New Book By DU Board Member MC Lyte And Lynn Richardson Tries To Dispel Dating Myths

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“Money doesn’t solve a man problem, says MC Lyte and Dr. Lynn Richardson, and a man can’t solve a money problem but with the right man in her life, any woman can achieve harmony in her finances and in her relationship.”

With a conversation-oriented format financial expert Dr. Lynn Richardson and entertainer MC Lyte dispel the myths and share their tips on how they’ve achieved both: a good man and lots of money!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i437enljsP0&w=560&h=315]

In an article on GlobalGrind, copyeditor, Kelsey Paine, asked GlobalGrind’s financial coach and author,  Dr. Lynn Richardson, a question I think many women think about one time or another in life!

Should a woman look for a man who makes more money than she?

“My thoughts are ABSOLUTELY NOT.  What does money have to do with love, respect, and honesty?  More importantly, if money – the man’s money in particular — makes the relationship better, then why are there so many rich people who are getting divorced and in unhappy relationships?”

Richardson continued by saying many women grew up with the dream that they would marry a knight in shining armor who would protect them, take care of them, and purchase the biggest house he could find so they could raise their kids behind a white picket fence, but the truth of the matter is this:  if they’re waiting on a man who has a bigger paycheck than them, they may be waiting forever!

She said not to be mistaken, a man who doesn’t work won’t eat in her house, but whether or not his paycheck is bigger than hers is less important than knowing she has a lifelong partner who has her back, who loves, protects and respects her, and who shares her values and goals for the future.

Do you agree? What are your thoughts? Want more views on topics and questions as such? Purchase the book for just $20.00 here. For more information visit here. FB / IG @yourmanandyourmoney.

Clark Atlanta University Leads Region, Nation In Economic Mobility

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ATLANTA — A new study, “Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility,” co-authored by National Bureau of Economic Research member and Brown University Associate Professor of Economics and World Affairs John Friedman, Ph.D., says that Clark Atlanta University has the highest economic mobility rate among Atlanta-area colleges. According to the study, CAU shares this distinction with neighboring Spelman College.

WABE-901FM/NPR Reporter Martha Dalton explained today that the study examined students who came from families in the bottom 20 percent of income distribution (earning less than $25,000 annually). Researchers combined that result with the percentage of students who reach the top 20 percent of income distribution ($60,000 in 2014) in their mid-thirties. CAU (and Spelman) had an economic mobility rate of 3.3 percent, placing the University in the top 12 percent of colleges nationwide.

“This report affirms our work here at Clark Atlanta University,” President Ronald A. Johnson said. “We are focused on transforming students of promise—young men and women possessing not only tremendous intellect, but what we consider a sense of ‘grit,’ a hunger to learn, to acquire diverse new experiences and, of course, to succeed—into scholars, leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. Our recent efforts to realign our curriculum and provide opportunities to earn stackable credentials will only increase our efficacy in realizing this goal.” Johnson also added that the report affirms Clark Atlanta’s contribution as an economic catalyst in the metro-Atlanta, Georgia and ultimately the global economy.

“We are indeed proud to learn this great news,” the President noted, “but we are not complacent.  We are redefining higher education and there is much more for us to do.”

To read the NPR report, click or paste this link: http://news.wabe.org/post/report-colleges-can-level-playing-field-low-income-students

To read the full research report, click or paste this link: http://www.equality-of-opportunity.org/papers/coll_mrc_paper.pdf

Wayne Frederick: Howard University Will Keep 1st And Only Black Owned Public TV Station ― WHUT

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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On Thursday, Wayne A.I. Frederick, the president of Howard University, announced that the private historically black university will be keeping WHUT, which is the only HBCU licensed public television station in the world. The decision comes after the university participated in FCC Broadcast Incentive Auction over a year ago.

“Please join me as I take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to the management and staff of WHUT for their abiding commitment to provide quality programming and public service to the station’s vast viewership,” Frederick said in a statement.

Frederick also noted that, under FCC prohibited communication rules, he was not able to share this information until now and pointed out the management and staff of WHUT “remained steadfast in the face of uncertainty during the prolonged period of the FCC auction.”

He added, “I also express my thanks to the WHUT Community Advisory Board, the station’s many donors, and all who have supported the station during the past 36 years.”

“Throughout the past year, leadership of the University’s broadcast outlets and the School of Communications have been working on a strategic plan for the communications component of a future arts and communications complex at Howard University,” he said. “A vast amount of information and content is generated daily on our campuses and has the potential to be produced into dynamic programming.”

