Over 60 Percent Of CAU Scholar-Athletes Earn A 3.0 Or Higher GPA

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ATLANTA — There are 207 student-athletes at Clark Atlanta University. Nearly 130 of them were honored with a medal Jan. 26 for accomplishments, which have nothing to do with their performance in their respective sports. Known as scholar-athletes, this group was celebrated by President Ronald A. Johnson and athletics director Lin Dawson for earning a 3.0 GPA or higher during the spring and fall semesters in 2016. There were 10 scholar-athletes to score a perfect 4.0 GPA.

This high level of achievement in the classroom is in keeping with the mission of the CAU Athletics Department, which is to cultivate and enhance student-athletes’ opportunities for academic success. This vision is met by creating an environment in which academic achievement is promoted, providing adequate resources to student-athletes and assisting them to identify academic objectives.

Danielle Veney, a member of the women’s basketball team, is one of the scholar-athletes to finish both semesters near the top of the GPA scale. We told you before about the senior criminal justice major, who uses her own money to sponsor an annual Christmas toy drive for underprivileged children in her hometown of Baltimore. “I would say that faith, focus and determination are the key factors to my success,” Veney explained.

Moses Kilpatrick nailed a perfect 4.0 GPA while running for the CAU cross-country program. The freshman speech communications major from Miami not only runs hard for the Panthers and excels in the classroom, he also volunteers as a tutor and mentor for students in DeKalb County School District. “Being a scholar-athlete means a lot to me,” Kilpatrick said. “It shows my hard work, dedication and effort pays off in the classroom where it starts, and at the finish line where it all ends.”

Athletics staff had high praise for the huge accomplishments. “CAU Athletics is very proud of the academic performance of our scholar-athletes,” said coach Lawanda Pearson, who also serves as the athletics academic advisor. “It’s remarkable when you can show more than 60 percent of your student-athletes average a 3.0 GPA or higher. We should be acknowledging their academic success.”

Women’s History Month: College Aged Men Give Their Definitions Of ‘A Woman’

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By 1986, 14 states had already declared March as Women’s History Month. This momentum and state-by-state action was used as the rational to lobby Congress to declare the entire month of March 1987 as National Women’s History Month. In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.

In honor of Women’s History Month HBCU Buzz asked a few college aged men what their definition of  “a woman” is and here is what they had to say………

WHAT IS A WOMAN TO YOU?

WHAT IS A WOMAN TO TRE’ CARTER……….

Tre’ Carter

A WOMAN IS: Someone who is nurturing and driven, so sure in herself that she doesn’t look for herself in others. A woman has morals and values and walks proudly knowing she can prevail through anything. A woman is independent and giving, she has the ability to take what you give her and produce something beyond belief. A woman is sound. A woman is love and life. And the right woman is key to it all.

– Tre’ Carter –

WHAT IS A WOMAN TO CHRISTOPHER PARKS……….

Christopher Parks

A WOMAN IS: A woman is a human who gives birth to other humans. A woman has strengths that amazes men. She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens. She holds happiness and love. She smiles when feeling like screaming. She endures much hurt and rejection. A woman is who God made her to be a help mate for man. And without a woman today there would be no man. Women are phenomenal.

WHAT IS A WOMAN TO DARRYL RILEY II ……….

Darryl Riley II pictured with his mother on her wedding day.

A WOMAN IS: The art of the world. Without the strength of a woman men wouldn’t he what they are today, in fact they wouldn’t be here at all. I believe that the essence of a woman has to with her heart and character. I believe the best character in a woman is her ambition.

– Darryl Riley II –

WHAT IS A WOMAN TO JONATHAN GIVAN……….

Jonathan Givan

A WOMAN IS: A female that has matured to the point that she is strong, loving, intelligent, compassionate, and is a supporter to her significant other.

– Jonathan Givan –

WHAT IS A WOMAN TO ALICKSON ALEXANDER……….

Alickson Alexander

A WOMAN IS: A human who understands the complexity of life and despite its challenges fights the uphill battle that they are faced with. A woman is mature, has a sense of responsibility, compassionate, kind, loving, caring, and always there when you need her. When I think of a woman, I think of my mom, who makes horrible days better and captures my heart with a delicious hot meal!

