Oldest Private HBCU In The Country: A Salute To Mrs. Dorothy J. Vaughan

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The Wilberforce University Newsroom reports: We would like to salute our very own Mrs. Dorothy J. Vaughan, Wilberforce University Class of 1929 for her trailblazing contribution to the United States Space Program. At a time when the talents, intellect and ability of African-American women where ignored, diminished and unappreciated, she and many others boldly recrafted the narrative with excellence.

And, we celebrate HBCUs like the Venerable Wilberforce University that produced this phenomenal woman and many more.

Read more here.

HBCU Radio Station Cancels Kim Burrell’s Show Following Her Comments On ‘Perveted’ Homosexuality

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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Citing no reason, a historically Black university in Texas has canceled Kim Burrell’s radio show following her comments on homosexuality.

Texas Southern University’s KTSU-FM released a statement to the press saying, “The Kim Burrell show is no longer airing as part of KTSU Radio programming.”

During a sermon which was being broadcast on Facebook Live, Burrell referred to “the perverted homosexual spirit.”

In a video published after the sermon, Burrell has said that she has no apologizes to make over her comments.

According to the university’s website, Texas Southern University is located in the heart of Houston. The black university is home to an increasing diverse population of nearly 10,000 students with more than 80 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs.

N.C. A&T Leads HBCU Consortium On Sexual Assault Prevention

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The United States Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) has awarded the offices of counseling services at North Carolina A&T State University, Bennett College and Shaw University a grant of $549,999 for the consortium’s “Be the Change:  Resources, Intervention, Services, and Education” project. Led by N.C. A&T, the consortium is the first of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the history of OVW. The award is part of 61 grants issued by the OVW totaling $25 million to help student victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.

“Our grant was a collaborative effort to raise awareness, reduce and ultimately prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on our campuses. We want our universities to be safe places for all to live, learn and [be] free of violence and sexual crimes,” said Dr. Vivian Barnette, executive director of Counseling Services at N.C. A&T.

The grant is funded for three years and will strengthen responses to crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence and enhance collaboration among local law enforcement and victim advocacy organizations.

“Our decision to unite as counseling center directors made our application stronger. We hope to become a resource for all HBCUs and other minority serving institutions to model culturally appropriate services for students that attend them,” said Barnette.

Additionally, the grant will focus on organizing and encouraging men and other groups to work as allies to prevent sexual assault crimes, particularly in underserved communities. Each campus will offer effective training, services, prevention strategies, culturally appropriate policies and coordinated community responses for victims of sexual assault.

The grant allows the consortium to use OVW Technical Assistants, who are experts in the field, to build upon the project, enhance responsiveness to survivors, campaign and train incoming students and campus and community partners to become active bystanders, thereby making strides toward ending sexual assault and violence.

OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence against women through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation.  Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

About North Carolina A&T State University 

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is the nation’s largest historically black university. It is a land-grant, higher-research classified university by the Carnegie Foundation and constituent member of the University of North Carolina system. A&T is known for its leadership in producing graduates in engineering, agriculture and other STEM fields. The university was founded in 1891 and is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.

This story was written by the NC A&T Newsroom. This story is published here with permission. 

CAU Freshman Class President Eric Wilson Has Lost His Brother And Father To Violence

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When Eric Wilson fled the deadly gun violence plaguing the streets of Chicago, the Clark Atlanta University freshman left behind four of the most important people in his life. Yet, even as Eric, 19, packed his bags to journey hundreds of miles away from his roots at 69th St. and Western, he promised his mother, Veronica Comey, and his three sisters he would use his CAU degree to come home and rescue them. This life altering decision made the social media guru and mass media arts major the first in his family ever to attend college.

At the innocent age of four, Eric’s father was shot to death. That left him with no dad to guide him through life’s challenges, especially as a black boy in America. Still, Eric didn’t give up.

“It was a lot of opportunities I missed out on growing up without a dad, like being able to play football at the park with him,” said Eric, who would go on to play basketball and football at Kenwood Academy High School. He said the tragedy also robbed him of his childhood. “I had to become the man of the house at a young age, and I had to step up and take care of my three younger sisters,” he explained. But his father’s death helped him adopt a life of nonviolence, opting to use his words rather than his fists to squash schoolyard beefs.

