Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III will be a special guest on The HBCU Buzz Show 12/18!

The HBCU Buzz Show is honored to have the amazing Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III on the December 18th show entitled: “And I Say Church.. Preach: HBCU’s and our black churches” Please join us for this controversial and informative show 6-7p est! 

Bio:

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III 
Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III is part of a new generation of ministers committed to preaching prophetically that the message of love and justice are inseparable companions, forming the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has a unique gift to communicate across generations. His creative bible-based messages have inspired young and old alike. His intergenerational preaching gift has made Rev. Moss a popular speaker on college campuses, at conferences and churches across the globe. Rev. Moss is a native of Cleveland, OH, an honors graduate of Morehouse College, Yale Divinity School, and he has earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. 

Rev. Moss is highly influenced by the works of Zora Neale Hurston, August Wilson, Howard Thurman, Jazz and Hip-Hop music. The work and legacy of Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the pastoral ministry of his father, Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. of Cleveland, OH, have been primary mentors for his spiritual formation. 

He is the former pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, GA., his first pastorate, where the church grew from 125 members to over 2100 disciples during his tenure. Rev. Moss is currently Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL. 

Rev. Moss is an accomplished author. He published his first book, Redemption in a Red Light District in 1999 and co-authored The Gospel Re-Mix; How to Reach the Hip-Hop Generation in 2006. His sermons articles and poetry have appeared in publications such as Power in the Pulpit II: America’s Most Effective Preachers, Joy To The World: Sermons From America’s Pulpit, Sound The Trumpet: Messages of Hope for Black Men, The Audacity of Faith: Christian Leaders Reflect on the Election of Barack Obama, Sojourners Magazine and The African American Pulpit Journal

He is an ordained minister in the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the United Church of Christ, carrying dual standing in both denominations. He is a life member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, board member of the Christian Century Magazine, Chaplain of the Children’s Defense Fund’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor Child Advocacy Conference. 

He is married to his college sweetheart, the former Monica Brown of Orlando, Fl, a Spelman College and Columbia University graduate. They are the proud parents of two creative and humorous children, Elijah Wynton and Makayla Elon.

Morgan State’s President Ousted… Campus Rallies In Outrage

From Washington Post Local: 

A leadership transition announced this week at Morgan State University in Baltimore has sparked an uproar on campus.

Word leaked out Monday that the board of regents of the historically black university had chosen not to renew President David Wilson’s contract when it expires in June.

The decision, according to the Baltimore Sun, was made on an 8-7 vote.

On Thursday, the Sun reported, students, faculty and alumni rallied at the school in support of Wilson. Here’s an excerpt from the story by Julie Scharper:

Also Thursday, the University Council, a leadership group made up of faculty, administrators and students, called for a reversal of the board’s decision, saying that it violated its own bylaws by not announcing the meeting’s purpose in advance and by making a binding decision behind closed doors.

More than 200 people, wrapped in jackets and scarves in Morgan’s signature blue and orange, gathered to show support for Wilson on a campus that had emptied for winter break. Many cheered as he spoke and wiped away tears as the crowd broke into the university’s anthem.

For updates: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/college-inc/post/uproar-at-morgan-state-after-board-says-it-wont-renew-presidents-contract/2012/12/14/51e828a4-45f7-11e2-9648-a2c323a991d6_blog.html

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WSSU Looking to be the First HBCU D-II Football Champion!

The Rams are playing in Saturday’s NCAA Division II National Championship game in Florence, Ala., and they’ll have plenty of support. Not only will WSSU fans being cheering them on, but the team is vying to become the first from a historically black college or university to win the D-II football title.

“Saturday, we had some CIAA teams that brought their football teams here to watch us play [in the semi-final game],” WSSU assistant athletic director for media relations Kevin Mann said. “They realized this was part of their history, not just our history.”

The NCAA says only one other HBCU team has even made it to the D-II championship game: Central State of Ohio in 1983. That team lost 41-21 to North Dakota State.

“One thing about HBCUs,” WSSU graduate student Aaron Lide said, is “although we compete against one another and we talk junk against one another, we’re all a family at the end of the day.

“And we’ve been getting a lot of support from other HBCUs,” Lide said. “A lot of them are rooting us on and encouraging us because they want to see a similar institution” win the title.

The Rams face off against Valdosta State at 1 p.m. Saturday. The game will be televised by ESPN2.

Source: WFMY News 2

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Progress in hiring black college football coaches? Yes and no

When Charlie Strong turned down Tennessee to stay at Louisville, he told reporters on Thursday that it was his way of thanking the school and athletic director Tom Jurich for their faith in him.

“He gave me my first chance to be a head football coach after being an assistant for 27 years. I was always on everyone’s short list, but Tom let me know from the very beginning I was the only one on his list,” Strong said. “His unwavering loyalty in me and my vision has always been there.”

Here’s what Strong didn’t say: “I didn’t want to go somewhere else and get Embree’d.”

