Wiley’s A Cappella Choir to Present Concerts, Workshops in Japan

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Marshall, TX – The International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU) has invited the A Cappella Choir of Wiley College to share its rich gospel music tradition through performances and workshops during the 2014 IAMSCU Conference in Hiroshima, Japan on May 24-28. The choir will also travel to Tokyo where it will perform concerts on May 30 at Aoyama Gakuin Elementary School and Aoyama Gakuin University.

“Our students’ engagement in this unique outreach musical ministry and mission will sow the seeds for new friendships and bolster their appreciation and respect for a broader range of social and cultural ideas,” said Dr. Haywood L. Strickland, President and CEO of Wiley College.

“We extend warm thanks and gratitude to the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities for inviting us to the conference and to The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation, Wiley board trustees, alumni, and friends for the generous support that has made this trip possible.”

Twenty members of Wiley’s 100-voice A Cappella Choir will make the trip to Japan. In preparation for the trip, the students have immersed themselves in activities to enhance their knowledge of Japanese culture and language.  They have also been rehearsing daily to prepare themselves for concerts on the literal international stage.

While this will be the choir’s first trip abroad, the A Cappella choir  has traveled the U.S. extensively, garnering accolades wherever it performs.  The choir performed holiday concerts at the White House in 2011 and 2013, and has also performed with   Grammy award-winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness and Grammy award-winning artist Rita Coolidge.

“Our choir is delighted and humbled to have this rare opportunity to receive a global, real-world, faith-based educational experience,” said Stephen L. Hayes, Choral Director of the choir.

Wiley College is a four-year, private, historically black, liberal arts college located on the west side of Marshall, Texas.  Founded in 1873 by the Methodist Episcopal Church’s Bishop Isaac Wiley and certified in 1882 by the Freedman’s Aid Society, it is notable as one of the oldest predominantly black colleges west of the Mississippi River.  The College is affiliated with The United Methodist Church and The UNCF.

Willey College press release

City, Church Top Bidder to Buy Morris Brown for $14.6 million

The City of Atlanta is the top bidder to buy Morris Brown College out of bankruptcy with an offer of $14.6 million, city officials announced late Thursday.

Atlanta partnered with Friendship Baptist Church, one of two historically black churches to sell in the wake of the future Atlanta Falcons stadium, to place a bid on the embattled property.

Under the proposal, the city — through its economic development agency Invest Atlanta — will spend $10.625 million and Friendship will contribute $4 million, according to Mayor Kasim Reed spokeswoman Melissa Mullinax. The Morris Brown Bankruptcy Creditors Committee has confirmed the city as the highest bidder, she said.

It’s unclear exactly what properties the city will assume in the takeover, but officials previously said Atlanta would gain control of the college stadium, while Friendship would own other portions of the campus.

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HBCUs Given “Close to a $1,000,000” by Home Depot’s Campus Improvement Program

For the fifth straight year, The Home Depot’s “Retool Your School” Campus Improvement Program rallied students, faculty, staff and alumni at historically black colleges or universities (HBCUs) via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social networking sites to cast their votes to help improve the HBCU of their choosing.

The Odor Dude: 20 Common Household Odors and How to Remove Them Fast

This year, a total of 58 HBCUs competed for grants totaling $255,000.

The top winners of 2014 “Retool Your School” Grant

Knoxville College, the top winning school, was awarded the $50,000 Tier 1 Grant. Howard University, Morris Brown College and Oakwood University was awarded the Campus Pride Grants of $25,000.

The Tier II grant winners of $10,000 are Claflin University, Huston-Tillotson University, Jarvis Christian College, JF Drake State Community and Technical College, Lane College, Lincoln University of Missouri, North Carolina Central University, Paine College, Prairie View A&M University, Shaw University, Spelman College, Stillman College and Voorhees College.

The Home Depot gives back

Since its establishment, the Home Depot “Retool Your School” Program has given “close to a $1,000,000″ to HBCUs.

“The RETOOL YOUR SCHOOL program is such an important program to The Home Depot,” said Melissa Brown, the Multicultural Marketing manager at the Home Depot.