His walks to and from the school bus stop everyday were littered with wrong turns that could have led him down any number of dangerous paths life steers at impressionable children. There was the dope pusher on just about every corner. Addicts slumped over door stoops and gangs. Yet he stayed focused. “I always knew that education was going to pull me out of this,” Eric said, with a smile you’d hardly expect from someone who has endured the pain he has. “I used the bad things I saw growing up in my neighborhood as motivation to be successful and come back to help my family.”

Then in the summer of 2016, just a few months before he departed for Clark Atlanta, Eric’s 15-year-old brother, Davearhea Wilson, was shot dead on the front steps of his own home. He went from sadness to guilt because he made it out, but his little brother did not. “I feel like I’m living for my brother,” he said, while still flashing his signature ear-to-ear smile.

While his road to CAU has been plagued with murdered relatives, childhood mistakes and hard knocks, Eric credits his mom with getting him to this place in.

“The mission is complete for him to get to Clark Atlanta,” Comey said. “But he is still a work in progress because he still has to develop himself into a successful man.”

This story was written by Mario Boone, Clark Atlanta University’s Media Relations Manager. This story is published here with permission. 

Posted by HBCU Editors Posted on 5665 articles

Morehouse College Stylish Buzz Of The Week: Duby Maduegbunam

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The distinctions of a Morehouse Man are recognized all over the world. Celebrating its Sesquicentennial year, there is no sign of slowing down for the college in strides to produce sharp young men like Duby Maduegbunam. Native of the Hub City, Boston, Massachusetts, this 6-5 Sophomore shoots for the target of dressing well and making buckets for the Morehouse College Men’s Basketball team.

The ultimate goal in life is to play basketball professionally. Having an average of 16.2 points so far this season, and a total of 162 pts. Duby is playing his heart out towards his goal and has proof for it.

Concluding the first week of the season, he was named the SIAC Newcomer of the Week. The Morehouse forward was also bestowed the honor as SIAC Player of the Week earlier this past December for his outstanding performance against Lane College with a career record of 26 points.

“The best thing Duby does with garments out-of-style is bringing out versatility…”

Majoring in Cinematic Television & Emerging Media Studies, Duby also has interests of working in the entertainment industry with film and becoming a producer. He is big on accessories because the addition of them results in the greatest touch. “He excels at what he would call “Arm Candy” which are accessories,” Duby’s friend Donovan Preston said.

Friends pay close attention to what their friends habits are. “Duby always has a nice layer of bracelets and a watch on his left arm with a nice slim gold chain either tucked in or out of his shirt,” Preston described. Duby describes his style as urban mixed with European.  “He is able to take a basic pair of jeans and cut it up along with distressing it. Before you know it, he is rocking something created from scratch but still fashionable under a urban trend,” Preston said.

Staying up with what’s in-style is not Duby’s thing. He focuses on bringing arrangements to life that leave the scene. “The best thing Duby does with garments out-of-style is bringing out versatility while making it seem effortless,” Malik Abu said. Maduegbunam’s inspiration is fashion is his brother, Akosa Maduegbunam, who has made appearances various places with his fashion styles including the Today Show. Both the love for basketball and fashion are a commonality amongst the two.

Maduegbunam refuses to do to much when it comes to dressing and that explains his Do’s and Don’ts:

Do – Slim fit, plain and simple, layering, distressing, a lot of shoes, stylish socks

Don’t – No baggy clothes. No overly graphic clothing. No fitted caps

You can keep up with Maduegbunam on Instagram @_iamdube

Panthers’ Derek Harper Throws Down The Space Jam Dunk

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Derek Harper rocked the world with his incredible Space Jam Dunk on Tuesday for the Clark Atlanta University men’s basketball team and one of his teammates caught the holy ghost.

Harper eventually gets the ball and was fouled as he drove the lane and dunked over the Magician defense. The following FT attempt gave Harper 1,000 career points at CAU.

