Tennessee State University Students Go Homeless For A Day

Posted by Delvakio Brown
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Six students from Tennessee State University decided to put their selves in the footsteps of a homeless person by going homeless for a day. They joined me within the Nashville streets to experience how it feels to live on the streets making it their home for at least one night.

Going from the boredom of a dorm room to hustling the streets for survival is a drastic change. As the night approached to begin the journey Tennessee State University students Zyhir Baker-Elam, Alexia King, Alexyss Hicks, Mikayla Jones, Courtney Hollis, and Damarkus Jones transformed themselves to look the part of being homeless.

Pictured is Alabama State University alumnae makeup artist, Alexis Bassham creating a homeless personality for Tennessee State University student Zyhir Baker-Elam

The experience hit home for King because she was in the position of being homeless growing up. During the experience King was shocked by how helpful the homeless were. “The more fortunate people were partying and didn’t bother to help us while the homeless people were giving us coins that they didn’t even have to give,” stated King.

Hicks changed her perspective of homeless people because of the project. “Having to walk all night and trying to find somewhere to lay our heads while participating in the project was the toughest part for me,” stated Hicks.

The long day began at 12:00 midnight. As the group journeyed downtown without cell phones, limited snacks, and sheets to sleep with it seemed that the day would pass by quickly. The night life of downtown made time go by. As the streets slowly cleared and the crowd on Broadway of Nashville dispersed the experience suddenly began to get harder.

There was no more beating on buckets to raise enough money for food. Sleep was uncomfortable and picnic tables became plat surfaces for beds. We had to walk around frequently to not be questioned by police and stay safe from others who might attack us for what we did have.

There was no crowd to help make time go by. The night became cold and some homeless quickly transitioned back to being a person with a car and decent clothing.

All that was left in the night included night, the real homeless fighting for a better day ahead, and the cold pavement. “There is a big difference in being out all and being out in the night all night. At least people have a place to come home to after being out all night.  Homeless people don’t have a home to return to.  There is no returning home by morning,” stated Baker-Elam.

The group took one week to prepare for the day. No matter how long they prepared for it, there will never be enough preparation for what the students experienced.

“It’s rough being homeless. The same way it only took us a week to prepare for this can be the same week that it took someone to become homeless.  It was nothing I expected, but I’m grateful to have more understanding from our experience,” stated Courtney Hollis.

The money that was raised during the project was donated towards a meal for young men of Boyd Hall on the campus of Tennessee State University.

Patsy And Gene Ponder Of Marshall, Texas, Make $2 Million Gift To Wiley College

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Longtime Wiley College supporters say gift is in honor of College’s Retiring President, Haywood L. Strickland

(Marshall, Texas) During a nostalgic visit to the Wiley Campus to bid a final farewell to the 16th President, Dr. Haywood L. Strickland, Mr. Gene and Trustee Patsy Ponder presented an unrestricted gift of $2 million to the College.   In making this gift to the institution, the Ponders said that they were doing so  to honor President Strickland’s  eighteen years of distinguished service to Wiley College, the Marshall Community and The United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Ponder, who is an active member of the governing board, said that the gift is yet another example of their “love for Wiley College, the students served at the 145- year- old institution of higher learning, and the high regard they hold for the transformational leadership impact of the 16th President.”

In accepting this gift, which came as quite a surprise to President Strickland, he thanked the Ponders for their friendship and unwavering commitment and support of Wiley College and its mission to prepare servant leaders.

Strickland said he was humbled by the magnanimous expression of the Ponders’ faithful stewardship and is grateful beyond measure for their “extravagant generosity” — United Methodist concept for people whose giving and doing reflect the light of God’s love in their souls and, as a result, genuinely wish only  to make a positive difference for others.

“The Ponders have always given from their hearts and their philanthropy has been most purposeful,” said Strickland. “Their generosity reflects the John Wesleyan ideals of Methodism — ‘do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can.’”

