Several students from Spelman College have helped their institution win a significant monetary prize through their dedication to enhancing their financial literacy.
The fourth annual Market Madness competition, organized by Goldman Sachs, concluded after a semester-long in-depth introduction to critical financial concepts and their practical applications for HBCU students.
Spelman won the competition for the third consecutive year, securing a $1 million grant.
The program’s objective is to educate students on topics such as investment in the capital markets, business development, and other areas that many Americans wish they had more exposure to at an earlier stage.
Per recent CivicScience data, 1-in-10 U.S. adults say they are ‘not at all financially literate,’ while the majority claim they are ‘somewhat financially literate. ‘ Over a quarter feel they are ‘very financially literate.
“The HBCU Market Madness pitch competition is always a highlight of the year. Seeing the presentations and ideas that these students generate throughout the semester reminds us of the incredible talent at HBCUs,” Megan Hogan, Goldman Sachs global head of Talent and chief diversity officer, said in a news release shared with ESSENCE.
“Goldman Sachs is committed to building a diverse pipeline of talent and we’ve been excited to welcome participants of the program to start their careers at Goldman Sachs over the last four years.”
Other finalists from Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, and Howard University competed with case studies to top Goldman Sachs and Nike reps for the chance to win $250,000 to $1 million grants for their respective schools.
The Market Madness competition is a tentpole of Goldman Sachs’ HBCU Possibilities Program, a major component of Goldman Sachs’ $25 million, five-year commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The answer is Dallas James, a South Carolina State University engineering technology student graduating with a perfect grade point average – a record he achieved while playing all four years as a 7-foot center for the Bulldogs basketball team
“It wasn’t exactly difficult. It was a lot of work, but it wasn’t difficult because it was what I wanted to do,” James said. “I don’t like going anywhere and not giving it my absolute best and full focus. So, it was really easy to choose basketball and to choose school over any other distractions that might have come my way.
“I didn’t refuse to have fun, but school and basketball always came first, and I’m happy I chose what I did,” he said.
A native of La Palma, California, in the Los Angeles area, James got the bug for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in elementary school. He credits Steve Alfi, an advanced math teacher at Gahr High School with sealing is interests in computerization and engineering.
“It was a lot like the professors here, where you know a smaller number of professors and you know them really well,” James said. “He spent a lot of extra time making sure everybody understood everything. He would make sure you knew your weaknesses, make sure you knew your strengths and make sure you knew how to improve over the summer.”
As a high academic achiever, James spent his senior year of high school at City Honors International Preparatory Academy, which did not have a basketball program, so the school’s students played at nearby Inglewood High School.
He planned to study computer engineering, but since SC State did not yet offer the field as a major, he entered his freshman year in computer science. “There wasn’t enough hands-on work for what I want to do compared to all the coding,” he said.
“I looked into other majors and discovered that electrical engineering was actually more of what I was hoping I would get out of computer engineering with data processing, signal processing and understanding circuits and electricity with an emphasis on physics.”
What is it about STEM fields that appeal so much to James? Magic.
“Magic doesn’t really exist in the world, but through knowledge, we can make magical things happen. When you’re a child, the TV is just a magic box, and you just accept that.”
“Then you come to understand all the development that goes into making the TV and all the maintenance that goes into taking care of it from power generation all the way down to all the various parts on the motherboard that allow it to function as it does,” he said. “Everything comes together in one product, and that’s just for consumer electronics.
“There’s so much more that goes into everyday life that if understood allows us to be more efficient and allows society to function as it does today. When I am out working and fulfilling my occupational obligations, I’d like those obligations to improve society,” James said.
That’s where the next phase of his education comes in. James elected to stay at SC State for a master’s degree in intelligent transportation systems.
“Transportation engineering is the intersection of electrical engineering and civil engineering,” he said. “It includes everything from how highways are managed to promote the optimal flow of traffic to how trains are routed. It’s everything about how persons move through society.”
James cited Orangeburg’s non-computerized streetlights to illustrate how transportation engineering can improve efficiency.
“Having a computer control something versus a singular mechanical relay makes it a lot easier to adjust because computers are more flexible, and you can do that from far away,” he said. “If there’s a fault, it’s more efficient to switch a computer than to go over and replace an entire mechanical relay that’s analog and to make sure that it works. You just have a bunch of computers that do the same thing quicker.
“That same logic applies to transportation. It’s really interesting to see how that works, especially with the advent of machine learning,” he said. “Even computerized streetlights make mistakes. Even computerized trains make mistakes. It’s rare that they make lethal mistakes, but there are still opportunities for efficiency.
“Having machine learning increase better signal processing capability is going to be part of improving transportation, and I would love to be a part of that,” James said.
Because the NCAA awarded athletes an extra year of eligibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was at its height during his freshman year, James will continue to play for the Bulldogs next season.
“I’ve been working, but I still feel like I have more to give to the game,” he said. “I’m very excited to be able to continue that here at SC State under Coach Erik Martin.”
Again, he expects to easily manage his athletics and graduate school obligations.
