The National HBCU Obama Summit Brings Michael Eric Dyson, Janelle Monae to The Atlanta University Center

Posted by Tahajah Samuels
Posted on
Held at three historically black colleges and universities around the nation, The National HBCU Obama Summit made its way to the Atlanta University Center on Tuesday, February 21st.

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

Juliette B. Bell Named New UMES President

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Wednesday announced the appointment of Juliette B. Bell as its next president.

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)

SIAC Softball: Week #3 Player of the Week Honors Announced

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
Clark Atlanta University short stop Brittany Brackenridge has been named SIAC Softball East Division Player of the Week and Claflin University pitcher Elanna Worthy has been named SIAC Softball East Division Pitcher of the Week. Stillman College short stop Bailey Braughton and pitcher Ashley Savage have been named SIAC Softball West Division Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.

Clark Atlanta University short stop Brittany Brackenridge.

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.

Four AAMU Students Arrested in Weekend Shooting

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
Four Alabama A & M students, three of them A&M football players, have been arrested for allegedly being involved in a shooting at Normal Hills Apartment Complex over the weekend.

Normal Hills Apartment Complex, where the shooting took place. (WAAYTV)

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.

(Alabama Live)

Virginia Union’s Dave Robbins Elected to National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
Dave Robbins, the legendary men’s basketball coach at Virginia Union University for 30 years, has been named for induction in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Dave Robbins (ESPN)

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)

What You Need to Know About Joseph Kony

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
When used properly, Twitter can be a great vehicle for social and political movements. Usually it is full of Biebers and relationship talk, but this morning there was a trending topic uniting all of Twitter for one common goal:

#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.

President of South Carolina State University Announces His Resignation

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
George E. Cooper announced that he will step down as president of South Carolina State University at the end of the month. President Cooper stated that he was leaving his post voluntarily but the university has been embroiled in controversy over the past several weeks after Dr. Cooper fired eight administrators. This past Wednesday, a committee of the faculty Senate issued a statement saying that the university was in “a state of crisis.”

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)

Video: Omega Psi Phi On The Steve Harvey Show

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
Not many may have seen this, but the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. put on an awesome step performance on the Steve Harvey Show some years back. You may also not have known, but Steve Harvey is a Que as well. Too bad he didn’t hop along with his bruhs, but it was still a good show. Enjoy.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvHhsGDS7lE&w=610&h=443]

Winston-Salem State Rams Men’s Basketball Team Wins Memorable CIAA Tournament

Posted by Robert Hoggard
Posted on
Charlotte, NC —–The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association celebrated its 100th anniversary this past weekend in Charlotte North Carolina in exciting fashion. The CIAA was filled with exciting events and parties, but one cannot forget about the great basketball. Winston-Salem State University took the CIAA crown in an intense, defensive game against Elizabeth City State University, 62-51.

Coach Bobby Collins celebrates 2012 CIAA Basketball Championship Title victory. (www.wssu.edu)

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.

T.I and Tiny:Family Hustle- Can You Work?

Posted by Arielle Neblett
Posted on
It’s time for the two youngest Harris kids to follow in the footsteps of their parents and siblings and join the entertainment industry.

Every Monday night at 9pm on VH1

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!

Merging Southern University & University of New Orleans Unnecessary, Immoral

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
The enemy never rests.

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

Basketball Wives: Season 4, Episode 3

Posted by Arielle Neblett
Posted on
Evelyn meets the new girls, Kenya and Kesha for the first time when she and Suzie join them for dinner. Of course, Suzie has no problem starting the conversation off with rude comments and showing off pictures for a little visual aid.

Basketball Wives Season 4 Every Monday night at 8pm

Evelyn brings up that she has seen Kenya’s Youtube videos and gives her some advice on how to make her next videos better. Maybe she should have told her to take down some of the current videos she has up.

Kenya takes the time out from her dance rehearsals to confront Kesha’s lack of faith in her but thanked everyone else that did believe in Kenya.

While at dinner with all the ladies, Kesha brings them to speed on Kenya’s speech. Kenya, who highly dislikes the way Kesha is retelling the story, feels like she is fabricating lies and constantly repeats, “you do not want to piss me off.” However, the cast agrees with Kesha and feel that Kenya could have addressed the situation in a different light.

Tami gives Kenya a chance to meet her team and perform as she tries to break into the music industry. Sadly, Kenya does not bring her “A” game but did bring plenty of excuses.

Already late,  Kenya realizes that she does not have her pictures printed out and ready. The pictures are on her flash drive, but she doesn’t have a laptop to get her pictures or play her music to dance to. She ain’t never got two things that match.

Tami and her team were perturbed and just thought Kenya was a “hot @%# mess.” Kenya doesn’t help her case once she starts to dance for the panel. Let’s just say this song best represents Kenya’s talent.

We do get to see a softer side of Tami. Tami, who is known for getting violent when angry, gives a little insight on why she is the way she is. As she candidly speaks with a therapist, we learn Tami has been sexually assaulted twice, held hostage, and held at gun point by people she thought she could trust. Just goes to show you that everyone has a reason for why they are who they are!

