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

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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.”

Golden Rams’ Offense Sputters Against Lee University

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ALBANY, Ga.- For the third consecutive day, the Albany State baseball team could not find any offense. Shutout for the second time in three games, ASU lost to the Lee University Flames by the score of 15-0.

The Golden Rams now own an overall record of 0-4. Lee improves to 3-1.

Albany State found itself behind early and faced an early 2-0 deficit after the first inning. The Flames extended their lead in the top of the second with four runs and followed that with three runs in the third. LU added six runs in the fourth and fifth stanzas to increase its advantage.

The Golden Rams only tallied three hits for the game and committed two errors. Losing pitcher Chancellor Johnson (0-1) recorded three strikeouts in two innings. Relief pitcher Eden Payano added four strikeouts.

Cameron Scott led the Flames with three hits and two RBIs, and Jordan Howard added three hits. Peyton Meeker collected two hits and four RBIs. Rob Gustitus was the winning pitcher.

For its next contest, Albany State will travel to West Point, Ga. to face the Point University Skyhawks. The game is slated to begin at 3 p.m.

This post was written by ASU Athletics at asugoldenrams.com, where it was originally published. This story is published here with permission.

Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Graduating From College Debt-Free

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Yesterday, I did a Facebook Live interview with Kevin Y. Brown, author of 10 Ways Anyone Can Graduate From College Debt-Free and founder of Debt-Free College Academy, an online course and website.

(Brown also attended Clark Atlanta University and graduated debt-free.)

From Foster Care to a $140k College Education

Brown’s personal story is inspiring. “I grew up in foster care from the age of nine months,” he told me. Although he was placed in good homes, he lived in one of northern California’s worst neighborhoods and had little exposure to financial concepts.

Yet, it was his own experience growing up in poverty that made debt—even so-called good debt to attend college—so repulsive to him. Determined and driven, Brown found a way. The first in his biological and immediate foster family to leave California to attend college, Brown enrolled at Clark Atlanta University, enjoyed a semester abroad in London, traveled back and forth from his home state to Atlanta during school breaks—and graduated from college debt-free after five years.

Now he is sharing his strategy with others.

Strategies to Graduate Debt-Free

One of the first things I noted in speaking with Brown is the vast well of ignorance he encountered among his peers. Although he himself didn’t know much more than they did, his determination to graduate debt-free kept him out of the debt trap. Here are some strategies he recommends:

  • Excel in high school.
  • Make sacrifices.
  • Build relationships.
  • Apply for scholarships.
  • Submit the FAFSA early.
  • Avoid incurring other debt—like credit card debt.

Brown also advises not borrowing more money than you need and using summer breaks to take required classes at schools in your hometown, if they cost less—a strategy he used.

I was really impressed with Brown, a public speaker who also lectures on maximizing one’s potential and resources. After meeting him, I renewed a commitment to myself to learn more about graduating from college and even graduate school debt-free.

Avoid the debt trap that has ensnared so many and bound up a lot of the wealth in our community. Learn more at Debt-Free College Academy.

Watch our Facebook Live interview below.

This article was written by Robin White-Goode, the Editor of Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.

Former HBCU Football Star Michael Strahan In Esquire Interview Talks Football And Fashion

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Michael Strahan, who played defensive end at Texas Southern University and was so dominant he drew double teams, spoke with Esquire magazine about football, Super Bowl 51, and how he tackles fashion. Some highlights of the interview are below.

If he had a typical athlete style when he was coming up, then get turned onto better fashion at some point:

“I think when you come into the league you look at your peers. I can’t say most of them come in with a ton of style. Back then it was the early, mid 90s, so it was purple, orange, yellow, green suits. I mean, it was horrible. But you learn from your mistakes. I look back now at some of the choices I made and think, ‘What were you thinking?’ But because of that it helps me develop my style now. I know that I want to wear something where if I look back 5, 10, 20 years from now, it won’t be embarrassing. Something classic. And being in the locker room where guys will clown you, it definitely got me more into it.”

If he ever got to the point where he felt like he figured out TV?

“I’m still figuring it out. Everything I’ve done has been so different. The news side is so different than everything I’ve done before. After football, it took me a few months until I realized I wasn’t a player anymore and this is my new career. But before that I was scared to death to say a word. I didn’t know if what I was saying made sense, because I had all these thoughts, and the hardest thing is to be able to express them and get them out. I wasn’t sure if I was doing that well.

Each season I’ve gotten better. I still get nervous, but it’s a lot less, and I’m much more comfortable in the skin that I’m in. When it came to doing Live!, from day one I felt comfortable doing that. But it still took a lot of practice and paying attention. But, like everything, the more reps you do, the better you get at it.”

Read more at Esquire.

Ohio Legislators Recognize Central State University And President Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond

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Members of the Ohio House of Representatives are praising Central State University in Ohio and President Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond, issuing a statement on her positive impact on the state of Ohio earlier last week.

“If you look at her resume, you will find a very detailed and impressive list of accomplishments,” Rep. Perales of the 73rd District said, noting the success of President Jackson-Hammond and the University.

“Dr. Jackson-Hammond is the right person for the right time to lead Central State University,” he said.

President Jackson-Hammond stated that she was honored to receive the recognition, especially for State.

“This is indeed an honor for Central State University; 130 years of academic excellence,” she said. “We really work very hard and diligently not to just be a success for our students, but to be a success for the state of Ohio.”

Rep. Dean of the 74th District declared that “…the University stands as a beacon of opportunity!”

Meet The SWAC’s All-Time Leading Rusher

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OnTheYard is back! The video above is the latest episode of OnTheYard. In this episode, Perry White sits down with Southern University and the SWAC’s all-time leading rusher Lenard Tillery, who is on track to be a possible draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. OnTheYard is co-directed/co-produced by Perry White and Garrett Edgerson. Their mission is to give the world a inside look at the culture of historically black colleges across the country.

Texas Southern University Presents Vikings COO Warren With Inaugural Pioneer Award

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The TSU Newsroom reports: Texas Southern University honored Kevin Warren, the National Football League’s (NFL) highest-ranking African American executive, with its inaugural Pioneer Award, February 4th in downtown Houston. Warren serves as chief operating officer for the Minnesota Vikings.

The Pioneer Award was conceived by Texas Southern University alumnus and Washington Redskins Sr. VP of Communication Tony Wyllie. Its purpose is to highlight the diversity within the NFL’s front offices and encourage continued inclusive hiring practices by NFL franchises.

Warren pledged to continue to work hard and do all that he can do to open up doors not only for people of color but also women.

“I am keenly aware of the sacrifices others made before me to give me the opportunity to work and excel in the National Football League and I am going to do all that I can to possibly open up doors for others,” warren said.

“Kevin is deserving of this award,” Wylie said. “His promotion as the highest ranking African American National Football League team executive is a testament to his talents and work ethic that he has displayed throughout his 19-year NFL career. The fact that my alma mater, Texas Southern University, is benefitting from Kevin’s success makes this award extra special.”

“We are grateful that Tony Wyllie, a proud Texas Southern University alumnus, was instrumental in bringing this award to Texas Southern,” said TSU President Austin Lane.  On behalf of the TSU family I would like to congratulate Kevin for the excellent example he has set for our students to model themselves after. We know that our students will benefit greatly from this annual award.”

Texas Southern University presented the Pioneer Award as part of Super Bowl LI festivities. Reception proceeds benefit the University’s Graduation Success Scholarship. The plan is to hand out the award each year at the Super Bowl site, with next year’s game being in Minnesota.

This story was written by The TSU Newsroom at tsu.edu, where it was originally published. This story is published here with permission.