Jackson State University Athletics Gets Coveted National Certification

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Jackson State University is the first institution in the SWAC to receive from the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) a coveted certification granted only to schools that complete a rigorous evaluation process.

Nationwide, the 10-year certification has been extended to just 32 colleges and universities. In Mississippi, JSU and the University of Mississippi are the only two institutions to successfully complete the certification process. Jackson State is the third HBCU to achieve this benchmark, said Genese Lavalais, associate director of JSU Athletics for Academics/SWA.

The highly sought-after certification is based on guidelines for academic support programs for student-athletes established by the N4A and was awarded following a review May 18-19 of institutional academic performance and support programs  and conducted by Dena Freeman-Patton, deputy athletics director at California State University, Bakersfield, and Kenneth Miles, assistant vice chancellor of Academic Affairs and executive director at Louisiana State University.

Wheeler Brown, director of JSU Athletics, commended Lavalais and the entire team in Athletics for setting a goal and continuing to assert JSU’s academic leadership in the SWAC. ”This certification validates our program and confirms that we are committed to the success of our student athletes,” Brown added.

Lavalais said she was most pleased with how the spirit of ‘One JSU’ played out in the review process.

“We didn’t rehearse before the site visit. We were transparent with the evaluators, and it was evident to them that we care about our students. All of our administrators, tutors, staff and coaches were on the same page,” Lavalais said.

“The dedication of our staff and the quality of our tutoring, personal development, community service and institutional support programs are a result of our administration’s concern for our student-athletes,” she concluded.

This post originally appeared on Jackson State Newsroom.

Howard University Grad Taraji P. Henson Tells Women ‘Just Don’t Take No Shit’

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According to Taraji P. Henson, all women should let their voices be heard.

The Empire star told all the ladies “just don’t take no shit” and “know you have a voice” when asked what advice she had for women, People reports Henson said Wednesday at an event dedicated to promoting equal opportunities for women. On Wednesday night, Henson talked women empowerment with the magazine.

“Just don’t take no shit,” she said. “You know, know you have a voice. Know that your voice is important, and fight until it’s heard. That’s what I did.”  

“People are honoring me, and that’s because I’ve worked my ass off to let people know that my voice is important, and you will not smother me. You will not tell me that I’m not important. You will not tell me. So that’s how I build a career. I watched a lot of people eat crow,” she added.

Henson, who was honored with the Lucy Award for Excellence in Television at the 2016 Women In Film Crystal + Lucy Awards in Los Angeles, told the audience “We’re all we got ladies. If we don’t support each other, who will? We have a bad rap sometimes in this industry – diva, difficult, catty. When all we’re doing is, in those moments when you call us being difficult, we’re fighting for what we deserve.”

“If I do a job just as well as a man, people tune in every week, they see me, they root for me just like they root for him. Why should my pay be less than his?” she said.

Head over to People to read more.

Stillman College Designated As Historic District

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Tuscaloosa, AL – Stillman College has been designated an Alabama historic district. On June 23, 2016, The Alabama Historical Commission listed Stillman College to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage as “Stillman College Campus Historic District, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County”.

The Alabama Register is a prestigious listing of historic, architectural, and archaeological landmarks. Stillman College was favorably reviewed and selected by the Alabama Historical Commission for inclusion as an Alabama landmark worthy of both recognition and preservation. Dr. Peter Millet, President of Stillman College, states, “I am exceedingly pleased that Stillman College has been designated as an Alabama historic district. This identification will be featured prominently as we continue to tell the story of Stillman College. With 140 years of service and scholarship behind it, we eagerly look forward to the next 140 years of this storied and historic institution”.

The Alabama Historical Commission sponsors a historical marker program to recognize properties that contribute to the unique history of Alabama. Through this honorary designation, Stillman College is eligible to have a historic marker placed on the campus to reflect that the property is listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

Founded in 1876, Stillman College is a liberal arts institution with a covenantal relationship with the Presbyterian Church, USA. Stillman is committed to fostering academic excellence and to providing high quality educational opportunities for all students. With emphasis on three Centers of Excellence: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), Education, and Religion; Stillman has a proud and evolving tradition of preparing students for leadership and service in society.

