Meet Aaron Walton, New President of Cheyney University

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Aaron A. Walton has been named the president of Cheyney University by The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education  after a vote late Monday.

According to PhillyTrib –  Walton, who has been serving as interim president of the historically Black institution outside of Philadelphia since May, will serve as president through June 30, 2021.

“Mr. Walton has clearly demonstrated that he can in fact make meaningful changes that will move the university forward,” said Cheyney University Council of Trustees Chair Robert Bogle.

Bogle, who is also the president and CEO of The Tribune, said a presidential search had begun, but was later halted. The Council of Trustees met with administrators, faculty, alumni and students during a meeting held on Cheyney’s campus Nov. 2, at which time they were notified that Walton was being considered as the college’s next president.

The move comes as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education will vote on Thursday regarding the accreditation status of the 180-year-old institution. Middle States was concerned about Cheyney’s finances, majors and permanent leadership positions.

Heres the University  information about Walton  // Aaron A. Walton, a demonstrated results-driven leader with 40 years of experience in corporate level management, is Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s new Interim President, selected by the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. The retired Senior Vice President of Highmark, Inc., a leading healthcare provider, was one of nine principle officers responsible for providing overall management and direction of all corporate activities.

During his tenure at Highmark, Walton established and implemented a number of strategic healthcare initiatives that yielded community and company-wide growth and advancement, including an award winning program that was one of the first programs in America to address childhood obesity and bullying.

While Vice-President at Highmark and following retirement, He served as Vice Chair of the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Board of Governors, where he was also Chair of Academic and Student Affairs, and Chair of Human Resources. Walton was also a longtime member of California University of Pennsylvania’s Council of Trustees, and chair from 1999 to 2003.

Most recently, Walton was co-chair of the Board of Governors appointed Cheyney Task Force, which constructed and approved, a “conceptual framework” for a new business model for Cheyney, which includes the creation of an “Institute for the Contemporary African-American Experience” within the university.

Walton brings to Cheyney his expertise in strategic planning and intends to address the university’s challenges head-on, while leading the efforts to develop a final version of the Task Force model. Read more. 

Tampax and Always Radiant Collection Partner with Brea Stinson to Empower HBCU Majorettes

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CINCINNATI – October 3, 2017 – From stand battles to the tailgate stadium scene, The Radiant Collection, from Procter & Gamble’s (P&G) leading feminine protection brands Tampax® and Always®, is on a fashion-forward mission to keep collegiate women feeling confident in their period protection. Four in five African American women (ages 18-35) avoid wearing certain types of clothes during their periods for fear of leaks. The Tampax and Always Radiant Collection is period protection that can keep fashion fierce and collegiate women confident all month long.

In an effort to empower collegiate women across the country to wear what they want, even when they have their period, The Radiant Collection and HBCU Dance Corporation, Inc. have teamed up to host the #RadiantDanceOff. #RadiantDanceOff is a national, online dance competition sponsored by HBCU Dance exclusively for majorette teams at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). It was created to give majorettes the chance to show off their moves and demonstrate how confidence is the key to feeling radiant any day of the month.

The winning majorette team will receive new costumes designed by Brea Stinson, a Clark Atlanta University alumna and highly sought-after celebrity costume and fashion designer. Stinson has collaborated with the industry’s top creative directors and wardrobe stylists, creating iconic looks for some of the hottest artists. The school of the winning team will also receive $25,000 to benefit the dance team.

“Working with some of the biggest entertainers in the world, I know how important it is to have high-performance dance gear that is both stylish and functional, something HBCU majorettes can relate to,” says celebrity costume designer, Brea Stinson. “During that time of the month, it can be challenging to feel like your best self, which is why I’m so excited to partner with the Tampax and Always Radiant Collection to inspire HBCU dancers to feel and look confident during their periods no matter what they wear.”

HBCU Dance Corporation Inc.’s #RadiantDanceOff contest will bring the iconic halftime shows from the field to fans’ fingertips, providing HBCU majorette teams with the chance to face off and see who really runs the yard! From now until October 23, HBCU dance teams can submit their best performances on www.RadiantDanceOff.com. Alumni and fans can get in on the action from November 2 to November 15, by visiting the site to cast their vote for their favorite of majorettes. The top five videos with the highest number of votes will be judged to determine the winner. To boost your team’s chances of making it into a top spot, use the hashtag #RadiantDanceOffContest on social media and encourage your network to go to www.RadiantDanceOff.com to vote.

This homecoming season The Radiant Collection will also be on the yard at Howard University from October 20-21, to encourage women to confidently wear what they want homecoming weekend and beyond. On both days, attendees can stop by The Radiant Experience at YardFest and at the Tailgate to receive a style consultation from a top fashion influencer, take selfies in front of the Radiant photo wall, and receive swag items, all while rocking out to music curated by one of the country’s hottest DJs.