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Photos:  From left to right in photos are Dr. Haywood L. Strickland, President and CEO of Wiley College, Wiley College board trustee Patsy Ponder and Mr. Gene Ponder.

Media Contact:

Tammy Taylor, Director of Public Relations

(903) 927-3385 (Office)

(469) 826-2383 (Mobile)

The Importance Of Balanced Media Coverage On Historically Black Colleges And Universities

Posted by Maya Brown-Edwards
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The media plays an immense role in how we perceive the world around us. It is imperative that journalists and news producers remain objective to prevent media bias. Unfortunately, the success rate of this has been significantly low, especially in regards to HBCUs.

Since their founding in the 1800s, Historically Black Colleges and Universities have played an important role in the African-American community. During post-slavery, these institutions provided African-Americans an opportunity to gain access to a quality education.

HBCUs have been a Mecca for black talent. They have produced revolutionary leaders, lawyers, journalists, artists, doctors, and athletes. Even so, HBCUs suffered from diminishment and low regard in the media.

These institutions have had to battle their false reputation as inferior and incompetent compared to traditionally white institutions. This outlook, arguably sustained by media gatekeepers, has definitely carried over into today’s American conversation.

Take some time to think. If you could describe HBCUs in one descriptive word, what would that word be? Whether you have actually attended an HBCU, or have merely heard things about them through news outlets, might influence which adjective comes to your mind.

How the media characterizes HBCUs plays a critical role in their reputation, credibility, funding, and other important factors, so it is vital that they are positively and accurately portrayed.

Predominantly Black publications strive in their efforts to cover HBCUs fairly, but predominantly white publications and news organizations have not.

Is this a prime example of institutional racism? Is it a hidden agenda? Perhaps it is just a simple lack of knowledge and experience.

There is no official reason for this occurrence, but it’s blatant it’s there. Top media outlets such as FOX News rarely recognize HBCU excellence in their broadcasts and articles.

However, such outlets quickly hyperbolize important (and occasionally controversial) issues occurring on HBCU campuses.

The double standard when reporting on HBCUs compared to PWIs needs to cease:

“I think there is a substantial amount of bias when it comes to media and what schools will have the spotlight. And most of the time, media broadcasts the PWI that we all expect to excel.

As far as HBCUs, it’s all about what rapper is coming, possible sexual harassment, and how the schools are losing money. It needs to change because ALL schools, PWIs and HBCUs are going through the same thing.”

— Jeanette Tate, Western Illinois University

A recent example of this is the coverage of the “financial aid scandal” at Howard University.

The story quickly broke nationally and immediately became the number one trending topic on Twitter. While some outlets continued reporting the story with journalistic integrity, some, neglected to fairly cover Howard students occupying the administration building in a nine-day sit-in (the longest in school history).

Those efforts resulted in the university introducing a new statement of commitments, allowing students more inclusion in the university’s decisions. Instead, they showed students playing “B*tch Better Have My Money” by Rihanna and swag surfing (an HBCU tradition).

Undoubtedly, certain media organizations intended to try to make a mockery of the entire situation playing to their readership’s echo chamber of racial animosity.

“[HBCUs] aren’t recognized at all by anybody else but other black schools. Transferring from my HBCU was a choice made because of the lack of the programming they had for the major I wanted. My great-grandfather founded Jarvis Christian College and at one point in time, we had the Jarvisonian newspaper.

It hurt to leave, but I knew if I wanted better for myself, I had to go, but I always promised to come back and restart a journalism program. When I transferred, white students and non-black students didn’t even know HBCUs existed.

They’re not recognized whatsoever in avenues likes sports or programs that compete on the same level as them. Black students at my school recreate a sort of HBCU atmosphere for us. A lot of black PWI students tend to look at HBCU students like they’re less than.”

— Jade Jackson, University of North Texas

HBCUs provide top-tier higher education opportunities for thousands of students each year. They are not solely about entertainment and fun. While we uniquely love our bands, the sense of community at our homecomings, and our soul food Thursdays, we are much more than just those things.

