BSU’s Knox and WSSU’s Bazemore Earn 2nd Team All-Atlantic Region Honors

CIAA

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – Bowie State University senior guard, Cameron Knox (Baltimore, Md.), and Winston-Salem State University senior forward, WyKevin Bazemore, have been selected to the Daktronics/Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-Atlantic Region second team.

Knox was selected to the 2014-2015 All-CIAA Team and voted the conference’s Player of the Year. Knox started in 29 games this season and averaged a team-best 17.4 points per game and ranked second in conference scoring. He scored a career-high 31 points versus Livingstone and scored 20 or more points 11 times during the 2014-2015 campaign. He finished his career with 786 points and a career scoring average of 12.3 points per game.

Bazemore is a rarity, as he was selected to the All-CIAA Team for the fourth consecutive year. He is only the fourth player in the history of the CIAA to earn that honor four times! Bazemore started all 28 games this season and averaged 13.3 points and a team and CIAA high 9.8 rebounds per game. He scored a season high 25 points versus Johnson C. Smith and also pulled down 17 rebounds versus Fairmont State. He finished his career with 1,337 points and 984 rebounds. His rebounding total ranks him 3rd All-Time in WSSU history behind Carlos Terry’s (1975-78) 1,467 and Mike Robinson’s (1976-80) 1,242.

75West Liberty’s Seger Bonifant has been named the Atlantic Region Player of the Year and headlines the 2014-15 Daktronics/Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-Atlantic Region Men’s Basketball Team.

Bonifant, a junior from Berlin, Ohio, was the Mountain East Conference Player of the Year after averaging 24 points per game for the Hilltoppers. WLU finished the season ranked fifth in the country and is the host for this week’s NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament.

Joining Bonifant on the All-Atlantic Region first team are Adam Blazek of Gannon, Devante Chance of Indiana (Pa.), Nick Harney of Fairmont State and Matt Tobin of East Stroudsburg.

Wykevin-Bazemore-web-1-300x200The second team consists of WyKevin Bazemore (Winston-Salem State), Tyree Gaiter (Notre Dame College), Wali Hepburn (Lock Haven), C.J. Hester (West Liberty) and Cameron Knox (Bowie State).

Sports information directors from NCAA Division II Atlantic Region schools and conferences selected the two Daktronics All-Region teams and voted on the Player of the Year. The process concludes with All-American selections announced later in the month.

 

The team is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., an acknowledged world leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition.

2014-15 Daktronics/Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-Atlantic Region Team

 

FIRST Team            
Name School Pos Ht Wt Cl Hometown
Adam Blazek Gannon G 6-1 185 Sr. Erie, Pa.
Seger Bonifant** West Liberty G/F 6-7 200 Jr. Berlin, Ohio
Devante Chance Indiana (Pa.) G 5-11 180 Sr. Philadelphia, Pa.
Nick Harney Fairmont State F 6-8 215 Sr. Cleveland, Ohio
Matt Tobin East Stroudsburg G 6-1 175 Sr. Hopatcong, N.J.
** Atlantic Region Player of the Year             
SECOND Team            
WyKevin Bazemore Winston-Salem St F 6-4 185 Sr. Kelford, N.C.
Tyree Gaiter Notre Dame College G 5-7 150 Jr. Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Wali Hepburn Lock Haven G 6-4 185 Sr. Philadelphia, Pa.
C.J. Hester West Liberty F 6-4 210 Sr. West Mifflin, Pa.
Cameron Knox  Bowie State G 5-11 170 Sr. Baltimore, Md.     

Arizona To Face Texas Southern In Opener

Even Arizona coach Sean Miller has wondered how last season would have ended had Brandon Ashley been healthy for the finish. Now Miller is eager to see how this season ends with him.

Ashley was voted the Pac-12 tournament’s most outstanding player as Arizona thrashed Oregon by a margin of 28 points for the conference’s postseason championship.

Peaking at just the right time, Ashley and the Wildcats head into the NCAA Tournament as a second seed in the West for Thursday’s opener against No. 15 Texas Southern in Portland, Oregon.

