Lady Rams Get First Win After Defeating LeMoyne-Owen

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on
ALBANY, Ga.- Sophomore Ashley Johnson scored a game-high 13 points, including three three-pointers, to lead the Albany State women’s basketball team to a 65-50 win over the LeMoyne-Owen Lady Magicians. The victory is the first of the season for the Lady Rams, who are now 1-5 overall.

The contest with LeMoyne-Owen was also ASU’s SIAC opener. LOC falls to 0-9, 1-0.

In securing their initial win of the season, Albany State started the game in dominating fashion. The Lady Rams raced to a 17-10 first period lead, and were able to keep the pace in the second when they outscored LOC 18-14. ASU built a 35-24 advantage at halftime.

In the third quarter, the home team used its defensive pressure to ignite an offense that generated a 17-point, 51-34, edge with 27 seconds left in the third stanza.

Zuri Frost and Kayla Green each scored 12 points for Albany State. Elesha Foster and Uche Ibebunjo each netted nine points. Ubebunjo led the team in rebounding with nine, and Frost had five assists. Raven Wynn tallied eight points, eight rebounds and five assists.

The Lady Rams shot 27-of-69 (39.1%) from the field, 9-of-19 (47.4%) from three-point range and 2-of-7 (28.6%) from the free throw line.

LeMoyne-Owen was led by Courtney Banks, who recorded 10 points and seven rebounds. The Lady Magicians shot 19-of-64 (29.7%) from the field, 2-of-12 (16.7%) from three-point range and 10-of-19 (52.6%) from the free throw line.

Albany State will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 3 when it travels to Milledgeville, Ga. to face Georgia College. The Lady Bobcats won the Nov. 22 meeting 45-44 in Albany. Game time is set for 2 p.m.

This story was written by Albany State University Athletics. This story is published here with permission.

An Inside Look At Why Enrollment At HBCUs Across The Country Is On The Rise

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
Posted on
I went to college in Ohio and spent the best four plus years of my life at historically black Central State University in Wilberforce. CSU is Ohio’s only public historically black college or university (HBCU). College is the best four years of your life, they say.

So because of my love for my HBCU, I was thrilled to discover the fact that enrollment at many HBCUs across the country is, in fact, on the rise.

In late July, I wrote this story about how North Carolina HBCUs are enjoying an ongoing surge in donations, thanks, in part, to the Black Lives Matter movement because it seems to me and hundreds and thousands of others that HBCUs matter. It’s exciting to hear about HBCUs trying to find new ways to engage with alumni, fans, and supporters.

Two HBCUs in the Houston area also are seeing an uptick in enrollment, according to reports.

TSU and PVAMU have seen a jump in enrollment

Here’s more from ABC 13:

When it comes to choosing a college, there are a lot of options students must weigh. Those include the price of tuition, class size and student life. But now a number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (or HBCUs) are seeing an uptick in enrollment, including two here in the Houston area: Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M.

HBCUs were established in the early 1800’s and since then enrollment at these schools has gone up and down over the years. But now, instead of accepting admission to predominately white schools, more black students are opting for schools where the majority of students look like them.

Texas Southern University is one of the 100 HBCUs throughout the country. It’s one of a growing group that has recently seen a jump in enrollment because of students like Anthony Collier.

“UH, Sam Houston State University, University of North Texas and a couple of other schools. But eventually I narrowed it down to TSU and Prairie View, and I chose TSU,” Collier said.

Prairie View A&M is in the same boat thanks to students like freshman Castity Fields.

“I was accepted to UT-Austin, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Hofstra University in New York,” Fields said.

Both turned down the offers from larger, predominately white universities (PWIs) for historically black schools.

“Being surrounded by so much black ingenuity, intellect, intelligence, and excellence,” Collier added. “It defies the stereotypes and it shows the truth, the essence of black Americans.”

Head over to ABC 13 to read more.

Here’s Howard Student Nick Cannon Views On Planned Parenthood

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Nick Cannon, one of the most consistent celebrities at the fore of the Movement for Black Lives, appears not to be so progressive on abortion, giving several recent interviews in which he likens the procedure to “real genocide,” parroting similar comments made by Ben Carson on the campaign trail last year.

