Sebi documentary that needed to be attended to. Nick remembered Nipsey smiling from ear to ear. When he posted a photo of himself and Nipsey, he promised he would help out with the documentary

“And the Lord said, “Job well done my son. @nipseyhussle,” Cannon began the caption.

“King this is how I want to remember you! Laughing! Smiling! I ain’t slept yet, thinking about our conversations! Real ones from a real one! And I’m gonna say this only for the real ones to recognize. Where you left off, we gonna carry one! It’s a MARATHON, so I’m picking up the baton! Because they can’t kill us all.” Cannon continued.

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theRoot: 5 Mysteries Surrounding the Life and Death of Dr. Sebi

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What if I told you I had a cure for AIDS? Would you believe me? What about cancer? Or diabetes?

There are those who believe that Dr. Sebi, born Alfredo Bowman—a world-renowned vegetarian herbalist, healer, pathologist and biochemist—had the cure for all of them, all the diseases that bring devastation and an altered existence before snatching the lives of those who don’t break free.

There are many who believe that Dr. Sebi, who was not a licensed physician, became a threat to a multibillion-dollar medical industry that not only relies on continued sickness but also needs it; it profits from it.

On May 28, 2016, Dr. Sebi was arrested at Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport in Honduras for carrying some $37,000 in cash. He was released pending a court hearing, only to be rearrested June 3 by the Ministerio Público, Honduras’ version of the FBI, and charged with money laundering. Dr. Sebi remained in custody until Aug. 6, when he was rushed to a local hospital reportedly suffering from complications of pneumonia. Dr. Sebi died en route. He was 82.

Below are five mysteries surrounding his life and his death.

1. Dr. Sebi Cures AIDS?

Dr. Sebi rose to cultlike fame pushing a simple dietary premise: that food is alkaline for the body, and dead foods kill your body’s natural ability to heal and regenerate healing. By eliminating what Dr. Sebi considered toxic foods—like meat, poultry, seafood, all processed or synthetic items, alcohol, sugar, fried food and iodized salt—the body could begin detoxing. Replacing those foods with plain ripe fruit; nonstarchy vegetables, especially leafy greens; raw nuts and nut butters; and grains like quinoa, rye and kamut promotes the body’s natural healing properties. In doing so, he claimed to have cured several patients of AIDS, cancer, diabetes and blindness.

2. Dr. Sebi’s Court Case

The myth of Dr. Sebi grew stronger in 1988 after the self-taught herbalist ran ads in the Amsterdam News, the Village Voice and the New York Post noting that “AIDS has been cured.” The story goes that the New York State attorney general and New York City Department of Consumer Affairs told Dr. Sebi to remove the ads; he refused and was arrested. The charges leveled against him included practicing medicine without a license, selling products not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and fraudulently claiming  that he could cure AIDS and other diseases. The judge asked Dr. Sebi to bring in one patient who could testify that he had cured him or her of these potentially fatal diseases. He reportedly provided 70 patients and won the case. And the legend of Dr. Sebi was born.

3. Dr. Sebi’s Arrest

Dr. Sebi’s arrest records have not been released, so it remains unclear as to why he was arrested, released and then rearrested for carrying so much cash, since it wouldn’t have been unusual for a healer who had treated several high-profile clients—who reportedly included Michael Jackson, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, John Travolta and Eddie Murphy—to have a large amount of money on him. Lopes was actually in Honduras visiting Dr. Sebi when she died.

4. Dr. Sebi’s Family Couldn’t Get Him Out of Jail

Dr. Sebi was born in 1933 in Honduras and spent his life there. He had 17 children. Dr. Sebi’s family was reportedly trying to get him released from custody, but to no avail. He was held for over a month with no court date, although no serious crime had been committed. Because he had no court date after his second arrest, bail was never set.

5. Dr. Sebi Never Received Major Acclaim

Major newspapers didn’t cover his death; in fact, major newspapers barely covered his life. Surely a man who not only claims to have cured cancer but also beat a lawsuit alleging that he was a quack by bringing in apparently healed patients into the courtroom would be someone the world would want to hear more from? Newspapers didn’t even invest energy in debunking his claims.

Conspiracy theorists believe that the lack of attention paid to Dr. Sebi’s teachings, the lack of publicity surrounding his reported successes, and the mystery surrounding his arrest and death are because, as any street hustler can tell you, there’s no money in the cure—the money is in the sickness. The pharmaceutical business not only needs you sick but doesn’t make money if you’re well.

