Former Child Genius Graduates Clark Atlanta University Two Years Early

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ATLANTA    Ronald McCullough Jr. is one exceptional soon-to-be-alumnus of Clark Atlanta University.  At commencement May 22, the former child genius will graduate with honors with a B.A. in biology a full two years ahead of his classmates, at the youthful age of 19.  Along the way, he earned membership in Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society.  How did the CAU legacy student (his mother graduated from the former Clark College) do it?  Well, it began years before he arrived at CAU at just 16 years old.

Turns out McCullough, then 15, also graduated early from Maynard Jackson High School in Atlanta, after his genius-level intelligence allowed him to skip the second grade.  His parents and teachers recognized early McCullough far outpaced his classmates in science and mathematics.  His university friends, though, had trouble believing he was so much younger than them until he showed his driver license. McCullough has always possessed an extraordinary ability to understand and retain information about very complex subjects.  Yet, the real life “Doogie Howser” has always considered himself to be an average teenager.

“I would not consider myself a genius,” McCullough said.  “I was placed in a setting for my love of learning to manifest.  Much was expected of me and there was little room for disappointment.”

McCullough is one of nearly 200 students who are members of the Isabella T. Jenkins Honors and Scholars Program at CAU, led by Dr. Teri Platt.  The program seeks to provide students with the ultimate learning experience while enrolled at CAU.  Some of its goals are to nurture and foster intellectual independence and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence.

“Ronald embodies the best and the brightest we have here at CAU,” Platt explained. “He definitely represents black excellence and its many manifestations. Not only is he brilliant, he has unimpeachable character. He has contagious drive and ambition, but remains grounded,” she continued.

McCullough’s brainpower has not gone unnoticed.  Post-graduate engineering programs are heavily recruiting him, including N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) and University of Hawaii.  The future astronaut plans to enroll in the biological/agricultural engineering program at A&T.

“I just wake up in the morning and do the right thing,” he said when asked how he has been so successful at such a young age.  “Just by doing what I believe is the right thing for my future, I’ve been rewarded greatly.”

To learn more about academic scholarships available through the Honors and Scholars Program visit CAU.edu.

Google Launches Howard West Campus To Develop Future Black Engineers

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Howard University announced the opening of a new west coast campus today at the GooglePlex in Mountain View, Calif. Spurred on by a mission to increase diversity in the tech industry, Vice President of  Global Partnerships at Google and Howard alum, Bonita Stewart, expressed excited to share the news in a release that went out Thursday, Ebony.

In a press release, Howard University President Dr. Wayne Frederick said:

Howard West will produce hundreds of industry-ready Black computer science graduates, future leaders with the power to transform the global technology space into a stronger, more accurate reflection of the world around us. We envisioned this program with bold outcomes in mind — to advance a strategy that leverages Howard’s high quality faculty and Google’s expertise, while also rallying the tech industry and other thought leaders around the importance of diversity in business and the communities they serve.

As technology giants face mounting criticism over the lack of diversity in their organizations, companies from across Silicon Valley and beyond have been releasing annual diversity reports to chart changes in their internal makeup according to Venture Beat. But a lack of real development has also led some companies to delay subsequent reports as they reevaluate their strategies. Google has released diversity reports since 2014, but the first couple of years garnered little in the way of real progress. This is why the internet giant is now expanding its relationship with D.C.’s Howard University — a historically black educational institution.

Read more about this announcement here, Howard University

Meet Howard University DJ Morgan KTA

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Morgan Williams aka Morgan KTA is a sophomore, African American Studies major, History minor from Los Angeles, CA. She is also one of the rising DJs on campus! Although she’s always had a solid ear for good music, she began her craft in 2013. She got inspired after traveling to parties with her friend, who was a DJ. After seeing the way he controlled the vibe of the party, she set her sights on becoming a DJ herself.

I wanted that interaction between the crowd and the dj and I literally wanted to be the reason why everyone’s night was “so lit”

Morgan KTA

Morgan’s music style ranges from Hip Hop to EDM and everything in between. Her goal is to be the kind of DJ that anyone can hire, and the one that any crowd can vibe to. Her most recent project is Sorry For the Wait, a mix dedicated to her supporters who have stuck around despite her creative hiatus. 

A Message from Morgan KTA

 Being a female DJ isn’t an easy job. When I walk into a party and people see me setting up they are really surprised to see a female DJ and I live for moments like that. I take that as a new opportunity to shock someone with all the hard work I put into my craft. By the end of the party the same people that were looking at me with doubt were the same ones that would come up to me shaking my hand telling me that I’m a good DJ and asking for my information and that makes me so happy. At the end of the day I always remain humble because I haven’t made it yet nor am I close to where I want to be and I am forever grateful for people that see my hard work and help me get better in any way!