The Stillman College Campus Historic District is located at 3601 Stillman Boulevard, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401.

Op-Ed: A Recipe For Success In Educating STEM Leaders

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Several years ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a local science conference. Because it was free, I took my upper level chemistry class. There were only three so there was not an issue of space, reservations, or anything.

When we arrived, I was glad to see my students were excited to attend, as this was their first science conference ever! I was excited because they were. Great day to be had all around, I surmised.

During one of the breaks, an elderly gentleman approached me and introduced himself. Of course, I could not recall his name five minutes later, so there is no way I would remember anything about him now except his age, color, and the words he said to me after introducing himself: “I thought he would be out playing basketball,” indicating the lone young man who was in my class. The other two were young ladies.

Initially, I found his statement amusing, if for no other reason than the young man in question was in my opinion short and painfully thin! He did not look particularly athletic to me and I could not imagine him going for a layup or a three–pointer. Then, the true meaning of this supposedly innocuous assumption hit me: my student is black; ergo, he should be out playing a sport. What a leap to make but that is what this man meant. There were other males there, so it could not have been a place where his gender would have come into question. Could it have possibly been his race? After all, I and my three students are part of the vast African Diaspora and the questioner definitely was not.

When I relayed this interchange with my students, they reacted with only vague interest. But I informed them that because this man’s thinking is not unique, they may face such comments or questions as they travel through life.

A former student obtained a great internship in Texas. He was assigned to do a sophisticated spectral analysis of a molecule. Because his fellow lab worker had never heard of Florida Memorial University, he assumed that the student could not possibly grasp the instrument’s function or data output. He neglected to consider that some of his professors were Drs. Ayivi Huisso, Thomas Snowden, Telahun Desalegne, and myself. I would say our unofficial but collective motto is think or sink. The young man did not sink. From that internship, he got a first-author paper published. He is an MD – PhD.

When I first started teaching, my one goal was to graduate my freshmen class of science students. Following that, I honestly had no thought. Just graduate them and see this as a major feat in my life as a so-called role model and mentor. One of the first graduates became a medical doctor. Then, another and another and another. In fact, since this first graduate, there have been approximately 95 majors in either (pre) engineering, (pre) nursing, chemistry, or biology who have earned a graduate degree/professional degree. We have produced engineers, molecular biologists, plant physiologists, dentists, pediatricians, obstetricians, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacologists, chiropractors, and microbiologists working at the CDC.

This means that, on average, we graduate six students yearly who become professionals in their field of endeavor. I ‘built a wall,’ in which I place names and photographs of these achievers as a wall of testament to the future students that ‘if they can, then you can, too.’

Is there a recipe for success? Well, nothing beats hard work, we can all agree on that. Communication helps, not simply with the student but other professors. If one student is failing physics but making an A in biology, we discuss the professor’s practices and teaching methods, how the student is assessed. Rarely has there been a student to fail one class and pass another with an A. Thus, we have continuity in addition to frank discussions.

We do activities that other universities deem ‘too difficult’ for the student. Reading and discussing science, seeing the applicability of the work, is beyond their capability? One of our former students visited last week. He is doing great. Married, a father, and a sought-after consultant in the pharmaceutical industry. To what does he owe his success, I asked, not considering what his answer would be, just naturally curious. He said that it was the science and theory he learned here, the ability to think critically, that we instilled in him here, those were the qualities that propelled him to success. In one form or another, many of the professors have heard the same words.

Oh, the young man who should have been ‘out playing basketball’? He is a medical doctor. The other two students? They have their PhD’s in STEM/health areas.

This article was written by Dr. Rose Stiffin. Stiffin is a Chairperson, Professor, and Biochemist at Florida Memorial University.

N.C. A&T’s Chancellor Martin Named Among Most Admired CEOs

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North Carolina A&T State University chief administrator, Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. has been named among the inaugural class of the Triad’s Most Admired CEOs by the Triad Business Journal. The premier award signifies and recognizes the invaluable asset and positive impact each leader has for their respective community and organization.

