Black Greek Letter organizations have a rich history of tradition and public service, but with hazing controversies and lawsuits swirling, their future is cloudy at best. Can Black Fraternities adapt and survive or will they fade into obscurity?
For years, many technology companies have flat out refused to release numbers on where they stand when it comes to diversity of its workforce.
Although big companies are legally required to report race and gender statistics to the federal government, firms such as Apple, Google and Hewlett-Packard have convinced the Labor Department that the data is sensitive and should be withheld from the public. I’ll give it to Google for taking the first step and leading the way in actually providing its data.
This has been an issue that I’ve been following for years, so it’s good to see a company of their stature step up to the plate, acknowledge the issue and commit to changing it. The tech leader’s latest announcement is just the tipping point in a national issue that is barely inching toward any resolution.
Google reportedly has 46,170 employees worldwide. Its diversity numbers reveal that while 70% of its workforce is male, only 30% is female, a figure that’s 17% less than the representation of women in the U.S. workforce today.
What is more startling is its ethnicity figures, which only accounts for the U.S.: 61% are white, 2% are black and 3% are Hispanic; 30% are Asian and 4% are of two or more races.
Look even closer and you’ll discover Google’s technical staff is 60% white, 34% Asian, 1% black, 2% Hispanic and 3% of two or more races. In all, 80% of employees are white, 12% are black and 5% are Asian. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, people of color in tech exist at a far lower rate than the national workforce average.
As Google mentioned in its blog post, yes, there is a pipeline issue. However, when will the argument go beyond that “safe” statement and include tangible strategies to ensure the tech landscape is more diverse?
An ideal approach should be multi-pronged with consideration of short and long-term solutions.
Yes, let’s make sure HBCUs and other institutions that have high concentrations of minorities are up to par and producing the talent that our future needs. Yes, let’s make sure that programs that are directly working on this problem are funded — more specifically, programs focusing on the employees and entrepreneurs of tomorrow, our youth, and programs that work to train individuals to code. The pipeline certainly does need to be filled, but it doesn’t stop there.
The Orlando Magic’s Kyle O’Quinn, who led the Norfolk State Spartans to a major upset over Mizzou in the second round of the 2012 NCAA tournament, was named the team’s “Most Competitive Player” by the Bleacher Report.
Micky Shaked of the Bleacher Report almost certainly owes O’Quinn for his latest article titled “Each NBA Teams’ Most Competitive Player,” which now has over 112,000 reads.
“To be completely honest I didn’t know some teams gave sponsored “Hustle Player” awards until researching for this slideshow,” wrote Shaked on O’Quinn, who also is the recipient of the Aleve-Publix ‘Hustle Player of the Year’ award—he won the same award the previous season, too.
Evan Dunlap, Sports Blog Nation:
What makes O’Quinn valuable is that his hustle translates to productivity: his hard play results in rebounds and blocks, contributions that one can measure. He’s also headier than one might expect, with an assist rate of 13.1 percent, which ranks highly among players of his size.
O’Quinn will probably never be more than an emergency option on offense, but that’s OK: the Magic don’t need him to fill a larger role than he already does. So long as he makes about 40 percent of his jumpers, hits the boards, and defends his position, he’s doing his job.
In the 2012 March Madness tournament, Kyle O’Quinn and the Norfolk State Spartans recorded one of the biggest upsets in the history of the NCAA tournament when the No. 15 seed program defeated the No. 2 seed University of Missouri in an intense nail-biter to the end, the Spartans winning 86-84.
The Spartans later lost to the No. 7 seed University of Florida in the third round.
O’Quinn, a Jamaica, NY native, was drafted by the Orland Magic with the 49th picked in the 2012 NBA Draft.
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10 – George A. Olokun | Florida A&M University
Mr – Opportunity national and international travels have allowed him to speak for thousands. Since his college days, he has been utilizing his oratorical gift to transform the lives of everyone. As a world renowned speaker and high potential young entrepreneur he finds himself engaged to opportunity. Earlier this year, he was named one of the Top 11 Leading Professional Speakers in the HBCU community, he’s also been featured in the League of Extraordinary Black Men, and has been on MSNBC and C-SPAN.In 2013, the award winning mentor program by the name of Mentor One, founded by George “Mr-Opportunity” Olokun, is celebrated 10 years of impacting the lives of thousands of high school and college level students. In 2011, George received the New Leaders Council National 40 under 40 Leadership Award, a very prestigious award naming him one of the TOP 40 Progressive Leaders in the Nation. In 2008, George founded GDot Empowerment, LLC. –A Global Enterprise that serves as the parent company of the following entities: GDot Consulting, GDot Publishing Group, and GDot Hospitality Group. From the conference room to the community, George is an extremely passionate individual that loves people and to help others overcome obstacles in their lives.
As an author, thousands have been empowered by his words and publications, which are available in several countries. In 2012, George’s second book entitled “MR-OPPORTUNITY: A Changed Mindset” was published and has received rave reviews. Two years earlier in 2010, the Amazon Best Seller “Empowered To Achieve: 50 Keys To Being and Becoming” was also published.
George served from 2010-2013 as the Founding Chairman & 1st President of the EMERGING 100 of Atlanta; the young professionals auxiliary of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., in addition to sitting on the board of directors for two non-profit organization and has held a plethora of other leadership/service roles.
9 – DJ Tay James | Hampton University
Hampton University Alumnus Taylor James, also known as DJ Tay James or The Boy Wonder, is continuing to decorate his already illustrious career as a DJ. In addition to his repertoire of more than 100 mixtapes, James has been the official DJ for teen sensation Justin Bieber since June.
“I got a call from DJ Boogie who had referred me to Justin. I dropped everything I was doing and flew to Oklahoma, and I’ve been with him ever since,” said James. James’ success comes as no surprise. James, a Baltimore, Md. native, has been DJing since he was 12 and has been self-employed since he was 16. James also interned for Unruly Production and Communication when he was 16. There he learned the business aspect of the music industry.