Make sure to stay updated on all of the latest news and projects by following Morgan on her social media sites @MorganKTA.

Terrence Jenkins Named Ambassador Of ABFF Greenlighters Academy

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New York, New York, March 17, 2017 – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has announced the first annual ABFF Greenlighters Academy, a new educational and career development initiative targeted to African American college students with an interest in pursuing executive careers in film and television.

This is a pipeline program that inspires its participants to become heads of various divisions within the Hollywood studio system and nurtures future film and television executives who will be leaders of this industry.  The inaugural Greenlighters Academy will launch in Los Angeles this April. 

As the first official program under the new ABFF INSPIRES umbrella, the ABFF Greenlighters Academy will educate students on the inner workings of the film and television business while granting them access to leading industry experts who will share valuable career building tips, along with guidance based on their own career trajectories.

Actor and producer Terrence Jenkins will serve as the ambassador to the Greenlighters Academy. Terrence recognizes the importance of giving back and helping African American students understand the corporate side of the film and television industry.  Through his company, Jenkins Entertainment Group, Terrence has been optioned to develop and executive produce original content for both MTV and VH1. Terrence also took his talents to the silver screen and starred in such films as Stomp the Yard: Homecoming, Think Like A Man, Baggage Claim, The Perfect Match, and more.  Past television hosting jobs have included BET’s popular music countdown show, 106 & Park and E! News’ daily entertainment news show.

“The ABFF Greenlighters Academy is an expansion of our 20-year legacy of identifying young African American talent.  We firmly believe that we have to lift as we climb. This unprecedented incubator program will give African American college students the opportunity to jump-start their corporate entertainment careers through the information and access they will receive. The ABFF Greenlighters Academy is a pipeline to corporate positions that will inspire these diverse young people to become executives who are an integral part of greenlighting film and television projects in Hollywood,” states Jeff Friday, CEO of ABFF Ventures, LLC. 

Terrence will host the two-day intensive boot camp in Los Angeles where students will attend sessions with top corporate entertainment executives, agents, department heads, and production company owners. The speakers will describe their career trajectory, conduct “Day in the Life” seminars, and engage the students in “Ask Me Anything” roundtable discussions. The boot camp will also include outings to various Hollywood offices, studio lots and/or set locations, which will give the students a look into the day-to-day of working within a corporate entertainment company. The program will also assist students throughout the year to secure internship opportunities at production companies, television networks and movie studios. 

“I am happy to partner with the ABFF on the Greenlighters Academy. While in college, I always searched for information on how to break into Hollywood. This program is the answer and I look forward to being a part of the next generation of entertainment business executives,” says Terrence Jenkins.

Participants will leave the ABFF Greenlighters Academy with a clear understanding of what it takes to “green light” a project and the knowledge and understanding of the steps they need to pursue a career in the corporate entertainment executive path. 

The application submission rules for the ABFF Greenlighters Academy are available online now at http://www.abff.com/abff-greenlighters-academy/ and the submission deadline is March 31, 2017. The academy is open to African American students pursuing all majors, who are sophomores or above matriculated in a four-year bachelor degree program at an accredited college or university, with a current GPA of 3.0 or above. 

FOLLOW ABFF ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter                  @ABFF

Facebook              American Black Film Festival

Instagram             @AmericanBlackFilmFestival

YouTube                American Black Film Festival

Website:               http://www.abff.com/abff-greenlighters-academy/

 

ABOUT ABFF:

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

Morehouse Student Launches Innovative Clothing Collection

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Ian Jackson is a junior, finance major from Nashville, TN. He is the founder of Ordinary Odds. Ordinary Odds is an innovative clothing collection that strives to foster a culture of passionate youth with a desire to create. The idea of Ordinary Odds came to Ian during the winter of 2015. He says that he had a lot free and an urge to create. His intention was to create a platform that he could express himself fully. This intention grew to not only the clothing collection but the Ordinary Odds website that consists of podcasts, art, and photography.


The Ordinary Odds brand has resonated with the campus of Morehouse College. A big turning point for the brand came when the rapper, Swae Lee was spotted wearing an Ordinary Odds cap at an AUC Event. If you’re not familiar with Swae Lee, he is one-half of the dynamic hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd. The duo is most known for their Billboard Hot 100 hit, Black Beatles and the ever so popular Mannequin Challenge.

Although Ian and his team have reached an impressive level of success there still more he aspires to do.
“Ordinary Odds is meant to curate a culture of individuality. The name Ordinary Odds came from the fact that people are odd when they express themselves. The expression may be unfamiliar and different, but that feeling of uncomfortable is one that we all can relate to. That is what becomes the ordinary, which is why the name is Ordinary Odds.”
Ian passionately expressed.

He also exclusively told The Buzz that he has some lucrative collaborations coming up with Hip-Hop artists and other creatives. Ian is hoping that the brand grows from just an AUC phenomenon to a real staple in mainstream Hip Hop.