As the sole awardee from an institution of higher education among the prestigious class of 15 additional CEOs, it has been through Martin’s progressive and strategic visionary leadership of N.C. A&T that the university has steadily expanded on nearly every front. He has fastidiously led the university in historic enrollment, national ranking, fiscal and academic security, procurement and retention of elite faculty, global doctoral high-research activities and initiatives, and technology transfer. Under Martin’s tenure, the university adopted its long-range strategic plan, Preeminence 2020 of which many goals have been met.

From his positions at A&T and throughout the local community, state, nation and abroad, Martin has been an influencer among his peers. He serves on various boards including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Review Advisory Board, Research Triangle Institute, Piedmont Triad Regional Development Council, NCAA HBCUs Committee on Academic Performance and Limited-Resource Institutions Advisory Group, and the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (presidential appointment). In 2015, he was named to the EBONY Power 100 list as well as the Triad’s Most Influential People by the Triad Business Journal.

Having received B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from A&T and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, education and lifelong learning has always been a driving force behind Martin’s success.

As with all the award recipients, Martin’s selection was driven by the supplementary information submitted along with his nomination that goes beyond what is considered general public knowledge.

Martin and fellow honorees will be celebrated during a private reception with award sponsors as well as a public awards ceremony and reception at the Greensboro Country Club on July 28.

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 university 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. A&T is celebrating 125 years of exemplary graduate and undergraduate instruction, transformative research and intentional community engagement.

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Launches New Initiative To Help Build Police And Community Relations

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A new national initiative from Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. that focuses on developing solutions to improve race and police-community relations in response to the killing of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile in Minnesota and the later attacks on police officers in Dallas seeks to build, not break, a bridge for people. The B.R.I.D.G.E. (Building Relationships, Inspiring Development, Getting Engaged) Initiative, says Director of Alumni Affairs Toby Miller, is used as a way for Iota Alumni Chapters to help pull us together.

“…this initiative promises to be an effective and sustainable way to help communities identify, process and address many of the issues they face,” he said.

According to Brother Kevin Jeffries of the Office of Alumni Affairs, “This process or system is designed to facilitate systemic changes in the communities we serve. We recognize there are a galaxy of issues that need to be addressed and we believe this is one way Iota can meaningfully impact our communities.”

“As an organization that was founded during an era of radical social change, we have an opportunity and obligation to deal with what continues to be a national crisis of confidence and conflict in the communities we serve,” explains the fraternity’s president, International Grand Polaris Robert Clark. “We believe the BRIDGE Initiative services that ambition and we welcome our galaxy of friends and partners to join us in this endeavor.”

Iota Phi Theta, an international public service organization, is the fifth largest predominately black fraternity. Founded on September 19, 1963, the fraternity is dedicated to its motto and their Founders’ vision of “Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!”

House Approves Byrne, Adams Bill Supporting HBCUs By Unanimous Vote

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hbcu house billThe House of Representatives approved a bipartisan bill introduced by Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) and Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) that would help improve infrastructure for our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

By a unanimous voice vote, the House approved H.R. 5530, the HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act. The bill will improve access to and oversight of an existing program that enables HBCUs to improve their campuses to better serve their students.

Congressman Byrne and Congresswoman Adams are the co-chairs of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus.

Here’s the entire transcript of Congressman Byrne’s statement in support of the legislation below.

“Byrne said: H.R. 5530 is one of a number of bills on the floor today with a common purpose: improving our country’s higher education system—something that has been a priority of mine for a very long time.

As a member of the Alabama State Board of Education and Chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, I worked to ensure the schools in our state were preparing students to succeed. As a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, I have continued that focus and worked to deliver solutions that will provide all students with the quality education they deserve. And that’s why I stand here today.

An important part of helping students succeed is making sure schools and institutions have what they need to serve them well. That’s exactly what H.R. 5530 will do.

The bill reforms a program known as the HBCU Capital Financing Program. Congress created this program to provide Historically Black Colleges and Universities with low-cost capital they can use to make infrastructure improvements. It acts as a loan guarantee program so that these institutions can finance or refinance repairs, renovations, and construction on their campuses.