“It was very rare for school and basketball to have a conflict with each other because they’re part of the same organization,” he said. “There’s a lot of free time even while you’re traveling for basketball that I spend completing my homework and various other obligations.
“It was nice to have a balance because no matter what, I was doing something productive,” James said.
That’s a mature perspective for a college-age student. “You can thank my parents (Jerome James and Cyndi Lynne Jackson) for that,” he said. “Before I was ever handed a basketball, I was handed flashcards.”
Still, basketball was a bit of a given. James always knew he would be tall, since his father is 7 feet, 2 inches tall. Jerome James spent 11 years in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, the Seattle Supersonics and the New York Nicks after his collegiate playing career at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in the mid-1990s.
Back then, FAMU and SC State were in the same athletics conference. That brought the younger James a connection to his dad when Bulldogs alumnus Raheem Waller rejoined the SC State coaching staff during James’ sophomore year.
“I’ll definitely never forget Coach Waller,” he said. “Coach Waller played against my dad when he was in the MEAC before FAMU left, and it’s been nice having him here because it’s almost like having your uncle. That’s the type of person he is – just how he takes care of his players. That’s what he is to me.”
James is among approximately 250 students who will receive degrees from SC State on Friday, May 10. Open to the public, the Spring Commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
FAMU President Larry Robinson, Gregory Gerami, Chair Harper, and Provost Watson, during the FAMU 2024 Commencement Ceremony. via Glenn Beil
Florida A&M University has decided to “put on hold” a donation of $237 million from a Texas hemp farming executive.
The decision was made after the media and school leaders raised questions about the value and source of the gift. President Larry Robinson announced the decision at an emergency meeting of FAMU’s fundraising foundation on Thursday.
Board members expressed concerns about the donation, which has drawn national attention as one of the largest ever for one of the country’s historically Black colleges and universities. The donation came in the form of millions of shares of stock, according to an agreement released by the school. Although the shares have already been transferred to FAMU, it’s unclear how the university will proceed.
FAMU President Larry Robinson just announced that they’re putting a pause on the apparent $237 million gift to the university
“With regards to the gift and the processing of it and so forth, in terms of future processing, we’ve already decided it’s in our best interest to put that on hold,” Robinson said during the meeting.
The alleged windfall donation to FAMU came from Batterson Farms Corporation’s Gregory Gerami and the Isaac Batterson Family 7th Trust and would’ve almost tripled the school’s endowment, helping students and faculty for generations. But after the announcement was made — with major fanfare during a Saturday commencement ceremony — skepticism quickly quelled the celebration.
For one, Batterson Farms Corporation appears to be a relatively small outfit based in Texas selling hydroponic hemp farm products, leading some to question how its stocks could be worth millions. The doubts have been heightened by reports about Gerami’s past dealings, including a $95 million donation to Coastal Carolina University in 2020 that was terminated by school officials only weeks after it was publicly announced.
A lot happened during this meeting but I thought this exchange was the most striking: pic.twitter.com/oBn5NMI22J
During Thursday’s emergency meeting, FAMU foundation members raised these points while venting frustrations about how school staff transacted a nine-figure donation without telling them or the board of trustees. Some board members claimed to have learned about the donation from the university’s press release or friends after graduation. The board of trustees had already called a special meeting for next week to discuss the donation before Thursday’s shock announcement.
“How did we get this far without knowledge of the transaction or the donor?” asked Chekesha Kidd, a foundation member who is co-founder and CEO of Kinumi, a concierge service.
Florida A&M University is a historically Black university in Tallahassee, Florida.
School leaders — including Robinson and Shawnta Friday-Stroud, FAMU’s vice president for university advancement — said they were barred from discussing the gift publicly due to a non-disclosure agreement. They defended accepting the donation from Batterson Farms Corporation, noting the potential upside should the company go public. Batterson Farms did not respond to a request for comment about the potential future value of its stock.
Still, the shares could be worth “$500 million or it could be zero,” Laurence A. Humphries, a member of the foundation’s board, noted at the meeting.
“Yes, there is clearly risk, and we are seeing that in everything that has shaken out,” Friday-Stroud said during the meeting. “But at the time that was the decision.”
FAMU did not reach out to Coastal Carolina University as they vetted Gerami’s gift, officials confirmed Thursday.
That failed donation was one of several red flags that should have been raised during the vetting of FAMU’s gift, according to finance experts.
The gift would have been paid out over the next decade, according to an agreement obtained through a records request Thursday by the Tallahassee Democrat. The agreement shows that Gerami “donated 14 million shares of stock of intrinsic value worth at least $239,000,000 and will donate an additional $61,000,000 over 10 years” — valuations that don’t match what the school announced only days ago.
The agreement, though, does not specifically name a company, and it’s unclear where and how the stocks were valued.
“Where does this valuation come from?” Rebel Cole, a professor of finance at Florida Atlantic University, said in an interview. “It raises more questions than it answers. If I were a dog, my hackles would be up.”
