The Howard University Bison have high expectations for the upcoming basketball season with much thanks to their point guard and the nation’s leading scorer James Daniel III.
The 6-foot, 180 pound guard from Hampton, VA. led the nation with an average of 29.4 points per game last season.
“It’s not like I’m trying to defend the title or anything, it’s not a heavy weight belt,” Daniel said. “So if I’m leading scorer again, that’s all good but I’m really just trying to win. So if I get buckets while we’re winning, that’s great.”
Howard University has a lot of culture, as far as academics and social life goes, but sport culture is an area that often gets overlooked.
“It speaks a lot for the university,” Daniel said. “Yeah there are some great things as far as academics go, but we have some great things coming out of athletics. Going to Howard you represent a whole culture, everywhere you go you’re not just yourself but you represent everyone that came before you. They expect you to keep the torch going and just respect yourself and the culture.”
Daniel considers himself one of the hardest workers in the U.S. and is in a constant battle always trying to outwork himself. “When you sleep, I’m in the gym. When you’re awake, I’m in the gym. I’m just in there,” he said.
“All I want is an opportunity to show them I can do it.”
James Daniels III
Daniel says his relationship with the staff at a local gym allow him to practice sometimes until 2:30 a.m. and then he wakes back up at 6:00 a.m.
“I don’t sleep much,” Daniel said.
After graduating in May, Daniel plans on entering himself in the 2017 NBA Draft. The only intimidating part is not being given the opportunity to do it. Daniel said that “All I want is an opportunity to show them I can do it. I’ve been preparing for that journey since I was 3 years old.”
“When you look at his mama’s height and his daddy’s height, it doesn’t take long to realize he’s not going to be 6-foot-7,” James Daniel II said.
He spent much of his focus on creating an exceptional shooter.
“Everyday in the yard, he had to put up 1-200 shots before doing anything,” the elder Daniel said.
“From day one his freshman year, I knew he could play anywhere.”
Howard University Bison Coach Kevin Nickelberry
James Daniel II also played basketball in high school and then in England after high school. He now coaches for Daniel’s alma mater Phoebus High School and has coached many professional basketball players such as Allen Iverson.
“His work ethic sets him apart,” the elder Daniel said. “In a 24 hour day, we might spend 6-7 hours in a gym. He has an internal drive that he wants to be the best.”
The Howard University Bison Coach Kevin Nickelberry has also coached several teams as well as professional basketball players, but Daniel’s game and his confidence has always made him very distinguishable.
“From day one his freshman year, I knew he could play anywhere,” Nickelberry said. “He’s one of the best players I’ve ever coached. To be special or to be great it takes you. When the coaching is over and the speeches are over with, you have to go out and set yourself apart. Each player decides does he want to be good or be great. And his freshman year he decided he wanted to be great and that’s what he is.”
Daniel also has self-confidence about his game. He said that “I realized I was a really good basketball player since the second grade.”
Daniel played for Team Loaded out of Richmond, Va. from ages 14-17.
Bison are in for a treat.
“My AAU coach, we didn’t really get along,” Daniel said. “He actually didn’t play me that much. It kinda made me work harder.”
Daniel is out of practice temporarily due to a sprained ankle after rolling over a teammates foot at practice. However, he still says Bison are in for a treat this semester, adding that “I got a flat, but I’m a be straight.”
“Our goal is for him to come back out there and come back ready to go and healthy,” Nickelberry said. “And to take the next step to lead us to the NCAA Tournament. I expect him to step up and embrace the expectations and achieve them.”
He is taking this time off to shoot his shot in the classroom. Daniel will come off of the bench with above a 3.0 grade point average making him an all around hardworking student-athlete.
Daniel comes from a family that excels academically. His siblings also perform well in the classroom. His sister, Carmen Daniel, received a full academic scholarship from William and Mary.
While his father has faith in the upcoming draft, he reminds Daniel to take care of the animal right in front of him.
“Stay focused on what he has in front of him, and that’s the season here at Howard,” his father said. “The NBA Draft will take care of itself. His success of the season is where he will fall in the draft.”
Daniel will start off his season well with his routine of watching Kyrie Irving mixtapes and eating gummy worms before each game.
“We’re gonna be really good,” Daniel said. “I think my numbers will be even better this year, so it should be very exciting.”