It’s easy to write off conspiracy theorists as loons who invest too much time in “internet thinking,” but I wonder if some of us are too connected to conventional thinking just because it’s what we know. Conventional thinking has me questioning why prescription medications have commercials if you have to have a prescription to obtain them. Drugs are big business in this country, and Dr. Sebi was pushing a healthy lifestyle that moved people toward better eating and, in turn, less medication. I don’t know if I’m ready to choose between the red and the blue pill, but it does lead me back to my original question: If I told you I had a cure for AIDS, would you believe me?

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Cory Booker : ‘HBCUs Are Not Just For African Americans’

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New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker started a spirited conversation this week after his commentary about historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) during his town hall on CNN. The Democratic presidential hopeful, who is one of three Black people seeking the White House, was asked about his plan to protect HBCUs.

Booker, looking at ease and smiling broadly at the question, unleashed a spiel about his family’s personal connection to HBCUs (both parents and grandparents are alumni) and how he would prioritize Black colleges if he gets elected president.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Buchan/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (10181057be) Cory Booker 2019 HRC LA Dinner, Show, JW Marriott L.A. Live, Los Angeles, USA – 30 Mar 2019

The audience in South Carolina, home to eight HBCUs, offered a rousing round of applause for his answer. But there were seven little words tucked into Booker’s response that left a big impact across social media. In case you missed them, he tweeted the same words shortly after the town hall ended late Wednesday night.

Beyond his family ties, Booker is no stranger to HBCUs. He, along with other senators including Kamala Harris, who is also running for the 2020 presidency, introduced the HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act in January 2018, which is a bill that aims to help improve the financial health of HBCUs.

Booker, who announced his campaign for the presidency during Black History Month, also covered a wide array of other topics during the town hall. He slammed the controversial 90s crime bill that was signed into law by former president Bill Clinton and the bill’s supporters, fellow presidential hopeful Berney Sanders and former vice president Joe Biden. Booker also expressed frustration with the whole conversation around reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans, as he said the conversation has been minimized.

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FAMU Partnership With Duke Energy Through Solar Energy

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Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees approved a partnership with Duke Energy Florida (DEF) to build a solar facility in Central Florida that will benefit students, faculty, utility customers and Floridians.

The Board approved a 25-year lease agreement with DEF. The partnership will provide a new, long-term revenue source at FAMU’s Brooksville Agricultural and Environmental Research Station (BAERS) for the University along with training and educational opportunities for students and members of the local community.

Duke Energy’s Rattler Solar Power Plant could add 74.9 megawatts of clean, renewable power to the grid at BAERS and help further the development and research of solar technologies, plant operations and workforce expansion.

“FAMU strives to be a good neighbor at all times, and like residents of Brooksville and Hernando County, we are concerned about the sustainability of the planet,” said Fred Gainous, Ed.D., who leads the FAMU Brooksville project.  “This initiative allows us to use the natural energy source of the sun to power homes, instead of using resources that can be depleted.”

The solar facility would occupy between 600 and 800 acres of property and feature approximately 270,000 tracking solar panels that will follow the sun’s movement throughout the day, maximizing energy production for customers.

“Making this land available to Duke Energy allows FAMU to accomplish two central objectives: generating revenue for student education and offering the county an alternative source of clean energy,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D. “We look forward to a long and healthy partnership with Duke Energy.”

Once operational, the facility can provide electricity for approximately 23,000 average-sized homes at peak production. All the electricity created from the project will be fed onto the DEF electric grid and delivered to homes, businesses, schools, places of worship and other customers in the area.

The partnership would bring financial and academic benefits to FAMU with a new revenue source by means of lease-payments and through the creation of hands-on experiences for students researching and working with a fully-operational, utility-scale solar power plant connected to the grid.

“Duke Energy is pleased with the Board of Trustees’ decision,” said Tamara Waldmann, Duke Energy Florida Director of Distributed Generation Strategy. She added, “This specific vote will allow Duke Energy to perform a critical next step, which is the evaluation of the FAMU property to determine if the conditions are indeed suitable for solar energy. Meanwhile, Duke Energy is engaging with Hernando County, and we will be engaging community leaders and residents in the coming weeks.”

This investment would also allow DEF the ability to continue exploring innovative, clean energy opportunities with various community partners and expand cost effective, flexible, and dependable utility owned solar for the benefit of all our customers.

Waldmann said the Brooksville solar power plant is part of Duke Energy’s strategic, long-range plan to build or acquire 700 megawatts of solar energy in Florida through 2022.

