Clark Atlanta Grad Student Is Youngest Candidate For City Council In New City Of South Fulton

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Johnny Surry’s roots run deep in Atlanta and Fulton County.  He finished Westlake High School in 2011 then, the former student-athlete earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management in 2015 from Clark Atlanta University.  He later joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Now in his second year of graduate school at CAU studying public policy, the 24-year-old is turning heads again as the youngest candidate for city council District 3 in the newly formed city of South Fulton.

Surry explained his matriculation at CAU, a place he considers a second home, prepared him for this moment on the political stage.  He said during his undergraduate years he matured and learned the importance of leadership, determination and consistency, and now he’s ready to serve his community.

“South Fulton has truly contributed to my development as a man,” said Surry.  “I find it only befitting to give back to the place, which made me who I am today.”

He rolled out a three-point to-do list he said he plans to tackle immediately if elected.  It includes economic development, community involvement and crime prevention.  The millennial said each of these categories links directly to having a vibrant and robust new city.

Surry is following a long and rich CAU history of producing impactful community and political leaders.  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 icon, businessman and politician.  In fact, preparing our students for leadership roles in politics, business and education, to name a few, is part of President Ronald A. Johnson’s vision of “Lifting Every Voice.”

“I commit myself to the progress of our city.  We must learn to create our own and support our own,” Surry concluded.

To learn more about Surry’s campaign, visit his Facebook page, @johnnsurry4district3 or email johnnysurry4district3@gmail.com.

NCCU Trustee Michael Johnson Provides $1 Million Endowment For NCCU School Of Business

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Board of Trustees member Michael P. Johnson made a $250,000 gift to the School of Business that became the catalyst for establishing a new $1 million endowment.

Johnson’s original donation was matched by a gift from the University of North Carolina General Administration. An additional match was received by the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Part B program – creating the $1 million total endowment.

“Trustee Johnson’s gift has created energy – and synergy – at NCCU, where we provide our students a high quality education and produce leaders who are equipped to compete in the global marketplace,” said NCCU Interim Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye.

“The positive impact from this gift will be felt by our students in this decade and for many decades to come. Our goal is to continue growing the university endowment and the generosity of Mr. Johnson enables NCCU to do just that,” said NCCU Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement Dr. Harriet Frink Davis.

The Michael P. Johnson Endowment will boost NCCU’s growing School of Business just as plans are underway to construct a new state-of-the-art facility for the school on campus. Johnson said his determination to assist students attending NCCU stems from personal experience.

“NCCU not only provided me with a great education, but with a vision of what I could achieve,” said Johnson, a football recruit from East St. Louis, Ill., who graduated with a degree in business administration in 1969 before launching a successful career in corporate leadership.

“I had never seen a black business person in corporate America until I came to N.C. Central,” Johnson says. “While in school, I encountered many role models who helped clear the way for me to follow my vision.” His first job was at RCA Corporation.

Johnson, who now lives in Tulsa, Okla., has been a longtime supporter of the university, often assisting with key academic initiatives and student scholarship needs. He rose through the ranks at companies such as Lockheed Martin, Amoco Corp., and The Williams Companies. In 2008, he founded J&A Group LLC, a management and business-consulting firm. He also has served on several corporate boards, including CenterPoint Energy, Buffalo Wild Wings and Quiktrip Corp. Johnson was awarded NCCU’s Distinguished Alumni honor at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference basketball finals in spring 2016.

Ice Cube Visits Clark Atlanta University To Promote ‘Fist Fight’

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Actor and hip-hop heavyweight Ice Cube visited the campus of Clark Atlanta University to discuss his new movie Fist Fight earlier last week.

Ice Cube told HBCU Buzz in an exclusive interview that he loves Atlanta, saying “there is a creative vibe that I get here that I appreciate.”

The movie was filmed in 2015, mostly at the old Marshall Middle School in East Atlanta.

When Ice Cube took the stage during his visit to CAU he was greeted with thunderous applause and appreciation from the HBCU students. Ice Cube took the stage and stated:

“You all could have been anywhere right now but you decided to come out to this event and hear about my new film, thank you.”