We do provide a quality education. We do build African-American students up—and show confidence in them not shown to them at other points in their lives. We are The Mecca, and we deserve that title!

“I do not think we get enough credit from the media, however, I do feel like the HBCU recognition and value has increased lately! There are plenty of institutions getting nationally acknowledged and the black community is realizing the value of an HBCU experience.”

-Nigel Hammett, North Carolina A&T

Historically Black Colleges and Universities will always represent the state of African-Americans in this country.

Our relentless and tenacious attitude will continue to persevere years beyond today, but this time we will demand our story is not shown through a biased lens.

Howard Student Iran “Bang” Paylor Creatively Pays Homage To Diddy And Bad Boy Records

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(Washington, DC) —To celebrate the iconic, dynamic, record breaking, history making – all time record label “It’s Bad Boy” Howard University Student, “Iran Bang Paylor” and Models Inc. has prepared a full experience tribute to pay homage to the GOAT / Mogul Diddy and Bad Boy Entertainment Record Label!

Contact: Aaron Handy
Phone: 202-292-9172

This Tribute will highlight chart topping music hits from the 90’s from Bad Boy Entertainment Record Label. Featuring hit songs from their Hip Hop era, inclusive of Biggie Smalls, Lil Kim, Faith Evans, Total, 112, Carl Thomas, Mase and Puff Daddy with a few special guest songs from artist of the family.

The mogul himself “Diddy” and Lil Kim “Queen Bee” and Hip Hop Legend Wardrobe Stylist Misa Hylton have been very influential to Iran Paylor. Since the beginning of his fashion journey, with their fashion, lifestyle, music, trends, and overall impact on our culture and award winning success. So, it is with honor that Howard University Student, Iran Bang Paylor is able to produce and direct this phenomenal live concert experience to pay homage for how they’ve change his life with the fashion industry and lifestyle!

In this epic entertainment experience you can expect jaw dropping choreography, precise movements, extraordinary fashion and costumes, top modeling entertainment, thrilling lip sync actors, hip hop & swag and professional performers reenacting the notorious artist’s from BadBoy’s Record Label. You’re guaranteed to be dancing, singing, and rapping along the entire show! So throw on your dancing shoes it’s about to go down!

This Entertainment Fashion Experience is a must-see event for the Washington Metropolitan Area. Guaranteed to be an evening of fashion, fun and all the arts combined in one. Showcasing top-tier talent within our community among our youth and young adults.

Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seat belts, hold on tight because this show is ready to take you for a ride, as they proceed to give you what you need!

The BadBoy Reunion Tribute Show will take place on Sunday, April 29th at the historic Charles Herbert Flowers Performing Arts Center. Show will begin punctually at 7:00pm Advance Tickets are $25.00 and Box Office Admission is $30.00. Purchase online tickets at badboytribute.eventbrite.com

Paylor is highly respected and well known for producing nothing short of perfection on the stage. He operates on donations and hopes that he can count on your support for this cause, which allows DMV youth/young adults to express themselves creatively through fashion and the arts.

Learn more here

Email: Incmodel@yahoo.com

BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT REUNION TRIBUTE SHOW! 

Entertainment Fashion Show!

Sunday, 7:00pm, April 29, 2018

CH Flowers Performing Arts Center:

10001 Ardwick Ardmore Rd. Springdale, MD 20774

General Admission: $25

Box Office: $30

Ticket Link:

http://badboytribute. eventbrite.com

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Black Survival: This Detroit Teen Offers A Valuable Lesson

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By Erin Keith, Detroit Free Press

I received the news about Brennan Walker while I was at a leadership retreat of sorts for youth-justice advocates of color. The four-day forum was a “safe space” for us to talk about our advocacy work and uplift one another, while also discussing what it feels like to fight for black and brown kids in places where we are often a minority: the conference rooms where we, as unofficial representatives of the POC (people of color) delegation, have our figurative seats at the table, but not a voice; the spaces where fancy degrees, expensive surveys and academic studies often carry more weight than our lived experiences.