James also credits HU for some of his knowledge of entrepreneurship. “My accounting, international business and marketing classes have definitely helped prepare me,” said James. In addition to touring with Bieber, James has a blog, a website that gets over 10,000 views daily and he continues to produce mix tapes, the most recent of which, College Radio 14, has over 1,000 downloads.
8 – Mary Victoria Pickard | Spelman College
Mary is a dedicated student, but also a caring sister who truly embodies the Spelman sisterhood. As a political Science major, Spanish minor throughout her years at Spelman Mary has committed herself to her studies as she maintains a 3.9 major GPA while participating in several student organizations including: Morehouse Business Association, Residence Hall Association, SKIRTS- Sisters Keeping It Real Through Service, Phi Alpha Delta, Pre Law Fraternity, a Goldman Sachs | Spelman Leader, and a recently inducted member of the National Society for Leadership and Success. If that is not enough, she is a servant leader outside her community as well. Mary is a literacy tutor at Gigi’s Playhouse- a center for children with Down Syndrome, a mentor with YES! Atlanta, and the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation.
Mary has a total of over 400 service hours since she has entered the gates of Spelman, I think that is an accomplishment in itself. For the 2013-2014 academic year, Mary served as the Spelman Student Government Association Secretary of Academic affairs where she actively worked with the academic provost and deans to restructure student advising and first year and second year experience. A strong, dedicated, and fearless young woman, Mary was in a terrible accident in October that left her hospitalized for two weeks, and could not return to school for the remaining semester. Doctors and nurses alike informed Mary that she would not be able to complete her course work, but with her endless determination Mary’s knew that even with all her downfalls and stumbles she would finish her course work and ultimately graduate with her class. And that she did. Finishing the semester with a cumulative 3.88 GPA Mary is truly a phenomenal woman. The following semester Mary achieved one of her greatest goals while attending Spelman College, and is now our 2014-2015 Spelman Student Government Association President.
7 – Leon White | North Carolina A&T University
Leon White is a Doctoral candidate and is truly one of our brightest and most distinguished students of our generation. He has 4+ years of extensive technical experience in a dynamic and interdisciplinary work environment. He is an effective communicator whom easily interfaces with individuals across various leadership levels. He has proven strategic decision making evidenced by the simultaneous management of multiple projects with the ability to assess various vantages, create solutions and add value to organizational operations. He has served as a graduate researcher for a federal grant sponsored by the National Science Foundation at North Carolina A&T State University. He has developed coatings to inhibit the corrosion of Magnesium and its alloys for possible biomedical applications. He has utilized plasma electrolytic oxidation method to develop ceramic like coatings on Magnesium substrates. His research processes involve high energy electric pulses to produce an oxide layer on surface.
Leon is a White House HBCU All-Star, the NSF Engineering Research Center National Champion Student Testbed Winner for developing a test bed idea focused on understanding the corrosion mechanism of magnesium from a macro and micro perspective, and he is also a Title III Scholar for The U. S. Department of Education, Institutional Development and Undergraduate Education Services.
Leon is not only influential in the professional and engineering realm, but he is also influential in our community. I don’t want to write out his resume, but I do want to express why I personally wanted to nominate Leon White because he is someone I have looked up to since I was a freshman at A&T. He is driven, ambitious, hard-working and also humble. Leon is one of those people who not only wants to be great but wants everyone around him to be great as well. He has truly been like a big brother to me. Leon is that guy who not only cares about how you are doing in your personal life, but he always wants to know what you are doing to get yourself ahead of the game. He was not only main motivator, but everyone’s motivator. He is a leader.
6 – Breagan Ricks | Spelman College
Breagan Ricks is a senior biology major on the pre-med track at Spelman College hailing from Memphis, TN. At Spelman, Breagan is a Bonner Community Service Scholar, and a member of the Health Careers Program. As a sheer reflection of her scholarship and diligence, Breagan has been inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta First Year Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. During her freshman year, Breagan merged her love for science with her passion for community service and founded a non-profit organization entitled FunLab, Inc. whose mission is to teach minority and disadvantaged children basic scientific concepts through fun laboratory experiments. Each month, FunLab works with students from M. Agnes Jones and KIPP Strive Academy and has ultimately reached nearly 200 students in over ten schools in three cities, a Primary Anglican school in Belize, and a Christian missionary school in Haiti. For her efforts with FunLab, Breagan was honored to be the first student to ever receive the Local Community Service Award that is granted on behalf of the President of Spelman College and its Board of Trustees, and Breagan was also chosen to be featured as a Hero Next Door in this year’s May issue of Ebony Magazine.
FunLab was also selected as a project within the Dalai Lama Fellowship that awards highly competitive, yearlong fellowships with a project grant of up to $10,000 to students at select universities and colleges worldwide. In the past, Breagan has done molecular biology research, served as a member of the Miss Spelman Advisory Board and as a Peer Assistant Leader (PAL) to incoming Spelman students. In her free time, you may find Breagan, rereading a classic novel, sharing special moments with loved ones, or adding stamps to her passport. Breagan aims to be a cosmopolitan woman and has traveled abroad to England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales as an international ambassador and to the Bahamas to perform on a Disney cruise ship. Breagan has also ventured abroad to rural Panama to provide free health care to underprivileged communities last spring break. During her sophomore year, Breagan was selected to participate in the Early Medical School Selection Program (EMSSP) at Boston University, the only one of its kind in the country, and upon graduating from Spelman, Breagan aspires to become a pediatric oncologist conducting research and volunteer work via a global healthcare partnership for developing countries. As Breagan continues to write new entries into each chapter of her life, she makes certain to keep God as the center of her joy while growing more in her faith each day.