– Alickson Alexander –

WHAT IS A WOMAN TO JON THIBODEAUX……….

Jon Thibodeaux

A WOMAN IS: Whatever she wants to be, but my preference in women would be someone who has class, elegance, is selfless, has a sense of humor, but is also about her business. I wouldn’t prefer her to be too easy to get, but I would want her to still be a nice person. That is not my definition of a woman, but it is indeed my preference.

– Jonathan Thibodeaux –

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH QUIZ

  • What year did women gain the right to vote?

A) 1900

B) 1950

C) 1965

D) 1920

  • Who was the first women to graduate from medical school?

A) Margaret Sanger

B) Judith Love

C) Elizabeth Blackwell

D) Angie Stone

  • Who developed a successful line of cosmetics for African American women in the early 1900s?

A) Josephine Baker

B) Madam C.J. Walker

C) Rosa Parks

D) Clara Bow

  • Who was the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature?

A) Rita Dove

B) Eleanor Roosevelt

C) Toni Morrison

D) Susan B. Anthony

  • What African American woman refused to give up her seat to a White man in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, sparking the civil rights movement?

A) Madam C.J. Walker

B)  Rosa Parks

C) Sojourner Truth

D) Harriet Tubman

Don’t cheat!

Answers: 1. D.  2. C.  3. B. 4.  C 5. B

HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!

Concerns Grow About Howard University’s President Amid Student Protests

Posted by Jacinth Jones
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Celebrating 150 years of excellence in truth and service, Howard University hosted its 93rd annual Charter Day Convocation on March 2 with speaker Mark A.L. Mason-Howard University Alumnus and Board of Trustee. The sesquicentennial celebration highlighted historical milestones, achievements, and the positive impact the university has had since its founding in 1867 in addition to an unforeseen statement that shifted the fluidity of the program.

While the 17th president of Howard, President Wayne Frederick, made remarks following the invocation, he was briefly interrupted by a movement entitled ‘HU Resist’ — a movement whose aim is to raise awareness to issues affecting students and propose solutions to these concerns. Their appearance seemed unexpected from the audience’s facial expression.

The two-minute outburst directed towards Frederick can be found here.

HU Resist member Juan Demetrixx shed light onto the direct action:

“All eyes would be drawn to Howard at this time as it celebrates 150 years. The only time the administration would listen is when Howard’s image is being questioned or challenged. There is a lack of transparency between President Frederick and the students and we wish that when speaking with President Donald Trump he speaks upon our behalf and interests as students. He continued. We know that Howard receives funding from the federal government and it would be illogical not to from some type of relationship with the Trump administration. We don’t want any additional funding that comes with stipulations. More money from a white supremacist will result in them having more say of various decisions within the university.”

References to the actions displayed prior to and during the interruption were mentioned by Chairman of the Board of Trustees Stacey J. Mobley, Esq., Mason and President Frederick. Two days prior, not an official act by HU Resist, spray paint was plastered upon Howard’s campus referring to President Frederick’s visit to the White House while meeting with Vice President Michael Pence and Secretary of Education Elisabeth DeVos to discuss the state of Howard University in a Trump era. Last week, signs were posted around campus claiming President Frederick does not like black people also an anonymous act.

Frederick said in a statement that “Howard University has been tied to federal government from conception. If it does not exist another day because we refuse to engage and direct people of who we are and how we can benefit, I would shed a tear. I acknowledge and understand the rhetoric and executive orders have aroused many of us yet we must define who are enemy is. We must remind each other of what the reality is.”

Frederick continued, “I attended the White House and met with Betsy DeVos, but was not apart of the meeting with other HBCU presidents. Every opportunity we get to exercise our case, exercise our talents and explain who we are we must do.”

Mobley shared his thoughts on the actions prior to, saying “Claiming President Frederick is the overseer of the Trump Plantation and not caring about black people is not tolerated. He is a very effective president who is doing an excellent job. The board has done a lot of great things and the best thing we have done is select him as 17th president of Howard. He chose to come to Howard and work at Howard University Hospital to care for predominately African American patients and train with African American doctor. These personal attacks on him are untrue, unfair, and I feel disrespectful and that behavior is not welcomed on our campus.”

Mason also tried to reassure the audience of President Frederick’s qualifications.

