A New Master’s Degree Program at Alabama State University

Posted by Michael Livingston II
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Alabama State University in Montgomery has announced plans to offer a new master’s degree program in applied technology. The new program, which will begin this fall, has been authorized by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. The program will include both online and traditional on-campus classes.

Alfred Smith, interim provost at Alabama State, says that “the master of science in applied technology is an innovative approach to addressing the technological needs in the workforce. The 33-hour program is designed for those with undergraduate degrees in technology, business, government, education, health-related fields, and other disciplines who are interested in designing, implementing and/or managing technology in varied environments.”

HBCU Designer Spotlight :: Jocque Larou Inc. at Morgan State University

Posted by Jecoby Carter
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I met a budding designer threw mutual followers via twitter about a year ago, and I absolutely fell in love with his designs. I saw him “twitpic” a few items and I wondered who the designer was and when he told me he did all the work (“including the sewing) I was floored. So now that he has a follower for life, as long as he keeps posting his astounding pieces, I want to formally introduce him to you fashion forward youth!

Name:  Bryan Scott
Age: 24
Classification:  Senior
Company Name:  Jocque Larou inc.
HBCU: Morgan State University

His pieces are on trend with what’s hot in today’s style and fashion. He transforms pricey pieces from celebrity closets and runway shows, to affordable ready-to-wear pieces for the haute budgetista. Check out his interview, and a plethora of his pieces!!

1. What’s the name of the clothing line??

Jocque Larou

2. Who are the main people in this “Group” or are you Solo??

I am a solo designer.

3. What was your inspiration to start a clothing line??

I had ideas that I hadn’t seen in store or the streets so I put my ideas on the runway and people liked them, after that the money was the motivation.

4. That must have been an interesting feeling??

It was a good feeling to know that other people accepted and had some sense of appreciation for my ideas.

5. What kind of pieces center around the line?

I design more party dresses as my speciality, although around prom season, I tend to get really busy creating evening wear for the young ladies.

6. Who do you collaborate with to come up with design ideas??

I don’t collaborate with anyone on design. Most of my pieces are either inspired by an experience of something I’ve seen, or done; if not it’s all imagination and creativity.

7. Is there a target audience??

I tend to target females between the ages of 18 to 30. They tend to appreciate my style of design the most.

8. Where do you see this line within the next 3 years?

Well I’m already in a few boutiques now but I’m working to start my own small one here in Baltimore.

9. Do you have a website?

My website is a work in progress but it’s definitely on the way.

10. Are you planning or in any Fashion Shows?

Or maybe just a showcase?? I have a showcase for winter 2012 collections and I’m doing a show at my school this spring.

Follow him on twitter for more at: (@FashionRehab101)

“Basketball Wives Recap”: Season 4 Episode 7

Posted by Arielle Neblett
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It’s another week of fussing, fighting and…bottle throwing?! Yes bottle throwing! But we shall get to that momentarily!

Tami and Suzie patch things up after Suzie’s comment about Tami coming a long way from food stamps “hurts her feelings”. Suzie assures Tami she didn’t mean anything by it and apologizes. Tami takes it very well and accepts Suzie’s apology.

Shaunie wins mother of the year award when she gets Mindless Behavior to show up at her daughter Mimi’s 10th birthday party. Mimi is Mindless Behavior’s girl for the day and she gets to accompany them on stage at their concert.

But the talk of the episode is part 2 of the Evelyn and Kenya showdown. The pow wow from last week’s episode continues and Kenya is still saying she does not remember exactly what she said about Evelyn.

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One minute she says Kesha’s statements are false and she just wants the other girls to hate her and the next minute she admits to saying things about Evelyn.

Meanwhile, Kesha asks her friend Sakara who was a witness to Kenya’s statements to tell Evelyn what she heard. Of course, Sakara backs what Kesha is saying and this all Evelyn needed to hear. The girls get together for yet another pow wow and Evelyn gives Kenya another chance to come clean about what she said. Kenya hits Evelyn with “I don’t recall” and Evelyn loses it.

