A CSU Grad Made A Facebook Post About His Students Needing Comp Books And His Friends Came Through, Showed Out!

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Writing that he needed his Facebook friends to help out buying composition books for students in need at the school he teaches at, a Central State University graduate revealed on Wednesday that people more than came through, and showed out!

“Y’all are amazing!” LaMarr Cole wrote in a post on Facebook. “I made a post about my students needing comp books and y’all more than came through, y’all showed out! I want to shoutout every donor and everyone that contributed but majority declined the recognition and said it was a duty to pay it forward.”

“Friends on Facebook you are amazing! The funds contributed won’t be touched or utilized unless it’s for academic purposes. When you make a contribution you are enabling a child to succeed. A seed is planted and they will pay it forward when the time comes. This will also be utilized to provide snacks for hungry children whose first and last meals are at school. The kids are still in so much need and are lacking so many things, it’s pretty overwhelming. And before we start To point fingers at parents, lets empathize for a second … when we have made it to a place so high, make sure you send the elevator back down.”

Cole also added that people begin donating in less than two hours, saying “y’all really know how to make a grown man cry. I’m so overwhelmed. God Bless you beautiful souls.”

His Facebook friends contributed to over $130 to help him buy his students composition books.

Central State University Grad Omarosa: DeVos Said Black Students Don’t Have ‘Capacity To Understand’ Her Goals

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Stating that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos once said students who booed her at a historically black college lacked the “capacity to understand” what the Trump administration is trying to accomplish, Central State University graduate Omarosa Manigault Newman is definitely telling-all in her new book about her time spent as the only African-American woman in a high-ranking position in the White House. 

“Betsy got up onstage to give her speech and was immediately, loudly booed by the entire audience,” Manigault-Newman wrote. “Graduating students and their families stood up and turned their backs on her.”

“I was seated onstage watching this travesty unfold. When the booing started, she should have wrapped it up, but she went on and on for twenty minutes, talking over the booing. I was thinking, It’s not about you! Abandon your full speech! Adjust, woman!”

But, according to The Hill, Maniguault Newman said that DeVos thought the speech went “great,” before adding that the students who booed “didn’t get it.”

“They don’t have the capacity to understand what we’re trying to accomplish,” DeVos said, according to Manigault Newman, who inferred that what DeVos meant was that “those black students were too stupid to understand her agenda.”

JSU President Tells Freshmen, Transfer Students To Pick Friends Wisely, Dream Big

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During New Student Convocation for the Class of 2022, JSU President William B. Bynum Jr. urged more than 600 freshmen and transfer students to surround themselves with positive peers if they want to be academically successful.

Bynum told them that they must know their true purpose for attending Jackson State University. While most sat in chairs on the basketball court in the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center on Sunday, the incoming fall class was so large that some students were seated elsewhere in a reserved section in the arena.

Delivering his keynote address, Bynum spoke admiringly, yet assertively, to the audience like a caring father dispensing practical advice to a loved one starting a new chapter in their lives.

SOME people come here to extend high school. Some people come here to get away from something. You were chosen for this journey. … Understand how truly special this next four or five years will be,” he said.

“One thing I need to share with you as you start your journey and get to know your classmates is to be careful who you surround yourself with and who you call friends.”

In addition, Bynum said, “Most of us are here for great hopes, dreams and aspirations. … I hate to say that not everybody is here for that purpose. So, during the course of this week you have to discern who’s serious about getting a college education and earning that college degree.”

He urged each student to take a litmus test to determine whether or not they’re surrounding themselves with the right people.

“If you’ve got a friend and you tell them, ‘I want to be a cardiologist’ and that friend says you ain’t smart enough to be a doctor. That’s the wrong person in your circle. You need to cut that person right away.”

Bynum advised them to hang around people who can “breathe life into you.”

He gave an example: “You need people who’ll say, ‘If you want to a cardiologist and I want to be an orthopedic surgeon, why don’t we start a practice together so people can have a one-stop shop.” Read full Here.