To learn more about Ian and Ordinary Odds you can visit his website at www.ordinaryodds.com, You can also follow the Ordinary Odds brand on Instagram at @ordinaryodds.

We at HBCU Buzz applaud this entrepreneur for his innovative creativity and business venture.

Former Miss CAU Battles Global Racism While Studying in Paris

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PARIS, FRANCE    Aaliyah Heath reigned as Miss Clark Atlanta University from 2015 until her graduation in May 2016.  Then, Heath did what few saw coming, yet she always knew was possible.  She moved to Paris, France to pursue post-graduate studies at The American University of Paris.  That’s where the global communications major became an unwitting ambassador of black people and how blacks are seen on the global stage.  She is tackling this latest challenge with grace and style, always rising to the task of representing the best of who black people are in part by rejecting low expectations of her in the classroom.

Serving in this capacity is nothing new for the young fashionista, who majored in fashion design while at CAU and, has dreams of one day launching her own fashion magazine.  “My goal as a global citizen is to show that all black people are not the same,” said Heath.  It’s a simple statement, which often has to be reiterated to knock down misconceptions rooted in negative stereotypes.  “Attending Clark Atlanta University really helped me to set my standards high.”

Heath is joined in Paris by roommate and fellow CAU 2016 alumna Stephanie Alexander.  The international relations student, who also attends The American University of Paris, was extraordinarily blunt about the challenges she faces living and studying abroad.  “I’ve experienced the sentiment of low expectations because of my skin color,” Alexander bemoaned.  “I’ve witnessed the rewarding of white mediocrity and the expectation of black perfection, which is unattainable because perfection isn’t real,” she continued.  These are the kinds of unsettling drivers coupled with her CAU political science degree, which compel Alexander to work doubly hard at reaching success and quashing the misconceptions of doubters.

Christopher Scott attends graduate school alongside Heath and Alexander.  He, too, finished CAU in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.  His superior grades earned him the opportunity to study international relations in Paris.  This fall he heads off to law school where he’ll study international law with hopes of eventually landing a career at the United Nations working on behalf of marginalized black people worldwide.  Despite his big dreams, Scott is under no illusions about the state of world race relations.  Still, he remains optimistic.  “I’m just really glad to see CAU preparing students to be global change agents,” Scott declared.  “You’re really giving students a chance to step outside of Atlanta and outside of the norm.”

The trio of CAU alumni were interviewed on camera about a wide range of socially conscious topics by a group of current CAU film students on a study abroad trip in Paris.  We told you when they departed for France the film students would be spending their spring break week producing two soon-to-be-released documentaries about the ostracization of black French filmmakers.  These interviews are a culmination of their efforts.

CAU’s robust study abroad offerings have caught the attention of neighboring Atlanta University Center institutions, some of which have arranged for their students to travel abroad with us.  Study abroad represents a significant component of the University’s growing International Programs office, led by director Gwen Wade.  International students make up more than 20 percent of CAU’s expanding student body.  Diversity is part of President Ronald A. Johnson’s vision of “Lifting Every Voice” by providing all CAU students with a competitive edge in an increasingly global workforce.

Plans are already underway for our next study abroad excursions this summer to China, Jamaica and London.  To help defray costs to students, support CAU study abroad programs with your financial gifts.  Click the link to give: https://invest.cau.edu/give-now.

GSU Junior Miniya Shabazz Becomes New Member of the ESPN Family

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Miniya Shabazz has been quite involved as a GSU student journalist, she’s worked as an editor of her campus newspaper ,with the university’s media bureau and local publication, and she’s just warming up!

The opportunities she’s had has prepared her to get positions she’s never imagined. After, completing the application to be selected as an Undefeated Rhoden Fellow, she played the waiting game, unsure if she’d be chosen, but on March 8, when she did,  she didn’t believe it!

“I was filled with excitement and disbelief to be selected…because of the well-known and reputable brand of ESPN,” said Shabazz. “I knew instantly that when I got this opportunity that it would be beneficial to my career because of the nuance of gaining experience with writing and reporting on a national level.”

Will, GSU’s director of communications, sees the potential and dedication that Shabazz has for journalism and suggested her for this program.

“She is committed to her craft, dedicated to being one of the best and because she signs up to get assignments done rather than sign in to get credit,” he said.  Sutton says Shabazz is an up-and-coming journalist who will blossom with the ESPN experience.

Shabazz, Grambling students and Will Sutton attend the 2016 NABJ National Convention.

As a fellow, the Maryland native joins along with five other college journalists ESPN’s multiplatform initiative for sports, race and culture. The journalism program focuses on identifying and training aspiring African American journalists from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It is a two-year program open to outstanding undergraduate students at HBCUs.