Video: North Carolina A&T University Blue & Gold Marching Machine

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
North Carolina A&T claimed that its homecoming is GHOE, also known as the Greatest Homecoming on Earth. HBCUBuzz was there to see it live, but for those who may not have been there to witness it, here is the North Carolina A&T University Blue & Gold Marching Machine to let you in on what you missed.

Spoiler Alert: It’s really, really good.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NzjpFEHW-g&w=610&h=340]

Erykah Badu, DJ Premiere to Headline ‘SWAC Goes Hip-Hop’ for SWAC Basketball Tournament

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
Erykah Badu

The 2012 SWAC Tournament promises to be a week filled with great basketball and exciting events. Taking place on Wednesday, March 7, will be SWAC Goes Hip-Hop. The ancillary event is being hosted at The PROPHET Bar in Dallas, Texas, and will feature Grambling State graduate DJ Low Down Loretta Brown; better known as Erykah Badu. Accompanying her, will be the well-known, Prarie View A&M alum, DJ Premiere; as well as Jackson State graduate DJ JayClip.

Make sure you’re there to check out your favorite SWAC alum! Doors open at 10 PM, and the event wraps at 2 AM.

MEAC Men’s Basketball Honors Announced

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
Norfolk State senior Kyle O’Quinn was named the 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as announced by the conference on Sunday. Delaware State’s Tahj Tate was selected as Rookie of the Year. Savannah State’s head coach Horace Broadnax was named the MEAC Coach of the Year. All awards are voted on by the conference’s head men’s basketball coaches and sports information directors.

Kyle O'Quinn of Norfolk State University (MEAC Sports Information)

O’Quinn led the conference and ranked 10th in the nation with 10.7 rebounds per game and was third in the nation in double-doubles with 19. He guided the Spartans to a 22-9 record and 13-3 mark in MEAC play. The senior leads his team and the conference in blocks per game (2.9) and is sixth in the conference in scoring (15.9). This marks the first time that a student-athlete earned Player and Defensive Player of the Year honors during the same season.

Tate ranked fifth in the conference in scoring with16.0 points and 2.7 rebounds to aid the Hornets to a 12-4 MEAC record and 15-13 overall mark. He ranks eighth in the conference in free throw percentage (76.4), 14th in assists (2.8), 15th in steals (1.2), and fourth in minutes played (34.9). The rookie leads his team in points (368) and is sixth on the team in rebounds (61).

In his sixth year at the helm of the Savannah State Tigers, Horace Broadnax guided his team to their first MEAC regular season title, after entering the conference one year ago. Savannah State posted a 14-2 conference record and 21-10 overall mark. Under his tutelage the Tigers lead the MEAC in scoring defense, only allowing 58.9 points per game and are second in the conference in scoring margin (+5.4).

O’Quinn is joined on the 2012 All-MEAC First-Team by Hampton’s Darrion Pellum, Delaware State’s Jay Threatt, North Carolina Central’s Dominique Sutton, and Coppin State’s Tony Gallo.

The MEAC champion Savannah State Tigers clinched the outright MEAC regular-season title on Thursday with a 73-54 win against Maryland Eastern Shore. The Tigers will enter the tournament as the number one seed and will face the winner of the No. 8/No. 9 matchup on Wednesday, March 7 at 6 p.m.

 The 2012 regular season champion, regular-season runners-up, first-team members and top honorees including Player, Rookie, Defensive and Coach of the Year selections, will be recognized in pre-game presentations prior to their first games of the 2012 MEAC Basketball Tournament . Tournament play tips-off March 5-10 at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

For more on MEAC Sports, visit www.meacsports.com

Alcorn State announces coaching search

Posted by Michael Livingston II
Posted on
Alcorn State University President M. Christopher Brown II met with university officials Monday to outline his process for selecting the next head football coach at Alcorn State.

According to an Alcorn State press release, Brown said it is his responsibility to determine the best structure for identifying and selecting Alcorn’s next coach.

The press release said the process will contain three phases with a 24-member committee screening the process.

The committee will be made up of Alcorn employees, including members of the faculty, staff and athletic department. The committee will also have alumni and members of the Alcorn State student body as well as a representative from Adams, Warren, Jefferson and Claiborne counties.

The press release said Alcorn State must receive applications for the position by noon on March 19. The screening committee will then evaluate the applications and choose three to five candidates to interview.

The screening committee will select an interview committee, and the interview committee will recommend two or three candidates. Brown will make the final decision based on those recommendations.

“Alcorn prefers an individual with a master’s degree, comprehensive knowledge of NCAA and SWAC regulations and proven recruitment experience in Mississippi and the south, who demonstrates the university’s commitment to knowledge and character. I would particularly like an individual with Division I coaching experience outside of the SWAC with a team that has enjoyed postseason play,” Brown said.

(The Natchez Democrat)