Grambling Grad Martez Carter Looking for Spot in Washington

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The NFL team in Washington has seven running backs vying for what will ultimately be four or five spots on the 53 man roster. Martez Carter from Grambling is one of those running backs.

The first week of minicamp is underway and Carter has already experienced a rookie adventure. He missed some reps on the second day of training camp after his shoe got mutilated after a play. He didn’t have another shoe and had to watch the rest of practice.

“At that point, you just take mental reps, so if you get in on that play and Coach calls that same play, you’ll pretty much be schooled on it,” Carter told the Washington Post.

While the shoe was something beyond Carter’s control he has done a great job with first impressions. When camp opened up on Thursday, “Mr. Excitement” was the very first player onto the field.

Carter has become fast friends with Washington veteran Rob Kelley who started seven games at running back last season. The two sit beside one another in the running backs room.  Carter considers Kelley his own “sensei”

Starting running back Chris Thompson is returning this season from an injury just as Kelley is, so there’s a lot of unknowns at the top of the depth chart. Washington averaged just 90.5 rushing yards per game last season, 28th in the league.

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HBCU Alum Mayor Andrew Gillum Releases First TV Ad for FL. Governor

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The campaign has purchased a $60,000 ad buy on statewide cable for this week including CNN and MSNBC beginning Wednesday morning for Florida A&M University alum Andrew Gillum. The campaign will purchase a six-figure buy in Tampa, Orlando, and West Palm Beach starting the week of July 30.

The ad was shot by Mark Putnam, who was recently featured in POLITICO Magazine. From that piece: “It also was the third Putnam Partners ad in the past two years that made a Democratic military veteran go viral. In 2016, it was Jason Kander, his blindfold and his AR-15. In 2017, it was Amy McGrath, the first female Marine to fly an F/A-18 fighter jet in combat, launching her upstart candidacy in Kentucky’s 6th District. This year, it’s Hegar…Putnam, 54, is known best for his exacting work for red-state Democrats and his half-hour prime-time special for Barack Obama in 2008.”

“What’s impossible? The son of a bus driver becoming Mayor of the capital city, or that Mayor standing up against the NRA so that guns couldn’t be fired in city parks and winning? How about running for governor and being the most progressive Democrat who would invest a billion dollars in education and create Medicare for All? Is it impossible to come from nothing, be outspent 10 to 1 and win? Share this, buy a TV ad and prove the impossible.”

To show monetary support and help keep the AD on TV you can donate at:  www.AndrewGillum.com/MakeItPossible

Beyoncé’s Scholars Award Is Granted To These Eight HBCU Students

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Some might remember back in April Beyoncé announced the Homecoming Scholars Award for the 2018 – 2019 academic school year. A scholarship fund of $200k would be divided amongst eight students headed to Historically Black Colleges.

Now, Bey has announced and Bey has delivert.

  • Allana J. Barefield, Xavier University
  • Erin Evans, Wilberforce University
  • Caleb Washington, Tuskegee University
  • Jordan Davis, Texas Southern University
  • Cletus Emokpae, Grambling State University
  • Demetrius Weaver, Bethune-Cookman University
  • Dartisha Mosley, Fisk University
  • Kameron Willis, Morehouse College

The students come from several different fields of study. XULA’s Barefield is an aspiring journalist. Tuskegee’s Washington majors in sociology. Morehouse’s Willis is an aspiring surgeon. See below.

 

Six Florida Memorial Teams Named NAIA Scholars Teams

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(Miami Gardens, FL, July 23, 2018) With 8 teams in the entire program, Florida Memorial University (FMU) earned the distinction of having 6 teams awarded by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

To have 6 out of 8 teams perform well aligns with FMUs vision and athletic mission, to be a model program both academically and athletically.

Percy Caldwell, PhD., Director of Athletics at Florida Memorial University, attributes its success to athletic coaches who recruit good students. “Our ultimate goal is that our Grade Point Average (GPA)rises above our general student body,” said Caldwell. “In my 38 years as an athletics administrator, I have never had six teams win in one year,” he added.

Yulianna Charris, originally from Venezuela, has maintained a 4.0 for 4 semesters and is about to enter her Junior year at Florida Memorial University. She is a champion scholastically and on the volleyball court. “There are two things that help me win. My faith and my family and the hope that I will be withthem again one day,” said Yulianna.