Check out the short video below from HBCU Gameday:

Cam Newton’s Younger Brother, Caylin Newton, Will Play Football At Howard

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Appears a famous last name will don the Howard Bison football jersey next season. Former NFL MVP Cam Newton’s little brother, Caylin Newton, has committed to play quarterback at Howard University.

The three-star athlete from Atlanta made his decision known yesterday when he visited the private institution.

Head over to The Black Beat to read more.

Norfolk State’s League Of Extraordinary Men To Host Clothing Drive In Virginia Beach

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Norfolk State’s The League of Extraordinary Men is hosting an ongoing statewide clothing drive throughout Virginia. The next clothing drive for the homeless and less fortunate will take place this Monday, January 9th in the Virginia Beach area. The clothing drive will be a chance for those in need to gain clothing for free from various locations set up around the city.

A group of young men from Norfolk State University has made extraordinary efforts to assist citizens in Virginia during the winter season. It all started on Christmas Eve, December 24th. Jeremie Simmons, one of eight founders of The League of Extraordinary Men, hosted the first “The Warm Up” Clothing drive in Norfolk, Virginia. Since then more than 750 people have received clothing to help keep them warm in the areas of Norfolk, Richmond, and Portsmouth due to multiple clothing drives orchestrated by these gentlemen.

The League of Extraordinary Men, an organization founded in 2012 at Norfolk State, is completing the extraordinary work based on a mission to collect all sorts of winter clothing. With so much to give the group was able to set up thirteen stations across the state to supply those in need with clothing. For the Richmond, Virginia drive, so many people were being helped that they had to extend the event for three hours. The leftover clothing for the Portsmouth locations was bestowed to the Oasis Center.

The group refused to just to focus on the homeless but included those who are less fortunate as well. Through their projects, a noticed problem included that many individuals lack the financial ability to shop for clothing thus rely on thrifting. With the homeless, the group is focusing on making sure individuals have undergarments. Trevin Curtis, the current president of The League of Extraordinary Men, experienced a situation with a person needing undergarments more than any other item.

When the temperature outside is 20 degrees, most are trying to find warmth but a few are finding ways to cope with nature’s harsh conditions. “’I met a man whose socks were so worn and old that they had begun to mold at the bottom. I encountered this man for three days straight and was able to help him out differently each time,” Curtis said.

The first encounter was enough for a hotel room because of a drought of men’s clothing.  The second time Curtis was able to provide a big Roca Wear coat to go along with his two thin hoodies. The final encounter Curtis noticed the man limping across the street with severe pain in his feet. Having a bag full of options the man was accessible to a new pair of Asics sneakers, four pairs of socks, and a pair of jeans.

Tory Barner, a recent Norfolk State graduate, and a member of The League of Extraordinary Men says that the difference the organization aims to make is from the heart and not for self-recognition. “No matter what you’re doing, you’re making a difference, service is done not for gratitude, but for change”, Barner said, as he zealously plans for the huge drive on Monday. The organization is not one big for pictures or notification because it focuses on trying to show others that they’re needed to make a difference in the community.

The organization began as an outlet for men on campus to come together to discuss issues, campus events, and build relationships. Now the organization consists of members of fraternities and non-fraternity men who strive to go beyond their campus and bridge the gap between the services needed in the community.

The League goes by the motto, “Your greatest service is done when no one is watching”. Barner knew that a difference was made when he took a drive through one of the towns and saw multiple people walking happily down the streets with their new coats, hats, and shoes. “There was a new energy around the place, and that’s when I knew we a made a change in someone’s life” explained Barner as he felt overwhelmed with joy.

Posted by Delvakio Brown Posted on 48 articles

2017 – The Year To Blog And Develop Content

Posted by William Jackson
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Digital content creation is prevalent on the web, an increase in blogging, microblogging, podcasting and other forms of digital media is expanding across the Internet. Content creators are global, generational and smart.

The evolution of blogging can be seen in the increase of content that has a wide range of subject matter and relevancy to life experiences
of the writer.

The importance of blogging and use of social media can be seen in the engagement, connectivity and networking individuals are becoming forces that are rivaling traditional media. Because there is growing content that easily crosses time zones and international borders the effects of blogging are seen in education, business, finance, commerce, and development in political arenas.

