Selma University Granted $750K to Repair Historic Building

Selma University has been awarded $750,000 from the National Park Service (NPS) for repairs and renovations to Pollard Hall.

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Selma University has been awarded $750,000 from the National Park Service (NPS) for repairs and renovations to Pollard Hall.

The funding is part of a $9.7 million investment by NPS to preserve historic structures on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through the Historic Preservation Fund.

“I’m thrilled to announce that the National Park Service is investing $750,000 to preserve the historic Pollard Hall on the campus of Selma University,” said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell. “This funding will enable Selma University to make critical repairs to Pollard Hall to ensure that the rich legacy of this cherished institution lives on for generations.”

Pollard Hall was originally built in 1916 and served as an administrative center for visitors and a meeting place for Black educators like Booker T. Washington. It was also home to several of the university’s presidents. The building is named after former university president, Robert T. Pollard, who helped Selma University expand its campus, increase enrollment and course offerings, and eliminate the school’s debt, according to the Encyclopedia of Alabama.

“The historic structures on Selma University’s campus are dear to us and tell the story of a people who banded their meager resources to build a better life for themselves and their posterity,” Selma University President Stanford Angion said. “These structures must be preserved and shared with the public. I am tremendously grateful to Representative Terri Sewell and the National Park Service for helping us to move forward in our efforts to preserve the rich history of Pollard Hall.”

This grant project will help repair Pollard Hall’s roof, HVAC system, electrical and plumbing systems and install an elevator. The grant recipient will also contribute $496,414 in matching funds.

Pollard Hall is not the only building that is being renovated on Selma University’s campus. Dinkins Hall is also being repaired through funds from the National Park Service. Selma University received $600,000 total from the National Park Service and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in 2022.

“These grants enable historic educational institutions to preserve the story of African American education and the campuses where new experiences and stories continue to evolve today,” National Park Services Director Chuck Sams said in a statement. “Through the Historically Black Colleges and Universities grants program, the National Park Service supports our HBCUs in the preservation of their historic campus structures and history.”

The National Nurses Shortage Continues to Grow

It’s National Nurses Week, a week designated to show our appreciation and thank nurses for all that they do. But as more and more nurses leave the profession due to poor working conditions the national nurse shortage continues to grow.  

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May 6 through the 12 is National Nurses Week!

It’s National Nurses Week, a week designated to show our appreciation and thank nurses for all that they do. But as more and more nurses leave the profession due to poor working conditions the national nurse shortage continues to grow.  

Although the national nursing shortage dates back decades, study shows that it’s been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to a new survey from AMN Healthcare, close to a third of nurses nationwide say they are likely to leave the profession for another career due to stress and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The survey showed that about 94% of nurses said that there was a severe or moderate shortage of nurses in their area, with half saying the shortage was severe. Around 89% of registered nurses (RNs) said the nursing shortage is worse than five years ago. Moreover, the report shows that at least 80% of those surveyed expect the shortage to get much worse in another five years.

Additionally, the AMN Healthcare survey findings indicated younger nurses were also less satisfied with their jobs compared to older generations and were least likely to recommend the job to others. Only 42% of Gen Zers and 43% of millennials said they would encourage their peers to pursue nursing as a career, compared with 62% of baby boomers.

“Our survey data illustrates the growing dissatisfaction and wellbeing struggles among nurses — and the workforce challenges that this is escalating,” Landry Seedig, AMN Healthcare’s chief operating officer, told NBC News

A higher percentage of nurses also reported dealing with a greater deal of stress at their job than in previous years, the survey said. Four in five nurses experience high levels of stress at work, which is an increase of 16 points from 2021.

Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, a 26-year nursing veteran and president of the American Nurses Association told NBC News “didn’t get a break” in between the surge of Covid patients and as those patients started to decrease.  “As Covid patients started to decrease, we started to get people coming back to the hospital who held off their medical treatments” during the pandemic, Kennedy said. “Now they’re even sicker than they would have normally been.” 