The Florida A&M Board of Trustees has called an emergency meeting for Wednesday, May 15, at 3 p.m. That meeting is open to the public.
Florida A&M University‘s golf team accomplished something they have not done since the start of this century, win the HBCU National Championship.
The Rattlers dominated the whole week, finishing each day in first place, and finished the championship winning by 29 strokes with a score of +27, 891.
This marks the second time the Rattlers have won the HBCU National Championship after winning it for the first time in 2000 with an 853. The last time the Rattlers won, head coach Mike Rice was the team’s captain and was the men’s medalist with a 208.
The Rattlers were led by Marcus Taylor (+2, 218), who was this year’s medalist, giving the Rattlers nine medalists in PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship history.
The Rattlers also had the number two individual finish as Patrick Mwendapole finished (+7, 223) and another top-five finish from Taylor Bell (+10, 226).
Last week’s hip-hop beef between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar is still fresh on everyone’s mind. While the feud may have ended for the artists involved, it seems to have sparked a new beginning for HBCU campuses nationwide.
On May 4, 2024, during his ongoing feud with the Canadian rapper Drake, Kendrick Lamar released “Not Like Us,” less than 24 hours after his previous diss track “Meet the Grahams.” This song was the fourth installment in Lamar’s 2024 series of diss tracks aimed at Drake.
“Not Like Us” shattered records for most streams in a single day for a hip-hop song on the US Spotify charts. Moreover, the diss track has particularly resonated with HBCUs on campus and social media.
Simply put: Not Like Us is giving ALL the HBCU vibes.
Joe Budden to Drake: “you better thank god it’s not HBCU season” 😭😭😂 Not Like Us had the pod lit! pic.twitter.com/7kv7DgRdlX
The track has HBCU band lovers in particular, already thinking of what the arrangement will sound like. Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ not only served to attack Drake, it also has turned into a viral dance track and is being declared a club banger.
Long summer? "Not Like Us" is perfect for an HBCU band. That's summer into homecoming season right there. The 69 God took the bait and is learning the hard way. pic.twitter.com/Oi34epXksc
Online users discussed on social media how “Not Like Us” would impact HBCU band performances. Some even suggested which HBCU band would perform the best.
“I really can’t wait to see the HBCUs to get ahold of ‘Not Like Us’, one user wrote.
HBCU bands play “Not Like Us” them horns gone go off 😂😂😂😂
RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Black Alliance’s “Divine 9” fraternities and sororities had the opportunity to express their concerns to state lawmakers on Wednesday.
Speakers on Wednesday had the chance to share their agenda with Gov. Roy Cooper and hear from Rev. Dr. William Barber, who conducted the keynote address.
The speeches began at 9 a.m. at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh. Those in attendance listened to Cooper as he touched on the importance of public education, teacher pay, and voting rights. The N.C. Black Alliance group laid out an agenda for lawmakers that includes election protection, healthcare access, and educational equity.
North Carolina House Democratic leader Robert Reives said the annual gathering is vital in addressing critical issues, including HBCU funding.
“This event is important … it’s a chance for all of our Black fraternities and sororities to come together that are based here in North Carolina, to really get a chance to see what we do, to talk about what’s going on with the issues that matter to us,” Reives said.
The North Carolina Black Alliance (NCBA), a 501(c)(3), works toward state-level systemic change by strengthening the network of elected officials representing communities of color throughout the state and collaborating with progressive, grassroots networks on intersecting issues.
These issues range from voting rights, gerrymandering, criminal justice reform, health and wellness, and economic development to education. The Alliance is an intergovernmental network of African American legislators, county commissioners, school board members, and municipal elected officials centered on a commitment to ambitiously address broad issues of inequality and fairness.
NCBA collaborates with strategic partners to advance the work of those organizations and to enhance intentional collaboration with black constituencies.
Reives said the group’s top agenda item is educational resources for HBCUs.
“What’s on top of mind for me right now is education,” he said. “It is our great building block. That’s the one thing that evens out everything … we have to amplify the importance of making sure that everybody gets a good solid education.”
NPHC was chartered on May 10, 1930, by five fraternities and sororities at Howard University in Washington, DC. Four other Greek-letter organizations later joined the council.
Camay Mitchell De Silva, the 18-year-old woman was killed on April 21 at Delaware State University.
The Dover Police Department in Delaware announced that two men have been arrested for allegedly killing an 18-year-old woman who was shot in the head last month on the main campus of Delaware State University.
The suspects, identified as Destry Jones, 20 years old, and Damien Hinson, 18 years old, were arrested in connection with the death of Camay Mitchell De Silva.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to the family of Camay De Silva,” Chief Thomas Johnson, Jr. said during a news conference. “Camay’s family has been in our thoughts from the moment this senseless act of violence occurred and our hope is that these apprehensions can help begin the process of healing.”
On April 21 at around 1:40 a.m., there was a shooting incident in Dover. Dover police officers heard what they believed to be gunshots in the area while the Delaware State University Police Department received a report of shots being fired on the university’s main campus.
