Page 466 – HBCU Buzz

News

Gabrielle Union Shares Her Thoughts on Police Brutality, Race

Posted on Jan 30, 2015

Gabrielle Union has never been just a pretty face, she’s a woman with insight and opinions. The 42 year old actress who plays a broadcast journalist on Being Mary Jane recently sat down for an interview with Yahoo Style to talk about her life, marriage, her career, and everything else under the sun.

What became an interesting moment in her interview was the comments on race and police brutality shown in the news, particularly the Eric Garner killing and Ferguson.

Union: “The general lack of compassion for your fellow man is really frustrating,” she said. “I think what the protesters are saying, or at least some of them, is it’s not just about police brutality. It’s about a widespread systematic crippling of some people in this country by birthright, and no one’s acknowledging it.”

“There may be a power shakeup if you’re really going to do something about it,” said Union.

Union’s refreshing comments are in agreeance with a large portion of how society feels. The issues of racism are extremely extensive.

One may think its worlds away, but in all actuality, it’s knocking at everyone’s front door.

“A lot of people aren’t interested in that,” Union continued. “They say, “It’s not that bad. We have Barack Obama. We’re good.” Or, “You’re not getting lynched.””

“They’re not acknowledging the institutional racism that impacts daily lives,” she said.

News

Ebony’s Mitzi Miller Says to Claflin Grads: ‘Know Your Self-Worth. Believe in Yourself’

Sonia Montalvo

Posted on Jan 30, 2015

On Tuesday, Jan. 26 Ebony’s Editor-in-chief Mitzi Miller delivered an address to Claflin University’s 2015 Graduates. Miller spoke to the graduating class about what it takes to be a leader, “Believe in your own self worth, be willing to put in the work necessary to be great; listen to your gut and take calculated risks,” she said.

Miller added, “True Leaders are committed to leaving a legacy of a life well lived, and are willing to train and pass the torch to the next person.”

“Know your self-worth. Believe in yourself.” – Mitzi Miller

The media professional also spoke about her own life and her rise to her respected position.

Miller said her life came into perspective after she underwent a liver transplant for Hepatitis C. Mitzi recalled seeing the Editor-in-chief of Honey at the time and telling her to remember her face because she would one day see it again.

Miller says she started as an intern at Honey Magazine and later worked her way up the media ladder to become an entertainment editor at the magazine. Later she obtained the position as associate editor at Jane magazine and then on to SET magazine as Editor-in-chief.

Miller then went on to lead Jet magazine before she took her current seat at the head of the table at Ebony.

“The first step to being considered a visionary leader is to realize in your heart of hearts that you are a rock star,” Miller said.

Miller is also an HBCU alumna, she graduated with an English major from historically black Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.

Entertainment

9 Pictures That Only HBCU Students Would Understand

Tommy G. Meade Jr.

Posted on Jan 29, 2015

There isn’t a joke the band doesn’t know…

The next time you visit financial aid agents…

But, before you get there, you have to prepare for war.

Because the college life is hard sometimes…

Black Greeks on campus be like…

When you try a bit too hard…

Yes, lordt.

When you gotta see it to believe it…

We all owe the country’s Black colleges.

[td_smart_list_end]

News

Two FSU Online Degree Programs Recognized

Fayetteville State University

Posted on Jan 29, 2015

Fayetteville State University (FSU) has been recognized by Affordable Colleges Foundation (ACF) as having one of the nation’s top online criminal justice programs and one of the best online psychology degree programs. The criminal justice program is ranked 16th and the psychology program is No. 20. The psychology program is the only North Carolina school in the Top 25.

ACF is a leading resource for online learning and college affordability information. ACF used a proprietary scoring system to evaluate hundreds of colleges with the best online criminal justice and psychology program options. To create the list, ACF’s data analysts and higher education experts developed a proprietary scoring system to rank these colleges using various cost and quality criteria and metrics, including:

• Must be not-for-profit institution
• Student-faculty ratio
• 6-year graduation rate
• Job placement for graduates
• AC Online Peer-Based Value (A proprietar metric that compares quality metrics of colleges with similar costs, and the costs of colleges with similar quality metrics)

“To find the best schools offering the highest quality online education for psychology students, we looked beyond the sheer number of programs available and the total cost of a degree,” said Dan Schuessler, founder and CEO of Affordable Colleges Foundation. “Our data team spent months researching hundreds of available psychology degree programs to find out which schools truly make a difference with stand-out academics, resources and student support services.”

Schuessler also noted: “We wanted to highlight schools that are driving innovative learning and meeting the demands of students. These schools are not only offering excellent criminal justice degree programs, but they are expanding their program excellence to the much-desired online environment. The schools on our list actively help aspiring criminal justice majors move their education and career forward. They give students the ability to balance work, family commitments and education. That’s invaluable.”

