(HBCU Lifestyle) We did it and there is no stopping us now,” said Congresswoman Alma Adams, the 100th woman to serve in Congress. Adams won 75% of the vote to win the 12th Congressional District seat in Congress.
A visible and strong voice in the community and beyond, Adams served 40 years as a professor of art at Bennett College. During that time, she spearheaded the renovation and opening of the Bennett College Steele Hall Art Gallery. As an advocate for education, Adams created opportunities for students to receive much needed scholarship support through The North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation and with The Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications funded by the American Legacy Foundation.
As an activist and elected official, Adams created a legacy of “Bennett Belles are Voting Belles.” As she heads to Washington, DC to complete the remainder of Mel Watt’s unexpired term and in January 2015, begin the term of the 114th Congress, we can be assured a seat and voice at the table. During her acceptance speech, Adams said, “Effective immediately, our district has a representative who will fight for their interest with pride, integrity and tenacity.”
The Buzz recently interviewed Areisa Peters, a student at historically black Oakwood University on her project called “Project Chocolate” which questions the stereotypes facing young Black women and what beauty is.
Robert: Tell me more about this project that you have started called “Project Chocolate”.
Areisa: Project Chocolate was started as an initiative to promote realization; realization on a small HBCU campus that there is more than one type of beauty. There are many different types of beauty. Our Motto is: “Sisterhood, Strength, and Self-Love”
Robert: Black women are portrayed as sexual toys in the media. Tell me how this project seeks to rewrite the script that has been written in America.
Areisa: Because Black women are constantly portrayed as toys, this leaves the world to forget that we are more than sex. We are human beings, functioning, becoming doctors, lawyers, moms, artists, just to name a few. This sexualization strips us of our humanity. Project Chocolate attempts to give it back to us. Reclaim our humanity. We are beautiful multifaceted beings with other qualities that make us beautiful and “sexy”; and those qualities extend further than just our bodies. ie: Strength and genuine happiness can be extremely attractive.
Robert: What was the impetus of creating this dope project?
Areisa: What’s interesting is that I grew up in Indiana, and for a majority of my life, in certain circles, I had heard various forms of “harmless” slander. “Oh you’re so pretty for a darkskin girl” “Oh wow. Is that a wig? Your hair is so long for a darkskinned girl” “Now I wouldn’t normally date your complexion , but you’re so beautiful” and these are micro aggressions. Things that are meant to be compliments, but left me feeling worse than before. Then I came to an HBCU and realized that it really DOESNT matter. Humans are humans. People are people. And black is black. And in that realization, it came to me that I had to uplift other girls and women who might not know that their beauty is just as magnificent as our lighter skinned counterparts. The process of self acceptance can be slow. I wanted to expedite that. A photoshoot with direction. A day of bonding an mentoring can do a lot for a freshman who didn’t realize she was stunning. That’s the idea behind Project Chocolate.
Robert: What are this misconceptions of this project?
Areisa: I don’t want this to be seen as “anti-white” or “anti-light” . Because people have jokingly and not-so-jokingly brought that up to me. I want this to be seen as an expansion of a definition. A definition of “beauty” that has remained stagnant for years but truly, it is time for it to change.
Huntsville, Ala. – The Lady Bison of Howard University captures the 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference Soccer Tournament Championship with a 2-1 victory over Prairie View A&M University at the John Hunt Soccer Complex.
Reina Mata started the match off with the first shot that was saved by Howard’s Goalkeeper of the Year Kyra Dickinson. Melissa Kalbfleisch came back at the 6:13 minute mark and launched the ball straight through Dickinson, putting the Lady Panthers up by one, recording her second goal of the year. Nia Walcott received the ball on the opposite end and attempted to give the Lady Bison their first goal of the match but was shot too wide.
Carmen Suarez took the first corner kick for Howard in the 16th minute, giving Nikanya Clark the chance to attack the ball but was unable to capitalize on the play. After taking the ball back and forth down the field for about 10 minutes, Howard got a good possession with the ball. Dytria Ruddy crossed a player, becoming wide open with the ball and connected with the net at the 24:41 minute mark, scoring her fourth goal of the season, tying the game 1-1.