Delaware State University is a privately governed, state-assisted historically black land-grant research university in Dover, Delaware.
The report stated that the shots were the result of a physical fight that happened in the vicinity of one of the college’s dormitories. Those involved in the fight fled across a road towards a parking lot, but neither agency was able to locate a fight or a crime scene at first.
Shortly after the report came in about the fight, another report was made regarding a female being found on the ground near one of the university’s dormitories. When officers arrived at the dorms, they found De Silva, who had suffered a gunshot wound to her head. The dormitory where the fight occurred was located in the ‘immediate vicinity of the dorm’ where De Silva was found.
De Silva was not involved in any fight and was not the intended target of the gunfire. Paramedics took De Silva to a hospital, but she died from her injuries.
Destry Jones and Damien Hinson participated in a fight before the shooting, police say
The Dover police investigation determined that Jones and Hinson were part of a group that participated in a fight with two males, ages 20 and 21, before shots rang out, according to Johnson. The men were involved in the same fight school police initially received reports about, the chief said.
Pictured: Destry Jones and Damien Hinson via 6abc.com.
Jones and Hinson stopped fighting during the physical altercation and at some point began firing gunshots, which “claimed the life of Miss De Silva,” Johnson said. Neither Jones nor Hinson were enrolled as students at Delaware State Univerity, and they have no affiliation with the school, according to the chief.
In addition to being charged with De Silva’s murder, Jones and Hinson were also charged with the attempted murder of the 20 and 21-year-old males they fought on campus, Johnson said.
Jones and Hinson were arrested on May 2nd
The U.S. Marshals, New York City police, and Dover police arrested Jones on May 2 at an apartment in Brooklyn, New York, Johnson said. Later that same day, Hinson was arrested in the parking lot of a shopping center in Dover, the chief added.
Both men are charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder in the first-degree, one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, one count of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, and one count of conspiracy in the first degree, Johnson said.
Camay Mitchell De Silva described as a young lady with a ‘contagious smile’
A GoFundMe was created for De Silva’s family, and as of Wednesday, has received over $19,000 in donations.
The family of De Silva spoke at a press conference days after she was fatally shot while visiting Delaware State University. Seen in this photo (left to right) are her mother, Shanella De Silva, her grandfather Martin De Silva, and her aunt, Charlotte De Silva Davis. Courtesy of USA Today Network.
“Camay Mitchell De Silva was a young lady who had a contagious smile and was a source of joy for everyone around her. She was an intelligent and beautiful person who touched the lives of everyone who knew her,” according to the GoFundMe page created by family friend Acquania Escarne. “… Unfortunately, Camay’s life was tragically taken from her when she was hit by a stray bullet that took her life.”
“When she entered a room, she brightened the room,” Martin De Silva said in late April. “And over the last couple of days, we sit down in this place, and in our anticipation, we want to see her come through that door.”
Camay De Silva planned to attend Delaware State University in the Fall
De Silva planned to attend Delaware State University in the Fall of 2024, the GoFundMe page said. The New Jersey native was on the school’s campus visiting her best friend when the shooting occurred, De Silva’s mother, Shanelle De Silva, said.
De Silva “wanted to go to DSU” so she could “get a feel for the campus,” according to her mother.
“I know she would have been an exceptional, exceptional student,” University President Tony Allen said on Monday. “We continue to pray for your family, and we will take an important moment to honor Camay during this year’s commencement ceremony.”
Our condolences go out to the De Silva family and the DSU community during this time.
Historically Black Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL.
The National Science Foundation @NSF has awarded Alabama A&M University a $1 Million grant to launch a transformative two-year Bridge to Doctorate program. The grant is a component of a nationwide endeavor aimed at bolstering the representation and proficiency of STEM graduate students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, with a particular focus on guiding them toward Ph.D. attainment and success.
Howard University — $1.25 Million
Howard University is a private, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C.
The School of Divinity at historically Black Howard Universityhas received a $1.25 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to develop resources and initiatives aimed at supporting theological leaders and Black congregations. The funds will go towards expanding an online educational hub for congregations and clergy, launching a podcast centered on African American preaching, establishing an annual preaching symposium, developing an alumni mentoring program, and creating two non-degree certificate programs in African American preaching.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore — $560,000
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a historically Black university in Princess Anne, Maryland.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has received a $560,000 research grant to study the effects of the herpes simple virus on brain neurons. According to Victor Hsia, the project’s lead researcher and professor within the historically Black university’s School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, the research project will also investigate methods to dispel common misconceptions about the virus and how it spreads.
Hampton University — $500,000
Hampton University is a private historically Black university in Hampton, Virginia.
Historically Black Hampton Universityin Virginia has partnered with the Public Service Education Institute to establish a $500,000 endowed fund to support student internships within federal, state, and local government agencies. Students whom the new endowed fund supports will receive up to $5,000 to help cover expenses during their internship experiences.
Congratulations to all the HBCUs for these outstanding contributions!