Specifically, Cannon, 36, called out Planned Parenthood during an interview he did with The Breakfast Club last week. He then doubled down on his comments Friday when he said that the women’s health organization practiced “modern-day eugenics” and “population control.”

nick-cannon-promos-b946635b-617d-4771-9465-be33a9fdaff3

“Think about all the stuff [Hillary and Bill Clinton] did with Planned Parenthood and all that type of stuff. That type of stuff is to take our community—and forget gentrification; it’s real genocide, and it’s been like that for years,” he said to Charlamagne tha God and his co-hosts.

“This system is not built for us. This is not our land. I appreciate it. I love it, wouldn’t want to live nowhere else. But this wasn’t designed for our people.”

The host of America’s Got Talent, Wild N Out and Caught on Camera as well as chair of Teen Nick, confirmed that he also has his own bambino on the way during the show.

“God said be fruitful and multiply. I’m doing the Lord’s work out there,” he said.

Cannon is no longer with pregnant girlfriend Brittany Bell, a former Miss Arizona winner. He is already father to 5-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey.

This article was originally published via The Root

Dorothy Height To Be Honored In 2017 With U.S. Postage Stamp

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Dorothy Height StampDorothy Height spent her life fighting for racial and gender equality. But when you think of the work of leaders such as Shirley Chisholm, Amelia Boynton Robinson and Anna Julia Cooper, Height is also another trailblazer who doesn’t get enough recognition. Thankfully, the US Postal Service is taking notice.

The 40th stamp in the Black Heritage series will honor the women’s rights icon in 2017.

“Although she rarely gained the recognition granted her male contemporaries, she became one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the 20th century,” the organization said.

The stamp features artist Thomas Blackshear II’s gouache and acrylics on board portrait of Height. The painting is based on a 2009 photograph shot by Lateef Mangum, and art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

READ FULL

 

 

Morgan State President: Bigotry, Hatred, Won’t Make America Great

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on
An open letter to Donald Trump, which was signed by 110 college presidents, urges the president-elect to condemn the acts of bias, intimidation, and hate that occurred immediately after the election

More on HBCUBuzz.com: HBCU, PWI Presidents Write Open Letter To Trump Urging Him To Condemn Hate Crimes

Last week, I spoke with David Wilson, president of Morgan State University—the alma mater of Black EnterpriseFounder, Chairman, and Publisher Earl G. Graves—about Wilson’s decision to add his signature to the letter. He replied by way of email.
Black Enterprise: Why did you sign this open letter to Donald Trump?

Wilson: Given the tenor of the campaign, I was pained to witness the low level of political discourse, and that reality made me fear for the future awaiting our students and young people generally. When the opportunity was presented to join a chorus of higher education voices in a unified call for civility from our president-elect, I did not decide to participate without due consideration. It was with our students in mind that I elected to stand in solidarity with the other presidents.

BE: One of Trump’s campaign themes was safety, yet after Trump won the election, incidents of harassment went up, suggesting that under his watch (some) Americans may be less safe. What is your perspective?

Wilson: There is ample reason to be concerned. Since the election, there has been uneasiness across the nation. We’ve experienced this feeling on our campus from the student body. There was an immediate need to reassure them that Morgan is a “safe intellectual space,” and that they matter. That is why I felt compelled to support this open letter.

BE: According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, since the election, the number of anti-black incidents of harassment or intimidation rank second to anti-immigrant incidents, which is number one As the president of a historically black university, what is your comment about this?

Wilson: As one of the seven presidents leading a historically black college or university to be included among the 110 leaders supporting this letter, I felt it was necessary to speak out against the divisive voices, threats, and vile actions that historically have sought to undermine the country from embracing unity, decency, inclusion, and competitiveness. Our participation in supporting this letter is as much an affirmation of [Morgan’s] values and to protect those values, as it is a call for the president-elect to disavow the ugliness that is occurring.

BE: What should Trump do to foster a climate that respects our country’s democratic values?

Wilson: In the end, it all comes down to leadership and setting an example. One way to begin the process is by letting citizens know what this nation is not about, and what it will not stand for—and that is bigotry, hatred, sexism, racism, and xenophobia. These are not the things that make America great.

To see all the signatories and to read the letter, visit this website.