This Howard Alumna Just Launched A Mental Health Foundation

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This HBCU, Howard University Alumna Taraji P. Henson is on a mission.

In hopes of eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health in African-American communities, the actress just launched the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in honor of her late father. The organization will provide scholarships to African-American students majoring in mental health, offer mental health services to youth in urban schools and work to lower the recidivism rates of African-American men and women.

“I named the organization after my father because of his complete and unconditional love for me; his unabashed, unashamed ability to tell the truth, even if it hurt; and his strength to push through his own battles with mental health issues,” Henson said.

The Empire star chronicled her relationship with her father Boris, who died in 2006 at the age of 58 after battling liver cancer, in her 2016 memoir, Around the Way Girl. “My dad fought in the Vietnam War for our country, returned broken, and received little to no physical and emotional support,” she said. “I stand now in his absence, committed to offering support to African Americans who face trauma daily, simply because they are black.”

Iota Phi Theta And Sigma Gamma Rho Join Forces To Help Our Community Register To Vote

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Stating that within the African American community, we have the stigma of not voting and only voting when it is time to vote for the President of the United States, Iota Phi Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho have joined forces in the iVote movement within the #MuchMoreThanAHashtag initiative to get the community involved and registered to vote.

“The Presidential election is a big deal, but there are other elections that are important which makes our government work within the city, state, and county. Voting for mayors, state representatives and Congress representatives are important as well,” according to a release by David T. Boyd, Director of Communications at Iota Phi Theta, adding “It is time to end that stigma and show others that we want our voices heard. iVote educates individuals about voting in every election on every level.”

“National Voter Registration Day is on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. On this day, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will continue to promote within #MuchMoreThanAHashtag and get individuals registered to vote through voter registration drives and promotions all over their respected chapters and areas.”

The press released also stated that we should vote “In Every Election. On Every Level.”

New Edward Waters College President Gifts $25K To Employees

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Stating that the $25,000 gift to Edward Waters College is meant to support faculty and staff, the new president of the historically black college wants to usher in a new era of community on campus.

“They will be able to attend the national conferences, to present, to engage in research, which will really help to develop them individually, as well as burnish the academic reputation of our esteemed college,” said Dr. Zachary Faison Jr, who has been in the president’s seat for 15 days.

According to News4Jax, Faison has been described by former co-workers as bold, tenacious and visionary.

Faison “plans to make assessments and look at the institution as a whole to ensure a safe environment for students and staff.”

Marion Fedrick Named New President Of Albany State University

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Albany State University Interim President Marion Fedrick will now serve as president for the university. The University System of Georgia‘s Board of Regents made the decision Tuesday morning.

“In my visits to Albany, I am encouraged by what I see, what I hear and what I experience,” University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “In meetings with faculty, staff and students, it is clear Marion’s leadership has caught their attention and made them excited for the future both for themselves and their institution. Her leadership and commitment have made a difference for this institution, and I congratulate her.”

“I have said from the beginning that I am truly inspired by what the future holds for the students, faculty and staff of Albany State,” Fedrick said. “They are passionate and have worked hard toward making this a truly innovative institution. I thank them, as well as Chancellor Wrigley and the Board of Regents, for their belief in me and our team as we work toward that long-term success.”

Fedrick has served as interim president since January, replacing retiring president Art Dunning.

An HBCU Solely For Women Expands Its Admissions Policy To Include Trans Students

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An historically black college and university, or HBCU, joins the ranks of all-women’s colleges that officially have an admissions policy for transgender students this 2018-2019 academic year, according to Diverse Education. Spelman College — one of two historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is solely for women, and all eyes will be on the black university to see what it does next.

“Although trans women and other students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) have  attended the college since its inception, the Atlanta-based HBCU’s updated admissions and enrollment policy extending admissions consideration to trans women comes with new challenges and expectations from internal and external institutional constituents,” writes Tiffany Pennamon of Diverse Education, detailing the new change in policy at Spelman that shows the black university efforts to have inclusion of all students who identify as women.