5 – Wes Bellamy | South Carolina State University /Virginia State University
Wes Bellamy, originally from Atlanta, GA moved to Charlottesville, VA in September of 2009 after graduating from S.C. State University. He started his career at the National Ground Intelligence Center. Bellamy later resigned to pursue Law School in route to become an advocate for people in the community. After receiving several law school acceptance letters, Bellamy was convinced by community leaders and school personnel to pursue a career as a teacher and eventually a principal. Upon notice of a lacking positive African American influence in the school system, Bellamy jumped at the opportunity. He now teaches computer science and African American Studies at Albemarle High School, and recently graduated from Virginia State University obtaining a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. He will soon become an administrator at his current High School, and he truly sets an example for all of the kids at the school. Succeeding devotion of countless hours to the youth of Charlottesville, Bellamy wasn’t satisfied with his efforts. On December 7, 2011, he started the Non-Profit (H.Y.P.E.) which stands for Helping Young People Evolve. H.Y.P.E. is a boxing and mentoring program currently serving 24 boys. Additionally, in September of 2012, “H.Y.P.E. Steppin” was created as a women empowerment program for young ladies. H.Y.P.E., based and predicated on discipline and accountability, has seen instant results. In a little over one year, the overall GPA of participants jumped from a 1.8 on 12/8/11 to 3.2 as of 4/14/14. The program was so successful that a second location in Columbia, SC. Mr. Bellamy’s main focus is improving the lives of those who lack resources and positive role models in their lives. He does this by sponsoring Community Days, Coat Drives, and empowering as many youth as possible through his Non-profit. Bellamy makes it a point to serve multiple communities in whatever way possible. H.Y.P.E. has hosted six “Community Days” across the state of South Carolina in Florence, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach, and another four in Charlottesville, VA. At these events a total of 3,500 people were fed, over 1,200 book bags have been given away, over 150 people were registered to vote. He would like to believe that at each of these events, people also left feeling empowered. H.Y.P.E. has also hosted four “Big Giveaway” Coat Drives the past two years in which we have raised and donated 1,800 coats in Columbia, SC and 1,600 coats in Charlottesville, VA, all of which were given away to the homeless and disadvantaged.
While serving on the 100 Black Men of Central VA, C100 Black Men of Central VA Advisor (UVA Chapter), African American Teaching Fellows, PHAR (Public Housing Association of Residents) Advisory Board and the Charlottesville Housing Advisory Committee in April of 2013, Bellamy, at the age of 26, decided to try his hand in politics. Disappointed with the lack of African American representation on Charlottesville City Council, Wes felt he should be the person that felt the missing void on council. After running a very strong race, he recorded the second tie at the polls in Virginia State History. Bellamy eventually lost by 5 provisional votes that had not been counted, however his showing in the race was a moral victory. He has been even more determined and motivated to help the people of Charlottesville, recently organizing and starting two new organizations, The Charlottesville Young Black Professional Network (YBPN) and the Charlottesville/Albememarle Alliance of Black School Educators (CAABSE).
4 – Earl Cooper | Morehouse College
Earl Anthony Cooper is a 2011 graduate of Morehouse College where he received a scholarship to play golf for Morehouse and earned a B.A. in political science. As 2010 and 2011 most improved player, he was instrumental in leading the school to its first National Championship in 2010. Prior to attending Morehouse he became the first African American all-state golfer for the state of Delaware and has continued to earn many golf honors and achievements, including S.I.A.C. (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) First Team-All Conference 2010 and 2011. He completed the PGA (Professional Golf Association) Post-Graduate Program and is pursuing a professional golf career. He continues to reflect the attributes of a Morehouse Renaissance Man by being Well Read, Well Traveled, Well Spoken, Well Dressed and Well Balanced.
While an undergraduate, Earl Anthony was vice president of the Next Great American Poet Society Morehouse Chapter. In that role, he increased the awareness Atlanta high school students have about the importance of literature and helped provide forums for expression through poetry. While in high school in Delaware, he served as vice president of Young Achievers, where he mentored and motivated his under-classmates to strive for excellence and success in life.
Despite his humble beginnings, Earl Anthony has been playing golf since the age of six, when his dream of making a living in the sport began and never died. He knows what it is to face challenges in school and wants every child to master reading, find it fun and discover the same spark he did to follow their dreams. One way he is providing that encouragement is through “Hello, Maroon Tiger!”, a children’s book he authored during his senior year at Morehouse while taking a double course load and traveling with the golf team. “Hello, Maroon Tiger!” the first Mascot Book about a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), is a children’s storybook that follows the Morehouse mascot around the historic Morehouse College campus. It engages early elementary age children and helps them visualize attending college when they grow up.
3 – Francena McCorory | Hampton University
Displaying natural young talent, Francena McCorory established the American indoor 400m record in 2010 at the age of 22 – winning her second straight NCAA title competing for Hampton University. McCorory won gold in the 2011 World Outdoor Championships final, and subsequently qualified for her first Olympic Team in 2012; where she went on to win gold as a member of the 4x400m team in London.
A native of Hampton, Va., McCorory currently resides and trains in her hometown, and is a proud graduate of Bethel High School. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Hampton University and will pursue her dreams of becoming a mortician after she retires as a Professional Track & Field Athlete.
McCorory has been featured in several prominent publications including Sports Illustrated and Essence Magazine, in addition to several other local and national publications. She plans to continue to use her talents to inspire and empower youth to work hard, dream big, and always “cross the finish line” in all endeavors.
2 – Thabiti Stephens | Morehouse College
Steps by Stephens, an Atlanta-based shoe company, was founded in 2010 by Thabiti Stephens. After becoming close friends with Malcolm Conner at Morehouse College, the two have linked their talents, love for footwear, and passion for philanthropy in 2011. The young entrepreneurs became business partners making Steps by Stephens one of the hottest up and coming shoe collections on the market. Although these 21-year-old males have achieved a great deal of success from Steps by Stephens including a huge feature in Black Enterprise last year, the vision encompasses much more.
With some of its proceeds, Steps by Stephens aims to provide meals for Atlanta children and families in need. Since its initial launch in 2012, Steps by Stephens has donated thousands of dollars to charity and is focused on achieving a global outreach to end hunger. Stephens and Conner believe staying trendy and doing good in the community is important. By dedicating countless hours to community service, Steps by Stephens has built loyal customers worldwide, even acquiring celebrity clientele over the past two years.