“We learned that a quarter of African American women say that they avoid dancing when on their period, an activity that doesn’t have to stop when women are using the right period protection,” said Amanda Hill, Brand Director, North America Feminine Care at Procter & Gamble. “That is why we are so thrilled to partner with HBCU Dance for the #RadiantDanceOff, because the amazing performances by these fierce majorettes encourage African American women to continue dancing and radiate confidence every day of the month.”

For full details, see the Official Rules at http://ra diantdanceoff.com/rules

North Carolina A&T Locks In MEAC Title With Win Over Savannah State

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GREENSBORO, N.C. — When the wacky football action of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference ended on Saturday, the craziness brought about clarity when it comes to the MEAC representative for the Celebration Bowl.

The North Carolina A&T Aggies took care of their affairs. The Aggies got 127 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 27 carries from junior Marquell Cartwright to earn a 36-17 win over Savannah State at Aggie Stadium. During the game, Cartwright went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season, giving the Aggies seven 1,000-yard rushers in the last eight seasons.

“It feels great to be able to reach a point that a lot of people try to reach but most don’t get there,” said Cartwright about his career season. “It feels great, but I really don’t care about it much. I want to win at the end of the day.”

Junior quarterback Lamar Raynard, Cartwright’s high school teammate at High Point Andrews, was 17-for-227 for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Along the way he broke Alan Hooker’s 32-year old single-season record for touchdown passes. Raynard has 25 TD passes on the season, eclipsing Hooker’s old mark of 24. Hooker also said goodbye to his 32-year old record for most completions in a season (169). Raynard has 175 completions on the season heading into next week’s regular-season finale.

Raynard was not finished removing Hooker’s name from the record books, however. Raynard broke the single-season school record for touchdowns responsible for. Hooker’s old mark stood at 26 (24 passing, two rushing). Raynard is responsible for 28 (25 passing, three rushing) N.C. A&T touchdowns this season. Raynard now owns single-season marks in passing, total offense and three marks mentioned earlier.

Aside from making history, the Aggies brought sanity to the MEAC race in what was an insane day. N.C. A&T (10-0, 7-0 MEAC) clinched at least a share of the MEAC title, giving the Aggies three MEAC titles in the past four seasons. North Carolina Central (7-3, 5-2 MEAC) lost in the final seconds at home to Bethune-Cookman to remove themselves from Celebration Bowl consideration.

Meanwhile, Howard (7-3, 6-1 MEAC) won in the final seconds at home over Norfolk State to keep themselves in contention, but barely. Howard can still clinch a share of the MEAC title next week with a win over Hampton and a N.C. A&T loss to NCCU. But the tiebreaker scenario is not in the Bison’s favor for a trip to Atlanta and a chance to play in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

In case of a two-way tie where the two teams did not play one another, the Sagarin rating, which measures strength of schedule, serves as the tiebreaker. N.C. A&T came into Saturday’s game with a 149 ranking, while Howard came in at 208. Howard’s opponent next week, Hampton, came in slightly lower at 224. A win over Hampton would likely not do enough for the Bison even if the Aggies lost to NCCU, which entered Saturday’s play with a 202 rating.

There is a good chance none of that will take away from N.C. A&T’s game against heated rival NCCU next week at Aggie Stadium (1 p.m.). For starters, the Aggies want their first outright title in 14 years, and it is not missed on the Aggies that the Eagles have defeated them three straight seasons.

“We’re going to enjoy this, and then we’re going to get ready for next week,” said N.C. A&T coach Rod Broadway speaking on the win over SSU. “Hopefully, we are going to play a little bit better than we did last year. I don’t know if sharing a championship is actually what we want. But let’s take the championship out of it. It is a rivalry game, and it’s Central. We’ve got to get ready to play regardless of the situation.”

The Tigers (2-8, 2-5 MEAC) tried to make the Aggies’ path to another MEAC title difficult. Freshman quarterback D’Vonn Gibbons finished with 93 yards rushing and a touchdown on 19 carries, while also throwing for 137 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Gibbons’ 2-yard touchdown set up by his 60-yard completion to Paris Baker got the Tigers to within 19-10 with 11:39 remaining in the third quarter.

But on SSU’s next drive, Gibbons’ tipped pass landed in the grasp of senior rover Jeremy Taylor for an interception. Taylor, who had a pick-6 last week at Norfolk State, returned Gibbons’ INT 22 yards to the SSU 9-yard line. Three plays later Cartwright was in for a 1-yard touchdown. N.C. A&T’s defense turned stingy from there. SSU’s next two drives went for a combined minus-16 yards.