“Equally important, it supports FAMU and their commitment to renewables, agriculture and sustainability.  Building solar power plants in support of our customers and communities is part of our ongoing work to diversify our Company’s resources to offer dependable, emission-free, and smarter energy solutions that our customers value,” said Waldmann.

The agreement will include a due diligence period for site investigation and permitting prior to building a solar project at BAERS.

Omega Psi Phi Issues Moratorium

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Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. founded at Howard University in 1911, has issued an announcement for a moratorium, effective immediately. The announcement was made by the Grand Basileus, David E. Marion, Ph.D.

Brothers,

I once again greet you in the matchless name of the Supreme Basileus of the Universe. With as much as you have entrusted me to do as your 41st Grand Basileus, I am most appreciative of the support of the Supreme Council including each of the District Representatives in carrying out the duties of Omega. Those duties include her protection at any cost.

After consulting with your Supreme Council and under the advisement of the Grand Counselor, I am announcing the following moratorium, effective immediately, on MSP and social activities with the following exceptions:

  • MSP processes that are already in process or MSP applications currently in the hands of the district representatives may continue.
  • Get Right Programs can continue.
  • No individuals from the time period of this moratorium can apply to the Get Right Program.
  • Mandated programs may be planned and held.
  • Milestone chapter anniversaries may be planned and held if events are submitted and approved on SEC forms.
  • Events for which an SEC has been submitted prior to this moratorium and is pending approval may be considered if all SEC requirements have been timely met and the event is subsequently approved.

No workarounds attempting to circumvent this moratorium, including, but not limited to underground processes, hosting Omega events in the names of other individuals or entities, or purchasing private insurance, will be approved or tolerated. Sanctions will be issued up to expulsion and chapter revocation. This moratorium is indefinite. I thank you in advance for governing yourselves accordingly.

Fraternally,

David E. Marion, Ph.D.
Grand Basileus

Briya Todd Becomes First Frederick Douglass Fellow From Spelman College

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ATLANTA ( March 27, 2019) – A Spelman College student has been selected as one of 10 students across the country to earn the prestigious Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship. As a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow, Briya Malia Todd, C’2021, has received a full scholarship to study abroad program in London this summer. 

“We congratulate Briya Malia Todd for being the first Spelman student to win the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship that will provide her the opportunity to participate in a Council on International Educational Exchange four-week course on leadership and intercultural engagement in London. We are proud of her,” said ‘Dimeji R. Togunde, Ph.D., associate provost for global education and professor of international studies at Spelman, where 75 percent of the class of 2018 participated in study abroad. 

Of the 332,727 U.S. college students who studied abroad in 2017, less than 30 percent were students of color — 0.4 percent American Indian/Alaskan Native, 4.3 percent multiracial, 6.1 percent African American, 8.2 percent Asian/Pacific Islander and 10 percent Hispanic Americans, according to data from the Institute of International Education.  The data shows that students of color largely miss out on international education experiences that can play a critical role in their personal growth, as well as academic and career success. 

The Frederick Douglass Fellowship, which launched in 2017, is representative of efforts by the Council on International Educational Exchange, the nation’s largest non-profit facilitator of studying abroad, and the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions, to increase diversity in study abroad by breaking down the barriers of cost, curriculum, and culture that prevent students from participating in international education experiences.

A native of LaGrange, Georgia, Todd said the Fellowship will allow her to accomplish many of her personal goals, such as exploring communities across the globe outside of her small hometown. Passionate about social justice, Todd  has a long-term goal to be an attorney and challenge issues that impact communities of color like mass incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline.

“I also aspire to be an ambassador in my lifetime,” said Todd, a political science major. “This career is not easy to obtain. But the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship will put me on a fast track towards that goal. I’m proud that the Fellowship seeks out students who excel and believes in us enough to invest in our future and believes in furthering the dreams of students like myself.”

The Fellows are nominated by the presidents of their respective institutions and selected during a national competition. The winners demonstrate high academic achievement, possess exemplary communication skills, display the hallmarks of self-determination, exhibit characteristics of bold leadership, and have a history of service to others.

“The students selected for the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship are 10 exemplary student leaders who demonstrate the iconic leadership, keen intellect, and natural change-agent attributes of Frederick Douglass,” said James P. Pellow, president and CEO of CIEE. “These students will be the next generation of leaders and I know that the intercultural competence and global perspective they will gain during the London program will benefit them throughout their lives.”

Todd said she looks forward to returning to Spelman after her summer abroad and sharing the knowledge she gains, noting that she takes pride in being a mentor and a student leader. “Spelman encourages its students to become global citizens,” she said. “It is important to acknowledge your own footprint in this world. Through this opportunity, I will become a better global citizen and I will create a larger footprint.”