This article was written by Anari Ormond, a Broadcast Journalism Major at Howard University. This article is published here with permission.
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 these two Stylish Students of the Week below.
Rhéa Guillaume-Roussel is a junior, English major /secondary education minor from Queens. She can be caught on campus in anything from a structured classy look to a dope athletic look.
“A dash of waviness!”
Rhéa
Rhéa describes her style as all of the above and then some.
“Description of my style…a tomboy with a side of gossip girl stirred up with dash of waviness.”
Mecca Mayers is a senior, English major, from North Brunswick, NJ. Her style mirrors her bold and dynamic personality with ease.
“In my eyes, style is not defined by the brands that you’re in…”
Mecca
Mecca sports a style as unique and dynamic as her personality. Her ability to be both trendy and thrifty simultaneously is one that many people wish they had.
“My style consists of some of the newest trends, while still remaining on budget. I live in thrift stores and love finding those hidden gems. I take inspiration from mostly the 90s and early 2000s while still putting my own person twist on my outfits. In my eyes, style is not defined by the brands that you’re in, but how you rock what you have in a unique way.”
Transferring to North Carolina A&T State University and majoring in English was an easy decision to make.
Figuring out what I wanted to do with my nurtured writing abilities, now that was something that needed a little thought.
Unlike an accounting or engineering degree, being skilled in English Literature doesn’t automatically translate into a job.
Many thought I had few choices: either work as a teacher, or either be so good at writing, that I could live off my future best seller novels.
“It’s not always clear to somehow their literary talents can make a sustainable living.”
It’s not always clear to somehow their literary talents can make a sustainable living, and there are limited resources out there to help guide students to a career path. However, A&T Assistant Professor and Director of Technical Communication, Dr. Kimberly C. Harper, wants to add to those limited resources for current English students in a unique and fresh way — a podcast dedicated to English students about English Alumni.
A one-woman show, featuring English alumni guests, the podcast centers around those who have graduated with an English degree and gone on to pursue a career in one field or another. A poet, a blogger, a Language Arts teacher, a novelist, a traveling ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher and an entrepreneur in writing services are just some of the few paths that have been taken by A&T students with English degrees.
“I was on overload with all the negative images that were being depicted in mainstream media…”
Dr. Kimberly C. Harper
Dr. Kimberly Harper has an idea to tell these stories to inspire English students who may have doubts about their future and also to fight the negative stereotypes of black men and women.
“I was on overload with all the negative images that were being depicted in mainstream media…we need to start telling those daily narratives,” says Dr. Harper. “[I] want to give a platform for those that are doing positive things.”
The concept of the podcast serves three purposes:
To bring a platform to those who are doing impactful things within the black community
Provide a safe space for dialogue about current social issues and solutions, and;
To make English students understand that they can put their degree to use
“This podcast gives you a sense of what’s possible, a resource for those who need certain information outside traditional sources,” says Dr. Harper. “So if we can have a podcast where we have someone with access, [the podcast] has made that available.”
The show is set to air in the beginning of next year under Dr. Harper’s production company, Omera.
The men of Xavier University of Louisiana (fondly known as XULA) has decided to take to social media and expressed their love for XULA.
Shortly after homecoming week kicked off on Sunday on campus at the black university, the hashtag #MenOfXavier started trending on Twitter, with tweet after tweet setting the tone for this homecoming week.
Twitter user Jeffrey Ugwuanyi (@TheProphetNajee), who originally planned the mass photo shoot, told HBCU Buzz that he started the hashtag because “the black male representation on campus [XULA] is very small, we’re the minority…there’s not a lot of male involvement on campus.”
“I thought it would be great for the black men on our campus to unify in some shape, form, or fashion,” Ugwuanyi continued. “And I thought the best way to do that would be for everyone to be in a suit or a blazer and take this one big picture because I thought it would be very powerful, and also it would give an opportunity for our black males to feel represented in some type of way.”
You can check of some of the #MenOfXavier tweets below.
It seems 2 Chainz is getting into the spirit of giving.
The HBCU alum is donating part of his clothing line’s (CEO Millionaires) proceeds to homeless veterans.
In a statement on Friday, Veteran’s Day on his Instagram page, 2 Chainz explained his reasoning via a video ad, “We gotta use these platforms for good.”Money isn’t everything but I can take my opportunities and turn it into opportunities to change lives.”