Dr. Miriam DeLone, chair of the FSU Department of Criminal Justice, said she is pleased that the high quality of FSU’s online program has been recognized on a national level.

“Our faculty pride themselves on providing cutting-edge course delivery, within a relevant, yet demanding curriculum,” DeLone said. “Our graduates move into the workforce with outstanding communication and critical reasoning skills to address the pressing criminal justice and social justice issues of today.”

Psychology department chair Dr. Timothy Moore credits the personnel for its success. “FSU continues to achieve the status of excellence, and I am honored to lead the Department of Psychology into the top 20 of the BEST Online Psychology Degrees in the country,” he said. “The quality of our program is solely dependent on our top-rate professors, excellent support staff and student productivity in the workplace.”

To view the complete list of psychology programs, click here.

To view the complete list of criminal justice programs, click here.

About Fayetteville State University:

FSU is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina and the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state. FSU offers nearly 60 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. With nearly 5,000 students, Fayetteville State University is among the most diverse institutions in the nation.

Buzz Killer

Norfolk State Interim Prez Explains Accreditation Problems

Robert Hoggard

Posted on Jan 29, 2015

Norfolk State University, a historically black college or university, could face probation from its accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), due to ‘clerical problems,’ says Norfolk State University interim President Eddie Moore Jr.

Associated Press reports, “Media outlets report that Moore met with the campus community on Tuesday to discuss a report from the school’s accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.”

In spite of the fact, Moore cites failure to complete a 2014 audit before the university submitted documents last year, and insists the Black college located in Norfolk, Virginia remains accredited.

Read more here.

Editorial

Florida Woman Jailed for Firing ‘Warning Shot’ Released From Prison

Stefan Weathers

Posted on Jan 29, 2015

On Tuesday Marissa Alexander, a Florida woman and mother who fired warning shots at her abusive husband to stop his coming attack, recently was released from a Jacksonville, Florida prison to serve the remainder of her sentence on house arrest. Alexander was put on trial in what became known as the “warning shot” case.

From Reuters, “Marissa Alexander, 31, said she fired a “warning shot” into a wall after being threatened by her husband in an incident in 2010, but prosecutors believe the bullet endangered him and his two children.”

The trial sparked a national debate on Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law, and racial discrimination in the criminal justice system.

But according to reports, Alexander now faces other obstacles in her way to freedom, “The monitoring system will cost around $105 a week, and will total some $11,000 over the two years that Alexander will be under house arrest,” says The Root.

The Root: “Donations collected since Alexander’s arrest will cover the cost of the monitoring, and the news station notes that Alexander already has a job offer from a local pastor, under his ministry.”

With all that this woman has been forced to endure, there is a pressing question that must be asked. Is this what justice looks like?

No.

Like so many in the country I am excited that Marissa Alexander is going home to her family where she belongs. I am excited, but in the same way I believe the family of Jordan Davis was handed “scraps of justice” in the Michael Dunn murder retrial, Alexander, too, received scraps.

Her story and this new decision by Judge James Daniel has a reconciliatory and vindicating feeling about it. Yes, her case prompted the creation of a new law that would cover warning shots fired, and this change in law would have most likely protected her from prison time.

But when you look at this reactive legislation and the actual beneficiaries of “Stand Your Ground” in Florida, particularly in the George Zimmerman case for the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, that question, “is this what justice looks like,” must be asked.

Her conviction and her expensive house arrest further displays the systematic racism that permeates the criminal justice/legal system, socio-cultural, and economic landscapes in the United States.

“I will continue to learn lessons from the events of the past, but I will not live in the past,” Alexander said.

Editorial

Empire Star, Jussie Smollett Talks Diversity on MTV News

Sonia Montalvo

Posted on Jan 29, 2015

In a recent interview with MTV news, Empire’s Jussie Smollett gave his perspective on diversity in television. Smollett admits that he feels TV is a medium for diversity now more so than ever because we as the viewers control it.

“TV is a more diverse space right now because TV is driven by the people,” Smollett told MTV News.”

“When a television show like ‘Scandal’ becomes the biggest show in recent history, suddenly advertisers and networks want to jump on that. And what it’s showing is that people want to see diversity,” he said.

I must say, I do agree with Smollett, who plays “Jamal Lyon” on Fox’s Empire.

On Monday nights I can turn my TV on and See Alfre Woodard as an African-American female President on State of Affairs. On a Wednesday I tune into Fox to see a predominantly African American cast on Empire, and on Thursdays I can see Viola Davis play a heck of role as a prestigious law professor on How to Get Away With Murder, and later this year the predominantly Latina cast of Devious Maids will be returning to Lifetime for a third season.

The list goes on.

The array of diversity being shown on TV is moving networks to see that it pays to give the people what they want to see.

