2023 HBCU Commencement Speakers Highlights

It’s graduation season and that means insightful advice and encouragement from this year’s commencement speakers. Find some motivation with this list of 2023 HBCU commencement speaker highlights!

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It’s graduation season and that means insightful advice and encouragement from this year’s commencement speakers. From Oprah to President Joe Biden, there have been several inspiring keynote speakers at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) this year and we’re highlighting a few to get you motivated and inspired. Check out these 2023 HBCU commencement speaker highlights!

Oprah Winfrey – Tennessee State University

Media Mogul, Oprah Winfrey returned to her alma mater Tennessee State University To deliver the Spring 2023 Commencement address.  This speech marked the first time Oprah returned to TSU since 1987. In her inspirational 20-minute speech, she advised over 800 undergraduates as they embark on their new journey after college. She gave insightful advice like, “there will never be anything in your life as fulfilling as making a difference in somebody else’s.”

President Joe Biden – Howard University

United States President Joe Biden served as Howard University’s 2023 commencement speaker. The President spoke on a variety of topics including, the dangers of white supremacy, gun safety legislation, and his debt relief plan. He told graduates that American history “has not always been a fairy tale” and that “racism has long torn us apart.” But on the nation’s best days, he said “enough of us have the guts and the heart to stand up for the best in us.”

Ruth E. Carter – Hampton University

Oscar-award-winning costume designer and Hampton alum Ruth E. Carter addressed the class of 2023 at the university’s 153rd Commencement Ceremony. During her speech, she encouraged her fellow Pirates to “find your treasure,” she said. “Be a student of your profession, continue to improve your craft, and have faith in your foundation and make sacrifices today so your tomorrow is rewarded.”   

Morris Chesnut at North Carolina A&T

 NAACP Image Award-winning actor Morris Chesnut served as the keynote speaker at North Carolina A&T this year. During his speech, Chesnut reminded graduates of the importance of character and discipline. “Talent only gets you in the door. It’s going to be your character that keeps you in the room and gets you invited back,” he said. “Discipline isn’t just about doing what it takes to get what you want. Real discipline is sometimes about letting go of what you love … to gain something that I wanted and needed.”

Governor Wes Moore – Morehouse College

Wes Moore, the first black governor of Maryland was the 2023 commencement speaker at Morehouse College. In his powerful speech, he urged graduates to know and defend their history, referencing current statewide book bans and changes to curricula from conservative lawmakers. “Men of Morehouse, I stand before you as the first Black governor of my state and only the third Black governor ever to be elected in the history of this country with a very simple message: Our history is our power,” he said. 

Caroline Wanga – Dillard University

President And CEO Of ESSENCE Ventures, Caroline Wanga addressed the graduating class of 2023 at Dillard University. “It’s not so much about what the power of your presence after today will do for the world,” Wanga said to the graduates. “What’s more important is how powerful your absence will be.”  

Ben Crump – Morgan State University 

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump delivered Morgan State University‘s spring 2023 commencement address. During his speech, Crump told the crowd of graduates that they have to “continue to lift” as they climb the ladder of success. “Take this great Morgan State University college education and take it back to the hood, to your homeboys, to your homegirls, to your cousins, your family,” he said.

Anthony Hamilton – Johnson C. Smith University 

Grammy award-winning R&B singer Anthony Hamilton served as Johnson C. Smith University’s 2023 commencement speaker. During his speech, he emphasized the importance of self-worth, telling the graduates to “stay firm on who you are and who you believe you are. Never lose sight of that.”

Common Pressures College Students Face and How to Overcome Them

It’s no secret that college can take a serious mental toll on students as they experience pressure coming at them from multiple sources. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re addressing these pressures and how college students can handle them.

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

It’s no secret that college can take a serious mental toll on students as they experience pressure coming at them from multiple sources.

Students are often faced with bouts of academic pressure, financial pressure, and peer pressure as they journey through college.  

According to the American Psychological Association’s 2020 Stress in America report, 87 percent of college students report that their education is a significant source of stress. 

They experience the pressure to succeed academically and do well in classes from their parents, professors, coaches, and themselves. Academic pressure may come from family expectations, whether the student is a first-generation college student or carrying on a family legacy. This pressure can be detrimental to a student’s development and well-being, causing them to put their academic success over their mental and physical health, relationships, and creative outlets.

Students also experience stress over the financial aspect of college. 