The program also includes an advisory board that is intended to inform the Department of Education on the capital needs of HBCUs, how those needs can be met through the program, and how the program can be improved.

H.R. 5530 will improve access to the HBCU Capital Financing Program by helping schools better understand the resources available to them. It will also strengthen oversight of the program, reinforcing the duties of its advisory board by requiring it to report annually to Congress on the program’s financial health.

These are simple reforms that will help HBCUs better serve their students and ensure taxpayer dollars are being well spent.

I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.”

Click here to learn more about H.R. 5530.

Wendy Williams Apologizes To HBCUs And The NAACP As Roland Martin Educates Us All

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School is back in session and Twitter is here for the must-see discussion between Roland Martin and Wendy Williams on her nationally syndicated television talk show, “The Wendy Williams Show,” on the topic of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

As you may already know, Williams was dragged for the filth across social media after her silly comments on the country’s 107 HBCUs, and in particular Spelman College, one of the oldest black colleges for women.

More on the Buzz: Black Twitter Drags Wendy Williams Over HBCU Comments

She was blasted by the News One Now host, who read Williams for her foolishness on her own TV show, “When it comes to our colleges, we couldn’t go to those schools,” Martin said. “As a matter of fact, we couldn’t read during slavery. You could be killed if you were found to be reading.”

“So, that’s why it is so critically important… Our institutions are allowing us to survive in America even though we built this country,” he added.

Williams apologized for her comments and said “I can admit when I’m wrong. I’m a soldier.”

According to Twitter Martin took Williams and her TV audience to school about Black Lives Matter and HBCUs.

Nyla Smith Hustles Hard To Create Change

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In May, Nyla Smith made history by becoming the youngest person ever to receive a B.S. degree from St. John’s University. No, not an HBCU, but Nyla’s story transcends across all boards. Nyla’s triumph is a triumph for us all.

In her sophomore year of high school, Smith was diagnosed with Severe Crohn’s Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Depression, and Anxiety Disorder. Despite having to deal with the ailments, Smith had no intentions of letting them defeat her visions.

“I remember being so floored by counsel of those who were sworn to protect my education to advise me to then stop pursuing a traditional educational experience as they felt that it would strain my illnesses,” she said.

Staying true to her dreams of experiencing a traditional education, and disregarding counsel to seek other avenues of education, Nyla graduated from high school at the age of 17 with both her High School Diploma and an Associate’s degree in Science, via an early college program available to her, “I internalized that as an opportunity to show not only could I do that, but I could do that times ten.”

Smith, with 60 college credit hours under her belt, was admitted into St. John’s University as a disability student and in May of 2016 became the youngest student in history to graduate from the university with her Bachelors of Science degree, all the while undergoing chemotherapy.

Nyla’s obstacles and triumphs led her to create a movement to inspire others to chase their dreams, too, as well as to bring awareness to chronic illnesses and the challenges they bring about.

Hustle Hard Campaign is Nyla’s miracle idea birthed out of her willingness to never quit.

About one year into her campaign, Smith’s main objective is to motivate others who deal with chronic illnesses, even taking it a step further and helping them to find scholarships to fund their education.

“There are no specific scholarships for disability students with invisible illnesses, and for them to be able to afford the cost of living on campus, meal plans, and treatment,” she said. “When I was going through treatment I often times could not afford treatment, and I had to choose [between] education or my health.”

With no business background, she has took it upon herself to start her organization from scratch. With advice and tips from those close to her, she has been successfully pulling it off thus far.

Currently working to put together her College tour, Nyla wants to be the shoulder for others that she wished she had during her undergrad years.

“There are many students who at times are going through a similar journey, and Hustle Hard campaign is going to meet them right there on these campuses so that they know they are not by themselves,” Smith said.

Nyla is the inspiration story that doesn’t end. The motivation that does not grow stagnant. Nyla Smith is the remixed encouragement that society has been waiting on.