Fist Fight stars Ice Cube as he plays the lead role as a teacher, who on the last day of school, challenges a fellow high school colleague, played by Charlie Day, to a fist fight after school. With movies like Are We There Yet?, Friday and The Barbershop franchise, Ice Cube has had a very impressive movie career; from the looks of it Fist Fight will be another continuation of that success.

When asked why he wanted Clark Atlanta to be a stop on the promotional tour for the film he said, “Success should touch students, I want to be remembered as a black man that [young adults] can be proud of. If someone can look at my success and it inspires them to go a little harder and be a bit better than my job is done.”

The entire event was full of love, laughter, and support. Students walked away excited to see the film with their families and are still conversing online about their interaction with Ice Cube.

After hearing Ice Cube’s discuss this film and the reaction from the students of CAU, it is safe to say that Fist Fight will be another great success.

Fist Fight is in theaters now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aIzXYo6VCE&w=560&h=315

Women’s Basketball Player To Honor Aunt Murdered In Charleston Church Massacre With #9 Jersey

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ATLANTA —  June 17 will mark two years since a domestic terrorist motivated by racism and hate walked into a black church in Charleston, S.C. and shot to death nine worshippers during Bible study. We told you at the time one of the victims was beloved Clark Atlanta University alumna, Cynthia Graham Hurd. Now, Hurd’s niece, current CAU Women’s Basketball player Nicole Graham, is honoring her aunt’s legacy in a special way.  Instead of retiring a framed replica of her #23 game jersey, a tradition for all seniors, Graham will be presented with a basketball jersey bearing the #9, representing all of the victims killed in the Charleston church massacre. The jersey presentation happens during Senior Day, February 23, at 6 p.m., at the final home game of the 2016-2017 season.

“This means everything to me,” said Graham, a first-year graduate student who came to CAU for her last year of NCAAII eligibility specifically to honor the memory of her fallen aunt. “This is truly a dream come true and I know she would be so proud, and to honor her by playing the game I love means everything in the world to me.”

Vanessa Moore, head CAU Women’s Basketball coach, echoed those sentiments. “When Nicole applied to attend CAU in honor of her aunt, I was drawn to her story,” Moore said. “I understood how important it was for her to finish in this place.”

Graham said she still thinks about the moment she first learned her aunt was slain in the attack. “I felt empty and I was just in disbelief,” she continued. “My aunt lost her life for one reason and one reason only, and that is because she was black. That is something I will always struggle with.”

Despite the lingering grief and pain, Graham said there are places around campus, which rekindle warm memories of her aunt. For example, the fraternity and sorority plots always evoke a smile in Graham because her aunt was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. But the one place at CAU where Graham feels the strongest connection to her aunt is Woodruff Library. Of course, Hurd was a decades-long librarian in Charleston. “She loved books, she loved education,” Graham remarked.

On Senior Day when Graham plays her final home game, she’ll do it with “Aunt Cynthia” and the other victims at top of mind. And, if she could speak to her aunt just one more time, she would offer a simple message. “I would just tell her I love her and I’m sorry this happened to her, and I promise to continue to make her proud.”

Student Creates App That Identifies Which HBCU You Should Attend

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A Grambling State University student has created an app that helps students identify historically black colleges that could be a good match for them.

The app keeps a database of several HBCUs across the country, providing detailed information people look for when trying to find the right HBCU match. A “Report card” is also included in the app for each school that lists academics, costs, and the overall ranking of HBCU’s on a scale from A to F.

“It’s a lot easier to get information on a PWI,” said the inventor, Jonathan Swindell, to Southern Digest. “They’re a lot bigger and have a lot more resources behind them, whereas, at an HBCU, the information can be a bit scattered, so I saw a pain point within our community and HBCU HUB serves to fix that.”

“We offer a free service called HUB Packs where the user is asked to answer questions such as, are you ‘High School Faculty, High School Student, Transfer Student, Graduate Student’, from there we make the transition easy by sending the information they need to apply for said HBCU of interest,” said Swindell while explaining who can use the app.