“The new admissions policy considering “women students including students who consistently live and self-identify as women, regardless of their gender assignment at birth,” continues the college’s “fervent belief in the power of the Spelman Sisterhood,” wrote Spelman’s president, Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, in a letter to the college community last September.”

“Last April, a Transgender Policy Task Force made up of representatives from Spelman’s administration, board of trustees, student body, housing and academic departments convened to educate task force participants and members of the Spelman community on issues affecting the consideration of admission eligibility and enrollment of transgender students in the months before the policy announcement,” writes Pennamon, adding, “And last July, Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall, founding director of the Women’s Research and Resource Center and Anna Julia Cooper Professor of Women’s Studies at Spelman, launched the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Scholars Program and lecture series, giving two students who self-identified as LGBTQ advocates a renewable $25,000 scholarship each.”

“Guy-Sheftall says that the scholars will “call attention to the importance of making visible the courageous and significant work of LGBTQ scholar activists within and beyond the academy, especially at HBCUs.””

There’s A Student Housing Crisis At Clark Atlanta University

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ACU Local reports say approximately 150 students are waiting on room assignments, even though they were supposed to be in dorms on Monday night. CAU released a statement implying the students did not follow the rules, though people on campus say they are financially enrolled and still do not have housing.

In light of recent concerns regarding campus housing, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) makes the following statement:

Clark Atlanta University requires and provides housing for all freshmen and sophomores to live on campus subject to a specific exemption process. We have housing for all freshmen and sophomores who are financially enrolled.

In addition, we have housing for upperclassmen. Upperclassmen were asked to follow a two-step process: 1) to reserve housing with a deposit and 2) complete the financial enrollment process by August 1, 2018.

Communication went to all students beginning in May 2018 about the process and timelines, and the dates were extended several times.

Those who have not completed the financial enrollment process are being offered temporary housing while they complete the process.

The Office of Student Services and Campus Life is working diligently with students to complete their financial enrollment process. The office opens at 9:00am and closes at 5:00pm; all students signed in by 5:00pm will receive service

https://twitter.com/_kashkaay/status/1029086658703056896

https://twitter.com/ZIYSOSAUCY/status/1029115564671856642

CAU requires and provides on-campus housing for freshmen and sophomores — exceptions withstanding — and has housing available for upperclassmen.

The Office of Student Services and Campus Life, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is “working diligently with students to complete their financial enrollment process,” the statement said.

The situation is reminiscent to one Georgia State University experienced last fall, when about 400 students had to be temporarily housed at Sheraton Atlanta after an increase in the number of housing applicants.

Central State University Underground Artist Talks Slept-On Project

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Putting you on to slept-on projects, rising talent, and underground artists we think you need to be listening to, Krishawn Ward is definitely somebody you ought to know.

“I think being at [CSU] alone helped me be more prepared for the real world than any other school would have,” said Ward, who recently graduated from the public black university in Wilberforce, Ohio. “Being in and from Ohio people will automatically assume I went to Ohio State or Cleveland state or Ohio University, but I tell them that I went to one of the HBCUs here, Central State.”

“I’m surprised to hear that people haven’t heard of Central, so unfortunately some assume we produce a “lesser” quality product because our size, which forces our whole campus to hold our school up with so much pride, in addition to forcing me to make sure any opportunity I get, I over succeed.”

Ward said that he started producing his own music. Because he didn’t know where to get beats from. “I was like 16 when I started. Also, I was a big fan of Kanye and J Cole, who rapped over their own beats and figured I could do it, too, so my 1st mixtape “The Genesis,” I made about 70% of the beats, but my newest project “Pleasantville,” I didn’t make any of the beats.”

“I networked with producers online this time,” he said. “I wanted to focus 100% on song structure and writing instead of splitting my focus on production.”

“I would like for people to view my work as the honest things no one wants to admit, or say. It’s kind of a relief when you find out you’re not the only person who couldn’t find THE JOB right out of college like “Okay … this is a thing. I guess I’m not a total failure.”