About The Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions
The Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions brings together researchers and practitioners from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions. The Center’s goals include: elevating the educational contributions of MSIs; ensuring that they are a part of national conversations; bringing awareness to the vital role MSIs play in the nation’s economic development; increasing the rigorous scholarship of MSIs; connecting MSIs’ academic and administrative leadership to promote reform initiatives; and strengthening efforts to close educational achievement gaps among disadvantaged communities. For further information about the Center, please visit www.gse.upenn.edu/cmsi

About CIEE
CIEE, the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization, transforms lives and builds bridges by promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences. To help people develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world, CIEE sponsors a wide variety of opportunities for cultural exchange, including work exchange programs, teach abroad programs, and a worldwide portfolio of study abroad and internship programs for college and high school students. Visit www.ciee.org.

About Spelman College
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a leading liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, the College’s picturesque campus is home to 2,100 students. Spelman is the country’s leading producer of Black women who complete Ph.D.s in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The College’s status is confirmed by U.S. News and World Report, which ranked Spelman No. 51 among all liberal arts colleges and No. 1 among historically Black colleges and universities. The Wall Street Journal ranked the College No. 3, nationally, in terms of student satisfaction. Outstanding alumnae include Children’s Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman, Starbucks Group President and COO Rosalind Brewer, former Acting Surgeon General and Spelman’s first alumna President Audrey Forbes Manley, global bioinformatics geneticist Janina Jeff and authors Pearl Cleage and Tayari Jones. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.

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Morris Brown College Remains Focused, Despite Having Just 42 Students

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Driving around the Atlanta University Center one sunny afternoon, Dr. Kevin E. James, Morris Brown College’s interim president, had a lot on his mind. Only hired a few months ago, James has a laundry list of media requests, meet-and-greets, public meetings, and administrative duties on his schedule. He is the latest to take on the task of restoring Morris Brown’s accreditation, which among other benefits would give students the crucial ability to receive financial aid. It’s quite the task, but James, the former interim CEO of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., feels he’s up to it.

Morris Brown College, the first Georgia higher learning institution founded by black people, for black people, was once famous for being a place where African American students from all over the country could go to get a quality education, most of whom would be the first in their families to attend and graduate from college. The school once housed over 2,700 full-time students and Division I basketball and football programs, not to mention one of the most famous bands in all of collegiate sports in the Marching Wolverines. But massive debt lead to the school losing its accreditation status in 2002—and most of its students and faculty. But Morris Brown remains focused on its mission, despite having just 42 full-time students and working adults on campus at the moment.

James took time to answer a few questions on his vision for the historically black college, which is located just blocks from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena.

What’s so great about Morris Brown College?
Our history, legacy, tradition and alumni. This is the first HBCU in Georgia founded by black Americans, and it would be a travesty to lose Morris Brown College. This institution has had an economic and social impact on Georgia, and in Atlanta in particular.

How are you approaching your new role?
In the same way I approach leadership in general—you have to connect to people, and I go where the people are. They don’t have to come to me.

How important is it to personally connect with the alumni, especially those living in Atlanta?
I want to build trust with the alumni and let them know I am leading from a place of integrity, so it’s very important to be very transparent with them in order to properly tell the Morris Brown College story. So far the alumni have been very receptive, I recently met with an alumnus that dropped off a $3,000 donation check. When I connect with alumni and tell the our story, both good and bad, they are more likely to respond in that way.

What’s the current plan to restore Morris Brown’s full accreditation?
We have switched accreditation agencies and are now in the process of working with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). Our ties to the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) tradition makes us a perfect candidate to be affiliated with TRACS, which focuses on getting Christian colleges and universities their accreditation. I will be making a trip to TRACS headquarters in Forest, Virginia early next month to begin the orientation process.

Read full interview via Atlanta Magazine

4 HBCUs To Appear In NCAA March Madness Tournament

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Like clockwork, college basketball fans are gearing up to watch the NCAA’s best teams battle it out during the March Madness tournament. This year, four teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are set to take the stage during basketball’s Big Dance. 

If you’re in the market for a team to add to your tournament brackets, check out a few reasons you should consider an HBCU: 

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) men’s team claimed the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship title in a game against Norfolk State University. The NCCU Eagles, in team’s third consecutive year at the tournament, are set to take on North Dakota State during their premiere game in the first round on Wednesday.

