Filmmaker Spike Lee, who graduated from historically black Morehouse College in Atlanta, opens up about his new film, Blackkklansman, and why he offered the leading role to John David Washington without an audition.
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.”
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.
Today, the Board of Regents named Marion Fedrick as president of Albany State University. Congratulations President Fedrick! #AlbanyState
Read more here: https://t.co/9nx3cvIXB1 pic.twitter.com/b2bSD43x8R— Albany State University (@AlbanyStateUniv) August 14, 2018
“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 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.””
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.”
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.”
Morehouse College’s new president, David Thomas, is a different type of president for the storied institution in a couple of ways. First, he is the first president in 50 years who is not also an alumni.
The second thing is Thomas decided to connect with his student body in an interesting way: by moving into the dormitory Graves Hall, according to the Dothan Eagle. The new HBCU president moved into the college dorms on Tuesday and stayed among the first-year students there for two days
Joining our @Morehouse freshmen in moving into my room in historic Graves Hall to start #MorehouseNSO. First, unpacking my bags before I'm to attend a mandatory resident hall meeting! pic.twitter.com/AN1lQcFal0
— Dr. David A. Thomas (@MorehousePrez) August 7, 2018
Thomas said the move was meant to “give me some perspective on what college is like for students and what is on their minds.”
Thomas is already diving headfirst into making changes to the dorms, announcing plans for renovations. He also oversaw the opening of an on-campus late-night convenience store on Monday.
Thomas said he actually wanted to attend Morehouse College, but couldn’t afford the tuition. He earned his degree at Yale University instead. This isn’t his first time working at a renowned American institution. He spent the bulk of his 30-year higher-education career serving in a 20-year tenure at Harvard University.
Explaining that he was looking for a college that is more progressive and accepting of the LGBTQ community, a student at Howard University told reporters that his parents are having problems with him being gay.
“I’ve come to my mom three times, and there will be a fourth time,” said Justin Calhoun, who is a junior, political science major, according to The Washington Blade. “Each time, my mom has basically lied to herself and been really in denial about it. … After I come out, she always says, ‘I can’t wait till you get a wife and kids.’”
“When my parents found out, we had a long talk, and I eventually admitted I was gay. My parents immediately started crying; my dad walked out of the room and said, ‘That’s some bullshit.’ … Several days after that, there were some prayer sessions, prayer warriors, people coming in the house to pray and lift the corners of the house from the evil spirit that was me.”
Calhoun also added that he is “very loud about being gay at Howard and actually most places I go, except my parents’ home. I just don’t like being quiet about it.”
In many ways, 2017 proved to be both triumphant and bumpy for the nation’s largest black-owned businesses.
Several companies on this year’s BE 100s had robust revenue growth. Others struggled with increased competition, customer retention, and setting themselves apart from larger mainstream rivals. Most still possess resourcefulness, creativity, and other resilient qualities. As such, they have developed the rare entrepreneurial drive to succeed in an uncertain business climate.
There were significant shifts, however: Coca-Cola Beverages Florida L.L.C. became a new billion-dollar revenue addition to the Top 100 rankings. And on the BE BANKS list, OneUnited Bank edged out Carver Federal Savings as the nation’s largest African American banking institution.
To find out the firms that comprise this year’s BE 100s—America’s largest black businesses across industrial/service, automotive and financial services sectors—you will find our series of lists and summaries of their performance here. This article represents a series of reports on how the BE 100s have fared in each industry. Our Annual Report on Black Business begins with a review of the leading black-owned businesses among industrial and service firms.
Top 100 Largest Black-Owned Businesses
The TOP 100 includes manufacturers and tech companies that are suppliers for some of the world’s largest companies. Black firms have been making tremendous strides to innovate due to the changing climate of globalization and technology, says Kenneth L. Harris, Ph.D., president and CEO of the National Business League Inc.
“The future has forced black manufacturers and logistics firms to aggressively innovate to meet global needs, as technology unlocks productivity gains, and businesses experience growth by diversifying into new areas of opportunity within the supply chain—all necessary to remain competitive in the marketplace,” Harris says.
Let’s take a look at how some of these companies fared in 2017 and what they are doing to sustain forward momentum.
