Dillard University’s Educational Talent Search Students Garner Over $1 Million in Scholarships

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Dillard University Press Release

(New Orleans, LA) – In a recent ceremony graduating seniors of Dillard University’s Educational Talent Search (ETS) program were met with thunderous applause as they entered the Georges’ Auditorium on the University’s campus. The occasion, akin to that of an athletic signing day, was an opportunity for family and friends of the soon-to-be graduates to join them in celebrating their academic achievements and pending entry into a two- or four-year college/university, the armed forces, or the workforce.

Dillard University

“This is a truly a dream come true,” said Program Director Joy Jamerson in a tearful farewell to students. Jamerson noted that very few things in life bring her more elation than knowing that through the efforts of the Educational Talent Search staff students will be able to further their education beyond high school. Not only will these graduates be furthering their education, but notably, some will do so with little to no debt thanks to over $1 million dollars in scholarships collectively garnered by graduates. Colleges and universities awarding scholarships to ETS students include Dillard University, Tulane University, Grinnell College, Morehouse College, Southern University of New Orleans, Xavier University and Howard University, to name a few.

Keynote speaker for the event was Saints wide-receiver Robert Meachem, who shared words of inspiration to an attentive crowd emphasizing the importance of attending college and making positive life decisions. Meachem, founder of the “Follow Your Dreams Foundation,” also stressed his personal desire to assist students in maintaining good health both physically and mentally as they pursue their academic and professional goals.

Three HBCUs Make List of Colleges ‘Doing Right by Kids’

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Three historically black colleges has been featured in “10 colleges and universities that are leading the way in supporting first-generation and low-income college students,” by Craig Robinson, the National Director of KIPP Through College:

Pre-Orientation Summer Programs

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff, AR)

[pull_quote_center]For first-generation students, entering college can be a challenging transition. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers the Learning Institute and Opportunities for New Students (LIONS) summer program to help incoming students adjust to college life. Participants move into a residence hall on campus over the summer. During the program, they meet fellow freshmen and UAPB faculty, take English and algebra classes, attend tutoring and academic enrichment sessions, and participate in “College Knowledge” workshops and seminars. At the end of the program, they attend UAPB’s general freshman orientation with a head start.[/pull_quote_center]

On-Campus Support Systems

Dillard University (New Orleans, LA)

[pull_quote_center]For many first-generation college students, college can feel like a “sink or swim” environment. Dillard University proactively helps first-year students navigate the school’s support system. All first-year academic support programs are housed under the Academic Center for Excellence, so that a student only has to go to one place to get help with everything from managing personal challenges to navigating academic struggles. Dillard also assesses incoming students’ college preparedness and their individual concerns—like social-emotional issues or affordability—then alerts specific departments that a particular student may need their support. Finally, Dillard places students with similar academic interests in “learning communities,” so that they are surrounded by peers who are exploring the same majors and taking the same classes.[/pull_quote_center]

Graduation Rates

Spelman College (Atlanta, GA)

[pull_quote_center]If a first-generation or low-income student attends a school with high graduation rates for students like them, they’re far more likely to graduate themselves. Spelman College boasts a 76 percent six-year average graduation rate—that’s the highest graduation rate of any Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the country. Spelman also enrolls the largest number of black female recipients of the Gates Millennium Scholarship—a program for students with financial need—of any institution in the US. Knowing this, college advisors can encourage students who are interested in HBCUs to consider Spelman a top choice.[/pull_quote_center]

Read more here.

Claflin Student Wins $25K UNCF Scholarship

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Claflin University sophomore Dennis Richmond Jr. recently accepted a $25,000 United Negro College Fund scholarship as a Target Rising Star recipient.

Richmond was honored at the 36th annual taping of “UNCF: An Evening of Stars,” which aired live on BET networks.

UNCF, known for its continuous efforts to support the education of African-American students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, hosted the “UNCF: An Evening of Stars” in collaboration with leading artists, major corporations and personal foundations to garner support for HBCU student scholarships.

The event raised more than $500,000 in scholarship money. Twenty students were selected to receive portions of the scholarship money.

Richmond was one of only six sophomores across the country chosen as honorees.

“Paying for college has been an issue for me in the past,” Richmond said. “I’ve taken out student loans – a lot of student loans. Up until this point, my mother’s retirement savings has paid the majority of my college education.”

The aspiring genealogist majors in African diaspora studies at Claflin.

Without the UNCF scholarship, Richmond said he would have accumulated “over $50,000 in student loan debt” by his graduation date.