She storms across the table and throws a glass bottle aimed for Kenya’s head. Kenya, being a wise woman, runs for cover.

Next episode we’ll see if Evelyn actually gets a whole of Kenya.

Grambling Students March in Tribute of Trayvon Martin

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GSU students gather on the yard to show respect of Trayvon Martin's death. (Ciley Carrington of Grambling State University)

Thursday Grambling’s SGA and FSUB committee rallied a march, beginning at the flagpole and ended on the yard, to show their respect for the unsolved, unjust murder of Trayvon Martin.

On Feb. 26, 17 the nation was captivated when Martin, a 17-year-old African American male, was wrongfully killed in Sanford, Fla. by George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old bi-racial Latino and Caucasian.

Student of Grambling State University sported hoodie sweaters while carrying packs of skittles and cups of iced tea. As the protestors marched, chants of “Justice for Trayvon,” was sparked by Andrew Smith, a double major in psychology and mass communication.

When the participants  made it to their destination they sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” SGA president Channing Gaulden then began giving a speech where he charged the students of Grambling with the task of taking one another by the hand and simply guide one another down the path that tends to “gets little rocky at times”.

Gaulden empathically expressed his thoughts about the student driven tribute to Martin on Grambling’s campus, “It is truly humbling and touching that we can come together as one unit to stand for not only what is right but what is fair,” said Gaulden, SGA student body president. “Grambling State University student body is wholistically on board to endure the justice and equality of Trayvon Martin case”

Zimmerman, who hasn’t been arrested due to lack of concrete evidence, admitted to the killing but said it was in self-defense, after an allegedly scuffling with Martin.  Zimmerman said he was punched in the nose, knocked down and had his head slammed into the ground, however, in a police surveillance video taken the night that Martin was killed shows that he was unharmed.

Innocent people die every day, so Martin being murdered isn’t the outrage in this case, the fact that Zimmerman isn’t in jail is what causing controversy in today’s society.

“We are going to do everything in our power to show that we are aware of the unjust,” said Jonathan Allen, Grambling’s junior class senator. “Sometimes it takes innocent people like Trayvon Martin to expose a guilty system.”

Howard University Trayvon Martin “Am I Suspicious?” Campaign Video

Posted by Michael Livingston II
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A NEWMecca Movement Production, shot by John “JayDex” Ledbetter. A video depicting Howard University men standing against racial profiling and the killing of Trayvon Martin in February 2012. More information on the efforts of the Howard Community to raise awareness can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/HUJusticeForTrayvonMartin/

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH5bB8HUWFs&w=610&h=340]

SIAC Track & Field: Week #4 Athlete of the Week Honors Announced

Posted by Michael Livingston II
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The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announces track and field weekly honors for the week ending March 24th.

Women’s Track & Field Athletes of the Week

Brittany Carter, Senior, Albany State University – Carter’s performance of 4:48.62 in the 1500m run at the Florida State University Relays has earned her a third consecutive weekly honor as she now leads the SIAC in both the 800m and 1500m.

Irrion Conaler, Sophomore, Albany State University – Conaler’s second weekly honor highlights performances of 59.79 in the 400m, 15.97 in 100m hurdles, and 1:04.17 in 400m hurdles which ranks 16th nationally. All three times rank within the top 10 of the SIAC this season.

Lateria Stanton, Freshman, Albany State University – Stanton claims her place as the SIAC runner-up in the 100m hurdles for the week at the FSU Relays. Her time of 14.93w ranks in the top 50 of Division II competitors.

Camille Clemmons-James, Senior, Benedict College – Clemmons-Jones’ third appearance amongst the weekly honorees is compounded by her efforts at the South Carolina Weems Baskin Invitational. As the SIAC leader in the 200m her high provisional time of 24.47 (2.7w) places her 4th nationally. Her performance in the 400m at 56.45 makes her the conference leader and ranks 12th nationally.