As I sat at the breakfast table with juvenile public defenders, children’s rights lawyers and community organizers, another article rolled across my Facebook timeline. Brennan, a 14-year-old black teen in a Michigan suburb, missed the bus and got lost walking the four miles to his school. He knocked on the door of a white lady’s house to ask for help. She cried “break in,” despite Brennan’s explanation that he just needed directions. Her husband ran to the front door with his shotgun, struggled to remove the safety for only a moment, and then stepped onto his porch where he fired a bullet at the fleeing child. Brennan sprinted away, narrowly escaping his own murder and future as an R.I.P. hashtag. The husband was charged with assault with intent to murder. Related image

As a black woman born and raised in Detroit, I couldn’t stop thinking about how Brennan could easily be one of my little cousins who are about his age. And while this story is heartbreaking, it is even more tragic for another reason — it has pretty much happened before.

Mike Thompson: Students march to end gun madness
Nancy Kaffer: In search of good schools, and drowning in data

In 2013, Renisha McBride, another black teen, knocked on a stranger’s door in a predominantly-white Michigan suburb asking for help. Renisha had just been in a bad car accident, and had wandered away from the scene on foot, injured and disoriented.

After knocking on a stranger’s door to request assistance, Renisha was met with the barrel of a shotgun. Only she didn’t run, she died — from a gunshot wound to the face, through a screen door, at point-blank range. Renisha’s killer, Theodore Wafer, was actually convicted of second degree murder — a most uncommon result when it comes to black victims at the hands of white shooters.

Yet, here we are again, with another black teen narrowly dodging a similarly tragic fate.  Shortly after Brennan’s encounter, the Detroit Branch of the NAACP, issued a statement about the incident entitled “Being Black is not a Crime.” While I long for this phrase to be true, a quick review of our nation’s history proves that being black in America has always been, and continues to be, a crime.

From fugitive slave laws and slave patrols, to vagrancy laws, black codes and chain gangs, to a black boy named Emmett or Trayvon — our country has consistently made being black a crime, often punishable by death. So much so that a regular, shmegular white man thinks he can go shooting at a black boy on his lawn on a typical weekday morning and then go back to his life in retirement as if nothing ever happened.

Brennan is alive to tell his version of events because he ran fast. His character has not been annihilated by the media … because he ran fast.  His actions cannot be mischaracterized as hostile and threatening…because he ran fast. The white homeowners can’t say they feared for their lives or make up some other cover-up story…because he ran fast.

A 14-year-old black boy should not have to be a mix of Olympian-sprinter Usain Bolt and superhero Luke Cage to make it to his 15th birthday. His life — his humanity — should not depend on him, literally, running faster than a speeding bullet. But sadly, in America today, it does.

And so in the midst of proudly teaching our black youth to know their rights, and to march, and to embrace their #blackboyjoy and #blackgirlmagic, and to be proud Wakandans — if we want them here and not just in handcuffs or in heaven — we apparently must also teach them:

Not to sell bootleg CDs. 
Not to play with a toy in the park.
Not to have a busted taillight.
Not to forget the turn signal.
Not to go to the corner store for some skittles.
Not to wear hoodies.
Not to play their music loud.
Not to have a car accident.
Not to talk on their cell phones in their grandma’s backyard.
Not to get lost on their way to school.
Not to ask their neighbors for help.
Not to wait for a friend at Starbucks.
Not to sit in a car in a Walmart parking lot.
Oh, and how to run like their lives depend on it, because they probably do.

636598336616234382-Erin-Keith---Photo-6-.jpgI guess I need to thank my mom and dad for encouraging me to run the 300-meter hurdles in high school. My latent track and field skills might just be the thing that saves my black life.

Erin Keith, Esq. is native Detroiter who serves as the Juvenile Defense and Policy Fellow at Georgetown’s Juvenile Justice Initiative in Washington, D.C.