The TOP 100 now has six companies with more than $1 billion in revenues. in addition to newcomer soft drink bottler Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, they are list leaders World Wide Technology Inc., a St. Louis-based It products and services provider and staffing solutions firm Act-1 Group as well as top black automotive suppliers Bridgewater Interiors L.L.C, Modular Assembly Innovations, L.L.C., and The Piston Group, LLC.
For Southfield, Michigan-based Piston Group, revenues exceeded $1.7 billion in 2017 versus $1.625 billion in 2016. The gain came from continued organic growth and existing customers like Ford, which included providing the automaker electrification, says Amit Singhi, the company’s COO and CFO. Revenue also grew because of new business the company picked up from adding FCA US L.L.C. and non-domestic automakers like Toyota as customers. Plus the auto supplier benefitted from its acquisition of Irvin Automotive in 2016 from Takara Corp. to expand into engineering, design, and manufacturing. Singhi says growth this year will come from operations as well as acquisitions.
Based in Minneapolis, THOR Cos. had a banner year in 2017, posting revenues of $368 million—up 162% from $140 million in 2016.
Founder and Chairman Richard Copeland says just under $197 million came from the acquisition of JIT Energy Services, a minority-owned energy management and utility cost reduction services firm, for an undisclosed amount. THOR Construction contributed another $170 million. Its high-profile projects included work on the $1.1 billion U.S. Bank Stadium and the $375 million T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The company renovated the Target Center last year where the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves play and worked on the expanded Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The company aims to collect new revenue this year from THOR Construction, JIT, and its land development, architectural design, and consulting businesses. Started in 1980, Thor Cos. plans to move into new headquarters in July, a $36 million office/retail building in north Minneapolis.
For Powers & Sons Construction, 2017 was rough. The Gary, Indiana-based company’s revenues fell to roughly $46 million, down 50% from around $92 million in 2016. CEO Mamon Powers Jr. said there were ample projects in the pipeline but a significant number of the larger ones were unable to start or had to be delayed due to issues such as a client’s inability to gain adequate financing.
The 2017 Black Enterprise Company of the Year, Powers & Sons celebrated its 50th-anniversary last year. Powers is optimistic revenues will be strong this year and in 2019, rising 20% to 25% annually. He expects the gains to come from new projects his firm will pick up at its offices in Indiana and Illinois, including work on the $350 million Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Check Out the Full List of 100 of the Nation’s Largest Black-Owned Businesses, The Black Enterprise 100, or “BE 100s” Here
This story was written by Jeffrey McKinney, a contributor to Black Enterprise, where it originally published. This story is published here with permission.
HOUSTON (August 9, 2018) – The Accreditation Committee of the American Bar Association (ABA) has concluded that Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law is making progress toward full compliance of several ABA standards that were found to be in violation in 2015 and 2016. The committee further concluded that the law school has achieved complete remediation of one standard.
“We have demonstrated to the ABA Accreditation Committee that we have made the necessary progress and are continuing to make progress with regard to the standards that were in question,” said TSU President Dr. Austin A. Lane. “I would like to thank acting Dean Gary Bledsoe, Marcia Johnson, and Cassandra Hill, each of whom played critical roles in making these changes over the past year, as well as the faculty, staff and students within the law school.”
Dr. Lane also thanked the ABA for recognizing the progress that has been made, and that TSU plans to exceed their expectations over the next two years.
“This announcement is a validation of the steps we have taken to enhance academic rigor, along with the academic support we provide,” said TSU Provost Dr. Kendall Harris. “It gives our students the best opportunity to succeed in the law school, graduate, and become members of the legal profession. TSU is committed to academic rigor and the success of our students.”
Standards that were addressed as part of the proceedings included:
- Standard 104, which provides for data integrity with information that is complete, accurate and submitted in a form, time and manner to the Council
- Standard 205(b): provides for equality of opportunity for faculty and staff
- Standard 301(a): provides for a rigorous program of legal education
- Standard 309(b): provides for academic support
- Standard 501 (b): provides for qualified applicants
The process included a remedial plan developed by the law school to address each of the standards.