Check out his newest project “Pleasantville” below.

https://soundcloud.com/krishawn_music/sets/pleasantville

Kentucky State University Student Writes Book On Celebrating Humanity In Its Many Forms

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Noting the many differences of our fellow beings and how it brings us together as one, a Kentucky State University student told HBCU Buzz that he wrote a book to bring awareness to the skin disease vitiligo, in addition to promoting diversity and unity to the children, but most importantly all ages.

“I felt we all can take from a message involving diversity, unity and equality,” said Vincent Edwards, who is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. “The story behind it is simply to help all races understand we are humans and we represent humanity. That we can get more accomplished together than individually.”

“Kentucky State as well as being a member of Omega Psi Phi taught me many things but two I live by everyday is to never settle for mediocracy and to see it through any hardships in life.”

Edwards added that he hopes readers recognize that we are all equal despite race, class and gender, and “that we all should be celebrated no matter the shape size or skin complexion.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi9izn8hhdz/?taken-by=oneface_onerace

McClelland Resigns As TSU Vice President Of Intercollegiate Athletics

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HOUSTON (August 13, 2018) – Dr. Charles McClelland, who took over the helm of Texas Southern University athletics more than 10 years ago, has resigned to become the next commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Kevin Granger, currently serving as TSU’s assistant athletic director, will take over as interim athletic director immediately, as the university conducts a national search for McClelland’s replacement.

“I want to publicly thank Dr. McClelland for his hard work and many accomplishments at TSU,” said TSU President Dr. Austin A. Lane. “I served on the the SWAC commissioner hiring committee, so this was naturally a tough decision. We hate to lose him, but he is really committed to taking the SWAC to the next level. We wish him nothing but success in his new role.”

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve TSU for the past 10 years,” said Dr. McClelland. “I’ve been surrounded by wonderful people, and this has been one of the best family work environments I’ve ever experienced. I am excited to be the new commissioner, and I want to take the same energy and effort we have put forth here at TSU and spread it across all nine SWAC institutions.”

As vice president of intercollegiate athletics, McClelland supervised a total of 16 sports – nine women’s and seven men’s. During his tenure, McClelland elevated the athletics program to a higher level as it relates to athletics, academics, facilities and overall brand visibility.  Additionally, McClelland led the athletic department to significant, year over year improvements in the Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate among its  student athletes.

Perhaps his biggest facility achievement, McClelland played a large role in finalizing a deal with the Houston Dynamo soccer team to share the newly constructed 22,000 seat BBVA Compass Stadium for Tigers football. The Texas Southern Tigers football team began playing in their new home in 2012. Located in Downtown Houston, BBVA Compass stadium is a state of the art facility with all of the amenities and features of a premier sports venue.

Granger joined the Texas Southern University as athletics operations manager in 2008, the same year that McClelland joined the university.His primary responsibilities include processing athletic contracts, team travel, ticketing and managing TSU athletic facilities.

Before coming to Texas Southern, Granger was the head boy’s basketball coach at Worthing High School from 2001 to 2007.  In his last year, he led his team to the 19-4A Regional Boy’s basketball finals.  He was also named 2007 19-4A Coach of the Year. Granger was a star player for TSU’s basketball team from 1992-96, and was the
Division I leading scorer in 1996.

“I’m extremely excited to lead TSU athletics into its next chapter,” said Granger. “Having been a former player and coach at TSU, and having worked directly under Dr. McClelland, it means the world to me to have this opportunity, and I thank Dr. Lane for having the confidence in me to fill this role.”

Granger received the President’s Award (1996) as the top student-athlete at TSU and he still ranks among the all-time greats in the university’s basketball history is several categories.  Granger’s number 10 was retired in 2002.

He also spent three years playing professional basketball overseas in Italy, Cyprus and Argentina. He has a bachelor’s degree in business from TSU (2000).  He is married to Tracey and they have two boys (Kevin, Jr. and Kolby) and one girl (Kennah).

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 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.