Angel Jackson, WNBA player from Jackson State University | Photo Courtesy of Clutch Points |
The Las Vegas Aces are preparing for the 2024 WNBA season where they plan to become only the second team ever to win three consecutive league championships.
However, they will have to do so without Angel Jackson, a top HBCU star at Jackson State who was recently waived. Jackson, a former three-time SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, was released by the Aces, as confirmed by local team reporter Callie Lawson-Freeman.
LAS VEGAS (May 7, 2024)—Las Vegas Aces General Manager Natalie Williams announced today that the team has waived rookie forward Angel Jackson.
Selected by the Aces at No. 36 in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Jackson was a two-time SWAC Defensive Player of the Year while playing for Jackson State. She averaged 9.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in her two seasons at Jackson State, while blocking 171 shots in 64 games. Jackson transferred to JSU after playing her first three seasons at USC.
The Aces, who will play a preseason game against Puerto Rico on May 11 in South Carolina, tip-off their season against Phoenix at 7 pm on May 14 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, as prior to the game the Aces will receive their 2023 WNBA Championship rings and unveil their championship banner in Michelob ULTRA Arena.
After learning of her release, Jackson took to Twitter, simply stating “15 will be back.”
Jackson, a player from Jackson State, was picked by the Las Vegas Aces as the 36th and final pick in this year’s WNBA Draft.
She’s the seventh HBCU player to be drafted in the WNBA and the second player from JSU to be drafted in the last three years, following Ameshya-Williams Holliday in 2022.
Jackson was aiming to become the first HBCU player to make an active WNBA roster since 2008 when a former Howard center was a member of the Washington Mystics.
The Las Vegas Aces are scheduled to play their preseason opener this Saturday at the University of South Carolina against the Puerto Rican national team.
Last Saturday, a pioneering farming organization, The Issac Batterson 7th Family Trust, and their CEO, Gregory Gerami, made a monumental contribution to Florida A&M’s resources.
The organization gifted a staggering $237.75 million award to FAMU’s Foundation, more than double the university’s total endowment of $121 million. This donation is also the largest single donation ever made to an HBCU.
However, the nearly quarter-billion-dollar donation has come under scrutiny from all sides, with some critics now calling for transparency regarding the details of the donation.
Gregory Gerami, the 30-year-old hemp farmer, investor, and entrepreneur drew national spotlight with his gift, which appears to be both the largest in history at FAMU and any of the other 100-plus historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, in the country.
According to an article published by Education News Flash, Jerell Blakely expressed his belief that FAMU had been deceived by Gerami’s sizeable donation. Blakely stated that if the donation was found to be a scam, the institution’s leadership should resign due to a “massive lack of vetting.”
“It is hard to avoid the feeling that this “donation” will go down as one of the biggest scams in higher education history. If the money is indeed in the bank, I wonder if that will be shown to be false in a few days? If the money is there without issue, then I’m wrong and the university has a foundation for great prosperity by way of an ultra rich, unknown business tycoon who seems to care little about how he or his business would benefit from such a bold philanthropic effort. But if this turns out to be a scam, the entire university leadership should resign for a massive lack of vetting.”
Donor and CEO Gregory Gerami says he doesn’t understand the skepticism about the gift.
“The stocks have been held by the university for over a month now, so I don’t know where the confusion or the skepticism would be since it’s already in a financial account with the university,” Gerami said.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Gerami is also a pioneer in producing and selling high-quality hemp seeds. He says he did not attend FAMU or graduate from college, but he started off his career by building a landscaping business and has also worked in property management and economic development consulting before establishing his farming company.
But little is known about Gerami, his business, or the Issac Batterson 7th Family Trust that put up the money. They have a remarkably small online footprint, and news that his $95 million “transformational” planned gift to Coastal Carolina University fell through last year has further fueled alumni concerns.
Germani cited the recent claims as “incorrect and damaging.”
“This is a main example why I don’t have an internet presence, nor do I care to have one,” Gerami said of the online skepticism. “People take things out of context. They run and they damage and hurt people with information that’s incorrect and just not appropriate.”
“We are fully aware of the skepticism that sometimes comes with such a large gift,” the university said in the statement. “As expected, some individuals in the public are and will continue researching Mr. Gerami.
“Please know that FAMU has done its due diligence when it comes to this matter. Additionally, Mr. Gerami has and continues to do his own due diligence on things that have been and are happening at FAMU.”
Gregory Gerami and FAMU President, Larry Robinson during FAMU 2024 Commencement.
Gerami said FAMU has become like family and is the designated university to which he chooses to expand his charitable giving efforts.
“When we look at our legacy and our business — and as I exit out of my business, which should happen in the next couple of years — FAMU is the designated spot as I expand on charitable giving in research,” Gerami said. “I’ve gotten to know the folks at FAMU really well and I consider them like family.
Gerami says the multi-million-dollar gift to FAMU is the first donation he has ever made at that level.
The scrutiny over the donation is not only from outsiders but also from FAMU officials and affiliates.