N.C. A&T utilized the good field position given by its defense to start the fourth quarter in SSU territory. It led to a 32-yard field goal by freshman Noel Ruiz to give the Aggies a 29-10 lead. The Aggies capped their scoring an 18-yard touchdown pass from Raynard to sophomore Elijah Bell. Bell led the receiving corps with five catches for 77 yards. His TD reception tied the school’s single-season touchdown receptions record at 10. Bell is tied with Craig Thompson and former teammate Denzel Keyes.

“I think our guys earned the right to get to 10 wins,” said Broadway. “I don’t think we played as well as we can play, but being 10-0 is special so we’ll take the win and try to grow from it and get better.”

Alcorn State Clinches SWAC East Title, After Win over Mississippi Valley

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LORMAN, Miss. – Clinching its fourth straight SWAC East Division crown, the Alcorn State University football program blanked Mississippi Valley State 59-0 Saturday on Senior Day at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium.

The Braves (7-3, 5-1 SWAC) become the first team in the history of the league to play in four consecutive SWAC Championship games.

Alcorn outgained MVSU (2-8, 1-5 SWAC) 746-215 in total yards. The 746 for the Braves was 10 shy of the school record of 756 set in 1994 against Grambling State.

The Braves also outrushed the Delta Devils 424-to-negative 11.

Sophomore quarterback Noah Johnson threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns. All three of his touchdown passes were caught by senior Norlando Veals who ended with a career-high 253 receiving yards.

Senior running back De’Lance Turner registered 171 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. Junior P.J. Simmons, the reigning SWAC Newcomer of the Week winner, posted 97 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, the Braves intercepted three passes and forced a fumble. Interceptions were made by senior Jalen Thomas, junior Leishaun Ealey and sophomore Allen Bruce. Senior Michael Brooks wrapped up a team-high seven tackles.

MVSU was led by Dewayne Betts who threw for 158 yards off the bench. Delorean Parker stood out defensively with 11 tackles and 2.0 tackles for a loss.

Alcorn scored on its second possession of the game. After an 11-yard rush by Turner, Johnson scrambled up the middle for 37 yards and a touchdown. It was a quick 28-second drive to put the Braves up 7-0. Alcorn had good field position after a short 22-yard punt by the Delta Devils on the previous possession.

On Alcorn’s next possession, the Braves faced on 3rd and 15 deep in their own territory when Johnson aired it out and Veals made a leaping grab for a gain of 52 yards. Another first down catch by Veals of 11 yards moved the ball to the MVSU 16. The Braves capped the drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Veals in the right corner to make it a 14-0 game near the end of the first quarter.

Alcorn’s defense backed the Delta Devils up the entire second quarter. It was highlighted by a big sack by junior Trae Ferrell, and strong coverage by Bruce on a pair of deep passes.

The strong defense paid dividends for the Braves as the offense started with good field position at the MVSU 45 late in the second quarter. Alcorn cashed in with a 36-yard touchdown by Turner through the left to increase the edge to 21-0 with 2:44 left.

On the ensuing Delta Devils possession, senior Ramonte Bell was in on a pair of sacks which forced the Delta Devils punt again. Johnson connected with senior Jalen Walker for a gain of 21 to put Alcorn in the red zone. A completion to Veals placed the ball at the MVSU 2 with 44 seconds left and setup first-and-goal. Turner capped it off with a two-yard run to the left as the Braves led 28-0 at the break.

The Braves got the ball to start the third quarter and were backed up after three holding penalties. On 2nd and 32, Johnson got outside the pocket on the right and found Veals streaking down the sideline for a 62-yard touchdown reception. Alcorn led 35-0 with 12:08 remaining in the third.

Johnson used his legs on Alcorn’s next drive. He broke off a 34-yarder to the left, followed by a 33-yarder up the middle for the touchdown. It increased the edge to 42-0 with 9:42 to go in the third.

The Delta Devils were trying to get it going offensively midway through the third, but a drive into Alcorn territory came to an end after junior Isiah Thomas forced a fumble after a completed pass, and senior Christian Brown recovered at the Alcorn 33.

The Braves took advantage of the turnover with a 66-yard touchdown pass to Veals to make it a 49-0 score with 5:33 left in the third.

Alcorn added on in the third quarter with a 27-yard touchdown run by Simmons to the left. The Braves led 56-0 at the 3:37 mark.

The Delta Devils attempted to air it out early in the fourth quarter, but Ealey jumped in front of a deep pass and grabbed an interception at the MVSU 40. The turnover resulted in three points for the Braves as sophomore Corey McCullough knocked in a 22-yard field goal. It was the only field goal attempt of the game for McCullough is the reigning FCS National and SWAC Special Teams Player of the Week honoree.