Shots were limited until Prairie View’s Deborah Arguelles blasted a shot during the last nine minutes of the first half from the left side that was successfully blocked by Dickinson. Read Full SWAC
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Educational Partnership Program (EPP) held its seventh Biennial Education and Science Forum October 26-29, 2014. Savannah State University (SSU) was represented by a group of ten members, led by Dionne Hoskins, Ph.D., director of NOAA-sponsored programs at SSU. The delegation included two undergraduate students – Darius Stanford and Shaneese Mackey – six graduate students – Keya Jackson, Emma Schultz, Chelsea Parrish, Jennifer G?t, Tiffany Ward, and Sanya Compton – and one postdoctoral fellow, Jolvan Morris, Ph.D.
This conference’s theme was “Developing a Premier Future STEM Workforce to Support Environmental Sustainability.” The forum provided an opportunity for students at NOAA-EPP funded academic institutions and NOAA scientists to showcase results of collaborative research and education projects, as well as to discuss new engagement opportunities and promote career opportunities for STEM. The goal is to educate and develop a diverse science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce.
Students had the opportunity to interact with NOAA leadership, attend skill building and networking workshops and present research that aligned with NOAA’s four long-term goals: Climate Adaptation and Mitigation, Weather-Ready Nation, Healthy Oceans and Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies. In categories that were judged, SSU brought home three awards: Best Poster Presentation by an Undergraduate Student in Healthy Oceans Category (3rd place Shaneese Mackey), Best Poster Presentation by a Graduate Student in Healthy Oceans Category (3rd place Jennifer G?t), and Best Poster Presentation by a Graduate Student in Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies Category (2nd Place Keya Jackson).
The event was jointly sponsored by NOAA and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), and was hosted by UMES’ Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC), located on the UMES’ campus in Princess Anne, Md. SSU was among the seven NOAA LMRCSC partner institutions that attended the forum.
Established in 1890, Savannah State University is the oldest public historically black college or university in Georgia and the oldest institution of higher learning in the city of Savannah. The university’s 4,900 students select majors from 27 undergraduate and five graduate programs in three colleges — Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration and Sciences and Technology — and the School of Teacher Education.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is firing back on an initial choice made by a NCAA Division I Committee Infractions panel to ban the university from postseason play tied with a five year probation penalty because of inconsistencies with the university’s self-assessed findings.
Penalties include:
five years of probation
a postseason ban for the football
men’s and women’s basketball and baseball teams
a vacation of all wins in which ineligible student-athletes participated
and scholarship reductions for 11 of the university’s teams
The UAPB athletics program and the university, who in a press release stated that it self-imposed a number of penalties and self-reported errors to the NCAA, says it is exploring options to appeal the decision made by the Committee.
According to reports over a span of five academic years the university failed to follow certain rules on the education and training of staff members who allowed ineligible student-athletes to compete.
On Wednesday UAPB Chancellor Dr. Laurence B. Alexander thanked the Committee for the “attention given to the [UAPB] appeal initially assessed” but says he is displeased with the additional penalties slapped on by the Infractions panel.
“…we remain disappointed even with the reduced penalties imposed by the Committee,” said Alexander in a press release. “…[we] will take the next several days to explore whether any further appeal options should be pursued,” he said.
A report released by the NCAA revealed that Arkansas Pine-Bluff allowed more than 120 ineligible student-athletes to participate in games. If there is no appeal, UAPB will vacate wins spanning every sport from 2007-2012, including the 2010 men’s basketball SWAC championship.
“Dr. Alexander, Director of Athletics Lonza Hardy Jr., and the entire Department of Athletics staff remain committed to insuring that the eligibility certification process is in full compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations,” according to the university’s website.
A second man was charged in the shooting of a student at an off-campus residence hall, according to Delaware State University officials.
University spokesman Carlos Holmes said in an email that Dover Police arrested 25-year-old Michael Clark of Dover at approximately 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Clark is charged with assault, conspiracy and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony.
On Tuesday voters in Alaska voted to legalize recreational marijuana for adult use in the state. Alaska now joins Oregon and Washington, D.C. who also passed legislation Tuesday night to legalize weed in each state, reports say. Colorado and Washington State legalized recreational marijuana use in 2012.
“In Oregon, the law legalizes personal possession, manufacture and sale of marijuana for people 21 years of age and older. Mimicking similar plans in Washington State and Colorado, the Oregon law will also create a commercial regulatory system for the production, distribution and sale of marijuana,” according to a CNN article.
So what does this mean for the African-American people living in those states?
1. Less African-Americans in prison
One of the most important ways African-Americans are affected by the legalization of weed in Oregon, Alaska and Washington D.C. is that less African Americans will be sent to prison.