“When it was time to choose a new president,” Mason said, “it was clear, unanimously that President Frederick, as a transformative leader who bleeds Howard red and blue, was and is the right man for the job. As exact as he is with a scalpel in the operating room, he is the same when executing the vision for Howard.

“He focuses and engages on faculty, students, and student leaders in an unwavering commitment to the university. I can think of no one better on our march to history,” Mason added.

Freshman Ariel Adams comments on her first Charter Day Convocation experience.

“Everything could have been carried out differently,” Adams said. “For the alumni that came, it seemed like we were being disrespectful, but of course they are not on campus so they don’t know the issues on campus. No one is contributing or investing in us. We are not getting money from anyone else so we have to face reality.”

Although Howard is going through a period of dissimilar attitudes between students and faculty, Mason reminded the audience that “Howard’s cause is America’s cause. It’s the vessel that holds America’s promise and has been this way for 150 years.”

“It is my duty, your duty, our duty to lay our reputation on the line for it, our names are on it and we need to bring an honor to it when Howard puts its name in all of us,” Mason said.

HBCU Alum Hints At Possible 2020 Presidential Run Against Trump

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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Wednesday during a discussion on the Season 2 premiere of “The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer Conversations” on Bloomberg Television, billionaire Oprah Winfrey stated of her possible run for president, “I never considered the question even a possibility. I just thought, ‘Oh.’ I thought, ‘Oh, gee, I don’t have the experience. I don’t know enough.’”

Oprah, who graduated from historically Black Tennessee State University in Nashville, concluded, “And now I’m thinking, ‘Oh.’”

Asia Martin To Host 2-Day Workshop For Free In Montgomery

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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Asia Martin is scheduled to host the “Believe In Your Legendary” workshop on March 11 and 12, and she’s giving valuable insight into the world of HBCU dance.

The iconic two-time captain of the Alabama State University Stingettes danceline has chosen to shift her attention away from the stands and dance classes, instead, taking her talents to the surrounding high school teams in the Montgomery area.

Martin told HBCU Buzz in an email that oftentimes people “reach out to me for assistance and due to the fact that I don’t get much free time outside of school and other obligations I’m not always able to make that happen.”

She added, “I feel as though I owe a great deal of my success to the city of Montgomery so I made it my priority to find a way to give them even a portion of what they’ve given me by doing this workshop before I graduate this May.”

Attendees will be given basic knowledge of dance technique, including ballet, turns and tricks, stretching and conditioning, and Jazz-funk.

Martin will host the free 2-day workshop that will engage Montgomery high school students with workshops to be followed with tips and advice.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated Asia Martin’s title. She was the two-time captain of the ASU Stingettes. The Buzz regrets the error. 

Trump Signs Executive Order On Historically Black Colleges And Universities

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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On February 28, President Trump signed an executive order pledging support of his administration to historically Black colleges and universities, saying HBCUs are “an absolute priority for this White House.”

Dr. Kent Smith, the president of historically Black Langston University, observed:

“One of the most significant pieces of his executive order that has not gotten much traction yet but that we think is significant is the fact that he is relocating the director of the historically Black college White House initiative from basically being a report through the Secretary of Education and turning it to be a report through the White House.”

“One of the significant factors is that President Trump has a few of his executive staff members who are graduates of historically Black colleges and universities, which as a result allows them to advocate for HBCUs,” Smith added. “And it gives him an insight into really what’s happening.”

Smith also pointed out that HBCUs have “contributed significantly” to the country’s Black middle-class and nine percent of all Black college students attend those institutions.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund President Johnny Taylor told reporters that the Trump administration now has to address the budget, adding “You cannot have mission without money.”

Since President Jimmy Carter in 1980, each president has signed an executive order recognizing the initiative.

Crowd Gathers To Welcome Roland Martin On Campus At Alcorn State University

Posted by Monique Mansfield
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Alcornites were given a special opportunity to be a part of an enlightening presentation by a guest lecturer. The Office of Student Engagement presented A Night With Roland Martin in the James L. Bolden Campus Union Ballroom earlier last week.

In attendance were Alcorn students, alumni, family, friends and faculty and staff members. The event was live streamed and streamed through Periscope to give those who were unable to physically attend, an opportunity to tune into the lecture.

