FAMU Grad Opens Pharmacy In Jacksonville, FL

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One man’s dream to open a pharmacy in Northwest Jacksonville became a reality Monday when New Town Pharmacy opened to a crowd of over 100 people.

The pharmacy on Moncrief Road is the only pharmacy within a 3-mile radius.  Albert Chester II said he saw a need for a pharmacy in the community because older people or anyone without a car struggle to get the medicine they need.

Chester, a graduate of Florida A&M University, and his family saved their money for two years in order to open the business.

“It means I’m invested in sowing a seed into the community. Hopefully, it will grow and inspire other people to do the same thing,” Chester said. “Our whole point is to help and capture as many people as we can.”

Chester said opening the pharmacy was a special moment because it is in the same neighborhood where his grandfather grew up decades ago.

For more information about the pharmacy visit YourNewTownPharmacy.com.

Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman Returns to Howard University as Commencement 2018 Speaker

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Chadwick Boseman will return to his alma mater, Howard University, to deliver the 2018 Commencement Address on May 12, 2018.

Boseman, who recently played the lead role in Marvel’s Black Panther, feature film than has generated more than $1Billion, graduated from Howard University in 2000 with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts.

Howard University president Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick says, “It is an incredible honor and privilege for the Howard University community to welcome back home one of its native sons, Chadwick Boseman, to deliver the 2018 commencement address,”

Read the official press release:

Washington, D.C. — Howard University President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, announced today that actor and alumnus Chadwick Boseman will deliver the keynote address during Howard University’s 150th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 12, 2018.  Mr. Boseman will address members of the Class of 2018 and their families, University trustees, officers, faculty, staff, and alumni.  Howard University will confer upon Mr. Boseman the University’s highest honor, an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters.

“It is an incredible honor and privilege for the Howard University community to welcome back home one of its native sons, Chadwick Boseman, to deliver the 2018 commencement address,” said Howard University President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick. “He has played some of the most iconic African Americans that have transformed history, including Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Howard’s own Thurgood Marshall. His recent role in the blockbuster film “Black Panther” reminds us of the excellence found in the African diaspora and how places like Howard are hidden, untapped gems producing the next generation of scientists, engineers and doctors. Mr. Boseman exemplifies the monumental heights and levels Howard graduates can achieve by using the skills and knowledge they acquired at the university.”

Chadwick Boseman

“I’m excited to return to the Mecca in celebration of the achievements of our illustrious students,” said Boseman. “Let’s listen, learn and build with one another.”

A native of South Carolina, Chadwick Boseman graduated from Howard University and attended the British American Dramatic Academy at Oxford, after which he began his career as an actor, director and writer. Boseman can currently be seen starring as T’Challa/Black Panther in the worldwide phenomenon Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther.” He made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the African superhero in Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War,” in May 2016. He will reprise the role again for Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” later this month. Boseman’s breakout performance came in 2013 when he received rave reviews for his portrayal of the legendary Jackie Robinson in Warner Bros’ “42” opposite Harrison Ford.  Boseman received the 2014 CinemaCon Male Star of Tomorrow Award, was named one of the Top 10 Best Movie Performances of 2014 by Time Magazine and was awarded a Virtuous Award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for his portrayal of James Brown in Universal Pictures’ “Get on Up.”

He previously starred in the title role of Open Road Films’ “Marshall” alongside Josh Gad. The film tells the story of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, as he battles through one of his career-defining cases as the Chief Counsel to the NAACP. His other feature film credits include: the revenge thriller “Message from the King,” Summit Entertainment’s “Draft Day” opposite Kevin Costner, independent psychological post-war drama “The Kill Hole” and Gary Fleders’ drama “The Express.”

Boseman and his writing partner, Logan Coles, a fellow Howard alum, have written the script for Universal Pictures’ “Expatriate,” an international thriller set around a 1970s plane hijacking. Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight)has recently signed on to direct the project, in which Boseman will star.

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“We are extremely pleased that Chadwick Boseman has accepted our invitation to address the class of 2018,” said Howard University Board of Trustees Chair Stacey J. Mobley, Esq. “His words as one who has walked the same halls as our graduates will truly resonate and inspire them to reach for the stars.”

