Five people, including four Morgan State University students, were injured Tuesday night in a shooting during a homecoming week celebration at the HBCU.
Five people, including four Morgan State University students, were injured Tuesday night in a shooting during a homecoming week celebration at the HBCU.
The shooting prompted an hours-long lockdown of the school and the cancellation of classes on Wednesday.
The police have yet to locate a gunman or make any arrests.
The shooting happened shortly after the coronation of Mister & Miss Morgan State at the Murphy Fine Arts Center, as students were heading to a coronation ball at the University Student Center.
Police Commissioner Richard Worley said the victims — four men and a woman, ages 18-22, suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting. He would not say whether police believe there was one shooter or multiple shooters.
Worley and Morgan State University Police Chief Lance Hatcher said university police officers who were on patrol heard gunshots at about 9:25 p.m.
The police found multiple windows shattered, leading them to believe that there was an active shooter and activated the active shooter response protocols, said Worley. Police issued a shelter-in-place order and cleared buildings in the search for the suspect, who remains at large.
The shelter-in-place order was lifted early Wednesday, a decision that was made after it was determined that there was no longer an active shooter situation, Worley said.
“We didn’t open the campus up until our SWAT team had cleared the building where we thought the suspect may have ran or where we thought the shot came from,” Worley said. “They cleared every single floor twice.” He added that the police believe that the shooting had taken place outdoors.
Morgan State University President David Wilson said he plans to hold an emergency meeting Wednesday morning to decide whether or not to go forward with the remaining homecoming events.
“It is unfortunate that this tragedy happened here tonight,” Wilson said. “By no means will it define who we are as a university.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 410-396-2444 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP.
On Monday, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) announced that head football coach Willie Slater has been dismissed from his duties “effective immediately.”
The school said that the decision came after an evaluation of unresolved challenges that the CAU football team has experienced during the 2023 season. Many opportunities to make significant changes were explored but were met with minimal success, according to the university.
Slater’s firing comes after a slow start to the season with The Panthers are heading into the sixth week of the season without a victory.
“This decision was not made lightly, a great deal of time was spent in thought and in discussions with people who love our university, students, faculty, alumni, leadership, and Coach Slater,” CAU officials said. “We appreciate Coach Slater for his dedication and contributions to CAU’s football program. There is no doubt that Coach Slater has had a tremendous impact on our institution, and we are grateful to him for his support and hard work during his tenure.”
Slater was named CAU’s head football coach in February 2022. Prior to coaching at CAU, Slater spent 16 years coaching at Tuskegee University where his teams were 123-47, winning multiple Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles.
The university will announce a “strategy for the remainder of this football season,” according to a press release.
“The university encourages the CAU family to rally around our scholar athletes in our football program as well as the leadership team as they strategically plan for the remainder of the season,” the university said. “As always, the welfare of our students is paramount, and we will move forward expeditiously to make the necessary reforms.”
Jackson State University alum Laphonza Butler has been selected to fill the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed Sunday evening.
Butler will become the only Black female senator serving in the Senate and the third in US history. She will also be the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the chamber.
“I am honored to accept Gov. Newsom’s nomination to be a U.S. Senator for a state I have long called home,” Butler said in a statement Monday. “I am humbled by the Governor’s trust. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s leadership and legacy are immeasurable. I will do my best to honor her by devoting my time and energy to serving the people of California and the people of this great nation.”
Butler has served as the president of EMILY’s List, which works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights, since 2021, when she became the first Black woman to lead the organization.
Prior to her role at EMILY’s List, Butler worked at Airbnb as a director of public policy and was a senior campaign adviser to Vice-President Kamala Harris during her 2020 presidential campaign. She has also been heavily involved in the labor movement, serving as a union leader at the largest union in California.
In appointing Butler, Gov. Newsom is following through on a pledge he made more than two years ago that he would appoint a Black woman if either of California’s Senate seats opened up.
“As we mourn the enormous loss of Sen. Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for – reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence – have never been under greater assault. Laphonza has spent her entire career fighting for women and girls and has been a fierce advocate for working people,” Newsom said in a statement on X.