This overload of patients contributed to the nurse’s decision to go on strike back in January.  Around 7,000 nurses in New York went on strike over a contract dispute with hospitals in the city.  The nurses were looking for higher wages, safer working conditions, and an increase in staffing to ease the shortage. 

National Nurses United (NNU), the largest union of registered nurses in the U.S. has lobbied Congress hard to pass legislation that addresses staffing ratios and improves workplace safety provisions.

According to the NNU, the problem is a staffing crisis rather than a shortage of nurses. 

Scripps News reports that NNU Co-President, Jean Ross says hospitals have been adding more ancillary staff—other licensed or certified personnel that help nurses—to protect their bottom line.

“The staffing crisis didn’t just happen. It’s been around for years. Unions have been sounding the alarm that organizations were putting profits before patients,” RN and President of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, Jane Hopkins said. Employers “had cut staffing so bad, that there was no room for flexibility” she continued.                                                         

Ross says that the hospital industry has “engineered” the nursing staffing crisis. “It’s a constant struggle to get them to not try to replace us with non-registered nurse personnel, but it isn’t going to help the situation that we’re in now when there are enough registered nurses in this country. But they’re refusing to hire them because it affects their bottom line,” she said.

According to NNU President, Deborah Burger, low staffing leads to a heavier workload, more stress, and burnout for the remaining staff, as well as a negative impact to patient care.

This National Nurses Week, National Nurses United is pushing for better working conditions by lobbying in support of five bills on Capitol Hill, including one that addresses nurse staffing standards.

The bill, S. 1567, would establish minimum registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals, resulting in higher-quality care for patients according to one of the bill’s sponsors.

“There is an urgent opportunity today for health care systems, policymakers, regulators, and academic leaders to coalesce and enact solutions that will spur positive systemic evolution to address these challenges and maximize patient protection in care into the future,”  said Maryann Alexander, NCSBN chief officer of nursing regulation. 

Stillman College Withdraws From US News & World Report Rankings

Stillman College announces its withdrawal from the annual U.S. News and World Report rankings, making it the first HBCU to do so.

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On Monday, Stillman College officials announced its withdrawal from the annual U.S. News and World Report rankings, making it the first HBCU to do so.

Stillman’s departure follows a recent string of colleges and universities abandoning popular college rankings, as well as criticism from the nation’s schools chief.

Stillman President Dr. Cynthia Warrick said the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings does not accurately represent the impact that Stillman has on the community, the state, or the nation.

“Even though we’ve got these students getting PhDs and getting great jobs and starting their own businesses and we’re producing teachers and our Honda Quiz Bowl team won a national championship, we don’t get any credit for that,” Warrick told AL.com.

“If the data were more fair, then you’d have more HBCUs higher in the ranking system because of the outcomes they produce,” she added.

Stillman received an overall score of 40 out of 100 in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-23 rankings. Researchers ranked the college 63rd out of 132 southern regional colleges, and 59th out of 77 HBCUs.

Warrick commented on how U.S. News uses graduation rates as its number one measurement quality in terms of the ranking and how that is problematic for smaller schools like Stillman.

“How they measure graduation rates is based on first-time, full time freshman and following them through six years,” she said. “The current cohort rankings today is the 2015-16 years when Stillman was having serious financial challenges. We lost over 200 students, with a 27% graduation rate.”

According to AL.com, Warrick said that she did not think the rankings accurately account for Stillman’s student body demographics or internal efforts to improve diversity and career outcomes.

“Stillman has found that the circumstances of poverty challenges these students to make decisions that call them in and out of enrollment,” Warrick said. “Yet, Stillman remains committed to them. How does U.S. News measure our commitment? I opine that it does not.”

The U.S. News and World Report surveys colleges annually based on graduation and retention rates, social mobility, academic reputation, faculty resources, student selectivity, funding, donations, and student debt. Researchers say they collect most of their data directly from schools but use similar guidelines to other federal databases.