Howard University’s graduate programs in business, education, engineering and social work increased in the annual national rankings by U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools” listing. The College of Engineering and Architecture increased the to the top 12 percent of engineering colleges in the nation with a No. 132 ranking, a 66-point increase over the past three years. The Howard University School of Social Work ranked No. 30, up eight spots from last year, moving the program within the top 15 percent of programs in the nation. Howard’s School of Business ranked No. 78, following a rank of No. 92 in 2017. The School of Education moved up to number 105, up 15 places from last year’s ranking.

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Photo courtesy: Earl Gibson III

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, call 202-238-2330 or visit the University’s Web site at www.howard.edu.

 

 

Beyoncé Set To Give 100k In Grants to 4 HBCUs Following Coachella

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For her second BeyGOOD scholars program, Beyoncé will award four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with $25,000 grants for the 2018-2019 academic year​.

The Homecoming Scholars Award Program for 2018-2019 will expand to all qualifying students at the four universities, regardless of gender. The disciplines will include literature, creative arts, African- American studies, science, education, business, communications, social sciences, computer science and engineering. All applicants must maintain a 3.5 GPA or above. All finalists and winners will be selected by the universities. Winners will be announced this summer.

The Universities, Xavier, Wilberforce, Tuskegee and Bethune-Cookman, are all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). HBCUs are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the intention of primarily serving the African-American community.

“We salute the rich legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” Ivy McGregor, Director of Philanthropy and Corporate Relations at Parkwood Entertainment, said in a statement Monday. “We honor all institutions of higher learning for maintaining culture and creating environments for optimal learning which expands dreams and the seas of possibilities for students.” Winners will receive the good news on a date this summer TBD.

This news follows her HBCU Homecoming performance at Coachella. The HBCU enrollment has definitely risen with this performance. We all are in awe of the performance. Beyoncé has shown us that when you are the first to do it, you better do it the best, so the others after you will have a hard time filling your shoes. Queen Bey has shown us why she’s the queen. Saturday’s performance gave us everything that Beyoncé stood for, she even took us to her roots in Louisiana with her orchestra’s rendition of “Do Whatch Wanna” performed and remastered by brass bands throughout the southern region.

The announcement ties in with Beyonce’s performance on multiple levels: She was accompanied by 150-plus performers, most if not all of whom were people of color; many of those performers were part of a marching band, majorettes and drumline styled on those from black colleges and universities, and she and her performers often wore collegiate-type outfits bearing the Greek letters beta delta and kappa, her initials with the delta referencing her favored number, four; and the set was loaded with references and quotes from black history, ranging from an excerpt from a Malcolm X speech to a quote from a Nina Simone song, “Lilac Wine.” And she pointedly thanked Coachella for making her the first black woman to headline the festival — adding sardonically, “Ain’t that about a bitch?”

Beyonce Brings HBCU Homecoming to Coachella

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The Queen has once again snatched all wigs and turned waves into tide pools! Beyoncé, what did we do to deserve such an amazing performance ? For those that may not what happened, let me tell you. Muva Bey headlined Coachella as the first black woman in the music festivals nineteen years of existence. Not only did she perform, she payed homage to the great Historically Black Colleges and Universities bands, dance lines and D9 organizations across the United States. With an opener right out of the history books of entertainment  Beyoncé took us to those cool October days during your favorite HBCUs homecoming. Opening with a band consisting of low and high brass, accompanied by numerous high kicking, low bucking, eight count throwing dancing divas.  When we thought Beyoncé had enough of saying it loud, she broke out in the Negro National Anthem, and in normal Bey fashion she sung it with such style and grace. I’m sure Coachella did not think that our Queen was not going  to pay homage to her melanin brothers and sisters.  We loved how muva gathered every HBCU dance line, and made them one strong powerhouse that captivated the fans who paid hundreds to watch her slay and  the ones who made sure they had just enough cellular data to watch the performance from beginning to end. Now do not forget about the drum line,  because what’s a good band with a solid drum line. Just when we thought Bey could not provide us with more, she took a scene out of Spike Lee’s School Daze or your organizations Spring probate, and gave us eight new “bugaboo” into Beyhive Spring 18. 