The 6-foot-9 junior forward was out with a foot injury last season when the Wildcats worked through the NCAA Tournament with wins over Weber State, Gonzaga, and San Diego State before falling to Wisconsin in the Elite Eight. Gone from that team are Aaron Gordon and Nick Johnson.

[quote_box_center]”We were a man short last year with Brandon going down. If can you imagine Brandon playing like this on last year’s team, what we could have done. Nobody knows that more than him,” Miller said. ”But that’s last year. We’re healthy this year, and some of the things that we know we’re very good at, we have to be ourselves and take them into this tournament this week.”[/quote_box_center]

The Wildcats (31-3) have won 11 straight games going into the game, including victories over California, UCLA and finally Oregon in the conference championship.

Ashley ranks second on the team in points with an average of 12.3. He’s also averaging 5.4 rebounds. But in the three Pac-12 tournament games, he averaged 19.6 points and 6.3 rebounds.

”Coming off an injury, it really does take a lot of time to get all the way back to where you want to be,” Ashley said. ”So I feel like at this point I am confident. I do feel a hundred percent healthy, and my teammates and my coaching staff have a huge part in that.”

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Texas Southern (22-12) earned a spot in the tournament by winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference final 62-58 against Southern. It was the Tigers’ second straight league tournament title, last season the team fell to Cal-Poly in its NCAA Tournament opener.

The two teams have never met. The victor will go on to meet the winner of Thursday’s other West region game between seventh seed VCU and 10th seed Ohio State.

Read Full article via Yahoo Sports 

KeKe Palmer Surprises Students at Southern University

KeKe Palmer, Cory Hardrict and Quincy Brown lead the cast for first time writer/director Jamal Hill in a complicated love story that will grip your heart and awaken your belief in family. Set in West Philadelphia, born-and-raised basketball star Sergio Taylor (Eric D. Hill Jr.) deals with the early pressures of fame. Alongside older brother June (Cory Hardrict), who lost his own hoop dreams to the streets to provide for the family after their father’s death, and sister Jackie (KeKe Palmer), whose own musical ambitions are sidetracked by love, Sergio faces life-altering decisions on the streets of Philly.

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To join the “Brotherly Love” viral conversation on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook follow @BrotherlyLoveTheMovie and for more information visit www.BrotherlyLoveTheMovie.com

“On the Yard SU” Celebrates Grand Opening of Dance Studio

In this episode of “On the Yard SU”, host Perry White follows up on the previous episode by taking a visit to the career fair. A little light is shed on the Omega Lamp Lighters volunteer efforts and he also visits Mirror Me Dance Studio, a new dance studio owned by an SU alum.

“On the Yard SU” is a web series centered around Southern University to inform students, faculty and alumni on some of the things that are going on around campus. The show is meant to bring SU into a positive light.

For the latest on HBCU news, stay tuned to The Buzz.

“On the Yard SU” Special Edition Founder’s Day Episode

On this special episode of “On the Yard SU”, we get an inside look of the Founder’s Day ceremony. Ms. Southern University, the president of SU, and some notable alumni all share some words about the ceremony. The opening of the Donald C. Wade House is also covered.

“On the Yard SU” is a web series centered around Southern University to inform students, faculty and alumni on some of the things that are going on around campus. The show is meant to bring SU into a positive light.

For the latest on HBCU news, stay tuned to The Buzz.

Raven-Symoné Says She’s Not Going to Back Down From Comments Made on The View

The Root

Raven-Symoné’s week on The View has been an interesting one. Earlier this week, during a segment discussing Rodner Figueroa’s firing from Univision for comparing Michelle Obama to something from Planet of The ApesSymoné made comments that seemed to defend the Univision host.

As Rosie Perez was attempting to explain racism within the Latino community, Symoné raised eyebrows with her comments.

“But was he saying it racist-like? Because he said he voted for her later. And I don’t think he was saying it racist,” Symoné said.

Even though Perez insisted the comment was racist, Symoné still challenged it.