In The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, Alexander argues that marijuana should be legalized because of it’s use to place many African-Americans in prison. “…in seven states, African Americans constitute 80 to 90 percent of all drug offenders sent to prison,” writes Alexander citing recent evidence by Human Rights Watch.
With this new change in policy, we can expect far less African Americans to be ushered to prison on drug charges–in Colorado after they passed marijuana legalization, the number of marijuana petty possession charges has fallen to just 133 per month a year later after being as high as 714 a month.
2. Less decriminalization
Alexander also writes, “In at least fifteen states, Blacks are admitted to prison on drug charges at a rate from twenty to fifty times greater than that of white men. (Humans Rights Watch 2000)”
African Americans have been targeted through arrests and if the reason for arrest is absent, we can believe that persons will be arrested far less. Arrests can’t be made without any available grounds.
3. Opportunity for jobs
One of the major obstacles in job searches in the African-American community is having gone to prison or being a felon. Many people who have “moved weight” in the Black community have felons and find a tough time finding jobs. However, the new policies guarantee African Americans of tomorrow equal access to jobs in America.
Former CEO of the NAACP Ben Jealous, said, “Arrest disparities have led to mass incarceration and criminalization of African Americans. Any arrest, even for marijuana, is a blot on someone’s record and an impediment to future jobs and opportunities.”
4. The Government will capitalize off of our recreation
Why it matters? Instead of Pookie and Ray Ray making money off of selling weed on Main Street corporations and stores can profit on Wall Street. Also, the government will be able to produce more money on taxes. Thus, we will have to cast our eyes on what our elected officials are doing in DC, Oregon, Alaska, and Colorado, and other future states.
If I told you that North Carolina A&T State University was the choice historically black college or university (HBCU) to be during homecoming season, I probably would be looked upon as some novice Black college tourist, or someone who never really appreciated the value of the Black college experience, and definitely not “GHOE.”
I was given the opportunity to drive 422 miles from the heart of Ohio in Wilberforce to Greensboro, North Carolina to step with some members of my fraternity’s step team at the University’s homecoming step show. And this year’s N.C. A&T homecoming exceeded all of my expectations.
The drive back was better than expected, too.
Here’s what some other students had to say about the now infamous #GHOE:
Department of Media Relations Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331 About Tennessee State University With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 42 undergraduate, 24 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Clinton Gray III, Derrick Moore and Emmanuel Reed wanted to turn their three-man moving company into a thriving business, but they didn’t know how.
The three former college roommates, who dreamed up their moving business idea while still in school at TSU, only had a rented truck and the “grandiose” dream to build a successful moving company like no other.
In 2010, the NBIC stepped in, providing access to business expertise, networking opportunities, mentoring and consulting relationships, and office space for the business start-up.
In three and a half years, since moving into the center, The Green Truck Moving Company has more than doubled sales each year, growing from three employees and a rented truck, to 30 employees and seven company-owned moving trucks. For a business that started with an initial $3,000 investment, the company’s revenue projection is $1.6 million by the end of the next business cycle, according to Gray, who, as director of marketing, is the front man for the company.
“We wouldn’t be halfway where we are today if it wasn’t for the incubation center,” said Gray. “We have outgrown two previous spaces and have had to move to another. From 500 square-feet when we first came here, we are now occupying a 2,000 square-foot area.”
The incubation center offers management and technical assistance to small businesses for up to five years through classes, programs, onsite mentoring, one-on-one business counseling and peer support.
“Our goal is to increase an entrepreneur’s or startup’s likelihood of success by orchestrating connections to coaching, capital, customers, resources and talent,” said Director Angela Crane-Jones.
She said since its establishment in 1986, the NBIC has provided “a well-rounded entrepreneurship and incubation platform” for local businesses. NBIC embraces diversity with a focus on microenterprises: minority, veteran and women owned businesses.
“In the past five years NBIC’s clients have generated over $44.1 million in sales and created 253 new jobs,” Crane-Jones said.
Last year, NBIC clients reported a combined 21 percent increase in sales to close the year at nearly $17 million, while creating 64 new jobs for the Nashville area.
“When they come in, we assess their idea or business growth potential,” Crane-Jones said. “We help them to understand the core functions of human resources, accounting, marketing, legal and operations.”
This way, she said, they can be held accountable to be sure they are hiring the right people, reinvesting their profits into the company, have access or a path to obtain capital, and building sustainable business relationships.
These core values of accountability, reinvestment and sustainability have been a key reason why NBIC start-ups have been successful, and many beat the odds while others floundered under the weight of the recent economic downturn, said Crane-Jones.