Prairie View A&M University is making its first appearance in the tournament as Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champs in 20 years. The Panthers came out victorious in a tight 92-86 game against Texas Southern University and will face Fairleigh Dickinson University on Tuesday.

Bethune-Cookman University’s Lady Wildcats defeated Norfolk State University, claiming the MEAC’s championship title. This marks the first NCAA appearance for the Lady Wildcats. When the team won the SWAC title 25 years ago, it didn’t come with an automatic bid into the tournament. The Lady Wildcats will go up against No. 1 seed Notre Dame in their tournament debut on Saturday.

Head over to Ebony to read more.

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‘I’m Home’: Trayvon Martin’s Mother Sybrina Fulton Returns To Grambling As Women’s History Month Keynote Speaker

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“Ms. Fulton is an important voice for social change today,” said GSU President Rick Gallot. “We are excited for our students to witness her example of how we can all champion progress for our community.”

The activist often shares memories of her attending Grambling State University for two years during 1984-1986. She explains that she really enjoyed the university, but wasn’t quite prepared for the Northern Louisiana weather!

As a GSU student, Fulton majored in English and minored in Communications. She later graduated from Florida Memorial University in Miami.

A current communication’s student at GSU, Sarah Renee Garner, who was touched by the Women’s Day speech says Fulton’s life and experiences greatly impacted her passion for social justice.

Garner’s college admission essay was entitled: “My Emergence in Social Justice: The Deaths of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown.”


Sarah-Renee with Sybrina Martin

As a high school student, Garner’s counselors advised her to chose a less controversial topic; however, she decided to write about what mattered most to her. Every university to which she applied (except one), accepted her for admission. Three of them reached out to her and said they enjoyed her essay.

Although Fulton often looks forward to sharing her powerful messages with everyone from colleges, legal professionals, community and family organizations, and all other proponents of social justice, she explains that she is not your average speaker.

“I am not polished and speaking isn’t something I went to school for,” she said. “I am just being myself and attempting to empower the youth.”

Her messages don’t only appeal to people’s hearts as it relates to children, but is also one of hope and change, exemplified by her personal experiences and endeavors.

She discusses often what happened February 26, 2012, the night her son Trayvon Martin was fatally shot by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida.

After the tragic loss, Fulton did not give up. She has been fighting for social justice for the past seven years every day so that less mothers would have to experience the excruciating pain she feels.

During her powerful Women’s Day speech at GSU, she spoke some about how her son’s death became a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement and the book she and Trayvon’s father, Tracy Martin, co-authored entitled “Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story.”

This book/documentary is a six-part series produced by artist and entrepreneur, Jay-Z. Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin, shares and re-examined the intimate life story and legacy of a tragically foreshortened life and the rise of a movement that awoke a nation’s conscience.


“Receiving the opportunity to listen and learn from such a women of strength such as Ms. Martin, was life changing,” said Lauryn Smith, sophomore GSU student. “Her focus on activism, leadership and justice for many mother’s sons around the nation is forever encouraging.”

The Grambling alum has created the Trayvon Martin Foundation, a non profit organization with the main purpose to provide both emotional and financial support to families who have loss a child to gun violence.

Because of her continued effort to make a positive national change, Fulton was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in 2018 from the Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, where she also served as the 2018 commencement speaker.

“It was a blessing, I went from the 2018 Commencement Convocation Speaker at Benedict College to Doctor and I also received the key to the city from the Mayor of Columbia,SC., she said.”

She also created The Circle of Mothers, a weekend retreat for mothers who have lost a child to gun violence. She is a proud member of the Miami Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and the Metropolitan Dade County Section of the National of Negro Women, Inc.

“It was great spending the day with the mother of Trayvon Martin, author, activist and 1984-86 GSU Student Sybrina Fulton today!,” said GSU SGA President, Adarian Williams. “Thank you for your leading efforts to end violence and injustice, and pioneering the use of nonviolence to change society.
SGA President, Adarian Williams with Sybrina Martin
Sybrina Fulton poses with members of the Delta Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated at Grambling State University.

“Trayvon was shot down so that I can stand up.”

Texas Southern University To Host Community Policing Workshop Focused On Data And Reform

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April 27 event is co-sponsored by MEASURE, Houston Police Department and Mark43

HOUSTON (March 19, 2019) – Texas Southern University’s Center for Justice Research, along with co-sponsors MEASURE, MARK43 and the Houston Police Department, will host the 2019 Big Data Community Policing Workshop, a free four-hour training that includes breakout sessions by experts in the fields of law enforcement, social advocacy, research and technology. The event takes place on Saturday, April 27, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in TSU’s Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs building. There is a networking breakfast before the program and a mixer concluding the event. Law enforcement leaders, activists, technology developers, students, analysts, concerned citizens and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

“Attendees will learn more about evidence-based policing and the role that data plays in the push for social change,” said Howard Henderson, executive director of the Center for Justice Research. “Working together, agencies, community organizations and individual citizens can make a difference in how our communities are policed.”