Her performance was right out of the HBCU homecoming handbook. What other artist can unite HBCUs and Greeks in one performance ? Now let us talk about her special guest. We all knew that she was going to bring HOV, but when we saw the reunion of Destiney’s Child

everyone was shooketh. Performing their hits such as “Say my name” and “Soilder” the trio took us back to the early 2000s, with their coordinating of green ensembles. Just when everyone was settled and gained composure, she starts performing “Get Me Bodied,” and we all know when this jam come on it is a must you dance to this with your crew. Well Beyoncé decide to do it with none other than her sister Solange. Beyoncé definitely gave us an HBCU homecoming, probate, halftime show and reunion all in one performance. With a set of almost two hours, she clearly has so much more up her sleeve for this OTR 2 tour. Beyoncé once again what did we do to deserve this ? Not only was her performance one to remember, but the outfits worn are definitely something being sought after by every Beyhive member. The newline of merchandise   consisting of a shield with the black power fist, Nefertiti, the black panther head and  the famous buzzing bee.

The HBCU enrollment has definitely risen with this performance. We all are in awe of the performance. Beyoncé has shown us that when you are the first to do it, you better do it the best, so the others after you will have a hard time filling your shoes. Queen Bey has shown us why she’s the queen. Saturday’s performance gave us everything that Beyoncé stood for, she even took us to her roots in Louisiana with her orchestra’s rendition of “Do Whatch Wanna” performed and remastered by brass bands throughout the southern region. Beyoncé a woman of color, mother of three, powerful black women gave us a two hour show full of energy, pride and dignity. She not only did it with heels, but she did it while holding the perfect pitch, stayed in her range and left no pages unturned in her entertainment repertoire. Four outfit changes and she still managed to keep the fans on the edge of their seats, couches or the tip of their toes. She is definitely the greatest entertainer of this generation. Beyoncé is the definition of an all around performer, mother, daughter and wife.

Watch: Southern University Alpha Tau Chapter DST Yard Show Spring 2018

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCjAvaPaCU4

The new line of Deltas at Southern University just did their first yard show!

THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME 4/11/2018 Videographer: Marvin Price Be Sure to watch in High Definition Thank you for supporting Dr. Price TV! Please Subscribe!!!! Follow us on twitter: @DrPrice_IsRight Follow Dr. Price on Instagram: @DrPrice_IsRIght Follow the official Dr. Price TV Instagram: @DrPriceTV Add Dr. Price on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/marvinp92

SWAC Coordinator Sally Bell Retires

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Sally Bell announced her retirement as the Southwestern Athletic Conference‘s coordinator of women’s basketball officials, effective April 9.

“The SWAC wishes Sally Bell the best in her retirement and thank her for her many years of service not only in the SWAC but to the game of women’s basketball,” SWAC interim Commissioner Edgar Gantt said. “Sally’s leadership and passion will be missed.”

Bell had served the SWAC as its coordinator of women’s basketball officials since 2009 and held the same post for the Southland, SEC, Ohio Valley, Sun Belt and Atlantic Sun conferences.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to have served the great sport of basketball for over 40 years, especially as an official and coordinator,” Bell said. “I want to thank interim Commissioner Gantt and his staff for their support as well as the loyal and dedicated referees I have had the honor to work with. I was blessed with some memorable experiences but more importantly developed meaningful and lifelong friendships. I am humbled to have played a small role in the game. While I am retiring I will be a fan of the sport for life and look forward to seeing the next generation of officials excel.”

Highly respected during her tenure in the sport, Bell spent 33 years as a women’s basketball official which included 15 NCAA Division I Women’s Final Fours, including 13 consecutive from 1992 through 2004, as well as the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She was also named the 1991 Naismith Women’s Basketball Official of the Year and was inducted as one of six members into the 2017 class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bell was active in officiating international basketball, working the 1989 Junior World Championships in Spain, the 1990 World Championships in Malaysia, the 1994 Goodwill Games in Russia and the 1993 World University Games held in the United States.

Bell began officiating high school basketball in 1975, moved on to NAIA and NJCAA games in 1979, and first officiated Division I and II games in 1981. Bell will continue with her scheduled camps this spring and summer.

Watch: New Delta Psi Line Of Omega Psi Phi at Shaw University

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The brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Shaw University know how to hold it down!

The Delta Psi Chapter Of Omega Psi Phi recently revealed their Spring 2018 line and their neos PUT ON A SHOW! From the promotional material for their show to the show itself, you could see that these brothers included attention to detail and the ENTHUSIASM that is signature to the men of Omega.