Strong is living proof that the prospects for African Americans who want to be college head coaches are getting better … and proof that they’re just as lousy as they’ve always been. No, honestly, it’s both. read more…

Paine College Set To Unveil Its New HEAL Complex

Paine College is almost set to debut its new and improved gym…the HEAL Complex.

Students, faculty, staff, and even people in the community will have access.

School administrators say there was a major need for the facility.

It was funded through $2.5 million from Splecial Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) dollars, and thousands of dollars from private funding and also donations from friends of the college. read more…

JSU Awarded $900K NCAA Grant

The NCAA has awarded Jackson State University $900,000 to help enhance the academic outcomes of JSU student-athletes. The funds, which will be dispersed over three years, are part of the NCAA’s Limited-Resource Institutions Grant Program Pilot.

“Jackson State University is thrilled to be selected by the NCAA for this innovative program,” said JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers (Left). “We are committed to ensuring that our student-athletes are just as successful in the classroom as they are in their athletic competitions. This grant will help us build upon the great progress we’ve been making in ensuring academic excellence for all students.” read more…

Streetcar will extend to Johnson C. Smith

In an effort to break a six-month stalemate over the city’s capital budget, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx proposed two new spending plans Monday – including one that eliminates $119 million for a streetcar.

Foxx is one of the biggest champions of the streetcar, arguing that it will spark economic development on the city’s distressed east and west sides. But after an unsuccessful push to find a City Council majority to back it, the mayor appears willing to part with the streetcar, for now. read more…

Rose retained as Hampton Pirates’ head football coach

Mr. Novelle Dickenson, Director of Athletics at Hampton University, announced on Monday that Donovan Rose will be continuing as Hampton University’s Head Football Coach.
Since Rose’s return to Hampton in 1991, the Pirates have won 14 championships, graduated over 225 student-athletes and placed over 50 players in professional leagues. Rose has developed and placed several players in the pros and recruited several players who were either drafted or became free agents in the NFL.

In four seasons as head coach, Rose has gone 21-22 – including a personal-best 7-4 in 2011. The Pirates went 3-7 this past season, going 3-5 in the MEAC. read more…

Delaware State University to host first December graduation ceremony

Delaware State University is gearing up for its very first December commencement ceremony this weekend.

Nearly 200 DSU students are eligible to take the graduation walk on Dec. 15 at Memorial Hall on the DSU campus in Dover. The university is expecting approximately 150 to participate.

The school decided to start hosting December commencement ceremonies due to the increasing number of students graduating. read more…

Bowie State launches energy campaign

Bowie State University will launch an advocacy campaign to engage students, faculty and staff in a series of initiatives to reduce campus energy consumption and increase personal commitments to sustainability. A $ 25,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation will help fund the initiatives.

“This funding from Verizon comes at just the right time and will move us closer to achieving our energy conservation goals,” said Bowie State President Mickey L. Burnim. “When it comes to sustainability, we want to lead by example. Our goal is to engage our students, faculty and staff, and expand outreach to the community so we can have a real impact on the environment.” read more…

HOWARD ANNOUNCES FOUR ADDITIONS TO VOLLEYBALL ROSTER

Howard University head women’s volleyball coach Shaun Kupferberg is proud to announce the addition of four student-athletes to the 2013-14 Lady Bison roster.

“I am very proud that these ladies are joining our current team to lead us into the future of Bison volleyball.  When people think of Howard, they think of excellence and this is a great step in bringing that distinction back to the volleyball program,” said Kupferberg of the four 2013-14 newcomers.

From New Orleans, La., hails 5’7″ outside hitter Katherine Broussard. read more…

WSSU Aims To Be First HBCU D-II Football Champ

Winston-Salem, NC — If you’re headed south at any point over the next few days and see some red and white streak past, it might belong to a Winston-Salem State University fan.

The Rams are playing in Saturday’s NCAA Division II National Championship game in Florence, Ala., and they’ll have plenty of support. Not only will WSSU fans being cheering them on, but the team is vying to become the first from a historically black college or university to win the D-II football title.

“Saturday, we had some CIAA teams that brought their football teams here to watch us play [in the semi-final game],” WSSU assistant athletic director for media relations Kevin Mann said. “They realized this was part of their history, not just our history.” read more…

HBCU: Players to watch in 2013

Arkansas-Pine Bluff really pulled off an impressive win in the SWAC championship game, rallying from a two-touchdown deficit to defeat Jackson State 24-21 in overtime and win the conference title.

There were a lot of big plays in this game, including some by players who will be back next season. With the HBCU season in the history books, it’s time to take a look at the players to watch for 2013.

Here are the top five HBCU players heading into next season.

Quarterback/Arkansas-Pine Bluff Benjamin Anderson: Anderson, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, put on quite a show in the SWAC championship game, throwing a record-setting 95-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Willie Young with two minutes remaining to take the game into overtime. Anderson completed 13 of 25 passes for 225 yards and one TD. He also gained 36 yards on the ground and scored one rushing touchdown. The first-team All-SWAC selection was the game’s Offensive Most Valuable Player.