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

The 5 Biggest Misconceptions About HBCUs

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
Posted on
Many think that historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) promote racism or believe that these institutions aren’t diverse — both are entirely false and stupid misconceptions about HBCUs. Those with a little to no information about HBCUs often have misconceptions about black colleges, usually resulting from stereotypes.

Unfortunately, many people fall prey to some of these urban myths.

Here’s more from The Huffington Post:

The argument that we no longer need historically black colleges and universities is beyond tired and played out.

For decades, those with little-to-no knowledge about these institutions have received misinformation thanks to stereotypes. Most recently, for instance, Wendy Williams got schooled by Roland Martin (and apologized) for calling HBCUs offensive to white students.

It’s been said that colleges like Hampton University, Spelman College and North Carolina A&T promote racism (no), provide an inadequate education (still no), aren’t diverse (nope) and other fallacies for years.

The only way to correct misinformation is with receipts. With the help of Howard University professor and historian Edna Medford, we’re here to clear up some of the most egregious misconceptions. Grab a pen and take notes because class is in session. 

1. HBCUs are racist.

To call the existence of HBCUs racist is to ignore the foundation on which they were built. Black people have long faced barriers to acquiring an education. Medford explained that HBCUs were therefore built to combat racist laws that disenfranchised black students.

“I think what we need to remember is that HBCUs were there for people of color when we were not wanted in predominantly white institutions. When we were denied access to those institutions, HBCUs were here for use,” Medford told The Huffington Post. “So education means so much to us and higher education becomes significant because we understand that we’re not going to be able to enter the mainstream society unless we can compete on that level.”

Medford also pointed out that just because these schools are predominantly black doesn’t mean they promote segregation. These institutions have never in their nearly 180 years of existence said that only black people are allowed to attend black colleges, she said.

In fact, HBCU students have worked tirelessly to end segregation and racism. For instance, Thurgood Marshall studied under Charles Hamilton Houston at Howard School of Law. He later became a Supreme Court Justice and faved the way for the landmark ruling of “separate but equal” in the 1954 case, Brown v. Board of Education.

2. HBCUs offer an inadequate education.

The abundance of black excellence at HBCUs isn’t by coincidence. For the first time in many of these students’ lives, they see a reflection of themselves in textbooks that goes beyond just civil rights. To mistake a curriculum that focuses on black history and culture as inadequate is a notion rooted in white supremacy.

“It doesn’t mean that we ignore the larger education, it’s just that we make a point of incorporating ourselves as well,” Medford said. “So we’re no longer at the periphery. And I think that is so important to training young minds because if we don’t know who we are, how are we going to go out into the world and really make a difference. I think HBCUs do that better than any other place.”

Head over to The Huffington Post to read more.

Charles Barkley To Donate $1 Million Apiece To AAMU & CAU

Posted by Luke Lawal Jr.
Posted on

NBA legend Charles Barkley donates $1 million apiece to two historically black colleges and universities. The PWI Auburn basketball All-American, announced today on WJOX radio in Birmingham that he’s giving $1 million apiece to Alabama A&M University in Huntsville and another $1 million to Clark Atlanta University, both historically black universities.

https://twitter.com/JOXRoundtable/status/803683856687562752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

charles-barkley-in-nike-air-force-max-p-e-2

He played in the NBA and played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets over a 16-year professional career in which he averaged 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Barkley was an 11-time NBA All-Star and the MVP of the league in 1993. He retired after a 16-year career.

MOBE Gears Up For Annual Reunion Conference December 8-10, 2016

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

(CHICAGO, IL) November 25, 2016 – Marketing Opportunities in Business and Entertainment (MOBE), a leading advanced marketing symposium and strategic entertainment alliance, is gearing up for their reunion conference December 8-10. MOBE members will convene at the Chicago South Loop Hotel, 11 W. 26th Street, for a weekend of networking, learning and planning for the 2017 Marketing Opportunities symposium in Atlanta, GA.

The reunion begins with the opening reception on Thursday, December 8 at 7 p.m. On Friday, December 9, there will be a full day of meetings, creative building exercises and presentations. Saturday’s session will be the 2017 MOBE 25th conference planning meeting.