FAMU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Deveron Gibbons. via Glenn Beil
The vice chair of Florida A&M University’s Board of Trustees called on FAMU President Larry Robinson and board chair Kristin Harper to convene a public “emergency” meeting for the university community to learn more about a recent $237 million donation.
“As Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, I have a responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the university I cherish, but I have deep concerns that this process is moving too quickly to embrace a gift without proper scrutiny.”
“As Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, I have a responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the university I cherish, but I have deep concerns that this process is moving too quickly to embrace a gift without proper scrutiny.”
Gibbons says he has been getting calls from the university’s alumni across the country with similar concerns about the $237 million gift’s validity, and he hopes a public board meeting will allow them to ask questions.
“The whole thing is a little weird in terms of how it has all played out,” Gibbons said. “It might be best for us to be very transparent as a university to make sure that we give out all the available information that we can get to the folks in the community and our constituents.”
Ruth Ray Jackson has recently been appointed as the seventeenth president of Langston University, which is a historically Black university located in Oklahoma.
She has been serving as an interim president for the last year. Langston University has over 1,800 undergraduate and 130 graduate students, with African Americans making up 79% of the undergraduate student body.
Dr. Jackson has been associated with Langston University for the past decade. She first joined the university in 2014 as a professor and later became the dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
We are excited to announce the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents has appointed Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson to be the 17th President of Langston University #WeRoarhttps://t.co/N2iA1XKA71
Four years later, she transitioned from faculty to administrative leadership, becoming associate vice president for student success in 2018. She was promoted to vice president of academic affairs one year later and held the position until she was appointed interim president.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community for their support throughout my tenure as interim president and now upon my appointment. I also extend my thanks to the presidential search committee for their significant contributions to the search process, and to the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents for placing their confidence in my vision to lead Langston University.”
Before her tenure with Langston University, Dr. Jackson spent 11 years with Louisiana State University Shreveport. During this time, she served as an associate professor of education, director of the master of education program, and chair of the education department. She served as a public school teacher and administrator in Louisiana before transitioning her career to higher education.
Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson presented at today’s regular meeting of the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents, where the Regents congratulated Dr. Jackson for her recent appointment as the 17th President of Langston University. Her presidency begins May 1, 2024. #WeRoar 🦁 pic.twitter.com/EHftsbywEr
“I am honored to lead Langston University into its next chapter,” said Dr. Jackson. “I love this university and believe in its faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Our mission must be focused on empowering students, celebrating student success, and contributing to the betterment of Oklahoma and beyond. Together, we will build upon Langston’s legacy and create a future where excellence knows no bounds.”
Dr. Jackson is a graduate of historically Black Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education and English and her master’s degree in educational leadership and administration. She earned a Ph.D. in education and human resource management at Colorado State University.
Over the past decade, depression rates among young adults have risen to double the rate among the general population. While not all young adults who attend college experience depression after graduating, this transition may serve as a trigger, as it can involve a variety of social, emotional, and financial challenges.
Postgraduate depression, also known as post-graduation blues or post-graduation depression, –is a common phenomenon that some individuals experience after completing their studies and entering the workforce or transitioning to a new phase of life. It can be characterized by feelings of sadness, anxiety, uncertainty, and lack of direction or purpose.
For HBCU graduates, postgraduate depression can have unique challenges and impacts due to the specific experiences and pressures associated with attending an HBCU. Here are some potential ways postgraduate depression may impact HBCU graduates:
Transition Stress: Graduating from an HBCU and transitioning to the workforce or further education can be a significant change that may lead to feelings of uncertainty and stress.
Identity Crisis: HBCU graduates may experience an identity crisis as they navigate the transition from a supportive and culturally rich environment to a different setting where they may feel isolated or disconnected from their cultural roots.
Pressure to Succeed: HBCU graduates may feel pressure to succeed and positively impact their communities, which can contribute to feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome.
Lack of Support: HBCU graduates may struggle to find the same level of support and community that they had during their college years, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Financial Concerns: The financial pressures of student loans, finding a job, and establishing financial stability post-graduation can add to stress and anxiety for HBCU graduates.
World Events: World events can have a significant impact on mental health. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase Trusted Source in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide.
As a post-graduate from an HBCU, it’s imperative to prioritize your mental health. Addressing post-graduate depression among HBCU graduates can help break the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community and encourage individuals to seek help and support when needed.
In addition, HBCUs can also provide resources and support for graduates experiencing post-graduate depression, to help navigate the challenges of transitioning to the workforce and finding their place in the professional world.
Here are some tips specifically tailored for HBCU post-graduates:
Seek Support: Connect with other HBCU alumni or post-graduates who can understand your unique experiences and provide support.
Practice Self-Care: Take time for yourself to relax, unwind, and recharge. This can include activities like meditation, exercise, or hobbies you enjoy.
Maintain a Routine: Establishing a daily routine can help create a sense of stability and control, especially during times of transition.
Set Realistic Goals: Graduating from an HBCU is an accomplishment, but it’s okay to take small steps toward your next goals. Break them down into manageable tasks.
