Woman sexually assaulted on Howard University campus – Updated

Posted by Mike Hamilton
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A new police report sheds light on the sexual assault that was reported on Howard University’s campus early Monday morning, with officials now saying that an 18-year-old woman was raped inside a classroom by a person who followed her off of a city bus.

The assault occurred at 8 a.m. Monday in the 2600 block of Sixth Street NW, inside a Howard University classroom that was being used for a program not sponsored by the university.

The woman was allegedly on a bus on her way to the program at Howard University when a male commuter she thought she knew from her times in junior high school winked at her. She proceeded to walk north on Sixth Street when she was confronted by the man, reads the police report.

The suspect then followed her into the school and proceeded to push her into a classroom, with the report stating that the man forced the woman to the floor and raped her.

While the suspect has not been ID’d, police did describe the man as black with a dark complexion between the ages of 18- and 20-years-old. He’s about six feet tall with a slim to medium build. The suspect was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black and white shorts, which could have possibly been swimming trunks.

No arrest has been made.

Howard University released a statement late Monday evening concerning the incident:

“Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) with support from the Department of Public Safety are investigating a report of a sexual assault involving a female in a non-University sponsored program. The investigation into this troubling incident is ongoing and it is premature to provide additional details at this time.”

A spokeswoman for the university also released a statement that said “the location and the circumstances around this case are still under investigation,” especially considering the fact that the victim told police that she believed the attack happened in the business school.

Howard sent a crime alert through email to students and staff as well, taking action immediately by ensuring that a number of surveillance cameras are now set to examine the exterior of the School of Business.

It has only been a little over a week since the Howard University community came together in commemoration of student Omar Sykes who was shot and killed during what police believe was an attempted robbery in NW D.C. Sykes and a friend were walking close to campus down the 700 block of Fairmont Street NW when they were approached by two men. One police believe pulled out a gun and shot Sykes while the other student was beaten.

The case is still unsolved, but Mayor Vincent Gray has vowed to find those responsible for the death of Omar Sykes.

The MPD released a statement on Tuesday to forestall any assumptions that may arise about the murder of Omar Sykes and the sexual assault having any plausible connection due to the incidents’ close proximity to campus.

“The July 4th homicide of Omar Sykes and the July 22nd sexual assault do not appear to be related. The Metropolitan Police Department recently met with the administration at Howard University to address safety. The Metropolitan Police Department has increased patrols in the area and is working closely with Howard University to address violent crime.”

What Obama’s speech on Trayvon Martin and race in America means

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On July 19, 2013, President Obama held an 18 minute press briefing where he discussed the George Zimmerman verdict, race relations in America, and what we can do as a community to move forward. This speech is not only monumental during his time as the President of the United States, but as an African-American in power who has the ability to raise awareness and effectuate change.

President Obama used this speech to explain the systematic injustices that blacks have faced throughout history, how this affects us in our communities, and how others profile, stereotype and create generalizations about blacks, especially about the black boys and men in our community.

He discussed what it means for many blacks to be followed while shopping in the store, walking and hearing car doors immediately “clink” when walking by, and stepping into an elevator and witnessing a woman clutch her person tighter and hold her breath. He stated that, “the African American community is also knowledgeable that there is a history of racial disparities in the application of our criminal laws — everything from the death penalty to enforcement of our drug laws.”

President Obama used his platform to express on a national and global stage the trajectory effects of the past and how this has led the black community to not only protest, demonstrate and hold vigils, but want to create an action plan to help better their own communities. Obama offered four ideas that he felt would help make the nation more productive:

1.     Relationship building between the Justice Department, governors, mayors and law enforcement to “train at the state and local levels in order to reduce the kind of mistrust in the system that sometimes currently exists.”

2.     Examine state and local laws that can potentially lead to altercations rather than diffuse potential altercations.

3.     Spend time thinking about how do we “bolster and reinforce our African American boys.” Creating solutions to encourage, uplift, and show that “country cares about them and values them and is willing to invest in them.”

