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The Eighth Annual Spelman College Leadership and Women of Color Conference will assemble notable thought leaders to discuss and define what it means for women to “lead with purpose.” Leadership requires tremendous responsibility, accountability and at times, immense sacrifice – especially for women. Those who lead with purpose integrate their personal and professional priorities to provide a strong base for their leadership. The 2012 Conference will provide practical solutions on how to lead with purpose in a manner that is effective, sustainable and rewarding. Conference attendees and key experts will explore:
For more details and to register, visit http://www.spelmanwomenofcolorconf.com . Join the discussion and share your thoughts on this year’s theme on Facebook and Twitter , #SpelmanWOCC.
Convened by Jane E. Smith, Ed.D., executive director of the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement at Spelman College, the conference features experts who will offer proven methods to effectively align values and goals in one’s professional and personal life. Among the distinguished speakers:
And back by popular demand:
Wednesday, May 16
3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Georgia International Convention Center
Thursday, May 17
7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Spelman College
From Larry King’s amusing story of his role in an adolescent prank at his Brooklyn, N.Y., junior high school to heartfelt remarks from Tippi Hedren and S. Epatha Merkerson, the 400-plus guests heard well-traveled celebrities express appreciation for the UMES tribute in recognition of their contributions to American culture.
But there was a moment singer Marilyn McCoo graciously described as being “serenaded” that especially touched her and her husband, Billy Davis Jr. Only a handful of people in the audience knew what she meant.
After a low-key ceremony to award honorary degrees before Saturday’s banquet, the quintet slipped backstage to change out of their academic robes in preparation for a night of fine dining and dancing. In an adjoining hallway, wearing fluorescent-colored attire and headbands, students from UMES’ Gospel Choir began singing “Stoned Soul Picnic” a capella.
“And from the sky, come the Lord and lightning.
Stoned soul, stoned soul
Surry on soul”
McCoo and Davis helped make that song a pop music hit in 1968 as members of the 5th Dimension. The couple came to the changing room’s door to investigate the commotion.
They immediately stepped into the hallway, looked at one another and smiled as the students put their generational stamp on the song. The other celebrities quickly joined McCoo and Davis, and they clapped gently in rhythm, swaying back and forth.
The students circled back to the song’s first verse for an encore. McCoo and Davis walked over to the students, joining them shoulder-to-shoulder.
It was difficult to determine who was having more fun, the students or McCoo or Davis — or the dozen or so folks jammed into that hallway witnessing the performance.
“We were definitely surprised,” Davis said. “We loved it.”
“It was so sweet,” McCoo added. “We were honored and it made us want to get in there and pitch in.”
It was an indelible snapshot from a special evening that will live on for the lucky choir members who sang alongside two legendary performers.
Perhaps the happiest person in that cramped hallway was Della Dameron-Johnson, the choir’s long-time adviser.
“It was special, wasn’t it?” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson visited Paine College’s campus this past Monday, and met with Dr. George C. Bradley, president of Paine College. While the Georgia Senator was back in the state he set aside time to talk with Dr. Bradley about the college’s new programs and projects occurring on campus and in the Augusta community.
“I am proud to be here today and see all the incredible things going on at Paine College. Their new programs and construction of additional buildings are not only benefitting the students, but the Augusta community as a whole. Paine College is leading the way in preparing men and women for positions of leadership so they can go on to serve the community, the nation and the world,” said Senator Isakson.
Under the leadership of Dr. George C. Bradley, a multitude of new programming, building upgrades and capital improvements have occurred on the campus. One of the most recent projects is the construction of the new HEAL Complex, which will house classrooms, laboratories, meeting and conference rooms. Accessible to the public, the facility will also be home to a new health and wellness facility focused on strengthening the community through fitness and healthy living.
The college is also working with neighboring Fort Gordon to establish a Critical Languages Institute designed to teach minority students and soldiers Farsi and Pashtu/Dari languages. Additionally, the college is working to solidify a nuclear science teaching and research laboratory in order to train high caliber students who can serve as future radiation science workers in the robust local nuclear industry in the Augusta, Georgia area and throughout the nation.