“We know how valuable our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities are and how much they have contributed to our country’s growth,” Brown said.

Read more here

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Freshman Memoirs: Me Vs. Financial Aid

Freshman Memoirs: Me Vs. Financial Aid

Let’s get ready to rumble! In this corner, we have Taylor Carr, a rising junior at Howard University. And in this corner, we have the mean, hungry, and ever-growing college tuition bill!  Who will be the victor in this boxing match?

This summer, I will be featuring “The Freshman Memoirs” from current college students who want to share with incoming freshman the experiences and advice they’ve learned in their college careers.

In this week’s edition, Taylor Carr talks about not giving up on your dream of a college degree in the face of financial aid woes…

“The biggest step I had taken in my life was leaving Chicago to attend Howard University in a new city with no friends.  My freshman year proved earning my college dream definitely wasn’t coming without challenges. But the biggest learning lessons weren’t just connected with my coursework–I was learning so much about myself as well.”

Read more at JET

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HBCUX Network to Host Bahamas First American Football Classic

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WASHINGTON—For the first time, two Historically Black College and Universities(HBCUs) will play a football game in Nassau, Bahamas. HBCUX, a recently launched digital media network, and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism are teaming up to produce the inaugural “Bahamas HBCUX Classic.” HBCUX is planning a weekend of events this fall in Nassau highlighted by a football game and battle of the bands competition between Central State and Texas Southern Universities, preceded by a star-studded tailgate concert. The game will be held in Nassau’s refurbished 15,000-seat, multi-purpose Thomas Robinson Stadium on Saturday, September 13, 2014.

HBCUX Network founded by President & CEO Curtis Symonds and General Manager & COO Clint Evans showcases the talent, diversity and value of HBCUs that have been around for 177 years.  “Bringing an HBCU football game to the Caribbean will truly be a unique experience on many different levels,” Symonds said. “This is the culmination of a dream, and a combination of ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, hard work, commitment and faith on our part as well as the Minister of Tourism Obediah Wilchcombe and his staff to advance tourism in the Bahamas.  The game allows two HBCU presidents to provide a cultural experience for their students in addition to promoting their universities to a wider audience.  Paramount to this experience is allowing the Caribbean and international communities to see first-hand the educational value HBCUs have to offer.” Symonds added that HBCUX Network is committed to hosting the event for the next three years.

Representing The Bahamas, the Permanent Secretary for the Bahamas Ministry of Financial Services Harrison Thompson said, “The Bahamas HBCUX Classic not only supports our goal to bring more people to our beautiful islands, but Bahamians can experience American football at home, and gain insight into what two HBCUs have to offer should one decide to continue their education in the United States.”  Both schools will have staff available to speak to potential students during the weekend.

Jahan Culbreath, athletic director, Central State University said “This is a wonderful opportunity for Central State to participate in the inaugural Bahamas HBCUX Football Classic.  It will allow Central State to showcase our university while broadening our reach within the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Participating and traveling to another country always adds to a quality collegiate experience for our students. We look forward to establishing new relationships with the wonderful Bahamian community.”

President of Texas Southern University (TSU) Dr. John M. Rudley, stated, “For Texas Southern University, accepting an invitation to be a part of the first American football classic in Nassau, Bahamas highlights our willingness to take the lead in educational innovation, even as it relates to athletics. This is a tremendous opportunity for Texas Southern University to showcase academic and athletic programs to the citizens of the Bahamas. Texas Southern University must chart new directions so that we can take full advantage of opportunities to introduce Historically Black Colleges and Universities athletics to individuals in places like the Bahamas and abroad.

Athletics, like academic programs and student life, can be the vehicle that we use to introduce college to high school students everywhere.  One never knows the interest of the student, so why not expose them to everything we have to offer. We will do that by offering, not only an opportunity to see competitive football, but TSU will participate in a career and recruitment fair while in the Bahamas.  Our Student Government Association leaders will also be on the trip.

We are especially excited and hopeful this first endeavor will create a lasting relationship between the government of the Bahamas, its citizens and Texas Southern University. We are an inclusive university and we welcome this opportunity to create long-lasting relationships and opportunities for our students.”

