Howard University School of Business: The 21st Century Advantage Program.

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Howard University prepares their freshmen classes like no other school in the nation. The School of Business has established a program that shapes their freshmen into well-rounded businessmen and businesswomen. The program is called The 21st Century Cap Advantage Program, or better known as 21 CAP.

21 CAP was created to increase the retention rate for first year business students, and it has done just that. Throughout the year CAP 21 addresses all major factors that impede the success for a first-time-in-college student. Major factors include lack of support, lack of motivation, lack of academic preparation, and financial aid problems.

All freshmen business students take part in a required business orientation course their first semester at Howard. During their business orientation course is where 21 CAP takes full affect. The freshmen class is divided into twenty different groups. A Fortune 500 company that serves as their “parent” company adopts each group. Goldman & Sachs, Google, and PNC bank are just three of the twenty sponsors of 21 CAP. The students practice interview skills, resume building, presentation skills, case studies, and are required to wear suits every Tuesday and Thursday.

The freshmen business students at Howard University are exposed to things in the corporate world that students at other universities are not exposed to until their Junior and Senior year. First-year students are immediately connected to the business world, an experience that enables them to focus on their career development and be comfortable and confident in a business environment. Companies in 21 CAP become actively involved in educating and developing students, some of whom have become valuable employees. For example, each academic year, scholarships and numerous internships are offered to members of the freshmen teams.

Kris Kirkpatrick

The Rise of an Empire – Models Inc 5 Years Anniversary Fashion Show – By HBCU Buzz

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The endless line finally spilled its way into TheArc theater. The theater was full of enthusiasm and I could feel the anticipation surrounding me.

Model, Big Jess said, “I’m gonna bring it full force thick addition.” The crowd quickly silenced when a voice sanggg “The Star Spangled Banner” in a loud sequin navy blue capri romper.

Utterly patriotic, over a dozen American flag bodysuits ran haphazardly across the stage and into the crowd. The crowd roared as the opening scene of Models Inc Presents: Secret & Rumors: The Rise of an Empire began! Little did we know, it was a show for us but try-outs for new prospective members. The first collection was designed by New Yorker, Daryl Cortez. His collection was Fall and Winter inspired with scarves, scullies, and turtlenecks. He captured us into the season with his usages of burnt shades of orange and brown. The scenes followed with floral geometric patterns, prints and casual classic grey suits that interpreted the 7 deadly sins which overflowed into the next scene with a concoction of sexy and elegance which was perfectly portrayed with a classic dress silhouette with tribal print. As if the show didn’t already kidnapped my attention designer, Dramatic grasp another part of me. His creativity ran rapid as dramatic shoulders, printed body suits, and sequences of elegance graced the stage.

When asked to describe this collection in one word he responds, “futuristic”.

The show proceeds and just when I thought I’d had enough gasping the Model’s Inc. youngsters ripped the runway all the up. The finale included all participating models and prospective models along with Aaron Handy. Impatiently waiting to get their names called, the guys huddled on the right side of the stage as the girls we on the left. Names were being called, anxious faces awaited, and the old members welcomed in the newbies with hugs, cheers and smiles. Awards were selectively given to individual models who took ownership of the stage and the new king and queen took their thrown. The crowd showed so much love clearly ending with a standing ovation. New York stylist/designer Kehinde “Shako Ju” said “I really did enjoy the show, everyone’s style different. Bella from Virginia said” I would say the show was very empowering. It was my first time ever attending a models inc show.

Pictures and Video By District Photography, http://districtphotos.biz

Photo’s – Models Inc Five Year Anniversary Fashion Show by HBCU Buzz

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I present to you The 5th Annual Entertainment Fashion Show on August 14, 2011 at Thearc Theater. This show will be best of both worlds featuring Mainstream Runway and Entertainment Model Choreography. It will feature Dc’s own star choreographer Iran Paylor who travels throughout the east coast and DMV top models.