Other college journalists selected include: Kyla Wright, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia; Paul A. Holston, Howard University, Washington, D.C.; C. Isaiah Smalls II, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia; Simone Benson, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, and Donovan Dooley, North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Shabazz explained how thrilled she is to be working with other young journalists from various HBCU institutions and looks forward to the great content they will produce together.

The new fellows will also be mentored by the “man” himself, William C. Rhoden, an award-winning sports columnist who recently retired from The New York Times then joined The Undefeated as a columnist, editor-at-large and director of the fellowship program.

“I am very eager to learn as much as I can, to apply it to my own craft, from the award-winning Bill Rhoden and other affiliates because of their years of experience in the journalism business,” said Shabazz. “Now that I have begun to work at The Undefeated I have already started to serve as a liaison from my university to The Undefeated through podcasting and writing stories.”

Rhoden was encouraged to develop the initiative by ESPN president John Skipper and has worked closely with Kevin Merida, senior vice president and editor-in-chief of The Undefeated, to make the Fellows a reality.

“We are excited to welcome our first class of Rhoden Fellows,” said Merida. “It is vital that we develop new voices for our profession, and to continue to diversify sports journalism. We know how much talent sometimes overshadowed resides on HBCU campuses. We are proud to get this program started.”

The importance of landing an internship or fellowship during college has been key for students who hope to gain  hands on professional experience and become a strong candidate for the job they would like after college.

This has been seen true for many HBCU graduates, but specifically for students who attend GSU in the communications and related fields. GSU has media greats such as Charles Blow, who did his first internship at The Shreveport Times and is now a well-known columnists for the New York Times, Denise Young- Smith, who interned at a company called Light and Motion and is now the VP of Apple’s Worldwide Human Resources. More recent graduates include Andrea Beasley, who interned at Reuters and is a former associate producer of MSNBC and Ninfa Saavedra, who interned at Cape Cod Times, and now works as an Assignment Desk Editor at KHOU-TV.

Shabazz, Grambling student and professors meet journalist, Roland Martin.

This shows that the opportunity Shabazz has at hand  is destine to lead her is the right direction and provide her with great future professional opportunities. During the fellowship, Shabazz will report, write and record for The Undefeated. The program includes regular conference calls discussing story ideas, reporting, writing, producing podcasts and advising with Rhoden.

The fellows will report news stories from their universities and cover the varied facets of HBCU life, serving as on-campus correspondents for The Undefeated’s HBCU vertical. They will produce daily, weekly and monthly multimedia content, as well as serve as on-site beat writers covering sports teams – college or professional – in their respective markets. During the summer, students will work 40-hour weeks at ESPN for 10 weeks, gaining a first-hand education and experience in sports journalism.

The digital hub, TheUndefeated.com which launched in May 2016, combines innovative long-form and short-form storytelling, investigation, original reporting and provocative commentary to enlighten and entertain African Americans, as well as sports fans seeking a deeper understanding of black athletes, culture and related issues.

We congratulate Miniya Shabazz! Shabazz is also a proud student member of the National Association of Black Journalists and an active member of the Alpha Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Virginia Union Women Advance To NCAA DII Final Four After Columbus State Win

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Virginia Union is headed to the NCAA Division II Final Four after a 78-73 victory over Columbus State (Ga.) Tuesday.

The Panthers will face California Baptist University at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Alexis Johnson scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Lady Walker scored 17 and pulled down 10 rebounds. Ashley Smith added 14 points, Rachael Pecota chipped in 10 and Rejoice Spivey dished out 10 assists to lead Union (27-4).

Britteny Tatum scored 18 and Alexis Carter scored 17 to go with 10 rebounds for Columbus State (30-2), who had their 22-game win streak snapped.

Johnson and Kishona Sutton came up big late for the Panthers, who trailed the Cougars 63-57 entering the fourth quarter.

Johnson’s basket with 1:43 remaining gave the Panthers a 74-73 lead. Johnson then hit a free throw with less than a minute left to make it 75-73.

Virginia Union’s defense held and Kishona Sutton made two free throws with 20.1 seconds remaining for a 77-73 lead. Johnson added another free throw with three seconds left to make it 78-73.

The Panthers outscored the Cougars 21-10 in the fourth quarter.

The Union women are looking for their second national championship in school history after winning the 1983 national title.

Clark Atlanta University Celebrates 29th Founders Day Convocation

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Clark Atlanta University will celebrate Thursday, March 23, 2017, its Founders Day Convocation. This special occasion marks 29 years since the consolidation of Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869) birthed what is now our beloved CAU. The prestigious ceremony will be held promptly at 10:45 a.m. in Epps Gymnasium. Access to Epps begins at 10 a.m. During this time all University classes and activities are canceled, and all students, faculty and staff are expected to attend.