This June, Steps by Stephens will step up the shoe competition with the release of its new summer collection. Steps by Stephens has upgraded its classic style shoe for better comfort and is available in blue, red, and black. The shoes are great for the family, available in men, women, and children’s sizes. Step into style this summer with a pair of Steps by Stephens
“We design, manufacture, and retail our shoes—the whole nine yards. We oversee every step,” Stephens says.
Stephens first came up with the idea in 2010, a week after high school ended. He spent much of that summer mapping out the business, designing the shoes, and researching manufacturing options. Stephens incorporated the business in late 2011 and began selling shoes six months later. He came up with $25,000 in startup funding, which was gleaned from his own savings and that of his new business partner and college roommate, Malcolm Conner, 20. They used the startup capital to produce, market, and distribute their footwear, carrying an initial inventory of 2,500 shoes. The company sold an average of 55 pairs a month, or 330 total, the second half of 2012, generating about $20,000 in revenues. “In the first two months of 2013, we were averaging 108.5 sales a month, (selling from the initial 2,500 inventory) resulting in a little more than $13,000 in revenues,” Stephens says. To date, the company has donated $4,000 to local homeless shelters.
1 – Bakari Sellers | Morehouse College
Mr. Sellers is a young, Black politico in South Carolina. He was influenced greatly by his father, Cleveland Sellers, who was a part of the tragic, historic event known as the Orangeburg Massacre. After graduating Morehouse College at a young age, Bakari returned to his home state and community of Denmark, SC, to become a full-fledged change agent. He is currently running for Lieutenant Governor of the state.
A resident of Denmark, South Carolina Bakari Sellers has served in the South Carolina Statehouse since 2006. At the time of his election he was the youngest serving member of the House of Representatives, and in the years since has proven to be one of the body’s most effective leaders.
The son of civil rights leader Dr. Cleveland Sellers and Gwendolyn Sellers, Bakari learned at a young age the importance of public service. He was Student Government Association President and a member of the Board of Trustees at Morehouse College and earned his JD from the University of South Carolina. Sellers served as a member of the South Carolina Steering Committee of Obama for America 2007-2008. He is a member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.
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20 – Rachel S. Jackson | Clark Atlanta University
A hometown hero, Rachel S. Jackson is an alumna of Clark Atlanta University, class of 2013. Graduating with a degree in marketing, “Rachie” as she is affectionately known has shown her support for her community by being heavily involved in public service, mentoring students at the Boys and Girls Club where she attended as a child and serving as one of the lead organizers for community events such as the Annual LudaDay Weekend. A Decatur, GA native, Rachel lives each day to help make the lives of those around her greater! Ms. Jackson is dedicated to the success of the youth and has used her marketing skills to serve as a role model as well as a supporter for the community. In her professional life, many would refer to Rachel as an entrepreneurial powerhouse!
The 24 year old is the owner and creator of RJackson, LLC under which she has created avenues of opportunity for herself and young entrepreneurs such as myself. Rachel recently created RJackson Party Bus under her company brand “RJackson, she formerly served as the Executive Marketing Assistant for Jackmont Hospitality, and currently serves as the Events Assistant for 92-9 The Game (ATL’s Newest Sports Radio Station, CBS Radio that showcases all things special events and promotions that pertain to the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves & Atlanta Hawks). Ms. Jackson also serves as a swim instructor at the Joseph B. Whitehead Boys & Girls Club where she believes it is her responsibility to serve there since it is where she too learned how to swim (and recently taught her 100th student to swim). In the near future, Rachel hopes for her company R. Jackson, LLC to align with Atlanta Public Schools and the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute’s Camp Exposure “to create lasting programs for middle school girls that encompass the fundamentals of mental, physical, educational, financial and spiritual strength; while exposing them to entrepreneurship. Middle school finds young ladies at a stage in life where they are very impressionable and I believe it’s our job as women to equip the younger visions of our essence with the tools they need to transition into productive, positive adults.
19 – Dior Ginyard | Bowie State University
Dior Ginyard is a alumnus of Bowie State University, graduating in December 2011 with a bachelor’s of science degree in public relations. Dior also earned a master’s of science degree in management marketing from University of Maryland University College.
He currently holds a communications and public affairs position at Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace company and 59th Fortune 500 company. In this role, Dior is the sole communicator for Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions (IS&GS) Exploration and Mission Support business; managing day-to-day media relations operations. With more than 600 communication-focused employees in the company, Dior’s work as a communicator was recognized with a COMET Award, a Lockheed Martin award that recognizes best practices in communications and exceptional contributions to the business.
Not only does Dior have a passion for communications, he also is very passionate about giving back to the community. Over the past year, Dior has lead numerous community service projects aimed at providing food and resources to those in-need in the Wash. Metro-Area. In August 2013, Dior worked with the National Center for Children and Families to raise more than $500 worth of back to school supplies. In October 2013, he kicked-off the Brown Bag Project, which provided 83 bagged lunches to homeless persons throughout Washington, D.C. To wrap-up the year, he partnered with the Children’s National Medical Center to collect more than $450 worth of toys for patients at the medical center. For his contributions to the community, Dior received the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award, which is issued by President Barack Obama and the White House. This award recognizes outstanding contributions in community service in the United States.
18 – Anthony Johnson | Morgan State University
To meet Anthony in person is to come face-to-face with the embodiment of calculated style; punctuated with a charisma likened to the Paul Robeson’s and Damon Johns of the world. An invention of his, the critically acclaimed “Magnepel” has not only brought a revolutionary accessory to men’s fashion, but spurred an aesthetic renaissance of sorts for men in Baltimore. Ranging at about inches in circumference the “Magnepel” employs a magnet to clasp a lapel flower to suits as an improved alternative to the pins we have toiled with over the centuries. Not only has Anthony co-created a market of his own, he has obtained the voluntary endorsement of leaders such as Pastor Jamal Bryant who fervently believes in the mission that is Anthony Johnson. Apart from his own entrepreneurial ventures Anthony has taken it upon himself to ensure that enterprise in any sort be a community and nationwide effort amongst men of color.