According to the Education Data Initiative, The average cost of college has more than doubled in the 21st century, with an annual growth rate of 7.1%. Many students struggle with financial support to attend college and as a result, take out loans or get a job to put themselves through college. As student debts increase, the stress of producing money to pay back loans also rises. This financial pressure can affect academic performance, in turn worsening the feelings of academic pressure. 

Finally, maintaining relationships and dealing with peer pressure is another key source of stress for college students. 

Going to college opens the door to new relationships and connecting with people from many different walks of life. Entering a new environment and getting to know new people is a part of the college experience, but it can also be a daunting task. Many college students feel the need to alter themselves or succumb to peer pressure in order to fit in with their peers. They may also compare themselves and their experiences to their peers and may find themselves thinking that they are behind academically and socially. Peer pressure can look different depending on one’s morals, values, or interests but it is simply when members of the same social group influence others to do things they would otherwise choose not to do. Students may pretend to be someone they’re not in order to fit in, losing their sense of self-worth and self-respect or they may choose to stick to their principles yet then risk feeling lonely or ridiculed. 

Dealing with the pressures of college can negatively affect students’ mental health, resulting in feelings of anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout. 

Students may also experience increased substance use, impaired overall health and well-being, and poor sleep quality, leading to problematic coping strategies such as taking sleeping pills, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol to help them sleep, depersonalization (feeling disconnected from one’s body and/or thoughts) and poorer quality of life as a result of academic pressure according to a 2019 review study.

So how can students overcome the pressures of college and the mental health issues that may arise as a result?

It is important to manage stress by taking care of your physical and mental health. This means first identifying the source of your stress and carving out a path to alleviate it.  

For instance, if you’re struggling in a class, consider asking a friend for help or taking advantage of the resources on campus as many colleges and universities offer academic support programs. Most schools also offer mental health support services for students, however, there are some steps that students can take on their own to alleviate the pressures of college. 

These steps are: exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, eating well, avoiding procrastination, and following a routine. 

Click here to check out more of our mental health tips for college students!

HBCU Linebackers Isaiah Land and Aubrey Miller Jr. Sign NFL Contracts

Florida A&M University alum Isaiah Land and Jackson State University alum Aubrey Miller Jr. have both signed NFL undrafted free agents contracts after completing rookie minicamps.

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Florida A&M University alum Isaiah Land and Jackson State University alum Aubrey Miller Jr. have both signed NFL undrafted free agents contracts after completing rookie minicamps.

The star linebackers were rated the top-two HBCU defensive prospects at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl before the 2023 NFL Draft in April.  

Now they are both achieving their dreams of making it to the NFL. Land has signed with the Dallas Cowboys and Miller has signed on to play with the Miami Dolphins.

Aubrey Miller Jr. and Isaiah Land at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl Practice / Credit: HBCU Premier Sports

According to HBCU Legends, Land’s contract with the Cowboys is a 3-year, 2.7M contract with $100K fully guaranteed, averaging $900,000 annually. The news source said Land received a base salary of $750,000 with a $1,666 prorated bonus, including a $90,000 guaranteed salary in 2023, and will earn base salaries of $915K in 2024 and $1,030M in 2025, including the $1,666 yearly prorated bonuses.

In 2021, Land recorded 19 sacks and won the Buck Buchanan Award (National Defensive Player of the Year). He was also named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and was first-team All-SWAC in 2021 and 2022.

As for Miller, his deal with the Dolphins is a  3-year, $2.705M contract with $110K fully guaranteed, averaging $901,667 annually, according to HBCU Legends. In 2023, he will earn a base salary of $750K with a $3,333 prorated bonus, including $100K guaranteed. Miller’s deal escalates to 915K in 2024 and $1.03M in 2035, including the $3,333 yearly prorated bonuses.

At Jackson State, Miller was tied for 9th in the FCS with a total of 112 tackles, averaging 8.6 tackles per game last season. He told HBCU Legends that his playing style is greatly influenced by Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. “Ray Lewis being able to control the volume of a team,” Miller said. “Being able to bring the energy. Not only off the field but on the field. I mean, this guy who was laying everybody out, who’s still able to make the plays, who seemed like he was still able to control the plays, that’s the type of guy kind of brainwashed into me.”

2nd XFL HBCU Showcase To Be Held at Clark Atlanta University

The XFL has announced that it will host its second annual HBCU Showcase at Clark Atlanta University on June 17th.