“This has been an opportunity to improve our law school, and we’ve worked diligently to do so,” said Gary Bledsoe, acting dean of the law school. “This process fits with our strategic plan to make this great, historic law school even better, and to reflect the honor of the school’s namesake – Thurgood Marshall.”
The university’s plan includes a number of remedies to ensure gender equity for faculty and staff, including:
- Collaboration with the TSU Title IX Coordinator;
- Establishment of a Gender Equity Committee within the law school;
- Faculty/staff training seminars regarding gender equity issues; and
- Conducting an annual self-evaluation of its Title IX initiatives
In addressing the academic rigor standard, the law school has strengthened the first-year program of legal education, including new curriculum, and faculty collaboration to substantially revise and create new evaluation tools. Other initiatives involve efforts to increase student engagement.
Similarly, the law school has implemented an enhanced academic success program for its students, including practice exams, Saturday academies focused on essay writing, tutoring labs, a bar preparation course, and additional measures for identifying at-risk students.
In response to the standard related to qualified applicants, the law school has modified its recruiting practices, enhanced its branding efforts, and adjusted its admission index in collaboration with a streamlined interview process for prospective students. A six-week summer program designed to assist admitted students with predicted low indices is now mandatory for the lowest quartile of each year’s entering class.
The ABA’s Accreditation Committee will submit its conclusions to the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the ABA in mid September. TSU will send a small team, including Dr. Lane, Dr. Harris and Dr. Bledsoe, to present a full report of its remediation efforts to the council.
The Committee recommends a process to be followed over the next two years, through July 2020, to validate that the law school has followed through on the commitments that it made and that those commitments and the school’s efforts have succeeded in bringing the law school into compliance with the ABA standards.
In the past year, TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law has received several national awards and recognitions, including a third consecutive top three finish and Best Advocate Award at the National Mock Trial Inter-Law School competition, 2018-19 rankings by PreLaw Magazine in the “Best Law Schools for Employment” and “Best Specialties – Criminal Law,” and a #2 “Most Diverse” ranking by National Jurist.
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.
Dear Class Of 2022,
Congratulations! You made it.
After all of the hardships of high school that many of you have faced; bullying, roasting, and for some, racists teachers and administrators who mentally drained you every day, you made it. My name is Dennis Richmond, Jr. and I am a graduate school student, Claflin University alumni, May ’17, and the Founder and Director of The New York-New Jersey HBCU Initiative. The mission of The Initiative is to educate students throughout the states of New York and New Jersey about the educational opportunities available at HBCUs
Through conversing with students for the past few years, I learned a lot about different situations. Some of you are coming from a very negative home environment, others are starting school with children, and some are independent students embarking on this journey alone and afraid. With all of that said, I would like to offer you all some collegiate advice to keep you on the straight and narrow. A little something from your, “Big Brother”.
First off, be sure to keep your academics first. Do not put anything before your academics. That’s the main reason you’re there. Yeah, it might seem appealing to run to her dorm late night and, “talk” to her Bro, or to pull up on him outside Sis, but remember, you have class in the morning. It is much easier for a GPA to drop than for a GPA to rise. Case in point, stay focused on school.
Secondly, don’t challenge every Professor. I cannot stress this one enough. Some professor’s love a good debate. Others on the other hand, feel as if everything that they are telling you is the gospel. Just listen and take notes. I have had my fair share of battling professors. Believe me when I tell you it is not worth it. It’s their classroom.
Third, remember that not everybody is your friend. Most college campuses, even those that have large student bodies, are “small” in a sense of students knowing other students business. Be careful who you tell certain things to because you do not want it to come back and bite you in the butt. If you have some personal secrets that you share with people, be sure that those people will love and support you and won’t hurt you. On the same token, be careful as to whom you walk with to get fast food late night. You do not want anybody setting you up.
Lastly, live it up! You made it to college! Have Fun! College doesn’t last forever and believe me when I tell you that the time spent on campus truly does fly by. Now with all that said, relax, pray and/or meditate as needed, and have the time of your life.
Now go out there and handle your BI, you heard!
This story was written by Dennis Richmond Jr., Founder and Director of The New York New Jersey Historically Black College and University Initiative.