Pictures and Video By District Photography, http://districtphotos.biz

HBCU Buzz Artist Spotlight – Billy Bang of Howard University

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Name: Billy Bang
School: Howard University
Genre: Hip Hop
Management: CamTrimble
Website: http://www.billybangonline.com/

Bio: Billy Bang is an acclaimed indie rapper, engineer, producer, and award winning actor who has the entire DMV music scene buzzing. Born and raised in the rough hood of LeFrak City, Queens, Billy Bang has been steadily making a name for himself on the independent music scene since relocating to Washington D.C. over the 5 years ago. May 2010 marked the release of his first Major Club Single- GO SO HAM. This record paved the way for his biggest project to date. On July 22nd, Billy BANG released his highly anticipated second mixtape of 2010 entitled ‘REINCARNATED’. The 17 track album of all original music had its title & release date inspired by Billy BANG’s father, the original Billy BANG. His father was legendary hustler in Queens who was also quite the ladies man. He was tragically gunned down when his son was only 17 years old. Billy BANG honors his father name and legacy through his stage name and by releasing his mixtape on his father’s birthday July, 22nd. With the mixtape’s release Billy BANG has been garnering rave reviews from critics, DJs, and blogs alike. His ‘Reincarnated’ mixtape has been featured on popular sites such as ONSMASH.com, Two Dope Boyz, & Queens Hip-Hop among others. His last music video, a tribute song to J Dilla, received over 50,000 views on ONSMASH.com in one day!


[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEWqSxY6Vv8&version=3&hl=en_US]

VUU to Host Special Olympics Walk-a-thon

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Special Olympics Virginia’s 11th Annual City of Richmond Walk-A-Thon will be held at Virginia Union University Campus, (Henderson building) from 9:00 a.m. until 12: 30 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2011.  The 1, 2, and 3 mile walk/run will raise money for the Special Olympics Virginia Urban Programs, which benefits over 5000 City of Richmond adults and children with intellectual disabilities.

The event is being presented by Virginia Union University.  Over 500 volunteers, athletes, fraternities, sororities, and sponsors are expected to come out and support this event!  American Family Fitness Centers will be awarding a free membership to the participant who raises the most money.  Other agencies and organizations who will be participating are Richmond Parks & Recreation, Richmond Residential Services, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, Richmond Goodwill, Richmond Police Department, Midlothian Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., Senior Connections-The Capital Area on Aging, The Huff Center, Career Support Systems, The Young Men’s Love and Union Club,  Diamondz Are Forever SC, Thompson Hospitality, Virginia Girls Scout Troops,  Bank of America, Scott & Stringfellow Inc., NHS Human Services, The Virginia Home, Fidura & Associates, and Tiffanies Manor for Young Adults.  Special Olympics Virginia hopes to raise over $5,000.00 for its City of Richmond athletes.  There will be a live performance by The Band Belief!  Music, fun, and prizes for all participants.

Read Full Articles at VUU

Steering minority students toward transportation at Lincoln University

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While many young people embraced sports or arts and crafts this summer, one group spent its days in math and science classes or on field trips to such places as a helicopter museum and a highway research center.

For four weeks, 20 youths ages 12 to 14 participated in the Summer Transportation Institute at Lincoln University, a program designed to interest minority students in careers in transportation.

“The goal is to make sure to expose them to all modes of transportation – land, water, or air,” said Robert Allen, a Lincoln professor who has run the courses there for six years.

Read Full Article at Lincoln University

Elizabeth City State University hosts third aviation camp for girls

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It’s the third summer that ECSU has hosted the ACE Academy (Camp). On Monday, the participants toured the campus by foot. Their perspective changed Thursday, when they boarded Air Viking One for a flight an an overview of the campus and Elizabeth City.

Dr. J. Anthony Sharp, director of the Aviation Science program at ECSU, flies the university’s single engine, Cessna Skyhawk, over campus and the city for the students’ first aerial view of common ground.

“It’s wonderful to see it all from about 1,500 feet. They can see the residence halls, the cafeteria, Dixon-Patterson Hall where they have taken classes over the last week.  They can appreciate seeing all the buildings they walked past while walking on the ground,” Sharp said. “Relatively few of the students in our ACE Camp have been passengers on commercial flights but even fewer have been passengers on a small plane.  That great view is such a surprise for them.”

What doesn’t surprise the students is the cockpit, the communication system or instrument panel. During ACE Camp classes, students learned about the operations of planes, the design features of various planes, flight patterns and the rules and regulations that the Federal Aviation Administration stipulates for pilots. The ACE Camp students are introduced to the university’s air traffic control simulator and its flight simulator. The Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy Program was designed by the FAA to provide students with an introduction into aviation and aerospace.