This year’s Founders Day Convocation features a keynote conversation between two dynamic CAU alumnae: Helen Smith Price and Jacque Reid. A third equally dynamic CAU alumna, Krysta Underwood, will moderate the discussion.

Price is a 23-year veteran of The Coca-Cola Company where she serves as vice president of Global Community Affairs and president of The Coca-Cola Foundation. Reid, an Emmy Award-winning co-host of New York Live, also serves as a correspondent on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. Rounding out the group is Underwood, or Krystal Lee, as she is known to her millions of listeners on the syndicated radio program “The Willie Moore Jr. Show.

Also happening this year is a distinct honor presented by the Office of Alumni Relations to alumna Charity Barnes. We told you Barnes is the oldest living CAU alumna back in December 2016 when she was inducted into the CAU Centennial Club after turning 103 years old. Family, friends, dignitaries and government leaders from Barnes’ hometown in South Georgia will be on hand to witness her recognition.

CAU is an urban research university, which transforms the lives of its students and their communities by preparing citizen leaders to be problem-solvers through innovative learning programs; supportive interactions with faculty, staff, and students; exemplary scholarship; and purposeful service. To learn more about Clark Atlanta University visit CAU.edu/admissions.

#F8HBCUCONTEST

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The Fate of the Furious HBCU Contest

Universal Pictures and HBCU Buzz have teamed up in the Fate of the Furious HBCU Contest. (1) Lucky campuses will win a free movie screening for their campus and watch the film before anyone else. Campus winners will also get the chance to win #f8 several prize packs and giveaways.  The contest will start March 17th and will end April 5th. You can vote for your campus once every (5) hours. The top campus with the most votes and social media posts will win! After you vote, use the share buttons below get your campus engaged. Good luck and stay tuned to find out who wins!

DIRECTIONS
Cast your vote via https://hbcubuzz.com/f8
Share your post using the hashtag #F8HBCUContest

[polldaddy poll=9692538]

RULES

Respondents that enter the Program by the listed deadline will compete for the most online votes via www.hbcubuzz.com and social media posts. The top three (3) schools with the most votes will win one of the prizes listed under prizes.  Online voting will begin March 17, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST and end April 15, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. EST. During the Voting Period, visitors to www.hbcubuzz.com will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite participating HBCUs. Site votes are cumulative (i.e., they reflect all votes from the beginning of the Voting Period). Limit one vote per personal device (owned by the voter) every 5hours through the site. Respondents will also accumulate votes via social media. Social Media Votes are defined as those votes that use the school’s unique designated hashtag on Twitter, and/or Instagram. NOTE: All website votes received will be added to each respondent’s total Social Media Votes.

 

What Does The Magic in Black Children Represent 

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What Does The Magic In Black Children Represent
by William Jackson and Breyonna Fox
#MyQuestToTeach

20161103_180355
Student attending Edward Waters College

Hidden Figures demonstrates the need for the intellectual
development of children of color in Science Technology
Engineering Mathematics STEM. There are many kids that love
STEM, but they are afraid to show this because of fears of
being bullied, harassed, cast out and even physical
violence used against them.

The potential of Black children cannot be lost to
influences that kill the creative spirit, the talents and
abilities. There are growing smart creatives that are
changing where this world is moving because of their
intelligence. Innovation, creativity and the engineering
spirit are alive in children and adults of color and
culture. Teachers, educators, and even administrators
must protect these students from their peers that do not
share the same values because the idea of being smart
and Black should be an honor not a liability.

Children of color should be running to join science clubs,
agricultural groups, photography clubs, computer groups,
seeking mentors to be the doctors, lawyers, engineers,
scientist and even artist and writers they dream to be.
Children of color should be taking trips to the library,
because today they cannot be turned away as was done in
Hidden Figures. The fact is that years ago Blacks had to
steal books to read because the ones they had were old and
outdated or just were not available. Jim Crow laws and
the mentality towards Blacks was of a lesser people that
did not deserve and education. Learning was beyond and
above them. This is far from being true.

The legacy of the time of Hidden Figures was of discovery
and innovation, creativity and paradigm change. NASA created
the need for intellectuals and innovators, that is still
needed today and children of color need to see why they
should be honor students, not numbers in special education
classes or in-school suspension programs or stuck in the
Juvenile Justice System where they are numbers and casualties
of economic dispare or parental neglect. Why carry guns
when books create a future of growth and life. Parents
set the tone for their children and should understand
that education changes life for the better.

In the movie Hidden Figures the women were called
“computers” because of their intelligence and the
analytical abilities they had. I remember my mother taking
me and my brother and sister to the library, it was
a wondrous thing because of the chance to learn new
things that maybe no one else knew, to open my mind
to new discoveries and learn new things about myself.
Books were taught by my mother to help me to be the
best that I can be and not to allow anyone to make
me feel inferior. This needs to be shared nationally,
today kids are put in front of the idiot box (television),
gaming systems to learn new ways to kill, steal and
destroy. Where is the inspiration to discover the world,
the oceans and space? There is no cultural significance
of intellectual empowerment.