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The XFL announced it will host its second annual HBCU Showcase at Clark Atlanta University on June 17th.

The XFL is a professional American football minor league consisting of eight teams located across the United States in mid-sized to major markets. 

The event is the second showcase the XFL has held exclusively for HBCU players, having hosted a showcase at Jackson State University in the summer of 2022. 100 players from historically black colleges and universities played in the 2023 XFL season.

“When the XFL says it’s a ‘League of Opportunity,’ we mean it and you can see it in the actions we take to offer equal opportunities to players across the country,” said XFL Senior Vice President of Player Personnel, Doug Whaley. “This showcase at the historic Clark Atlanta University allows us to shine a spotlight on HBCU players and give them a chance to showcase their skills for our personnel evaluators.”

D.C. Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow, who coached at HBCUs, Alabama State University, and Virginia State University applauded the XFL’s efforts to increase HBCU representation within the league.

“Last year, the XFL did a great job of creating a distinct platform for players from HBCUs to showcase their talents in front of coaches from the League, giving them an equal opportunity to be seen and evaluated,” Barlow said in a press release. “I know firsthand the number of talented players that attend a historically Black school who aren’t able to continue their careers past the collegiate level. I’m humbled to be part of a League that gives players – and coaches – of all backgrounds an opportunity to continue their football careers.”

According to the XFL, information on additional showcases will be announced in the near future.

Registration for the XFL HBCU showcase is open now. Players can click here to register.

Four Graduates Make History As Valedictorians at Spelman College

For the fourth time in history, Spelman College has named multiple valedictorians. 

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On Sunday, Spelman College held its commencement ceremony, marking for the fourth time in history the HBCU had multiple valedictorians. 

Maya Blasingame, Amaia Calhoun, Chandler Nutall, and Sydney DuPree were all named valedictorians for the class of 2023.

“I feel just really excited and grateful. I think for me, coming in as a biology major, I was like, I’m just trying to make it through it,” Blasingame said.

Credit: BOTWC

According to Spelman’s website, Blasingame will be heading to medical school this fall where she hopes to help underrepresented communities as an aspiring physician.

Calhoun, an economics major, will soon start her career at Princeton University’s Investment Company as an investment analyst.

Nutall, an English major who also served as a Spelman Social Justice Program Fellow and the 81st president of the Spelman Student Government Association plans on attending law school after completing a fellowship in New York.

DuPree plans on staying local in Atlanta to work toward her dream of becoming a casting director. She is currently signed to Atlanta’s Forward Agency. 

On their special day, The ladies were also joined by commencement speaker, journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, and actress Tracee Ellis Ross, who obtained an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Spelman.

Both Hannah-Jones and Ross shared powerful words of advice with graduates and their families.

Hannah-Jones urged graduates to “control your own excellence.” “So you work every day to make yourself undeniable in a world that wants to deny you everything,” she said.

Ross encouraged the graduates not to “be afraid to be bad at something,” and to remember the safety and acceptance of their college community as they venture out into the world.

“May the safety and belonging of these walls send you forward in your choice to change the world with the protection of your sisters and your ancestors — and with me, your best friend in your head,” she said.

Congratulations to the entire Spelman College Class of 2023 and the recognized valedictorians, and may their future shine bright!

Sister of Ja Morant, Niya Morant Commits to HBCU Mississippi Valley State

Niya Morant, the sister of Memphis Grizzlies all-star Ja Morant, has committed to play basketball at Mississippi Valley State University.

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Niya Morant, the sister of Memphis Grizzlies all-star Ja Morant, has committed to play basketball at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU).

She announced the news via Instagram on Thursday morning, posting a series of photos of her in MVSU gear with the caption “Let’s go Devilettes.”

According to HBCU Sports, Morant was a stat sheet-stuffer for Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee this past season, averaging 11.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, helping the Lady Mustangs to a 21-11 record in 2022-23.

Morant comes to MVSU after receiving an offer from the university back in January. The Devillettes finished 2-27 in 2022-23 and went 0-18 in SWAC play last season.

Morant is also following in her father, Tee Morant’s footsteps, by playing at HBCU. Tee Morant played college basketball at Claflin University in the 1990s. 

Kamala Harris Speaks With Young Men of Color Entrepreneurs At The White House

Vice President Kamala Harris hosts 35 young men of color entrepreneurs and business owners, many of whom are HBCU graduates during the “Young Men of Color Small Business Roundtable” at the White House.