In California, the governor has the power to appoint a senator to serve until the next regularly scheduled statewide general election, meaning Butler will serve until the next senator, whom voters will choose in the November 2024 election, is sworn in.
Meet Julian Thedford, a 2022 Howard University graduate who is a part of the next generation of filmmakers. A Chicago native, Thedford’s work is committed to uplifting the voices and experiences of his community.
He was recently named one of the HBCU filmmakers of the year by the National Black Movie Association as his debut project “When I Wake” premiered at Amazon Studios last summer and has gone on to receive eight festival selections. Thedford also launched his own production company earlier this year called Lucid Village Productions.
A Chicago native, Thedford’s work is committed to uplifting the voices and experiences of his community.
Credit: (IG: @photosbyjordanj)
Thedford has been interested in filmmaking since he was very young and recalls his first experience on a set when he was in eighth grade. He was invited by a filmmaker to visit the behind-the-scenes of a show and remembers the experience as “just the most amazing thing” he’d ever seen.”
From there, Thedford continued to take an interest in filmmaking and decided to study it at Howard University.
Although the young filmmaker originally didn’t have any intentions of going to Howard, he fell in love the second he stepped on the campus. “It was the first time I got to see a diverse group of black people and for me, that was the most appealing thing about it,” Thedford said. He described it as a “love at first sight type of moment.”
Thedford also highlighted how the curriculum at Howard was one of the selling points when it came to deciding what school he was going to attend. “A lot of the classes centered around social justice, or just kind of social change, especially in the scope of film and television, and that’s something that none of the other film schools I was looking at offered.”
Creating meaningful art is extremely important to Thedford. He credits his Howard professor, Denise Hart, as one of his biggest influences when it comes to powerful storytelling. “There’s so much power in the stories that we tell and the media that we consume and so really kind of understanding that while I was in school was what shaped my perception of the industry as well as just giving me a guide of how I would conduct my life and my career.”
Using what he learned at Howard, Thedford has gone on to produce a powerful piece of media with his debut film “When I Wake.”
“When I Wake” is centered around a teenage boy who begins to have recurring dreams taking him through the stages of grief after witnessing the death of a friend. The short film was inspired by Thedford’s real-world experience of witnessing a shooting on Chicago’s South Side while out walking his dog with his 9-year-old brother.
While processing over what could’ve happened to him or his brother, Thedford turned to poetry to express his emotions. A couple of months later, he reached out to a writer and close friend, Brianna Mottey, to help expand his experience into a story.
Serious about his craft, Thedford shot the movie three times over the span of three years, from 2019 to 2021, proving that the third time’s a charm. What started as a 5-minute film turned into a 40-minute film, captured entirely by a two-person crew, with Thedford some days directing, while operating the camera and audio equipment simultaneously.
Credit: (IG: @photosbyjordanj)
The film premiered at Amazon Studios in LA in the summer of 2022, which Thedford says is the proudest moment of his career so far. “That was by far, kind of I guess the mountain top if you will. The month prior to that I was editing every single day, I was staying up for 14 hours a day, just working. And so, then to finally put it on screen, and then for it to be received the way it was received, was just a dream come true for me.”
After the success of “When I Wake,” Thedford launched his own production company, Lucid Village Productions. The company is based between Chicago, LA, and Philidelphia and specializes in healing narratives says Thedford. “Our whole production company is kind of centered around creating narratives that get you thinking and thinking about how can we move on from situations. How can we heal from situations? Because a lot of times I feel like we don’t publicly display, a guideline or answers for questions like those.”
The future is bright for Thedford as his long-term goal is to have a major feature film completed by 2030 — for right now, his next project is in the works. “I can’t say too much about what it’s about but it explores black masculinity as well as family dynamics,” said Thedford. “It’s like a 20-minute thriller that takes place in the woods, and so, I really think we have something special with this film. I’m hoping that we can hit a major festival once it’s complete.”