The event began as senior Agriculture Science major and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Tevin Hudson took the podium to introduce columnist, journalist and TV-One’s NewsOne Now morning program host Roland Martin.

After the formal introduction of Martin, the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. presented Martin with a certificate of appreciation and posed for a group photograph.

“I was given the opportunity because, Ms. Devina Hogan (Director of Student Engagement), wanted our chapter to represent at this event and she needed someone to introduce him, so I volunteered,” said Hudson. It was an honor and a privilege to introduce a man of his magnitude.”

As Martin took the podium, he was greeted with a warm Alcorn State welcome. He started by talking about his journey to Alcorn from previous HBCU, Grambling State University in Grambling, LA as well other schools that he has visited on this tour. He also spoke about race in America today as it pertains to inequity in pay wages, career positions, academics,

He also spoke about race in America today as it pertains to inequity in pay wages, career positions, academics, housing, and finance and pointed out the history of African-Americans and the difficulties they incurred after slavery and during the years of segregation.

Additionally, Martin gave those in attendance advice on how to become financially stable. He urged students to save money versus spending it on the latest Jordan and Nike tennis shoes and instead invest in stock to allow their money to grow and begin putting in place a solid foundation for the future. He also shared some of his own personal experiences about how he was given opportunities to become the man he is today.

The event ended with a question and answer session between audience members and Roland Martin. After the Q & A concluded, Martin took a group photograph with students from the Department of Mass Communications and proceeded outside of the Union Ballroom where he took individual photos with students as they enjoyed refreshments provided by Sodexo.

“It’s all about being enlightened and able to reach folks in a unique way so that maybe it will open their eyes to think in a way that they had not thought about before,” Martin concluded about the event.

Saint Augustine’s Graduate Leaves Lasting ‘Impressions’

Posted by Kendra Sharp
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Miyoshi S. Polk is a hot commodity right now in the event planning and wedding consulting industry. Polk graduated from Saint Augustine’s University in 2011, where she studied Mass Communications.

While matriculating at Saint Augustine’s University she served as a member of the Royal Court, a blue-chip cheerleader and was initiated into the Gamma Rho chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In 2012, she became a certified wedding consultant and later decided to launch her business Lavish Impressions Events.

In 2016, she completed her certification to become a floral designer and begin creating custom arrangements for her clients.

Today, her clientele has evolved to include a cultivation of relationships with vendors across the East Coast including, J’Marie Design Studios, Raleigh Crabtree Marriott, Master MIND Productions and Fresh Desires Catering.

Based out of Raleigh, North Carolina, Lavish Impressions Events specializes in wedding planning and has received superior ratings from its clients and guests. But it doesn’t stop at the altar. Services include full planning, partial planning, full service, semi decor’ and design, destination weddings, and on-site coordinating for any event you may have in mind including social events, graduations, baby showers, bridal showers, launch parties and much more.

To meet clientele needs, Lavish Impressions Events also provides traveling services. Miyoshi and her team have traveled extensively to various states on the East Coast and select domestic islands.

For more information about how Lavish Impressions Events can help bring your dream event to life contact Miyoshi S. Polk at lavishimpressions@gmail.com, via Facebook @ Lavish Impressions and on Instagram @lavishimpressions.

To All My HBCU Alums, Here’s Why We Should Support BET’s ‘The Quad’

Posted by Chris Sumlin
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On February 1, BET premiered a new drama series entitled The Quad. The program executively produced by the likes of Rob Hardy, Felicia D. Henderson, and Charles Holland was met with much anticipation during its first night on BET.

With the show’s heavy promotion during The New Edition story leading up to its release viewers everywhere were anxious to see what The Quad had to offer.

The compelling and melodramatic series follows Dr. Eva Fletcher played by Anika Noni Rose who just accepted a new role as the president of a (fictional) historically black university in Atlanta. The Quad does an excellent job of presenting relatable elements of HBCU life as well as captivating its audience with soap-opera-like storylines.

Anika Noni Rose does a superb job leading the cast as she struggles to resurrect the struggling HBCU. The show contains subplots involving pressing college issues such as underage drinking, sexual assault and the financial struggles of HBCUs.

The Quad lacks the sweet appeal of “A Different World” but makes up for that with its addictively melodramatic plots.