He continued, “WHUT-TV’s overall broadcast capacity remains unchanged and it is positioning itself to capitalize on the ongoing development of digital media. You will hear more about these exciting developments in the coming months.”

The Maroon Tiger: ‘President’s View Of Pending Departure’

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Ayron Lewallen writes in The Maroon Tiger that while the Dr. John Silvanus Wilson era is coming to an end, ideally, he would have liked to lead Morehouse College for another 20 years. “Wilson’s undying love and passion for the College will be greatly missed,” Lewallen writes.

From The Maroon Tiger:

This year, students, faculty and alumni are anticipating celebrating the College’s 150th year of existence. However, some unexpected news has shifted focus to another matter. The Board of Trustees decided not to renew the contract of current president Dr. John Silvanus Wilson after his current one expires in June of this year. This decision seems as though it has come at the most inopportune time given the historical significance of this year.

In a press conference held on Jan. 17, Wilson was asked about his feelings toward the Board’s decision.

“I recognize fully that any president serves fully at the will of the trustees,” the Philadelphia native said. “They’ve made a decision here. I respect that decision, and the best thing about it is that it gives me the opportunity to be president for the next six months, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Wilson’s term length as president will be significantly shorter than some of the others who have served in the same capacity. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays served the institution for 27 years and is the longest serving president in Morehouse’s history. John Hope, Morehouse’s first African-American president, served for 25 years, while Dr. Hugh Gloster served as president for 20 years.

Head over to The Maroon Tiger to read more.

Matthews Named ASU Interim Head Women’s Tennis Coach

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ALBANY, Ga.- Albany State University Director of Athletics Sherie Gordon announces Jo Ann Matthews will serve as the interim head coach for the Lady Rams’ women’s tennis program.

“We are excited to have Jo Anne leading the women’s tennis program,” Gordon said. “Jo Anne has a wealth of experience and will be instrumental in the development of our student-athletes and our women’s tennis program.

Matthews played tennis at Auburn University from 1976-1980. After graduating from Auburn, she served as a physical education teacher and coach at Houston Academy in Dothan, Ala. from 1981-1982.

After her stint with Houston Academy, Matthews went to the Deerfield Windsor School in Albany, Ga. where she served in the same positions from 1983-1987. She then chose to utilize here tennis skills and experience in the professional ranks. Matthews was named the head tennis professional at Pine Forest Racquet Club (Albany, Ga.), where she worked from 1989-2014.

Matthews continued her professional career at another club in the southwest Georgia area. From 2014-2016, she was the head tennis professional at Grand Island Country Club in Lee County.

Matthews received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Auburn University in 1980.

Albany State will host is first match on Wednesday, Feb. 15 when it hosts Agnes Scott College. The contest will begin at 4 p.m. at ASU West Campus.

This story was written by Stanley McCormick, the Director of Athletic Communications at Albany State University Athletics, where it was originally published. This story is published here with permission.

JSU Newsroom: D.C. Sniper’s Ex-Wife Thanks JSU Social Workers For Their Work

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L.A. Warren writes at Jackson State Newsroom that the ex-wife of the D.C. sniper John Muhammad, Mildred Muhammad, spoke to Jackson State University social workers on “surviving death threats and abuse by her former husband” at the public historically black university’s 15th Annual Mississippi Child Welfare Institute Conference on Friday.

From Jackson State Newsroom:

The ex-wife of 2002 D.C. sniper John Muhammad, who was executed for killing at least 10 people, thanked a spellbound packed audience of social workers during Jackson State University’s 15th Annual Mississippi Child Welfare Institute Conference “for taking the time to learn everything you need in order to help us survive.”

Mildred Muhammad was the keynote speaker at the event sponsored by the School of Social Work in the College of Public Service in the downtown Marriott on Friday, Feb. 10. She told the professionals, “A lot of us may not get the chance to come back and tell you what you’ve done or to tell you how much your words and actions have encouraged us to move forward.”

She described how she survived after persistent threats against her life by ex-husband John. Before he was killed, John had warned that he could “take a small city, terrorize it and they would think it would be a group of people, and it would only be me.”

Head over to Jackson State Newsroom to read more.

Howard Student Nick Cannon Says He’s Quitting ‘America’s Got Talent’

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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Howard University student Nick Cannon is quitting America’s Got Talent following a fallout with NBC over a racial joke.