There are no barriers that would delay the posting of content even by age or gender. Students of all levels are creating content based on their learning experiences and developing their brands. This explosion of digital content has created a challenge in determining what is important to read and what to discard.

The “Elements of Blogging” and the “Significance of Content Creation” is an area that must be addressed. Workshops, seminars and conferences are available now to help people and businesses create worthwhile content to market their services and products. No matter the purpose of blogging the ultimate goal is to have people “View or Hear” what is written. Certain criteria must be thought of and used as a gauge to help bloggers in their quest to develop content that pleads to be read and interacted upon. In education you have objectives, in business you have agendas, other areas have their own design. bloggers must ask certain questions to help them align their content to standards.

Listed are a few guidelines to help develop content and keep on track during the creation of content.

Why do you blog

Any blogger must have a reason to do what they do. There should be passion, excitement, and commitment when you put fingers to keyboard. During the blogging process, it may change just as the content changes, but every Blogger should have an answer as to Why Do You Blog.

What is your demographic

An important element to go along with Why is What is your audience? Is there an age group, gender, nationality, culture or specific group you want to connect with? People enjoy having a connection with their bloggers. Any successful blogger knows what/who their audience is and tries to give them what they need and to keep coming back for more.

What type of content do you share

Sharing is very important. You want your audience to understand that you are sharing a part of yourself with them. You’re not thrusting things down their throat, but providing something that they need or as you grow in your writing giving your readers something they think they need. Create the atmosphere of sharing which helps in receiving feedback from the reader. Don’t make it a give/take relationship, but a sharing and beneficial one.

How do you support your brand and content

Do you have a domain name, are you using a free site, is there a lot of advertising, is there adult content, video, audio, and multimedia? Supporting your content requires some research on your part to validate what you are stating. In the educational, political, and business environments you have to backup what you have stated with links, quotes, and data. When I blog I try as much as possible to obtain valid and trustworthy resources to back up my comments/statements. In my blogging, I’m at times competing with traditional media so I have to go that extra step to help my readers understand where I’m coming from, how it can help them and where else they can go for additional help.

Do you use photos, video, graphics

The power of a picture, video or multimedia can never be underestimated. If there is a video that can be used or you create your own do it. This provides an extra element to attract and keep readers to your content. Search Engine Optimization does need help with text (words), but additional elements that provide audio (podcasting), video (YouTube) and multimedia to create an interactive platform. Never be scared to branch off into new areas to help engage and excite your readers.

Do you offer a service

What can you provide your audience? Do you sell something, what type of service or services do you have? The popular blogs of relationship building, natural hair, nails (hands and feet) provide a service that can be seen and engaging. There is a service that results can be seen. Think very hard on what service you can provide if this is your choice. Be sure that you can keep your customers happy.

Do you evolve

One of the important things about blogging is keeping your audience and that means evolving. No blog stays the same, there is an evolution process that writers go through. Just as age and maturity happen so should bloggers content evolve because their readers evolve and change. What you wrote about 3 years ago may not be of the same interest for your readers now. Their lives have evolved (changed) so as a blogger your content must evolve also.

Do you have a brand

Can you brand yourself to the public? What are you known for, what does your title of your blog site bring thoughts and feelings of? Branding is important because of the interest it generates in readership. Creating a brand allows for Marketability especially if you are trying to make money with your blogs.Branding makes you who you are so the public will make that connection.

Can you be marketable

To make money is only one important aspect of blogging. Eventually, a blogger considers how can they make money so must be wise in how they Market their content. Who do they market too? Basically selling yourself to the world so they can pay for your content. This may take a team to get the word out about you and promote what you are doing. Using social media tools is another way, but this must be strategic and planned.

These nine elements are worth considering and using as a guide to anyone blogging. Your blogging content, goals, designs and objectives will change the more you blog so be ready to make adjustments and evolve to keep pace and stay important enough to be read.

 

Posted by William Jackson Posted on 40 articles

Meet Howard University Stylish Buzz: Veronica Hannsberry

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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:

Veronica Hannsberry is a junior, Marketing Major from Chicago. Her spunky and colorful style make her one of the most unique and stylish students on Howard’s campus.