MVSU had one last chance to get on the board as it moved into the red zone with under two minutes left, but an interception by Jalen Thomas in the end zone ended the threat.

Alcorn will wrap-up the regular season next Saturday when it travels to Jackson State for a 2 p.m. game. The Braves are seeking their third straight win over the Tigers.

Another Win for Grambling State, tops Alabama State 27-7

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Grambling State University football team was held to just four first downs in the first half, but the Tigers were able to grind out a 24/7 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory over Alabama State on Saturday afternoon at ASU Stadium.

“Alabama State is a good football team and they played extremely well,” Grambling State head coach Broderick Fobbs said. “We couldn’t get much going offensively early, but that happens when playing one of the best defenses in the conference. Now we get some time to rest some players and focus on the Bayou Classic and a showdown with an excellent Southern team.”

The Grambling State offense couldn’t get much going early in the first half and the defense was able to hold Alabama State to just a pair of field goal attempts. However, the Hornets walked away with no points after a pair of blocks by Marchael Jackson and De’Aumante Johnson.

Despite not getting much going offensively, the Tigers were able to get into the red zone, courtesy of a 23-yard interception return to set up Grambling State at the Hornets 1-yard line. Just one play later, Martez Carter punched in the touchdown from one-yard out to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 3:43 remaining in the opening quarter.

Grambling State (9-1 overall, 6-0 SWAC) forced Alabama State to punt the football with 1:43 remaining in the first half and the Tigers went to work with the two-minute drill. Despite two straight incomplete passes, Devante Kincade connected with Jordan Jones for 35 yards to set up shop at the Hornets’ 19. After picked up a first down with his legs, Kincade hit Calif Samon for a 7-yard touchdown strike to give the Tigers a 14-0 advantage with 35 seconds left in the half.

After an Alabama State punt backed Grambling State to its own 18 and on the very next play, Carter broke free for a 59-yard run to set up shop at the Hornets’ 23. But the Tigers’ drive stalled out, but Grambling State got a 41-yard field goal by Marc Orozco to extend the advantage to 17-0 with 8:40 remaining in the third.

Grambling State put the game away midway through the fourth quarter as the Tigers marched 92 yards in 13 plays as Kincade tossed his second touchdown pass, a 44-yard strike to Devohn Lindsey to extend the advantage to 24-0 with 7:14 left.

The Hornets (3-6, 3-3) quickly answered as Alabama State went 77 yards in five plays as Darryl Pearson, Jr., connected with Ezra Gray for a 10-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 24/7 with 5:09 remaining.

Spelman President Responds to Students Hunger Strike

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Below is the announcement released today from President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D. which include solutions to reduce food insecurity on campus.

Dear Spelman Community,

I am pleased to share that through a process of open and productive conversation,  Spelman administrators and students working together with our food services vendor, Aramark, have reached a solution to reduce food insecurity on campus.

Through the end of 2017, Spelman and Aramark are providing 2,000 meals and up to 7,000 meals during the second semester to current Spelman students who live off campus and who have a need for a meal. Beginning Monday, November 13, any current Spelman student living off campus who has a need for a meal can obtain a complimentary meal ticket from the Office of the Dean of Students to use in the dining hall. In the interim, if a student living off campus has a need for a meal, they will be accommodated by the dining hall. (All students living on campus have meal plans and, therefore, are not eligible for the complimentary meal ticket.)

I am also pleased that the students who were striking to highlight this issue were able to end their hunger strike and remain in good health. We appreciate Mary Pat Hector and the members of the National Action Network Spelhouse Collegiate Chapter for their work on food insecurity. Also, I’d like to thank the following for their efforts in developing a solution: Aramark’s Senior District Manager Jeff Hall and Spelman Dining Services General Manager Carolyn Mangum; Spelman’s Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Darnita Killian, Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs & Treasurer Danny Flanigan, Assistant Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Dawn Alston and Dean of Students Dr. Fran’Cee Brown-McClure.

This annual initiative supplying up to 14,000 meals a year to students in need will supplement other efforts currently in development by members of the Spelman community to stem the tide of food insecurity on our campus. Our next goal is to analyze the results of our campus survey to quantify the depth of the problem and, also, to identify what other solutions might be implemented.

Sincerely,

Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D.
President

SWAC Officiating Crew Suspended

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The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced on Wednesday that the entire officiating crew from this past Saturday’s Prairie View A&M and Southern University football game will be suspended for their next assignment on Nov. 18 between Alcorn State at Jackson State with one official being suspended for the remainder of the 2017 football season.

After a thorough review, the Conference Office concluded that there was an erroneous call made.

According to The (Baton Rouge) Advocate, the play in question involved Southern running back Herb Edwards, who was credited with a 21-yard pass that was ruled for a touchdown which put the Jaguars ahead 30-24.