Following the show’s release, some members of the HBCU community were displeased by the depiction of HBCUs in The Quad. Most notably, HBCU President of Hampton University, William Harvey, wrote an open letter to Debra Lee, the president of BET, calling the show a “bogus representation.”

He writes:

“‘The Quad’ will lead many to believe that HBCUs exist because of their marching bands; that our presidents are unethical; that our boards are dysfunctional and have misplaced priorities; that our faculty, students, and administrators are driven by sex, alcohol, marijuana, low self-esteem, parties and a preoccupation with music; that it is acceptable to disrespect women; that university policy can be set by a band director; and that there are no standards of conduct or penalties for bad behavior. This depiction seems more analogous to a disgruntled, adolescent and unrealistic point of view that some may have. It also feeds a false narrative about the irrelevance of HBCUs.”

Although Dr. Harvey’s opinions are valid, they are one sided, pessimistic and should be reconsidered.

The Quad is a fictitious melodramatic television show.

The Quad is not a docu-series showcasing the brightest, and best HBCUs have to offer. It should, therefore, be no surprise that the series would possess story elements that are dramatic, alluring and problematic.

There wouldn’t be a plot or storyline if the characters were doing well, making good grades and living a respectable life. That is not television. To create drama, there has to be scandal, conflict, and rigor which The Quad intertwines together in an HBCU space quite well.

The Quad presents narratives that are relevant and relatable.

To say that The Quad is “not accurate; [but] rather…a bogus representation of very important and historic institutions” is simply not true.

The first episode of the series the audience is introduced to the character, Cedric Hobbs who is an aspiring musician from the rough neighborhoods of Chicago. As the show progresses the audience witnesses first hand how Cedric assimilates from the slums of Chicago to his new found life at college. There are so many young black men that can relate to that story.

Often, students excel back at home and are sent away to college in hopes of shaping a better future from themselves and their families. It will be interesting to see how the character Cedric develops.

This show portrays a pressing an issue that should be discussed.

Whether the HBCU community wants to acknowledge it or not, HBCUs are in trouble.

More HBCUs than not are facing critical financial difficulties. One thing that The Quad does well is that it depicts the struggles that many HBCUs face raising funds for their institutions. Who’s to say that some philanthropist would watch The Quad one evening and feel compassion for HBCUs and want to help? No one will be able to watch The Quad if the HBCU community labels the series as bogus and questions its validity.

The representation of the HBCU financial struggle was very accurate and should be portrayed.

Some other issues that are presented in The Quad that pose for rooms for discussion were the issues of gender-based violence and alcohol abuse in college. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center states that, one in 5 women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reported on their website that about 20 percent of college students meet the criteria for an Alcohol Use Disorder.

Gender-based violence and alcohol abuse in college are problems that should be discussed. The Quad does a fantastic job of showcasing the harmful effects that poor decision making in college can have. Young adolescents entering college will see the narratives rendered out in The Quad and will make better choices after seeing these issues on television.

In Summation, The Quad is a show that if directed efficiently can do a lot of good for the HBCU community. It is important to give these types of narrative air to breathe before labeling them “bogus and inaccurate.”

It will be interesting to see how the show progresses and the positive effects it will have on the HBCU community.

The Quad team has a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, but if handled correctly they can do some serious good. The HBCU Community should support this program and give this melodrama a chance to make a difference.

Howard University DJ PWILL Drops Highly Anticipated Mix ‘You Know Why I’m Here 2’

Posted by Andrea Wooten
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Howard University’s very own DJ PWILL has recently released his highly anticipated mix You know Why I’m Here 2.

With over 12k plays, it is no secret that PWILL’s You Know Why I’m Here mix was a hit.

This mix provided listeners with over an hour of the smoothest and sexiest songs; the perfect listening pleasure for a night with bae.

Lucky for us, the series is back with a second part! You Know Why I’m Here 2 is a mix filled with the slow classics and the new and popular sounds as well.

With artists ranging from Jacquees to R. Kelly to Beyoncé and so much more, this versatile mix is definitely a hit.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/307807967″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

FAMU Alum Mayor Gillum Is Enroute To Become First African-American Governor Of Florida

Posted by Kyle Kidd-Buckner
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FAMU Alumnus Andrew Gillum announced that he is considering running for the position of Governor of Florida earlier last week.