Putting her time and efforts into making sure others realize their worth and to literally never give up despite any literal, physical, or emotional hurdle.

She proves they are merely rocks on the footpath to success.

“I am mentally disabled, I am physically disabled, and I am still rocking with the rest of them,” she said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VE8xjbkdzU

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Nate Parker Summer Film Institute Launched At Wiley College

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Building tomorrow's storytellers today! Nate Parker Summer Film Institute launched at Wiley College!MARSHALL, Texas, July 11 – Wiley College and the Nate Parker Foundation have launched the first-annual Nate Parker Summer Film Institute, held July 8 to 17 on the historically black college’s campus in Marshall, Texas. The ten-day seminar, hosted by acclaimed director and actor Nate Parker, was launched with the goal of promoting African American representation in the film industry. Following a competitive application process, thirty-one black rising high school seniors and college students from across the country were chosen to attend.

The Institute’s mission is dedicated to transforming the film industry by increasing representation of minority filmmakers through education, hands-on training, and leadership skills. The industry’s lack of diversity is well-documented with a report issued earlier this year by UCLA finding that minorities are underrepresented by nearly every metric examined, including in the number of film leads, directors, and writers.

“We need more people of color working in film today – in front of and behind the camera,” said Nate Parker. “Transforming the industry to look more like America won’t just benefit those individuals. It will benefit the communities they come from and the industry itself. The first step towards making this a reality is to open the doors of opportunity to young people, empowering them with the skills they will need and inspiring them to pursue their passion.”

The students, chosen based on essays and short stories they submitted addressing the lack of diversity in film, are poets, photographers, writers, directors and actors. During the seminar, they will attend courses in screenwriting, acting, and editing, as well as the history of minority filmmaking. At the end of the Institute, each student will display a short film they directed during the course of the seminar.

“Wiley College has a rich history and legacy of producing some of the world’s leading contributors in the fields of education, science, business, and government,” said Dr. Haywood Strickland, president of Wiley College. “Now, with the launching of the Nate Parker Summer Film Institute and the forthcoming launch of our film program, the college will produce the next generation of filmmakers telling stories steeped in African-American history, culture, experiences and beyond.”

More than a dozen notable guest lecturers will address the students, including: Radha Blank, a playwright and writer for the FOX show Empire; Professor and filmmaker, Ya’Ke Smith; Qasim “Q” Basir, an award-winning filmmaker; Cary Anderson, an acclaimed acting coach; Monika Watkins, documentary filmmaker; Kimberly Boehm, scholar of African American and 20th-century US history; and Brian Favors, co-founder of Sankofa Community Empowerment.

Parker’s relationship with Wiley College began ten years ago when he appeared in The Great Debaters, a 2007 film based on the 1930s Wiley debate team which went undefeated for ten years in championship competitions. Most recently, the Wiley College A Cappella Choir provided music for the film The Birth of a Nation – Parker’s directorial debut – which won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that Emir Lewis was one of those addressing students during the launch of the Nate Parker Summer Film Institute at Wiley College. Lewis was unable to attend the event, and was replaced by Professor and filmmaker Ya’Ke Smith.

ABOUT WILEY COLLEGE: Wiley College is a historically black, primarily liberal arts institution of higher learning that was founded by the Freedman’s Aid Society in 1873 to train teachers for careers in African-American elementary and secondary schools. Today, Wiley College has a focused curriculum that includes fifteen distinct degree programs. Wiley is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and the United Negro College Fund.

ABOUT THE NATE PARKER FOUNDATION: The Nate Parker Foundation leverages film and philanthropy to transform the quality of Black lives through education, cultural enrichment, social justice, and economic empowerment.

Two HBCU Leaders Named To “The Most Interesting College Presidents” List

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Gwendolyn Boyd and Dr. Walter Kimbrough recently earned recognition for their incredible work at the helm at Alabama State University and Dillard University, respectively, as both HBCU leaders were named to “The Most Interesting College Presidents” list by TheBestSchools.org.