4.     Engage in some “soul searching.” He suggests that convening politically to discuss race relations is not productive, but encourages discussions surrounding race to take places at churches and within families. He suggests that we ask, “Am I wringing as much bias out of myself as I can? Am I judging people as much as I can, based on not the color of their skin, but the content of their character?”

President Obama has never nationally addressed the black community on the national stage, but he has shown that this tragedy, at the end of the day, does affect him. One because he is black, but also because Trayvon Martin could have seriously been him 35 years ago.

What I encourage our community to understand that this is a call to action. It’s time for us to begin making moves.

The time is now to make a difference. It is truly on our generation to be the change that we wish to see in the world.

The best sermon you’ll ever hear about Trayvon Martin

Posted by Mike Hamilton
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If you decide to listen to any sermon about Trayvon Martin, then it should definitely be this one. Pastor Howard-John Wesley of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., preached this powerful message on Sunday, July 14, the morning after a Florida jury found George Zimmerman not guilty of Martin’s death. 

“I have a racial consciousness that lets me know that in situations like this it typically does not work out in our favor,” he preaches. “This is not the first we’ve had to learn to live with a verdict that hurts.”

HBCU leaders displeased with Obama’s cuts

Posted by Mike Hamilton
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Monday, July 22, 2013

Some presidents and advocates of the nation’s 105 historically black colleges & universities (HBCUs) are reportedly disappointed with President Obama.  Among their biggest gripes? Cuts in federal grant funding to the 105 institutions, as well as changes being made to the Parent PLUS Loan Program.

John Wilson, former executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, reported this year that federal funding had in fact increased under Obama’s leadership.  However, Department of Education documents reveal that total federal grants had actually decreased from more than $742 million in 2010 to $680 million in 2012.  Records also indicate that federal grants and research awards to HBCUs for STEM developments fell from $661 million in 2010 to $573 million in 2011.

Obama’s handling of the Parent PLUS Loan Program has abandoned HBCU presidents and other leaders, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus.  Reps. Elijah Cummings (Maryland), Corrine Brown (Florida), and James Clyburn (South Carolina) have been notably outspoken in their oppositions to stricter credit history eligibility guidelines for parents.

The requirement that potential borrowers cannot have an adverse credit rating, for instance, has sharply slashed the number of parents who can qualify for the loan assistance.  Subsequently, student enrollment at all HBCUs has declined.  The Obama administration has repeatedly noted that the new statute is only intended to prevent people with poor credit histories from delving into deeper debt and financial ruin.

Despite this logical explanation, tensions between the Obama administration and HBCU advocates have not eased.  At a recent press conference, Rep. Cummings, a graduate of Howard University, said: “We believe the criteria ought to be more lenient. If you have 100,000 students and families that can’t get Parent PLUS loans, that’s a problem for us.”

The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) reports that 28,000 students attending HBCUs were denied Parent PLUS loans last year due to the more restrictive policies.  William Harvey, chairman of Obama’s HBCU Board of Advisors and president of Hampton University since 1978, said the credit history change resulted in a loss of $150 million to HBCUs after students were refused loans.

Harvey told attendees at the annual NAFEO conference in April that HBCUs are in “the worst situation I’ve seen in 35 years.”  His university lost more than $6 million as a result of Parent PLUS rejections.  Howard University reportedly lost more than $7 million, while Spelman College lost more than $2 million.  Hampton, Howard, and Spelman are three of the nation’s top-ranked and most prestigious historically black institutions.

Johnny Taylor Jr., president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, an HBCU support organization, threatened to sue the Obama administration for what has been referred to by some as a “war on HBCUs.”

For many advocates, the biggest insult is that instead of selecting a permanent executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs to replace Wilson, who left to become president of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Obama appointed an acting director.

A group of former HBCU presidents and chancellors recently wrote to Obama, scrutinizing him for his “roller coaster” approach to funding for HBCUs. “Our concern,” they wrote, “is that you could leave office without having affected the necessary change in how the state and federal governments view, promote, support and fund HBCUs. That would be, in our opinion, a tragedy of untold proportion.”