Additionally, the app provides information on scholarships, allows users to participate in an online chat community, helps students get tips for resumes and job interviews, and much more.

Since it’s release, the HBCU HUB App has more than one-thousand downloads and is being used in more than 32 states and five countries.

HBCU HUB is available on both Android and Apple devices for free.

Debra Lee, Anika Noni Rose Claps Back With Classy Response To Criticism Of ‘The Quad’

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BET’s Chairman and CEO Debra Lee responded to criticism of The Quad, which takes viewers inside the fictional Georgia A&M, after the president of Hampton University called the show an inadequate depiction of HBCU culture and leadership.

Insisting that The Quad is a fictional story, Lee responded in an exclusive EBONY magazine interview by pointing out that fictional TV has drama. Lee stated:

“I talked to Dr. Harvey the other day and we had a good conversation. He started off by saying conversation is key, and I listened to him and he listened to me. I respect his opinion,” Lee said. “My point that I emphasized was that this was a fictional story. It’s not representing any particular college. Fictional TV has drama, you have good guys and bad guys. ”

“We had a good conversation and I hope students, administrators, and parents will take the issues that we’re dealing with on The Quad seriously and discuss them during and after the show because we are dealing with serious issues that happen on all campuses, not just HBCUs,” Lee concluded.

Anika Noni Rose, a product of FAMU’s theatre department, also addressed criticism of The Quad.

“I think what’s important when we’re referencing that letter is that this is someone who saw one episode and made a lot of opinions off of one episode,” Rose told EBONY.

“The show is a fiction, but the show is a fiction based, in fact. A lot of the things that we are dealing with and talking about are taken straight from the headlines of what has happened at schools. So to pretend that these things don’t happen is ridiculous,” she explained.

“It’s a drama, it’s not a comedy, so things are going to be larger than life. Things are going to be drawn out in a very different way, and perhaps the show is not for that person. But let’s be clear it is not a documentary,” Rose said.

Rose also discussed women leading institutions and more, head over to EBONY to read more.

Golden Rams Lose Heartbreaker To Saint Leo

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ALBANY, Ga.- The Albany State baseball team played 12 innings with Saint Leo with hopes of picking up its first win of the season. However, late runs by the Lions in the final session sent ASU to a 9-6 defeat after the marathon contest.

SLU wins the three-game series and improves to 5-4 overall. The Golden Rams are now 0-8 on the year.

Albany State battled back from an early deficit. Saint Leo scored three runs in the top of the first inning and another in the second to take a 4-0.

ASU made a rally in the bottom of the second stanza. Both Nick Griggs and Terrence Worthy hit singles to ignite the team’s offense. Then, Theo Smith scored on an SLU error, and Worthy went home a play later. The Golden Rams only trailed 4-2.

Albany State took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the third inning. Jonatan Galan started the run with a two-run homer that scored him and Jeremy Arrington for a 4-4 tie. Smith then went to home plate on an error to give ASU a 5-4 edge.

In the fifth inning, the Lions regained the lead at 6-5 courtesy of a homerun and a double. The Golden Rams tied the game again when Lawrence Hyde hit a single to score Worthy and make the score 6-6. Neither team could generate any runs the rest of regulation, and the game headed into extra innings.

In the 12th inning, the Lions scored three runs to take a 9-6 advantage. ASU couldn’t score any more runs to tie or win the game.

Galan led Albany State with two hits and two RBIs. Hyde added two hits and an RBI.

The Golden Rams collected eight hits, committed two errors and left 10 runners on base. Eden Payano was the losing pitcher.

Saint Leo’s Brett Coffell recorded four hits during the contest. Alex Mata added two hits and four RBIs. Zach Whitaker was the winning pitcher for the Lions, who tallied 16 hits, committed four errors and left 10 players on base.

Albany State will continue its home schedule on Tuesday, Feb. 21. when it hosts Auburn University-Montgomery. Game time is slate for 4 p.m. on the ASU West Campus.