Central State University Grad Excited For Opportunity To Give Back To Help Other CSU Students Like Himself

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Wishing Central State University students would channel the real version of themselves, Christian A. Drye expressed his hope on Monday for his latest art show called “BOY,” which will debut on campus at CSU on October 13, 2018.

““BOY” is a acronym for ‘be only yourself’ and it’s a reminder for myself and others to do just that,” said Drye, expressing enthusiasm about the need not to compete and compare our lives and experience with others. “We have our own experience that’s tailor made for us- so embrace it, be you!”

“The showcase will include Things I find interesting, for example, Black women – they will definitely be a part of the show. I will also feature two brands: SPKNG in Tongues (@spkngintongues on Instagram) and Chipmunk Chronicles (@thechipmunk_chronicles On Instagram) at the show. Both owned by Black men. This is my chance to spotlight the Black community in a positive light.”

Drye also added that he doesn’t make art solely for Black people, but by being himself he is a point for the Black community.

“There are plenty of visuals on the way that leads into the show,” he said. “This is my chance to spotlight the Black community in a positive light.”

You can follow Drye on Instagram here: @dryehumor.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmbM-CGHmqJ/?taken-by=dryehumor

Amazing Central State University Grad Will Award $1,000 Scholarship For 1 CSU Student

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While adding to her already impressive resume, this amazing graduate of Central State University in Wilberforce recently revealed that she will award a $1,000 scholarship to 1 CSU student this year.

“Predominately black colleges and universities do not receive the same financial support that larger schools and PWIs do,” said Melea VanOstrand, explaining that HBCU alumni must give back to their alma maters in order to break the cycle. “It is important to me that as an alumna I attempt to break that cycle by supporting a student at the school that helped shape me into the professional journalist I am today.”

“Central State University provided me the opportunity to learn my trade with valuable classwork as well as connecting me with incredible mentors and internships.” she said. “Because of the cultivating culture and support system, I already felt uniquely prepared to face the challenges of the world before I even received my degree.”

VanOstrand added that her hope is that this scholarship gives an HBCU student a helping-hand while he or she is working hard toward graduation.

“In the near future, I will expand my scholarship to other small HBCUs in the country to encourage other deserving black men and women to keep pursuing their dreams.”

Hampton Pharmacy School Professor Receives $1.2M Grant For Pulmonary Fibrosis

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Dr. Neelam Azad, Chairperson and Associate Professor for the Hampton University Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, received her second independent investigator award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant is titled, “Targeting Lipogenic and Angiogenic Mediators in Pulmonary Fibrosis,” and is a follow up to her previous grant in 2011. The period of funding is from July 2018 through May 2022, with a first year funding amount of $343,000, and for a total funding amount of $1,269,500 over the next four years.

“Congratulations to Dr. Azad on her very deserving grant award,” said Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey. “We are very proud of her and are excited to see our professors receiving awards, and serving as great mentors for our hardworking Hampton University students.”

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and usually fatal disease of the lung. Approximately, 130,000 people in the United States and five million people worldwide suffer from this disease, and the mortality rate among African Americans is twice as that of Caucasians. This grant proposes to use a combination of traditional molecular biological techniques and high-throughput Lipidomics and Proteomics approaches to identify novel protein and lipid biomarkers, while investigating their contribution to pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, Dr. Azad will test the potential of provisionally patented drugs developed by her group in mitigating disease progression.

“Due to major challenges in both diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in pulmonary fibrosis, it is important to continue investigating novel drug targets that may help achieve viable therapeutic outcomes against this incurable disease,” said Dr. Azad, Chairperson and Associate Professor for the Hampton University Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Dr. Anand Iyer, Dean of the Hampton University School of Pharmacy who also serves as a collaborator on the grant commends Dr. Azad on her success and leadership. “The Hampton University School of Pharmacy has a strong biomedical research infrastructure with multiple funded research grants,” said Iyer. “Dr. Azad is an outstanding scientist, and her leadership in research has contributed significantly to our fundraising efforts, which is a major priority for the School and the University.”