The conference closes with a reception in collaboration with The Harlem Fine Arts Show, with local groups on hand including MOBE2.0, Jack & Jill, 100 Black Men of Chicago, Rotary Club of the Southeast, and the First Ladies Health Initiative beginning at 6pm.

Registration is $129 and a portion of this fee will be donated to Real Men Charities, Inc. For more information about the conference and tickets, click here or visit MOBE 2016 on Facebook or Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mobe-reunion-2016-tickets- 29430775241.

MOBE is the country’s leading African American-owned marketing and technology symposium, where marketing, entertainment and new media leaders gather for networking and professional development.

About MOBE:

Launched in 1992, Marketing Opportunities in Business and Entertainment earned the reputation as the premier advanced marketing symposium for creating strategic alliances in entertainment. Countless celebrities and thought leaders have been introduced at MOBE, from Avant, Brandy and Usher to John Legend. MOBE connected African Americans in Technology with the White House to tackle the Digital Divide, spawning business building and economic independence. MOBE generated over $200 million in business deals that were initiated at MOBE.

About Real Men Charities, Inc:

The mission of Real Men Charities, Inc. is to build healthy families and communities, to positively improve the way the world celebrates family and community by increasing the proportion of opportunities for committed and detached males to become involved, responsible, and committed fathers for the good of all communities, families and youth.

CAU Alumnus Kenny Leon Directs Hairspray Live! On NBC

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

ATLANTA (November 29, 2016) Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon just added two new honors to his growing list of achievements. The Clark Atlanta University alumnus recently earned the prestigious 2016-2017 “Mr. Abbott” Award for outstanding artistry and creativity during his more than 40- year career. The award is presented by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation in memory of the late renowned director George Abbott.

kenny-leon-pic“This award singularly places Kenny Leon in an exclusive club,” said Dr. Cleo House, chair of CAU’s Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts. “He is now a member of the directing pantheon. His name is now synonymous with greats such as Bob Fosse, LLyod Richards and George C. Wolfe! To receive this honor when his career appears to just be heating up means even more. What makes the award even more meaningful is that Kenny was chosen for it by his peers, fellow professional directors or choreographers, who have achieved significant success in show business. Naturally, we are extremely proud to have him associated with our University. It really does reflect the power of following and staying true to your passions.”

Leon will officially receive the “Mr. Abbott” Award during a ceremony in New York in March 2017.

“I am very happy that the SDC Foundation is honoring Kenny Leon with this year’s ‘Mr. Abbott’ Award,” said Pam MacKinnon, president of the Stage Directors and Choreographers. “His long and varied career, as an important artist and producer as well as educator, mentor and celebrated director, is an inspiration.”

The honor comes just weeks before Leon is set to direct “Hairspray Live!” on NBC Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. This marks the second time Leon has directed a live musical on NBC. In his live musical TV debut in 2015, Leon directed the wildly successful “The Wiz Live!”, which drew a record-breaking audience of 11.1 million viewers, NBC’s second most watched live musical event, according to CNN.

Leon is world-renowned for his directing abilities. His Broadway credits include the 2014 revival of A Raisin in the Sun (for which he won two Tony Awards for Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival), The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, and August Wilson’s Fences (which netted 10 Tony nominations and earned three Tony Awards).

SU Ag Center Offers Free ServSafe Certifications

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on

Baton Rouge, LA – Food-borne illnesses caused by over 30 major pathogens are estimated to affect approximately 9 million people in the United States every year. Educating the public about following proper food safety practices are crucial. Food safety is a critical necessity for any dining and serving food experiences.

For this reason, the Southern University Ag Center will held a free ServSafe certification program for individuals who are currently in the food serve industry or those interested in opening a food business in the future.

The certification program will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. in room 138 of A. O. Williams Hall – SU Ag Center Building, 181 B. A. Little Drive, Baton Rouge, LA.

ServSafe is a food and beverage safety training and certificate program administered by the National Restaurant Association. The program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Conference for Food Protection. The SU Ag Center offers the food safety (ServSafe) certification program to the public free of charge.

To attend the class, participants must purchase the ServSafe Manager Book 6th edition, English (ESX6R) and the exam answer sheets, English only (SSEAS). 