Theatre Leader Rises to College Dean, David Godwin

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The head of Grambling State University’s visual and performing arts has assumed the role of interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. King David Godwin, who has worked at the university since 2007, now leads the institution’s largest college.

“Dr. Godwin has been a strong leader across the entire campus, but especially in the performing and visual arts areas and a strong proponent of academic integrity,” Connie Walton, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said about Godwin, who has nearly 40 years of academic experience. “When this opportunity became available, it was obvious what we needed to do and who we needed to call upon.”

Godwin, the son of illiterate foster parents who strongly encouraged him to pursue a good education, is the youngest of 14 siblings by his biological parents and was the first to attend college. “My foster parents instilled in me a thirst for knowledge and a desire to never give up. These are challenging and difficult times, and I am thankful that the president and the provost are confident in my abilities and skills to take on such a large responsibility,” said Godwin, who lives in Ruston. “This college has a number of wonderful things going on, and it’ll be my duty to help the faculty and staff enhance the good work to best benefit our students.”

Born in Florence, SC, and raised in Lake City, SC, Godwin has more than 30 years of academic experience as a faculty member, department head and administrator. At Grambling State he has been responsible for or led the efforts to get a number of grants for academic support and scholarships. In addition to Grambling State, he has worked at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Voorhees College in Denmark, SC. Godwin has been a recipient of the Fulbright and Salzburg fellowships and studied abroad in Egypt and Salzburg, Austria. Read More

Hampton University student wins scholarship from Wale

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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image (1)The moment of a lifetime arrived after Hampton University sophomore psychology major and Gloucester resident Lauren Pryor, won a $25,000 scholarship from rapper Wale. In a challenge presented on June 18 from Norfolk hip-hop station 103 JAMZ, Pryor was the 25th caller and the winner. In one brief week, Pryor went from winning a chance in a thousand to a moment in a million.
 
“I was on my way to a friend’s home in Hampton when I heard the radio challenge that the 25th caller would win the prize,” said Pryor. “The station said to call between 4 and 5 p.m. I called four or five times. The line was always busy. On about the 14th call I told myself to give it a rest then, I heard a man say ‘hello.’ “I didn’t believe it. He told me there were millions of calls and he only picked up the phone 14 times nationwide,” Pryor said in an article in the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal. 
 
Pryor spent a glitz-filled two days, June 23-24, with all the VIP amenities anyone could ask for in New York City.
 
“Winning this scholarship was truly a blessing,” said Pryor. “Almost not returning to Hampton University in the fall because of expenses, I was exceedingly fortunate to receive this scholarship. It was truly a test of faith.”
 

Central State students march for peace, justice and prayer in Trayvon Martin case

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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wp_ss_20130715_0001 (1)“More justice! More peace! More justice! More peace! More justice! More Peace!”

About 100 people marched for peace and prayer for Trayvon Martin’s family at Central State University on Monday evening in the wake of the George Zimmerman not guilty verdict.

Students, faculty and community members rallied from the residence halls to the heart of campus in the Sunken Garden to let their voices be heard and to advocate for love and unity.

“You’re Trayvon. I’m Trayvon. Even though the color of our skin is different, it could have been your son, your nephew, your cousin, your brother,” said Central State student Lamarr Cole to a crowd of motivated listeners during the rally.

Central State is familiar with the importance of advocacy. The town where the 125 year-old HBCU is located is named after William Wilberforce, an English politician and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade, and the university actively promotes change with its motto “Change is Central.”

“Things like this happen every day,” said Miss Central State University Teaairra Tolbert. “It definitely put it in our hearts that this is real. We can’t ignore it. This is a real-life issue.”

Cole and others who helped organize the march said that though they support the jurors decision, there is still a need to speak on the events that led to the killing of Trayvon.

“It just hurts my heart to know that the man who killed him did not get his just due,” said Cole.

HBCU leaders and civil rights activists are urging students to get involved and take a stand. Hundreds recently gathered at Howard University to protest the George Zimmerman’s acquittal. 