This post was written by Stan McCormick, ASU’s Director of Athletic Communications, at asugoldenrams.com, where it was originally published. This story is published here with permission.

HU Prez Slams BET’s ‘The Quad’ For Inaccurate Portrayal Of HBCU Culture

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A leader in the historically black college community has blasted BET’s The Quad for distorting HBCU culture and leadership on TV, calling the new drama “fake news” and “a bogus representation of very important and historic institutions.”

Hampton University President William R. Harvey penned a three-page letter to BET President Debra Lee in early February.

“Devoid of any reference to academics, The Quad is about a president who is promiscuous, trustees who are unwilling to deal with a rogue band director, and a band director who condones criminal activity on the part of his drum major,” the letter reads:

The Quad will lead many to believe that HBCUs exist because of 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.

We cannot afford this kind of storytelling. It amounts to the type of ‘fake news’ that is prevalent today. You see, all that most people know about HBCUs is what they see on television. What I saw on BET February 1st was not accurate; rather, it was a bogus representation of very important and historic institutions.

Additionally, the letter has been made available to several HBCU across the country and The Root noted that several leaders from HBCUs “have reportedly written to Harvey and commended him for writing the letter in response to the negative images presented in The Quad.”

Golden Rams Lose Opener To Saint Leo

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ALBANY, Ga.- The Albany State Golden Rams opened a three-game series with Saint Leo Universityon Friday evening. Unfortunately, ASU could not gain victory in the first contest. After falling behind early, Albany State dropped a 14-3 decision to the Lions.

The loss keeps the Golden Rams winless (0-6), while SLU improves to 3-4 on the season.

Albany State dug an early deficit during the first two innings. Saint Leo scored a run in the top of the first and added six more in the second to generate a 7-0 lead.

The Golden Rams got on the scoreboard in bottom of the second inning. Theo Smith belted a single that scored Jonatan Galan to make the score 7-1. Smith made another contribution in the bottom of the fourth. His double sent Ryan McClendon home, and ASU trailed 7-2.

In the fifth inning, the Lions added two more runs in the top, but Albany State scored one on its own. Kelvin Wimbish scored off a wild pitch to cut the team’s deficit to 9-3.

However, SLU scored five more runs in the final three innings to pull away from the home team.

Smith led Albany State with two hits and two RBIs. ASU collected three hits, committed two errors and left seven runners on base. Brandon Pearson (0-1) was the losing pitcher.

Saint Leo was led by Alex Mata, who recorded three hits and three RBIs. Derei Gibreess added three hits and two RBIs. The Lions tallied 15 hits, committed one error and left 16 runners on base.

The two teams will vie against on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. The contest will be held at ASU West Campus.

Morgan State Joins HBCU Coalition To Work With DOE On Community Clean Energy Solutions

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The HBCU Clean Energy Consortium’ will focus on bringing solar energy to working communities and STEM workforce development.

As part of an initiative to promote renewable energy and transformative economic development for communities nationwide, Morgan State University has joined a coalition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in signing an agreement with the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The agreement, which launches a new partnership known as the “HBCU Clean Energy Consortium,” will help advance HBCU-led measures in the innovation economy, expand the number of graduates working in STEM fields and bring alternative energy sources to communities in need.

As the nation transitions to a clean energy economy, HBCUs are playing a significant role in leading the transformation in the communities where they are located. Many of these same HBCUs have already begun initiatives that promote sustainability and a green environment on their campuses. HBCUs also play an influential role in driving greater awareness of energy efficiency and solar and renewable energies in the communities around them. Ultimately, the HBCU Clean Energy Consortium will provide a bigger platform for the DOE to engage HBCUs as key stakeholders in nationwide renewable energy initiatives.