“Florida Memorial University continues to have a high percentage of its teams receive the NAIA Scholar Team Award, as at least six Lions’ teams earned the honor for the third straight academic year. This is ateam award that embodies what it means to be true student-athletes, and FMU’s programs have onceagain achieved at a high level both academically and athletically in 2017-18,” said Kelli Briscoe, Championship Event Manager, NAIA.

ABOUT FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY

Located in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University is a private, historically Black institution that offers 37 undergraduate degree programs and four graduate degree programs to a culturally diverse student body. Since its inception in 1878, the University has upheld a commitment to provide an academic education solid foundation built upon the pillars of leadership, character, andservice. As South Florida’s only Historically Black College or University (HBCU), it is widely recognized asthe birthplace of the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing. For more information call 305 623 1452 or visit www.fmuniv.edu.

FMU is among the leading HBCUs in the nation leveraging partnerships with public and corporate partners to develop academic training and certification programs in emerging markets such as Energy and Environmental Science, Cybersecurity, Homeland Security and Computer Information Technology. FMU also offers a robust study abroad program and award-winning Broadcast Communications and Public Relations programs.

The university is also part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the SunConference and offers eight collegiate sports programs, including men/women’s basketball,men/women soccer, men/women’s track and field, baseball and volleyball.

FMU offers 28 undergraduate degree majors and three graduate degree majors. The University holds a 92% retention rate for program participants. More than 14% of the student population are international students representing Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

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Beyonce & Balmain Team Up for Coachella-Inspired Collection to Benefit UNCF

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Beyoncé and couture fashion house Balmain are collaborating on a capsule collection to benefit charity. The idea was conceived at Coachella, when Queen Bey and her dancers wore Balmain looks onstage, inspired by marching-band uniforms of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Proceeds from the collection will benefit the United Negro College Fund, following Beyoncé’s $100,000 donation to four historically black colleges after her Coachella set.

https://twitter.com/UNCF/status/1016769194103312385

“When she saw all the dancers loving the outfit—and she was loving her own outfit—she realized that what we were creating on stage for her, for all the dancers, was something really impactful,” the designer explained to Vogue.

“I worked really long with her on the Beychella moments, and the fact that we can release this collaboration that is based on our creativity, Beyoncé and I, is really a big, big step for fashion and music together.”

The mini-collection — composed of yellow and pink sweatshirts Bey wore onstage and a black tee with the same graphic — will launch July 13 in Paris and will be available the following day on beyonce.com and balmain.com

Creative director Olivier Rousteing said of the collab, “I worked really long with her on the Beychella moments, and the fact that we can release this collaboration that is based on our creativity, Beyoncé and I, is really a big, big step for fashion and music together.” The joint message, he continues, is to never stop dreaming.

Morehouse Receives $2.25 Million Investment From Aramark Corporation

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Representatives from Philadelphia-based Aramark Corporation presented a $2.25 million check to Morehouse College Thursday as an investment in a partnership that will expand facility maintenance services and bring new jobs to the College.

Morehouse President David A. Thomas accepted the check, formally ushering in a closer working relationship with Aramark, the College’s dining services provider. Aramark is also now overseeing facilities management.

The partnership will increase Morehouse’s access to national facility management experts, energy efficiency strategists, skilled labor, and high-tech equipment. It will also expand Morehouse’s purchasing capabilities.

“Aramark is going to make a real difference here for us,” Thomas said. “This partnership will enable Morehouse to expand the team that maintains our historic campus and make needed repairs and upgrades to some of our facilities at a cost savings.”

Alan Robertson, Vice President for Business & Finance, said the opportunity to partner with Aramark on facility services was a plan that the College first considered in 2014. It was revisited and instituted under the leadership of President Thomas.

“We are bringing all of the trades back that we had in facilities – carpenters, plumbers. We are outsourcing it to Aramark,” Robertson explained.

Aramark officials said as many as 70 new employees will be hired to upkeep buildings and grounds at Morehouse. Ten employees from Morehouse’s former Campus Operations office were the first to transition to Aramark. The employees will receive enhanced career opportunities and benefits with Aramark.

“We will bring the right skills set to the campus to accomplish the goals that we have for the Facilities department,” said Enrico Hunter, Aramark’s general manager for Morehouse College. “We also have an arm that we can reach back to at the corporate level to provide subject matter experts. We brought on a full-time energy manager to the department who will look at all of our energy expenditures and work to make the campus very efficient.”