Male Enterprise Network (MEN) is an organization built to empower promising businessmen. MEN is a non-profit that provides resources in efforts to uplift minority male professionals towards higher achievement in the business world. No secrets are abundant when trying to understand that minorities are still a struggling populace of the business world. Only with pioneering efforts like those of Mr. Johnson can African Americans in particular begin to make the calculated leaps and bounds necessary to create and capture markets nationally and internationally. This vision of interlinking professionals is one which has him conduct events such as the annual MEN’s brunch, in which he refused to employ the conventional lecture model of meeting but created simulations of brainstorm between men of varying backgrounds that today still ruminates with all 100 or so men present. This upcoming year Anthony will be buttressing his instincts with a MBA degree from Morgan State University
17 – Terron Armstead | University of Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Armstead wasn’t only a very good football player in high school, but he was also a key part of a record-setting championship track and field team. In his senior year of high school, Armstead led the team with a toss of 62 feet, 3 inches in the shot put. Armstead received several Division I football scholarship offers coming out of high school, but elected to attend Arkansas-Pine Bluff because his coach, former Redskins linebacker Monte Coleman, was the only one that would allow him to also participate in track and field. Armstead not only managed to be a three-time All-SWAC football player, but also an eight-time SWAC champ in track and field.
Over his career for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Armstead has played in 37 games. He started all 12 games at left tackle in his senior season. Armstead really made a name for himself at the East-West Shrine Game, where he performed extremely well. Terron Armstead is now an American football offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). The New Orleans Saints chose him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Saints left tackle Terron Armstead is ranked No. 19 in NOLA.com’s top 20 New Orleans Saints players. As a rookie, he started Weeks 16 and 17 and the Saints’ two playoff contests – part of an offensive line that gave up only four sacks and averaged 129.7 yards rushing in their last three games.
16 – Darren Brand | North Carolina A&T University
Darren Brand is known for his personality, passion, and distinct comedy style delivery. For anyone who has come in contact Darren, it’s easily learned that his natural aura is just as authentic and original as his comedic delivery. From the outside, it’s easy to assume that you have a general understanding of a person’s background and how they got to where they are. The bad part about this is 9 times out of 10 we’re usually wrong. Outside of being an outlet to thousands of people through his experience in event planning, motivational speaking, hosting, and comedy, Darren Brand has a story behind his successes.
As a native of Southern Pines, North Carolina, Darren has had occurrences within his life that could easily cause one to detour on a path of negativity or cause a lack in enthusiasm. These two things are definitely not defined in Darren’s dictionary. When asked what triggered the desire of his current successes, Brand had this to say. “Being able to tell my story, coming up with a hard upbringing, and proving you can go to school and not quit. I use laughter to hide what I go through and it’s therapy so why not pass that along.”
Darren “Big Baby” Brand is considered the life force of the Freestyle Funny Comedy Show. Not only is he a hip hop dance extraordinaire but also serves as the sex symbol of the FFCS. Brand’s style is best described as rhythm personified, let him tell it, if he weren’t “slangin these jokes” he’d be “sangin these notes”. @DarrenBrand_ truly believes the collegiate experience encompasses the best years of your life, and much of his material reflects those times. Whether he’s reminding you about proper campus etiquette or showing you the newest dance moves, you’re certain to be entertained.
15 – Glorie Chiza | Fort Valley State University
Glorie Chiza, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fort Valley State University, currently serve as the Program Coordinator for the Opportunity Funding Corporation (OFC), a division of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. OFC has made a significant impact in closing the African American “entrepreneurship gap” by developing successful US-based minority businesses, like BET and Radio One.
Before Joining OFC, Glorie participated in the White House Internship Program as a White House Personnel Intern under the office of Management and Administration. Glorie also spent a semester interning in the office of Congressman John Lewis in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus’s Emerging Leaders Program. In addition, He also served as an intern for the Fund for Global Human Rights, a non-profit organization that works to ensure a strong, effective human rights community worldwide.
Glorie is a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo and moved to the United States in 2002. In 2012, he founded Sifa Foundation, a non-profit that provides academic scholarships to young people living in poverty in the rural Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Glorie plans to join the U.S. Department of State as a Public Diplomacy Foreign Officer to help strengthen relationships that improve foreign insight into American society and build bridges of understanding between Americans and the world.
14 – Rafael Bush – South Carolina State University
Rafael Bush is an American football safety for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He initially joined the NFL in 2010 when signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. He played college football at South Carolina State. The Saints showed how important Bush is to them when they matched the Atlanta Falcons’ two-year, $3.8 million offer to Bush as a restricted free agent this offseason.
Even though Bush is the Saints’ third safety, he played extensively last season in Rob Ryan’s defense, which spent about 75 percent of snaps in nickel or dime defense. He finished with a career-high 42 tackles and five passes defended in the regular season. Bush is versatile enough to help in both run support and pass coverage, and he also might be the Saints’ best asset in special teams coverage.
So far, Bush has made his biggest impact as a hard hitter in the open field. Unfortunately, one of his most memorable plays last season ended with a negative result — a hard hit that separatedSeattle Seahawks receiver Percy Harvin from the ball on third down during the opening drive of their playoff game. Bush was penalized for the hit, but his fine was later rescinded.
13 – Ala’Torya Cranford | Paine College
Ala’Torya Cranford serves as the Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs. But her duties far surpass her job description. With passion and compassion, she’s opened her door & her heart to ALL who maybe in need. From serving as the Advisor for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. To serving as the advisor for Pre-Alumni Council as well as Mr. & Miss Paine College & Royal Court. She has such an amazing spirit and lends a helping hand in anyway possible! I’ve had the pleasure of working with her while serving as Miss Paine College. She entered My life as an advisor & grew to become My mentor & friend! There is nothing That I can’t talk to her about from spirituality, to student leadership & life in general. She represents our institution as an Alumni, serving in the community & church.