This is what their promo video looked like:

Heres, the full version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE__tmuqQ1o

Aggies Earn Three Victories at Home Invitational

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REENSBORO (April 13, 2018) – North Carolina A&T track and field opened Day 1 of the Aggie Invitational at N.C. A&T’s Irwin Belk Track with victories in the men’s and women’s long jump and the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Twelve Aggies broke personal records as well.

N.C. A&T junior Kayla White highlighted the day by breaking her own school record in the 100-meter hurdles blazing her home track in 12.92 in the finals. Her time ranks eighth in the nation. Sophomore Madeleine Akobundu was second at 13.19 to rank 19th in the nation while freshman TeJyrica Robinson finished fifth at 13.54. Akobundu and Robinson also set personal records.

Akobundu continued her terrific day by winning the women’s long jump at 19-feet, 7 ½ inches. Junior Anisa Toppin posted a personal-record 19-feet, 2 ¾ inches placing fourth in the long jump. Freshman Royce Johnson finished eighth at 18-feet, 4 ½ inches.

The Aggies took first and second in the men’s long jump with both participants earning personal records. Junior Michael Bell placed first measuring 23-feet, 6 ¾ inches. He was followed by junior Lasheon Strozier at 23-feet, 2 ¾ inches.

Junior Michael Dickson (13.57) and senior Todd Townsend (13.72) were also spectacular for the home crowd by posting personal records. Dickson placed second in the men’s 110mh preliminaries at 13.57 while Townsend came in third at 13.72. In the finals, Dickson placed second (13.71) and Townsend third (13.75) while sophomore Robert Miller was seventh tying his personal record at 14.20.

Sophomore Camille Martin ran a personal-best 19:13.07 in the women’s 5000-meter finals to place third while senior Miranda Green was fourth at 20:24.50. In the men’s 5000, senior Hakeem Mustafaa (16:38.35) was fourth, junior Daquan Maddox (17:02.93) was fifth and junior Joel Freeman (17:54.25) was seventh.

Sophomore Kristoni Barnes led three top-10 finishes in the women’s 800 with a personal-record 2:08.70 to place second. Sophomore G’Jasmyne Butler was third with a time of 2:11.26. Senior Imani Coleman (2:12.48) was fifth and sophomore Khadijah Reid (2:25.27) was 15th.

Senior Corey Aiken led the Aggies in the men’s 800 with a third-place finish at 1:53.93. Freshman Alan Johnson (1:54.52) and senior Steve Stowe (1:55.91) were fifth and sixth respectively while sophomore Marquise McGee (1:56.02) placed eighth rounding out the top-10.

The action continues on Saturday the triple jump at 9 a.m. and the 4×100 relay at 11 a.m.

HBCU Buzz President Brittany Ireland, Chloe and Halle, Speak at Jack and Jill’s Teen Conference

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Jack and Jill of America Inc. hosted its 68th Annual Eastern Region Teen Conference “Royalty: Our Past, Our present, and Our Future,” featuring panelists like R&B duo Chloe and Halle, HBCU Buzz president Brittany Ireland, Scholly Founder Christopher J. Gray, and Global Group founder Jaylen Bledsoe this past weekend, April 5-8, 2018.

Chloe, Halle, Brittany, Chris, and Jaylen spoke on the panel “Young, Gifted, & Black: Millennial Founders in the Innovation Economy” moderated by Emmy-award winning journalist Cathleen Trigg-Jones.

“We recognized that something had to be done, and we did it; not just for ourselves, but for HBCU students around the world,” says Ireland to a standing-only room of teens at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center April 7, 2018. She continues, “It was important to see millennials like you and me[African-American] who are living their dreams, being celebrated.”

Chloe and Halle spilled tips from their mentor Beyonce‘ and how they grew to fame, Jaylen told a compelling story about becoming a millionaire before he was even legal, and Chris reflected back to producing the biggest fight on ABC’s hit television show Shark Tank.

The 4-day conference hosted by the Metropolitan New York Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. engaged nearly 1,000 African American teenagers in targeted, structured activities to provide a unique leadership experience.

The youth had the opportunity to network and learn more about education, business, innovative technologies, job readiness, and leadership skills through panels, workshops, and other sessions.