Established in 2018, the Center for Justice Research is a nonpartisan research center devoted to data-driven solutions for an equitable criminal justice system. The primary focus is to produce innovative solutions to criminal justice reform efforts by utilizing an experienced group of researchers working to understand and address the current challenges of the criminal justice system.

Henderson emphasized that each of the co-sponsors bring unique expertise and contributions to the discussion. MEASURE, based in Austin, is a not-for-profit research and public education organization which seeks to bridge divisions though data and public education in active partnership with local communities to address complex social problems. It has put on similar workshops in Austin and Dallas. The Houston Police Department will bring its own set of expertise to the discussion, with Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo scheduled to appear.

The workshop will feature breakout sessions covering topics such as Evidence-Based Policing 101, Intro to Compstat 360, Design Thinking, Mindfulness in De-Escalation, Dive into the Data, The New Officer, Faith Communities & Justice, and Raising a Village.

A lunch and learn session will focus on 21st Century Policing. 

The event is also sponsored by Mark43, a public safety software platform that helps empower communities and their governments with new technologies that help improve safety and quality of life.

To register for this workshop, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/measure-big-data-community-policing-workshop-2019-houston-tickets-56404535484?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

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 approximately 10,000 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.

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Valuing STEAM Integration In KidsCamp Nationally And Globally

William Jackson and Aida Correa at WordCamp Greenville, South Carolina

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Cross-cultural and cross-curricular learning encourages applied cognitive tools during learning in the KidsCamp and Youth Camp environment.

Cross-curricular processes to learning, making a transition in math, writing, reading, comprehension when applied to STEAM helps to show that all learning is relevant, connected and valuable.

This is not the “you have to learn,” demands of parents there is the guided learning of “why you should learn,” and “the benefits to your life” guidance. Youth, teens and young adults need learning that is individual and in a team learning process as the teachers are the facilitators of learning in an environment of discovery and creativity. Kids and Youth Camp Conferences are growing and engaging ways to move.

STEAM – STREAM -CSTREAM
Hands-on learning that is projected based: students are provided a project to accomplish and the process is explained and they are let loose to explore the project to completion and provided learning avenues to discover and explore. Kids and youth are engaged in the learning process aided to build critical and higher order thinking in a collaborative environment with a goal that is measurable upon completion. Hands-on learning is transformative and changes the learning paradigm even for autistic children.

A stipulation, build relationships and build their interests and how it can be applied to their growth. In Kids and Youth Camp Conferences, there should be trust, passion,
engagement, and connections. Many times these cannot be created in structured settings like schools, so WordCamp conferences are unique and needed.

STEAM encourages learning scaffolding, problem-solving, sequencing, patterning, and critical along with higher order thinking skills. Youth, teens and young adult may not know when applied to build, designing, the Arts, discovery and innovation, it provides a new avenue for learning and how to apply that leaning for relevancy. Artists like Aida Correa understand the value for these connections and why the arts are important. Guiding new areas of thinking, rationalization, creativity and even building discipline.

Integration of core subject areas, creating a STEAM lesson integrates Science, Technology Engineering, Arts and Math as a 30-year professional educator teaching Physical Education and Technology (Engineering) creativity and innovation go
hand in hand. Kids want to build, break, design, construct and get messy from time to time. Web development builds reading, comprehension and literacy skills. Behaviors do change when the youth, teens and young adult learn that anyone globally will be able to read their content to they put their best foot-forwards in writing and posting content.

Collaborative planning with business and industry students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, not just to meet learning standards in schools, there is the freedom of expression and sharing their passions in areas they can learn about online not just in a classroom or school setting.

In Kids and Youth Camp Conferences, they become the teachers and parents become the students and parents are the support mechanism during the Kids and Youth camp process.

What is learned in the traditional classrooms are applied in hands-on lessons to reveal that all learning is connected and relevant to building ideas for careers that are now, new and exploratory and ones that have not been created yet?

The engagement of individual learning and the connectivity of collaborative learning are powerful tools especially for children of color and culture. This provides an avenue to show them that their “being” is important and they can both individually and collectively make a difference in the world around them.