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On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris hosted 35 young men of color entrepreneurs and business owners, many of whom are HBCU graduates during the “Young Men of Color Small Business Roundtable” at the White House.

Harris spoke to participants about the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to support small businesses and entrepreneurs amidst historic small business growth.

Participants came from more than 15 states and represented a variety of industries, including health care, space, technology, fashion, and more.

Vice President Kamala Harris participates in a “Young Men of Color Small Business Roundtable”, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

According to White House officials, in 2021 and 2022, a record 10.5 million applications for new small businesses were filed, the strongest two years on record, and since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, small businesses have created 3.1 million jobs.

Additionally, the Administration launched a whole-of-government effort to increase by 50% the share of federal contracts for minority-owned small businesses in 5 years, which amounts to a $100 billion investment in minority-owned businesses.

“We fully understand that when our entrepreneurs and our small-business leaders are strong, America is strong. Because what you do is the work that is, yes, about innovation, it is the work that is spurred by creativity, it is the work we always want to encourage that is about aspiration and ambition, and it is the work that really is the undergird of — of the economy of the United States of America” Harris said when speaking with the entrepreneurs.

Many Historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) graduates were in attendance for the roundtable discussion.

Among those in attendance were: Isaiah Thomas, CEO of Stay Humble Stay Hungry (Lincoln University), Travis Terry, founder of IEMBE (Clark Atlanta University), Ryan Johnson, CEO of Cxmmunity (Oakwood University), Ernest Holmes, co-founder of CODEhouse (Morehouse College), Antonio Brown Jr., co-founder of It Takes One Inc (Morgan State University), Donald Boone, CEO of BoxedUp (North Carolina A&T University), and Norris Williford Jr., CEO of MBM Kicks (Virginia Commonwealth University).

And when I think about our small-business leaders and each of you, I know who you are.  You are not only leaders in business, leaders in innovation, entrepreneurs, but you are also civic leaders.  You are community leaders.  You are role models. You hire locally, you mentor, and you inspire.

– Vice President Kamala Harris to participants at the “Young Men of Color Small Business Roundtable.”
Vice President Kamala Harris participates in a “Young Men of Color Small Business Roundtable”, Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

During the roundtable, they discussed ways the Biden-Harris Administration can continue to support and help small businesses to grow, particularly small businesses owned by people of color, and the challenges they face such as “access to capital, access to markets, access to consumers,” according to the Vice President.  

“To that extent, yes, we do talk about equity. We actually believe it is a good principle, in spite of what some so-called leaders might try to suggest” Harris said. “We are proud of the fact that equity is one of our guiding principles, proud of the fact that we understand equality is important, but not everybody starts out on the same base.”

Throughout her career, Vice President Harris has committed to lifting up small businesses and entrepreneurs by increasing their access to capital.

While in the U.S. Senate, she worked to secure more than $12 billion in investments for community lenders and other mission capital providers. As Vice President, she has worked to implement this same funding, working to ensure lenders expand their efforts to drive inclusive entrepreneurship and create high-opportunity communities.

Harris has helped ensure that the U.S. economic recovery is the most equitable on record by making sure investments and resources reach communities that have been historically underserved and left behind. 

In April, the Vice President announced that Treasury’s CDFI Fund has awarded over $1.73 billion in grants to 603 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) across the country through the CDFI Equitable Recovery Program. These funds will strengthen the ability of CDFIs to help low- and moderate-income communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and invest in long-term prosperity.

During the summer of 2022, the Vice President announced a first-of-its-kind public-private sector initiative—the Economic Opportunity Coalition (EOC)— a historic public-private partnership of more than 20 private sector organizations that will invest tens of billions of dollars to create opportunity and grow wealth in historically underserved communities.

NCCU School of Law Appoints Former State Supreme Court Justice As New Dean

Patricia Timmons-Goodson, a retired North Carolina Supreme Court justice, will be the next law school dean at North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

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Patricia Timmons-Goodson, a retired North Carolina Supreme Court justice, will be the next law school dean at North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

According to the university, Timmons-Goodson will oversee fiscal management, personnel professional development, community outreach, fundraising, and more. 

“I’m very elated that former North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson will be joining our team at NCCU and look forward to working with her and her team as we advance the mission of the law school by preparing a significant cadre of the nation’s future jurists,” said David H. Jackson, Jr., Ph.D., provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.  