“Not Michelle Obama. Michelle, don’t fire me from this right now, but some people do look like animals,” Symoné joked.

“So can I be mad if someone called me Toucan Sam?” Symoné said.

Now after making the comments, Symoné is attempting to clarify what she meant.

In an interview with The Daily Beast, Symoné talked about why she thinks her comments caused drama. “I don’t think they heard what I said,” she said. “I did not defend the man. I said that what he said was very distasteful. And I think that the organization is in the right to fire him. And I don’t believe that she looks like a racially charged animal that has been connected to the black community for years and years.”

Read more here.

Report: White Supremacist Threatens O.J. Simpson’s Life

The Root

Disgraced NFL running back OJ Simpson used to make astonishing cuts on the football field, but cutting a jailhouse medication line may have the Hall of Famer running for his life.

According to the Daily Mail, the 67-year-old Simpson is housed in the minimum-security section of a Nevada prison but when it comes time for medication and meals, all prisoners, from minimum to maximum, must line up together.

Last week, Simpson reportedly cut the line, causing Travis Waugh, 51, a member of the Aryan Nation who goes by the name “Blu” and is housed in maximum security, to call him out.

“This guy was standing in line waiting for his medications when OJ comes along and cuts in line—like he always does,” an eyewitness told the Daily Mail. “But this dude was not having it and told OJ to take his ugly black a– to back of the line and wait like everybody else.”

“OJ jumped in his face and yelled, ‘F–k you man. I’m gonna stay right here and you’re a– ain’t gonna do nothing about it,’” the eyewitness said, according to the Daily Mail. “The guy pushed OJ and yelled back: ‘Get in line a–hole and wait your turn. I’m not gonna tell ya again.’”

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According to the witness, Waugh pushed Simpson, who now walks with a cane after 11 brutal years in the NFL took a toll on his knees, and Simpson fell to the floor, the Daily Mail reports.

Simpson is serving anywhere from nine to 33 years in prison for armed robbery and has petitioned the prison to have surgery for his knee injuries, which he believes may leave him unable to walk unless treated.

The witness added that the once Simpson got back to his feet, he rushed Waugh and reportedly spit in his face.

“The guy flipped out and went after OJ. OJ put up his fists to fight back and was yelling that he was going to teach this guy a lesson. But the other inmates jumped and tried to hold both of them back but they were both so furious it was almost a riot,” the witness told the Daily Mail.

Guards rushed the scene and separated the two men, but not before Waugh reportedly issued a threat to Simpson.

“While the guy was dragged away he looked back and screamed, ‘I am going to make it my mission to kill you nig–r a–. You will not leave here alive—do you hear me!’”  the eyewitness told the Daily Mail. “And then he made a symbol with his hands of shooting a gun at OJ.”

The eyewitness added that Simpson asked around and found out that Waugh is in fact a violent inmate.

Read more here.

Community College Students in California Guaranteed Admission to 9 HBCUs

(The Root)

The pipeline from community college to a four-year university can be shaky, since students often attend community college in hopes of improving their grades in order to gain admission to a four-year institution.

The California Community Colleges system may have found a way to make that transition a bit easier: It has signed an agreement with nine HBCUs so that all of its students who wish to transfer to any one of the participating historically black schools are guaranteed admission, so long as they have a minimum GPA of 2.5, KGO-TV reports.

The nine participating HBCUs who made the deal with the California system are Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C.; Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn.; Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo.; Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Talladega College, also in Alabama; and Wiley College in Marshall, Texas.

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Apparently it’s a win-win for both California community colleges and these HBCUs. Getting into four-year colleges in California has become “increasingly hard,” KGO-TV explains, and HBCUs have seen their student-body numbers dwindle significantly in recent years.

Now all of California’s African-American community college students who clear the GPA hurdle and would like to transfer have a spot at one of the nine schools.

Olevasami Brown, a student at a California community college, explained how he used to think that attending an HBCU was simply unattainable for him. “I felt like the gap between achieving and transferring was a little too wide for me, but with this announcement today, I feel that dream is so much closer,” Brown said.