Marcia Williams, Freshman, Benedict College – Williams earns an additional Athlete of the Week honor by the time of 56.53 she demonstrated in the 400m at S.C. Weems Baskin Invitational. She ranks 3rd in the SIAC and 15th nationally in the event.

Alexandria Montgomery, Sophomore, Stillman College – Montgomery’s performance of 12.16 (2.6w) in the 100m at the 2012 Alabama Relays has garnered her a 2nd place rank in the SIAC and 17th position nationally.

Men’s Track & Field Athletes of the Week

Untayous Benson, Sophomore, Albany State University – Benson secured a 2nd place conference ranking and a 4th place national ranking in the 200m with provisional qualifying time of 21.26 (-0.2w) at the Florida State University Relays.

Terrio Leverett, Freshman, Albany State University – Also out of a faster heat of the 200m at the FSU Relays was Leverett who surfaced shy just one-hundredth of a second for the provisional qualification. His time of 21.46 (-0.2w) ranks 3rd in the SIAC and 9th nationally among Division II competitors.

Michael Vinson, Senior, Morehouse College – Vinson graced a flight of hurdles in the Alabama Relays’ 400m hurdles at a time of 53.63, just three hundredths shy of the provisional qualification standard, which ranks 2nd in the SIAC and 13th nationally. Vinson too ran leg three of the Distance Medley Relay to assist in a 3rd place finish at 10:21.59.

D’Jordan Brooks, Freshman, Stillman College – Brooks posted 10.81(0.9w) in the 100m at the Alabama Relays to claim a pair of rankings making him 4th in the SIAC and top 30 nationally. He also led the 4´200m relay team off to an overall victory with a time of 1:26.59.

Daniel Dent, Sophomore, Stillman College – Dent’s honor recognizes his efforts in the Long Jump where the mark of 6.97m (-0.2w)/ (22’10.5”) leads the SIAC and ranks 20th nationally. Dent too contributed to the 4x100m relay team “E Squad” that finished with a high provisional time of 40.96, ranking 2nd in the SIAC and 10th nationally. Dent also ran the 2nd leg of the 4´200m relay team with teammate Brooks.

Marcus Victorain, Sophomore, Stillman College – Victorain achieved an outdoor provisional qualification in the 110m hurdles at the Alabama Relays with his performance of 14.49 (1.2w). He is the newly established SIAC leader and ranks 13th nationally.

Cousin of JSU student, Ryan Henderson facing murder charge in JSU student’s death

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Henderson’s 25-year-old cousin, Jarrod Emerson, was arrested after police said ballistics tests conducted by the state Crime Lab revealed the weapon Emerson fired Sunday at an off-campus party matched the bullet recovered from Henderson’s body.

Police interviews have revealed Henderson,19, of Atlanta was reportedly in a physical altercation at the swimming pool at Palisades Apartments, 1400 Valley St., with several JSU football players.

Police said Emerson told them Henderson called him and asked him to come over because he had been assaulted.

According to police, Emerson met with Henderson at U.S. 80 and Lynch Street.

Police said Emerson told them he and Henderson went back to the apartment complex to confront the people responsible for assaulting Henderson.

Emerson confronted several people there and pulled out his weapon, firing several shots, police said.

The crowd scattered, according to police, and Henderson was shot in the face during this time.

Under the Mississippi murder statute, “you have to have the intent to kill,” said Aaron Condon, professor emeritus at the University of Mississippi School of Law.

“If there’s not a specific intent, but there’s a reckless disregard for life that lets you commit an act that to a reasonable person would be certain to kill somebody, you can be convicted of murder.”

But the jury also might want to opt for a lesser charge of manslaughter, he said.