U-Kno Catering, a professional catering service and cafeteria food service contractor that prides itself on offering fine cuisine and quality service at an affordable price, knows well the benefit of abiding by the NBIC’s core values.
During the recent recession, while other companies and businesses were struggling and reporting losses, U-Kno Catering, which joined the incubation center in 2008, was maintaining a comfortable profit margin, says owner Brenda Odom, a TSU graduate.
“With the help of the center, we made it a point to reinvest our profits, found a better way to market our business using QuickBooks to track sales, expenses and create invoices instantly,” added Odom, who has more than 20 years experience in the catering and food service industry.
She started the company seven years ago looking to fill a Middle Tennessee market in search of a dependable, fast and quality food service entity with its origin “right here.” There is every indication that Odom has hit her stride. From an initial 1,000 square feet, her business now occupies 2,000 square feet of space at the incubation center.
Among U-Kno Catering’s clients are such notables as Vanderbilt University, Deloitte, Allstate, and NES (Nashville Electric Service), which according to Odom, needed a substantial security bond to sign a contract with the catering service.
“We did not have the bonding, but the incubation center stepped in and provided a letter of guarantee to the bank to help us secure the contract, and bond in less than 30 days,” Odom said.
The success of the NBIC, according to its director, has been largely due to its vision as “the best place to grow a small business,” supported by the University leadership and a Board of Directors including individuals with proven business abilities and keen leadership skills.
Although TSU President Glenda Glover – a CPA herself and former dean of a business school – joined the University just two years ago, immediately upon arrival saw the need to make the center more responsive to the needs of the business community and the university. She established the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, with an executive director, to serve as an umbrella overseeing the functions of the incubation center, and the Small Business Development Center in the College of Business.
The goal of establishing the CEED was twofold, said Executive Director, Dr. Ruthie Reynolds, also a CPA and a longtime business professor.
“Being so aware of the business world, President Glover wanted a better coordination of the entrepreneurial efforts at the University, as well as begin an interdisciplinary approach to entrepreneurship,” said Reynolds.
She said CEED was created to expand the focus of educating and preparing students for positions within corporations to raising student awareness of self-employment as career alternative.
“By bringing the incubation center and the SBDC under one umbrella, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development endeavors to nurture and encourage entrepreneurial spirit in the students, faculty and staff and the local community,” added Reynolds.
According to Crane-Jones, this coordination of effort has worked well for the incubation center. Although admission to the center is opened to all, she said 27 percent of the new entrepreneurs and startups are either current or former TSU students.
Graduates of the center are making their marks in business and industry.
Take for instance Zycron, started at the center about 23 years ago, is now an industry leader in information technology services, providing client-specific solutions in health care, energy and utilities. It has five offices across the U.S., Latin America and England serving a broad client base.
But while this sounds good, Gray, of The Green Truck Moving Company, says it takes a lot of work to make it all happen.
“Starting a business is not easy, which is why access to business experts and affordable office space that the incubator program offers is so vital,” he noted. “It takes a lot of energy, a lot of will power and a little bit of luck thrown in to succeed.”
And Gray, Moore and Reed know too well what hard work and perseverance can do. Just as they dreamt, they built a moving company like no other…. a real “green company.” Their company trucks run on biodiesel, a cleaner form of fuel, and for every move, the company plants two trees, “which helps beautify our communities as well as clean up our earth’s atmosphere.”
VSU President Keith T. Miller announced that, effective Dec. 31, 2014, he will step down as President.
Virginia State University President Keith T. Miller today announced that, effective Dec. 31, 2014, he will step down as President, but will retain his status as a tenured faculty member. The Board accepted his resignation, which came during a meeting with President Miller.
President Miller became VSU’s 13th president on July 1, 2010. Among the many achievements under his leadership, VSU’s Honors Program has grown to its highest level; the University broke ground on its $84 million Multipurpose Center – a project with Small, Women and Minority (SWaM) business participation unprecedented in the Commonwealth; and last year, VSU student-athletes achieved the highest graduation rate in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
Board Rector Harry Black said the Board and President Miller “agreed that VSU should move in another direction strategically.” He also recognized President Miller’s commitment to the University. “President Miller is to be commended for his integrity and putting the interests of Virginia State University and its students at the forefront of this difficult decision,” he said. “The decision is in character with his dedication as a leader committed to service.”