The book and answer sheets can be purchased at the Barnes and Nobel’s located at 2 Union Square, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 (on the LSU campus) or online at www.servsafe.com for $70.30 and $38.00, respectively, plus shipping and handling.

For more information or to register for upcoming classes, contact Fatemeh Malekian at 225-771-0251

55-Year-Old S.C. State Student Gets His Dreams Fulfilled Of Playing College Football

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
Posted on
According to ESPN, 55-year-old Joe Thomas Sr. is studying engineering at historically black South Carolina State University — and revived his athletic career. He also took the field in the senior day game against Savannah State University, with 4:34 remaining in the opening quarter and took a handoff for three yards on his first carry.

Thomas Sr. said after the game:

“I felt like a hero. It was certainly one of the happiest days of my life. I always wanted to play college football and I finally got the chance. And I thank South Carolina State, coach [Buddy] Pough and the entire coaching staff, and my teammates for the opportunity. I had been waiting 36 years.”

According to The Undefeated, Thomas’ son played for S.C. State from 2010 to 2013.

Mourning The Death Of Dr. Debra Saunders-White

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
Posted on
On Saturday, the leader of historically black North Carolina Central University Debra Saunders-White died at the age of 59. Becoming the 11th chancellor of NCCU on June 1, 2013, Saunders-White was a great leader in education. Many took to Twitter to mourn the loss of Saunders-White and to celebrate her life and legacy.

NCCU Mourns The Loss Of Dr. Debra Saunders-White

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on
North Carolina Central University mourns the loss of the 11th Chancellor, Dr. Debra Saunders-White, who passed away today, November 26, 2016, after a heroic battle with cancer.

Saunders-White’s tenure was filled with a number of achievements and firsts for NCCU over the past three-and-a-half years since she assumed the post as chancellor on June 1, 2013. She made institutional history for NCCU with her appointment as the university’s first permanent female chancellor on February 8, 2013. She quickly established and carried out her vision of “Eagle Excellence” that made delivering excellence in our classrooms, excellence throughout our campus and excellence in our service to the community a focus during her administration.

Saunders-White, 59 years old, took a medical leave of absence on August 8, 2016. She was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015. Saunders-White came to NCCU from the U.S. Department of Education after working in higher education administration at Hampton University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington, as well as in corporate marketing for IBM.

UNC President Margaret Spellings offered the following statement:

“The UNC system lost a great leader today. With the death of Deb Saunders-White, we also lost a valued colleague and friend. Deb loved NCCU with all her being and treated each of its students as her very own. She called them her light and her inspiration as she waged her battle with cancer. As a first-generation college graduate, she understood the rare opportunities that higher education can provide, as well as the challenges so many young people face in accessing and affording college. Deb will be remembered for her positive outlook on life, her unwavering faith and determination, and her commitment to Eagle Excellence. Our hearts go out to her family and the entire NCCU community.”

George R. Hamilton, chairman of the NCCU Board of Trustees, stated:

“The passing of Chancellor Debra Saunders-White is a deep loss for me personally and for North Carolina Central University. She led NCCU through transformational years where the university recorded significant increases in critical performance indicator areas, including retention and graduation rates, and the positioning of our two research institutes became more prominent. Her numerous contributions to the academy were significant in distinguishing the institution nationally in the higher education marketplace, one that helped recognize NCCU as the 2016 HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest. On behalf of the NCCU Board of Trustees, I extend condolences to her children, mother, brothers and other members of her family.”

In a statement sent to the university community from Dr. Johnson O. Akinleye, acting chancellor, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, it was noted the following:

“Her loss is nearly immeasurable to our community, but her influence on higher education and her genuine love and dedication for NCCU, most especially the students, are clearly evident by her impact in Durham, across North Carolina and throughout our nation. Chancellor Saunders-White was a powerhouse of energy and wit; she spent her life passionately executing on her visionary and transformative strategy of using education to create opportunity.”

Saunders-White is survived by two children, Elizabeth Paige and Cecil III, her mother, Irene Saunders, and her brothers, Roger, Ralph and Kyle Saunders, and their families, a number of other family members and a host of friends.

A full obituary and details on a vigil, memorial service and celebration of life are forthcoming.

This story originally appeared at NCCU.edu.