“My style is currently on a journey.”

Veronica Hannsberry 

One of the largest shifts in Veronica’s style came with her conversion to the Islamic faith. Her style prior to this conversion was still fun and eclectic with just a little more skin. Now, she seeks to align her personal style with the modesty that comes with her religion. Here’s her take on her style exploration:

“As can be seen in my style photos I am not completely in the realm of modesty. However each day I take a step in that direction. It is important to me to make a statement with every look I put on because personal style is one of the only ways one can express their self without words.”

Veronica describes her personal style as, “girly, Afrocentric street wear.” Her one and only style icon is Rihanna because of her edge and diverse style. Check out some of Veronica’s dope looks below!

Vee’s Looks! 

Make sure you follow Veronica to stay updated on all of her latest looks!

HBCUs Must Inspire The Next Generation Of Bloggers

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The growth of blogging has transformed beyond the basics of text, there is now video blogging, micro blogging, podcasting and a host of other platforms and tools to share diverse and dynamic content. The importance of writing can never be understated because, in the areas of business, writing is crucial to the sharing and disseminating of information.

Writing shows the foundation of intelligence and that intellectualism still matters. HBCUs were founded to encourage thinking, reasoning, understanding collaboration.

As an instructor teaching Educational Technology at Edward Waters College, I have seen how blogging allows students to enhance their thinking and reasoning. The challenge is to get students to see beyond their writing limitations and expand their digital vision to see the benefits of creating their digital footprints that lead to exposure, networking opportunities and collaboration that can lead to employment and the start of careers never thought of.

Businesses are looking for young talent who have a passion for challenges and can work in diverse environments; HBCU students that can integrate technology with the human element of thought, creativity and innovation have valuable skills that they can market.

Blogging, Microblogging, Podcasting, Vblogging can aid in the Marketing and Branding of HBCU students especially those that have the skills to give them an edge. Conferences like, Blogging While Brown (the premiere blogging conference for bloggers of color and culture), Florida Blogging and Technology Conference (FLBlogCon educates and empowers bloggers by teaching best practices in diverse areas of tech for blogging), NicheParent 14 Conference (for digital influencers and bloggers) and Florida Blogging Conference for Educators where I was honored to present to educators and students on the engagement of Social Media.

WordPress / WordCamp conferences where developers, programmers, users and hosting services come together. Educators are not left out nationally there are EdCamp(s) of all types, a grassroots opportunity for teachers to share with teachers.

HBCUs across the nation are teaching the intricate dynamics of writing and applying writing to integrating with technology. The growth and influence of blogging can be seen in its infusion in Social Media platforms that are now money makers, business ventures based on content creation. The resources online for bloggers are free and even promote entrepreneurials.

There are many writing influencers like me and I encourage my students to find writers that they a connect to, one of the best influences for HBCU students is to find a blogging/writing mentor, either virtual or in person. It is important to find writers with
similar interests and abilities to model. Reading is important because the content is based on research and background information that will validate and carry your blog.

Choose your words wisely and apply your passion, you will make an impact in the world and be heard.

This story was written by Prof. William Jackson, Edward Waters College and Joshua Rodriguez and Jon Gregory EWC students.

Posted by William Jackson Posted on 40 articles

Tennessee State Stylish Buzz Of The Week: Adrian Caprice Collins

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Colleges are swamped with pretty girls about their business. Adrian Caprice Collins is one of those ladies on the campus of Tennessee State University. The Memphis, Tennessee native is a senior Business Administration major with a focus on supply chain management. An adorer of bike jackets and sneakers, Collins describes her overall style as edgy, chic, timeless, and fun!

To add edge to her style she puts on sneakers and when dressing up, she targets a clean and sophisticated look. “I like how she can take pieces from a thrift store and transform it into something you would think she bought from a high priced store,” stated her best friend Robyn Kohlheim. Many look to fashion icons for inspiration but Collins looks to her mom and dad. With her mom’s classy & elegant look and her dad’s thrifting ways, she is influenced to make her own fashion statements.