Replay review was not available at A.W. Mumford Stadium, but if it was it would have been clear that Edwards fumbled the ball a few yards shy of the goal line.

At minimum, Edwards should have been ruled down short of the goal line. It was unclear whether the ball stayed in bounds before it crossed the goal line, in which case it should have been ruled a touchback and Prairie View’s ball.”

For Southern (6-3, 4-1 SWAC) the 37-31 win over the Panthers (3-5, 2-3 SWAC) keeps the Jaguars in contention of a SWAC West Division title with two key conference games remaining on their schedule against Texas Southern and Grambling State.

This was originally published via HBCU Sports

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Spelhouse Students Go On Hunger Strike for Better Meal Plans

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A group of Spelman and Morehouse College students are on a hunger strike, in an attempt to change school policy and allow the donation of campus meals to the needy.

About 25 students from the single-sex liberal arts universities in downtown Atlanta started hunger striking on Nov. 2.

Mary-Pat Hector and Lillian Thomas, Spelman juniors, are among them.

Their aim: to get the colleges and their campus food provider Aramark to set up a way for students with paid college meal plans to donate unused meals to needy students who can’t afford the plans.

It is happening at universities elsewhere, spearheaded by the Swipe Out Hunger program that started at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2009, and which partners with colleges and campus food providers nationwide.

Programs vary depending on the institutions involved, but at their core they allow students to donate from their paid meal plans to needy students or homeless community members.

“By introducing a Swipe Out Hunger program at Spelman and Morehouse, we would directly impact student hunger and raise the awareness on issues impacting our fellow students experiencing hunger and homelessness while in college,” Hector, 19, said Nov. 2.

Spelman’s director of marketing and communications, Joyce Davis, said the hunger strikers raised a “very concerning” issue, of widespread hunger insecurity on campus, and the college administration will set a time to meet with strikers to discuss the issue.

“In the meantime, we are engaging our vice president of student affairs, Darnita Killian, to determine the extent of the problem on Spelman’s campus,” Davis said Nov. 2.

“No student should go hungry. We look forward to working with Aramark as we continue to explore the extent of the problem,” she said.

Davis said Spelman has already made use of support from Publix and Mimi’s Pantry, on the Clark Atlanta University campus, to address the food insecurity issues that have been brought to the college’s attention.

 Read full article via Cross Roads News

Texas Southern Student, Tarsha Jackson On Journey For Criminal Justice Reform

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On a blistering hot late summer day at a state prison in rural Rosharon, Marquieth Jackson sits behind security glass. His muscular arms poke out from a white jumpsuit and his hazel eyes peer into the visitor’s room.

More than 30 miles to the north, his mother’s brown eyes stare out at criminal justice activists seated around a table at the Texas Organizing Project’s Midtown office.

As the Harris County director for the nonprofit project, Tarsha Jackson tackles a range of criminal justice issues, and it’s not unusual to see the 46-year-old leading a protest or speaking at a rally or press conference.

Her road from loan counselor to prison reformer began when Marquieth was arrested 16 years ago for kicking a teacher in elementary school. Her years-long struggle to help her son now has catapulted her to the forefront of the Texas criminal justice reform movement.

“She’s very passionate about her work, that’s why she’s good,” said state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, who has helped advise her through Marquieth’s struggles. “Her son’s in a difficult situation, but she’s using his circumstances as motivation to help others.”

Tarsha Jackson learned about the legal system in fits and starts, beginning in 2001 when she answered a call from police at her desk at Wells Fargo Bank. 

Marquieth was in fifth grade at Spring ISD’s Wunsche Multipurpose School, which then offered special education programs. At the time, Marquieth refused to be placed in time-out, so he kicked his teacher, Tarsha recalled. The school called police and the 10-year-old was charged with assault on a public servant.

READ Full Story at Houston Chronicle.

Masonic Lodges Join In Unity To Establish UDC Scholarship Program

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WASHINGTON— During a time of great disharmony and national conflict, the two Grand Lodges of the District of Columbia’s Masonic Order have come together to establish a $400,000 scholarship to support the education of students at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC).  The announcement and presentation of this historic gift will be made as part of the annual Masonic Day of Thanksgiving on Saturday, October 21 beginning at 12:00 noon. The occasion will be marked by the dedication and placement of a bronze plaque on UDC’s Cleveland Dennard Plaza on the Van Ness campus, located at 4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW.

The Prince Hall Grand Lodge Endowed Scholarship is funded by the respective Masonic Foundations of the Lodges’ Grand Jurisdictions, and represents an historic partnership between the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Washington, DC The scholarships are specifically targeted to support students in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and African American students from the District of Columbia.  The scholarships will also provide emergency funds for students with critical and immediate financial needs.