Aramark will work with Morehouse students to launch energy conservation campaigns. In addition, students will also be considered for corporate internships.

Aramark is a national leader in providing facilities management and other professional services to colleges and universities across the United States. The corporation serves 150 institutions and employs 270,000 people.

“The journey is just beginning,” Trevor Ferguson, Vice President of Facilities for Aramark, said of his work with Morehouse. “We are looking forward to executing and delivering on our promises. Communities like this have helped me to grow and evolve as an individual. I am honored to be a part of it.”

FAMU Leadership Meets with Federal Officials to Discuss Center of Excellence

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Florida A&M University (FAMU) has been diligently meeting with the private sector, federal officials and key legislative staff over the last several months to discuss the establishment of a new Center of Excellence in Tallahassee, Florida.

The Construction and Infrastructure Technology Innovation Center of Excellence (CITIC) is an innovative multidisciplinary partnership between several of FAMU’s core academic schools, public partners and the private sector that is focused on global sustainable infrastructure. The Center of Excellence will create new STEM-based jobs within the state of Florida and will initially focus its efforts on energy development and the advancement of technologies that enhance the construction of affordable housing, roads, transportation infrastructure, as well as rapid and sustainable reconstruction following natural disasters.

“CITIC represents a part of a broader effort at FAMU to further apply the research, extension and outreach components of our land-grant mission toward entrepreneurship and technology commercialization,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., after a June CITIC meeting. “With the growing impact of our educational programs, enrollment, renowned faculty and researchers, FAMU stands ready to assist the construction sector in addressing critical requirements.”

The goals of the proposal will be accomplished through the development of innovative construction and infrastructure technology and the involvement of FAMU’s research, science, engineering, architecture and cyber-security disciplines in conjunction with private and public-sector partners. Collectively, these entities are committed to putting FAMU at the forefront of 21st-century technologies and directed research to develop sustainable infrastructure.

FAMU will continue to meet with key federal agencies in the coming weeks, targeting agencies interested in university collaborations and partnerships to evaluate infrastructure issues facing the U.S. military and communities throughout the nation. Both U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Al Lawson (FL-05) have been very supportive of the establishment of CITIC.

“I applaud Florida A&M University for establishing the CITIC. This proposal addresses pressing issues in our state, including global sustainable infrastructure development, improved infrastructure resiliency following natural disasters, and new STEM-related jobs for underrepresented minorities. We need bold initiatives like this to create a better Florida. I welcome the FAMU delegation to Washington and look forward to further collaboration on these important matters,” Rubio said.

“FAMU is one of the strong economic drivers for our community, and our state,” said Lawson. “I fully support more strategic investments in FAMU that create new opportunities for business growth and create new jobs in emerging areas.”

ABOUT CITIC

As a model program, CITIC will serve as both a research and development and technology integration and verification center. FAMU will partner with key academic, federally funded research and development centers and industry members to ensure that the best technology-based approaches are applied to commercial and residential construction, infrastructure development, civilian disaster scenarios and to military Forward Operating Base requirements.

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Howard Professor Files Lawsuit In Support Of Haitian Sugar Cane Workers In The Dominican Republic

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WASHINGTON, DC – Last month, Howard University African American Studies Professor Nikongo BaNikongo, Ph.D., filed a lawsuit in the International Criminal Court (ICC), located in Hague, Netherlands, on behalf of Haitian sugar cane-cutters in the Dominican Republic who have been denied residency for themselves and their children born in the country. The complaint seeks to hold Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina Sanchez, criminally responsible for the injustice.  It requests that the ICC prosecutor investigates Sanchez in his capacity as president for “Crimes Against Humanity stemming from the mass expulsion of Haitians and failing to exercise due diligence in securing the rights of Haitian workers in the DR.”

“The Dominican Republic has the obligation to look after the rights and the quality of life and justice as it pertains to citizens and foreigners. In our case it is foreigners,” says BaNikongo.

For several generations Haitians have worked on sugar cane plantations, known as bateys, in the Dominican Republic. Over time, families have given birth to children born in the Dominican Republic, however, the government has declared that the offspring of Haitian-born parents cannot be considered citizens, despite being born in the country.BaNikongo says the government has not provided a reasonable way for them to establish residency in the Dominican Republic.