Howard Tops Wall Street Journal’s Ranking Of Best Historically Black Colleges And Universities

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
Posted on
In case you were worried that Howard was losing its edge, this news will let you rest easy.

Howard has been ranked as the best historically black college or university (HBCU) in the country by The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings, beating other HBCUs including, Spelman College, Hampton University, Tuskegee University and Xavier University of Louisiana, who round out the top five.

From The Undefeated:

The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings of the top historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are in, with Howard University topping the list. Howard, located in Washington, D.C., not only earned the No. 1 spot, but is the only HBCU to crack the top 100 overall college rankings at No. 87.

The university, founded in 1867, is composed of 13 schools and colleges with more than 120 areas of concentration. As a leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, Howard is recognized as an institution that produces one of the highest number of “African-American undergraduates who later earn science and engineering doctoral degrees,” according to the school’s website.

Out of the HBCUs listed in these rankings, Howard ranks the highest in academic resources and second-highest in graduate outcomes, according to The Wall Street Journal.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Howard ranked highest in academic resources and second highest in graduate outcomes among the top 10 HBCUs. The resources and outcomes categories are weighted most by the WSJ/THE ranking.

Head over to The Wall Street Journal to read more.

Howard University’s Dept. Of Pediatrics And Child Health Hosted Seventh International Conference On Stigma

Posted by Jacinth Jones
Posted on
Howard University’s Department of Pediatrics and Child Health in collaboration with the School of Social Work hosted the seventh International Conference on Stigma on November 18 at Armour J. Blackburn University Center.

The conference delved into the various health conditions associated with stigmas such as HIV and mental illnesses and research/interventions used to combat stigma. The conference included a workshop entitled #AllCondomsMatter: Stigma and Segregation in Sexual Health.

Dr. Michelle R. Carter, Executive Director of Howard’s Student Health Center, was the moderator for the panel discussion between seniors Seraiya Wright, Cameron Clarke and Faith Mitchell as they discussed stigma, HIV, and its influence on the youth.

When it comes to HIV, there is a stigma associated with it in the African American community.

“There is a pattern of history were HIV was and still is so heavily stigmatized,” Clarke explained. “When Ronald Reagan was asked how he would combat the matter, he laughed because it was never a disease that concerned greater society which resulted in the lack of institutional support.”  

For the District of Columbia to have one of the highest HIV rates in the nation, youth are still hesitant to get tested for HIV/STI.

“Most people don’t know what the outcome is going to be and do not want to deal with the effects/consequences,” Wright said. Lack of education plays a huge part. If you do not know what to look for then no one is going to bother looking. With the digital world that we live in, there is so much more information readily available to take advantage of our help”.

The discussion led to a ‘Faces of HIV: Mareyln’s Story’ screening which discussed her relationship with an HIV positive partner who chose not to disclose his status leaving Marelyn with the disease. ‘Mareyln’s Story’ resulted in a conversation considering the right time or if an HIV individual should disclose their status.

“Definitely before you have sex. Although it is their responsibility being HIV positive to disclose, but you also have to ask questions and spark conversation around the topic to make decisions about sexual activity together” Mitchell said.

“There is a time and place for everything,” Wright said. “Knowing who you are with and being able to analyze the audience should make the situation as open as possible”.

Condoms are also labeled as a stigma in long term relationships. “Condoms create a perception of distrust. This involves having a conversation that condoms are not about distrust but about protecting yourself. It’s not an accusatory thing but a personal decision” expressed Clarke.

“Condoms create a perception of distrust. This involves having a conversation that condoms are not about distrust but about protecting yourself. It’s not an accusatory thing but a personal decision,” Clarke said.

“For those relationships that do not see condoms as a taboo, students lean towards the Magnums due to marketing and branding. I can’t remember the last time I had seen a Lifestyle or Crown commercial. Magnum acts as a golden ticket. I have to actually pull a condom out and show students that there are other options. Magnums are not the biggest,” Mitchell said.

Concluding the panel, Wright chose to reinforce a call to action emphasizing for us to “speak up and speak out.”

“Even if you know one fact about HIV, that may help someone in the future,” Wright said. “Be willing to get uncomfortable. Nothing great was ever achieved from a comfort zone. Walk in knowing and speaking on what you know and expressing what you can.”