“Money isn’t everything but I can take my opportunities and turn it into opportunities to change lives. When you support this new @ceomillionaires collection you’re gonna be helping bring awareness to a problem we have in America.”
2 Chainz attended Alabama State University on an athletic scholarship.
This isn’t the first he’s helped others with his own funds.
Last year, 2 Chainz made approximately $2 million in profit from his ugly sweater clothing line. Then, he delivered on his promise of giving back by helping out a veteran and also purchasing a minivan for a family in need.
It’s great to see this HBCU alum continually in the spirit of giving.
According to the website allstatequotesforeducation.com, for each insurance quote, Allstate will donate $10 to the Tom Joyner Foundation in support of HBCU students, up to $250,000. The Allstate Quotes for Education program follows the movement to get you in on supporting HBCUs and excellence and preserving a legacy. Are you part of the giving trend? Here are a few reasons that you should quote to donate.
Get IN because it will make you feel happier
It’s no secret. Giving to others boost happiness in the person completing the act. Why not get in on supporting excellence give back to HBCUs ― the last cultural jewel black people have left in this country.
Get IN and set an example
Many of the country’s 107 HBCUs are struggling to stay afloat. You can do your part in helping your HBCU and set an example to others by quoting to donate.
If and when you set the standard, others will follow.
Get IN because every bit helps
With all the problems in the world, you may feel as if you can’t make a difference. There’s a lot of poverty and homelessness, and many, many more issues that need to be addressed. But even if you donate just $5-10 to Allstate, every bit helps.
According to allstatequotesforeducation.com, since its founding, the Foundation has raised over $65 million in support of the 29,000 students who attend HBCUs each year. In addition, the Foundation has recommended internships, offered matching grant support, and provided career development to deserving students.
Get IN because HBCUs are much more than a school
The HBCU community is like family. Share with fellow HBCU supporters so they can Get IN on supporting HBCUs.
Get IN and be a part of something bigger
When you quote to donate, you instantly become a part of something bigger than you and you can see how your small donation really does make a big difference.
Despite being mocked in the Central State University community for being a Trump supporter, Omarosa Manigault still could be headed to the White House.
The arch-villain contestant from Season 1 of Donald Trump’s reality show, and also a Central State grad, shared this photo on her Twitter timeline Thursday, after Trump’s surprise victory over Hillary Clinton in the election.
Omarosa, 42, toldThe Hollywood Reporter that Trump asked her if she was “ready to come with me to Washington.” But there was no discussion of titles or positions or appointments, according to the black university grad.
She added, “The next few months there is a lot of catching up to do. I’m getting married in six months.”
Omarosa was named the director of African-American outreach for the Trump presidential campaign and is good friends with Trump.
Maybe if she’s tapped to a Trump administration position, she’ll tell us to put some put some respek on her name.
“As far as I’m concerned, Colin Kaepernick is absolutely irrelevant,” said an ESPN personality.
It was a public criticism from Stephen A. Smith, a Winston-Salem State University grad, accusing the San Fransisco backup quarterback of being “a flaming hypocrite.”
It follows Kaepernick’s failure to vote in the decisive 2016 presidential election.
Kaepernick became one of the most talked about athletes after he first refused to stand during the playing of National Anthem earlier this year. He later decided to take a knee.
“I don’t want to see him again,” Smith said. “I don’t want to hear from him again. I don’t want to hear a damn word about anything that he has to say about our nation, the issues that we have, racial injustices, needing change, etc., etc.”
Cornell William Brooks, the president of the NAACP, spoke to Ozy about exactly what happens to Civil Rights in Trump’s America, how he sees President Barack Obama’s legacy, especially in light of Trump’s election, and more. Brooks is also a graduate of historically black Jackson State University. Some highlights of the interview are below.
If he and the NAACP could work with the Trump administration.
“Every bigoted piece of rhetoric, without exception, is tied to bigoted policy. We have commentary [from Trump] suggesting that all Muslims are terrorists — tied to an immigration policy premised on the banning of an entire global, billion-plus member group. So when you ask what would make us think we could work with this administration — it’s not just the retraction of offensive statements. It’s also the reimagining of our policy. We need to see a substantive policy shift.