Bowie State University has unveiled its newly renovated basketball facility following Kevin Durant and the Durant Family Foundation’s $500,000 donation made in December 2022.
Kevin Durant and the Durant Family Foundation’s $500,000 pledge to Bowie State University (BSU) last year has come to fruition as the university unveiled the newly renovated basketball facility last week.
BSU held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new court in the A.C. Jordan Arena and it was attended by Kevin’s mother and head of the foundation, Wanda Durant.
“When I walked into the gym I wasn’t expecting this,” Wanda said. “It was so bright, revived, refreshed. It brought back memories of when my sons played here in the early years.”
The donation provided upgrades to the Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex, including a new basketball court, expanded seating capacity, upgraded bleachers, and a refurbished press box.
BSU President Aminta Breaux spoke about the significance of the donation, noting that the university does not receive state funding for its athletics program.
“Bowie State’s partnership with the Durant Family Foundation has made our vision of an upgraded gymnasium a reality with improvements to the court and seating,” Breaux said. “This half-a-million-dollar gift by the Durant Family Foundation to Bowie State’s athletic department transformed basketball and it will energize the students behind me to get some wins. ”
Breaux also spoke about how the new basketball court will improve the student experience. “But it’s also about the overall student experience, and making sure that the students have the quality of facilities that they need… The Durant Foundation has stepped up in a unique and wonderful way to make this possible,” said Breaux.
The donation also is going toward establishing a scholarship for Durant Center College Track students who attend Bowie State University.
Wanda spoke about the importance of donating to HBCUs and that she hopes other athletes will follow her son’s lead.
“I am grateful to my son for his generous heart,” Wanda said. “I am grateful that he realized that it’s important for him to give back to an HBCU, and maybe he will be a catalyst for other athletes in the area and throughout the country to give back to HBCUs.”
Morris Brown College has received approval from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to enroll international students with the F-1 visa for the first time in over 20 years.
Morris Brown College has received approval from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to enroll international students with the F-1 visa for the first time in over 20 years.
“International students can now pursue their education at Morris Brown College, which happens to be one of the most affordable colleges in the entire state of Georgia, and the most affordable HBCU in Atlanta with a tuition fee of $4,250.00 per semester,” said Morris Brown President Dr. Kevin James. “We will promptly begin recruiting students from the Bahamas, the continent of Africa, and various other locations worldwide.”
When the school lost its accreditation in 2002, Morris Brown students could not get federal financial aid or international student visas. The school regained full accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) in April 2022.
The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows international students to enter the United States as full-time students at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program.
Per the F-1 visa, international students must enroll as full-time students at the college, demonstrate proficiency in English or be enrolled in courses designed to improve English skills, provide proof of financial resources to support their studies in the United States, and possess ties to their home country that indicate their intention to return after completing their education in the United States.
“We are thrilled by the reinstatement of the F-1 Visa at Morris Brown College – this is a historic occasion! I would like to express my gratitude to the team for their hard work and dedication in making this possible,” Dr. James said.
Fort Valley State University has been awarded a nearly $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to support underrepresented students in pursuing STEM-related degrees and careers.
Fort Valley State University(FVSU) has been awarded a nearly $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to support underrepresented students in pursuing STEM-related degrees and careers.
According to WGXA News, the grant is meant to improve FVSU’s efforts to reach out to underrepresented students, including minorities and veterans.
Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. announced the news of the STEM grant on Wednesday. “I am glad to announce that the National Science Foundation is making this investment in Fort Valley State University so that it can recruit more students to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM, fields,” he said.
“In the past two years, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS & Science Act bringing a resurgence of manufacturing jobs in America, including in Middle and Southwest Georgia. Drawing from the full range of our community’s youth, colleges and universities will ensure that Georgia has the skilled workers needed for these jobs and our economy,” Congressman Bishop remarked.
Thanks to the grant, students will benefit from a slew of STEM curricula, including workshops, research experience, and scientific exchange opportunities with other STEM students and scientists at research conferences. The students will also receive career guidance to help prepare them for the STEM job market and graduate school.