“As we watch the increasing divisiveness around the country, it is inspiring to see such an incredible display of unity and brotherhood within the District of Columbia and for DC’s advanced public system of higher education,” said Rodney Trapp, Vice President for Advancement at UDC who was instrumental in finalizing the gift agreement with the Masonic leaders.

“It is an honor and privilege for me to be able to be a part of such an historic event between our two jurisdictions,” said Prince Hall Most Worshipful Grand Master Phillip David, who received his MBA from the UDC School of Business and Public Administration. “The dedication of this plaque and the establishment of this endowment confirm our commitment to education and charity for as long as we exist.”

In the spirit of Universal Masonry, both Grand Masters have expressed their commitment to public education. Grand Master Roman Volsky said the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, DC is proud to join with their Prince Hall brothers to support the only public university in the nation’s capital.

“As Freemasons, we are taught that there is no better tool to improve oneself than an education, firmly grounded in the Liberal Arts & Sciences. So, it’s natural that we would support public institutions of learning that offer that education to the broadest possible audience,” said Volsky.

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The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit http://www.udc.edu/equal_opportunity. The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 267.284.5000.

HBCU Travelers Kicks Off Campaign to Help Students Travel The World

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There is a need for programs to help African American students understand international awareness, cultural diversity, and intercultural development in an increasingly global workplace.  HBCU Travelers, a newly started 501©(3), is ready and has started tackling the problem with the focus of being dedicated to encouraging and funding educational and international travel experiences for students of Historical Black Colleges and Universities.

A targeted approach is needed to engage and fund HBCU students in educational and international experiences.  The Institute of International Education 2015 Open Door Report unfortunately shows that in 2014/2015 only 5.6% of the 313,415 American students who studied abroad were African American.  This percentage trails Asian or Pacific Islander at 8.1%, Hispanic or Latino(a) at 8.8% and White at 72.9%.

HBCU Travelers started because of the passion for travel of founder and president, Kendra (Kia) Young.  It was after her international studies experience in Thailand that she began advocating for international travel amongst her peers.

“I want people to experience the world and explore all there is that traveling offers” stated Young.

With the brilliant minds of Austin Ogletree, Mariyah Pressley, Jeffron Smalls, and Brian Oulds, the group of North Carolina A&T alumni have created various opportunities for HBCU students to travel.  “I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to travel if they want it.  I have been blessed with many opportunists through traveling aboard,” stated Smalls in a very enthusiastic voice.

Vice President of Marketing, Jeffron Smalls, sporting a campaign hat for Travel Forward

The first program launched in April 2016 with a partnership with uVolunteer.  Tennessee State University student, Whitney Russell, won a free 3-week volunteer program and flight to Costa Rica.  In February of 2017 a passport scholarship was created and this past June two HBCU students won $1,000.00 towards an international education program they would participate in for this fall semester.

The organization is now focusing on hosting webinars that will help make traveling for students much easier.  The first will take place on November 15th targeting current high school/college students focusing on personal development for the increase of global workplaces/consumers.  November 29th a webinar will be hosted to walk through the logistics of travel with the importance of passport, visa, and flight booking information.  December 13th the discussion on “being black abroad” will take place.  It will detail insight on navigating potential experiences that come with traveling for HBCU students, making the travel experience less intimidating when traveling to places that drought people of color.

You can help this organization by donating to it’s “Travel Forward” Campaign which kicked off November 1st lasting for two months.  The campaign is aiming to spread awareness of its services and encourage donations to its scholarship fund.  You can go checkout the website www.hbcutravelers.com  to find out more on what the organization does and how you can make a difference in helping students of color experience traveling the world.  You can keep up with the organization on Instagram as well @hbcutravelers

#HilltopBlackout

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One of the most integral parts of Howard University’s student body is its student-ran newspaper, The Hilltop.

Founded in 1924 by Zora Neale Hurston and Eugene King, The Hilltop has been revered as one of the most prestigious college newspapers across the country. In 1995, it was given the title of “Best Collegiate Newspaper in the Nation” by The Princeton Review. It has and always will be the source for campus, local, and national news, written by Howard students for Howard students. With a booming online publication as well as a equally popular print publication, The Hilltop has always been a crowd favorite.

However, The Hilltop’s lack of resources has finally been exposed by informational tweets posted from The Hilltop’s Twitter account. The Hilltop team has taken to social media with a movement called #WWYDHU (What would you do, Howard University?).

The team brought #WWYDHU to The Hilltop’s print publication, printing pages missing the weekly stories people anticipate to read. Instead, the pages read, “What would you do…?”

https://twitter.com/_maiyah_/status/923572672067448833

The team says the lack of resources is holding The Hilltop back from achieving its full potential. On October 26, they began their protest, which they titled #HilltopBlackout. By stopping the publishing of The Hilltop, they hope staff and faculty will pay attention and fulfill the needs on their list. Supporters began to tweet using #WWYDHU:

https://twitter.com/adena_andrews/status/923646192587767809

 

The campus hopes to see The Hilltop back in publication in the near future. That can be achieved with the cooperation from the faculty, but #WWYDHU?