There are approximately 160,000 African-American students enrolled in California’s community colleges.

Read more here.

For the latest on HBCU news, stay tuned to The Buzz.

Latin Sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha Chartered At Johnson C. Smith University

On March 18th at 9 pm the ladies of Lambda Theta Alpha introduced it’s first chapter at Johnson C. Smith University. LTA is the first Latina Sorority founded in the United States.

LTA was founded in 1975 by 17 ladies on the campus of Kean University in Union, New Jersey. The purpose of the organization is to create a support group for women in higher education and unite the community on campus.

It is an established academic sorority. Like other black Greek organizations the ladies of LTA has a unique call, hand-sign and also perform traditional salutes, chants and strolls. This year they have welcomed new chapter at Boise State, Syracuse University, and California State University.

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Lambda Theta Alpha – Vanderbilt University

Lambda Theta Alpha

lambda-theta-alpha-greek-lettersLambda Theta Alpha was founded at Kean University in 1975 and later incorporated into an academic sorority in 1979. As the first Latina-based sorority in the nation, Lambda Theta Alpha strives to develop strong leaders that produce and engage in political, social, and cultural activities. Based on the principles of unity, love and respect, the sorority was established for the unification of women through charitable and educational programs. Although Lambda Theta Alpha is Latin by tradition, the sorority is inclusive to all women regardless of race, color, creed, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. Lambda Theta Alpha is a proud member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).

alsac-lambda-shieldSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been the official philanthropic partner of Lambda Theta Alpha since 2010. LTA chapters across the country raise funds and awareness for St. Jude through campus and community events. Many LTA chapters host a signature event, the LTA Softball Tournament in the spring of each year.

For the latest on HBCU news, stay tuned to The Buzz.

Students Protest UVA Student Martese Johnson’s Bloody Arrest

About 1,000 students gathered at the University of Virginia campus Wednesday night to demand justice for a student who was injured during an arrest and appears in a photo with a bloody face as he is being held down by an officer.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has also called for an investigation into the early-morning arrest of Martese Johnson, whose lawyer said he needed 10 stitches in his head.

Johnson was charged with two counts: obstruction of justice without force, and public swearing or intoxication, Charlottesville General District Court records show.

virginia_student_arrest-e1426770639991The Alcoholic Beverage Control agent who made the arrest, listed in court records as J. Miller, said in the arrest report that Johnson “was very agitated and belligerent.”

A statement from a group calling itself “Concerned Black Students,” however, claims the arrest of Johnson was unprovoked and extreme.

[quote_box_center]“The brutish force used resulted in his head and bodily injuries,” the group said in a statement. “His treatment was unprovoked as he did not resist questioning or arrest.”[/quote_box_center]

Read full via NY Post

 

A Dreamy Night of Deaf Jam Poetry by Howard University

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 11, 2015- Howard University’s Springfest committee presents its third annual, Deaf Jam Poetry benefit concert for the School of Communications speech and hearing clinic. Positive vibes will flood Crampton Auditorium at 7pm on March 31, as performers share the beauty of language through poetry and music.

Deaf Jam is a benefit concert that embraces African American culture, and speaks affirming reassurances regarding our colorful expressions and our unique cultural contributions to music and art. With all that is happening in our communities across this country, from Ferguson, Missouri to New York City, there can be no doubts that cultural enrichment and enlightenment is much needed to promote peace, appreciation and harmony.

The power of the arts through poetry and music is undeniable. It has the capacity to change lives through inspiration, reconciliation and cooperation. Such will be the force of this year’s event. A surprise celebrity host, famous for her thought provoking artistic expression will moderate the event. While the creative word’s from our poetic performers linger in your mind, guest will be elevated into a dreamland of passion and peace. Only to be awakened by a special guest performer, who will close the show and have our audience craving more.