The grant is also intended to help transfer students interested in STEM degrees from nearby two-year colleges to FVSU, according to WGXA News.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that a replacement for Hattie McDaniel’s historic Best Supporting Actress Oscar will be gifted to Howard University.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that a replacement for Hattie McDaniel’s historic Best Supporting Actress Oscar will be gifted toHoward University.
McDaniel made history as the first Black person to win an Academy Award for her supporting performance as Mammy in the 1939 film “Gone with the Wind.”
The actress bequeathed her award Howard upon her death in 1952 but it went missing in the late 1960s after being displayed in the university’s drama department.
Thanks to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, a replacement of McDaniel’s Oscar is coming to Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.
To commemorate the “replacement” Oscar, the HBCU will host a ceremony titled “Hattie’s Come Home” on October 1 at the Ira Aldridge Theater. According to a press statement, the event will include opening remarks by Phylicia Rashad, Dean of Fine Arts, a performance of a medley of songs from current students and faculty, and an excerpt of “Boulevard of Bold Dreams,” a play by LaDarrion Williams.
Representatives of the Academy and the Academy Museum will be at the ceremony, including Jacqueline Stewart, Ph.D., Director and President of the Academy Museum, and Executive Vice President of Oscars Strategy Teni Melidonian, who will present the plaque to the university
In a statement, Rashad reflected on her time at Howard and what the gift means to the community. “When I was a student in the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, in what was then called the Department of Drama, I would often sit and gaze in wonder at the Academy Award that had been presented to Ms. Hattie McDaniel, which she had gifted to the College of Fine Arts,” expressed Rashad.
“I am overjoyed that this Academy Award is returning to what is now the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University,” said Rashad. “This immense piece of history will be back in the College of Fine Arts for our students to draw inspiration from. Ms. Hattie is coming home!”
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention, remember the lives lost to suicide, and acknowledge those who have been impacted by suicide and those who have struggled with suicidal ideation.
Trigger Warning: This Article Will Discuss Suicide
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention, remember the lives lost to suicide, and acknowledge those who have been impacted by suicide and those who have struggled with suicidal ideation.
Exacerbated by the pandemic, thoughts of suicide among U.S. college students are on the rise. According to the Mayo Clinic’s 2021–22 survey, 44 percent of college students reported symptoms of depression, and 15 percent reported seriously considering suicide.
In 2020, the CDC reported that suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.
College can be a difficult transition and a time of high stress for many students. Students may experience challenges such as increased academic demands, financial burdens, or difficulty making friends and adjusting to a new environment. These challenges may cause or worsen feelings of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions in students.
American Association of Suicidology – www.suicidology.org The goal of (AAS) is to understand and prevent suicide.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – www.afsp.org The nation’s leading organization bringing together people across communities and backgrounds to understand and prevent suicide, and to help heal the pain it causes.
The Jed Foundation – http://www.jedfoundation.org/ As the nation’s leading organization working to promote emotional health and prevent suicide among college students, The Jed Foundation is protecting the mental health of students across the country.
ULifeline – http://www.ulifeline.org/ On online resource for college mental health. Also includes a help line for those with more serious mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts and how to help a friend.
Buzzing News: Nike’s subsequent release of their HBCU-themed collection showcases Alabama A&M University. They will drop later this year.
Following Tennessee State University and Spelman College, Nike is taking their talents to Alabama A&M at the end of 2023 to represent HBCU pride and inclusion.
Nike Terminator Highs is the name of this particular shoe — a must-have for your sneaker collection.
Of the great significance of this launch, shoe collectors can style and profile, making a fashion statement with these shoes concerning HBCU representation.
“Already revealed in special iterations for Spelman College and Tennessee State University, Nike now turns its attention to Alabama A&M University as its next inclusion in their HBCU-themed collection of Nike Terminator Highs.”