Read Full Article at ECSU

MVSU Awarded Over $100,000 in Microsoft Software

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Mississippi Valley State University has been awarded $107,926 in Microsoft software as a Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Member School.

A grant was awarded through Microsoft to the TMCF in the amount of $8 million to provide software to member institutions to upgrade institutional computers and technology.  The software is being made available to TMCF member institutions through a review process, managed by the TMCF, designed to identify the schools best prepared technologically to effectively use and implement software and solutions for the benefit of students, faculty, and administration.

TMCF member schools selected to receive software from this grant implemented technology solutions to help the schools become more competitive, address key long-term technology needs and opportunities, and benefit students, faculty and administrative staff.

Read Full Article at MVSU

JSU welcomes more than 1,000 new students during annual move-in day

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More than 1,000 students and their families from across the country arrived on the Jackson State University campus for JSU’s annual move-in day Aug. 13.

“Some looked kind of overwhelmed, but I think it’s a nervous excitement,” said JSU senior Amber Thomas, who was one of 200 staff, student and alumni volunteers who helped the new students unload their belongings and carry them into the dormitories.

Students from states including Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Indiana, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi arrived at dormitory drop-off locations, where they where greeted by dozens of enthusiastic Jacksonians, including JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers and other university leaders

Read Full Article at JSU

FVSU floods the NFL with free agents

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Just one day after the National Football League lockout ended, the floodgates of free agent signing opened and crested with an all-time high for the Fort Valley State University Wildcats. With the signing of Ricardo Lockette, Dionte Dinkins, Darnell Burks and Narada Williams, it was the first time in the school’s history that four players were signed as free agents in the same year.

News of the first FVSU player signed as a free agent came early on Tuesday, July 26, when speedster Ricardo Lockette was hired by the Seattle Seahawks. While barely missing selection in the NFL draft, Lockette, a native of Albany, Ga., was the first wide receiver to be drafted as a free agent.  At 6’2, 215 lbs, Lockette finished the 2010 season as the Wildcats’ third leading receiver with a total of 23 receptions for 262 yards.  He averaged 11.4 yards per catch and had one touchdown grab. As the team’s kick return specialist, he averaged 24 yards per return.

The next FVSU player contracted as a free agent was defensive back Dionte Dinkins, who joined the St. Louis Rams. At 6’2, 195lbs, Dinkins is the prototypical defensive back. Despite an early injury, he finished the 2010 FVSU season with 16 tackles, one interception, five pass break-ups, six passes defended, one forced fumble and two blocked kicks.

Interest in defensive back Darnell Burks was extremely high among the NFL franchises. After all, Burks was noted as one of the fiercest defensive backs in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and finished fifth for the Wildcats in tackles during his senior campaign. With offers from multiple teams, Burks decided to play for the New York Giants. In 2010, the Shellman, Ga. native tallied 54 tackles for FVSU. He also had 10.5 tackles for losses totaling 71 yards and registered 5.5 sacks for 50 yard. Burks had two interceptions on the season along four pass break ups, six passes defended, two quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick.

The day concluded with word that the Detroit Lions nabbed FVSU’s Narada Williams as a free agent. Williams, 6’4, 255 lbs, finished the 2010 FVSU season with 35 tackles and eight tackles for losses.  He also had 4.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. Williams is from Douglasville, Ga.

FVSU employee institute kicks off new school year

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Most Fort Valley State University employees know what they’d do with a pay raise. For some, new money would be spent paying down bills, stashing it into a savings account or shopping; but President Dr. Larry E. Rivers’ unexpected pay increase from the Board of Regents will benefit Wildcats.
“Whatever is left of my raise, minus social security and taxes, will go to the general student scholarship fund until all FVSU employees receive a raise,” Rivers announced during the presidential address at the 2011 Faculty/Staff Institute Aug. 8 in the C.W. Pettigrew Center auditorium.

Rivers explained to a back-from-summer-vacation, standing-room-only audience of FVSU employees why the BOR approved the raise in July. FVSU’s chief executive and Albany State University president, Dr. Edward Freeman, were the two lowest paid leaders in the University System of Georgia.