If elected into the position this would make Gillum one of the youngest Florida governors, as well as the first African American to secure this position that hasn’t been won by a Democrat in two decades.

During Gillum’s undergraduate years at FAMU, he was a student that was the “cream of the crop.” Gillum

Gillum received many honors and accolades. He was recognized by the National Center Policy Alternatives in Washington, D.C. as the country’s top student leader in 2001. In 2004, he was named to Ebony magazine’s “Fast Track 30 Leaders Who Are 30 and Under.” Interesting enough, Gillum served as President of the FAMU Student Government Association from 2001-2002 and was the first student member of FAMU Board of Trustees.

Gillum became Tallahassee’s youngest city commissioner after he won his position in 2003 when he was 23. In 2014 he then became mayor in 2014.

Gillum was under strong consideration to be a running mate for presidential candidate Hilary Clinton, who allowed him to speak at the Democratic National Convention.

Gillum was the first North Florida Politician to welcome gays and lesbians to marry in his city after officials in other Florida counties said would not issues same-sex marriage licenses.

Gillum said in a statement that ” I think I’ve demonstrated up to this point that I’ve never had to take this temperature in order to do the right thing.”

“There are enough people who are prepared to take the temperature,” he said. “There are not enough people who are willing to set it.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the name of Andrew Gillum as Anthony Gillum.

Tennessee State University Takes On Vanderbilt University In 1st ‘Great Debate’

Posted by Delvakio Brown
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Tennessee State has battled it out on the football field and basketball courts against Vanderbilt University before but history was made on Saturday as the new playing field is a debate.

Senior Barbra Dudley and Sophomore Tomale Williams has become the first Tennessee State students to compete against Vanderbilt in Debate.

When asked about his feelings for Saturday, Williams told HBCU Buzz that “I feel so excited about Saturday. I’m ready to start a legacy that I hope will be continued for the next upcoming debaters.”

The coordinator of the event Tabitha Mundy said in a statement that she believes the debate “teaches the students to have a healthy way to conversate against difference of opinions.”

“We may not agree about the topic; however, it gives a platform to discuss, which I think is important and critical right now,” Mundy added.

The debate was held at Gordan Memorial Church, where the teams faced off head to head on controversial topics in today’s society.

Barbra Dudley has ranked 5th in the nation and 3rd in the TIFA State Championships for debate this academic school year. Tomale Williams has placed right behind Dudley with 4th in the TIFA State Championships and was a semifinalist for debate at University of Southern Mississippi debate tournament.

The Tennessee State University forensics and Speech & Debate team is lead by the Director Of Forensics, Sean Allen, and Assistant Director of Forensics, Shante Telfer.

According to News Channel 5, all the teams scored well in the debate, but the team from Vanderbilt slightly edged out TSU for the win.

Three Clark Atlanta University Students Named University Innovation Fellows

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The crowded field of candidates for elected office in the new city of South Fulton includes three more Clark Atlanta University alumni. Catherine Foster Rowell, Ph.D., Rochelle Lindsey and Darris Rollins are vying for seats on the South Fulton City Council in districts 1, 4 and 3 respectively. They join CAU alumnus and current CAU grad student Johnny Surry in bids to become the first elected leaders in the recently created city.

In a Facebook post, double alumna Foster Rowell said her platform includes public safety, health care, economic development and government transparency/fiscal responsibility. She also wants to enhance parks and recreation centers throughout South Fulton. You can learn more about her campaign at electfosterrowell.

Candidate Lindsey earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from CAU. She has lived in South Fulton more than 10 years. Her website says she won’t tell voters what they need; rather, she wants to listen and hear what they want. She also said she plans to make decisions “entrenched in your values.” For more information about Lindsey, go to vote4rochelle.com or email voterochelle4@gmail.com.

Darris Rollins has been a resident of South Fulton for more than two decades. Some of his platform initiatives include making South Fulton a safe and desirable place to live and creating first-class art, recreation and entertainment facilities for residents and visitors. Rollins attributes his candidacy to “my matriculation through CAU, which laid the foundation for years of government volunteer and political work.” Find more details about his campaign at electdarrisrollins.com.