Stay Connected: Keep in touch with friends, family, and mentors who can offer encouragement and guidance as you navigate post-graduate life.
Practice Gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of your post-graduate experience, such as the skills and knowledge you gained during your time at an HBCU. Practicing gratitude can help shift your mindset and improve your overall well-being.
Seek Professional Help: If you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist, counselor, or mental health professional for support.
It’s important for HBCU graduates experiencing postgraduate depression to seek support from friends, family, mentors, or mental health professionals. Taking care of your mental health and seeking help when needed is essential in navigating the challenges of post-graduation life.
The Paul Quinn College Class of 2024 was in for a treat on May 4, as they were informed that they would be receiving two round-trip tickets each, courtesy of Southwest Airlines. The airline is the official partner of this HBCU located in Dallas, Texas.
The tickets can be used for any Southwest domestic destination.
“We are so blessed to have people in Southwest Airlines that understand what it means to be a Quinnite. They understand what it means to advocate for others, to make room in our lives for different points of view,” Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell said.
“We want you to travel and experience the world as you embark on your next chapter in life. Be curious, stay adventurous. So, as a little graduation surprise from your friends at Southwest Airlines to celebrate your incredible journey, we have a special gift for you,” Nieto said before asking the students to look under their seats.
“To celebrate your accomplishments, Southwest Airlines would like to gift each of you two roundtrip tickets to any Southwest Airlines domestic destination,” Nieto continued, to a roar from the crowd.
Dr. Michael Sorrell is the president of Paul Quinn College, serving since 2007
Sorrell utilized the opportunity to entertain the audience with some friendly and sociable jokes. “Yeah, I didn’t get any of that when I was a graduating senior,” he joked.
Southwest announced its official partnership with the HBCU in October 2022. The program includes paid internships specifically for Paul Quinn College students along with ongoing educational and workforce development opportunities.
It’s HBCU graduation season and Vice President Kamala Harris is joining in to celebrate the graduates. Kamala Harris, an HBCU graduate from Howard University, recently surprised the graduating class of North Carolina Central University with a special message on their commencement day, this past Saturday.
Congratulations to the HBCU Class of 2024. Well, you made it,” VP Harris said.
“Through early-morning classes and late-night study sessions. Through remote learning and social distancing. With the support of your family and friends and the faculty and staff. You made it to graduation.
I have to tell you — our nation is so proud of you. This is a special moment. I speak from personal experience when I say — someone you met your first day of class will be in your wedding party. Someone sitting near you today will ask you to be Godparent to their child. Or be at their swearing-in to public office.
— North Carolina Central University (@NCCU) May 4, 2024
And class of 2024: As Vice President of the United States I tell you — no matter what path you choose to follow from here — our nation needs you. We need your ambition. We need your aspirations. We need your voice and we need your leadership. In our schools, hospitals, courtrooms, as tech founders, entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists and leaders at the highest levels of government. We need you to continue to work to build a brighter future for our nation and our world. And you are ready.
As a proud HBCU graduate — I know firsthand — the value of attending an institution like yours. You leave here having been taught that you can do and be anything. And that you have a duty be excellent. To work to uplift the condition of all people. And to fight to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms. So as you set out on the next chapter of your life. Remember there is no obstacle you can not overcome. There is no barrier that you cannot break. And there is no limit to your capacity for greatness.
And wherever you go, please always remember. Everyone you see today, we’re all going to be with you, cheering you. So congratulations on this tremendous achievement. I’m so very proud of you. Please take care. And wherever you go, please always remember. Everyone you see today, we’re all going to be with you, cheering you. So congratulations on this tremendous achievement. I’m so very proud of you. Please take care.“
VP Harris graduated from Howard in 1986 with a degree in political science and economics. Harris then returned to California to attend law school at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law through its Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEOP).
Harris is currently running for re-election on the ticket with President Joe Biden.
Channing Crowder on The Pivot Podcast Show. Courtesy of The Pivot.
During a recent Rolling Out interview, podcast personality, comedian, and former NFL player Channing Crowder doubled down on why he doesn’t want to send his kids to an HBCU (Historically Black College and University).
When asked why he’s advocated for young athletes to attend traditional Power 5 programs instead of HBCUs, Crowder explained that HBCUs are “too far behind.”
“OK. I don’t not want it to happen. We’re just too far behind. It’s just too far … I’m [a] Florida guy. I know to be a Gator, there are 10s of 1000s of people who donate over $100,000 a year just to have a little sticker on their collar of their suit. It’s so much money pumped into those universities.”
Crowder also mentioned the lack of resources for HBCUs during a visit to Howard University.
“My wife took me to Howard for the first time. I’m used to Florida. I’m used to stone crabs and sirloin steaks every night. I’m used to unlimited meal tickets so I can go in there all day, 24/7, and get me a steak whenever. I’m used to a 96,000-person stadium. A $4-6 million weight room. I went to Howard and I’m like, “This is where y’all play? Like, this is the football field that you play on?” My high school field was bigger than that…”
With NIL now, Caleb Williams is making $5 million leaving USC. Could Jackson State do that?” Crowder asked.