“It’s really hard to take those statutes and make hard and fast sense out of what is premeditated murder, unpremeditated murder and manslaughter. The language gets soupy.”

Despite the development, at least one member of Henderson’s family continues to blame those who fought with him.

Emerson might have been the one that pulled the trigger, but if “the football players hadn’t been fussing and fighting with him (Henderson), this never would have happened,” said his paternal grandmother, Alma Henderson of Greenwood.

Read Full article at

Howard University Laptop Theft Affects 34,000+

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A personal laptop of a former contractor for Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., was stolen and contained protected health information on 34,503 patients.

Social Security numbers were among the information “for a number of those patients,” the hospital says. Other information included names, addresses, identification numbers, medical record numbers, birthdates, admission dates, discharge dates and diagnoses information–primarily codes but some written descriptions.

The hospital is offering, through TrustedID, one year of paid credit monitoring and identity theft alert services to patients with SSNs on the laptop. The hospital has declined to divulge how many such patients were affected.

The contractor stopped working at the hospital in December 2011, but had downloaded patient information in violation of hospital policies, according to a statement from Howard University Hospital. The contractor notified police of the theft of the password-protected laptop from a private vehicle on Jan. 25, and notified the hospital by e-mail on Jan. 27.

The hospital has implemented policies to encrypt all laptops issued to Howard University Health Sciences personnel, and has strengthened contractor policies to make clear that data and laptop encryption are required. The hospital also has reported the breach to the HHS Office for Civil Rights, which will add it to the public listing of major breaches of protected health information, which now lists 409 incidents since September 2009. Referenced from Heathdatamanagement

Saint Augustine’s College Announces Name And Status Change -” Saint Augustine’s University (SAU)

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Credit: Corey Beard

The Saint Augustine’s College Board of Trustees announced today that the College is moving into a new phase as it joins peer institutions in moving to the status of University to become Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) effective August 1, 2012. The change to university status aligns the College’s public identity with the structure and breadth of academic, athletic and student development programs currently being offered at Saint Augustine’s College.

“This isn’t just a name change,” states President Dianne Boardley Suber. “We’re committed to changing the way we do business. Our guiding principle will continue to be the training of leaders and change agents. All of our curricula, student organizations and student life will have leadership training as its backdrop – the common thread that runs through and drives, all of our standing programs and new initiatives.

We’ve completely retrenched the general education core of courses for the freshman class of 2012. The new general education courses, which are required of all freshmen and sophomores, ensure that the content and objectives of all courses are relevant to the goal of retaining and graduating students who are prepared to compete and succeed in today’s challenging work force or graduate and professional level programs following their graduation.”

Saint Augustine’s University will expand its programs for nontraditional students to include students seeking a four year degree that includes online courses and expanding off-site access to campus programs. The University has established Centers of Excellence that will serve as the anchor programs of a Saint Augustine’s University degree.

The Center for Forensic Discovery (forensic science, forensic accounting, and forensic psychology) and the Center for Applied Medical Sciences are two signature academic programs that are expected to enhance and expand students’ marketability for a global workforce. The third Center of Excellence will be the Center for Athletic Facilities and Sports Management. This center affords students a unique concentration in the operational and administration aspects in the world of professional, collegiate and leisure sports. Graduates from this center would have the competitive advantage to secure positions in the “front office.”

An additional center of excellence being considered is the Center for Athletic Scholarship. “The University will focus on being NCAA championship contenders while continuing to raise the four-year graduation rates of student athletes,” says President Dianne Boardley Suber.

The University will move towards offering its first master’s degree program as early as 2014. The Physician Assistant (PA) Master’s Degree Program will focus on training PAs for rural and other underserved communities.

While the complete branding package is still under development, preparations for the name change will begin next month. Full implementation will take place this summer including the launch of a new Saint Augustine’s University web site and revised materials for new student orientation and prospective student events.