We told you before CAU has a long and rich history of producing leaders in civil rights, government, business and more. Some of them include U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson; Evelyn G. Lowery, founder of SCLC/Women’s Organizational Movement for Equality Now, Inc.; Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, civil rights icon and Rev. Hosea Williams, also a civil rights icon, businessman and politician.  In fact, preparing our students for global leadership roles in all fields is part of President Ronald A. Johnson’s vision of “Lifting Every Voice.”

To learn more about Clark Atlanta University, visit our website, CAU.edu.

Where Are They Now? HBCU Kings And Queens Edition: Mister Huston-Tillotson

Posted by Delvakio Brown
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The suffering of self-doubt and depression was the undetected battle of Joseph Jamal Reese, Mister Huston-Tillotson University 2014-2016 & Mister HBCU 2016-2017. Growing up in the small country town of Somerville, Texas Reese became the youngest of six siblings.

Being a pastor’s kid makes it easily understood why Reese has a heart for singing and a deep adoration for worship and gospel music. Applying to only Huston-Tillotson, Reese realized that living in Somerville had limited options and nothing was left for him there. If he stayed he would run in a cycle of not growing but once visiting Huston-Tilloston University he knew that this place that felt like home, was the next step for life.

He was ready to grow and since completing college many have witnessed the change just like good friend Brooke Gordon. “Oftentimes, when we speak of change and the ways in which people change it has a negative connotation to it. This is however, not true about Joseph,” Brooke Gordon said.

Like many HBCU student leaders, Reese pondered heavily on running for Mister Huston-Tillotson.

“I said NO for an entire year until I decided to step out on faith and listen to those who believed in the leader I could be,” Reese said.

Within the history of the University Reese was the only king whom served two terms. A new administration was coming into fruition and wanted Reese to have his fair chance at the opportunity of running for Mister HBCU.

“He came in and stayed to himself in the beginning. Upon being crowned Mr. Huston-Tillotson University, Joseph immediately became the most admirable campus leader and did the best job any one person could ever do representing our university,” his classmate Charleston Samuel said.

Reese could have easily taken a comfortable and predictable job after graduation but decided to step out on faith and follow his dream career. Taking a plunge into the deep end, he decided to get fully engaged in the field of entertainment.

“Not moving with haste” is the mindset even though he still finds himself pondering his next moves. Making a career out of singing is no easy task and can be difficult and unpromising. With this realization Joseph began developing mentor relationships with several individuals that are experienced in entertainment.

“Joseph has become more confident in his callings. Experiences and opportunities have fine-tuned him into a very intelligent, confident, conscientious, spiritual, compassionate, leader, mentor, talented and thoughtful young man, just to name a few descriptors,” his mom Josephine Reese said.

While in college Joseph began to heal from hurt of losing a loved one.  Being the son of a mother who was a teacher for 38 years and a father who was a train engineer, he was always taught to take the most of academic opportunities while striving for great reputation.

On December 13,2011, his father’s battle against Pancreatic Cancer ended after a nearly 2-year fight. It wasn’t until 2 years later during sophomore year in college that Joseph could deal with the bottled-up grief. It was at a prayer gathering that Joseph finally let loose.

“I finally allowed myself to grieve with complete transparency,” Reese said, as he began to open up to HBCU Buzz.

Overtime Joseph became able to speak publicly with ease.

“His confidence level as a public speaker has risen and he is able to articulate his thoughts and messages to small and large audiences with ease,” his cousin Donna Williams said.

Dreams take time and the transition from college into the real world is a constant development. For most of life at this point, school is a normal continuous routine. Not rushing into anything he realized that the moment after college was the perfect opportunity to be studious.

“The attributes he had before have grown in strength and has caused a beautiful maturity and resolve,” is the words of cousins Walter and Mahalia Nix as they have paid close attention to Joseph’s matriculation.

He feels as if college prepared him well for the real world because of the courses and interactions he experienced. In result of the places he could travel to along with people he met, he became a better problem solver and understood hierarchy.

Reese has a unique legacy at Huston-Tillotson. Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College merged together in 1952. During his Junior year, he discovered that his grandmother was a student at Tillotson College and her sister a student Samuel Huston. No matter how far away Reese will be from his University, regardless of the many failures, setbacks, and frequent frustrations mixed with moments of joy the feeling of home will never fade.