The Board plans to announce an Interim President at its November meeting. Rector Black said a search firm will be engaged to begin an “open, competitive and comprehensive” national search in January for VSU’s 14th president.
A few months ago, the ALS ice bucket challenge went viral and many people around the world poured water on their heads to support the ALS disease. But American Baptist College, a historically black college or university (HBCU), has created a video denouncing the ALS ice bucket challenge because it doesn’t address major issues in the African American community, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, HIV/AID’s, asthma, mental health issues, domestic violence, mass incarceration, unemployment, racism, classism and sexism to name a few.
Instead, the College has challenged our nation’s HBCUs to “pour knowledge into their students heads rather than water on their heads,” as ABC student and Student Union President says in the video above.
The challenge is called “Starting with One: HBCU Book Challenge.” Students will read four books per month and pledges to read a review of the books in a video. They plan to raise awareness, create deeper thought, and apply critical analysis to issues that affect the African-American community.
“…it all started from crucial conversation in the classroom that we all understand that we are all modern demonstrators of change. We made it our business to tackle the problems of the day,” Attaway told HBCU Buzz on how the book challenge was created. “Our goal is to bring a shining light to the majority so the minority will be aware and be able to be critical thinkers,” he said.
A former Florida A&M University marching band member was recently found guilty of manslaughter by a Florida jury. Dante Martin was in the “hot seat” on trial because of his role in the fatal hazing of drum major Robert Champion and could now face up to 15 years in prison on manslaughter charges according to reports. Three other Marching 100 members are still facing trial.
Jurors have found a former member of FAMU’s marching band guilty of manslaughter in the fatal hazing of Decatur native Robert Champion.
Alabama State University’s Defensive End Edward Mosley III, a William V Campbell finalist, recently talked with the Buzz in an interview about his leadership skills, playing football at ASU and whether or not Black college athletes can transition into the NFL..
Robert: How does it feel to be in a conversation with Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning?
Edward: Not many people can say they have been mentioned in the same breath as Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning. Their leadership ability and competitiveness is unparalleled. Their work ethic speaks to why they are champions and why they have won this award. To be up for an honor shared by these two is mind-blowing.
Robert: Why did you choose to play football at an HBCU?
Originally, I had been recruited by schools like South Carolina, Mississippi State, UCF, and etc. When my head coach left after my junior season most of the film seemed to disappear, so I had nothing to show these schools, nobody to take me to camps, or keep me in touch with these schools. I didn’t finish my senior season due to injury but I was still able to spark the interest of schools like Cornell, Lee High, Georgia State, and Murray State at the last minute and they all were going to offer partial aid for that first year. All along, one of my academic scholarships happened to be a full ride to Alabama State University (ASU).
Robert: So football is a key reason for your HBCU pride.
Edward: The recruiter from ASU invited me to a reception in downtown Atlanta for other recipients where he encouraged me to give ASU a chance and at least send my film and info to Coach Barlow. From there I was invited to meet coach at the spring game and fell in love with the family feel the university had over other universities. I’m glad I made the decision to come to an HBCU.
Robert: Should more Black athletes play at HBCUs?
Edward: At one point HBCU’s were the only place Black people could go to school, so I feel it is important to keep HBCU’s extremely relevant! It would be nice to build up HBCU’s to that of a University of Georgia or University of Alabama in all aspects (not just sports). However, African Americans are not obligated to play for any school because of their skin color. Civil rights leaders fought for freedom of choice and to break down the color lines in society. Each athlete must choose the school that will give him/her the best opportunity to be successful post-graduation and that best suits them financially. If that is an HBCU then hopefully the athlete will choose that institution.
Robert: You deflated the myth that NFL recruiters don’t visit HBCUs. What motivates you?
Edward: There have been plenty of successful players from HBCU’s to defy the odds and make it to the NFL. My first Defensive Line coach (Tyrone Rogers) was an alumni of ASU and had a successful NFL career along with Coach Barlow and many others. Robert Mathis was the NFL season leader in sacks and he went to a HBCU. They all are an inspiration and I am trying to carry the legacy on for other future HBCU athletes with NFL dreams. Often talented players can fall through the cracks in high school and slip by the bigger universities, and other players get in trouble and are in need of a second chance to achieve their dreams. HBCU’s often step in and give these players (like me) a chance to showcase their talents. A good football player is a good football player regardless of who he plays for, and scouts know that.
An 18-year-old freshmen at Tennessee State University, a historically black college or university (HBCU), was shot at least three times on her way back to campus after grabbing something to eat at a nearby Wendy’s. Her friend who walked with her and is also a student at TSU managed to escape with only a bullet graze wound.