Ethnic barriers on television are being broken show by show, script by script. Society isn’t comprised of just one race, so to see a melting pot of all racial backgrounds on the small screen only makes sense. Viewers are watching television to see actors and actresses who they can relate to, no matter how broad the story line may be.

People want to see themselves on television shows with their same situations and circumstances, they want to see people who mirror their lives and backgrounds.

I think diversity in shows only opens up doors for diversity everywhere else like, film, the fashion industry, the world of art and dance, you name it.

Though there is still a long way to go, I have to admit that I enjoy seeing people who look like me, too.

“What message does it send to the masses when someone — or an entire race — is completely snuffed? And completely ignored for work that was at the top of their game? That’s what we need to be asking,” said Smollett.

News

Selma Director Ava DuVernay, Star David Oyelowo Are Back to Work

Sonia Montalvo

Posted on Jan 28, 2015

Director of Selma Ava DuVernay and its lead actor David Oyelow, who stunningly reenacted the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., are back at it again! The dynamic duo are currently developing a film about Hurricane Katrina.

According to Participant Media, the narrative film will account a love story and a mystery murder that takes place during the natural disaster.

“Hurricane Katrina is one of the most important social and environmental stories of our time,” said Jonathan King, one of the films’ producers.

This will be the third time Oyelowo and DuVernay will collaborate on a project (Middle of Nowhere and Selma being the first two projects), and you know what they say about the third time, it’s always a charm.

Ava DuVernay’s directorial genius in Selma has proven her worthy to work on this upcoming heartfelt piece.

[READ: 6 Reasons Selma is a Must See for HBCU Students]

Society remembers Hurricane Katrina as one the most devastating events of the 21^st century, so while DuVernay has her work cut out for her, it is also expected of her to rise to the occasion.

“DuVernay has shown herself to be highly skilled at bringing intimacy and contemporary urgency to epic events,” King said.

Since the movie is in the production stages, there is no set release date. But now that the cat has been let out of the bag movie goers will be eager for the film to hit the silver screen.

News

More Snow for Central State, Wilberforce Students? It’s Too Early to Tell

Tommy G. Meade Jr.

Posted on Jan 28, 2015

Students attending Central State University and sister college, across-the-street neighbor Wilberforce University awoke to find their campuses coated with snow, Monday. Students may have to be bundle up for another weather system with rain and snow mixed this week, but meteorologists say it is too early to tell.

From the Columbus Dispatch, “The worst of that storm is finished in central Ohio, leaving 2 to 5 inches of snow.”

“Another weather system is expected to bring a mix of snow and rain to Columbus this week, but it’s too early to tell whether snow will accumulate,” according to the Dispatch.

Central State, located in the heart of the state of Ohio, and Wilberforce, who is located adjacent to CSU on the other side of Brush Row Rd. in Wilberforce, Ohio, are the only public and private historically black college or university (HBCU) in Ohio, respectfully.

Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @MeadeReport

Football

Former Football Head Coach Holmes Suing FAMU

HBCU Editors

Posted on Jan 28, 2015

Former FAMU football coach Earl Holmes filed a civil suit against Florida A&M University and its board of trustees on Monday.

“I’m just looking for some closure to be honest with you. Everything happened over night, regardless of it was personal or not. To me it’s not personal; it’s business. I appreciate everything FAMU has done for me…but at the end of the day we’ve got to do the right thing,” Holmes said.

Holmes became interim head coach in November 2012, and then signed a four-year contract with the university for that position in February 2013. On October 28, just days before the homecoming game, Holmes was terminated.

Read more here.

Basketball

Gold Nuggets Climb Over the .500 Mark

Charles Anderson III

Posted on Jan 28, 2015

Behind a career high 14 points from Donyeah Mayfield and 13 from Alesha Smith The Golden Nuggets were able to post a 63-57 victory over Edward Waters.

Xavier University of Louisiana (11-10, 4-1 conf.) bounces back from a 30 point defeat to pull to over .500 and move into second place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

Starting for the first time in eight games Mayfield shot 70% from the field and added 8 rebounds in 20 minutes of floor time, while committing no turnovers.

Smith helped pull the team out to an early 12-0 run scoring 7 of her first half 11 points during that early run.

To help put the game away Whitney Gathwright, who was also in double figures with 14 points, made three shots from beyond the arch, with her final shot being 22 seconds remaining in 2nd half of play.

With this shot Gathwright also became just the seventh Gold Nugget with 100 converted career three points shots in school history.

Read more here.

Buzz Killer

Dogs Set Onto Norfolk State Student, London Colvin for Refusing to Assist Police Officers

Robert Hoggard

Posted on Jan 27, 2015

Updated 1:48 PM EST, 1/29/2015

A student at Norfolk State University (NSU) , a historically black college or university (HBCU) in Norfolk, Virginia, allegedly was attacked by police dogs after refusing to offer information to police officers regarding a fight.