Cranford currently serves as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at Paine College. She is responsible for overseeing a comprehensive alumni program including electronic communications, an on-line community, events (both on campus and regional), and programs to bring alumni together with current students as well as preparing students to develop into supportive and involved alumni through the Paine College Pre-Alumni Council. The National Alumni Council is an affiliate of the United Negro College Fund, Inc. founded in 1946, to foster, influence and safeguard the existence and strength of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
12- Triston R. Young | Morgan State University
Triston R. Young, is a Senior Civil Engineering and Entrepreneurship double major at Morgan State University. He is currently one of Morgan’s two HBCU All Star Ambassadors with the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He serves as an HBCU All-Star to showcase the talent and advantages of an HBCU Education, to represent the interests of HBCU education of our youth and to encourage other students nationwide to lead, serve and strive for excellence and academic success. Since becoming an All Star Ambassador, he has worked to strengthen foreign relations, aided in the development of the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and committed to helping (MSI) Minority Serving Institutions garner more support and funding. He is a Construction Engineering Intern for CH2M Hill and has been a Co-Op Field Engineer at Turner Construction Company working on projects in Baltimore from office fit-outs to full from ground LEED construction projects. While at Morgan, Triston has conducted faculty assisted research in structural and environmental engineering, achieved a victory in the Consulting Design Olympiad for a global engineering project with engineers in Aachen, Germany and has started his own business.
Triston’s leadership activities have included serving as President of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Grant-Brett Promethean Kappa Tau Honor Society and Inter Resident Hall Council. Among other leadership roles in the previous organization, Triston also has had leadership in the Student Government Association and involvement in the Morgan MILE (Male Initiative for Leadership and Excellence). He helps others as a mentor for the Adopt-A Freshman Mentoring Program and has provided volunteer service for the School of Engineering’s 25th Anniversary Celebration; Open House; Fast Track to Achievement (workshops for freshmen) and Freshman Weekend (Team Leader). Triston is always available to speak with prospective students about engineering. Participating and planning events such as “A Walk for Education,” Triston has devoted countless hours to outreach to promoting education and encouraging elementary, middle and high school students to pursue STEM degrees.
However, the ultimate in his leadership has been the ability to revitalize, re-energize, uplift, and brand the BOSS Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers at Morgan State University. Since his freshman year until this point, he has served as President, Chairman, Parliamentarian, Conference Planning Chair and Step Team Coordinator or. Triston oversaw the outreach and retention programs and activities that the NSBE chapter organized for the Morgan student body, engineering students, pre-college students, and alumni. Even in his final year, he serves as President Emeritus to advise the current president and executive board.
11 – Bianca Bailey – Howard University
Ms. Bianca Bailey is a Howard University Alumna and received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2012. Before graduating from Howard, Ms. Bailey was awarded the White House “Champion of Change Award for Women & Girls in Science Technology Engineering & Math”. She was nominated by Girls Incorporated for her volunteer work and engineering leadership with Engineers Without Borders-Howard University EWB-HU. Her involvement with EWB-HU has allowed Ms. Bailey to provide clean drinking water in Choimim, Kenya using biosand filter technology and reduce the number of waterborne diseases there. Ms. Bailey has also empowered young people around the world with the knowledge to understand the importance of affordable clean water & sanitation.
Her experiences in places like Kenya, Sudan, Abu Dhabi, Nepal and many other countries has enabled her with the tools and resources to help improve the quality of life for others. This young trailblazer has also started a business called AsanTEA Sanitizers. AsanTEA Sanitizers is a plant-based, scented hand-sanitizer that uses anti-oxidant technology to kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses. In the 2014 Cozad Business Plan Competition at UIUC, AsanTEA Sanitizers beat out 150 teams and placed as finalists! Ms. Bailey is excited to launch AsanTEA Sanitizers to the community and believe organic products leads to better health within our community. For more info on AsanTEA: Please check out https://sites.google.com/site/asanteasanitizerz/home
In May 2014, Ms. Bailey was the only African American women to graduate with a Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Her masters thesis focused on using black & green tea leaves to purify and clean water. Ms. Bailey is now a PhD candidate in Agricultural and Biological Engineering at UIUC and will continue researching sanitation and water purification using plant-based methods. As a mentee of the first Lady Michelle Obama and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Ms. Bailey is committed to scholarship and service in the community and abroad.
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5 DSU athletes charged in UD dorm thefts
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Reported by Delaware Online
Five members of the Delaware State University football team have been charged in a pair of dormitory burglaries at University of Delaware in Newark.
Four men broke into the dorms and stole laptop computers and video game systems, while the fifth received stolen property, UD police said Thursday.
Gabriel Sherrod, 20, of Dover, Rashawn Barrett, 20, of Montclair, New Jersey; Cameren Judge, 21, of New Britain, Connecticut; and Shubasz Gordon, 23, of Bloomfield, Connecticut, were charged with three counts of theft, two counts of burglary and two counts of conspiracy.
Reports from the charlotteobserver
The former accounting director of North Carolina A&T University’s foundation has been charged with stealing about $400,000 over three years.
Shirlye Cornelia Grandy, 50, turned herself in to Greensboro police Thursday. Officials say Grandy had worked for the foundation for nearly nine years before she was fired in March.
Grandy is charged with embezzlement, corporate malfeasance, obtaining property under false pretenses and accessing a government computer with the intent to defraud. It was not clear if Grandy has an attorney.
The foundation has not recovered any of the money.
Interim director Shirley Frye said the foundation is working to make sure the theft cannon happen again.
The foundation is affiliated with but is independent from the university. The foundation supports the university through student scholarships, academic programs and other ways. Read more here:
A missing Morehouse student Ben Jones found safe this morning at the Doraville MARTA station blamed disappointment over not graduating for his disappearance, a Roswell police spokesman said.
Roswell detectives and MARTA police located him about 1:30 a.m., nearly two weeks after he told his father he was heading to pick up tickets for his graduation from Morehouse and run some errands.
When Ben Jones didn’t return to the family’s Roswell home the evening of May 16, Richard Jones said he wasn’t worried.
“It’s not unusual for him to go over to a friend’s house or go out for a run with friends,” he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution earlier this week. “When he didn’t get home at midnight, I remember thinking, ‘Where is that boy?’”