“As a non-citizens, the Haitian workers lack the rights to healthcare, opening bank accounts and they are being expelled back to Haiti,” says BaNikongo. “They’ve been gone for so long that Haiti is unfamiliar to them. They don’t’ know anyone there.”

Over the past three years, BaNikongo has been taking Howard students to Haiti and the Dominican Republic each summer to research and advocate on behalf of the workers involved in this crisis, which impacts approximately 500,000 Haitians living in the Dominican Republic.His team has concluded that the only way to stop the injustice facing the Haitian workers was to file a criminal complaint against the President of the Republic.  Although several international commissions have found the government of the Dominican Republic guilty of violations of Human Rights, the government continues to refuse to provide reasonable means to remedy their situation. However, BaNikongo is hopeful that the International Criminal Court will rule in their favor.

“We are asking the office of the prosecutor to investigate based on our findings. As a result, he could issue a warrant for President Sanchez’ arrest, in the same way that Saddam Hussein was deemed to be a war criminal,” says BaNikongo.

Kadeen Menzie, a recent political science graduate of Howard University, participated in one of Professor BaNikongo’s mission trips to the Dominican Republic and helped the sugar cane workers fill out the paperwork to apply for residency. She describes the experience as eye-opening and life changing.

“I wasn’t born in the U.S., I was born in Jamaica and I have a child that was born in America,” says Menzie. “If I had to go through everything they are going through for residency, it would be very difficult for me. So, I can imagine what they are going through, having come from a third world country myself but never having it this bad.”

During the mission trip, Menzie helped pass out seeds for those in need to plant in order to grow food to eat. She recalls how happy everyone was in spite of their current situation.

“To us it was just seeds, but to them it was a lot more than just seeds. When I saw how these folks were living, it made me appreciate the little I had growing up,” says Menzie, who now plans to do humanitarian work after graduate school. “You can cry about something when you feel like you don’t have enough, but there are people out there who have less and are still making it. They were happy, they are fighters.”

# # #

Photo cutline: Sugar cane workers in the Dominican Republic lined-up to have Residency Rights applications prepared by Howard University Professor BaNikongo and his team in Fall 2017.

**In The International Criminal Court, The Hague, Netherlands

Residents of Bateyes Cacata, Santa Rosa & Batey #16 of the Region of Bayahibe, Dominican Republic v. Danilo Medina Sanchez, President of the Dominican Republic

CIAA Launches Bidding Process To Host 2021 Basketball Tournament

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Charlotte, NC – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Board of Directors Tournament Sub-Committee has formally launched the bidding process to identify the next host location of the annual CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament for 2021.

The sub-committee made bid specifications available this week to prospective tournament hosts and plans to announce the host city in December 2018. The selected city will serve as the official tournament location for a three-year term, from 2021-2023. The CIAA Tournament has been hosted in Charlotte since 2006 and will continue its existing agreement with the city through 2020.

Prospective bid cities are asked to submit a declaration of intent to bid, including a draft budget, hotel rates, and confirmation of adherence to the CIAA’s bid specifications by September 9, 2018. When evaluating prospective hosts, the committee will review each city’s competition venue, lodging and transportation, ability to create an advertising-free or “clean” zone to protect sponsors, and to prevent ambush marketing within that footprint. The region’s overall commitment to the annual event, including a provision for scholarship dollars to be distributed to member institutions, will weigh heavily in the decision.

Venues must hold a minimum of 8,000-10,000 fans and host cities or regions must be able to provide at least 6,000 full-service hotel rooms within reasonable proximity to the competition venue.

“The selection of the future CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament site is in alignment with site selections for all CIAA championships. The conference’s Board sees this as a great opportunity to open the tournament experience to other markets and to forge new alliances,” said Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner. “Charlotte has been a great home for us and we look forward to continuing our partnership. Our future includes writing a new chapter in our tournament’s history, with a goal of creating exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, sponsors, and fans.”

In 2018, the CIAA Basketball Tournament brought over 140,000 fans to Charlotte during the week of competition with an economic impact of $50.5 million. Since 2000, the CIAA has generated more than $650 million in economic impact and an average of $500 million in the state of North Carolina.

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Tony Bailey Named CAU Women’s Basketball Acting Head Coach

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Clark Atlanta University assistant women’s basketball coach Tony Bailey has been named acting head coach for the Lady Panthers while head coach Yolanda Moore remains on an official leave of absence.