HBCUX Network, the Ministry of Tourism and both universities participated in a joint news conference in Nassau, Bahamas to announce the event. Symonds hopes to attract thousands of existing students, alumni and football enthusiasts to the inaugural Football Classic. Tickets to the game start at $25.00. HBCUX Network will be offering packages starting around $375.00 for a two-night hotel stay at the Atlantis resort, transfers, game tickets and a one month subscription to the HBCUX Network.

HBCUX Network headquartered in Washington, DC, is a 24/7, education, entertainment, lifestyle and sports programming network. The programming includes original series, student productions, music, movies and specials. HBCUX Network is an advertiser and subscription supported service, with a portion of the proceeds generated going to scholarship funds to attend HBCUs.

The Bahamas, located 50 miles off the east coast of Florida, is an ecological oasis featuring 700 islands over 100,000 square miles of ocean with the world’s third largest barrier reef and the clearest water on the planet—with a visibility of over 200 feet. The Bahamas attracts almost six million international visitors each year.

About Central State:

Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, is one of the nation’s oldest historically black universities, with a 125-year legacy of academic and athletic achievements. With the return of football to Central State in 2005, the Mighty Marauders are reviving a legacy that produced several conference championships. Central State’s marching band, the Invincible Marching Marauders, have twice performed at the national Honda Battle of the Bands and been featured in the 2006 film “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party.”

About Texas Southern:

Texas Southern University, in Houston Texas, was founded in 1927. With an enrollment of 9,700 undergraduate and graduate students, it is one of the nation’s largest historically black universities. The TSU Tigers football team, a member of the NCAA Southwestern Athletic Conference, is in a rebuilding mode with 16 new recruits for the 2014 season. “The Ocean of Soul” marching band promotes excellence and the school’s legacy is that of preparing and developing accomplished professional men and women to take their rightful place in the global society.

Central State University press release

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3 Reasons Why Black America Should Consider a President Paul

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Soon after the mid-term elections are over all attention will be on 2016 and who is running. President Obama’s second term is up in two years, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be the favorite to win the Democratic nomination. With no clear GOP leader, many names are being thrown around on the Republican side. But there is one non-“establishment” conservative who actively engage with the Black community that African-Americans should consider: Rand Paul.

Paul, an ophthalmologist by profession, is the junior U.S. Senator representing the state of Kentucky. Over the last couple years Senator Paul has been one of the dominant forces when it comes to Republicans reaching out to the Black Community, and other demographics that do not normally even give Republicans a look. There is substance to the efforts of Senator Paul, and he has put action to words with policy proposals that are starting to gain steam in many different states and at the federal level.

1. Ending the War or Drugs

The current state of racial profiling is a direct result of the “War on Drugs” and the psychological bind it creates for all parties involved from the officers that make use of profiling to the average perp that is picked up for possession or trafficking. The War on Drugs has without doubt been one of the major drivers of the high prison rate in relation to the Black community. It has broken up homes, robbed Black America of countless labor hours and gains, and helped fuel poverty in Black communities.

Black Americans are incarcerated at a much higher rate than any of racial group in America. The majority of these incarcerations are for drug crimes or drug related crimes, and a President Paul would make great strides to deal with this problem. Sen. Paul, since his early days of campaigning for his dad, former Congressman Ron Paul, has always contended that we should end the war on drugs.

A President Paul would seek to limit and abolish the war on drugs which would both largely take away many profiling tools from bad cops, and would allow the threat of families being torn apart due to harmless and victimless crimes be mitigated–and this would have a direct effect on Black America in wide reaching ways.

2. Rebuilding the Black Economy

Rand Paul is a proponent of rebuilding local economies without outside stimulus by allowing the money and commerce that is produced locally to stay locally. The same way we should not “rob Peter to pay Paul”, we should not rob Atlanta to pay for Detroit: “The answer to poverty and unemployment is not another government bailout. It is simply leaving more money in the hands of those who earned it,” Paul said, speaking to the Detroit Economic Club last Dec.

Senator Paul has suggested the creation of enterprise zones that would help spur economic growth locally. The idea behind it is to lower the tax rates of those places experiencing economic strife so the members of the economically depressed communities could grow themselves out of a depression or recession with their own dollars rather than send that money to Washington to be wasted.