Warrick told WVUA23, that withdrawing was a tough decision, but she feels the metrics are flawed, misleading to prospective students and don’t accurately reflect the quality of a Stillman education.

“I think what should happen if U.S. News wants to continue and have a fair rankings process, they should have some kind of external ranking process,” Warrick said. “They should have some type of external panel of experts to talk about these factors so we can get a fair ranking system because I think competition is good. We don’t want to avoid competition. I think if you have all the data together, we would get more students,” Warrick said.

Top HBCU DJs 2023

Your votes for the best of the best among the top 5 DJs are in! Check them out now!

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The Results For The Top HBCU DJs’ Final Round Are In!

In 1935, the term “disc jockey” was coined by American radio commentator Walter Winchell while describing Martin Block, an early radio announcer. Block is thought to be the first to play pre-recorded music on the radio during a broadcasting he called Make Believe Ballroom, where he played records to give the impression that he was broadcasting from a ballroom. Years later, in 1943, the first DJ dance party was held in Otley, England by Jimmy Savile, who also became the first DJ to ever use twin turntables. The turning point in the history of DJing came in 1955 when Bob Casey brought in the two turntable system and sound systems were developed in Kingston, Jamaica. DJing has evolved and become more prevalent throughout the years, making its way from block parties to nightclubs, to raves, and college campuses.

Historically, black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are known for many things—black excellence, community, and of course student life and social gatherings. Social gatherings on HBCU campuses would not be complete without a DJ. No matter what the event is, whether it’s on-campus or off-campus, DJs set the mood and can make or break a party. By playing off the crowd and feeding off their energy, a good DJ keeps the crowd hype and the event lively.

Most HBCUs have a go-to DJ for events and we want to know who your favorite is. Your votes for the best of the best among the top 5 DJs you previously voted for are in!

1. King J The DJ – Winston-Salem State University

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cthi225A3uc/

2. DJ Dez – North Carolina A&T University 

3. DJ ISO – North Carolina A&T University 

4. DJ K.Dimes – Howard University

5. DJ Kold World – University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 

N.C. A&T Alumna NaTasha Yvette Williams Nominated for a Tony Award

North Carolina A&T University alumna, NaTasha Yvette Williams has been nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in Broadway’s “Some Like it Hot.”

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North Carolina A&T University alumna, NaTasha Yvette Williams has been nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in Broadway’s “Some Like it Hot.”

“Some Like it Hot,” tells the story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime.

Williams is up for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for her performance as band leader Sweet Sue in the musical.

Williams graduated from NCAT’s Theatre Arts Program in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) in 1992. CAHSS has since honored Williams with the Alumni Achievement Award in 2021.

The actress has portrayed Aretha Franklin in “A Night with Janis Joplin,” and has appeared in George “Porgy and Bess” and “The Color Purple.” She previously performed with the Indianapolis Symphony, Naples Philharmonic and Baltimore Symphony orchestras. In 2021, she starred in the Broadway family comedy “Chicken and Biscuits.”

Her Tony-nominated performance in “Some Like it Hot” has been well received, garnering ample rave reviews.

“Every time NaTasha Yvette Williams was on the stage as the acerbic Sweet Sue, she threatened to run away with the entire show,” said Entertainment Weekly.

The 76th Annual Tony Awards will air live Sunday, June 11, at 8 p.m. on CBS from United Palace Theatre in New York City.

Tracee Ellis Ross to Receive Honorary Doctorate from Spelman College

Award-winning actress Tracee Ellis Ross is set to receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Spelman College during HBCU’s commencement ceremony.

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Award-winning actress Tracee Ellis Ross is set to receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Spelman College during HBCU’s commencement ceremony.

“I’m excited to join the Spelman sisterhood,” Ross posted on her Instagram. “What a wonderful honor.”

Ross’s impressive career has spanned over three decades as she has made quite the name for herself outside of being the daughter of legendary singer Diana Ross.