“Rife with profound details that describe the history of the school, this Nike Terminator High starts off with AAMU’s school colors of white and burgundy. The school’s mascot, the bulldog Butch, is featured on the tongue label revealing his cute yet menacing face, while golden bone-shaped lace dubrae provide treats for its protector. The laces act as a banner for its Normalite Opportunity Scholarship, which rewards select students outside of the state of Alabama with a grant valued up to $8,700 annually. Additionally, the school’s motto of “Service Is Sovereignty” appears on the right insole, while its founding year of 1875 is proudly stamped on the outer toes.”
Sneaker News
Per the website, “a release date for this pair or any of the other HBCU-inspired Terminators is known, so stay tuned for updates as Nike likely has unique plans arranged for the release of these spirited sneakers.”
Alabama A&M is a four-year degree offering college in Huntsville, Alabama.
The above is important because it approves of Delaware State University regarding retention, enrollment, and generally making better happen.
Through exchanging knowledge, experience, and skills, the Fulbright program will also help DSU and the other listed black colleges improve interculturalrelations, culturaldiplomacy, and interculturalcompetence between the people of the United States and other countries.
“Delaware State University is ringing in the accolades, now announced as a Fulbright Historically black College and University institutional leader.”
“It’s a recognition that honors the partnership between the J. Williams Fulbright program and the nation’s black colleges. The program provides opportunities for students and staff to study and teach or conduct research abroad. We spoke with a Fulbright professor, Dr. Kevina Vulinec, who had a Fulbright scholarship and fellowship.”
per 47abc
Delaware State University is a four-year land grant status college based in Dover, Delaware.
Of the experience, DSU Professor Dr. Kevina Vulinec, Fulbright alumna, said it’s one of the best things she has ever done: “I really learned a lot while I was there and it was wonderful having that experience to appreciate the culture and to appreciate the scientists that were there. The Fulbright program is an excellent program for anybody that wants to find out more about another country, look at the culture.”
Visit the school’s website for more information about it.
On Monday morning, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held a roundtable discussion with the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The event included key figures like Dr. Tony Allen, Chair of the Board of Advisors and Delaware State University President, and Mayor Steve Benjamin, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
The topic of discussion during the meeting was the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring HBCUs receive the same kinds of investments as other universities and remain affordable for students.
Join the Vice President and me as we meet with my Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. https://t.co/kh6QUr7ApN
Biden spoke about the importance and crucial need to support HBCUs.
“HBCUs produce 40% of all Black engineers in America, 50% of all Black lawyers, 70% of all Black doctors and dentists, and 80% of all Black judges,” Biden remarked. “And HBCUs are engineers of economic mobility helping to increase the Black middle class. When the middle class does well, everybody does well. The poor have a road up, and the wealthy still do well although they’ve got to start paying their taxes. That’s why it’s critical we invest in these universities.”
Dr. Allen listed four recommendations for supporting HBCUs, framed around President Biden and Vice President Harris’s core fundamental tenets.
The first recommendation was to focus on infrastructure, “both as it relates to physical infrastructure and technological infrastructure.” “We already know that HBCUs were the best return on investment in higher education and provide a quality education, and we want our living and learning spaces to match that quality education,” said Dr. Allen.
In the second recommendation, Dr. Allen emphasized the importance of research capacity building at HBCUs. “We think we have unique expertise across an array of disciplines that will help the American economy.” Dr Allen said. “And we have a number of HBCUs who are in the R2 position, which is a cla- — a Carnegie Classification that are ready for their R1 status. “
Dr. Allen’s third recommendation was “connected pathways,” which supports students in obtaining opportunities as they matriculate through college and onto graduate school, and the fourth recommendation was HBCU preservation and growth.
Biden also touched on his promise to make historic investments in HBCUs, citing increased Pell Grant funding and research allocations.
The president said he’s worked for bipartisan support in helping HBCUs. “Just a few months ago, the Speaker of the House and I agreed to spending levels for the government. We were up right to the very edge, almost reneged on our debt, and — that we could fund essential priorities and still cut the deficit by $1 trillion over the next decade,” Biden noted.