Bailey was Moore’s lead assistant during a 2017-2018 season in which the Lady Panthers won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division regular season title and the SIAC Women’s Basketball Tournament championship. The Lady Panthers earned an NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament bid and finished the season with a 20-9 record.

Before coming to CAU, Bailey spent three seasons as an assistant women’s basketball coach at his alma mater, the University of West Georgia. A native of Villa Rica, Ga., Bailey was a national NJCAA All-American and All-Region player for East Central Community College (MS) from 1991-1992 before going to Murray State University and then the University of West Georgia. At West Georgia, Bailey was the nation’s third-leading scorer, averaging 25.2 points per game and helping West Georgia to a conference championship and an NCAA tournament appearance in 1994.

Bailey earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management and psychology from West Georgia and his master’s degree in sport management with a concentration in Athletic Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

WCSU Launches “Talk To Me” Community Public Affairs Talk Show

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Former Norfolk State Basketball Player To Make NASCAR History

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NORFOLK, Va. – Former Norfolk State University women’s basketball player Brehanna Daniels adds another chapter to her legacy as a NASCAR trailblazer this Saturday when she becomes the first African-American female pit crew member to work a race in the Monster Energy series, the sport’s top series.

Daniels will change tires for Rick Ware Racing and Ray Black Jr., driver of the No. 51 car, at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 Saturday at the Daytona International Speedway. The race will be televised live on NBC beginning at 7 p.m.

Daniels, who played for the Spartans from 2014-16, broke two barriers last year. The former NASCAR Drive for Diversity pit crew recruit became the first African American female to pit a national car racing series event last April for an Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) race in Nashville, Tennessee. In June 2017, she became the first to pit at a NASCAR national series event when she worked a truck series race in Dover, Delaware.

This week, she works the sport’s top circuit for the first time at the famed Daytona International Speedway. In fact, Daniels will be one of two females to pit the race, another NASCAR first. Former Alcorn State softball player Breanna O’Leary, another Drive for Diversity recruit, will change tires on the same team as Daniels on Saturday. O’Leary will be working her third Monster Energy race this year. The two, who are roommates, will be just the fifth and sixth female Drive for Diversity alums to reach NASCAR’s highest level.

“It’s hard to believe I’ve only been changing tires for two years and now I’m here at the Monster Energy Series level,” Daniels said in a NASCAR press release. “What I’m doing in NASCAR is so much bigger than me. It’s been so rewarding to be part of history while at the same time inspiring others to take on challenges they thought might not be possible.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph & Others Honored by McDonald’s

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NEW ORLEANS — Actress, singer and producer Sheryl Lee Ralph is a triple threat in the entertainment industry but was honored during this weekend’s Essence Festival for something entirely different — her activism. Ralph was honored Sunday as part of McDonald’s 365Black Awards, receiving the program’s advocacy award for her work fighting against HIV and AIDS.

“To be awarded for my activism feels absolutely amazing because I didn’t think anyone cared about the number of people still getting infected and being affected by HIV/AIDS,” Ralph said prior to the luncheon ceremony held at the Ritz Carlton.

“This is work that had to be done and I’m truly thankful that it’s being recognized.”

Ralph was among a group of women receiving recognition for their roles in strengthening African-American communities. CNN political commentator Symone Sanders received the Game Changer award, while Monique Vann-Brown, who owns seven McDonald’s franchises in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area, received the Business Trailblazer Award. In addition, Kimberly Bryant, founder and CEO of Black Girls CODE, which introduces young girls to the technology and computer science, received the Catalyst Award and Tishauna M. Wilson, a rising junior and computer science major at Florida A&M University, received the HBCU Forward Award.

Bryant, whose effort to get more girls of color interested in tech is in its seventh year and has reached about 8,000 students, said the award “means a lot to her.”

“We now have chapters in 14 cities and have reached 8,000 students. To get this for being a catalyst in my community is near and dear to my heart,” she said. “I’m all about sparking change and sparking a match under these little black and brown girls who do tech.”

Read more 

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Walmart Foundation Grants $500,000 to UNCF to Strengthen HBCUs

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UNCF announced a $500,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation that will provide funding and technical assistance to selected UNCF-member institutions. This grant will help these institutions with accreditation efforts and support a summer professional development conference geared toward institutional advancement.