Hampton University Cherise McAdoo Creates Business Focused On Career Development

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One student that came taking in all the resources college has to offer is now helping other college students reach their fullest potential.  Meet Cherise McAdoo, a proud Detroit, Michigan native who is a senior majoring in marketing and minoring in entrepreneurship at the Home By The Sea, Hampton University.

McAdoo’s entrepreneur spirit focuses on personal development.  Her company, Resourceful Reese, prepares and encourages students on their academic and professional journey through workshops, conferences, and one-on-one sessions. She specializes in personal branding through resume building, LinkedIn creation & rebranding, along with career mapping.

Have you ever met a current college student who helps current college students reach their dreams of catching an internship or getting accepted into graduate school?  Well, McAdoo did not wait to after she graduated from college to start this.

Her friends actually admire the fact that she invests so much of her time in helping other young people who are ambitious and have dreams of being their best professional self.  “She uses the mentality that says, “I got mine now let me help others get theirs as well” and that’s a beautiful thing,” stated boyfriend, Blake Porter.

Her Best Friend, Alexis McCullough, thinks she is quiet different compared to others their same age.  “She’s found herself at such a young age, which most people don’t get to say at age 20 or 21. She’s just really grounded in herself and has found her true purpose in life.”

McAdoo’s entrepreneur spirit focuses on personal development.  Her company, Resourceful Reese, prepares and encourages students on their academic and professional journey through workshops, conferences, and one-on-one sessions. She specializes in personal branding through resume building, LinkedIn creation & rebranding, along with career mapping.

McAdoo is no new face to campus involvement at the Land By the Sea, Hampton University.  She serves on the student recruitment team, a Dr. William R. Harvey Executive Presidential Fellow, Sigma Beta Delta Honors Society, Mu Kappa Tau Honors Society, and Q.U.E.E.N Committee Board.  Throughout her collegiate matriculation McAdoo has had the pleasure of serving as a campus ambassador for Fortune 500 companies such as Quicken Loans, Cantor Fitzgerald, and Bloomberg BNA.

Being young is not a hindrance to McAdoo and what she does. Her boyfriend, Blake Porter has seen her passion for students displayed up close and in person. “The most intriguing thing about Resourceful Reese is the passion exemplified in her work. She genuinely cares about each of her students, and continues to track their success in all future endeavors.”  Her loved ones have watched her tune into her talents and skills from an early age.  “Cherise researches information and works to tailor her services to custom fit the needs of her clients.  Cherise developed superb networking skills at a young age and has used those skills both personally and professionally,” stated mother, Noricka Greyer.

Currently Resourceful Reese has grown into a company with twenty consistent clients built up within the last six months. Friend Jailynn Cotton is happy to have witnessed the growth of McAdoo’s company. “Resourceful Reese has come leaps and bounds from where it started and she has not forgotten where she came from nor has she gotten on her high horse,” stated Cotton.

The company offers professional development and coaching, social & dining etiquette, and motivational speaking as well.  The best accomplishment for McAdoo personally has to be seeing students who came to her discouraged find their dream internship. She also loves seeing student’s progress from being nervous about applying to graduate or professional schools to actually getting in.  “There is no greater feeling than knowing that I was able to encourage and bring out that inner confidence while also branding them as a young professional,” stated McAdoo.

McAdoo is good at switching up what she does.  It even surprises her friends at times. McAdoo will begin her career at Linkedin as a Global Sales Associate in Chicago, Illinois in October 2018. “For years she interned in an Investment Bank and I was so sure that she would pursue a career in finance. Therefore, when she told me that she accepted a sales role at LinkedIn, I was extremely shocked,” stated best friend, Alexis McCullough.

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You can keep up with Resourceful Reese on Instagram at @resourcefulreese and her website at www.resourcefulreese.com.

Tom Joyner Will No Longer Play R. Kelly’s Music On His Show

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Tom Joyner has taken a step in the right direction by banning R. Kelly’s music.

During Jacque Reid’s “Inside Her Story” segment of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke discussed the support Kelly still receives from fans and people in the industry after Sophia Nelson accused the movement of “not doing enough to bring down R. Kelly.”