In 2006, she was appointed to the North Carolina Supreme Court by former Gov. Michael Easley, becoming the fourth woman and the first African American woman in the role.

After serving a full term, she retired from the Supreme Court in 2012. Upon retiring, she served 28 years in the judiciary of North Carolina. She is currently a member of the American Bar Association (ABA) and co-chair of the board of the NC Justice Center.

She is also the recipient of many awards including, the Advocates for Justice- Appellate Judge of the Year, Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the UNC William R. Davie Award, the NC Bar Liberty Bell Award, and induction into the North Carolina Women’s Hall of Fame. She holds honorary degrees from Johnson C. Smith University, St. Augustine’s College, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill).

Timmons-Goodson received her bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill and an L.L.M. from Duke University Law School.

She will take her new role as dean of North Carolina Central University School of Law effective July 1, 2023.

Morgan State University Alum Alfonzo Graham Signs with The Steelers

Former Morgan State University running back Alfonzo Graham has signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Former Morgan State University running back Alfonzo Graham has signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

According to his agent Tim Moorehead, Graham and the Steelers have agreed to terms on a three-year contract.

Graham took to Twitter to announce the news, tweeting “Official a steeler Signed !!!”

Graham’s signing comes after his impressive performance during the Steelers three-day rookie minicamp over the weekend. He earned the opportunity after accepting an invitation from the organization following the 2023 NFL Draft.

While at Morgan State, Graham played two seasons, seeing action in 20 games. He finished with 250 carries for 1,656 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 31 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown, and returned 18 kickoffs for 402 yards, a 22.3-yard average.

In 2022 he carried the ball 196 times for 1,150 yards and eight touchdowns and won the MEAC rushing title and earned All-MEAC honors.

The Morgan State alum also played in the HBCU Legacy Bowl and participated in the HBCU Combine earlier this year.

Rapper E-40 Receives Honorary Doctorate from Alma Mater Grambling State University

Rapper and music mogul, E-40 has received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Grambling State University.

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Rapper and music mogul, E-40 was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Grambling State University over the weekend.

Earl “E-40” Stevens attended Grambling State in the ’80s and said that his time on campus was “some of the best experiences” of his life.  “Grambling State really helped mold me to become the man, and entrepreneur that stands before you,” he said.

“I’m proud to set an example for the next generation of leaders, and I encourage everyone here today to use their experience here at Grambling State University to pursue their passions and achieve their dreams.”

40 received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Grambling State University President Rick Gallot.

“This means so much to me – I’ve come a long way,” 40 said, per a press release. “I want to thank God first and foremost. This is a great honor to accept this honorary doctorate in music. I would live to express my appreciation to the administration and the academic community at Grambling State University. I’d also like to thank my family, my friends, and my colleagues for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout my career. As you know, music has been a lifelong passion of mine and it’s an incredible privilege to be recognized for my contributions to the industry, especially on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop music. They said it wouldn’t last that long, but it’s been 50 years.”

Since attending Grambling in 1986, the rap mogul has remained close to the university, offering support.

Earlier this year, he donated $100,000 to support the school’s music department, the World Famed Tiger Marching Band, and to establish a recording studio on campus. Grambling named the studio “Earl ‘E-40’ Stevens Sound Recording Studio,” in his honor.

He also returned to Grambling’s campus to shoot a music video for his single “Bands,” which featured the HBCU’s marching band.

40 took to Instagram to showcase the prestigious moment he received his honorary doctorate, captioning the video, “I came a long way thank you @grambling1901 & Congratulations to the graduating class of 2023 #gramfam”

Gov. Ron DeSantis Signs Bill To Defund DEI Programs at Florida Public Colleges

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation banning the state’s public colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

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On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning the state’s public colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Under the law, Florida state universities are banned from spending state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain any programs that “advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promote or engage in political or social activism.”

“If you look at the way this has actually been implemented across the country, DEI is better viewed as standing for discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination,” DeSantis said at a news conference in Sarasota. “And that has no place in our public institutions.”

DeSantis said that he’s viewed DEI initiatives as a discriminatory practice. “This bill says the whole experiment with DEI is coming to an end in the state of Florida. We are eliminating the DEI programs.”

The new law demands that general education courses “may not distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics” based on “theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.”