“After the panel a few teens rushed over and told me they had got accepted to various HBCUs, that they followed HBCU Buzz, or that they’d seen our logo various places in their cities. The teens told me I’d see their names in headlines one day… I told them they were correct, that first headline will be from hbcubuzz.com, because we are here for each of you!”

Other panelists and guest speakers include actor Michael Rainey Jr. from POWER, National Hockey League Executive Vice President Kimbery Davis, Rock the Vote Civic Engagement Manager Shaneice Simmons, Assembly Member Michael A. Blake, Diplomat Heather Joy Thompson Esq., lawyer and entrepreneur James E. McMillan, Bank of America Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Cynthia H. Bowman, Howard Woolley president and CEO of Howard Woolley Group LLC, Excutive Director of the National Society of Black Engineers Karl W. Reid, Lockheed Martin Corporate Strategy and Business Development Senior Vice President Stephanie C. Hill, Microsoft Corporate U.S. Government Affair Vice President Fred Humphries, Writer and Celebrity Lifestyle Expert K. Neycha Herferd, Founder and CEO of Reframe the Brand Jeffrey L. Bowman, Best-selling author Harriette Cole, and Tony and Emmy-award winning actress Renee’ Elise Goldsberry, and Baltimore Chief Communications Officer Adrienne Barnes.

 

Jack and Jill of America is composed of over 11,000 mother-members who represent more than 40,000 family members across the country. We currently have 242 chapters nationwide and 57 chapters in the Eastern Region that span the District of Columbia and eight states including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia (Northern). Our conference attendees come from all 57 chapters along the East Coast. While approximately 1000 attendees are teens, we also expect approximately 400 mothers who embrace the values of financial security, academic success, professional advancement and economic empowerment.
About Brittany Ireland
Brittany is a millennial leader in the media industry and proud graduate of Howard University where she serves on the university’s core communications team. Contact Brittany at brittany@brittanyireland.com.

FAMU’s School of Nursing Placed on Probation

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Florida A&M University’s School of Nursing has been placed on probation by the state Board of Nursing following two consecutive years of low passing rates on license exams.

Interim FAMU Provost Rodner Wright said the state notice does not affect nursing students graduating this spring, and it does not affect the school’s accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, or ACEN.

“Florida A&M University’s rates have not equaled or exceeded the required passage rate two consecutive calendar years,” the state board wrote in its notice in February.

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The program must remain on probationary status until it achieves a graduate passage rate that equals or exceeds the required passage rate for any one calendar year. Seventeen other nursing programs in Florida also were placed on probation for low passage rates.

Wright said nursing Dean Henry Talley has developed an action plan to better prepare first-time test takers. FAMU’s goal is to show improvement this year and get off probation.

According to the letter, an approved nursing program must achieve a graduate passage rate for first-time test takers, which is not more than 10 percentage points lower than the average passage rate during the same calendar year for graduates of comparable degree programs who are first-time test takers on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination.

FAMU’s average graduate passage rate for first-time test takers for 2016 was 75.61 percent, while the average graduate rate was 87.80 percent.

FAMU’s passage rate for 2017 was 63.51 percent, while the average graduation rate was 90.04 percent. read more

New Royalty at Tuskegee University

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Contact: Michael Tullier

At separate events held the week of April 2, the Tuskegee University student body selected its new reigning Miss and Mister Tuskegee University and their attendants for the 2018-19 school year.

On April 5, the university crowned Courtney Alexis Landrum, a junior from Greenville, Alabama, majoring in occupational therapy, as its 89th Miss Tuskegee University. She succeeds Jessica Lillian Dedeaux of Wiggins, Mississippi, who graduates this spring with a degree in aerospace engineering.

Landrum and Interim President Charlotte Morris (center), Hutchins (left) and Ryce (right)

She is the daughter of Angela and Earnest Hill, and Michael Landrum. Landrum has served through many different campus clubs and organizations, including Miss Freshman 2015-2016, new student orientation leader, and co-president of Inspirational Girls, as well as a member of the President’s Men and Women’s Leadership Program and Tuskegee University Ambassadors.

“I truly believe that you can have a dream, goal or idea, but the grind and hustle are sold separately — meaning it takes hard work to truly see things come to fruition,” Landrum said.

Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy at the University of Alabama Birmingham and eventually open her own private practices in rural communities.

On April 3, the university named Tyrin Kirkland, a junior from Birmingham, Alabama, majoring in finance and accounting as its 21st Mister Tuskegee. He succeeds Jalen Law of Robertsdale, Alabama, who graduates this spring with a degree in nutritional science.

Kirkland (center) with Howard (right), Young (left) and Law (back, center)

Kirkland is the son of Cedric Kirkland and Yolanda Nance. While a student at Tuskegee, he has served as Mister Rockefeller Hall and as a member of several campus organizations, including the Tuskegee University Ambassadors, the Honors Program, President’s Men and Women’s Leadership Program and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

“We should aspire to inspire before we expire,” Kirkland said, noting he strongly believes in the importance of volunteering, hard work, and diligence; empowering African-Americans; and working together for collective achievement.

Upon graduation, Kirkland plans to pursue a career in public accountancy, eventually owning his own finance and accounting firm.

Both Miss and Mister Tuskegee University have attendants that combine to form the Royal Court. Miss Tuskegee University’s first attendant is Shyla Hutchinson, a junior from Alexander City, Alabama, who is majoring in mechanical engineering. Her second attendant is Briann Ryce, a junior from Huntsville, Alabama, majoring in sales and marketing and finance.

Mister Tuskegee’s first attendant is Barry Wayne Howard II, a junior from Madison, Mississippi, majoring in English. His second attendant is Gerald Martin Young II, a junior from Little Rock, Arkansas, majoring in psychology.

The Miss and Mister Tuskegee University titles date back to 1925 and 1999, respectively. In their roles, students selected to hold these titles serve alongside other Student Government Association officers and student leaders as representatives of the student body. Each frequently participates in recruitment events, formal convocations and other programs as on- and off-campus university ambassadors, and serves under the auspices of the university’s Office of Student Life and Development.

Videos of the Miss Tuskegee University pageant and Mister Tuskegee University pageant are available online.

Spelman Alumna and America’s Youngest Black Woman to Own Dispensary Makes Moves

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Hope Wiseman, a 25-year-old Spelman graduate, plans to open a dispensary called Mary and Main’s in Capital Heights this winter. As a co-founder of Compassionate Herbal Alternative, she’s the youngest Black woman in the nation to own a dispensary.

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A 90-day Maryland General Assembly comes to a close at midnight Monday, and though the top objective was achieved when a $44.5 billion budget was approved last month, lawmakers still have dozens of bills they plan to review on the final day, including compromises on medical marijuana.

According to the legislation, Senate and House lawmakers reached a deal Saturday to limit the number of processors to 28. In addition, the bill would add 20 new licenses to grow and process marijuana to ensure racial diversity, as well as allow a former member of the General Assembly who leaves after one year in office to become an owner or have an official relationship with a medical marijuana business. The previous language set the mark for a person to wait two years.

The legislation would force the state’s medical cannabis commission, named after the mother of Baltimore City Delegate Cheryl Glenn, “to the extent permitted by federal and state law, actively seek to achieve racial, ethnic, gender and geographic diversity when licensing medical cannabis growers” and “encourage applicants who qualify as a minority business enterprise.” read more

#HUSitIn: How the Home of a Financial Aid Scandal Became a Safe Haven for Howard University Students

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Fifty years ago, solidarity between Howard University students brought national attention to the class of 1968 due to university’s failure to include student input and in 2018, nothing has changed.

Since Thursday, at least 300 student demonstrators have staged an administration building sit-in “after 13 months of organizing, talking with administrators and exhausting all forms of protest.” The demonstration comes after a student whistleblower exposed the financial aid office for misappropriating funds on the online publishing platform Medium.

Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick confirmed these allegations Wednesday, March 28.

Many students applaud HU Resist for their leadership and efforts to raise awareness of issues and concerns plaguing the university. Students say the administration building has created unnecessary red tape also known as “the Howard runaround.”

HU Resist, the student organization leading the sit-in, has fostered a sense of family and community in a space where students previously felt intimidated, neglected and belittled.