In the black community there is a lot of talk among black intellectuals about the lack of Black owned businesses and Black economy.

Well, a President Paul would push policies that would help make that a reality.

3. Education reform

“I’m talking about opening up all of the lines, so that kids can go to public, to private, wherever,” said Paul. “Some of these schools are absolutely pitiful, absolutely. What I’m really proposing is helping these kids get out from the grind.”

One of the major plights of many communities of color is the lack of adequate education facilities and resources. This has become the case as there is often zoning and lack of competition within the “Education Marketplace” and many families do not have the resources to send their children to a private school. Rand Paul is a supporter of school choice. Paul believes decisions on a child’s education should be made by the parents and executed at the local level.

Schools that are failing many black and brown children today would get their act together immediately when they realize their monopoly on the education of the children within their radius is gone and so is their guaranteed funding.

A President Paul would help provide parents with the options they need make sure their child gets a quality education and has a brighter future.

There will be many different candidates that will emerge over the next year as the 2016 presidential race starts to shape up. But U.S. Senator Rand Paul is a candidate that many people in Black America should take a serious look at.

He may not be a Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, Rickey Smiley, or Joe Madison endorsed candidate, but he is a candidate that has and will put action to his words.

Policies from a President Paul on the War on the Drugs, the Economy, and Education Reform would drastically benefit Black America, and very few other candidates are willing to put solutions on the table to match the platitudes we are sure to hear into 2016 that will have a direct benefit to Black America.

Rand Paul deserves an honest look from Black America, and Black America should give him one.

Eugene Craig is a Contributor to HBCU Buzz and is a senior majoring in History at Bowie State University. Craig is also a candidate for the office of Clerk of the Court of Baltimore County. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

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NSU School-Record 89 Spartans Named to MEAC All-Academic Team

rp_primary_Dec_2013_GraduatesNORFOLK, Va. – A school-record 89 Norfolk State University student-athletes have been named members of the 2013-14 MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team.

The number is 13 higher than last year’s previous record of 76. To be selected, athletes must be sophomores, juniors or seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Athletes must have also been in at least their second year at their current school during the 2013-14 academic year.

Only Delaware State (136), Howard (131), Bethune-Cookman (114) and South Carolina State (96), all of which offer more sports programs than NSU, had more athletes selected to the MEAC All-Academic Team than did the Spartans.

Read Full list via NSU

WVSU Professor’s Graphic Novel Combines Horror, Environmental Themes

140521_25599_640A West Virginia State University professor’s latest graphic novel is a supernatural horror story intertwined with environmental issues.

Set in the southern West Virginia coalfields, “Carbon,” was written by Danny Boyd, an assistant professor of communications. It tells the story of what happens when an evil coal operator unwittingly awakens and releases a cursed and banished underground civilization onto the surface and the only thing that stands in the way of the end of the world is a disgraced, ex-pro baseball pitcher and a community of courageous coal miners, according to a news release.

“I have been thinking about this for story for nearly 10 years,” said Boyd, who during that time has transitioned from a successful movie-making career into creating award-winning graphic novels. “The primary goal is to entertain, but the story also reflects many real and complicated issues that face the coal industry today.”

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Toyota’s James Colon Received Honorary Doctorate Degree From Grambling State University

Grambling State University (GSU) awarded James Colon, vice president of African American Business Strategy at Toyota Motor Sales, Inc., an honorary doctorate degree at its 2014 Spring Commencement ceremony, Friday, May 9. It is the most prestigious degree the historically black university offers.

Grambling State University president Frank G. Pogue, Ph.D., bestows ceremonial regalia to James Colon, vice president of African American Business Strategy for Toyota Motor Sales, at the school’s 2014 spring commencement recently. Colon received an honorary doctorate of laws for his advocacy of African-American participation in the automobile industry.