Morehouse Man Looking To Inspire A Generation

Posted by Chris Sumlin
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Ivan Gaskin is a 2016 Graduate of Morehouse College graduating with a degree in Computer Science. During his time at Morehouse, Ivan was active on campus as he served as his senior class president. He also created a scholarship initiative for students, advocated for sexual assault prevention and created a mobile app. Today Ivan has a new venture. As an agent for change and conscious Morehouse Man, Ivan is looking to inspire a generation with his new video series. On his Instagram, @ivan_gaskin, Ivan threads motivational videos with excellent cinematography with the goal of encouraging his peers.

As a student of Les Brown and Tony Robbins, Ivan is looking to make a difference.

“I realized that while people spent quite a bit of time on IG, I didn’t think that there were as many outlets that challenged people to learn to love the fight of becoming who they wanted to be as were necessary to meet the demand. As a result, I am working to help stand in that gap by providing content that people can grow from and in doing so continue to grow myself in the process.”

A weekly format of Ivan’s videos is his QCQ Wednesday format where he states a quote, introduces a challenge and concludes with a question. His intention behind this model is to teach individuals to not only have a better self-image and more love for themselves but also to learn how to live in love and let it soak through their daily lives so that it impacts others.

Ivan is also targeting the racial wealth gap within the black community.

People don’t realize that the average black net worth is 1/10th of what it is than that of white counterparts. While we all know that there are obvious reasons for much of this disparity, education in the realm of finances must be a paramount priority if we ever want to compete or even have enough to pay the price to compete.”

He believes that his time at Morehouse was vital to his success.

I gained a much deeper understanding of self and a much stronger confidence in that knowledge than I had upon my arrival. I carry the values that I first learned under the roof of Scott and Robbie Gaskin my mother and father along with my Younger brother Myles, but these values sharpened at Morehouse in everything that I do in life.”

Ivan is pressing towards the mark of excellence as he believes that time is of the essence. He encourages his viewers to “start today.” Gaskin understands that ideas have a “self life” and those ideas will manifest in the world. Ivan believes that you must let these ideas manifest through you. He concluded by saying, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great.”

The work that this Morehouse man is doing is essential and vital. To learn more about Ivan Gaskin, follow his Instagram @ivan_gaskin.

Check out the video below featuring Ivan’s senior profile for Morehouse’s 2016 Graduating class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zliC-vAaUIU

Prairie View A&M’s Comeback Falls Short to Southern

Posted by HBCU Editors
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BATON ROUGE, La. — The Prairie View A&M University football team lost a 37-31 contest at Southern Saturday at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Neiko Hollins passed for 242 yards and three touchdowns, two to Darius Floyd and one to Khadarel Hodge. Sta’Fon McCray rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown for the Panthers (3-5, 2-3).

Trailing by what would become the final margin, Reggie Stubblefield forced a Southern fumble at the Panther 10-yard line, which was recovered and returned by Jalyn Williams to the PVAMU 17 with 1:36 remaining. Prairie View A&M gained one first down before turning the ball over on downs with 33 seconds remaining.

The teams have played five times in Baton Rouge since 2009, with the games being decided by a total of 19 points.

“We knew it would be a 60-minute ballgame,” said a disappointed Prairie View A&M head coach Willie Simmons. “We talked to the guys all week about it. Every time we play Southern, it’s always a dogfight. It comes down to which team makes the most plays at the end. Unfortunately for us, they made a few more plays than we did. The guys fought hard and competed. At the end, we just didn’t do enough to win.”

The contest saw four lead changes and two ties. After Southern scored first less than two minutes into the game, the Panthers tied the score two minutes later. Following a Jaylen Harris interception and 29-yard return, a three-play, 34-yard drive ended with a 17-yard scoring pass from Hollins to Floyd to tie the game at 7-7.

After the Jaguars (6-3, 4-1) regained the lead in the second quarter on a field goal, the Panthers took the lead for the first time on the ensuing drive. A 14-play, 71-yard drive ended with a 12-yard scoring pass from Hollins to Hodge to put PVAMU ahead 14-10 with just over eight minutes to play until halftime.

After Southern scored before halftime to take a 17-14 lead, the Panthers scored quickly on the opening drive of the third quarter. A four-play, 65-yard possession ended with McCray’s eight-yard scoring run to put the Prairie View back in front 21-17 less a minute into the second half. A Zach Elder 24-yard field goal extended the lead to 24-17 with 8:20 to play in the third quarter.