“The valuable part about this whole experience is learning that hard work pays off,” he said.

The 20-year-old sophomore, who maintains a 3.7 GPA at Claflin, is no stranger to hard work.

At age 13, he was already conducting research to begin his first genealogical company. By the time he was 18, he had established his own company, Westchester Genealogical Services. Richmond said he enjoys helping people research their family trees and looks forward to pursuing the career full time after graduation.

He said his clientele includes New York State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, renowned poet Nikki Giovanni, actor/producer David Banner and Claflin President Dr. Henry Tisdale.

In addition to helping others research their ancestry, the Yonkers, New York, native is passionate about students receiving an HBCU education.

Richmond was recently featured in The Times and Democrat for starting the New York State HBCU Initiative to help students in his hometown become more aware of HBCUs.

“Students in New York don’t know about HBCUs and the opportunities that they have because most HBCUs are down south,” he said.

“I want to give back to my community with my HBCU initiative. The students are our future. We have to invest in them in order to see a brighter day.”

Read more here.

14 Degree Programs Discontinued At NC Black Colleges

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One of the greatest things about going to a university is the many, many majors to choose from exploring technology, thoughts and ideas, and progress.

A rigorous degree program coupled with the black college experience no doubt helps to cultivate students attending the country’s 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to be the well trained and skilled leaders of tomorrow. But sometimes colleges have to discontinue programs due to lack of student participation, among other things.

On Thursday North Carolina’s Board of Governors educational planning committee decided “to discontinue 46 degree programs across the UNC-System,” including four at Elizabeth City State University, reports DailyTarHeel.com.

image via empowermagazine.com

“Junius Gonzales,” writes Sam Schaefer, “senior vice president for academic affairs for the UNC-System, led the review of program productivity, which refers to the number of degrees granted in programs annually.”

The chancellor of Elizabeth City State University Stacey Franklin Jones said, for the most part, she was satisfied with what Gonzales called “an art, not a science”.

[quote_box_center]“Part of what Dr. Gonzales said was that it’s an imperfect process,” Jones said.

Jones said that ECSU’s responsibility to respond to regional needs made the maintenance of some low-productivity programs essential.

“(It was) very encouraging — just that acknowledgement that it’s an art, not a science,” she said.[/quote_box_center]

Board member and also the vice chairman of the academic planning committee Steven Long commenting on his concern of the word “discontinuation” said, “They think you’re eliminating a lot of the cost, but we’re really only eliminating a little bit of the cost.”

“We’re really not discontinuing the whole program; we’re just scaling it back,” Long said.

According to the student newspaper, other NC historically black colleges lost programs for a total of 14 including, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, North Carolina Central University, and Winston-Salem State University.

—

Elizabeth City State University: Special Education, General Curriculum; Middle Grades Education; English, Secondary Education; Political Science

Fayetteville State University: Art Education; Music Education; Biotechnology

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University: Comprehensive Science Education; Physical Education

North Carolina Central University: Theatre; Jazz

Winston-Salem State University: Biotechnology; Elementary Education; Teaching English as a Second Language and Linguistics

‘Creepy’ Behavior: NCCU Women’s Coach Ousted After Parent Complaint

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DURHAM, N.C. — The behavior of the associate head coach of the North Carolina Central University women’s basketball team was so odd that Tonya Kirkpatrick, the mother of a freshman player, complained to the university.

Kirkpatrick said Ronnie Enoch called her Greensboro home, often for reasons outside of basketball, and blurred the lines between coach and friend, attempting to insinuate himself into the family’s life.

N.C. Central Logo

“He wanted to be real close real fast,” Kirkpatrick said. “The way he would call and ask us what we were doing.”

Kirkpatrick said she first contacted N.C. Central Associate Athletics Director Etienne Thomas in January.

“I called the AD’s office to ask about the culture at NCCU because I didn’t understand why some things were happening. I just did not understand if this was the way things were going to be,” she said.

Enoch never said or did anything sexually inappropriate, Kirkpatrick said, but he did discuss boyfriends and birth control with the players, conversations that, she said, “were really none of his business.”

Enoch was placed on paid leave March 16 and, as of Thursday, was no longer with the program, a university spokeswoman said.

He had coached the Eagles since 2012 when he came from Johnson C. Smith University with head coach Vanessa Taylor.

Kirkpatrick said she believed Taylor knew about and condoned Enoch’s behavior.

Read more here.

We Need To Invest More In Country’s 107 HBCUs

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The benefits of having more Black teachers available to Black students have been thoroughly noted and repeatedly discussed, yet the vast majority of America’s teachers are white females.