Unless parents understand what STEM is and will continue
to influence the world around them and get their children
reading and build comprehension skills, children of color
and culture will continue to struggle and the education
gap will grow. The economic gap will widen and the political
gap will result in people of color having no power,
no voice and forgotten in a global economy.

Hidden Figures can be seen as a wake-up call to future
generations to prepare children for new careers, new
ways of learning and to build communities that are
torn apart by the lack of educational resources and
even parental priority. The seeds of jealousy and envy
and the lack of community and cultural pride
continue to grow, this hurts Black communities because
education is not a competition it is a way for completion
of life, dreams and goals. “Education should be used to
complete lives, not used to compete against each other.”
Prof. William Jackson, My Quest To Teach

Parents need to understand that their children’s education
prepares them for the work force that requires smart creatives
and innovators, what is in your mind is valuable. Those that
lack education will be a causality in a society of
thought leadership and information access.

Children of color and culture have awesome powers of
intellectual magic that needs to be strengthened and
applied to make society a more inclusive and accepting
society of diversity. Those in power are seeking to separate
and categorize people, making them feel they have to be
against each other to survive and thrive. Education and
learning are the keys to improving any society and history
shows this.

“Blacks need to stop thinking of each other as competition,
start looking at each other as collaborations to build
stable infrastructures so children can grow without the fear
of being hated because of their color and their intellectual
abilities.” Prof. William Jackson, My Quest To Teach

Posted by William Jackson Posted on 40 articles

Grambling Women Make History With Ole Miss Upset

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Grambling Women Make History With Ole Miss Upset | OXFORD, Miss. (SWAC) – John’ea Thompson scored with 11 seconds left as four Lady Tigers notched double-figures in a history-making 78-75 upset of Ole Miss in round one of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

With the win, Grambling State (19-14) is the first women’s basketball team in conference history to win a postseason tournament game.

Down 75-72 with 1:54 left, Jazmine Torian buried a three-pointer to knot things up. After Ole Miss came up empty in its next two trips, Chantiara Lewis found Thompson for the go-ahead basket. Monisha Neal came up with a crucial steal and was fouled. She sank the second of her two free throws, and Ole Miss was unable get a shot off.

Grambling State fell behind 6-0 early to the Rebels before finding its stroke from long range, as Neal sank two treys and Shakyla Hill followed with one of her own to give GSU the lead, which they maintained for the majority of the contest. Neal continued to remain hot from deep, as another three-point shot handed Grambling a 36-26 lead with 3:10 left in the half. Eventually, the Lady Tigers built a 45-33 halftime advantage.

Ole Miss (17-14) would storm back during the third quarter, using an 8-0 run to get within four. Grambling responded to build its lead back to seven, but Ole Miss’ Taylor Manuel scored the next seven points to tie the game with 5:57 left in the quarter. Grambling managed to keep the lead until the fourth, where the Lady Rebels made their final charge before the Lady Tigers sealed it late.

Torian led all Lady Tigers with 23 points. Neal and Hill each added 17 points. Thompson scored 10 points and pulled in six rebounds. Lewis dished out 10 assists and pulled in seven rebounds. Manuel led Ole Miss with 28 points and eight rebounds.

Southern University Grad Andrea Brew Writes Book, ‘Twas the Night Before Bayou Classic

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SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

It is the eve of the Bayou Classic, and a family of Southern University fans are filled with anticipation and blue-and-gold spirit. Find out what happens when an unexpected visitor arrives at their door. “Wait, is that a Grambling fan at the door?”

“I am so excited to share my first children’s book, ‘Twas the Night Before Bayou Classic, with you! This book is inspired by my sincere love of Southern University and the University’s unique culture and traditions.” – Andrea Brew –

During the 2016 Bayou Classic ‘Twas the Night Before Bayou Classic took to New Orleans on the eve of the big game. In the heart of the French Market, Andrea Brew met Bayou Classic goers from across the country. Also in 2016, The St. Martin Parish Public Library hosted a community event celebrating the recent publications of three local authors. Andrea Brew, a St. Martin Parish native, was present for a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Bayou Classic, book signing and a panel discussion.

The new book published by Mascot Books, made its television debut on Acadiana’s KLAF morning show. Andrea Brew and host, Joe Sam, were perfectly coordinated in blue and gold and both were filled with Southern spirit.

http://www.cajunfirst.com/news/local-news/twas-the-night-before-bayou-classic/612200159

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrea Brew is a Louisiana native.  She is an elementary school librarian and has worked in the field of education for fourteen years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern University and A & M College in 2000, and later a Master of Education from Northwestern State University.