Youth, teens and young adult in Africa and Canada are expecting their participation in WordCamp conferences and if they are not invited are protesting along with their parents. The ability for WordCamp to expand and grow is dependent on the support, encouragement, and advocacy for Kids and Youth Camps. The United States of America with all its resources still cannot dominate the world with tech able people, globally WordCamp conferences express collaboration, connections and the integration of STEAM.

STEAM educators like William Jackson and Aida Correa also, show that Representation Matters because of their diverse cultural backgrounds. Children of color and culture
need to see people of color and culture teaching them, mentoring and guiding their growth.

HBCU’s WordCamp Conferences R4U

HBCU’s WordCamp Conferences R4U and HBCU students should be attending with the support and encouragement of HBCU instructors, staff, faculty and administration.

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Representation matters can be seen with Wm Jackson a 31-year career, professional educator that encourages HBCU students, faculty, staff and administration to
attend and participate in WordCamp Conferences.

Having spoken in Calgary, Canada in Alberta, San Jose, Costa Rica in Central America and a sponsor of WordCamp, Kids Camp and Youth Camp Conferences in Africa.
Wm encourages HBCU’s t seriously consider the benefits and career impacts for HBCU students that attend these dynamic conferences.

As a speaker, volunteer, organizer, sponsor, and advocate of WordCamp conferences I encourage HBCU instructors to encourage students to attend conferences and become
engaged in local Meetups in their respective cities. The knowledge gained is invaluable and the networking potential phenomenal. The term “it’s not what you know, but who you know,” tells a valuable story. Networking is vitally important. What you know in your brain cannot be appreciated unless you have others that can appreciate your knowledge and potential to learn more.

The expansion of People of Color (POC) attending tech conferences is increasing as the need and demand increases for those with technical knowledge grows.
There are growing numbers of POC that love tech, embrace being nerds, enjoy bring geeks.

Attending WordCamp conferences locally, nationally and internationally are refreshing reminders that geeks are everywhere, in every city, state, country;
People of Color embracing tech and learning to be producers not just consumers.

Productivity brings engagement in conversation about the dynamics of not just WordPress (which over 35% of web pages are designed on globally). This affects
graphic design, e-commerce, apps, Google analytics, SEO, marketing and achieving entrepreneurial dreams.

HBCU students can change the narrative because of their engagement their children as well will be exposed and inspired to start their own businesses.

The WordPress community is just that, a community that sees beyond just the simplistic nature of the web. They see the unlimited possibilities of self-employment,
intellectual design, community engagement, and social activism.

Social media is increasingly dominated by POC’s building brands, building business relationships, applying marketing strategies, and helping entrepreneurial dreams to be fulfilled.

The development of new technologies, apps, and platforms geared to business are allowing more to be engaged in online environments for communication, collaboration
and business ventures.

What should be encouraged is the involvement of HBCU institutions taking advantage of platforms like WordPress and encouraging students to attend WordCamp conferences.

If HBCU students do not understand the language of their professions they cannot sit at the tables of tech companies to become influencers.

HBCU students are learning that much of what they are learning in the classroom may be outdated as industry standards change, they need to be attending, contributing and even speaking at conferences like WordCamp. It should not always take alumni coming back to HBCU institutions speaking when students themselves have valuable information they can share from involvement and exposure.

The benefits are enormous and lasting.

The Girl Next Door Can Code!

The Girl Next Door Can Code!! Why children of color and culture need to attend WordCamp, KidsCamp and Youth Camp conferences.

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William is a graduate of South Carolina State University and is a 31-year professional public school educator.

A past professor with Edward Waters College, teaching educational technology, social media and STEAM. Professor Jackson is an advocate for youth, teens and young
adults of color and culture to participate in tech conferences. A WordCamp engager his blogs are read nationally and internationally. He can be found on Twitter:

Access to technology has unprecedented abilities to empower and encourage girls of all ages. Clubs like “Girls Who Code” in Jacksonville can be seen at the Jacksonville Main Library involving dynamic and skill building sessions. Saturdays are not the same anymore, girls are actively learning new things to prepare them for careers never thought of before and even creating their own businesses using technology that has a foundation in STEAM and web development.

The club targets girls in 5th to 12th grade, many of the girls have a serious interest in coding, web development, and STEAM elements. Stephanie Boilard, Library Associate, Jax Makerspace Jacksonville Public Library – SBoilard@coj.net Black Girls Code – www.blackgirlscode.com/ will be involved in WordCamp Miami this year. Their girls will be building web sites and involved in STEAM based project learning. Learning HTML (hypertext markup language) the language of the Internet and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) used in web page development. Understanding of JavaScript, PHP, and other programming languages is important in the competitiveness of this dynamic industry.