Over the last decade, the Walmart Foundation has granted more than $4 million to UNCF, which includes today’s announcement of $500,000 to support UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building (ICB), a network-wideinitiative that helps strengthen member colleges and universities. Through the Walmart Foundation’s support of ICB, funds and technical assistance can help institutions in areas such as accreditation reaffirmation, enrollment management, fundraising or any area where unforeseen technical assistance may be needed.

“Once again, the Walmart Foundation has made a significant investment in UNCF’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which in turn results in an investment in America’s future workforce and economic development,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO. “Through the continued investment in UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building, which supports our member HBCUs, Walmart is ensuring that our institutions are given the proper tools to function, to train and equip faculty and staff, and to best serve the students who will become the leaders of tomorrow.”

For 2017,12 UNCF-member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were selected to participate.

The five institutions selected for reaffirmation readiness reviews are preparing for the customary 10-year review required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), their regional accrediting body. Each will receive a $20,000 grant, in addition to technical assistance from content-area experts, to better prepare the institutions to maintain full accreditation upon completion of their review.

The seven selected institutions for the five-year interim readiness reviews are preparing their Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and other reports due to SACSCOC five years prior tothe reaffirmation process. Each will receive a $10,000 mini grant and technical assistance from content-area experts. For historically low-resource institutions like HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions, programs that provide assistance and support during the reaffirmation of accreditation process are instrumental.

“At the Walmart Foundation, we recognize the tremendous support that UNFC provides to its member institutions to remain competitive options for students to realize their potential,” said Karrie Dennison, senior director, Walmart Foundation. “That’s why, we’ve made investments in UNCF that support their efforts to strengthen member colleges and universities. The $500,000 grant announced today is a natural next step in our continued support.” As a result of targeted implementation activities, anticipated outcomes include improved fiscal operations and processes, improved staff competencies and capacities, timely report submission and full compliance with the accrediting body. Taken together, these help to ensure that an institution is providing a quality education and has sufficient facilities, faculty, staff and other resources to accomplish its mission. Since the beginning of the Walmart Foundation’s support of ICB, the entire network of UNCF’s 37 member HBCUs have received grants to assist in various areas of the accreditation process. Last year, Walmart Foundation’s grant provided support for eight UNCF-member HBCUs.

In addition, the grant will support the 2017 UNCF ICB Institute, to be held July 12-13 in Atlanta, which is geared toward UNCF-member institution staff who work in institutional advancement and institutional effectiveness. The goal of this two-day institute is to equip attendees with the necessary strategies for using data to achieve their fundraising and other institutional goals.

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About Philanthropy at Walmart

By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. Walmart has stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.3 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are helping people live better by accelerating upward job mobility for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where we operate. We are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.

About UNCF

UNCF is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter, @UNCF.

FAMU Alum Andrew Gillum Can Create History As First Black Governor of Florida

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In the 173 years of Florida becoming the “Sunshine State” of America, never once has an African American male or female been elected as Governor. Mayor of Tallahassee Andrew Gillum believes he has what it takes to change that narrative and rewrite history.

Growing up as the fifth of seven children to a mother who drove school buses and whose father was a construction worker; Gillum rose out of the struggle of intergenerational poverty to become the first in his family to graduate both high school and college. While attending Historically Black University Florida A&M University, he became the youngest person in history elected to Tallahassee City Commission, before later being elected as Mayor.

A devoted husband to Lady R. Jai Gillum and father of 3 young children, Gillum understands the necessity of pushing forward legislation that allows for equal pay for women all across the board to level the playing field and also fight against legislation that aims to discredit a woman’s right to choose when making their health care decisions.

Having a sibling whose has been through the criminal justice system, Gillum understands the difficulty of many individuals who struggle with establishing themselves in society after doing time in prison majority of time for low-level offenses including marijuana possession.

“I believe we can tax marijuana and use that revenue to better fund our public schools. We can reform our criminal justice system while also investing in our public schools.”

Gillum is the the only candidate that fought against the National Rifle Association (NRA) and won, and as Governor he wants to get weapons of war off our city streets, and repeal the “Stand Your Ground” law which allowed for George Zimmerman to walk away with no jail time in the murder of teenager Trayvon Martin.