This latest move by DeSantis is a part of his war on what he calls “woke indoctrination” in schools. According to NPR, in the last two years, state education officials have rejected dozens of mathematics and social studies textbooks for students in K-12 schools.

DeSantis signed the legislation at the liberal arts New College of Florida, where he has been steering the university in a more conservative direction. Earlier this year, he replaced six members of the college’s board of trustees with conservative allies and accused the school’s leadership of overemphasizing DEI, critical race theory, and gender ideology, which he characterized as not “what a liberal arts education should be,” according to NPR.

Additionally, the law gives university presidents and boards of trustees more hiring power.

The law will go into effect on July 1.

“The Blackening” is Coming to an HBCU Near You

HBCU Buzz Partners with Lionsgate and MRC to Present The Blackening HBCU Tour. This summer, seven lucky HBCUs will have the chance to see an early screening of the movie of the summer, “The Blackening.”

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HBCU Buzz Partners with Lionsgate and MRC to Present The Blackening HBCU Tour

The movie of the summer, “The Blackening,” is coming early to students attending select Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) thanks to The Blackening HBCU Tour. 

“The Blackening” is a new horror-comedy centered around seven Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer.

“We can’t all die first,” reads the tagline for “The Blackening,” responding to the horror genre cliche of killing the black character off first. According to the official synopsis for the film, the new-horror comedy “skewers genre tropes and poses the sardonic question: if the entire cast of a horror movie is Black, who dies first?”

HBCU Buzz is hosting a screening tour of the new horror-comedy film at seven lucky HBCUs from April 28 – June 5. 

The first stop is at  Florida A&M University on April 28, from 4 pm at the Challenger Learning Center IMAX Theatre.  Alabama State University’s screening will take place on May 30, at 5 pm at Sidewalk Film Studio. Virginia State University will have a screening on June 5 at 6 pm at South Park Mall Cinema 16.  Bowie State University’s screening will be on June 6, at 6 pm at Regal Waugh Chapel Movie Theater.. The last screening will be at the AUCC (Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College) on June 8, at 6 pm at Regal Atlantic Station. 

Not only will students get to see an early screening of the movie but they will also get a chance to partake in a Q&A session with some of the writers and members of the cast. 

The film stars Dewayne Perkins (“The Upshaws,” “Saved by the Bell”), Grace Byers (“Harlem,” Empire”), Jermaine Fowler (“Coming 2 America,” “Judas and the Black Messiah”), Melvin Gregg (“Snowfall” “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”), Jay Pharoah (“SNL., “Resort to Love”), Yvonne Orji (“Insecure.” “Vacation Friends”), X Mayo (“Swarm,” “American Auto”), and Sinqua Walls (“Power,” “American Soul”). 

The film is directed by Tim Story  (Ride Along, Think Like a Man, Barbershop), and co-written by  Perkins (The Amber Ruffin Show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), and Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip, Harlem). 
You don’t want to miss this exciting event! Click here to RSVP.

5 Mental Health Tips for College Students

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and HBCU Buzz is highlighting ways to cope with distressing feelings. Here are 5 Mental Health Tips for College Students!

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 May Is Mental Health Awareness Month!

College is a transformative time in a person’s life—a time of new experiences, people, and a new environment. With so many changes happening all at once it may be hard to cope and may cause feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression. If you’re feeling like this, you’re not alone. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting ways to cope with these feelings. Here are 5 Mental Health Tips for College Students!

Set A Routine

Having a routine creates the consistency needed to stay grounded in your everyday life, especially during stressful times. It may also help you to learn self-discipline and give you a sense of control when life feels overwhelming. As college students, it may be hard to keep a routine as days can often be unpredictable, but it has been shown to lower people’s stress levels and help them feel more productive and focused.  Try to wake up, eat, study, and exercise around the same times every day to make things easier. You can also implement other healthy habits or things that make you happy in your routine, like skincare, meditation, or reading a book. Whatever you choose implement into your routine, stick to it, and see how much the results benefit you. 

Find Your Tribe: Join Clubs or Find People with Similar Interests

Loneliness is a common feeling among many college students. The good thing is there’s a whole campus out there just waiting to meet and connect with you. One of the best ways to meet people with similar interests is by joining a club or organization on campus. Getting involved on campus by joining a group can help you forge friendships as you work toward a common goal and creates a sense of belonging. Also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and talk to people in your classes, dorm halls, or at campus events. 