“As we continue to raise the quality of life for our students and the community, I’m especially grateful to our federal government representatives, including Senator Isakson, for their support of our mission and vision of becoming a premier liberal arts institution in the region,” said President Bradley.
Hosted by the Student Government Association of Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College and Morris Brown College in conjunction with the Democratic Party, the overall mission of the summit was to inform students about properly exercising voting rights and the importance of re-electing President Barack Obama in November.
Bridging together the consortium of “the AUC”, the summit was held on Clark Atlanta University’s campus. Students from Clark Atlanta University, Morris Brown College Spelman College and Morehouse College filled the audience. While it was an event specifically targeting these HBCUs, students from surrounding Atlanta universities were also in attendance.
The Atlanta University Center Launch featured renowned speakers in their own right. Author and political strategist, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson; actress and Spelman alumna, Keshia Knight Pulliam; singer and performer, Janelle Monae; CAU alumna, Kimberly Marcus; and Morris Brown SGA President, Jeffrey Miller comprised the guest panel.
Easily agreed upon by all the speakers of the night, HBCU students have one of the most important voices for the 2012 Presidential Election.
What makes this group of students’ voice so important is the youth card, a factor that played a major role in President Obama’s election win. The youth are the future of tomorrow; the future media moguls, businessmen/businesswomen, doctors, and job titles not even created. Programs, bills and laws created will in the end really benefit the current generation of college students.
With a law slated to pass which will prohibit voters to use student identification cards on the Election Day to vote, all students must be aware one of their rights may be taken away.
It is important for HBCU students around the nation to stay informed and up-to-date on the political polls, Republican Party debates as well as the accomplishments that President Obama has achieved in his almost-four years in office. These factors all matter when it comes time to head out to the voting polls.
Voting is a chance for all people to be heard. To stand up for issues that matter the most and deciding who the right person is to fulfill desired goals.
“Recognize how important it is for you to have a voice, since nobody else think it is,” said Pulliam.
While The National HBCU Obama Summit ultimate purpose was to provide factual statements on why President Barack Obama needs another term to help shift this country back to greatness, it is also imperative to vote for local and state officials.
November 2012 will be a testament to how ‘Greater Together’ our nation is, once the votes are tallied. For many college students this will be the first time they are able to cast a vote for an election, they must make sure their voices are heard!
As Dr. Michael Eric Dyson ended his speech, “vote for my man Obama, peace!”
All photos courtesy of Democrats.org
Bell is currently the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Her new appointment at UMES is effective July 1.
According to university officials, Bell, a biochemist, is recognized as a strong advocate for increasing the number of minority scientists.
“We are extremely pleased that Dr. Bell has accepted our appointment as president of UMES,” said Patricia S. Florestano, chair of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. “She has an impressive record of outstanding leadership in many areas, including enhancing academic excellence, creating opportunities to attract research and private support, and nurturing pathways of success for students. The board is confident that she will serve the university, our system, and our state extremely well in the years ahead.”
(WBOC)
Brackenridge, a native of Kapolei, Hawaii, recorded 14 hits, including five doubles and a triple, with a .609 batting average and a .913 slugging percentage in seven games this past week. The 5-foot-4 senior scored 10 runs and drove in 11 runs while also stealing two bases. Brackenridge had a .620 on-base percentage and a .915 fielding percentage on defense while helping the Lady Panthers to a 4-3 record for the week, including a pair of wins over Spelman as well as wins over Kentucky State and Fort Valley State.
Worthy, a native of Lawrenceville, GA, pitched 12 innings with five strikeouts in two appearances. The 5-foot-5 freshman went 1-1 for the week with a 2.33 earned run average and pitched the first complete game shutout of her collegiate career, a 2-0 win over Clark Atlanta in which she gave up just one hit.
Braughton, a native of Tuscaloosa, AL, went 8-for-14 from the plate, including two home runs and three doubles, with a .517 batting average and a 1.124 slugging percentage in four games. The 5-foot-3 junior scored eight runs with six runs batted in while also stealing two bases. She had a .625 on-base percentage and was perfect in the field while helping the Lady Tigers to a 4-0 record with a pair of wins each over Talladega and conference-foe Lane.