With a signed memorandum of understanding in place, the HBCUs involved in this effort will request funding from the DOE to lead initiatives in three key regions of the country — the Southeast, Southwest and Northeast. As a model for community engagement around these initiatives, the Consortium will adopt the best practices of the Morgan Community Mile Solar Initiative at Morgan State University, which was created to engage the entire community more deeply in energy initiatives. In addition to Morgan, the HBCU participants include Coppin State University, Florida Memorial University, the University of the Virgin Islands, Southern University at New Orleans, Johnson C. Smith University, Southern University at Shreveport, Prairie View A&M University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

[Via MSU Public Relations]

Morgan State Grad To Trump: ‘I Am A Journalist, Not A Convener!’

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The Congressional Black Caucus clapped back at President Donald Trump following a press conference today, explaining to Trump exactly who they are. This moment during the press conference “may go down as the most unhinged scene” in Trump’s administration, Jordan Sargent at Spin writes.

April D. Ryan, who graduated from Morgan State University and is a veteran White House correspondent, asked Trump the following question: “Are you going to include the CBC [Congressional Black Caucus], Mr. President, in your conversations with your urban agenda, your inner city agenda, as well as—”

“I would. You want to set up the meeting? Are they friends of yours?” Trump responded.

In response to Trump’s remarks, the CBC has posted a message to Twitter saying that they sent Trump a letter but he never wrote them back.

“Hi, Donald Trump. We’re the CBC. We sent you a letter on January 19, but you never wrote us back. Sad!” the CBC said.

No word on whether or not Trump will finally write back to the CBC.

HBCU Gameday: ‘Four HBCU Players Invited To NFL Draft Combine’

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Gerald Huggins writes at HBCU Gameday that four players who attended historically black colleges have been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, which begins later this month. “All three of the HBCU combine invitees from 2016 (Javon Hargrave, Ryan Smith, and Temarrick Hemingway) were selected in the NFL Draft,” Huggins writes.

From HBCU Gameday:

The NFL released its official list of invitees to the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday. Of the 330 players invited to the combine, four of the players attended HBCUs. The MEAC has two representatives in Tarik Cohen, the electrifying running back from North Carolina A&T and Javarius Leamon from South Carolina State. Also represented is Tennessee State with defensive back Ezra Robinson and offensive guard Jessamen Dunker.

Cohen, a 5’6 workhorse for the Aggies, is the MEAC’s all-time leading rusher (5,619 yards) and three-time conference Offensive Player of the Year. He rushed for 1,588 yards and 19 touchdowns on 212 carries in 2016. He has made some comparisons to Darren Sproles because of his size and playmaking ability.

Robinson, a 5’11 cornerback for the Tigers, was a transfer from Michigan State. He left East Lansing in 2014 and instantly became an impact defensive player for the Tigers. He started every game in 2016 and had a highly productive year with five interceptions, returning two for scores and eight pass breakups.

Leamon, listed at 6’7, 315 pounds, is the size that pro scouts are looking for in offensive tackles. Leamon was a first-team All-MEAC selection as the Bulldogs starting left tackle in 2015 and was second-team All-MEAC in 2016. Dunker, a Florida transfer, earned first-team All-OVC honors last year.

Head over to HBCU Gameday to read more.

Graduate Resource Center at Clark Atlanta to be Named in Honor of Legendary Educator

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Decades-long educator and researcher, Dr. Bettye M. Clark, will be recognized by the Clark Atlanta University Board of Trustees for her tireless dedication to students by having the Graduate Resource Center named in her honor.  A naming ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17 at 12:30 p.m., in Kresge Hall.

“The University is grateful for the tremendous leadership and work of Dr. Bettye M. Clark during the presidential transition, and for filling the void left by the unexpected death of former Provost and Vice President James A. Hefner,” said President Ronald A. Johnson.  “Moreover, her commitment to the University’s forward progress is to be celebrated.”

Clark served students in various capacities during her more than 30 years on the faculty at CAU, including as chair of the Department of Mathematical Science, dean of Graduate Studies and interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.  She is also the founder of the Graduate Resource Center.