Boyd, who is a graduate of Alabama State, returned back to her illustrious alma mater in early 2014 to become the school’s first female president. She is also the “first African-American female to earn a master’s in mechanical engineering from Yale,” according to the website, and was named to President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African-Americans also in 2014.

Most interesting college presidents

Kimbrough has been the leader of Dillard since his arrival back in 2012. He is probably the most active college president on Twitter, which he goes by the name “Hip Hop Prez” and is the author of Black Greek 101, the definitive book on Black Greek Culture. According to TheBestSchools.org, he “made the coveted Ebony magazine Power 100 list of doers and influencers in the African-American community (2010).”

Read more here.

TheBestSchools.org is a leading resource for campus and online education. Their aim is to help you gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials you need to achieve personal happiness and career success.

Protest For Progress In Memphis

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Greater Imani Church in Memphis, TN reached full capacity on Monday as citizens from all around Shelby County came to meet with city leaders to discuss challenges taking place in Memphis.

This meeting sparked from protest held in Memphis on Sunday that turned into a scene that has never been seen in the area in modern times.

Hundreds marched downtown Memphis and parts of the crowd succeeded at blocking the I-40 bridge connecting Tennessee and Arkansas for nearly four hours. The protesters were fed up with police brutality in the country, and wanted to make a difference. Instead of forcing the crowd to leave immediately, Interim Police Director Michael Rallings marched with protesters to testify that he wanted the best for the community.

Rallings agreed to help hear all of the concerns of citizens but put out a pledge for Memphis to go 30 days of non-killing.

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Memphis leaders wanted to hear what the people had to say, and the citizens had a lot to say. Parking had people walking from blocks away with some neighbors of the church handing out water.

A crowd grew outside of frustrated people irritated that the fact that no one else could fit in the church. “Let Us In”, “Here are concerns”, “I have questions” was screamed from the parking lot as people waited for any chance of entrance.

Crowds grew around news trucks just to see what was happening inside.

Within the blinking of an eye the doors open just for a few to enter.

The intensity grew as you got closer to the sanctuary of the church. The screaming and yelling became louder, deep breathes of frustrated people, signs with messages like “I Matter” and “Black Lives Matter” filled the room. In the center of the room was Mayor Jim Strickland ready to take in everything that was being dished out.

There was not enough time to answer every question so what the Mayor did next sent the crowd into applause and excitement.

Mayor Strickland accepted the challenge of answering every question in the next thirty days and said he will publish them publicly. When Strickland was challenged on the lack of diversity in Memphis he quickly responded to explain that his leadership team consist of equal representation with four blacks representing the 67% African American population and three whites representing the 33% white population of Memphis.

He even agreed to take in two students from the inner city school system as interns to help him with this initiative.

Everyone who didn’t get to answer wrote down their questions on notecards for the mayor and his staff to receive.

If you looked towards the front of the room, you saw many police sitting. Who were they?  They just happened to be every single commander for each precinct of Memphis. With so many problems at hand, the police commanders and policemen and women took down information from citizens so they can get a grip on problems that so many people are having.

One person that was able to share her story was Likisha Clark, “I’m a black woman in America and the police said that I would never win,” she said, sharing her story about a run in with Memphis Police. Clark said, on June 2, she was arrested and spent five hours in jail for ordinance, loud music being played.

Clark said that her radio doesn’t even work.

Terrified for her life, she didn’t want the world to think she committed suicide if the police killed her, so she called her boyfriend to hear the conversation.

“Sir give me another lie, please,” pleaded Clark in frustration.

What started as a pull over with one cop ended with three cops, she said. She was told that if she didn’t sign the ordinance jail time was her alternative option. Not wanting to sign the ordinance, the three white policemen dragged Clark out of the car, hitting her arm against the door two times.

“I felt like I was profiled because I was black woman in a Lexus downtown,” she said. “They thought I was a dope guy and thought they had something but they had nothing.”

A few citizens were eruptive but some received comfort from police.

There were many hugs and tears shed as citizens and policemen held heart to heart conversations on unsolved murder crimes and situations that police help was needed.