As the country’s student body continues to diversify, it seems as if the collection of educators available for these students isn’t reflecting that change.

It’s a conversation that has been hashed out by local, national and even international publications.

But what exactly is it that needs to be done in order to boost the number of Black teachers?

image via http://atlantablackstar.com

While a plethora of suggestions have surfaced in the midst of this growing dialogue, Leslie T. Fenwick, dean of the Howard University School of Education and former visiting scholar at Howard University, suggests that the country is overlooking one course of action that could make a drastic difference.

Invest in more historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs).

Fenwick explains that most of today’s schoolchildren are Black and Hispanic, trying to find guidance in an environment that still caters specifically to their white counterparts.

But HBCUs and HSIs have a history of producing the largest quantities of Black and Hispanic teachers that go on to teach in “high-minority” and “low-income” school districts although they still tout an impressive list of skills and credentials.

“Though they comprise 3 percent of the nation’s colleges/universities, HBCUs prepare half of the nation’s African-American teachers,” she writes in the Washington Post. “More than any of their peers, novice black teachers report a desire to serve in urban schools and, unlike white teachers, remain in those schools as the minority student population increases…Even still, too many students of color and poor students languish in schools that have high concentrations of non-certified and under-prepared teachers and a revolving door of novice principals.”

Helping HBCUs support more students aspiring to be teachers could very well open a floodgate of Black educators who can finally give students in low-income and predominantly Black communities the quality education they deserve.

As the financial support and overall reputation of HBCUs has been sent into a downward spiral, however, it has been increasingly more difficult to see the wave of Black college-educated teachers joining the force that would be expected at a time like this.

While many HBCUs are actually private universities, a vast collection of public HBCUs have actually been taking on unnecessary financial burdens due to a biased and dishonest system.

A report released back in February by the Association of Public and Land Grand Universities (APLU) found that several states with public HBCUs had actually been withholding roughly $60 million total in funding that was meant to go to the HBCUs.

“Between 2010 and 2012, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Florida and Delaware reportedly did not allocate proper funds to some of the minority institutions within their state,” Black Enterprise reported. “Under the Morrill Act of 1890, which established 18 black land-grant universities, the federal government committed to providing financial support to these institutions as long as the state matched that support. While the United States Department of Agriculture continues to provide federal funding to land-grant institutions, APLU’s report finds disparities in states matching funds for land-grant HBCUs versus predominantly white colleges and universities.”

Read more here.

Woman Plead Guilty in Death of NC A&T Player

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GREENSBORO, N.C. — A woman has pleaded guilty to accessory charges in the death of a North Carolina A&T football player last year.

The News & Record of Greensboro reported that 21-year-old Lenneek Marie Thompson of Summerfield pleaded guilty this week under an agreement with prosecutors.

Twenty-two-year-old Jermane Darnell Clark was shot in the chest and killed at his off-campus apartment in Greensboro in April 2014.

Leneek Marie Thompson (left) and former N.C. A&T football player Jermane Darnell Clark. (Photo: myfox8.com)

Thompson pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to armed robbery and two other charges not connected to Clark’s death. Prosecutors dropped three other charges.

She will be sentenced to between 18 and 31 months and also must testify against two co-defendants if requested by prosecutors.

Read more here.

University of Baltimore Offer Law School Program to State’s HBCUs

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The University of Baltimore has launched a program to groom students from Maryland’s historically Black colleges and universities for law school.

None of the state’s HBCUs—Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore—currently offer test-prep courses for law school. That’s “horribly unfair,” said Michael Meyerson, a professor at the University Of Baltimore School Of Law. In response, the Fannie Angelos Program for Academic Excellence was created to give students at HBCUs a chance to investigate potential careers in the legal profession.

“The students who enter this program, they don’t have family who went to law school, they don’t know any Black lawyers except for the ones they see on television…. The whole world of law is invisible to them,” said Meyerson, the director of the program. “Ultimately, we want to give people a sense of the possible.”

The program is divided into two parts. The first is the Baltimore Scholars Program, which gives eight junior and senior students a taste of the law school experience through a two-week “boot camp” in January at the UB law school’s campus.

The students work with university faculty who expose them to LSAT preparation and the law school admission process; they meet with lawyers and judges; complete assignments and visit law firms.

The second part is a 16-week LSAT preparation course taken by 80 students, including the eight Baltimore Scholars, during the spring semester at their HBCU campus. The program covers all but $100 of the course, and is designed and taught by the Princeton Review.