“The creation of the Graduate Resource Center grew out of my fervent devotion and commitment to all CAU students, but particularly graduate students who needed support services different than those offered to our undergraduate students,” Clark explained.  “The naming of the Dr. Bettye M. Clark Graduate Resource Center is an honor bestowed upon me that I will always cherish and appreciate.”

Clark earned multiple professional awards before her second retirement at the end of 2016.  During her tenure, she garnered more than $7 million in grant funding, co-authored two books and was once named Professor of the Year.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Fort Valley State University, with high honors.  Her master’s degree is from the University of Georgia and she holds a doctorate from the University of Houston.

“Thank you, President Johnson, Trustee Aldridge, students, faculty and staff, especially those in the mathematics department.  I am extremely grateful to the entire University community for this esteemed recognition,” she concluded.

CAU To Become First Ever HBCU To Begin Issuing Highly Secure And Encrypted Digital Diplomas

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ATLANTA—Diploma fraud is an age-old problem wreaking havoc on the reputations and brand prestige of colleges and universities nationwide, according to Parchment, Inc., a market leader in secure digital credentials. Clark Atlanta University is not immune to this growing scourge. To fight back against fraudulent credentials, CAU has teamed with Parchment to become the first and only HBCU in the nation to begin issuing highly secure and encrypted digital diplomas.

“Clark Atlanta University is proud to serve as the trailblazer among HBCUs when it comes to providing digital diplomas,” said CAU Registrar Susan Gibson. CAU had already been providing secure eTranscripts to its students and graduates.

Some of the security features of digital diplomas include direct, integrated sharing with major social channels, a certified PDF version with an Adobe Blue Ribbon embedded digital signature with tamper evidence notification, unique document identification numbers and a link to online versions embedded within the certified PDF. The technology used in the new eDiplomas will make it much harder for counterfeiters to falsify a CAU diploma, and protect our graduates who put in the work to earn a real degree.

“eTranscripts and eDiplomas align with President Johnson’s vision of ‘Lifting  Every Voice’ by enabling our students to be recognized around the world at the click of a button,” said Martin Hill, academic records manager in the Office of the Registrar, and leader of the digital diploma project.

The benefits of eDiplomas also extend to our graduates who now receive proof of graduating within hours of commencement, instead of waiting weeks or months for a paper version to arrive by mail.  Nearly 90 graduates in CAU’s December 2016 class were the first to enjoy faster access to a digital diploma, resulting in a streamlined vetting process for employers considering hiring them.

“Today’s generation of students rely heavily on technology and social media to share their life stories,” Registrar Gibson continued. “The digital diploma gives CAU graduates the opportunity to share their educational milestones with family, friends, employers and others via social media.”

Following a successful pilot program last year, CAU now plans to roll out digital diplomas to all graduates beginning with the Class of 2017 in May. For more information on this project, contact project manager Martin Hill at 404.880.6338 or email mhill@cau.edu.

The Hidden Magic In Children Of Color

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How many girls of color are super smart in mathematics, how many want to be engineers, how many girls of color want to be doctors and lawyers, scientists and pilots?

How many want to be veterinarians and writers like Breyonna Fox a sophomore attending High School in Jacksonville, Florida, she is interning with My Quest To Teach writing blogs that are read nationally.

Taylor Richardson of Bolles Middle School, her dreams to be an astronaut traveling to Mars and exploring the Red Planet, there are more girls that want to follow her and increase their reading literacy. How many want to be like Angie Nixon’s daughter Natalie creating a national following with “The Adventures of a Moxie McGriff.”

How many boys of color love to read and how many enjoy building with Legos and other materials that could make them the next architects and designers of our national infrastructure for roads and buildings. Young men like Elisha Taylor and 8th-grade students that love robotics, reading and has spoken at conferences; TEDxFSCJ and attending WordCamps and EdCamps in Florida.

Young men such as Jon Gregory of Edward Waters College studying to be an elementary education teacher working with TEAM UP in Jacksonville, Florida. He has spoken at EdCamp NASBE and attended WordPress and WordCamp events. One of the first to speak at the Edward Waters “TIGER TALKS Experience.”