“Fashion is more than magazine spreads and beautiful models…”

Adrian Caprice Collins

Many fashion arrangements come together because of Collin’s love for thrifting and ability to play around with color and prints. “She makes simple pieces come to life,” stated her very special man friend Davonte Heard. After becoming a member of the Chi Psi chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity Inc. Collins learned more about the business side of fashion. “Fashion is more than magazine spreads and beautiful models, but it is a business and there are many ways you can be a fashion influence while earning a living,” Collins said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcJGmzluj2c

Having the fantasy of owning her own fashion line or store front, Collins makes it a priority to always stay in the know of all aspects of fashion. Her fashion blog, Prim and Pumps at www.primandpumps.com showcases various ways of interior decorating, and how to use fashion pieces in more than one way. With her blog celebrating its first birthday just a few days ago Collins is showing no signs of slowing down but intensifying.

Her YouTube channel actually displays what to look for when thrifting and how to thrift. “I love her determination especially with her blog. She makes sure she keeps up with it and continues to make content for her readers,” stated her line brother of Alpha Kappa Psi and close friend, Starr-Ambrosia Muslim.

Her DIY series gets plenty of attention with thousands of readers and watchers on her blogs and videos were she showcases how to Do It Yourself with several projects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ca37fMHpLo

Collins really feels a certain type of way when people try to dictate what fashion is and it’s explained in her simple Do’s and Don’ts:

Do’s

  1. Wear what you want to wear! Fashion has no rules. Embrace your own sense of style.
  2. Always try to look your best no matter how you feel. When you look good it makes you feel better.
  3. Invest your money in quality pieces that will never go out of style.

Don’ts

  1. Always wear what is trendy. Investing money in trendy pieces can be a waste of money in the end.
  2. Wear things that make you feel uncomfortable. Always try to look and feel confident in everything you wear.

You can keep up with Collins on Instagram at her personal page @Adrian.Caprice blog page @PrimAndPumps and her YouTube channel  itsAdrianCaprice

Bama State Style Returns To TV Screens

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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The popular television reality series featuring ASU’s marching band found a new home. 

Bama State Style, the reality series following Alabama State University’s Mighty Marching Hornets, will return to television on Jan. 10 on the Aspire network.

The network announced in late December that they had picked up the popular television reality show.

Aspire will air both old and new episodes of the series, according to a release.

The first season of Bama State Style originally ran on Lifetime Network and earned top ratings. After the conclusion, the show’s producers announced that the series will not continue on the network.

Melissa Ingram said in a statement that “Bama State Style is the perfect addition to the ASPiRE lineup as we continue to be the destination for HBCU programming.”

“ASPiRE is committed to showcasing the lifestyle and infectious pride of historically black colleges reflective of their value to the African-American community,” Ingram said.

https://twitter.com/JustinHeaux/status/812709491770855424

Band Director James Oliver said that everyone is “excited about the opportunity to continue to showcase our students and University on a nationwide level.”

“Bama State Style showcases the efforts, talents, and hard work to our audience,” Oliver said. “We are honored that ASPiRE is allowing the Mighty Marching Hornets to tell our story on our new home, where everybody has a chance to be inspired.”

Police Disband NAACP Sit-In At Jeff Sessions’ Office, Six Arrested

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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Mobile, AL police diffused a NAACP sit-in to protest the nomination of US Sen. Jeff Sessions as US attorney general, with at least six people arrested.

Five men and one woman, including Jackson State University graduate and NAACP President Cornell W. Brooks, were arrested late Tuesday.

Brooks shared a photo of himself, Alabama NAACP President Benard Simelton, and two others on his Twitter page on Tuesday afternoon that says “the NAACP and the Alabama NAACP are occupying the Mobile office of Jeff Sessions—until he withdraws as an AG nominee or we’re arrested.”

According to Mobile police, they face charges of criminal trespass in the second-degree.

Read more here.

Tennessee State Grad Blake Nathan Is Changing The Minority Teacher Deficient

Posted by Delvakio Brown
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Can you recall the number of black male teachers throughout your K-12 matriculation?

It’s understandable to realize the problem of not recalling such because black males only count for 2 percent of teachers in America.