She is known for her lead role on the comedy television series ABC’s “Black-ish” and UPN’s “Girlfriends.” Ross has earned a Golden Globe Award and nine NAACP Image Awards for her work on “Black-ish.”

In addition to her credentials as an actress, Ross is also the CEO and Founder of Pattern Beauty, which focuses on healthy hair and “encourages each hair texture to take up as much space as it desires,” as the brand is designed to support people with curlier hair textures

Ross also served as the executive producer and narrator of “Hair Tales,” a docuseries that explores the relationship between Black women’s identities and their hair. 

Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones will join Ross at the commencement to deliver the keynote address and will also receive a Doctor of Humane Letters. Hannah-Jones is the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the 1619 Project and a staff writer at the New York Times Magazine.

Spelman’s commencement ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 21 at 3 p.m. at the Georgia International Center in College Park.

How HBCUs Are Helping to Combat The Teaching Shortage

This Teacher Appreciation Week, HBCU Buzz is highlighting HBCUs’ significant role in overcoming the national teacher shortage.

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Teacher’s Appreciation Week is May 8 – May 12!

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, a time to celebrate and recognize those hard-working educators and the impact they’ve made on so many lives. 

Teachers play an immensely important role in the development of a student as their guidance can make a lasting difference in a student’s life. 

While we recognize teachers and their hard work and dedication, we also must acknowledge the national shortage of teachers.  

A recent study found that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the preexisting, long-standing teacher shortage. According to the study, the shortage is not a function of an inadequate number of qualified teachers in the U.S. economy, but, there are just too few qualified teachers willing to work at current compensation levels given the increasingly stressful environment facing teachers. 

As a result, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are playing a significant role to overcome this national teacher shortage. 

According to the Associated Press, although only 7% of all teachers nationwide are Black, half are graduates of an HBCU. 

Former teacher Lavar Edmonds recently completed a study that found Black students performed better in math when they were taught by HBCU graduates. Edmonds’ study showed both Black and white HBCU-trained teachers are more effective with Black students.

This research suggests that the training received at HBCUs contributes to what makes an effective teacher. 

“If you’re on an HBCU campus, there’s a particular potential for a wealth of knowledge, you can sort of learn and absorb when you’re in a community, a climate that is made for and by Black students and Black professors,” said Edmonds.

MiKaila White, a recent Tennesee State University graduate and early education major said her HBCU taught her how to form connections with many types of people—a skill that has allowed her to pour into her first-grade classroom. “I want my students to know that they are valued and loved for who they are,” she said. “That they don’t have to be perfect, that they don’t have to toughen up, that they don’t have to hide their vulnerability. That they can be curious, creative, and compassionate human beings no matter what the world tells them.” 

White said that she wants to be a role model for her students and the “light” that she needed as a child. “I want to show children who look like me that anything is possible, that they can achieve greatness, that their dreams are within reach,” the TSU alum proclaimed. 

Black students may benefit from learning from Black teachers as research has shown that when students are taught by teachers who share their racial or ethnic background, they are more likely to achieve academic success.

Aliya Rashid-Austin, an Alabama A&M University alum and a special education teacher with over 20 years of experience recalled only having one Black teacher while growing up in Seattle and not experiencing another until she attended her HBCU. She knows firsthand the importance of Black students experiencing learning from a Black teacher. She says Black teachers may offer black student’s their “experience, love, support,” and are often able to relate to them on a deeper level. “Who else can share and tell you about the experience of being Black, both positive and negative, more than a Black teacher?” Rashid-Austin said. 

The Biden Administration says HBCUs play a role in building a more diverse teaching workforce. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Education announced $18 million in awards for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions. These grants will increase high-quality teacher preparation programs for teachers of color, strengthen diversity in the teacher pipeline, and address teacher shortages.

As we ring in graduation season, we ring in a new class of HBCU educators ready to shape and inspire the next generation. 

DOE Announces $7.75 Million Investment in HBCUs to Support STEM Workforce

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Clean Energy Education Prize, a competition designed to help HBCUs develop programming to strengthen the participation of K-12 and community college students in STEM fields.