If the Trump Administration speaks to the economic anxieties which have largely fueled his victory — putting the country to work with higher-paying jobs, partnering with the private sector to make investments in infrastructure and the future, etc. — that makes sense. It makes sense for a particularly hurting slice of the demographic, those with the skill and will to work but who have been depositioned as a result of the global economy. That makes sense. Double down on that.
On the other hand, when people said they wanted change, I don’t think the majority of Americans wanted change as dictated by the alt-right, the KKK or folks who take their trade policies from the Flat Earth Society. But with the lack of policy granularity, it’s hard for us to figure out.
If you talk about the need for public order, good — but you’ve got to move away from stop-and-frisk, which is both unconstitutional and ineffective, empirically speaking. Right now, his criminal-justice policy is not just standing against the tide of history but also in opposition to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, many governors and police departments across the country. All of them are making the case for data-driven community policing.
All of this is to say that if the president-elect is truly serving his base and the whole of the country, and open to other voices and data — and not ideologically hidebound — maybe you get something done.”
If he thinks Obama’s legacy will endure.
“Had Secretary Clinton been elected, Obama’s legacy would likely be freestanding and enduring. In the context of President-elect Donald J. Trump, the Obama legacy is imperiled and under question. The objective facts are these: He rescued the economy, not just nationally but globally, from economic apocalypse. The unemployment rate is now sub-5 percent. Obamacare, for all its imperfections, has nonetheless resulted in millions of people being covered and has fundamentally elevated the accepted standard for health care. Even in this ugly era of mass incarceration, we had a president who has commuted the sentences of more people than the previous six presidents combined. And intangible: You have a president who is regarded as someone who represents core American values: civility, decency, a sense of fairness. Also: no scandals. We are in an infinitely better place than we were eight years ago. The question for us is whether the succeeding administration will not drag down his legacy.”
Brooks also discussed why black turnout was lower than in 2012 and 2008, whether or not he worries about state surveillance and more. Head over to Ozy to read more.
Rashaan Everett, a graduate of Howard’s School of Business, developed a passion for progressing wealth equality after spending time on Wall Street and seeing first hand how systematic greed was unfair to black families.
The disadvantage black people experience financially contributes to the lack new of black startups, which only compounds the problem. After the election, it’s obvious that moral pressure alone isn’t enough for black people to earn political progress. Everett believes that in order to be successful, there has to be more of a focus on economic progress and using our black dollars as leverage to achieve our goals.
Everett also believes that we must redirect a greater portion of our $1.2 billion aggregate annual income back to ourselves via our own businesses, and we must develop a culture of wealth retention, and a culture of collective economic empowerment among our people, regardless of where we reside.
“We create enormous wealth for others at the expense of creating and retaining wealth for ourselves,” Everett said. “Why can’t more of us see that economics is the key to our freedom and the answer to the problems we talk about all the time? Change has to come.”
The Greenwood project is designed to build more black startups, led by a new generation of conscious Black millionaires.
Obama’s JOBS act allows Black families to profit personally directly from Black startups, encouraging a powerful commitment to supporting Black business’ funded with their own money. This project invests in the best and most innovative black entrepreneurs and gives the investors huge profits in return.
“Think GoFundMe, but instead of just a donation, you’re able to purchase valuable stock for as little as $50,” Everett said.
Visithere for more information on how you can get involved in this amazing project. For any additional information head over to thegreenwoodproject.org.
David E. Talbert’s latest comedy-based film Almost Christmas will hit theaters Friday. While HBCU alumni, students, and fans are eagerly waiting to see a family film for everyone, here are five reasons why you can’t miss Almost Christmas in theaters this weekend.
HBCU Pride
Talbert, the writer/director of the film, and producer Will Packer both are graduates of historically black colleges or universities (HBCU), Morgan State University and Florida A&M University, respectfully. I can continue.
But there’s nothing like knowing that an incredible film was written and directed by someone who happens to also be an HBCU grad.
Get in the holiday spirit
What better way to prepare for the winter holiday season in the Midwest than watching adult children of patriarch (Danny Glover) try not to kill one another under one roof for the holidays.
Holiday Satisfaction
Of course, major-studio movies with the word “Christmas” in the title is expected to be heartwarming and full of glee. Almost Christmas will be a holiday favorite for years to come with lots of laughs and familial reconciliation.