Some citizens wanted to encourage the police to keep doing a good job, saying all police are not bad. Many even wanted Mayor Strickland to go as far as hiring Interim Police Director Michael Rallings as the permanent director.

“The hiring of a director will be complete towards the end of July and early August” stated Strickland.

Rallings went on to say he has refused the position five times but will consider. Others were sick and tired of violence towards black men with Memphis having its own taste of police brutality one year ago.

Darrius Steward was shot by police and later died at Regional Medical Center. From investigations Stewart grabbed the officer’s handcuffs and swung them at the officer but many had questions to why he had to die when there were two policemen on scene versus Stewart.

Some groups are targeting the highest revenue tourist sites in Memphis like Graceland to continue protest because they feel as if nothing is being done while others are going to continue to work with police, the mayor, and elected officials to come up with solutions for the future.

Monday’s meeting was the first for many more to come.

The HBCU Shop Is Back!

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99-1WASHINGTON D.C. ─ Historically black college and university (HBCU) campuses are breeding grounds for cultural and fashion movements, especially lately, as it seems black culture yearns to embrace and celebrate the beauty of its ancestry.

Attention incoming freshman, graduating seniors, professors, athletes, students, and alumni of each historically black college and university: HBCU Buzz is pleased to announce it is expanding. Due to the large demand, and after more than 3 years, the HBCU store will reopen its doors.

The new, online shopping experience will be open to the public just in time for the 2016-2017 school year, launching on July 13, 2016. Celebrate your HBCU pride in a crisp t-shirt or in a cozy crewneck. Students and staff, order your organizational shirts wholesale! Sorority and fraternity members, get your shirts custom made and ready for Homecoming! The HBCU Shop has your HBCU fashion essentials covered featuring apparel in a range of sizes, from newborn to 3X.

Click here to visit the HBCU Shop today.

In partnership with black-owned small business, the HBCU Shop promotes clothing honoring the 107 institutions dedicated to educating minorities. The HBCU Shop strives to foster and feature cultural awareness and pride in retail form. Order uplifting, empowering apparel and represent your HBCU today.

hbcu shop

Must Read Letter From Morehouse President John Silvanus To Students

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To My Morehouse Sons:

The social climate across America is tragically disturbing. It is not hard for us to imagine that recent events have caused you to personally confront a set of raw emotional questions about where you fit and how you can survive the current state of our nation. As a Man of Morehouse, you have chosen to work hard and excel academically in order to have the life that is promised by America. But the pathway to success probably feels different now compared to last week, given the recent tragedies in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Falcon Heights, Minnesota and Dallas, Texas.

With this letter, I encourage you to endure the recent disruption to your standard summer activities, including your internships, family gatherings, travel and renewal.   Keep your heads and your hearts in balance. Look toward the future and strive to be a man of acuity, integrity, agency, brotherhood and consequence. By doing so, you will find your own individual blueprint to change and unite our country. That is why your lives matter.

And, moreover, remember this: black men have managed to survive and remain remarkably productive throughout the slave trade, post-Civil War atrocities, the civil rights movement and so many other challenging periods in the life of this nation – and yet, like the great Morehouse College established 150 years ago, we are still standing as strong men of peace and justice!

My love goes out to each of you. Be mindful, be safe and be constructive. And we will see you next month.

Onward and Upward,

President John Silvanus Wilson Jr. ’79

JSU Standout Michael Tinsley Qualifies for 2016 Rio Olympics

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Former Jackson State University track and field standout Michael Tinsley is Olympics bound following a third-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday.

The Little Rock, Ark. native posted a time of 48.82 seconds in the event to punch his ticket to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Prior to gaining international fame, Tinsley put together one of the most decorated careers by a Jackson State track and field athlete, becoming a three-time NCAA All-American as well as the Tigers’ first-ever NCAA Division I National Champion in track and field, as he captured the 2006 title in his signature event.

This marks the second-straight Olympic berth for the former Tiger, as he won the silver medal in the 400-meter hurdles during the 2012 Olympic Games in London with a personal-best time of 47.91 seconds.

The Rio Olympics are set to begin Aug. 5 and will continue through Aug. 21.