Andrea’s love of children’s literature, and the joy it brings to young readers has, inspired her to write and share her own poetry and stories.

GET “Twas The Night Before Bayou Classic ON AMAZON NOW: https://www.amazon.com/Twas-Night-Before-Bayou-Classic/dp/1631779222 or from Andrea Brew’s website HERE: https://www.andreabrew.com/books

UPCOMING BOOK SIGNINGS: March 18

Barnes & Noble – Mandeville

Premier Center II
3414 Highway 190 Suite 10
Mandeville, LA 70471

Noon until 2 p.m.

Mascot Books is a premiere independent book publishing company for authors of fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, eBooks and children’s books.

Fashion Design Students at Clark Atlanta Students Create Heart-Wrenching Holocaust Memorial Dress

Posted by Clark Atlanta
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Clark Atlanta University fashion design students Niambi Davenport and Lenora Gray are being lauded for their heart-wrenching Holocaust memorial dress, created in honor of Jewish fashion designers who were killed during World War II.  Davenport and Gray constructed the dress from paper and adorned it with shards of plexiglass inscribed with the names of those persecuted Jewish designers.  It was unveiled in January at the “Can You Fashion It” event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Holocaust, and the end of Nazi rule in Germany.

“The reaction was one of amazement,” said Davenport, referring the emotional response from those who witnessed the unveiling of the elaborate creation.  “No one could believe the dress was made with paper.”

The destruction of Jewish fashion houses by the Nazis during World War II became known as Kristallnact, which translates to a night of broken glass.  On this fateful night, fashion houses were ransacked and burned to the ground.  It’s one of the reasons the CAU design duo chose to embed shards of plexiglass in the fabric of the dress.

“The dress symbolizes a lot of pain, but the beauty of it is amazing,” remarked co-creator Gray.  She said she was at a loss for words at the response to their work.  “To know the significance of Jewish designers in the fashion industry, and to know that was unjustly taken away from them, it really hurt me,” she continued.

The impact of the dress was so profound its creators have been invited to present it March 29 at CAU’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium.  Next, the Goethe-Zentrum/German Cultural Center is partnering with the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust to sponsor a traveling exhibit for the dress throughout the state beginning April 27.  And, perhaps the most exciting of all are efforts to raise enough funds to display the dress in Germany.

“It’s an amazing feeling to know something I helped create was liked so much they want the world to see it,” said Davenport.

The Holocaust memorial dress was created under the tutelage of senior lecturer Cynthanie Sumpter in CAU’s Department of Art and Fashion.  This is the latest in a long string of success stories emanating from Art and Fashion, one of the fastest growing majors at CAU, and one of the few such programs among HBCUs nationwide.  It builds on President Ronald A. Johnson’s theme of “Lifting Every Voice” for all CAU students.

For more information about the Holocaust memorial dress, contact Prof. Sumpter at 404.880.8122.  To give in support of efforts to display the dress in Germany visit https://invest.cau.edu/give-now.

EdCamp – An Opportunity for HBCUs to Participate and Contribute

Posted by William Jackson
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The exposure to the collaboration with educators with years of experience is important for new educators and pre-service educators that attend HBCUs choosing a career in education. Becoming a teacher is not an easy decision, knowing you have the support of seasoned and respected educators is a plus and motivating.

Diversity builds education, it is a foundation of teaching to build on what the real world is so students can adapt and contribute. It requires diverse people to educate a diverse growing student population in schools and strengthens the communities schools are in. Schools are a microcosm of their communities as I have stated in my classes, that is why schools are important. The stronger and connected the school and the valuing of education helps a community grow and strenthgn their connection. The teachers are the base of acceptance, stability and tolerance. The more teachers are respected and connected they can influence the life of a community. That is why in the past teachers that lived in the areas they taught in were effective not just with students, but with parents and influencing the community.

EdCamp provides a foundation for those in education from teachers, administrators, support staff and even students to come together and share in open discussions about how to improve the educational culture and atmosphere of schools. These connectons are valuable for new teachers to see and experience.

HBCUs need to be involved in EdCamps because they can network with the schools their graduates may teach in, talk to experienced teacher and experience successes with pride and learn realistic strategies to help prepare HBCU students for their careers.

Why wait until being on the “field” your senior year and be thrusted in the environment based off of sometimes outdated policies and procedures when HBCU students can connect earlier and learn from experts. HBCU students can understand the culture and the climate of schools before they get there and be able to handle students because they understand them earlier. EdCamp what better platform for pre-service educators still in under-graduate programs to learn than on a weekend with free breakfast, free lunch, high energy, diverse experiences and seasoned professionals that have wisdom, knowledge and PLCs and PLNs that work.