Students who complete the two-part program and are accepted into UB Law School with a GPA of 3.50 or higher and an LSAT score of at least 152 will receive a full scholarship.

Meyerson said the Fannie Angelos Program was initialized in the mid-1990s when the law dean asked him and close colleague F. Michael Higginbotham—who also runs the program—to evaluate the school’s affirmative action program.

“Like most affirmative action programs it wasn’t interesting or effective; it was just there. And we wanted to do something more,” Meyerson said.

UB’s revised program is not about giving “handouts,” Meyerson said, but about nurturing true talent.

“This is not a diversity program; it is a talent search because if you find talent and level the playing field, diversity inevitably happens,” he said. “The more that people in the predominantly White legal structure believe there is quality in HBCUs the better.”

So far, 44 program participants have gone on to law school. Meyerson said he hopes those numbers will grow exponentially.

“The hope is that if we have demonstrated success, the more other people will want to pick up the program,” he said.

– See more at Afro.com.

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These Photos Show Why You Shouldn’t Be Too Quick To Donate Used Or Old Clothes To Charity

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Wait…

Is that what I think it is!?

Yes, it is. It’s a male looking great in a pink and green AKA sweater. But, obviously, he’s unbothered by the questioning looks.

Maybe the other guy is really an Alpha? (Shrugs.)

And I’m just over here waiting for granny to set it O.W.T.!

Fix it, Jesus.

Here’s what other people think:

Howard University 147th Commencement Recap

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ursula M. Burns, chairman and chief executive officer of Xerox Corporation, delivered the 2015 keynote commencement address to Howard University students, faculty, staff and guests. Sharing insights from her groundbreaking career, Burns highlighted education as the key to her success as the first African-American female CEO to head a Fortune 500 company.

Noting the changing landscape of America and opportunities for young African-Americans, Burns urged the 2015 graduating class to use their education to pursue their dreams, lead, and make a difference in their communities.

image via www2.howard.edu

“All of you will immerse yourselves in a world full of opportunity and challenge. What is amazing to me is that you are entering an America that my generation could barely imagine,” Burns said. “…honor the memory of those upon whose shoulders you stand today and help build a better tomorrow.”

In his speech, Howard University President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick reflected on current events and the deaths of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and Freddie Gray. He called on graduates to uphold Howard University’s long history of community leadership.

“As Howard University graduates, we challenge you to continue our legacy of being a voice for the voiceless and advocates for the underrepresented and underserved, particularly during a time when social change is the only answer,” President Frederick said.

At the ceremony, Howard University awarded honorary degrees to award-winning actor and director Morgan Freeman, Spelman College President Beverly Daniel Tatum, as well as philanthropists and Howard University graduates Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown.

The Howard University class of 2015 has more than 2,400 graduates, including undergraduate, graduate, professional and certification students.  This year’s graduates come from 43 states in the U.S., including the District of Columbia. Internationally, the class represents 32 countries across five continents.

To view the full commencement address, please visit:http://www.whur.com/features/howard-university-commencement-2015/

www2.howard.edu

Hillary Clinton Joins LinkedIn: ‘Yes, I’m Looking For A New Job’

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I’m a firm believer that young professionals like me, or any professional for that matter, should be using LinkedIn, and actively.

Evidently, 2016 contender Hillary Clinton thinks so, too.

Mrs. Clinton isn’t the first 2016 hopeful to join the social networking site. “…about 115 million Americans joined before her.” In addition, 2016 presidential candidates “Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and others already have profiles there,” according to MarketPlace.org.

image via cbsnews.com

“I created a LinkedIn profile. Yes, I’m looking for a new job.” — Hillary Clinton

But, honestly, she never really had to.

The director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia Larry Sabato said, “The difference between Hillary Clinton and every single other candidate running, including Jeb Bush, is she has universal recognition already.”

In just a few days, the former first lady already has amassed a huge following, 25,436 followers to be exact.

Here’s what Mrs. Clinton had to say writing in her debut post:

“I created a LinkedIn profile. Yes, I’m looking for a new job.”

Let’s see if the rest of America thinks she’s ready to turn a dream into reality. (Btw, you can follow me on LinkedIn here www.linkedin.com/in/tommygmeadejr.) 

Dillard University Partners With “You Do Matter” to Bring Technology Building Program to Black Youth

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Dillard University Press Release

 

(NEW ORLEANS, LA) – On Saturday, May 29, twenty young African American males in Central City will participate in a culminating exercise that marks the completion of a 12-week pre-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program. The event will begin at 10 a.m. in Lawless Memorial Chapel on Dillard’s campus.