During the transition from college to the real-world Joseph felt as if the vision he had for himself wasn’t coming to execution. Not being fully indulged in his faith, he blamed self instead of relying on God whole heartedly. College is only a moment in time, and time surely keeps going and freezes for no one.

When asked Joseph what he regretted not doing in his final year of undergrad he stated, “Honestly, I regret taking ‘time’ for granted. I didn’t believe anyone when they said that it would be over so soon; I regret allowing the stress and worries devour my time.”

The one who once worried now consumes positivity and a mindset of being patient.  In this world working in multiple careers require effective code switches and that is a trait that Joseph learned at Huston-Tillotson.

“I use it subconsciously at times because living in the world we are now, being able to converse on various levels could quite frankly save one’s life,” Reese explained.

The blessing of being out of college for Joseph was the ability to look back and understand why everything took place.

Many that surround him are very familiar with his faith. “He reflects a man of Isaiah 40:32, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint,” is what came to mind when Alice Lewis reflected on her cousin’s college transformation.

The goal for Joseph is to become a philanthropist who provides for those in need. This professional musician wants to use his gift and then become a teacher that grooms the same gift of others.

SSU Becomes First HBCU To Win National Cheerleading Title

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
Posted on
Savannah State Universty’s cheerleading squad has become the first cheerleaders from a historically black college and university, or HBCU, to win a national cheerleading title.

“We are very excited, ecstatic, just a feeling that you can’t explain,” senior cheerleader Morgan Moore told WJCL. “It’s indescribable, it’s just a great feeling to know that we’ve made history at our school.”

According to WJCL, this is the school’s first appearance at the CheerSport Nationals in Atlanta since 2013.

“We didn’t know about it until like the last minute and thought about it when they were presenting the award,” Dathan Gooden, the lone male on the team, told the local station. “And we were just like, oh, we are really, the first HBCU to win this, so we were very, very proud of that.”

The team also got love from “Bring It On” star Gabrielle Union, who took to Twitter to congratulate them.

“They brought it,” Union said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQtPuh_lWNd/?taken-by=_raeera

Congrats to the Savannah State cheerleading team!

Woman On Mission To Donate To Every HBCU Gives $350 To CAU

Posted by Clark Atlanta
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What began as a college endowment research project by Kira Russell-Johnson, 24, ended with a shocking and disappointing revelation. Russell-Johnson, who did not attend a black college, discovered the endowments of HBCUs are significantly less than their white counterparts. That’s when she decided to be the difference she wants to see by launching a quest to donate at least $300 of her own money to every HBCU in the nation. The effort recently brought her to Clark Atlanta University where she hand-delivered a $350 cash donation. Her donations come with one stipulation, which is the money is given directly to the needs of the student body.

“I walked away feeling I was being what I want other people to be, which is someone who is not comfortable with high student loan debt or HBCUs closing down,” said Russell-Johnson.

CAU was actually the second HBCU in Russell-Johnson’s giving campaign. She said her first gift of $300 was donated to Spelman College. Next, she plans to make a contribution to Morris Brown College then, take her HBCU campaign statewide and national.  And she’s doing it all on a salary of under $30k a year.

“I want to bridge the gap and offer aid to black students who need it most,” Russell-Johnson continued. “I did a small part, but I did my part.”

There’s no question students enrolled at HBCUs need financial assistance. Student loan debt is a substantial burden for HBCU students, many of whom are the first in their family to attend college, according to the United Negro College Fund. That’s why CAU launched its “15 or 18” campaign in October to help students reduce student loan debt by graduating in four years or less.

HBCUs themselves don’t fair much better than their students when it comes to money in the bank. According to a recent UNCF study of the top ten HBCU endowments, they pale in comparison to the tens of billions of dollars in the endowments of their white counterparts.  The lack of endowments for HBCUs translates to their students being forced to seek more costly education loans such as unsubsidized federal and private loans, the study concluded.

Russell-Johnson’s generous and bold action showcases the potential that exists to widen educational opportunities for HBCU students if more people follow her lead. She exemplifies what is expected of all CAU alumni, friends and supporters. Everyone can be part of President Ronald A. Johnson’s vision of “Lifting Every Voice” by clicking the donation link to give the gift of education: https://invest.cau.edu/give-now.

“Hopefully that random student that I’ll probably never meet will be helped,” Russell-Johnson finished.