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On Monday, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Clean Energy Education Prize. This competition will help HBCU institutions develop programming to strengthen the participation of K-12 and community college students in science, technology, engineering, and technology (STEM) fields.

The new $7.75 million prize competition seeks to inspire the next generation of students to work in STEM fields related to clean energy. 

By helping to build a diverse STEM pipeline to support America’s clean energy future, this prize supports President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. This initiative directs 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.

“The clean energy transition is an opportunity to offer new, inspiring careers to communities that have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields,” said Terrence Mosley, Senior Advisor for Diversity and STEM in DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Enlisting HBCUs, and the ideas, perspectives, and expertise of their networks, can help the U.S. grow a strong, representative STEM workforce and improve the research quality and innovation needed to accelerate the field of clean energy.” 

According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, there are over 100 HBCUs in the United States which account for 3% of all post-secondary institutions, yet HBCUs graduate 17% of all Black students. 40% of the Black students pursuing graduate degrees in STEM fields attended HBCUs for their undergraduate studies.

The DOE hopes this prize will better prepare HBCUs with the resources and infrastructure needed to train a critical portion of the clean energy workforce.

“HBCUs are drivers of innovation and key partners in rural and urban communities, and I am extremely happy to support the Department of Energy HBCU Clean Energy Education Prize,” said Dr. Dietra Y. Trent, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs for the Department of Education. “This prize is a continuation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to increasing the strength and capacity of these renowned institutions that have historically been undervalued, and will help further develop programming that inspires the next generation of critically important STEM professionals at our two- and four-year HBCUs.”  

The HBCU Clean Energy Education Prize’s goal is to expand clean energy learning opportunities for younger generations, build robust programming that provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, and establish partnerships that lead to clean energy career opportunities.

The prize is open to all 100+ HBCU institutions across the United States and schools are eligible to compete in one or both prize tracks:  

  • The Inspire Track supports the development and expansion of HBCU-hosted clean energy summer or academic break programs for K-12 and community college students. Submissions open for this track in May 2023 and close in August 2023.  
  • The Partnership Track supports building partnerships between HBCUs and other universities to provide opportunities that will equip HBCU students with the skills needed to succeed in the clean energy industry. Submissions open for the Partnership Track in September 2023.

Visit Herox.com/HBCU to learn more about how to compete in this prize.

Texas Southern University To Open New Flight Training Facility

Texas Southern University is expanding its aviation program with plans to open a two-acre training facility at Ellington Airport.

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Texas Southern University is expanding its aviation program with plans to open a two-acre training facility at Ellington Airport.

On Wednesday, Houston officials approved the agreement between Houston Airports and Texas Southern for the creation of the Aviation Education Facility at Ellington Airport. 

The agreement will span for five years and Houston Airport Systems will invest up to $5 million under a separate contract to develop the facility.

According to officials, the facility will include: a 22,000 square foot hangar, 20,000 square feet of aircraft apron, 7,200 square feet of office and training/classroom space, 12,000 gallon above-ground aviation fuel tank, and vehicle parking. 

“The city of Houston is proud of its partnership with Texas Southern University, and we are excited to witness the aviation students’ education and careers take flight. The air transportation industry in Houston and across the United States is growing and provides career opportunities for those with the skills needed to succeed,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.  “Earlier this year, the city provided $1 million in seed money to create a transformational health center at TSU. This project also will transform lives and help students prepare for the future.”

Texas Southern University is one of nine HBCU aviation programs in the country, and more than 500 aviation and aerospace-related companies operate in Houston.

The university’s Director’s of Aviation, Dr. Terence Fontaine expressed his gratitude and excitement for the new aviation training facility.