The Cast
The all-star cast of Almost Christmas is led by Kimberly Elise, Danny Glover, John Michael Higgins, Romany Malco, Mo’Nique, JB Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Omar Epps, Nicole Ari Parker, Jessie T. Usher and DC Young Fly.
Family-oriented comedy
Almost Christmas is a fun, family-oriented film. Watching a lovable, and hilarious family with a good-natured offering will be a great entertainment for the audiences, and for you and your family. In an interview with Rolling Out, Talbert said that he is a fan of holiday classics and wanted to create his own, adding that Almost Christmas is a “magical journey.”
Howard University junior, Alexa Lisitza, has recently launched an online magazine for and by minority students. Student writers from Howard University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Georgia State University, Stevenson University, Texas Lutheran University, Tuskegee University, Sweet Briar College and more have come together to be the voice for those who are so often unheard.
Not only is Caged Bird focused on shedding light on minority millennials’ issues, they are also moving to release a bi-annual print edition and even grant scholarships to its writers. “There’s no platform for minority millennials, adding there’s Teen Vogue, but you don’t see a Teen Ebony or Teen Essence,” Lisitza said. “There’s not really a space for us.”
“There is no platform for minority millennials. There’s Teen Vogue, but you don’t see a Teen Ebony or Teen Essence.”
Alexa Lisitza
Not only is Caged Bird focused on shedding light on minority millennials’ issues, they are also moving to release a bi-annual print edition and even grant scholarships to its writers.
She continues:
“And on the writing side, I’ve worked with a couple of publications and have noticed that it goes one of two ways: either they have one or two minority writers on the team, or they seriously restrict the amount of which their writers can be creative. I wanted to make a platform where young minorities can both have a voice, and be creative.”
Caged Bird is a very amazing and unique magazine where you can read about everything from comics to activism and everything in between. There’s also a really dope segment called the Ms. of the Monthwhere you get to learn about some amazing minority women.
To learn more about Caged Bird Magazine follow them on their social media sites, Facebook: Caged Bird Magazine, Twitter: @cagedbirdmagazine, Instagram: @caged_bird_magazine
Howard University sophomore, Kwa’tre Hollingsworth has recently shared a poem and visual on being young and black in America. This video and poem could not have come at a better time because the discussion of black lives has become even more prevalent following the election of Donald Trump as the president-elect of the United States. When asked what inspired him to make this piece, Kwa’tre simply dropped the famous Barack Obama quote:
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Check out the video below, and read more of Kwa’tre’s poetry here.
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 these two Stylish Students of the Week below.
“I want it to be an expression of me, not what others expect of me!”
Saki
Saki is a sophomore, Biology major, Afro-American studies minor from Maryland. She can be seen around campus serving effortless looks that are a true reflection of her own individual style.
Saki describes her style as versatile, dynamic and a true testament to her own confidence:
“I dabble in trends and street styles, then I like to make them my own. I’m also partial to certain “high fashion” trends, granted I can’t really afford the look I actually want to achieve so I do my best. My goal is always to feel good in what I put on. I want it to be an expression of me, not what others expect of me!”
Jaeda is a junior, fashion design major from New Jersey. Just by looking at her major it’s clear that this girl knows her stuff, but she also thrives by doing everything she does with passion.
“If I would describe my style it would be a mix of the 90’s, streetwear, and high fashion…like “vintage street wear chic.”
Jaeda
Her style exudes creativity and she even has a really dope site where you can see all of her fabulous looks! She can be seen on campus sporting everything from a sexy to a laid back athletic look and both would be executed flawlessly.
Howard University, the mecca of black culture and education, had a lot to say about the presidential election last night on Twitter. Students, Alumni and more were shocked, disappointed, and stressed, to say the least. As reality sets in, Howard University students have begun to talk through the anger they feel, in hopes to figure out what their next steps should be.
Here is a selection of tweets that show just how some of the Howard University community is feeling:
Warning: I’m not in the mood for anyone’s shenanigans today.
If you’re Muslim, African American, Latino, LGBT, a woman, a war veteran, or against bigotry, this is what’s left of America for you. pic.twitter.com/R3i669uYUB
He spent much of his focus on creating an exceptional shooter.
HBCU Pride
Holiday Satisfaction