Grambling recognized Colon for his commitment to diversity in the automobile industry and long-term support of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and the academic achievement of young African Americans. At Toyota, Colon is responsible for engaging Hispanic and African American businesses and media, and optimizing relationships with important external Hispanic and African American groups. Under his leadership, the automaker implemented the Toyota Green Initiative designed to educate and encourage students on HBCUs to live environmentally conscious lifestyles. Nearly 5,000 people have made the Promise Pledge to live green, and 28 HBCUs have participated in the Green Campus Contest.

Read more.

First Lady Michelle Obama Urges Dillard Grads to ‘Stay Hungry for Education’

First Lady Michelle Obama Urges Dillard Grads to "Stay Hungry for Education"

“Today, I stand before a sea of young geniuses. Oh, yeah,” said First Lady Michelle Obama in her commencement speech to the graduates of Dillard University in New Orleans on May 10. “And you should be so proud, and so happy, and so excited about your futures. But what you shouldn’t be is satisfied.”

Throughout her remarks, which included several references to the HBCU’s history and its legacy, the enormous sacrifices of those who fought for educational opportunities for Blacks in Louisiana and the obstacles that even some of the graduates overcame to get to their big day, the first lady stressed how important education is. She also urged them to not lose their hunger for higher education and to help others reach that goal, despite many ongoing challenges in African-American and other communities, such as “structural inequality, schools that lag behind, workplace and housing discrimination.”

“That’s still no excuse to stand on the sidelines. Because we know that today, education is still the key to real and lasting freedom — it is still true today,” Obama said.  “So it is now up to us to cultivate that hunger for education in our own lives and in those around us.”

The first lady also noted the sacrifice and enormous risks young people around the world have been willing to take to get an education, like the 16-year-old Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who was nearly assassinated for her advocacy, and the Nigerian girls who’ve been abducted by an extremist group that vehemently opposes education.

“That’s the kind of hunger for education we have to reignite in all of our communities,” Obama told the audience. “When our young people fall behind in school, they fall behind in life.”

Read more at BET.

Turning Around St. Aug’s is a Personal Mission for its Interim President

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Everett Ward wrapped up his work in the president’s office of St. Augustine’s University on Monday around 8 p.m. then went for a stroll on the deserted campus.

It was a lovely evening, and as Ward walked, he could see the signposts of his life: the historic St. Agnes hospital building, now a shell with trees sprouting inside, where he was born. The dorms where he lived and the campus spots where he wooed his college sweetheart and future wife, Cassandra. In 2011, his family would seek solace on St. Augustine’s grounds after her funeral.

Even the sidewalks have meaning. Ward’s father, who attended St. Aug’s, poured them as a Raleigh concrete contractor.

“It’s everywhere,” Ward says of his emotional tie to the university. “It’s literally everywhere.”

Ward, a former Department of Transportation administrator and state Democratic Party director, was named interim president last month. Though he has no higher education leadership on his resume, he is tasked with turning around the historically black university with a proud past but a precarious financial future.

For months, the university has been in chaos, the subject of a negative audit, a review by its accrediting agency and an investigation by the federal Department of Education. Students have left in large numbers, as have administrators who were fired by the former president, Dianne Boardley Suber.

Employees and faculty had described an atmosphere of secrecy and retaliation. The turmoil built until Suber was ousted by the board of trustees in April.

It is perhaps the most challenging point in St. Aug’s 147-year history.

And so Ward, 55, who earned a Ph.D. last year in hopes of becoming a college professor, now is on a personal mission to save St. Aug’s.

“People understand that I’m not doing this because of a job,” Ward said. “I’m doing this out of passion and love for my alma mater and my family alma mater. And that goes a long way, I think.”

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Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/05/16/3867370/turning-around-st-augs-is-a-personal.html#storylink=cpyRead more.

2014 Top Supporters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Diversity media company, Career Communications Group, Inc. has released the names of top supporters of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

The “Top Supporters of HBCUs” list surveys the deans of the 14 ABET-accredited, HBCU engineering programs, and the corporate-academic alliance, Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering (AMIE).

The survey asks these individuals to list the corporate and government/non-profit organizations that provide the most support to their schools. In completing the annual survey, the institutions consider the following factors: support for infrastructure modernization and enhancement, research and mentorship projects, participation on advisory councils, faculty development opportunities, scholarships, student projects, stipends, co-ops, and career opportunities.