In a lengthy message posted to his Facebook account on Monday, Cannon said that while he loved hosting America’s Got Talent over the years, “my soul won’t allow me to be in business with corporations that attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists and question cultural choices.”

He continued:

“Not to get too detailed but this isn’t the first time executives have attempted to “put me in my place” for so-called unruly actions. I will not stand for it.

My moral principles will easily walk away from the millions of dollars they hang over my head. It’s never been about the money for me, what is difficult to walk away from is the fans, the people who love me on the show.

This hurts tremendously. I felt like I was a part of the fabric of our great nation every summer, representing every culture, age, gender and demographic. Now for the rug to be pulled from underneath me and to be publicly reprimanded and ridiculed over a joke about my own race is completely wrong and I have to do something about it.

I have fought many battles in my career and have never been afraid to go up against the system. I have mulled over my process for days and felt it was best to once again speak my mind about an unjust infrastructure that treat talent like they own them.

Maybe it was my mistake for signing the contract in the first place, in which I will take full responsibility and have already taken action to restructure my own team of advisors.

I now have to set out on a journey of freedom as an artist. As I was quoted in a recent interview, “You can’t fire a Boss!” and that is the essence that I possess. So I wish AGT and NBC the best in its upcoming season but I can not see myself returning. As of lately I have even questioned if I want to even be apart of an industry who ultimately treats artists in this manner.

Most of us don’t realize that there are 6 major corporations that control 90 percent of media in America and the amount of minority executives is dismal. With this being the case, true equality in our industry is impossible. There will always be a “do as I say” mentality that mirrors society’s perception of women and minorities, and only a few will stand up against it.”

Cannon also stated that he will not be silenced. Cannon made a racial joke that aired as part of his Showtime special, Stand Up, Don’t Shoot, which premiered earlier last week.

“I proudly stand as one of those few, and will gladly take on whatever repercussions that come with it,” he wrote. “I love art and entertainment too much to watch it be ruined by controlling corporations and big business. I believe It’s our duty as artists to make a difference and create change even if it’s one act at a time. Dr. King said it best, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.”

Cannon enrolled in Howard University last fall.

Tuskegee University Ordered To Pay $2 Million For Breach Of Contract After Losing Lawsuit

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After losing a lawsuit against its former lawyer, Darryl E. Crompton, who was hired as an attorney and faculty member at Tuskegee University in early 2011 but three years later was terminated, the private historically black university was ordered to pay nearly $2 million to Crompton for breach of contract.

Al.com reports Tuskegee must pay Crompton $525,841 “after finding the school breached the provision of Crompton’s contract that provided for a five-year term of employment” plus $1,427,208 “after also finding that the university breached another provision of the contract that provided Crompton would be granted tenure on the first day of his employment,” following a five-day federal trial in Opelika earlier last week.

A Tuskegee University spokesman said in a statement that the school is “disappointed in the initial outcome at this juncture and plans to exhaust every available legal remedy in appealing the jury’s decision.”

The “case demonstrates that when an institution casts aside an outstanding executive in his 60s for no reason, and then falsely suggests that the termination was based on his performance, it effectively destroys his reputation and leaves the courts as his only recourse,” Crompton’s attorney Andy Campbell stated in an email to Al.com.

“Here the evidence showed that Crompton as VP and general counsel was fired because the president shut down the legal department even though Crompton had a 5-year contract and tenure,” Campbell stated. “The surreptitious subsequent personnel classification by Tuskegee that Crompton was ‘ineligible for rehire’ suggested some wrong doing with absolutely no factual basis.”

Central State, Howard Alum Omarosa Drafting Trump’s HBCU Executive Order

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Continuing to build a relationship with Donald Trump, Omarosa is drafting his executive order aimed at HBCUs following Trump’s commemoration of Black History Month earlier last week, according to a source.

The Trump administration will host an “HBCU Fly-In” with leaders from HBCUs later this month.

“For decades our nation’s HBCUs have graduated amazing and talented individuals who have gone on to achieve remarkable accomplishments,” Sen. Tim Scott, who will host the day-long event alongside Mark Walker, whose wife attended Winston-Salem State University, said in a statement. “From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison and famed writer Langston Hughes, we have seen how HBCU grads have shaped the direction of our country.”

GOP political commentator and consultant Paris Dennard explained to Trump that under the previous administration HBCUs ended up neglected and put on the back burner.