Early the next morning, worry set in, Richard Jones said. He drove to Morehouse, his own alma mater, and started looking for his son. When he talked with college leaders, Richard Jones found out Ben Jones wasn’t scheduled to graduate after all.
That’s when the family reported their son’s disappearance to police.
Ben Jones “reported that due to the disappointment regarding graduation at Morehouse, he felt that he needed to get away from things,” Roswell police spokesman Zachary Frommer said late this morning. READ FULL
Bring Back Our Girls! Morgan State University Rallies For Kidnapped Nigerian Students watch video by Baltimore CBS
From Black America Web
Tennessee State University, known as The Big Blue to its fans, won its 12th Black College Football National Championship in the 2013 season. They can now celebrate for another reason – the school was the only HBCU to have its athletes selected in this year’s NFL Draft.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose four-year starting guard Kadeem Edwards in the fifth round as the 143rd player picked overall. The St. Louis Rams chose center Demetrius Rhaney in the seventh round, the 250th player taken.
“This is huge for the university,’’ Tennessee State coach Rod Reed said. “It’s not often that an HBCU gets this kind of notoriety. I can’t remember the last time an HBCU had two players drafted – not only an HBCU but an FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) school. This is a great day for Black college football and around Tennessee State.’’
Two other Big Blue mainstays, tight end A. C. Leonard and free safety David Van Dyke, signed free agent deals within hours of the draft end on Saturday.
Edwards, 6-4, 313 pounds, and Rhaney, 6-2, 301 pounds, anchored the offensive line for Tennessee State as the Big Blue advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1999.
Edwards was a 2013 All-American and the Tigers’ Offensive MVP. In addition to being named All-OVC for the third consecutive year. Read FULL
The Club Scene & Relationships
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“No thank you, I got a boyfriend.”
“…You can’t have friends? ”
This is a special one for Memorial Day Weekend. I realize everyone is partying and enjoying themselves. I have also realized that some men & women that have been enjoying themselves far too much.There are limitations & rules for clubbing and social settings when in a relationship. Right? You shouldn’t be at everyone’s table or stumbling out the club with the next man. What about drinks? Can you let any and everyone buy you drinks ?
Here are the top 5 rules for clubbing when in a relationship:
1. Way of Dress- keep in mind that the way you are dressed will attract men. If you are in a relationship, consider what your style of dress is saying.
2. Keep Drinking to a Minimum- We all know that after a few drinks the real us comes out. If the real you is flirty and wreckless… 2 drink minimum!
3. Table Hopping – This is a big one. Everything in the social scene is politics. So when considering where you will stand/ sit in the club keep in mind that it may be sending a message, no matter what that message may be. Unless you know a friend (a real friend.. Not the one that’s trying to talk to you) that’s going to that table, sit it out.
4. Screen your Drink buyers – Some may purchase drinks simply to be polite. While others will do it as a Segway to get closer to you. Make sure you’re selective with your interactions.
5. Be careful – When in a relationship, (especially when your person in known or sought after) you will have people (you don’t know )who know who you are simply based on their desire for your happiness. Be careful and be aware.
Though these are your standard rules, keep in mind that this is dependent upon your girl/guy. If their needs/ wants out of you can still be respected without following these rules then by all means do you. However, in all situations everything starts small. Be smart! Do not put yourself in a situation that will tarnish your reputation as a respectable significant other. The object is to be unattainable.
Put your, “Resting Bitch face” on and have fun. Party Responsibly
HBCU Fashion Students Finally Recognized
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If you haven’t heard by now, history was made this year. Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) teamed up with McCafe to offer HBCU fashion students a chance of a lifetime.
Yes, you read that right: HBCUs fashion students. If that caught you by surprise, you aren’t alone. Many HBCUs have great fashion departments and robust programs that people aren’t aware of. Though I did not attend an HBCU, as a former student of color in fashion merchandising, I can attest, the journey to a fashion career can feel lonely. Needless to say, I didn’t get the same industry support as my friends in medicine or accounting. Fashion has yet to be accepted as a major that leads to a “real” job.
I can actually understand why: This industry is tough, not easily accessible and may not pay a lot at first. That’s enough to make any parent steer their children aware. But it does offer lots of really amazing job opportunities and life experiences. And if someone puts in the hard work and stays committed, the payoff is worth the wait. The challenge is, students are not always aware of the opportunities. This is why we started Harlem’s Fashion Row University (HFR-U). It’s a way to expose students of color to the many opportunities in fashion.
This spring we partnered with McCafe to launch a Student Design Competition. The winner will collaborate with HFR and Project Runway alumni Kimberly Goldson to create the red carpet look for the McDonald’s 11th annual 365Black Awards host Janell Snowden.
The competition for the awards was stiff, but a winner emerged: TraVonne Walker from Bowie State University.
The Black Roots of Memorial Day
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Memorial Day, set aside to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed all while wearing the uniform of our country, is considered by many to be the unofficial start of summer. To me, it also should be commemorated as the unofficial start of emancipation, or at least the beginning of the end of slavery in the early days of the American Civil War. I say this not only because Memorial Day has its roots in the war, as Drew Faust describes in This Republic of Suffering, or because its first solemn celebration at Arlington Cemetery in 1868 anticipated, by a few weeks, final ratification of the 14th Amendment guaranteeing all Americans equal protection under the law.
No, emancipation’s connection to Memorial Day runs much deeper than that, beginning at a place known as “Freedom’s Fort,” at the mouth of the James River in Virginia, on the night of May 23, 1861, the same day Virginia officially seceded from the Union. That evening, three slaves who had been forced into building battlements for the Confederate Army at Sewell’s Point on the Norfolk coast risked their lives in a daring escape to Fort Monroe, the Union stronghold that beckoned them from across the waters of Hampton Roads. It was a memorable night, one of the most memorable of the war. And the momentum the three slaves created would give far greater meaning to Memorial Day when the fighting, still in its infancy, was over.
Their names were Frank Baker, Shepard Mallory and James Townsend. Rowing in the dark, they didn’t know whether they would survive the crossing, be shot dead when they landed, be returned to their master, Confederate Col. Charles K. Mallory, or, as punishment, have their families sold in their stead. What they did know was that if they stayed, they would be transferred deeper into Dixie to the Carolinas, where still more battlements would have to be built to defend slavery using their slave labor. A line had to be drawn, and they drew it.