“Land-grant universities used to be robustly supported by their state legislative bodies. They would support, in some cases, up to 60 percent of the land-grant budget for that university. “From 1987 to 2000, land-grant universities have lost — Black and white — more than $13 billion in investments from the state — from the states and government to help them. And that has exacerbated the problem — particularly for Black land-grant universities, HBCUs. Everybody does better in the whole United States when the potential of HBCUs is realized. Everybody. I make no apologies for the kind of effort we’re expending on HBCUs.”
– President Joe Biden
Vice President Harris, a graduate of Howard University, stressed the importance of diversity and HBCU graduates being in leadership roles.
“I strongly believe — based on experience and knowledge about what our country needs, in terms of its strength and growth and development — that our HBCUs are extraordinary centers of academic excellence and must continue to be supported, not only because of the historical role that they have played in building and helping to contribute to America’s leadership and global leadership, but also because, as the President has said: As we look forward, we know that our HBCUs are also pipelines for very extraordinary young people to enter the fields of work that we require to cure disease, to create that which we have not imagined, to supply us with the innovative approaches that will allow us to continue to work on the strength, prosperity, and security of our nation,” Harris said.
Former Morgan State University basketball player, Blake Bozeman was fatally shot outside a nightclub in Washington, D.C. on Saturday night, according to police.
Former Morgan State University basketball player, Blake Bozeman was fatally shot outside a nightclub in Washington, D.C. on Saturday night, according to police.
The shooting happened just before 12 a.m. at a nightclub in the 1300 block of H Street, Northeast, in Washington, D.C., according to the Metropolitan Police Department. In addition to Bozeman, two men and one woman were also shot and were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
First responders administered aid, and Blake and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Bozeman, 31, died at a local hospital.
Credit: Morgan State University Athletics
Bozeman played basketball at Morgan State University as a starting guard for four years, between 2011 and 2015, where his father, Todd, was the program’s “winningest Division 1 coach in Morgan history,” according to a statement put out by the university.
Bozeman finished his playing career ranked No. 2 on the school’s all-time minutes leaderboard (3717), No. 4 in games played (123), and No. 3 in 3-pointers made (183). He averaged 7.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists. He scored 20 or more points five times during his senior season, including a season-high 25 points at North Carolina A&T on Feb. 23, 2015.
Bozeman earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Morgan State University.
The university sent its condolences to the Bozeman family and friends in a statement, saying “Our family was an extension of his and he was a shining example of what it means to be a student-athlete.”
According to CBS News Baltimore, the shooter is still on the loose and there is a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
Police described the suspect as a Black male, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, wearing a black hat and a white/cream sweater. He was last seen heading westbound on H Street, Northeast.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099 or anonymously submit a tip by sending a text message to 50411.
Tuskegee University officials report that multiple people were injured at an “unauthorized party” early Sunday morning at the university’s West Commons housing complex.
Tuskegee University officials report that multiple people were injured at an “unauthorized party” early Sunday morning at the university’s West Commons housing complex.
The university said two campus visitors were shot and two students were hurt while trying to leave the scene. According to a release from Frank H. Lee, director of the Macon County Emergency Management Agency/Department of Homeland Security, one of the shooting victims was treated and released from an area hospital, and another had life-threatening injuries.
The Tuskegee University Police Department is working with local law enforcement agencies as part of the investigation.
In light of the incident, the university canceled classes on Monday and encouraged students to utilize the counseling resources available to students.
“This is a time for us to work together to support each other and our students as One Tuskegee,” Tuskegee University President Charlotte P. Morris said. “I thank the entire campus community for pulling together to ensure the well-being of our students and providing the resources they need.”
One student who was at the party, Mechel Winters, detailed the incident to the Alabama news station, WSFA.
She recalled herself and others tripping and getting hurt in the panic to escape. “I just expected it to be a safe place because we are on campus, and there should be security measures in place,” she said.
Winters, and another Tuskegee University student, Indya Whitaker, both took issue with the university’s “unauthorized party” claim.
According to the Montgomery Advertiser, Walker, who claimed to be one of several injured at the party, said “We never have had to, but now the university wanna blame us so parents don’t blame campus police and security to save face for the school.”