“We plan to increase the number of teachers of color in the education profession ranging from classroom teachers, counselors, administration, school psychologist, and even those that want to go into higher education,” Blake Nathan, a Tennessee State University graduate and CEO of Educate Me Foundation, told HBCU Buzz in an exclusive interview.

The Educate ME Foundation has recruited over sixty aspiring and current educators, three hundred high school participants in its HBCU Tour, bringing together more than one hundred individuals to help combat the problems facing the education systems in urban communities, and partnered with eight school districts and charter school networks in the year of 2016 alone. All of this came to fruition under the vision of Nathan.

Imagine for a few moments that you’re a new teacher. As you are driving towards school you instantly recognize that you’re teaching in an urban community. Walking down the halls passing the various classrooms, you notice that the students you serve look totally different from the teacher population that serves them.

This is an imagination for many of you but a reality for Nathan.

When Blake Nathan began his first job at Stoneybrook Middle School, he was immensely shocked to find out he was the only black male teacher. Once realizing the shortage of black male teachers he knew that he had to do something quickly.

As Nathan reflects on his own educational experience he realized he didn’t have that many black male teachers either. A native of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Nathan only had three black male teachers through his K-12 education.

What is surprising even more, he only had five teachers of color at a historically black university, Tennessee State. And Nathan noted that while attending the Harvard Graduate School of Education Urban Principals Institute with over two hundred national educators in attendance less than ten were black men.

Looking around the room Nathan began to write immense ideas for creating change in the educational rim.

Writing and rewriting over and over again, Nathan struggled to come up with a perfect name for an organization he desired to create to better the education field for minorities:

“Blake Nathan Foundation… No, that’s striking the ego, Black Males Educate… No… Educate ME Foundation… That’s It!”

While constructing the foundation of Educate ME, Nathan realized that black males are not the only ones lacking in the teaching field. Overall, black male and black female teachers account for 9 percent of the total percentage of overall teacher makeup.

Originally, Educate Me started out for black men but swiftly changed for the ME to represent minority educators.

Nathan along with a very supportive team was able to come up with key programs that the foundation will focus on including Educate Me Match Program, Educate Me Cadet, and the Educate Me University. With the Educate ME Match Program, the foundation has been fortunate enough to obtain partnerships with a range of great school districts and charter school networks.

“The best thing I like about Educate ME is that it gives the opportunity to access…access to jobs, leadership, and mentorship,” Brittany Stephens, T-TECH Early College Liaison, said. “It is the hope of a child that loves his/her teacher that looks like them, the opportunity to be that person to someone else.”

These partnerships will provide participants with travel stipends for interviews, relocation packages, and even salary advances.

“Educate ME allowed me to bring my professional aspirations to fruition,” Dameion Cowans, Republic Middle School Teacher, and Match Program Participant, said. “I have been afforded the opportunity to work in a school that enables me to tailor my objectives as an educator to students who come from a similar background as I did.”

The foundation also hosts various events including an HBCU College Tour, Educate Me Power Hour, and Educate Me Teacher’s Combine. The first priority for Educate ME is the high school to college continuum.

During his career of teaching for three years before he left the classroom to fully commit to Educate ME, Nathan would wear TSU paraphernalia to school. When asked by several students what school was that he would state an HBCU located in Tennessee. None of his students ever heard of an HBCU and that began the idea of the HBCU Tour.

So far, the foundation has taken high school students across the country to view seventeen HBCU’s. This spring, students will be taken on a tour to view an additional five HBCU’s.  Celebrity rapper, T.I. donated close to $5,000.00 through the TIDAL x Money Talks Competition to help with the tours.

Not only is the foundation focusing on individuals for the future of education but educators and influencers of right now.

The foundation’s Power Hour brings together leaders in education with politicians, local business owners, activists, and the community for engaged conversation and interactive discussion. They take place bi-monthly in Indianapolis and will expand to various cities starting in the 2017-2018 academic school year.

The purpose stands to examine key issues impacting urban schools and the community.

For any potential educators looking to locate to the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, The Educate ME Teacher’s Combine event is one that allows prospective teacher candidates to experience the city as a future home. Candidates experience the classroom hands on with visits to public, township, and charter schools to gain a firsthand perspective of the educational landscape. While participating, they are able to partake in recruitment fairs, interview with school administrators, and even convey a mini lesson plan.