But Trump’s support of HBCUs, according to Dennard, is vital. Trump was “shocked and upset” to learn what happened under President Obama’s watch. Omarosa, who is an alumnae of Central State University and Howard University, declined to comment on the HBCU executive order.

“I can, however, reinforce the president’s commitment to support historically black colleges and universities,” Omarosa said, “as well as school choice as he stated throughout the campaign.”

Report: Historically Black Colleges Are ‘Engines’ Of Economic Mobility

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A new report revealed that historically black colleges help in terms of vaulting lowest-income kids into the top quintile as adults but these institutions have a lower than average graduation rate than non-HBCUs, and their students have higher than average debt levels than students at predominantly white institutions. 

From News One:

A new report suggests that Historically Black Colleges and Universities contribute to the upward mobility of their students from low-income families, the Brookings Institution reports.

Researchers at the Equal Opportunity Project released new administrative data and an analysis, which show that HBCUs “actually have a better track record at fostering mobility than many thought,” Brookings said.

Many have questioned over the years whether HBCUs are effective at helping to pull their students up the economic ladder. As Brookings, a nonprofit public policy organization, pointed out, the institutions have a lower than average graduation rate, and their students tend to have higher than average student loan debt.

Head over to News One to read more.

Howard University Release Statement On Betsy Devos’ Visit To Campus

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Howard University has released a statement following education secretary Betsy DeVos’ visit to campus on Thursday. It was her first meeting in her new gig, many Howard students are skeptical.

President Wayne A.I. Frederick announced that he is “pleased” that the new education secretary visited the black university, saying Howard has had a “successful relationship with the Department of Education” over the years. He also welcomed “the opportunity to continue discussing” ways both can work together to continue to help HBCU across the country.

“Howard University is pleased that Betsy Devos, the new Secretary of Education, chose to visit our institution as her first official campus visit. We have a longstanding, successful relationship with the Department of Education and I look forward to advancing this relationship under the Secretary’s leadership. Our conversation today was a very meaningful one and I welcome the opportunity to continue discussing the many ways we can work together to forward the work of higher education, specifically that of Howard University, Howard University Middle School of Mathematics & Science, and HBCUs in general.”

The Hilltop, the student newspaper at Howard University, noted that they were not given details of the meeting either, commenting that no further details have yet been released on what was discuss during the private meeting. Student Government Association president Allyson Carpenter, who was not present at the meeting, told The Washington Post that “Howard is the mecca,” adding, “a university known for its academic excellence. I know this administration has a knack for—how can I say this—taking pictures with the right people, I guess.”

Howard University Announces $144 Million Student Housing Partnership

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Howard University announced that the school has entered a $144 million partnership with Corvias — a pioneer in sustainable, long-term partnership solutions —  that will benefit the students of today and leaders of tomorrow.

Liz Crumpacker, on the behalf of Corvias, told HBCU Buzz that Corvias will renovate, maintain, and manage four of the largest housing facilities on Howard’s campus in Washington, D.C. Crumpacker stated that while partnerships like these have grown in popularity within the higher education industry, this is a unique announcement because:

  • 100% of annual residual cash flow from the project will be distributed to the University (estimated $3 million/year – enough to cover 70 full-ride scholarships);
  • Howard will retain full decision-making authority;
  • Corvias will support residential life services in the renovated facilities;
  • Students and community members have been involved in the planning process; and more.

Howard University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick said in a statement that “This partnership is an innovative solution to leveraging our assets while improving the facilities for students so they are competitive in the higher education marketplace.”

He added, “We have to find ways to solve complicated problems, invest in the University’s infrastructure and make our entire campus environment better and more attractive.”

This is an important especially during a time when students and their families are struggling to afford a college education, Crumpacker told HBCU Buzz.

“This partnership reinforces Howard’s position as a top institution and will keep a college education affordable and campus life safe for students,” CEO of Corvias John Picerne said in a statement. “Corvias greatly respects Howard University’s mission to develop students into outstanding citizens. The strong sense of community and purpose shared by its graduates align with our values as a company, providing a strong foundation for this 40-year commitment to the community.”

According to the university, the renovated West Tower will be completed by August 2017, and the East Tower will be completed in August 2018.

WH Press Sec: Trump ‘Wants To Really Show A Commitment In Funding To HBCUs … In His Budget’

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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer stated, “…HBCU presidents will be in town later this month as part of a national celebration,” in Wednesday afternoon’s White House Briefing, elaborating on President Donald Trump’s HBCU executing order.