“When students return in the fall, we will officially be Saint Augustine’s University not only in name, but also in look and feel. There will be a full overhaul of paraphernalia in the bookstore and our presence throughout Raleigh and the country will be seen as Saint Augustine’s University. We’re very excited and look forward to sharing our new look with the world,” says Marc Newman, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Development

Why They Are Trying To Defile Trayvon Martin’s Name

Posted by Robert Hoggard
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“They’ve killed my son, now they want to kill his reputation.”

This was said by Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin yesterday during a press conference in central Florida in response to the unearthing of Trayvon’s past. Now, there are some who are trying to hold Trayvon in a negative light.

According to recent reports, Trayvon was suspended from Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School for possession of an empty marijuana bag.

As if to say the fact that an innocent young man was killed by a paranoid, self righteous neighborhood watchman who thought his attire merited a bullet in his back, pails in comparison to Trayvon’s school suspension record.

What the leaked reports try to do is look for flaws in Trayvon’s character. Surely, a kid who was suspended from school a few times could be a suspicious person in the eyes of a neighborhood watch dog- I mean, police officer.

As if a neighborhood watch police officer could really see that just by looking at a person. Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.

Let’s be clear about this: Trayvon and his suspension from school, for whatever reason, is irrelevant and does not overshadow the wya he was murdered.

The only purpose for this negative attention is to damage Trayvon’s name in the hopes that it can 1.) soften the controversy and 2.) Depict Trayvon as a troubled youth, someone who might be up to no good because of a suspension related to drug paraphernalia.

Trayvon was only walking home from a corner store in the gated community where Zimmerman patrolled. Trayvon was visiting his dad, at the home of his dad’s fiancée.

He was 17 years old, unarmed, Black, wearing a hoodie, with a bag of Skittles and an Arizona Iced Tea in his hand. His life was taken away by a man who referred to blacks as “coons” and said Trayvon “looked suspicious.”

Zimmerman walks the streets with the only thing keeping him safe is a backwards law which holds no weight in the situation.

Here is the 911 call– with no doubt, Trayvon is pleading for his life.

These are the only facts that matter. An empty dimebag supposedly found on him? Meaningless.

When will the lies and the corruption of this system end. This cannot die down until the little justice that is left is served.

These findings do nothing but get the supporters of Trayvon more determined to bring Trayvon’s murderer into custody.

“The Game” Recap: Higher Ground

Posted by Arielle Neblett
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The guys’ poker night takes a wild turn! Deciding that Derwin should play while Melanie is away, the guys invite some ladies over.

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After Derwin expresses to his friends that Melanie can’t have a baby, Jason gives him a speech about kids being overrated, referencing his daughter Brittany who is know in her rebellious teenage years.

Not quite sure if Jason was speaking from the heart or if it was the brownies with the special herbal ingredient. After a few of these made to order treats Jason loses touch with reality.

Meanwhile, Tasha and Melanie are having a slumber party and during girl talk it comes out that Tasha has slept with 83 men.

Tasha decides to close up shop since she has a terrible track record with men. But before she puts her goods out of business Melanie comes up with a plan and asks Tasha to be her surrogate mother. Tasha at first hesitates but realizing this would mean the world to Melanie, agrees.

SIAC Baseball: Week #6 Player of the Week Honors Announced

Posted by Michael Livingston II
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Morehouse College catcher/short stop Bryan Butcher has been named SIAC Baseball East Division Player of the Week while Benedict College pitcher Christopher Lail has been named SIAC Baseball East Division Pitcher of the Week. Stillman College outfielder Jarius Brown and pitcher Austin Leary have been named SIAC Baseball West Division Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.

Butcher, a native of Portland, OR, went 7-for-13 from the plate with a double, finishing with a .538 batting average and a .615 slugging percentage in three games. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior scored five runs and drove in seven runs while also stealing four bases on four attempts. Butcher finished with a .750 on-base percentage and a .950 fielding percentage while helping the Maroon Tigers to a 2-1 record, taking two of three games from conference-foe Lane in their weekend series.