The audience applauded Rivers’ pledge of cash to the scholarship fund. Since USG revenues are up and the system is operating in the black, a potential pay increase for employees may come as early as the 2012-2013 fiscal year according to Rivers. Employees received the last raise in 2006.

Almost 700 FVSU faculty and staffers arrived early and reconnected with colleagues in the lobby after completing paperwork for new parking decals. During the institute’s morning session, department heads introduced new employees and formally announced promotions. The most notable included Dr. Govind Kannan, recently named dean of the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology. Willie Williams was appointed FVSU’s interim vice president of student affairs and enrollment management.

During a break, employees feasted on fresh, hot buttered popcorn, served by Health Services and courtesy of FVSU’s Office of Marketing and Communications. The surprise appearance of the Blue Machine Marching Band was a crowd pleaser.

Read Full Article at FVSU

Tri-Cities High School Student Makes The Mark At Clark Atlanta University Summer Science Program

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Confident and articulate, high school student Clarisa Hernandez was not the least bit nervous when she made her recent presentation on a drug delivery system for prostate cancer cells, before an audience of faculty, researchers and students at Clark Atlanta University (CAU).

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FAMU Students were Leaders in National Technology Transfer Competition

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Three graduate students in the Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS) participated in the Emerging Minority Business Leaders (EMBL) Summer Institute at West Liberty University in Wheeling, W.Va.

The program, now in its 15th year, seeks to develop and empower students from a wide variety of backgrounds to become the next generation of entrepreneurs and technology leaders for the advancement of American society.

The students were as follows:

Byron Aguilar, a fourth-year doctoral student in the medicinal chemistry program;
Jennifer Green, a fifth-year doctoral student in the pharmacology program; and
Randolph Duverna, a fifth-year doctoral student in the Medicinal Chemistry program

The students first learned about the program when Tyrone Taylor, an administrator for the initiative and ex-NASA employee, came to FAMU in the spring of this year and made a presentation. Aguilar, Green and Duverna were three of only 20 students to attend the lecture.

“The EMBL competition strengthened what we were learning in the Intellectual Property class,” said Duverna. “It gave me an opportunity to learn more about business and helped me to be more marketable.”

The test of endurance, focus and stamina began almost immediately for the three students upon their arrival at West Liberty University.

“We were assigned to a tiny dorm room space that we shared with a roommate and no air conditioning!” says Aguilar, who maintains a 3.6 grade point average. “But it really didn’t matter because we were only in our rooms long enough to get a few hours of sleep.”

Read Full Article at FAMU

Howard University Presents the “New” College of Pharmacy

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The Howard University School of Pharmacy is now the College of Pharmacy, a freestanding entity, and no longer part of the College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences.

The new college was recreated July 1 as part of the University’s ongoing Academic Renewal, giving Howard University 13 schools and colleges. Anthony K. Wutoh, Ph.D., has been named dean of the college.  Wutoh, a registered pharmacist, is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operation of the college’s programs.

Dr. Eve Higginbotham, senior vice president and executive dean for Health Sciences, said the University felt it appropriate to make the pharmacy school a stand alone college because of the strength of its programs and to bring it in line with the nation’s other pharmacy academic programs.

“Over 80 percent of pharmacy programs are freestanding,” said Higginbotham, who oversees the College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing and Allied Heath Sciences, College of Medicine, College of Dentistry, Howard University Health Sciences Library and Howard University Hospital.  “This puts us in the framework of what we find in the overall academic pharmacy community.”

The change also allows the program to build on its strengths and to attract more academic funding from the federal government and investment from private industry, she said.

Higginbotham pointed to the college’s new Center for Drug Research and Development, as an example of its strengths.

Wutoh said the 4,900 square foot, state-of-the-art facility gives the University the ability to conduct drug research and will accelerate the discovery and development of new drugs and drug products.

The center’s five laboratories and other facilities give faculty, students and outside companies the capability to work on every phase of drug development, from working with the raw pharmaceutical ingredients to the manufacture,  packaging and labeling of the product.

“Our research facility is an example of the potential in the college,” said Wutoh, who served as associate dean of the School of Pharmacy before the transition.