Spicer said, “We’ll have further updates on both the meetings that we may have with them, the activities surrounding that, in terms of the administration. And then I think we’ll have further updates on it, as I mentioned with all executive orders. We have nothing to update on that.”

He added, “But obviously, the President has a strong commitment to them and understands over the last eight years they’ve been woefully neglected.  And I think he wants to really show a commitment in funding to HBCUs.  And so you’ll see I think not just a push this month, but in his budget and going forward.”

Spicer also noted that Trump’s budget will address PLUS loans and Pell grants, among other issues.

(Spicer talks on HBCUs at 46:28 in the video above.)

Clark Atlanta University Junior Is Nation’s Only HBCU Football Player Majoring In Fashion Design

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ATLANTA    Darion “Spoon” Weatherspoon is a tough-as-nails defensive back for the Clark Atlanta University Panthers football team.  But there’s something else about this 20-year-old Las Vegas native, which puts him in a league all by himself.  Darion is the first and only CAU football player and, as far as we can tell, the nation’s only HBCU football player currently majoring in fashion design.  He’s just as good with a needle and sewing machine as he is with a football and a pair of cleats.  And he’s known among his teammates and classmates for his extraordinarily dapper wardrobe.

“As a child my mom always made me dress sharp,” said Darion, with a proud grin. “She wouldn’t let me wear shorts or sweatpants in public.” Those lessons from his childhood are definitely paying off now.

He is one of hundreds of CAU students now majoring in fashion. “We have seen significant growth in the fashion merchandising and design major, according to Professor Christopher Hickey, interim chair of the Dept. of Art at CAU. Five years ago there were 170 fashion majors at CAU. Today nearly 220 students are studying in the field. Hickey attributes the steady growth pattern to reality TV shows about the fashion industry. And it helps that Atlanta is considered a major fashion hub, a huge draw for prospective students.

Hickey wasn’t surprised to learn Darion is considered the only HBCU football player majoring in fashion design. He said not many black colleges and universities offer a fashion major. But that might soon change as more HBCUs recognize the growing popularity of the program. “It fits into President Johnson’s mantra of education to employment,” Hickey continued.

Darion is a tailor’s apprentice at Gary Franzen Custom Clothing back in his hometown. And even though he didn’t pick up a needle and thread until he was 17, Darion said he knew at an early age he wanted to design suits. “As a young boy I developed a fascination with suits and I wanted to wear them all the time,” he said.

His career goal to own and operate a custom tailor shop used to be the source of many good-spirited jokes among his Panthers football teammates. Some of his fellow athletes didn’t think fashion design was masculine enough. Then they realized how serious he is about it, and how lucrative a career it is. “They told me whatever I do, be the best at it,” Darion explained. Now his friends look to him for style tips, and even to request custom creations.

Besides being the next big name in the world of luxury suits, Darion maintains a 3.5 GPA. He is also a social media guru. In his spare time, he manages the Twitter account for the CAU Center for Undergraduate Research and Creativity, not to mention his own robust personal account.

His story perfectly exemplifies why supporting student scholarships at CAU is so critical to our mission. To give click here: https://invest.cau.edu/give-now.

“I believe every young man should dress like a respectable man,” Darion concluded. “My aim is to inspire other young men to dress like me and remain a gentleman at all times.”

Meet Howard University Stylish Buzz: Troy Mitchell II

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HBCUs are some of the most stylish campuses in the world. Howard University, specifically, is a campus where some students will “pop out” just because. Overall, the goal for many students is to simply showcase their personality through what they wear on a daily basis.

Check out this week’s Stylish Buzz Troy Mitchell II:

Troy Mitchell II is a sophomore, marketing major and graphic design minor from Bloomfield, CT. He can be seen on campus in anything from sporty street wear to a tailored trench coat.

“My greatest influence when it comes to style is hip-hop culture.“

Troy Mitchell II

Here are some of Troy’s Keys to creating a look:

“My style varies but it is always consistent when it comes to the color waves. I have always been an artist for as long as I could remember and that makes me think deeper into what would look good and what I put on for that day.

My greatest influence when it comes to style is hip-hop culture, because in my mind music is a form of art and needs visual representation to take it that much further. The most important aspect of style to me is the details; the specifics are what make a look, a look. When I was young, I used to look up to Kanye West for his sense of diversity when it came to what he wore, I’m referring to old Kanye; pink polo and a backpack Kanye.”