EdCamp provides a foundation for resources that reinforce why to be an educator, why America still needs passionate and diverse educational mentors, role models and professionals. Writing this blog reminds me of my experiences as a teacher and wish that I had the opportunities of EdCamp as I traveled my journey 27 years ago and continue on for several more year. I have had the great opportunity to be a keynote speaker at two (2) EdCamps and attended several in Florida taking students from Edward Waters College. Their attendance has been life changing in ways that cannot be measured. The direct exchange of ideas is important, conversation is a strong tool that can enhance the confidence of the teacher in the classroom. Because of the successes for teachers EdCamp has grown to international environments. This allows for global sharing, collaboration and the integration of ideas, strategies and best practice not just technology. If teachers do not prepare students to sit at the tables of business, commerce, finance and education then students will be left behind and out of the decision making process of building communities and prosperity for its citizens. HBCU students have a responsibility to continue the storytelling and educating of children that provides additional exposure and positive contributions to the communities that HBCUs are a part of. Even if a student is not an education major HBCU students can gain experience in networking, professional exposure and career preparation as a life-long learner and leader.

EdCampStAug – St. Augustine, Florida 2017


EdCampNABSE 2016


EdCampMagic – Orlando, Florida 2016

Sarah – #EduMatch Tammy – #FlEdChat William – #MyQuestToTeach
2016 EdCampMagic

William Jackson speaking at EdCampOrange 2015

Teacher presentations

 

Posted by William Jackson Posted on 40 articles

Teaching Our Youth To Be Cautious On Social Media

Posted by William Jackson
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Recent deaths by suicide on Social Media, the use of drugs and alcohol as glamorous and exciting, sexual exploitation, Sexting, Cyberbullying, threats, intimidation and the use of Social Media to make political threats and accusations is sending the wrong message to youth, teens and young adults.

The availability of learning experiences should never be denied to youth and teens with technology. In the world of digital communication, diverse Social Media platforms and tools, Apps that allow for instant access to family and friends tech can be both good and bad. Technology influences the So Lo Mo of life: So – social engagement of youth and teens, Lo – access to local activities and events, Mo – mobile technologies that move with youth and teens so they are always connected.

The Bridge of Northeast Florida (Cynthia Gibson) and William Jackson (educator, trainer and speaker) have provided dedicated workshops addressing Sexting, Bullying, Cyberbullying and STEM/STEAM along with the value of HBCUs in higher education and career development.

Even at the elementary and middle school age youth need to learn the dangers of being online and giving out personal and even family information. How people try to gain their friendship online, try to manipulate them mentally and emotionally putting themselves and their families in dangerous situations.

Sexting has consequences and that a wrong choice can follow them a lifetime and ruin a career, building a family and even in this age of digital commerce can have unforeseen influences with personal credit and entrance into higher education, military service and stable employment. Information never goes away and can cause legal problems even jail time and labeling when involved in Sexting or child pornography. Parents need to check their children’s phones from time to time, but many are too afraid of the response from their children. The plus side is understanding how positive and empowering STEM is and
influence life for children.

Science Technology Engineering and Math can be seen from the examples of Hidden Figures and that there are local role models like Taylor Richardson who are working to be NASA astronauts and travel to Mars and the stars. Students during the discussion phase are unfortunately being told that Blacks have never been into space and they are not “smart” enough to be involved in high tech careers. Parents more than ever before need to talk to their children about their career choices, the value of education and why/how STEM can help them achieve their goals as adults.

Parents need to take their children to museums, libraries and cultural events so their children are exposed to educational opportunities and services as The Bridge offers to the community of Jacksonville, Florida. The Bridge of Northeast Florida provides many services to prepare future leaders that are children in our schools and communities now, preparing them to lead in the future as current leaders age and retire.

Children of color and culture should be educated, mentored and see positive role models as examples of what can be achieved. In The Bridge they see these and more by presentations, speakers, role models and mentoring. Children of color should know who the first Black woman and Black man where to fly into space, who the other firsts of their cultures are and not be told that Blacks have not accomplished great things in history. The truth is out there and children can use technology to learn and grow from it, but they must be given positive information. Community programs like The Bridge are needed more because of the false information being feed to youth, teens and young adults about their potential for success and being beneficial to their communities. The chaos they sometimes see and hear either in real life or through the media cannot be controlled, but with efforts by The Bridge and others children can be guided, mentored and educated in the right way.

Resources:
The Bridge of Northeast Florida
http://www.bridgejax.com/
NASA Kids Club
https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html
Taylor Richardson
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39060043
Hidden Figures No More – NPR
http://www.npr.org/2016/12/16/505569187/hidden-figures-no-more-meet-the-black-women-who-helped-send-america-to-space
How Black Women Did The Math
http://www.npr.org/2016/09/25/495179824/hidden-figures-how-black-women-did-the-math-that-put-men-on-the-moon
Seeing More Women of Color
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/feb/09/octavia-spencer-people-of-colour-hidden-figures-diversity