Read Full Article at Howard University

UDC’s Initiative on Equity, Civic Engagement & Community Leadership Banquet

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A banquet was held Monday night, August 8th, to honor 12 UDC interns and to thank the Live to Give Charitable Trust Fund, which made the internships possible.  The dinner was held at B. Smith’s at Union Station and featured remarks from Heather Burns, founder of the Live to Give Charitable Trust, UDC President Dr. Allen L. Sessoms, Professors G. Derek Musgrove and Meena Srinivansan as well as many of the interns who were able to attend.  Dr. Sessoms congratulated the interns as “demonstrating the great talent that lies within UDC.”

UDC’s Initiative for Equity, Civic Engagement and Community Leadership focuses on social justice and equity.  It encompasses public service, community/civic engagement, research and scholarship.  The initiative aspires to demonstrate strategies and solutions that revitalize disadvantaged urban communities and their residents.  It ensures that economic and social prosperity are equitably distributed across U.S. communities.

The interns, their majors and the organizations in which they worked are as follows:

  • Brandi Bell (Environmental Science) – Living City Block
  • Natasha Bennett (Administration of Justice) – Washington Bureau of the NAACP
  • Jose Campos (UDC Law) – Latino Economic Development Corp.
  • William Fenwick (History) – Bill of Rights Defense Committee
  • Rosham Ghimire (Mass Media) – Empower DC
  • Erin Herrero (UDC Law) – David A. Clarke School of Law’s Low Income Tax Clinic
  • Samantha Holley (UDC Law) – DC American Civil Liberties Union
  • Angeline Hotio (UDC Law) – Second Chance Employment Services
  • Cedric Jocktane (Architecture) – UDC Archetectural Research Institute
  • Leslie Johnson (Public Health) – Effie Barry HIV/AIDS Initiative
  • Vincent Tanoe (Applied Statistics) – TeamHappy.org
  • Patrina Whitney (History) – Institute of Caribbean Studies

Read Full Article at UDC

Dr. Maya Green Alabama A&M University Biology Graduate helps minorities with HIV/AIDS

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Chicago’s Dr. Maya Green, MD, MPH recently won a Minority Clinical Fellowship to help minorities with HIV or AIDS who lack care in their communities.

The fellowship was awarded by the HIV Medicine Association and has grants from Gilead Foundation, Genentech, and Tibotec.

“The first thing I recall was excitement,” Dr. Green said about winning the fellowship. “I was shocked that I received it and I was really thankful.”

Dr. Green grew up in what is formerly known as Chatam, now the Roseland community on Chicago’s South Side. She went to Whitney Young High School, where she attended for three years but was let go due to her behavior and grades.

“After I saw the things in my community that were going on, it did have an effect on me where I didn’t put forth a lot of effort in high school,” she said. “I finished at a Christan high school called Liberty Temple. In addition to that, I had to do night school and summer school and make up for some of the things I lost in those first three years.” Dr. Green went to Julian for summer school and Olive Harvey for night school for that summer.

“I didn’t want to stay where I was. My life’s purpose guided me to help me change my life,” she said. That’s another thing, if anyone is at the point where they aren’t enjoying their life, I want them to know that it is possible to change. It is possible not to live their life the same way.”

By the time she got to college she was focused and she knew why she was there. Although Green didn’t get the best grades, she graduated cum laude from Alabama A&M, in Huntsville, with a bachelor of science in biology. After college she originally became a teacher for fourth and fifth graders for four years.

“I always wanted to be a physician. I was initially nervous about going to medical school because on the inside I didn’t think I could do it,” Dr. Green said. “Something inside of me didn’t think I could do it, so I was nervous about that. I didn’t apply.”

Green described children as “extremely honest.” “So all the time when I was asking them what their dreams were they would ask me the same thing. And they were like ‘well if you say we could do what we want to, how come you’re not doing what you what to?'” she said. “And that is what kind of sparked me to go to medical school and follow the path and I’m thankful for that.”

Green received her medical degree and masters of public health degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

During medical school she worked at the University of Illinois at Chicago as a nursing assistant. She’s also done work at Cook County, Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Great Lakes Naval Base—to name a few.

Read Full Article at WindyCityTimes