Lail, a native of Blythewood, SC, pitched five and two-thirds innings with three strikeouts in one appearance. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound freshman went 1-0 for the week with a 1.73 ERA, recording the Tigers’ only victory in their three-game series against Miles.

Brown, a native of Jonesboro, GA, went 7-for-12 with two homeruns, finishing with a .583 batting average and a 1.083 slugging percentage in three games. The 6-foot-2 senior finished hit eight RBIs and scored four runs with a .643 on-base percentage and was perfect on defense with a 1.000 fielding percentage. Byrd and the Tigers finished with a 3-0 record, sweeping conference-foe Albany State in their three-game weekend series.

Leary pitched seven innings for the Tigers with six strikeouts and no walks in his lone appearance of the week. The 6-foot-1 senior from Palatka, FL went 1-0 for the week, finishing with a 1.29 ERA.

 

SIAC Softball: Week #6 Player of the Week Honors Announced

Posted by Michael Livingston II
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Albany State University catcher Chaconna Marks and pitcher Chelsea Hicks have been named SIAC Softball East Division Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. Kentucky State University first baseman Shenaaz Burrell and pitcher Danielle Garay have been named SIAC Softball West Division Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.

Marks, a native of Covington, GA, went 7-for-15 from the plate, including a homerun, a triple, and a double, to finish the week with a .466 batting average and a .866 slugging percentage. The 5-foot-8 sophomore scored six runs and drove in five more while finishing with a .555 on-base percentage and was perfect in the field with a 1.000 fielding percentage. Marks and the Lady Rams went 6-0 for the week, including double-header sweeps over conference-foes Fort Valley State, Paine, and Claflin.

Hicks, a native of Marietta, GA, earns her second weekly honor this season after pitching 19 innings with 12 strikeouts and five walks in three appearances. The 5-foot-5 freshman right-hander finished with a 3-0 record for the week with a 0.73 ERA.

Burrell, a native of Los Angeles, CA, recorded eight hits with a home run and a double, finishing the week with a .381 batting average and a .571 slugging percentage in six games. The 5-foot-7 senior had eight RBIs and scored six runs with a .458 on-base percentage and a .964 fielding percentage. Burrell helped lead the Thorobrettes to a 5-1 record for the week, including a pair of wins over Bluefield State while taking three of four from conference-foe Tuskegee.

Garay pitched 14 innings, including one complete game, to finish the week with a 2-0 record and a 1.93 ERA. The 5-foot-4 senior from Bay City, TX struck out 18 batters while walking just two in three appearances.

Basketball Wives: Season 4 Episode 6 Recap

Posted by Arielle Neblett
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The fight between Evelyn and Jennifer from last week continues! Evelyn had to be escorted out of Shaunie’s birthday dinner but she didn’t go down without a fight.

Although surrounded by people, Evelyn finds a little space of opportunity, squeezes her purse through it, and pops Jennifer in the head. As Evelyn waits outside for Jennifer, everyone begins to fear for Jennifer’s safety and tries to talk Evelyn out of anything she will regret. Kenya finds this to be a good time to share some advice…that nobody cares about.

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Evelyn is eventually pushed into a car and sent home and Jennifer is safely escorted from the building.

The next day Suzie and Jennifer get together to talk about what happened the previous night. Jennifer is still very confused as to why Evelyn is mad at her and feels Evelyn started the while blow out with her not so sincere birthday toast to Shaunie. And Jennifer wants nothing to do with somebody that will assault her with their pocket book.

Does Evelyn feel bad about what she did to Jennifer and her speech? Nope! But she does feel bad about the Tami and Kesha incident. She doesn’t want Kesha to feel like she threw her under the bus with Tami because she actually does like her. The real problem they believe is Kenya and that she is a liar and will do anything to be in the circle, even put up with the jokes and jabs the ladies throw at her.