Crowder has previously expressed controversial views on HBCUs and advocated for Power 5 programs instead.
Master P’s son is leaving Tennessee State due to a lack of resources. This is what Channing Crowder was getting at on that episode with Dion and why he wouldn’t be quick to send his kids to an HBCU.
Y'all gotta understand Channing Crowder always been a hater. This is the same person that told Deion Sanders it was pointless to take the head coaching job at Jackson State. Now JSU flourishing with the first HBCU with a Top-25 in college recruiting with #1 player in the country. https://t.co/fPgnl4y2N3
In May 2021, Crowder, who was a two-time all-SEC selection at Florida before playing six seasons in the NFL, said that top recruits would not pick HBCUs over Power-5 schools.
Flashback to @iamathletepodcast interview.. June 2021 –"I'm changing all that.." Former Jackson State Head coach Deion Sanders speaks out changing the game for HBCUs and pipeline to the NFL. pic.twitter.com/3kGOXzV7OI
He told then Jackson State coach Deion Sanders that he could not compete with Power-5 schools in recruiting when Sanders was a guest on the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast.
Six months later, Sanders signed Hunter, the No. 1 prospect in the country who was committed to Sanders’ Florida State for nearly two years. Hunter was the highest-rated recruit to pick an HBCU or an FCS school in the recruiting rankings era.
Crowder issued an apology to Sanders on an episode of “The Pivot Podcast” on YouTube.
“I want to apologize because I said that, I did, and it was very strong,” Crowder said “I said there’s not going to be a top recruit that chooses and HBCU over a Power-5 school and I want to apologize to Deion because he did pull him. As Deion he did pull Travis Hunter to an HBCU.”
When the RollingOut interviewer told Crowder that they believed Deion’s son, Shedeur would have received the same Power 5 level offer if he’d stayed at Jackson State University, Crowder questioned why Deion Sanders left JSU.
“Uncle Prime, that’s my ace. I love Coach Prime. That’s my man. I talk [to] and text him all the time. But why did he leave [JSU]? The resources aren’t there…”
If it’s my son, who plays baseball, football and basketball, or my daughter, who’s a crazy tennis player and amazing basketball player, I can’t push them to go somewhere if these people are offering them a million dollars a year.
I think your kids, off the strength of your name, could get $250K a year at an HBCU, the interviewer said.
“And they could get a million over there. It’s simple math,” Crowder responded.
Pensole Lewis College (PLC) Detroit continues to raise the bar. The only design-focused Historically Black College and University (HBCU), has partnered with global sportswear leader Nike to launch an industry-certified education program called Future Sole | PLC powered by Nike.
The program comprises online and in-person masterclasses in:
Apparel
Color
Materials
Footwear
Graphics
3D design
Product Marketing
Through an immersive curriculum, students will have unparalleled personal and professional development opportunities. Three PLC Detroit department chairs, all esteemed Nike alums, will lead these masterclasses, offering valuable mentorship and practical experience.
This groundbreaking partnership is a testament to NIKE, Inc.’s Black Community Commitment, a $40 million investment over four years to support the Black community in the United States by championing social justice, education, and addressing racial inequality.
Under the leadership of Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, the founder of PLC Detroit and former design director at Nike’s Jordan brand, this collaboration aims to level the playing field in design education for HBCU students and bring together HBCUs. Future Sole | PLC will be a platform for PLC Detroit to share its industry-approved curriculum and inspire other HBCUs interested in design.
“To be taught by former Nike design directors is invaluable,” said Edwards.
“The program creates a real-time professional environment to develop skills and prepare students for successful design careers.”
This partnership between Nike and PLC Detroit represents an exceptional milestone, as it is the first of its kind for any HBCU. It builds upon the ongoing collaboration established in 2018, which includes the Serena Williams Design Crew and the Converse All-Star Design Team—apprenticeship initiatives to nurture the next generation of diverse talent that develops footwear, apparel, and accessory designs from concept to creation in partnership with PLC Detroit.
“Inclusivity and diversity have long been challenges in the design industry,” said Edwards.
“In all the partnerships that PLC Detroit has solidified, Nike, Inc. has been the most beneficial in providing internships, apprenticeships, and full-time employment to over 100 PLC Detroit alumni in the last 14 years.”
In 2008, while at Nike, Dr. Edwards introduced the Future Sole program, which gained over one million participants in four years. This track record of achievement underscores Future Sole | PLC’s transformative potential for empowering the next generation of design talent.
About Pensole Lewis College
Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design is a private, historically black college in Detroit, Michigan. It was also the first and only historically black college in Michigan. Founded in 1928 as the Lewis College of Business by Violet T. Lewis, it specialized in business-related topics.
The school became the first HBCU to reopen, rebranding as Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design in 2021 through the efforts of D’Wayne Edwards, founder of the Pensole Footwear Design Academy, with an emphasis on design in addition to business.
Applications are open until June 2, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST. Students who have graduated from an HBCU in the past three years are eligible to apply.