Savage, a native of Alabaster, AL, earns her second weekly honor this season after pitching seven innings with 17 strikeouts and just one walk in two appearances. The 5-foot-3 sophomore, who went 2-0 for the week, has opposing batters hitting just .095 against her this season.
The apartment complex is located across the street from Alabama A&M University.
Monica Ray, executive director of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, said in a statement that the Alabama A&M University and Huntsville police departments worked collaboratively to find the suspects involved in the shooting.
Ray said Luther Martavius Snipe, 18, of Union Springs; Jermaine Tra’varis Smith, 18, of Birmingham; Deangelo Merrill, 19, of Mobile County; and Dezman Ivory, 20, of Birmingham were all charged with burglary and assault.
On Saturday a shooting occurred at the apartments and resulted in a campus-wide emergency alert notification being sent to all students.
Huntsville and A&M police began looking for four men who were seen fleeing the shooting scene in a large sedan, Ray said.
Based on anonymous tips, investigators found the four men that were allegedly in the car when the shooting happened, Ray said.
Robbins will be inducted on Sunday, November 18, at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City.
As the first white coach in the history of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), which consists of historically black colleges and universities, Robbins’ ascension to collegiate coaching in 1978 drew considerable criticism. He guided the Panthers to their first NCAA Division II championship in 1980 and followed that up with two more – in 1992 and 2005. Robbins’ teams had a remarkable won-lost record of 713-194, for a winning percentage of .786 over his 30 seasons.
(NBC 12)
#StopJosephKony.
Joseph Kony is the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, a militant Christian group founded in 1987 to overthrow the government in Uganda through terrorism. Their goal is to govern the people by the Ten Commandments.
The LRA’s objectives are as follows:
a) To remove dictatorship and stop the oppression of our people.
b) To fight for the immediate restoration of competitive multi-party democracy in Uganda.
c) To see and end to gross violation of human rights and dignity of Ugandans.
d) To ensure the restoration of peace and security in Uganda.
e) To ensure unity, sovereignty and economic prosperity beneficial to all Ugandans
f) To bring to an end to the repressive policy of deliberate marginalization of groups of people who may not agree with the NRA ideology.
Yet none of their actions have brought unity or peace, nor does their history resemble anything Christ-like in the slightest.
The LRA has kidnapped thousands of children from different villages to fight in their wars, sexually enslaved women and children, and have tried their damndest to tear Uganda apart. Other crimes the LRA has committed include rape, murder, maiming, and in some cases, cannibalism.
Kony has led his followers to believe that, through stealing, killing and terrorizing, they are doing the work of the Holy Spirit. Kony acts as the “spokesperson” for God, and has convinced his soldiers to kill in the name of God for 26 years.
26 years of murder, pillaging, and violence. In the name of God.
That’s why organizations like the Invisible Children are so important. Invisible Children “uses film, creativity and social action to end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony’s rebel war and restore LRA-affected communities in Central Africa to peace and prosperity.” Co-founder and filmmaker Jason Russell sat for an interview in late February with All Africa to discuss the need to inform the world about Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army:
I’ve been inspired by Lauren Hill s quote, Fantasy is what people want but reality is what they need. It s the sense that people don t want to think about war or think about child trafficking and it makes sense, I don t want to think about it either. But if you can do something to influence the end of violence or tragedy in the world, then you should do it.
Russel also explained how he does not want to see Kony executed for violating human rights, but wants to see him go on trial for his heinous crimes:
The dream would be for Kony to be captured, not killed, and brought to the International Criminal Court to face trial. The world would know about his crimes and they would watch the trial play out on an international level, seeing a man face justice who got away with abducting children, raping little girls, and mutilating people s faces for 26 years.
For more information on KONY 2012, a documentary depicting the war crimes of Joseph Kony, visit here.
Cooper became president of the historically Black university in Orangeburg in July 2008. Previously, he was deputy administrator of science and education resources development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Prior to joining the Department of Agriculture, Dr. Cooper was a professor and administrator at Alabama A&M University and at Tuskegee University.