“Blake Nathan’s vision to provide a pipeline of urban educators into our nation’s high-need schools is both timely and absolutely necessary to save underserved communities,” Brian Dinkins, Principal Providence Cristo Rey High School, said.

If you would like to learn more or donate to Educate ME Foundation you can visit the website at https://educatemefoundation.org/. “Education Is Dope” shirts are now on sale and all proceeds go toward events and programs.  You can also learn about becoming a University Ambassador, or signing up for specific programs through the website.  Students that want to become an ambassador for Spring 2017, can email Educate ME Foundation their resume at info@educatemefoundation.org. Students must be a Junior or Senior enrolled in a Teacher Preparatory Program at their university.

Tennessee State Stylish Buzz Of The Week: Shaheed Whitfield

Posted by Delvakio Brown
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All over HBCU Land, this past fall swag was slayed from left to right.

There was no need for a runway because students ripped the runway all over HBCU campuses.

Shaheed Whitfield had many fashionable moments and it’s no surprise that he was bestowed the honor of being selected as Best Dressed by his fellow peers at Tennessee State University. Whitfield is a Junior Business Administration major hailing from the Gateway to the West, St. Louis, Missouri.

Wednesday is the day that organizations and students dress in their best for Courtyard Wednesday. Whitfield disregards Wednesday as being the only special day for dressing up because he uses any day of the week to dress for success. His friend at TSU, Adrianne Carter, applauds Whitfield because he does is a style more than one way.

“I love his style because it’s so easy for men to get caught up in one signature style and stick to it but Sha literally can go from sneakers to a loafer and it never feels forced,” Carter said.

If you’re looking for a fashion show, the campus of Tennessee State University provides that and Whitfield is one that will catch your eye with his reversible style.

It’s not unusual for students to dress up for various events on campus and Whitfield is a key player in helping put on some of those events because he is a member of Student Government Association with the Student Union Broad of Governors.

Keeping it professional is second to nature with Whitfield being a newly inducted and active member of the Chi Psi chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Inc.

His best friend, Nia Varner Taylor, is excited about Whitfield’s exciting projects. Ready to expose the greatness up his sleeve, she stated:

“Shaheed’s growth with fashion will only continue to expand and his next project will be his blog laughing in Spring of 2017 called BlackBoyFly.”

Whitfield describes his style as cultural vanguard. It’s not unusual to catch Whitfield saying, “Black Boy’s Be Fly” very confidently because that’s a quote he lives by.

“Coming from stylish city like St. Louis, fashion is a big deal & it was difficult to adjust from the “STL Urban Fly Guy” to the “Classic, Suit & Tie Look” but  Shaheed took control of both & dominated,” Taylor said.

With the ultimate goal of becoming a stylist for GQ it’s obvious why he is always on top of his game.

“Most of the time on campus you can see me in some distress jeans and sneakers or even seen in a tailored suit,” Whitfield said. If plan A with GQ is not what is meant to be in life, he would like to work in marketing for a major retail company.

He has taken hold of the opportunities of internships and became the very first intern for Appealed Design, a clothing company based out of Nashville, Tennessee. The company provided an opportunity for Whitfield to design a shirt, and part of the proceeds went towards a scholarship for him.

The shirts sold out so be on the lookout because there is no telling what is next for this man of fashion.

He has even worked on committees to create new Tennessee State University paraphernalia so the bookstore might soon have some touches of Whitfield’s swag magic.

When it comes to Do’s and Don’ts this is what Shaheed Whitfield lives by:

Do’s 

  • Be yourself when dressing
  • Always try new trends
  • Be tailor and taper
  • Know what work’s for you.

Dont’s 

  • Don’t try too hard to be in fashionable
  • Don’t wear BAGGY clothes if it’s not like a vintage piece or not your style
  • Don’t Overdo it
  • Don’t be a person that’s all about labels

You can keep up with Whitfield on Instagram @_notablenazeer Twitter @ TheBest_OnEarth and Snapchat @ Shaheed05