Deaf Jam is for the dreamers, for the healers, for the storytellers and for the lovers of all kinds. That’s why for the 2nd year in a row Alex and Ani, a jewelry company committed to building a culture that focuses entirely on mindful actions, has agreed to be our sponsor. They will also have a bangle bar with merchandise for purchase, located in the bottom of Crampton Auditorium with the Deaf Jam art gallery.

Three years ago this event was created on the foundation of love and empathizing with those who suffer from hearing and speech disabilities. Standing on that same foundation, today Deaf Jam is a meditation on the value of love that spreads through music, words and activism. Last year we were able to attract over 400 hundred guest and raise over $4,000 for the speech and hearing clinic in the School of Communications. As we grow and reach new limits, Deaf Jam lovingly invites you to come dream with us

American Baptist College To Re-open New Dorm

Nashville, Tennessee

American Baptist College, an Historical Black College and University in Nashville, Tennessee, is set to re-open a dormitory that has not been open in over 15 years. The monumental ribbon cutting ceremony is set to take place at 5pm today.

The project manager, Rev. Martin Espinosa 88′, says that it is a 3.7 million dollar project and has asked the college’s alumni to support the college at a greater level.

Alumni have already answered the call. Rev. Dr. Julius Scruggs gave $10,000 on top of a $35,000 gift he already gave to the school. Rev. Dr. Forrest Harris 79′, the president of American Baptist College, has donated the $1,000 to the college and has pledged to give another $9,000 to the school for the project.

The dorm, Griggs Hall, was the home of several of the students who were instrumental to the Civil Rights Movement such as John Lewis, William Barbee, Rev. Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Rev. Dr. CT Vivian, James Bevel and many others. The students were taught the tactics of nonviolence by Rev. Dr. Kelly Miller Smith in this dormitory.

 

For the latest on HBCU news, stay tuned to The Buzz.

Spelman College Co-Valedictorian Twins Continue to Aim High After Graduation

(The Root)

After making history two years ago as the first twin co-valedictorians at Spelman College, Kirstie and Kristie Bronner continue to break new ground as they build careers as youth pastors at Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral in Austell, Ga. Located in the outskirts of Atlanta, the church is pastored by their father, Bishop Dale Bronner, and one of the largest in the metro area.

 “We strongly believe in faith and work,” Kirstie Bronner tells The Root. “None of us is perfect, so achievement and success come as a product of faith and work.”

After graduating from college, the identical twins published a self-help book with the aim of inspiring other young people. Double Vals: The Keys to Success in College and Life Beyond serves as a resource for high school and college students on how to strive for success through faith, discipline and hard work. The 175-page guide also provides tips about studying, scheduling, living a balanced life and committing to excellence.

The Bronner twins, each of whom maintained a 4.0 grade point average, come from a long line of success seekers. Members of their family own Bronner Bros., a hair and beauty supply company. They intend to carve out their own path to success, focusing on the spiritual side of things and not straying far from the church in their work and deeds, they say.

“God is a huge part of our lives,” Kirstie says. “When we were focused on academics in college, we never lost our foundation in Christ, slept in on a Sunday or used it as an extra Saturday.”

Intent on forging careers in ministry, they became youth pastors at Word of Faith after serving as youth event coordinators, planning conferences, monthly worship and social events, and retreats for their contemporaries with the help of volunteers they recruited.

Today the young women, who majored in music, are also directors in the church’s music department. They lead the Ignite Youth Praise Team, teach the 150-voice Ignite Youth Choir and oversee the Ignite Youth Band (performing a mix of contemporary Christian and gospel music).

They joined the glee club at Spelman freshman year and had scored leadership roles by their senior year.

Initially they had planned to release a music CD after graduation but then decided to focus on their book first.

These days the sisters tour the country delivering their message of inspiration. While they have no official ties to the #BlackLivesMatter campaign, Kirstie Bronner says their message is in sync with the movement, whose focus is to halt police brutality against black Americans.

“We tackle the root of the issues,” Kirstie says. “With racism there is always a hatred that lies up under it and so does low self-esteem. You would not feel the need to put someone else down if you weren’t trying to lift yourself up in the process.”