In seeking refuge with the Union Army, Baker, Mallory and Townsend unofficially ignited the movement of slaves emancipating themselves with their feet—the contraband movement—which would extend the aim of the war from maintaining the Union at all costs to a war for union and the freedom of the slaves. That last aim was the ultimate revenge on the South’s rebel government, formed, as it was, on the bedrock notion that one person had the right to own another person, for life.
On the Union side, the unsuspecting general about to receive the trio of slaves was Benjamin F. Butler, Fort Monroe’s new commander and a slippery Massachusetts Democrat who had supported the pro-slavery candidate against Abraham Lincoln in the presidential election just a year before. What Butler would do was anyone’s guess.
Still, Baker, Mallory and Townsend rowed on.
Fort Monroe, or ‘Freedom’s Fort’
The fort in the distance was laced with meaning. As Eric Foner writes in his 2011 masterpiece, That Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery, Fort Monroe “stood near the spot where twenty slaves had been landed from a Dutch ship in 1619, marking the beginning of slavery in England’s North American colonies.” Completed in 1834, the fort was named for James Monroe, the nation’s fifth president and the fourth Virginia slaveholder to occupy the White House. Covering 63 acres with walls stretching over a mile around, Fort Monroe stood watch on the tip of the Virginia Peninsula at Old Point Comfort near Hampton. As with so many of our early landmarks, slaves had helped built it, and one of the former officers stationed there was Robert E. Lee. Yes, Fort Monroe was laced with meaning.
Read more at The Root.
The ‘Sex Talk’ For 21st Century Parents
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“Would you rather have your first kiss on YouTube?” My 9 year old son asked, “Or a transcript of everything you said on your first date available on Google?” It was like he had just entered some new 21st Century iteration of Lacan’s “Mirror Phase.” He was suddenly aware that what he does on the Web is public.
The “Mirror Phase” is a way of describing how the ego develops as an observer of the self. Imagine that moment when a child encounters and comprehends his own reflection in a mirror. Put simply, French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan’s used this image to describe the developmental moment when a child first experiences and embodies the tension between internal and external identity.
My son’s question made me wonder if, in the current world, psychoanalysts might need to add another experience of the self: the first encounter with the public nature of digital networked life. After all, a significant part of identity is currently caught up in how one participates in social media and the manifestation of a personality “brand.” Perhaps those who think Facebook is narcissistic are confusing psychological theories that borrow reflection imagery.
It was about a week before my son’s ninth birthday and he had been thinking a lot about dating, eros, and romance lately. I could tell because he kept making passing remarks about it. YouTube, Google, Kissing. This was new territory for me. I sat for a moment with a bit of anxiety about the conversation that was coming and then I answered his question, “I choose my first kiss on YouTube. No matter how awkward that looks, it is not as bad as the clumsy ways we try to express confusing feelings to people before we really know how.”
It was a hint; I was fishing. I hoped he’d ask me to elaborate and I could launch into a full scale sex talk. I wanted him to start the discussion.
Each time I’ve tried to have similar conversations it has been clumsy. I did an anatomy lesson last year, opening with, “come here, there’s something I want to talk to you about.” That didn’t work. Too heavy. It infused the discussion with unnecessary stress. I wanted it to feel normal, like an everyday conversation. Giving kids normalized and dignified vocabulary to talk about private parts is known to be one of the best preventative measures we can take against abuse. The sex taboo is problematic. It can create a culture of fear where kids are too scared to communicate with their parents as they learn to make sense of their rapidly changing bodies and desires. Making kids feel safe about talking openly to their parents about sex is crucial.
By Rev. Al Sharpton, the Huffington Post
There was a time when racism in the United States was defined by the shackles of enslavement and captivity. It was the most overt and vicious form of subjugation imaginable, and it was the norm for many years. As I often say, we have come a long way from the days of slavery, but in 2014 discrimination and inequality still saturate our society in modern ways. Though racism may be less blatant now in many cases, its existence is undeniable. If you don’t believe me, just listen to others and take a look at the state of our nation for yourself.
Last week, Senator Rockefeller of W. Virginia made a statement declaring that some Republican opposition to the Affordable Care Act is because of President Obama’s race. As expected, he was attacked and accused of playing the ‘race card’. But in reality, the Senator was simply stating the truth — an ugly truth that many would like to deny or ignore. It appears that targeting the person raising an issue has become standard practice; and flipping a racist or discriminatory act into accusing someone of playing a ‘race card’ has become all too common. If we cannot even highlight problems, then how do we ever expect to have a genuine conversation about them and create solutions?
Everywhere we look, there’s no denying it: race and racism are something this country must confront. And this discussion must include a focus on economic opportunity and equal protection under the law. Ta-Nehisi Coates raised this very issue in a piece for the Atlantic titled “The Case for Reparations.” The caption below the title of the article summarizes the essence of the situation:
“Two hundred fifty years of slavery. Ninety years of Jim Crow. Sixty years of separate but equal. Thirty-five years of racist housing policy. Until we reckon with our compounding moral debts, America will never be whole.”
We are still living in largely segregated communities with inadequate schools and poor housing for minorities. Until Blacks and Latinos have the same opportunities afforded to others, we cannot falsely believe that we are somehow beyond racism. Modern discrimination is often more subliminal; with a smile in your face but with existing institutional policies that continue to suppress certain segments of the population. It is this sort of ingrained bias that begins to impact every facet of society.
Rapper and record producer Pharrell Williams, or simply Pharrell, has a new theory that is, well, difficult to understand or explain fully.
The “new black” phenomenon, according to Pharrell, is a mindset thing; the “new black” does not blame other races for issues facing the black community, he says.
[quote_box_center]”Last time I checked being Black was more than just a mentality. If that was the case, then I could choose to be just about any other race because, you know, my mentality wants to be White on Friday, so I can use White privilege for just one day.”[/quote_box_center]
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