Metro Police dispatch confirm one person has been shot near TSU by the entrance. Call came in just after 9:30… http://t.co/VentJLwmds
The Meter, the student newspaper of the University, first reported the news via Twitter. According to the student-ran newspaper Tennessee State freshman students Rosalind Miller and Shayna Graves was returning to campus from the local Wendy’s restaurant before being stopped by a car.
A young man that Miller described to be “college age” got out of the car and then grabbed for the backpack Graves wore. Graves would not let go. The young man reacted by pulling a gun out of his pants and shooting Graves multiple times in different areas of the body, Metro police say. Graves was later rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
The gunman, who looked like he was college age according to Miller, got back in his car and drove back towards campus. Graves sat in the street screaming for help. Students nearby called 911.
Taylor Davis, who witnessed the shooting aftermath, said she thought that it was a Halloween prank because it seemed so unreal.
Student Kelsea Martin, who was in the car with Shaun Thompson and Taylor Davis, said that when they stopped the car they could hear Graves screaming “Oh my God, I’ve been shot.
The students said it didn’t take Metro long to arrive. Shortly after, Graves was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Miller said she and Graves are close friends. The two became friends after arriving back in August. Miller says she was shaken because she hears about things like this all the time but never expected anything to happen to her.
According to reports The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) now has the highest alumni contribution rate of any historically black college and university (HBCU) in the nation after achieving an alumni giving rate of 52.49 percent for fiscal year 2014. “We are number one,” said UVI President David Hall, who made the announcement on Wednesday, Oct. 22 during an alumni celebration.
“There is no HBCU that has numbers like this. If you go outside the HBCU realm, there are very few institutions that go beyond 52 percent,” he said.
Claflin University (43%), Spelman College (37.3%), Morehouse College (29.3%), Tuskegee University (23%), and Livingstone College (21.4%) fills out the top 5 HBCU giving rate percentage according to the US News Report.
“As the only HBCU in the Caribbean, the community has rallied around initiatives and campaigns, and they have provided us with support – helping us to reach and maintain our historic goals,” Smith said. “To everyone who believes in paying it forward or giving back, we thank you for believing and making a difference in the lives our students. This is our hometown university.”
Xavier University of Louisiana says it can now triple the number of its graduating African American students who later goes on to achieve their Ph.D.s in the life sciences because of a $19.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that supports the development of underrepresented backgrounds in STEM education. The award is part of a $240 million investment from the NIH, and could also increase the number of African Americans with Ph.D.s nationally by 10 percent according to the University’s website.
In a press release, Xavier President Dr. Norman Francis said the University is the primary undergraduate source of African American Ph.D.s in the life sciences in the country.
2. Central State will hold “economic impact” briefing on land-grant status
Central State University is now only the second land-grant institution in the state of Ohio after what some calls a change of a generations-long injustice. The Black college located in Wilberforce is planning to hold a Breakfast Briefing on the “economic impact” of its land-grant status at the Dayton Arena Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 14.
3. Toni Morrison’s Papers not going to Howard?
Toni Morrison, who originally taught at Howard University before spending more than 25 years teaching at Princeton University, decided to house her papers at the latter over her Alma mater. “…I think 100 years from now people will look back and realize that this is one more symptom of the deep cultural malaise we have in this country,” said Dr. Carr of Howard University.
4. Spelman aims for 50 percent
Because of the significant progress Spelman College has made to achieve a ‘greener community’ Chevrolet is teaming up to build upon the College’s mission to achieve climate neutrality, Spelman officials tells HBCU Buzz. Spelman recently hosted a presentation with Chevrolet on Oct. 22 for Campus Sustainability Day.
The historically black college or university (HBCU) began measuring its baseline greenhouse emissions in 2009 and wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 50 percent by 2031.
5. Al Sharpton is fighting for legendary TSU basketball team
The Reverend Al Sharpton is fighting for…sports? There’s a good case here. Sharpton is friends with Tennessee State University alumnus Dr. Richard “Dick” Barnett, a member of all three of TSU’s 1957- 1959 Men’s Championship Basketball Team. They were the first HBCU to win a national championship, and the first to three-peat in collegiate history.
Now Sharpton is paying it back by joining with TSU President Glenda Glover, state and local officials, community leaders and stakeholders to get the team inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Bonus: My interview on Fuze The Mc about working with Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, being verified on social media and Howard University.