Tami is sent a video of a radio interview Kenya had. In the interview the radio host was bashing the rest of the cast and called them “everything but the child of God” in Tami’s words. But Kenya just sat there and laughed hysterically….same way she did when Kesha was being chewed out by Tami. Kenya however swears that she defended the girls despite the video evidence that says other wise.
All of the women decide to meet up and have a pow wow about the Kesha and Kenya battle and decipher who is telling the truth. Kenya and Kesha begin arguing each calling the other a liar.

Kenya gets rowled up and takes her shoes off like she is ready to fight and calls Kesha a “half alien, half man looking h#$”. Kesha decides its time to fight fire with fire and tells Evelyn Kenya called her loose. Kenya however doesn’t recall exactly what she said but yet can always remember what everybody else said! On next week’s episode Evelyn turns her rage towards Kenya for her comments and throws a glass of wine at her….its going to be good!

Student Creates Financial Group for Johnson C. Smith University

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Geoffrey Griffin, a junior majoring in Banking and Finance has been a part of the most astounding things that has taken place on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University. His latest attribute to the campus, creating a student organization whose primary purpose is to advocate financial literacy.

Founder and creator of Young Success, Griffin has established this organization to not only advise the student body, but to also help those outside the gates of Johnson C. Smith, helping the people who need to understand the purpose of financial awareness and personal investment.

This junior with a 3.3 GPA started this organization based on a vision. “I saw myself as a statistic with regards to student loans and also looking at the African American spending habits and coming to the conclusion of why am I not rich in a Donald Trump perspective, where I need to invest in myself for the sole purpose of a great financial future and this is the vision that came to be Young Success,” said Griffin, who was constantly getting calls for financial help during the interview.

This student organization Young Success is based on three things: Image, Vision, and Financial Literacy, which these three components help in the areas of great job opportunities, long term goals, and finding financial stability. Griffin uses his tactics and knowledge of financial literacy as a way of turning money back into ones pockets in efforts of investing in one’s self.

With his legacy emerging on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University, Geoffrey Griffin wants to be remembered “as a student entrepreneur that took advantage of these four years, where I saw college as a way of leverage for both myself and the university in regards to business and finance,” stated Griffin as the interview came to a close and Griffin rushing to help out fellow students.

Investigators Finished With FAMU Hazing Case

Posted by Michael Livingston II
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Orange County, Florida, authorities say they have finished the investigation into the suspected hazing-related death of Robert Champion, the 26-year-old Florida A&M University student and drum major who died in November.

The case has now been handed over to prosecutors who will make a decision on possible charges.

“During the course of this investigation, Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigators have worked over 1000 man hours and over 40 individuals have been interviewed,” Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Monday. “We have worked closely with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and on numerous occasions investigators have traveled to and from Tallahassee to meet with witnesses and gather statements.”

The Florida State Attorney’s Office said it has received the investigation but could not give a timeline of when a decision will be made in the case that has FAMU and other universities contemplating how to end violent hazing rituals

Some FAMU band members have said Champion died last November after taking part in an annual rite of passage called “Crossing Bus C.”

The crossing the bus ritual is an initiation process in which pledges attempt to run down the center aisle from the front door of the bus to the back while being punched, kicked and assaulted by senior members, band members have said.

Champion collapsed in Orlando on the bus, which was carrying members of FAMU’s Marching 100 after a November football game that included a halftime performance by the group.

The medical examiner’s office ruled his death a homicide and said Champion “collapsed and died within an hour of a hazing incident during which he suffered multiple blunt trauma blows to his body.”

An autopsy found “extensive contusions of his chest, arms, shoulder and back,” as well as “evidence of crushing of areas of subcutaneous fat,” which is the fatty tissue directly under the skin.

The death prompted the FAMU board of trustees to approve a new three-part anti-hazing plan, which includes an independent panel of experts to investigate.

(CNN)