Dr. Cooper is a graduate of Florida A&M University. He earned a master’s degree in animal science at Tuskegee University and a Ph.D. in animal nutrition from the University of Illinois.
(JBHE)
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Winston-Salem State University, who just took home the CIAA football championship in November, claimed the CIAA basketball championship as well.
Junior Stephon Platt was the top scorer for WSSU, scoring 21 points of the bench. Junior Justin Glover was not far behind with 15 points. The Rams dominated on the boards, out-rebounding the Vikings 52-28.
Shawn Walker, head coach of the Elizabeth City State Vikings, was very upset over the loss, and stressed the importance of rebounding.
“We feel awful that we did not perform better. Rebounds were our downfall.”
Walker went on to speak about their struggles offensively. “We went almost 6 minutes without scoring a bucket, but we must stay positive and continue to move forward.”
WSSU freshman Wykevin Bazemore had a total of 14 rebounds. “Coach always tells me to rebound, and rebound some more, that is one of my main jobs on the court, and I try to do my best at it,” said Bazemore.
Although the Rams won the championship, it was no easy task. The score of the game was very close until the Rams made a run in the 2nd half.
“We knew this game would come down to the team that could get a run. We are definitely pleased to have won. We have 3 players sitting at home with torn ACLs who were very vital for us making it this far,” said Bobby Collins, head coach of WSSU.
“Coach always tells us to keep playing and keep pushing. This is one of the biggest games I have had. There would be some games I wouldn’t score, and to be the top scorer is amazing,” says Platt.
With Rams football getting all the attention for their undefeated season in the CIAA, the basketball team hopes the same attention will be given to them as they advance to the NCAA Division II tournament.
“Football set the tone, but we are now going towards a national championship,” said Collins.
As the family heads out to Los Angeles for the OMG Girlz contract signing with Interscope Records, what would be a greater time than now to start the boys’ career? With help from a friend of Tiny’s, the boys are sent on a photo-shoot that goes suprisingly well.
But when the boys head over to auditions, things take a turn for the worse. Baby Major forgets his lines and both boys keep looking out to the audience instead of at each other as they recite their lines. After a few takes, it all comes together and they then head over to a potential movie casting.
But once in front of the producers, King gets very shy and can’t show the producers what he has to offer. He has to be pulled to the side by Tiny and given a pep talk. His little brother Major on the other hand, has no problem showing off what he can do. Will Major and King be the next Harris’ to make it big? That is yet to be seen!
In 2012’s infancy, we have seen two different situations where HBCUs have come under attack. First, the HBCU ‘Equality’ lawsuit where the four Maryland HBCUs are going through legal hurdles to stay financially competitive with the traditionally white institutions in Maryland. Now, Southern University faces merging with a TWI.
The proposal of merger started in January 2011, when the idea of a merger between Southern University and the University of New Orleans was first discussed. There was immediate outrage to the proposed merger. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton have came down and spoke to SUNO about sacrificing for the greater good of SUNO and not giving in. Its good to see our black leaders speaking up and speaking out about an unfair fight Southern University has found itself in.
The fact of the matter is that Southern University has done well to rebuild its university after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. To call for a merger is unnecessary, when the truth is put on the table.
The truth is, Southern University reported its highest enrollment since Hurricane Katrina in February 2011. SUNO reached its 94% enrollment pre Hurricane Katrina in February 2012. What does that mean? It means that students are still enrolling at SUNO, and it still provides students an opportunity to excel, learn and graduate at an HBCU.
Every day that Southern University stays an HBCU is a testament to the will of its administration to keep its beloved institution open. It is also a testament to the love of its students and alumni to their HBCU. There will be a day when Southern students and alumni will no longer have to worry about a merger. That day may come sooner rather than later. The merger legislation has been shot down in court once, and surely a stronger opposition to the merger will arise through online petitions, more awareness, etc.
It also helps to defeat possible talks about a merger when your university announces a $3.3 million building added to the campus. It’s even sweeter when the man who fought to propose the merger dedicates the new building.
They haven’t stopped you yet, SUNO, and they never will.
For more information on the SUNO-UNO merger, visit NOLA.com