“My grandparents were civil rights advocates,” said Cal Colgan who was at the Howard march. “They taught me that it’s not fair that some people have it better than others just because of their skin color. That’s why I came to this rally. Some of us get it.”

Hit show Scandal comes to BET

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111312-celebs-best-shows-2012-scandal-kerry-washingtonOlivia Pope is officially joining the BET family.

The network has made an exclusive deal with ABC to air new episodes of Scandal this fall. Each episode will air only on BET after its broadcast premiere. BET will also get fans up to speed for the season three premiere by airing the first two seasons all summer long.

“We’re thrilled to be joining forces with ABC in airing this dynamic series,” said Debra Lee, Chairman of BET Networks. “Scandal is a cultural phenomenon that has resonated with viewers for the past two seasons and we’re excited to be part of its continued journey.”

Scandal stars Kerry Washington (Django Unchained, Ray) as Olivia Pope, a former communications director to the president of the United States and owner of a prominent crisis management firm. While she and her staff specialize in fixing the lives of the high-powered political set, they struggle to keep their own lives — and secrets — in check.

The series, created by Grey’s Anatomy show runner Shonda Rhimes, has become a ratings smash in its second season, drawing a record number of viewers for the season two finale. The highly addictive series is the only one on a broadcast network with a Black female lead. From BET

Star witness Rachel Jeantel offered full scholarship to any HBCU from Tom Joyner

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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article-2349794-1A8B2412000005DC-233_634x462Tom Joyner offered Rachel Jeantel, the close friend of Trayvon Martin and the last person to talk to him before he was fatally shot, a full ride scholarship to any of the 106 HBCUs in the nation.

“If you want to graduate from high school, and go to a HBCU, even if it’s not in Florida but especially Florida, like Florida Memorial, Edward Waters or FAMU, if you want to do that, I want to help you do that,” Joyner said to Jeantel Tuesday on the Tom Joyner Morning Show before shocking her with the news.

“I will help you get tutors to get you out of high school, tutors to help you pass the SAT and I will give you a full ride scholarship to any HBCU you’d like.”

Jeantel recently appeared on CNN “Piers Morgan’s” to discuss the George Zimmerman trial and her friendship with Trayvon.

When asked what her reaction was to Zimmerman’s not guilty verdict, Jeantel said she was disappointed and upset, but honors Trayvon’s life with memories they have shared together.

“He was a calm, chill, loving person and a good friend,” Jeantel said.

Zimmerman was not arrested for 44 days after the killing of Trayvon Martin. The delay in charging him sparked outrage from civil rights activists and led to protests from those who believe justice was not served.

Obama reacts to George Zimmerman verdict

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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President Barack Obama released a statement on the George Zimmerman verdict in the death of Trayvon Martin, urging Americans to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in their communities.

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President Obama:

“The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America. I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken. I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son. And as we do, we should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities. We should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis. We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this. As citizens, that’s a job for all of us. That’s the way to honor Trayvon Martin.”

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It was the first time Obama made a public reaction to the killing of Trayvon Martin since early 2012, saying “If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.”

What happens if George Zimmerman walks free?

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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Checking up on Twitter, Facebook and other popular social media first thing in the morning is something that is routine now for many people throughout the modern world.  

If you are following/friends with the right amount of people, the George Zimmerman trial is probably up and down your timeline with news updates on the man charged with second degree murder for killing Trayvon Martin.

While prosecutors are making their final preparations for their closing statement some people are observing what impact this will have on race relations in America.

Russell Simmons said, whether guilty verdict or acquittal, people will never stop fighting for justice for Trayvon.

“Whatever decision they make, is a decision that we must live with, whether we like it or not,” said Simmons. “Whether George Zimmerman is found innocent or guilty by the jury, I am firm believer that all of us live by karmic law, and he will ultimately be punished for the death of Trayvon, no matter what.”

“However, if he walks free out of that courtroom, I understand that some people will be very sad, but we must remember the mission we are on. As I have heard Trayvon’s parents say time and time again, they are not only fighting for justice for their son, they are fighting for all of us, especially those parents who have to live through the misery of burying their child and the sadness that comes after.”