She continues, “A tinge of self-hatred … comes along with racist issues out there. We urge people to stay spiritually rooted.”

Joe DiFilippo, Fresno Vice Principal, Caught On Video Saying ‘I Just Don’t Like The Black Kids’

Huffington Post

A California school official has been placed on leave after a video surfaced in which he can be heard saying “I just don’t like the black kids.”

Joe DiFilippo, vice principal of Scandinavian Middle School in Fresno, California, was recorded by a student outside the school cafeteria, district spokesman Jed Chernabaeff told the Fresno Bee.

The full clip, which can be seen below, was posted on YouTube on Friday and shows a man identified as DiFilippo leaning against a pole while several kids speak, mostly off camera.

“Who at this school do you not like?” one of the off-camera students asks. Kids continue to talk, with one saying something that sounds like “me… all of us, all of us.”

After about 10 seconds, DiFilippo says, “I just don’t like the black kids.”

The clip ends suddenly and it’s not clear if he was attempting to make a joke. If he was, parents aren’t laughing.

That’s not a joke,” Latricia Medley, who has a child in the school, told ABC 30. “That’s not a very funny joke.”

Medley told the station that she had spoken to DiFilippo before the incident and never got the sense that he was racist. Now, however, she wants him fired.

She’s not alone.

If he said it, he needs to be fired,” Ann Frank, who also has a child in the school, told the Fresno Bee.

Some African-American students told the paper they felt targeted by DiFilippo because of their skin color.

The district told the media that DiFilippo will be on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated. According to Transparent California, DiFilippo earns $87,449.44 per year in salary and benefits.

Read more here.

Hampton Coach Edward Joyner ‘Calling On Jesus’ For Help Against Kentucky

(ESPN) 

Edward Joyner picked up his phone and made the call he suggested he would.

It doesn’t appear like his friend on the other end of the line thinks much of the Hampton Pirates coach’s chances against the top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats.

After joking about having Jesus on speed dial after arriving in Dayton for the First Four of the NCAA tournament, his Pirates delivered a 74-64 win over the Manhattan Jaspers that set up a monumentally more difficult challenge on Thursday. But it appears Joyner’s sense of humor is still intact.

“Hold on, I told you all I had Jesus on speed dial,” Joyner said with a phone to his ear in his postgame news conference. “Hey, Jesus, first of all, you can’t play so I ain’t worried about you being hot. They want to know how much of a mountain and what our odds are. Hello? Hello?

“I guess he’ll get back to me.”

The Pirates may well need some divine interference against the undefeated, top-ranked Wildcats, but they lived to fight another day in the Midwest Region thanks to a gritty outing from Quinton Chievous, who scored 15 points and had 13 rebounds.

The veteran guard may need some prayer over the next two days just to get in the lineup against the Wildcats after suffering a sprained ankle late in the victory that could leave Hampton without two of its top four scorers thanks to another ankle injury for Dwight Meikle.

“It’s a heck of a mountain, you know what I’m saying?” Joyner said. “We know that. We’re going to go try to play, we’re going to go compete and let the chips fall where they may.

Read more here.

Lawyer: Ferguson Shooting Suspect ‘Was Beaten in Custody’; Gave False Confession

The Root 

A lawyer representing the man who was charged in the shooting of the two Ferguson cops says claims that his client roughed up while he was in police custody, and gave a false confession under duress, the Daily Mail reports.

Jerryl Christmas, the attorney of 20-year-old Jeffrey L. Williams, said that Williams had bruises across his back and on his shoulders and neck as well as marks on his head and a lump on his head. Christmas said that he met with his client on Monday but was not allowed to take pictures. He also notes that detectives then questioned his client after he was beaten.

“I think under those circumstances he would have said anything,” Christmas told Yahoo News. “Anytime someone is questioned without counsel and then I see that kind of bruising, then I’m suspicious about any statements that he may have voluntarily given.”

Williams’ mug shot does appear to show markings on his face and neck, although it is not clear if those were the ones to which the lawyer was referring.

Read more here.