NSU student London Colvin refused to answer questions about a fight that she was not involved in when police officers set dogs onto her.

Two police officers also sat on Colvin while the dogs brutally bit and attacked her, according to eyewitnesses.

“We want this to be publicized,” Kayla Cook, a Junior and Tourism and Hospitality major at Norfolk State University, told HBCU Buzz.

“We want the word out about this. The police told her that she took the dogs better than other people have before. We don’t know how many people the officers have attacked before [this incident],” she said.

UPDATE: London Colvin, a 21-year-old Norfolk State student and private in the Army Reserve is now recovering from injuries suffered when attacked by a police dog, reports say.

From Potomac Local, “Colvin was at the scene of a fight 2:15 a.m. Sunday, at an off-campus party near Norfolk State University, in Norfolk, where Colvin is a second-semester junior and Sociology major.”

The incident occurred when Norfolk police approached Colvin regarding an off-campus fight.

“She was at a party off campus,” Whitney Dunn, the victim’s cousin, told Potomac Local. “She said that a fight broke out, and she had nothing to do with the fight.”

“She [Colvin] was definitely being loud – she did admit to that,” Dunn said.

According to Potomac Local, the NSU student had to get 40 stitches and received “close several non-life threatening wounds” on her leg in result to the violent attack.

Eyewitnesses also say two police officers sat on Colvin while police dogs were set onto her.

UPDATE: According to Media Relations officials at NSU, NSU’s Vice-President for Student Affairs Edward M. Willis released a statement today about NSU student Colvin:

“We are aware of the incident involving one of our students this past weekend. Our main concern, as it would be with any student, is Ms. Colvin’s well-being, safety, as well as supporting her academic pursuits.” The nature of her involvement with law enforcement is a separate issue and all questions should be referred to the Norfolk Police Department.”

Buzzing News

ASU Grad, Rapper 2 Chainz to Run for College Park Mayor?

Tommy G. Meade Jr.

Posted on Jan 27, 2015

Tauheed Epps, better known by his stage name 2 Chainz, just may consider running for Mayor of College Park, his hometown, according to reports.

[quote_box_center]From XXL: “I’m a musician, not a politician,” [2 Chainz] said. “I’m supposed to be running for mayor in College Park. I got everybody wishing. I’m really gonna do this little mayor thing in College Park. I’m just trying to make sure I have the right qualifications.”[/quote_box_center]

It seems as if 2 Chainz is feeling more confident than ever and is at an all-time high.

2 Chainz, an Alabama State University alum who was also a 4.0 student while attending the historically black college or university (HBCU) in Montgomery, Alabama, says everything he does has to be ‘organic’ and is not ruling out a bid for College Park Mayor.

Recently the rapper clashed with and schooled television host Nancy Grace, calling for the legalization of weed because if you legalize marijuana, he says, the overcrowding of prisons, in particular regarding people of color, and other related issues would be a non-factor.

At least we know he is a great debater.

Basketball

B-CU’s Kailyn Williams Named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week

Charles Anderson III

Posted on Jan 27, 2015

Bethune-Cookman earned weekly conference honors for the fourth time during this season when the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced Kailyn Williams as Defensive Player of the Week, her second time winning the honor of the year.

From BCUAthletics.com, “A redshirt sophomore center, Williams (6-5, New Orleans), logged a double-double average of 10.5 PPG and16.0 RPG last week in games against Norfolk State and Coppin State. She made a huge statement on the defensive end, with a 6.5 BPG average, also tying the 2014-15 NCAA single-game best with 10 blocks against NSU.”

According to BCUAthletics.com this is the sixth of Williams’ career.

Read more here.

Buzz Killer

Morehouse Students Remembers 2 Fallen Brothers

Itopia Mills

Posted on Jan 27, 2015

Morehouse students recently joined together at King Chapel to remember Kendall Clark, class of 2016, and Brandon Key, class of 2017. Both students passed during winter break at different incidents.

Kendall Clark was involved in a fatal car crash, and Brandon Key’s cause of death is still unknown.

The memorial event was organized by students in the AUC (Atlanta University Center) community on campus.

You can donate to the funeral fund of Brandon Key here.

Basketball

James Wright, Alabama A&M Assistant Coach, Dies at 46

Charles Anderson III

Posted on Jan 27, 2015

Alabama A&M assistant coach James Wright passed away last Wednesday at the age of 46.

“We’ve lost a great coach, a great man and a great person. I’ve known him since high school,” said head coach Willie Hayes.

From NBC Sports, “Wright was in his fourth season with the Bulldogs, joining the program after working with Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Wright, who played at Jackson State with Lindsey Hunter, according to his bio, came up on the AAU scene in Alabama, where he coached NBA players Mo Williams and Justin Reed.”

Details surrounding Wright’s death were not made available by the school.