Alabama State running back Isaiah Crowell: Crowell was third in the SWAC in rushing with 842 yards. The 5-11 sophomore transferred from the University of Georgia to Alabama State. He had four 100-yard games and scored 15 touchdowns, which led the SWAC.  read more…

Angel Tree ‘Lights Up’ Howard University

WASHINGTON– Hundreds of Howard University students gathered recently at Cramton Auditorium to wrap gifts for underprivileged children in DC during the Angel Tree Project Wrapping Party.

The Angel Tree is a service initiative that provides Christmas presents to elementary school students. The project provides gifts to approximately 230 students and are presented to the schools during individual receptions. The University’s Chapel Assistants have spearheaded this service project annually for the past 13 years.

The Chapel Assistants consist of a diverse body of students who share a common goal of strengthening their spiritual relationships with Christ. The organization is most known for their assistance in weekly Chapel services held on campus and service to the community.

Jaimee Johnson, a sophomore political science major and active chapel assistant, was the coordinator for this year’s Angel Tree Project.

“The purpose is to make sure that every DC child has something to open on Christmas,” said Johnson. “Most of us at Howard are very privileged, we can’t even imagine the type of situations they have to go through. It’s a chance for us to be able to give them something”

As coordinator, Johnson is responsible for reaching out to the participating schools and collecting donations for gifts from HU organizations.  The students who receive the gifts, also called Angels, are then sponsored by the participating University organizations. From there, the organizations provide their services in wrapping the many donated gifts during the Wrapping Party that occurred Friday afternoon.

“It was a lot of hard work. We have been planning since the summer,” said Johnson, “but it’s worth it”

Organizations participating in the Wrapping Party included the College of Arts and Sciences student council, School of Communications student council, Ubiquity, Cascade, and students who simply wanted to lend a helping hand.

“I love giving my time to help kids,” said Monique Johnson, a junior psychology major and Wrapping Party participant. “It was nice to see people come out and help. It’s always a good feeling to help out.”

The schools whose students will receive gifts are Cleveland Elementary, Garrison Elementary, HD Cooke Elementary, and Tubman Elementary. America’s Promise, a mentoring organization whose priority is to end the high school drop out crisis, also has Angels who are being helped because of the Project.

Angels are chosen by the faculty of the receiving schools and organizations. An Angel’s academic performance and financial need are considered when making these decisions.

Miss College of Engineering, Architecture & Computer Science of Howard University Dolce Lawless also reflected on her experience.

“I love helping kids. A lot of people in this area are underprivileged and don’t have a lot of opportunities,” said Lawless. “If we can help them with a simple Christmas present, that’s great.”

FAMU Faces 1-yr Accreditation Probation Period

Florida A&M University will be placed on one year of probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Official word from accrediting body SACS is still to come, but FAMU’s Interim President Larry Robinson informed his Board of Trustees by phone this afternoon. Robinson and other FAMU officials are at the regularly scheduled SACS meeting going on in Texas.

FAMU remains an accredited institution during the probationary period.

Robinson told trustees SACS officials would make an on-campus visit within the next six months.

The accrediting body in June questioned FAMU officials about the university’s control over the Marching 100, in the wake of drum major Robert Champion’s death, among other questions. SACS officials also sought assurances about FAMU’s financial controls, elements that are key reasons for the probation.

SACS, the primary accrediting body for universities in the Southeast, has been monitoring FAMU’s plans to address student safety and new policies for its band program along with its response to audit and finance questions.

The SACS action comes fewer than six months after the university was notified the accrediting body was beginning an inquiry.

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Morehouse Announces New LGBT Course for Spring 2013

Some would say Morehouse College consists of a homogeneous demographic though it regularly boasts of having an aura of diversity that is often ignored from the outside looking in. This realization of diversity has taken new form as the gay/straight alliance and student advocacy group, SafeSpace, through the hard work of Dr. Michael Hodge of the sociology department, has officially received the green light to launch a special topics course on Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history and culture to be offered for credit Spring 2013.

The idea came to fruition when SafeSpace’s Special Project and Events Coordinator Marcus Lee partnered with Yale University professor Dr. Jafari S. Allen to pitch the project. Allen focuses on the intersections of queer sexuality, gender and blackness.

“He’s very interested in gender non-conformity among people of color, and I’m interested in that as well,” Lee said. “I told him that I don’t have much direction here at Morehouse because many of the professors whose focus is on sexuality often focus on diseases and not really cultural critique. So he recommended that he teach a class via Skype.”

Both well versed and experienced in the field of sexuality and gender expression, Dr. Allen currently teaches courses on the cultural politics of race, sexuality and gender within Black Diasporas and has authored various publications, including “Crucial Palimpsest: Re-Reading Brother to Brother” and currently “Black Queer Here and There: The Social Poesis of Diaspora” (tentatively titled).

Fixed to extend his expertise to the students of Morehouse College, Allen is sure to make a mark and set quite a high standard of excellence through his course.

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