Set Goals

Setting goals is so important for college students as it helps them clearly identify what they want in life and the steps needed to get there. Having goals allows you to hold yourself accountable and take control of your life, and can even help you gain a sense of self-confidence as you successfully achieve those goals. Your goals can be anything from waking up earlier, maintaining a certain GPA, or getting more involved on campus. It’s important to note that not all goals don’t have to be academic-related—you can also set fun goals like visiting places in your college town, attending social and sports events, and making memories with friends. Just remember to be diligent in approaching your goals but give yourself grace as well. 

Practice Mindfulness  

College can be an exceedingly stressful environment for college students, and that’s why practicing mindfulness is so important. Mindfulness is defined as “maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.” Practicing mindfulness promotes living in the present and extracting all distractions. This helps to reduce stress and anxiety and boosts levels of well-being, attention, and productivity. Meditation is the most common tool used to practice mindfulness, but there are many other forms as well. In addition to meditation, college students can practice mindfulness by doing breathwork, keeping gratitude journals, spending time in nature, intentively listening to music, and visualizing their best selves to help them increase their confidence.

Ask For Help 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a licensed professional. Taking on all the stresses of college by yourself is a strenuous task—know that you don’t have to do it alone and consider therapy or counseling. Nearly every college offers on-campus counseling that provides services and resources for anxiety, depression, sexual assault, eating disorders, and other mental health concerns. There’s also nothing wrong with seeking help outside of university resources and finding a professional psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist on your own. 

Joe Biden Speaks at Howard University Commencement Ceremony

President Joe Biden addresses white supremacy and racism while delivering the commencement address at Howard University.

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On Saturday, President Joe Biden delivered the commencement address to Howard University’s graduating class.

During his speech, the president took the opportunity to denounce white supremacy, saying “White supremacy … is the single most dangerous terrorist threat in our homeland.” “And I’m not just saying this because I’m at a Black HBCU. I say this wherever I go” he added.

He also echoed rhetoric from his 2020 campaign, calling on the audience to “fight for the soul of the nation.”

“We’re living through one of the most consequential eras of our history with fundamental questions about the stake for our nation,” Biden told the crowd at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. “Who are we? What do we stand for? What do we believe? Who will we be? You’re going to help answer those questions.”

Biden criticized former President Donald Trump without naming him, referencing his statement that “there were very fine people on both sides” at the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, where a white supremacist was convicted of first-degree murder after driving his car into a crowd of protesters and killing a young woman.

“I don’t have to tell you that fearless progress towards justice often meets ferocious pushback from the oldest and most sinister of forces,” Biden said. “That’s because hate never goes away.”

Biden urged graduates to demand elected officials pass gun safety legislation and spoke about his debt relief plan.

“My student debt relief plan would help tens of millions of people, especially those on Pell Grants. Seventy percent of Black college students receive Pell Grants. Many of you, the savings would be significant and even wiping out student debt completely for some,” he said.

Biden added, “But this new Republican Party is dead set against it, suing my administration to stop you from getting student debt relief. The same opposition who received relief loans, I might add, to keep their businesses afloat during the pandemic—members of the Congress, worth thousands, even millions of dollars—most of which didn’t have to be paid back. Yet, they say it’s OK for them but not for you. I find it outrageous.”

Despite drawing strong cheers from the crowd, the president’s message was not entirely well-received. 

According to NPR, about a dozen students stood with signs in protest of Biden’s appearance as he delivered his speech.

Graduates hold signs reading “A Black child was lynched yesterday! Jordan Neely” and “Stand up, Fight Back, Black People Under Attack” as Biden, right, speaks at Howard University’s commencement. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo

“A Black child was lynched yesterday!” one sign read, referencing the May 1 killing of 30-year-old Jordan Neely on a New York subway, while another student’s cap said, “Biden and Harris don’t care about Black people.”

Another read: “Stand up, Fight Back, Black People Under Attack.”

A graduate holds a sign reading “Biden and Harris don’t care about Black people” as Biden speaks at Howard University’s commencement. | Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images

NPR reports that in a letter shared with the press, the students said they were “infinitely angered and exhausted by the many forms of ongoing white supremacist violence” in the U.S. The group, represented by the president of the local NAACP chapter, called on Biden to do more than just “ask for investigations and observe our struggle.”

“We as graduates stand united for change, for Black Lives globally,” the students said in a statement according to AFRO News. The news source reported that The White House had no comment.