The two women talked about Burke’s ongoing fight to end sexual violence against Black and brown women and allegations against Kelly.

Burke went on to explain by supporting the 51-year-old’s music, consumers are keeping him “wealthy”. She then called out the TJMS for their “support” over the years of Kelly (they, like many stations, still play his music, even having him on the 2015 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage Cruise).

“We need the Tom Joyner Morning Show to support R. Kelly.” Without hesitation, Joyner responded “Okay, you got it. I’ll do that right now. I won’t play anymore R. Kelly music.”

This is a bold move from the 68-year-old veteran radio host, who announced his retirement last year, and perhaps the first of his stature to do so publicly.

Meet Prairie View’s First Female President Ruth Simmons

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Ruth J. Simmons, was inaugurated April 20, 2018, in Panther Stadium, becoming the first woman and eighth President of Prairie View A&M University, to hold the position.

 

The #RuthTheTruth campaign was launched last October when Simmons, a native Houstonian, was named the sole finalist for the position. She had previously retired from her position at Brown in 2012 and was brought on as an interim president last July. The Houston native has already made precedent as the first African-American, male or female to lead an Ivy League institution in 2001.

 

From the University;

Dr. Ruth Simmons, an accomplished university president with administrative experience in Ivy League schools, a women’s university and a historically black college, has been named President of Prairie View A&M University. Ruth J. Simmons was President of Brown University from 2001-2012. Under her leadership, Brown made significant strides in improving its standing as one of the world’s finest research universities.

A French professor before entering university administration, President Simmons held an appointment as a Professor of Africana Studies at Brown. After completing her Ph.D. in Romance Languages and literatures at Harvard, she served in various faculty and administrative roles at the University of Southern California, Princeton University, and Spelman College before becoming president of Smith College, the largest women’s college in the United States. At Smith, she launched a number of important academic initiatives, including an engineering program, the first at an American women’s college.

Simmons is the recipient of many honors, including a Fulbright Fellowship to France, the 2001 President’s Award from the United Negro College Fund, the 2002 Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal, the 2004 Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal, the Foreign Policy Association Medal, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the Centennial Medal from Harvard University. Simmons is a member of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the Council on Foreign Relations, and serves on the boards of Texas Instruments, Chrysler, Mondelez and Square, as well as a number of non-profit boards. Awarded numerous honorary degrees, she received the Brown Faculty’s highest honor: the Susan Colver Rosenberger Medal in 2011. In 2012, she was named a ‘chevalier’ of the French Legion of Honor.

Google Matches Beyonce’s Scholarship Effort Towards HBCUs

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After the singer donated $25,000 following her Coachella performance, the online search engine matched the singer’s grant to benefit four more historical black colleges and universities. Fans are still recovering from Beyonce’s explosive Coachella headlining performances, but Queen Bey isn’t done giving.

Following the references to historically black colleges in her performance, she pledged on Monday to give $25,000 through her BeyGOOD foundation to four qualified students from Tuskegee University, Wilberforce University, Xavier University and Bethune-Cookman University.

Even bigger than that, Google.org is teaming up with the icon to match her $100,000 grant for four more scholarships. These will benefit students from Texas Southern University, Morehouse College, Grambling State University and Fisk University.

“Partnering with organizations like Google.org in support of HBCUs is our way of elevating cultural touchstones that paint a clear picture of excellence and opportunity through diverse education,” said Ivy McGregor, director of philanthropy and corporate relations at Parkwood Entertainment, which houses BeyGOOD. “We challenge other businesses across the country to join us in this commitment to higher education and investment in the future.”

This story first appeared on Billboard.com.

Delaware State Mourns Passing Of Former Head Football Coach Al Lavan

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Dover, Del.— Delaware State University Athletics mourns the passing of former Hornet head football coach Alton “Al” Lavan, who died early Monday in Colorado.