The program is the result of a partnership with Dillard University and “You Do Matter” with funding provided by the City of New Orleans’ Edward Wisner Donation Fund and LSU Health Sciences Center – Minority Health Disparities. The 12-week computer technology program provided participating youth with basic skills of understanding the future direction of technology. “This opportunity opens doors for young scholars to become instrumental in the design and assembly of computers, rather than the traditional end user,” said Nick Harris, director for Dillard’s Office of Community Relations.

image via thecityinfluencer.com

“Many of these young males are from single-parent families with mostly mothers,” said Harris.

“We chose Central City because there’s a great need for this type of program that will expose youth to technology in a different way and give them something to do on Saturdays that could lead to a career,” Harris added. When the program was first introduced there was an overwhelming interest and they tried to accommodate as many students as possible, according to Harris. “We didn’t want to turn anyone away,” he said.

Josh Williams, a 1991 computer science graduate of Dillard and coordinator for “You Do Matter” at New Hope Baptist Church’s Technology Center, is committed to giving back by teaching males ages five to twenty-one about technology and how to put computers together. “Instructors come from corporations, businesses and the college community,” Williams said. He noted that most are volunteers who are excited to teach youth something they generally don’t get in the classroom.

Harris reiterated that the response to the program has been so overwhelming that a 10-week summer program is scheduled to begin June 10.

For more information regarding “You Do Matter” and the computer instructional program call Nick Harris at 504.816.4704.

 

Wilberforce University Gives Xenia Mayor Honorary Doctorate

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Greene County News Report

XENIA — Marsha Bayless can now add the title of doctor to her long list of community awards and honors.

In recent commencement ceremonies, Wilberforce University President Algeania Warren Freeman conferred an honorary doctorate of humane letters upon the Xenia mayor during the schools May 10 commencement.

Barb Slone | Greene County NewsXenia Mayor Marsha Bayless receives her honorary doctorate during Wilberforce's graduation.
image via xeniagazette.com

“I am truly humbled and extremely honored to have received the honorary doctorate of humane letters from Wilberforce University,” Bayless said. “Education has been my lifelong endeavor and I hope to share my honor with students in Xenia and throughout the region so that it may serve as an inspiration as they pursue their own educational opportunities. Wilberforce University is such a vital part of the Xenia community, a beacon of light for higher education and I hope our citizens will recognize the value of this fine university as I do.”

Bayless is the first elected African-American mayor of Xenia and a life-long resident. She is a 1973 graduate of Central State University with a Bachelor of Science degree inelementary education and a 1978 graduate from the University of Dayton with a master’s degree in supervision and administration and certification in counseling.

As an Educator in Xenia, she taught as a classroom teacher, provided leadership as an elementary principal and served on many councils and committees in the education community for more than 35 years. She was the first to pilot the elementary counseling program, and year-round schooling for students in Xenia. Her fervor to bring the best of education to the area warranted her to obtain school grants, totaling more than $800,000, for Xenia, and garnered the Outstanding Educator of the Year award presented by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity of Dayton. Bayless was also inducted into the Xenia Community Schools Foundation’s Hall of Honor in 2012 and received the Public Official of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers, Ohio Region VII in 2013. She also serves as president of the Miami Valley Mayors and City Managers Association.

“Mayor Bayless has been a pillar in the Xenia community her entire professional life and has provided a great example of servant leadership,” Freeman said. “When Wilberforce University needed her the most, she welcomed us with open arms and has been an instrumental part of Wilberforce’s rebirth.”

Read more here.

Alabama State Tops List of Country’s Best HBCU Baseball Teams

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In the “large school” division, the Alabama State Hornets basically dominated the 2015 National HBCU Baseball poll by Black College Nines from start to finish.

The Hornets finished the regular season with a winning record, going 30-19 this season out beating the Norfolk State Spartans (rank No. 2) for the duration of polling.

ASU Hornets

[quote_box_center]Alabama State University topped the voting in the first week’s poll of March 17th and remained at the top for the entire 2015 season while clinching its second straight Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division title. The SWAC tournament remains on the schedule for the Hornets with a possible NCAA Division I post-season bid in the offering. Alabama State University finished the regular season with a record of 30-17.[/quote_box_center]

According to Black College Nines, the independent blog promoting HBCU baseball and its legacy “is dedicated to preserving the tradition of baseball at historically black colleges and universities and is in its first year of selecting national champions.”