Ahead of his speech, President Biden was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by Howard President Wayne A. I. Frederick. Frederick described Biden as “a favorite son of the capstone” with an “unmatched record for justice, empowerment, and peaceful advancement of humanity.”

Rich Black Poor Black, HBCU Buzz CEO & Entrepreneur Luke Lawal to Release Debut Book

HBCU Buzz CEO, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Luke Lawal Jr. is set to release his debut book “RICH BLACK POOR BLACK,” hitting bookstores everywhere on June 15th.

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HBCU Buzz CEO, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Luke Lawal Jr. is set to release his debut book “RICH BLACK POOR BLACK,” hitting bookstores on June 15th. Pre Order here

Lawal is best known for founding the social platform HBCU Buzz, a community connected on what’s happening across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) campuses around the country while giving audiences the opportunity to share a common interest. Since 2011, HBCU Buzz has been a leading resource for HBCU news, insights, and editorials from the Black College community. 

The HBCU Buzz founder has also received honors and recognition from AT&T Dream in Black (Black Future Maker Class of 2023), BET (Shine a Light Award 2022), The Creative Collective (Creative Collection Class of 2023), and Forbes (Leaders Taking Action 2022). 

“The book cover conveys an expression of duality in racial disparity tackling the perception of wealth. The tales of two worlds and how to merge them to become one to leverage financial wealth + success.” – Rachel Motley, Designer

Lawal is now adding author to his list of roles with the release of his debut book, “RICH BLACK, POOR BLACK.“

“RICH BLACK, POOR BLACK” is a financial literacy book, in which Lawal tells a story on how to attain and sustain financial stability and create general wealth through the pillars of Mental Health, Physical Health, Social Health, and Spiritual Health as a guide for Generation Z, according to a press release. 

“When I had the idea to write RICH Black, POOR Black I knew that I wanted to tell my story on my journey to success through what feels like a conversation with readers. I want them to gain knowledge on different approaches and ways to attain financial wellness , while being a guide to understanding that we as people of color have the ability to create the life we want through being disciplined by mindset.”

– Luke Lawal Jr.

Lawal’s debut novel covers the keys to becoming financially literate by covering topics such as Creating Wealth, with Intellectual Health and Social Health as means to acquiring the ability to create and multiply your wealth. He shares the real-life practices that helped him achieve success and said his hope is “that it provides through closely examining how social health within our immediate community of mentorship is instrumental for guiding one’s steps to success.”

We all possess the power and skills to create the lifestyle that we want for ourselves through stability that can lead to generational wealth. RICH Black, POOR Black tells the story of how changing our mindset beyond the belief that in order to create wealth, you must be born into it, to realizing that we all have the skillset to create and multiply our wealth.

– Testimonial by Terrence J, Author, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

“RICH BLACK POOR BLACK” is now available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Books A Million and will be available in select stores on June 15th.

Giants Owner John Mara Honored With 2022 HBCU Impact Award

New York Giants President and CEO John Mara is one of the six people honored with the first-ever HBCU Impact Award. 

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On Wednesday, New York Giants President and CEO John Mara became one of the six people honored with the first-ever HBCU Impact Award for their contributions to the success of the inaugural HBCU NY Classic in 2022. 

The award acknowledges the individual’s positive impact on HBCUs, diversity, inclusion, and justice. Since Mara was not able to attend last year’s event, he recently met with event President & CEO Albert Williams to accept his 2022 HBCU Impact Award in person.

“I am humbled to be a recipient of the HBCU Impact Award,” said Mara. “The Giants are committed to continuing our involvement in initiatives that help promote diversity and inclusion in our community and beyond.”

Mara was recognized for his trailblazing legacy and extraordinary contributions to the African American community, urban culture, and the world.

The other 2022 HBCU Impact Award recipients include Vice President Kamala Harris, Spike Lee, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Known as the world’s largest HBCU Homecoming, the HBCU New York Classic is a multi-day celebration of HBCU culture and community activities culminating with two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) football teams facing off at MetLife Stadium, according to Fan Nation. Each year, the parent company of the Classic, Sports Eleven 05, LLC, and its Board of Directors, select a group of distinguished individuals and corporations to receive the HBCU Impact Award for the work they have accomplished in support of HBCUs.

Five of the six 2023 HBCU Impact Award recipients will be announced in the coming weeks. The sixth and final “People’s Choice” recipient will be chosen by fans this summer from ten nominees who will be revealed next month.