Although tremendous strides have been made in regards to LGBTQ rights when the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage constitutional, there is still much work to be done in the state of Florida. Over the course of his political career, Gillum has been a constant supporter of LGBTQ rights opening the doors of Tallahassee as a safe haven for same-sex couples to gain marriage licenses when other counties denied them their rights. However, LGBTQ individuals are still exposed to discrimination in public or the workplace; Gillum plans to press the demand for equal treatment and equal rights through statewide policies.

“Florida’s diversity is our strength…”

In wake of Trump administration immigration policies that have led to the deportation and separation of thousands of families across the nation, Gillum believes this is an issue of a lack of moral compass within our country. He understands that many immigrants have contributed greatly in America becoming some of the brightest students and leaders of our time; contributing to the special country that America is today.

“This moral crisis demands our leaders to stand up to this outrage in unequivocal terms, and will we not turn away from what the Trump Administration is doing to these families.”

Gillum believes the idea that we must choose between security and compassionate immigration policies is false when in fact we can have both.

With Stacey Abrams’ historic win as she tries to become the first African American female governor in American history, Andrew is also charting an historic path. Recently he earned the support of Tom Steyer and NextGen America, including a $1 million endorsement towards Gillum’s effort. Since Abrams’ win in the Georgia primary, Gillum has received endorsements from the Working Families Party (WPP), the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCF), and New Florida Majority.

“Stacey’s helping rewrite the political playbook of what our Democratic nominees are supposed to look like…we’re both trying to show our respective states a new way forward, because unfortunately for a long time in both Georgia and Florida we’ve tried to run a very safe campaigns down the middle — but those haven’t worked out for us.

Being the only Democratic candidate that is not a millionaire, Gillum has shown throughout continuous service and a strong work ethic that you can go from the bottom to the top while still fighting for everyday, working people. It is safe to say that Gillum is the change that we need to see in Florida — a man that is capable for making a drastic difference and create history in the process.

CAU Receives More Than $4.5 Million in Grants for Upward Bound, HBCU C.A.R.E.S.

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(ATLANTA) June 29, 2018 — Clark Atlanta University recently received two grants totaling more than $4.5 million. The first grant lays the groundwork for a new legacy within the Department of Counseling Education, while the second continues the 50-year legacy of CAU’s Upward Bound program.

“These grants demonstrate that our cutting-edge research and commitment to making college accessible to traditionally underserved students are both worthy of investment,” said CAU President Ronald A. Johnson. “This year, as we celebrate 30 years of the consolidation of Atlanta University and Clark College, it is gratifying to see the legacies of our parent institutions are being driven forward as Clark Atlanta University lifts every voice and ignites new possibilities.”

The University beat out fierce competition to become the only institution to receive a recent Health and Human Services (HHS) grant, with a total award of $1,804, 697 to establish a new center of excellence for the University called HBCU C.A.R.E.S. (Career Awareness, Recruitment and Engagement Services) for Behavioral Health. It officially kicks off September 30, 2018, with a first-year budget of $213,333 to fund the program’s set-up.

The grant was administered by HHS’s Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, whose mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

Dr. Leonissa Johnson, assistant professor of school counseling and the grant’s principal investigator, plans to set up a career awareness advisory council that will engage the 10 HBCUs that currently have behavioral health programs and eventually create a network of faculty across all HBCUs. To share information with the larger public, a website will be created that will serve as a clearinghouse of information.

“We will be very intentional about sharing information and programming with all HBCUs. Our goal is to have a connection with at least one person at each HBCU,” said Johnson.

Additionally, an ambassadors program will annually serve 25 graduate students (100 students altogether over the life of the grant) from HBCUs as they explore knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities. Once a year, they will converge at CAU for a two- to three-day experience where they will be required to create material and presentations on their areas of study so that they practice sharing information and talking with individual students.

The second grant extends the 50-year life of the University’s Upward Bound program for another five years. When the Department of Education announced grant winners this spring, CAU took its familiar place on the list. The institution was awarded a five-year grant of $2,755,000 — or $551,092 a year.

Upward Bound plays a crucial role in providing access to lower-income and first-generation students who traditionally have found it challenging to attend college. Upward Bound students take core classes, and seniors are able to take two college courses that are transferable to any college they attend in the fall. Students also are instructed in college readiness, such as applying for college, financial aid and scholarship programs.

“We’re providing a wholistic approach to help them map out their future,” said Zandra Genous Tate, director of CAU’sUpward Bound program. “This is our opportunity to increase the number of students of this population who get in college and complete college.”