Lavan was DSU’s head football coach for seven seasons from 2004-to-2010, posting an overall record of 41-37 and a 34-21 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

In 2007, Lavan led the Hornets to a 10-2 overall record and the school’s first MEAC championship in 16 years with a perfect 8-0 league mark, the second team in conference history to achieve the feat. The 10 overall wins still stand as a team record. With the conference title, Delaware State earned a trip to the NCAA playoffs for the first time, matching up against Delaware in the first-ever meeting between the state’s two Division I programs.

Delaware State rose as high as 10th in the 2007 Football Championship Subdivision national rankings and finished the season at No. 15 in the Sports Network poll and 16th in the ESPN Coaches poll. The American Sports Wire selected the Hornets as its 2007 Black College National Champions, while DSU was second in the final Sheridan Broadcast Network HBCU poll.

Lavan was selected as the 2007 Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., Coach-of-the-Year and finished second in the voting for the national FCS top coach award.

Prior to accepting the Delaware State position, he served two seasons as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University. Lavan was promoted to assistant head coach for the 2003 football season. Upon the late-season firing of then-head coach Jeff Woodruff, he was named as interim head coach. After taking over the 1-8 football team, Eastern Michigan won two of its final three games under Lavan.

In more than 18 years as a NFL assistant, Lavan’s resume’ includes stints with the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs.Lavan’s collegiate coaching tenure also included stops at Colorado State, Louisville, Iowa State, Georgia Tech, Stanford, and Washington.

A college standout at Colorado State, Lavan played in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons before his career was cut short due to injury.

He was inducted into the Delaware State University Athletics Hall-of-Fame in 2013.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be released by Lavan’s family.

Howard University Leads HBCUs In Law School Grads’ Bar Exam Performance

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Howard University School of Law’s Class of 2017 led in the percentage of law students at historically Black colleges and universities who passed a bar examination in their first attempt, according to recently released data from the American Bar Association.

Howard graduates led with 77.2 percent, followed by Texas Southern University with 60.0 percent, Southern University with 57.8 percent, North Carolina Central University with 57.1 percent, Florida A&M University with 51.2 percent and the University of the District of Columbia with 38.5 percent.

Overall, the data showed that nearly 90 percent of all 2015 law school graduates had passed a state bar examination within two years of graduating from law school.

HBCU law school graduates fell below the national average, though more than 80 percent of all 2015 law school graduates of both North Carolina Central University and Texas Southern University passed the bar within two years.

Here’s What Kamala Harris Had to Say About Her HBCU

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California senator, Howard University Grad Kamala Harris is a rising star in the Democratic Party (in case you didn’t know) and with rumors swirling that she’s positioning herself for a Presidential run in 2020, people on the left are excited about the possibility of the United State’s first woman President being an African-American.

Today the Oakland native checked into an Angela Yee-less Breakfast Club and chopped it up with DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God about the barriers she’s broken during her governmental career, being in favor of the 2nd amendment, and why she doesn’t think America is as divided as people make it out to be.

 

 

Howard University Spanish Department Hosts Cultural Immersion Event

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As the semester winds down, students are preparing for their finals and beginning to say farewell to their teachers. Or in the case of the Howard University Spanish Department, students are beginning to say “Adiós y nos vemos el próximo semestre!”

In an attempt to merge the Howard University general population with the Hispanic and Latino community, the Spanish department hosted an event that was one for the books. They encompassed food, performances, and presentations to provide an exciting tour of Latin America.

Brittani Randall, a junior in Spanish 4 at Howard, said “this event was amazing because it covered every different aspect of the countries. It combined food, culture, and the historic backgrounds of numerous South American countries.”

Students from all Spanish levels presented PowerPoints, recited spoken word, danced the Bachata, and did other fun activities to get the crowd involved. To make the experience more realistic, the Spanish teachers only spoke in Spanish.

The food, provided by students, was all recipes from a Spanish-speaking country. For instance, the event had guacamole, tacos, salmon empanadas, nachos, and pineapple soda.

The crowd’s reaction of the event was so positive that the Spanish department has already decided to host another event similar to this one next semester.

 

 

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?”