Each of these dynamic and success driven visionaries are embracing their talents as smart creatives and innovators for the future. How many boys and girls of color will be able to design future spaceships that will take astronauts beyond Mars and to the stars? These are dreams that many do have. There is Hidden Magic in children of color and culture that needs to be cultivated and encouraged.

The movie Hidden Figures has sparked a renewed interest in the need for girls and women to enter into #STEM careers, it is a call for boys and men also to get involved in #STEM and STEAM that allows the imagination to know no limitations. Girls and women shatter glass ceilings, boys, and men demolishing walls that keep them out of innovative and historic careers with tech.

There was a time as seen in the movie Hidden Figures where Black girls and boys were honored as scholars and intellectuals, what has happened in the 21st century?

There are too many that are scared to read books in public, too many being bullied because they love math and science. The question why is a question that needs to be answered. Not just in schools, but in homes where parents are the first educators. How can kids bring guns to school but struggle to bring books to and from school and parent not be aware?

Why are our Black girls and boys that can be honor students scared to be academically successful? What has happened since the days when Blacks had to secretly learn how to read using the Bible that was hidden away. That was a “hidden treasure” because it was the tool that Blacks used to start the educational process that even continues today.

HBCUs had to struggle to teach not because of money, but because society did not think Blacks were smart enough to be anything other than field workers, hired hands and property. These stories are not science fiction, but science fact how Blacks have influenced a time in national history.

If not for them there may not have been a journey to the moon or if there had been, it may have cost more human lives. Look at the facts that Blacks helped put a man in space, Blacks helped put a man on the moon and Blacks continue to do this.

HBCUs have contributed to thousands of Hidden Figures that are still unknown and their contributions are historical in the benefits we enjoy today. Parents and teachers need to
work together to create cultures of learning for the betterment of our cultures and society.
It is because of the diversity that America has that is why this nation is still the best place in the world to live because we enjoy freedoms that our constitution allows for everyone. The embracing of diversity brings a strength and value to our educational systems, industry, commerce, research and development.

America is strong because of the diversity of cultures and minds. Black do have opportunities and they must be prepared for new growth in new careers.

To participate in a continued discussion centered on women and their growing influence.
Attend the Real Talk Real Change – Real Talk Real Change by E3 Business Group
RTRC VIII: “We Are Women, Hear Us More!”

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Tennessee State Stylish Buzz Of The Week: Sasha Nicole Murphy

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It’s not that hard to find students from the Memphis area that attend the illustrious Tennessee State University. Sasha Nicole Murphy, a Junior Business Administration major concentration in marketing is one of those students. Sasha is inspired by the styles of Janelle Monae. “I like to push boundaries with the way I dress,” Sasha Murphy said.

The addition of a cool hat and a nice pair of loafers or boots add flavor to any outfit for Murphy. Rather dressing up or down the feelings of emotion is always the key to the direction of apparel. “Her fashions is unique in a way that it joins men’s clothing with women’s creating a style not many people can pull off,” her good friend Skylar Harris said.

Sasha can be caught in action within the walls of the Performing Arts Center on campus engaged in various activities. Founder of her own company, Sasha Nicole Marketing Agency keeps her busy while still a college student. “She loves helping others with their brands,” her friend Tajaya Bean said. Her services include flyer, logo design, websites, promo videos, and t-shirt designs. When it comes to Do’s and Don’ts Sasha has a few things to say.

Do:

  1. Add a little edge
  2. Think outside the box
  3. Add accessories
  4. Mix and Match
  5. Spend the extra dollar on essential high-quality pieces that will last in time. Cheap stuff wears out quickly

Don’t:

  1. Try Hard
  2. Be afraid to break the “fashion rules”
  3. Wear multiple clashing prints and patterns at the same time
  4. Wear silver jewelry when your outfit has gold hardware
  5. Wear sky high heels or tight skirts you can’t walk in

You can keep up with all things Sasha on Instagram @thedapperwoman and her company page @iamsashanicole You can check out Sasha Nicole Marketing Agency at Iamsashanicole.com.