Southern scored the game’s next 20 points to take s 37-24 lead with just over seven minutes remaining before Hollins led another touchdown drive. The nine-play, 73-yard possession ended with a 15-yard scoring pass from Hollins to Floyd with just four minutes remaining.

Hodge caught six passes for 81 yards and a touchdown, and Floyd caught five passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Jalan Coleman led the Panthers with 10 tackles. Stubblefield and Jaylen Harris each had interceptions for PVAMU.

“I tip my hat to Southern,” Simmons said. “They’re a fine football team. (Head) Coach (Dawson) Odums has done a phenomenal job here. We have to play better and clean some things up to give ourselves a chance, but I’m proud of the effort the guys gave. We’ll get back to work on Monday and try to fix the mistakes and try to give ourselves a chance to win next week.”

Prairie View A&M will play its final home game Saturday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff next Saturday at 1 p.m. on Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day.

Courtesy: PVAMU Athletics

Howard Bowling Team Loses Ground At The FDU Jamboree

Posted by HBCU Editors
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Coach Ron Davis and the Howard University Women’s Bowling team remain winless after two days at the Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) Jamboree. HU went 0-5 on the day and dropped three spots in the standings.

Sophomore T’ea Lewis sits 28th overall in the individual standings, averaging 180.4 in five traditional matches. Senior Kristyn Mitchell is close behind with a 178.6 average, including a high-game 211 against Wilmington University (Del.).

Howard opened traditional competition with an 872-820 loss against the Wildcats, followed by a 912-800 defeat in the hand of Felician College.

Day Two continued with a tough loss against host FDU despite a match-high 883 on the day, 1102-883.

HU was unable to breakthrough for its first win of the weekend as they lost the final two matches versus St. Francis College-Brooklyn, 904-821, and Adelphi University, 894-803.

Standout freshman Carolyn Williams maintained a consistent day bowling in all five traditional matches. Williams collected 812 pins for a 162.4 average, including a game-high 187 versus FDU.

Sunday, the field will be placed into a three-round bracket using the overall total pin fall standings. Each playoff round will feature a best four-of-seven Baker game match.

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

Howard Rallies To Knock Off Florida A&M, 37-26

Posted by HBCU Editors
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Coach Mike London and the Howard University Football team erased a 10-point deficit to knock off the Florida A&M (FAMU) Rattlers, 37-26, at Bragg Stadium. With the victory, HU secured its first winning season since 2012.

Howard (6-3, 5-1 MEAC) compiled 565 total offense while holding the ball for more than 34 minutes. HU kept the Rattlers’ offense off the field, converting 9-of-15 on third and fourth down situations.

Freshman quarterback Caylin Newton led the balance attack, throwing for 294 yards while rushing for 141 yards on the ground. The Atlanta native accounted for four total touchdowns, three passing (career-high) and one rushing.

Florida A&M scored on its opening drive, capped off by a 2-yard run by Ricky Henrilus, 7-0.

HU’s first possession saw Newton connected with sophomore Kyle Anthony for a 24-yard touchdown and tied the contest, 7-7.

FAMU responded and claimed the lead after a 25-yard pass from Ryan Stanley to Kareem Smith, 13-7.

A 24-yard field goal by the Rattlers’ Yahia Aly extended Florida A&M’s lead, 16-7, but HU fought back.

Howard highlighted its seven-play, 89-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by senior Anthony Philyaw.

Under the five-minute mark, Florida A&M increased their lead to double-digits after a 3-yard run by Stanley, 23-13.

With time dwindling before halftime, Newton launched a Hail Mary to the end zone where sophomore Jequez Ezzard grabbed over defenders to pull the Bison within three, 20-23.

In their opening drive after intermission, Newton found Ezzard on a screen pass, which resulted into a 37-yard touchdown and gave the Bison its first lead of the game, 27-23.

After a stop by the defense, HU’s momentum continued as they went eight plays for 66 yards, highlighted by a 6-yard touchdown run from Newton, 34-23.

FAMU’s only points in the second half came on a 42-yard field goal by Aly early into the fourth, 34-26.

Kicker Dakota Lebofsky drilled a 37-yard field goal to make the contest a two-possession game, 37-26.

Ezzard had 205 all-purposes yards, including 153 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Anthony added 93 yards on five catches and a touchdown in the victory.

Defensively, Leland Lassiter recorded a team-high nine tackles (six solo) while Aaron Walker added eight solo tackles, including a tackle for loss.

For FAMU (3-7, 2-5 MEAC), they were held to only three points after halftime. Ricky Henrilus led the Rattlers with a game-high 153 yards on the ground.

On Nov. 11, Howard hosts Norfolk State for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Greene Stadium.