Interpreting the terminology can sound very nerdy, but nerds are global; nerds and geeks are running the world. They are making discoveries, innovations to address global challenges that will be analyzed, categorized, prioritized and solved with technical precision.

The Girl Next Door Can Code
It is highly recommended girls have keyboarding experience and familiarity with desktop computer Windows and Apple Operating Systems. There is a need for diversity in various Operating Systems because girls need skills to work in the diversity of careers. The knowledge gained in tech can earn scholarships, internships,
collaboration in projects, networking in social and business events and help girls to become business owners and entrepreneurs.

Girls need to understand the coding process, the unique language that required creative thinking and innovative awareness. There are other opportunities for growth by girls attending KidsCamp conferences associated with WordCamp conferences
that can be found nationally and globally.

KidsCamp Jacksonville will be held Saturday, June 30th in Jacksonville, Florida https://2019.jacksonville.wordcamp.org/ The Organizers William Jackson and Aida Correa are educators with a passion to empower kids and getting them involved in STEAM initiatives, especially kids of color and culture.


KidsCamp Organizers Nationally and Globally
Looking at WordCamp Central https://central.wordcamp.org/ there is a global presence that teaches the fantastic collaboration of STEAM and KidsCamp.

They have wonderful learning opportunities for youth and teens. They understand the future success and growth is with kids and Youth Camp conferences. WordCamp is volunteer lead conferences where speakers are the experts, innovators, and creators of their Brands and willing to share their knowledge. The awesomeness is that youth, teens and young adults are participating on equal footing as adults, their requirements are somewhat different, parents need to attend with the kids and both are encouraged to work together in project-based learning activities.

In the era of global collaboration, KidsCamp and Youth Camp teachers like Aida Correa, William Jackson, Mary Job, Christina Workman, Tapiwanashe Manhombo, Great Anthony, Ericka Barboza, Leandro Gomez, and others are integrating the elements of STEAM into their curriculum’s to embed higher order and critical thinking skills.

These skills are necessary for entrance into business, commerce, and various industries.

Africa is leading the way globally with new Youth and Kids Camp, the development of digital infrastructures are creating awesome opportunities for digital business growth.
Opening new ways to empower kids that attend the fast growing conferences for youth, teens and young adults that are being dominated by young ladies, young women, and girls. Because of the immediate ability of WordCamps to encourage networking, the building of brands that encourage the building of entrepreneurial desires and the creation of businesses is unprecedented.

Girls and women can have a solid web presence with the support of an “open source” community with a global support system of diverse individuals, conferences, meetups, and KidsCamps to ensure that failure is not an option. Everyone is supported, nurtured, encouraged and empowered. The diversity of color and culture is an asset and a blessing. Parents are seeing that KidsCamp conferences are the source of inspiration, encouragement, and activism.

The list of KidsCamps grows along with the diversity of its organizers, advocates, teachers, promoters, volunteers and sponsors. The growth of WordCamp conferences are dependent on the ability of KidsCamps to be successful to encourage a new generation of bloggers, micro-bloggers, podcasters, business owners, social media innovators and STEAM advocates to grow with the help of knowledgeable men and women who have grown to be influencers across the spectrum of digital growth and innovation.

Texas Southern Theatre Presents “Home for Thanksgiving”

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HOUSTON (March 20, 2019) – Texas Southern University Theatre presents “Home for Thanksgiving,” an engaging and humorous family drama written and directed by TSU Associate Professor of Theatre Thomas Meloncon. The story takes place in the modest home of Julia and Lola St. Julian in Dippity Do, Louisiana. Bobby St. Julian is the first in his family to attend college and is headed to the prestigious Princeton University. Something happens to Bobby at Princeton and when he returns home, the humble country boy has mutated into someone unrecognizable.

“Home for Thanksgiving” will appeal to every emotion and run on the following dates and times in the Ollington Smith Playhouse (3100 Cleburne St. Houston, TX 77004):

  • Thursday, April 11, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. 
  • Friday, April 12, at 7 p.m. 
  • Saturday, April 13, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 
  • Sunday, April 14, at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for students with a valid TSU ID. Tickets can be purchased at the door (cash only) or online at thanksgiving.brownpapertickets.com. For more information contact professor Rasarito Rodriguez-Gonzalez by email (rosarito.rodriguez@tsu.edu) or the TSU Box Office at (713) 313-7157. 

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.