Supporting the HBCUs is essential to the development of our Nation’s potential. America’s HBCUs have produced many of America’s leaders across all professions, and continue to be an engine of economic growth, both in the surrounding communities and for the graduates of the institutions. President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13532 on February 26, 2010 to increase opportunities for these institutions to participate in and benefit from Federal programs, and ensure that the United States of America has the highest proportion of college graduates in the entire world by the year 2020.

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Hagan Bill Would Create Fund Benefiting Students at Historically Black Institutions

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A bill to be introduced by U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan would create a new competitive grant program aimed at strengthening historically black colleges and universities around the country.

Hagan announced her bill while chairing a Senate Education Committee hearing about institutions that serve minority populations. The bill would establish an HBCU Innovation Fund to distribute grants funding the development of initiatives to address needs of students being served at historically black schools.

There are 10 HBCUs in North Carolina, including N.C. A&T State University and Bennett College in Greensboro, and Winston-Salem State University. Hagan said such schools deserve support.

“My bill will allow them to further enhance their students’ learning experience and better prepare them for future success in the work force,” she said.

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SWAC Responds to NCAA APR Penalties

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Days after it was announced that six schools would face sanctions, including postseason ineligibility for failing to reach Academic Progress Rate requirements, the SWAC and its member institutions fired back at the NCAA.

Alabama A&M (men’s golf), Alabama State (men’s basketball and football), Mississippi Valley State (baseball and football); Southern, Prairie View A&M (football) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (football) will be unable to complete in postseason play during the 2014-2015 season.

All athletic programs at Southern are currently ineligible for postseason competition due to unusable data

“In comparison to last year’s report, with the teams that have submitted adaptable data, the Southwestern Athletic Conference applauded the improvements by our member institutions and the standards they have implemented to solve the academic concerns,” said SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp in a statement. “As we support success on the field, we will continue to emphasize the importance of improving academic scores and APR measures.”

In 2013, some 15 programs among seven schools were penalized by the NCAA due to APR shortfalls.

Texas Southern President Dr. John Rudley lashed out at the NCAA for not doing enough to close the chasm between so-called low-resource HBCUs and well-funded large state schools that would aid in increased academic achievement.

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HBCUs Hit Hard By NCAA In Latest APR Calculations

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Several HBCU athletic programs face penalties and possible postseason bans after the NCAA released its latest round of Academic Progress Rate figures Wednesday.

Among the notable schools that are ineligible for the postseason during the 2014-15 season include Alabama State and Florida A&M.

FAMU was notified that its football and men’s basketball programs are being penalized for not meeting NCAA minimum standards for APR.

FAMU President Elmira Mangum said she expects to see improvement in the classroom from the university’s student-athletes.

“FAMU is committed to the success of our student-athletes both on and off the playing field,” Mangum said in a statement. “Their academic success is our first priority, and we take the regulations of the NCAA very seriously because they are designed to be applied consistently across all programs, at all member institutions, and represent best practice.”

According to the NCAA, schools must exceed a four-year APR average of 930 or a two-year average of 940 to be eligible for postseason participation.

A total of 12 Alabama State programs scored at or above the national benchmark of 930, the school said.  Of ASU’s 18 athletics programs, two did not meet qualifications for postseason eligibility in the upcoming school year.

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Moments from ‘The Renaissance Period of The African American in Sports’ Premiere

Rodeny Williams, Guest, Herb Douglas, GuestOn May 15, at Walter Reade Theatre at Lincoln Center in NYC, Hennessy V.S presented the world premiere screening of “The Renaissance Period of The African American in Sports.”

The most natural way to make an impression and attract admiration from your adversary is to win in everything that you do.  As the saying goes, in spite of who you are, you can achieve greatness if you work hard enough. Herbert Douglas and Bob Lott, executive producers of the film, The Renaissance Period of the African Americans in Sports teamed up with Hennessy VS to premiere this necessary piece of history that most are incognizant of.  Twenty-two minutes of unprecedented documentary style, the film encapsulated the essence of the Summer Berlin Olympic Games of 1936, where 9 African American athletes opened the doorway for black people through a world-stage of track & field.

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