Winters shared this sentiment, saying, “Them saying that the party was unauthorized to kind of switch the blame unto us, it’s crazy because even if it was an authorized party, with the security measures we have in place, the same thing could have happened.”
Alabama State University has suspended one of its football players indefinitely following an incident with a security guard at Saturday’s game against Florida A&M University.
The incident happened after the game where Florida A&M beat Alabama State 23-10. A video surfaced on social media showing a player wearing a No. 16 Alabama State jersey approaching fans before being blocked by the guard. The player then swung and hit the security guard before being pulled back by his teammates.
The player, who has been identified as Jacob Freeman, is no longer listed on the team’s roster online.
On early Sunday morning, Alabama State University Athletics Director Dr. Jason Cable released a statement regarding the incident that read:
“We are aware of the incident that occurred last night following our game against Florida A&M University in Tallahassee involving an Alabama State University football student-athlete.
“We do not condone the actions of the student-athlete, nor are the actions representative of the expectations set forth by the Athletic Department and our University.
“There is zero tolerance for this type of behavior. The student-athlete has been suspended indefinitely from the football program, effective immediately.”
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) also issued an official statement letting it be known that SWAC “does not condone unsportsmanlike behavior of any kind.”
“The Southwestern Athletic Conference has a zero tolerance policy regarding unsportsmanlike conduct,” the statement read. “The Conference Office will work with the two respective member institutions to review all relevant information to ensure that appropriate action is taken against any behavior that violates the league’s code of ethics and conduct.”
We recently asked our followers to give us their do’s and don’ts for homecoming and you all dropped gems in our comment section. Based on your answers here are Homecoming Hopping Do’s and Don’ts!
Every HBCU student and alumni’s favorite time of the year is coming up – yes, we’re talking about homecoming. Homecoming season is just around the corner, a time of celebration, reuniting with old friends and classmates, tailgating, and representing your school. However, not everyone goes back to their school for homecoming. Whether it’s scheduling conflicts or just wanting to experience something new, many people partake in ‘homecoming hopping,’ where they attend another school’s homecoming celebrations.
We recently asked our followers to give us their do’s and don’ts for homecoming and you all dropped gems in our comment section. Based on your answers here are Homecoming Hopping Do’s and Don’ts!
Do: Respect the School’s Traditions :
“Represent but be respectful; that’s all.”
“Respect the school’s traditions and taboos, and if you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Act as if you’re a guest in someone’s house; be respectful and enjoy yourself.”
“Always be respectful.”
Don’t: Compare Homecomings :
“Represent your HBCU, but don’t compare your school to others.”
“Don’t make comparisons between homecomings.”
“Show respect, blend in, and support the home team; avoid comparing homecomings.”
Do: Network and Meet New People
“Network, don’t be afraid to meet new people, don’t go out alone, and always respect that you’re not in your city where things may operate differently.”
“Homecoming tours are the best. Have fun, stay aware of your surroundings, make new acquaintances, and always be respectful.”
Don’t: Go With Ill Intentions (i.e. Leave The Foolishness At Home!)
“Don’t behave recklessly; use the common sense your school instilled in you, or don’t come.
“Please, no violence.”
“Make your own wave. vibe off the school and bring ya character and good intentions around the melanin homecomings please. Nobody wanna see you ruin it for everybody. Sneaky Links must be real sneaky. And no means no fellas.”
Do: Go With a Group
“Always stay with a trusted friend.”
“Don’t attend alone.”
Do’s and Don’ts For the Greeks:
“If you’re Greek, make sure to check in.”
“Make sure to check in at the plots.”
“Don’t jump in the front or middle of the chapter line; go to the back.”
“If you’re Greek, check in with your chapter, wear your school’s gear, network, find friends from the same school, check the weather, and bring a cup.”
Homecoming season at HBCUs is a surefire good time no matter what campus you go to, so if you do plan on homecoming hopping this year, remember these tips to enhance your experience. Happy homecoming!