“Before [the sit-in], I would come into the administration building emotionally armored to prepare myself for whatever attitude or obstacle might be in the way of what I came into this building for. Now, walking into this building seems very open. I don’t feel like I have to prepare myself for negativity. This whole building has a different energy to it. It feels like the bison family I came to Howard for,” said freshman Journee Harris.

Over the past seven days, HU Resist has organized tutoring and counseling services, know your rights workshops, healing spaces, art therapy classes and gender neutral bathrooms. Some say the student organization has produced more of an inclusive community than Howard has. 

“The building has given me a sense of democracy, community and family. Before it was dreadful and painful.  HU Resist made it feel like they weren’t worried about who was in charge as long as they got what everybody needed. The power structure is such an important thing at Howard and getting rid of that by creating a democratic society has prevented any problems that could occur in the future,” sophomore Jason Hilaire said.

“Since we are all here for one cause, there’s nothing we need to worry about. There is no craziness going on. Everyone is all in sync,” he continued.  

From holding discussions about black queer spaces and placing an emphasis on respecting preferred pronouns, the administration building has transformed from what students say a belligerent space into a safe haven.

Although a junior transfer student at Howard, Savannah Howard has had her share of financial aid woes.

“Every time I walked into this building, I felt hopeless and annoyed. As a transfer student there have been a number of things that have gone wrong. The building wasn’t serving its purpose that it was promised to us, but now we have collective power. I’m not mad anymore. I’m not the way I felt when I had to come in this building to handle matters of my own. This building is filled with students that look like me which gives this building a comforting vibe. It has become a second home to me,” said Howard. 

It is unsure how long HU Resist and other student demonstrators will reside in the administration building, but students claim they will not be leaving until the resignation of  Frederick and the Board of Trustees is fulfilled.

HU Resist presented the Board of Trustees and Frederick a list of nine demands which include providing adequate housing, hiring more counselors for mental and emotional health issues and disarming campus police officers.

The student activist group formed in February 2016 to “make sure that Howard University fulfills its mission to [us].” HU Resist and student demonstrators hope to hold Howard administrators accountable for their lack of transparency and their abrasive treatment towards students.

Triple Threat Entrepreneur Jalil Miles Launches Clothing Line, “Trophy Year”

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Jalil Miles, a San Bernardino, CA native has began to impact his millennial generation and become a new trailblazer in the business world with his triple threat talent. An established DJ, Graphic Designer, and now business owner; Miles has become a mogul in the making. Never forgetting his past, Miles contributes his many successes with his humble beginnings. Growing up in a single parent household on Section 8 and relocating from home to home in an area where crime rates were consistently rising, this fueled his passion towards success from his childhood to his young adult years.

A Senior at Fisk University in Nashville, TN soon to graduate with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Music Business, Miles contributes the creation of “Trophy Year” to discussions and ideas he and his fraternity brothers shared with each other.  Chapter President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Chi chapter he and his brothers expanded upon their inner desire for more out of life. “We wanted to see growth in ourselves and in each other, remaining motivated as time passes is the major key and this that motivation.” Miles personal mantra is “apply pressure always.” Tapping into his passion for fashion Miles birthed the vision of “Trophy Year” and began working the graphics for his clothing December 2017 , by January his business was in action, successfully selling out of his pre-sale clothing quickly and official trademarked.

The vision of Trophy Year is to encourage anyone and everyone to reach their full potential, to realize that all goals perceived in the mind are obtainable through willpower, work ethic, and pushing through in the face of adversity.

Since the conception of Trophy Year, the business has begun to spread like a wildfire with individuals working out in gear, teachers, and athletes wearing his gear. On his college campus he has impacted students by reminding them to maintain a positive mindset and looking good while doing so. With close to 15,000 followers on Instagram, Miles has created a vision and a clothing line that resonates with individuals his age that appreciate the message and have found something they can live by. Through consistent networking, Miles has been able to see his gear worn by many notable artists, producers, and actors including Rich Dollaz (Love and Hip Hop) , Tay Keith (Producer of “Shoot” and “Look Alive” ), Fetty Wap, Kendrick Lamar, and Suge J. Knight. Individuals have found a clothing line whose mission of achieving anything they pursue resonates with so many people.