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All-star running back Paul Robertson possible impact freshman at HU

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Hampton University’s three returning tailbacks rushed for a combined 307 yards on 69 carries last season. Paul Robertson ran 32 times for 426 yards in one game.

Now there’s no overstating the jump from high school to college football, but those jarring numbers illustrate the impact Robertson could have as a true freshman at Hampton this year after a breakout 2012 at L.C. Bird High School near Richmond.

“Paul has a great opportunity,” Pirates coach Donovan Rose said. “It’s a matter of who comes in and is ready to go. We don’t start practice until July 31. I can tell you a little more once I see him in a Hampton uniform.”

Fans can catch Robertson in uniform Friday night, when he plays for the East in the Virginia High School Coaches Association all-star game at Darling Stadium. His soon-to-be Pirates teammate Johnny Cruz III, an offensive lineman from York High, also made the East roster.

Robertson did not start at tailback for L.C. Bird until his final season, previously backing up Yahkee Johnson, the MVP of last year’s all-star game. That limited his exposure and subsequent recruiting interest.

But as a senior, Robertson posted extraordinary statistics that trumped even Derrick Green, the acclaimed Hermitage High back who signed with Michigan.

Robertson is attending summer school at HU and, according to Bird coach David Bedwell, was unavailable for an interview. But when the Richmond Times-Dispatch named Robertson its player of the year, he told the paper, “I’m definitely astonished. I didn’t know anything like this was possible.”

“This” was 1,791 yards in 10 regular-season games. “This” was 1,144 yards in four playoff games, bringing his season total to 2,935, as the Skyhawks completed an undefeated season and won their first state championship — in Virginia’s highest classification, Division 6, by the way. Read Full

Neufville Named Coppin State University President

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CoppinMortimer2520NeufvilleDr. Mortimer Neufville, a veteran higher education administrator, was named president of Coppin State University president July 9 by William E. Kirwan, chancellor of University System of Maryland.

Neufville has been serving as interim president of the historically Black institution since Jan. 23 following the resignation of Reginald Avery. Previously he served as executive vice president of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU).

Neufville’s background includes 13 years at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), where he was vice president for academic affairs, dean of agricultural science and research director before serving as UMES interim president from 2011 to 2012.

“We are very fortunate that Dr. Newville has accepted this appointment,” Kirwan said in a statement. “With a history of serving higher education with distinction and effectiveness, he is well positioned to serve Coppin well during this critical transition period.”

Neufville earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Tuskegee University and master’s and doctoral degrees in animal science from the University of Florida. In 2001, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Tuskegee University. AFRO

FAMU Business pitch competition designed to help Latino Entrepreneurs

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SBDCSlideFAMU’s Small Business Development Center will host a July 17 presentation on the La Idea Business Pitch Competition.

An initiative of the U.S. State Department and USAID, La Idea provides Latino entrepreneurs with the resources they need to promote, create and cultivate collaborative small businesses in the U.S. and Latin America.

Winners can receive up to $50,000 to help get their ventures started.

Scheduled to speak during the teleconference is Lindsey Navarro, La Idea outreach director. She will brief entrepreneurs on the competition and the business support services and mentorship opportunities available. Read More

13 Telltale Signs You’re a Delta

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Starting this weekend, the streets of Washington, D.C., will be flooded by a sea of red. With letters on their sleeves and immeasurable pride in their hearts, the women of Delta Sigma Theta SororityInc. will flock to the city that birthed their organization 100 years ago. While every Delta woman is different, there are some habits and happenstances that none of us can deny about our sisterhood.

1. The Shrine

Somewhere in your home is a shrinelike collection of all your gifts, trinkets and pledging memorabilia.

2. ‘Nalia Galore

You have a piece of paraphernalia for every and any occasion and weather condition. Windbreakers, umbrellas, hats, sweatshirts, cardigans, tees, tote bags, travel kits and socks are all stashed in the back of your closet.

3. Trunks Up

There may be more elephant figurines and jewelry in your possession than space to store them.

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