[Via]

North Carolina Central Improvement Project Receives $50,000 Award From Home Depot

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NCCU News

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has been selected as a top winner in The Home Depot 2015 Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant Program, receiving a $50,000 award.

NCCU’s improvement project is designed to enhance the approach to Eagleson Residence Hall, creating a formal entryway and landscaped green space for a more functional and aesthetically appealing addition to this section of campus.

image via nccu.edu

The grant program, established in 2010, provides support for campus improvement projects at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country and has awarded $1.2 million dollars in grant money to date. NCCU won a $10,000 grant in the 2014 contest that was used for improvements to the A.E. Student Union. The Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant Program promotes sustainability by providing special consideration to eco-friendly project proposals. Winning Retool Your School projects will break ground in the summer of 2015.

This year, The Home Depot awarded a total of $255,000 to nine accredited HBCUs in $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 grant denominations. The Retool Your School winners were chosen by a combination of online voting, social media activity and proposal reviews by a distinguished panel of judges.

“This has been one of the most exciting years for The Home Depot’s Retool Your School program thus far,” says Melissa Brown, senior manager-marketing for The Home Depot. “The HBCU community and beyond showed their unrelenting support for our HBCU’s and this program. We began with 55 HBCU’s submitting their proposals and now we have determined the winners. The Home Depot proudly congratulates all of the 2015 grant recipients.”

This Dillard Student Uses Teen Experience In Foster Care To Help Others

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Rep. Karen Bass took to the House floor Wednesday for a one-minute speech, standing next to a picture of a smiling young woman. That same young woman sat in the gallery above as Bass told her story.

“Briana became an open case with child services at the age of 15 due to abuse by her father,” the California Democrat said. “Multiple placements, neglect and instability defined her foster care experience.”

image via bass.house.gov

As Bass spoke, the young woman sat leaning forward in the gallery, chin resting on her fist. “Thank you Briana for your resiliency and commitment to reforming the child welfare system,” Bass said. The young woman smiled.

Briana Smith visited Congress Wednesday along with more than 60 other foster youths as part of the fourth annual “Foster Youth Shadow Day.” The 19-year-old Los Angeles native was assigned to shadow Bass for the day, to share her story and experience the legislative process up close.

A petite woman with bright, curious eyes and hair tied into multiple braids, Smith said she was eager to participate. She learned about the event while pursuing her accounting degree at Dillard University in New Orleans, La.

“I really want to start speaking up, telling my story to help my peers engage in sharing their story,” Smith said, explaining why she wanted to attend the event.

So Smith and the other foster youth donned blue graduation stoles and dispersed throughout the congressional offices, many of which are part of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, which Bass founded in 2011.

Smith’s experience included sitting in on three meetings in which she was encouraged to participate and ask questions.

Bass said she first became involved in foster care issues during the crack cocaine crisis some 25 years ago. She became more aware of the foster care system as she delved into the issue, learning the crisis also involved drug-using mothers neglecting their children, who were then put into foster care or sent to family members.

Now, years later, she was listening to a young woman describe how her own crack-cocaine-using mother led to a spiral of abuse and neglect.

Because Smith’s mother used drugs, she was taken out of the home and went to live with her father when she was four years old. Over the next 10 years, her father physically and sexually abused her.

“He would always abuse me, which is something I never really spoke up about because it almost became the norm, it happened so often,” Smith told Bass as they sat in her Cannon office.

When she was 14, Smith and her father shared a room in a homeless shelter. Her father was battling testicular cancer and had returned from the hospital angry.

Stretching out her arms, Smith described the room they shared as roughly a third of Bass’ office.

“I would always try to go around the cabinet and sit there when he was mad and stuff. So he held a gun to my head and said, ‘You’re never telling the truth to me,’” Smith said. “So that was a rough weekend for me, and I was honestly too scared to go back home.”

She decided to tell her guidance counselor about the situation, which led to police involvement and her being reintroduced to the foster care system. She bounced around several group homes and other placements, all the while feeling abandoned.

Her father began following her and constantly phoning her social workers and foster parents, so she lost placements when the foster parents did not feel safe.

At her last placement in Compton, Calif., Smith said she enjoyed the foster home, noting, “I started to find myself and who I was.” But after a dramatic situation with her father showing up to her foster home, Smith was told she had to leave.

“And I was like, ‘Wow, it really hurts. I like it here,’” Smith said, her voice cracking. For the first time in Bass’ office, her eyes filled with tears.

Read more here.