 

Moving forward, Miles says within the next five years he plans to begin collaborating with sports teams in creating warm up gear and team jerseys, as well as collaborating with Adidas, and introducing some work out gear. Spreading from Nashville to Atlanta, Trophy Year looks to begin opening official stores in New York and closer home to Miles in Los Angeles. With the constant support of new artists and established artists, new clothing content is in the works for Trophy Year. A young man driven by success and the pursuit of something more has walked into his Trophy Year.

For information on purchasing clothing, inquiries regarding DJ services, or graphic design
assistance visit his official website at www.jalilmiles.com. His Instagram account for the
apparel page is @TrophyYearApparel and his Personal Account is @dj.jayill.

Hype at Howard University: The Lunch Table Blog Show Forms New Chapter

Posted by Maya Reese
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As Howard University is going through so many administrative changes, a new media outlet is slowly emerging on HU’s campus. The Lunch Table Blog Show, LLC is a media company, originally founded at Towson University, that is beginning to expand throughout the entire DMV area. CEO and Founder David Abraham (@DavyJTheVirgo) says that when he was in college, there was no outlet for him to really garner experience as a host in the media industry. He founded The Lunch Table as a way to give other aspiring journalists and hosts a platform to gain working experience to add to their resume before graduating from college.

Their viral videos, often posted on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, cover a wide range of funny, wild, and sometimes uncomfortable topics. They recently posted videos about whether or not you should post your significant other on social media, does size really matter?, and coverage of a stroll off event. TLT also hosts events such as panels, cook outs, and probate after parties. It aims to become as involved on college campuses as possible.

Abraham describes The Lunch Table as “a multimedia platform that gives voice to the community through electronic media, film, events.” It started at Towson, but has now expanded to Howard University, Coppin State University, Bowie State University, University of Maryland, and is now on its way to Hampton University. The multimedia company also now offers internships to students pursuing a career in the fields of journalism, public relations, and video production.

“If you search us up on Google in 10 years, it will not say The Lunch Table Blog Show, LLC, it will hopefully say incorporated. I hope to expand way beyond college campuses and maybe start a chapter in each city,” says Abraham.

To see the full video interview with David Abraham about The Lunch Table Blog Show, click here.

Morgan State’s Marvin Webster Named to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

Posted by HBCU Editors
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Morgan State University athletic legend Marvin Webster will be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, the organization announced Wednesday. Webster is one of six former players in the Hall of Fame’s 2018 class. The 2018 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Celebration, presented by Nike, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 18 in Kansas City, Mo.

Dubbed “The Human Eraser,” the late Marvin Webster was one of the most dominant big men in college basketball history. From 1971–75, Webster tallied an NCAA record 2,267 rebounds, and his 740 boards in 1974 and 650 in 1973 are the two highest single-season totals in Division II history. Webster was a three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year, and he holds Bears program records in rebounding, blocks, field goals made and free throws made. He averaged 21 points, 22.4 rebounds and eight blocked shots in 1973–74, leading Morgan to the Division II national title.

Webster was drafted in the first round by both the NBA and ABA in 1975 and played 10 professional seasons. He played for the Denver Nuggets in the ABA and for the Seattle Supersonics and the New York Knicks in the NBA.

Webster will be the first Morgan alumnus inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Webster, Houston’s Otis Birdsong, Arizona’s Sean Elliott, Arkansas’ Sidney Moncrief, North Carolina’s Sam Perkins and USC’s Paul Westphal will join former Charleston coach John Kresse and former Oregon Tech coach Danny Miles to make up the Class of 2018.

Webster is one of 11 players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to be selected to enter the Hall of Fame, joining: Willis Reed Jr. (Grambling State); Vernon “The Pearl” Monroe (Winston-Salem State); Earl “Big Cat” Lloyd(West Virginia State); Samuel Jones (North Carolina Central); Marques Haynes (Langston); Dick Barnett (Tennessee State); Travis “The Machine” Grant (Kentucky State); Bob Hopkins (Grambling State); Zelmo Beaty (Prairie View A&M) and Cleo Hill (Winston-Salem State).

The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame is located inside of the College Basketball Experience (CBE), an experiential entertainment facility adjacent to Kansas City’s Sprint Center. The Hall of Fame’s 13th induction celebration will precede the 2018 Hall of Fame Classic, which will showcase Nebraska, Texas Tech, USC and Missouri State competing on Nov. 19–20 at Sprint Center.

~MorganStateBears.com