“The Aviation Science Management program at Texas Southern University is thankful for this investment the City of Houston and Houston Airports are making in our students and in the future of aviation” said Executive Director of Aviation Dr. Terance Fontaine. “Likewise, we appreciate the unwavering support our program has received from President Lesia Crumpton-Young, Regent James Benham and the entire Board of Regents to get us to this point. We are honored to be the first tenants in this new lease space. This opportunity provides an enhanced environment for student learning opportunities as we work to address our nation’s critical aviation needs. Furthermore, it provides space for our fleet of eight aircraft to be housed inside and protected from weather conditions, thus allowing us to preserve them for extended use.”

According to Chron, Texas Southern’s Aviation Science Management program currently has 103 students under three concentrations, including aviation management, professional piloting, and maritime transportation or drones.

The Aviation Education Facility at Ellington is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2024.

Winston-Salem State University Adds Virtual Reality to Nursing Program

Winston-Salem State University is partnering with the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to launch a new virtual reality training program to its nursing curriculum.

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Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is partnering with the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to launch a new virtual reality training program to its nursing curriculum.

WSSU will be the first Historically Black College and University in North Carolina to use virtual reality training in its nursing program.

The nearly $800,000 project is funded by the North Carolina Collaboratory through an appropriation from the state general assembly.

Through the new program, nursing students will gain real-world experience by using virtual reality in clinical environments like hospitals.

Dean of WSSU’s Health and Sciences School, Leslee Battle, said that the training begins with knowing the fundamentals.

“We’re able to both use it as a learning tool for the students to go through… as well as an assessment,” Battle said. “For example, faculty can add a reminder in a session for the student to wash their hands when they enter a patient’s room; then add an assessment to see if the student remembers to wash their hand during another session.”

The curriculum was launched on April 25. The VR lab will be housed in the Center for Design Innovation.

Howard University Announces Ben Vinson III as its New President

Howard University has announced that after a yearlong search Ben Vinson III, PhD has been named the university’s 18th president. 

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Yesterday, Howard University announced that after a yearlong search Ben Vinson III, PhD has been named the university’s 18th president. 

Vinson most recently served as the provost and executive vice president at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleaveland where he was responsible for all facets of academic and university research.

As the newly appointed president of Howard, Vinson is returning to the Washington, D.C. area as he previously served in senior leadership roles at George Washington University and Johns Hopkins University.  

Vinson will succeed Wayne A. I. Frederick who has served as Howard’s 17th president since 2014. 

Frederick spoke highly of his successor saying, “His vast experience and proven track record in academic leadership make him the ideal candidate to lead our esteemed institution into the future. I am confident that Howard will continue to thrive under his guidance as a premier center for higher learning and innovation.”

Vinson earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College with a double major in history and classical studies, summa cum laude, where he also serves on the advisory board for the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. He earned a doctorate in Latin American history, with distinction, from Columbia University. 

While at CWRU Vinson led the university’s “Think Big” strategic planning initiative and helped facilitate the increase in underrepresented students over the course of four years. 

He previously served on the faculties of Barnard College and Penn State University before joining Johns Hopkins University as a professor of history and founding director of its Center for Africana Studies. At Johns Hopkins, he went on to serve as a vice dean for centers, interdisciplinary studies, and graduate education before becoming dean of George Washington University’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. 

Vinson is an accomplished historian of the African diaspora with a focus on Blacks in Latin America, and the author of several books, including “Before Mestizaje: The Frontiers of Race and Caste in Colonial Mexico.”

“Dr. Vinson is the right leader to usher Howard into its next era,” Leslie Hale, vice chair of the university’s board of trustees, said in a statement. “As a historian, he reveres the Howard legacy and brings a bold perspective of where Howard University should sit within the upper echelon of academic institutions.”

Vinson will assume the position of Howard’s president on Sept. 1.

“The opportunity to lead Howard at this historic juncture represents the honor of a lifetime. Howard’s incredible legacy, its remarkable trajectory, combined with the fine talent of its faculty and staff, situate Howard at the uppermost echelons of higher education,” said Vinson. “Combined with the uniquely transformational power of a Howard education, the students, faculty, staff, and alumni constitute a positive force of change in our society. Our world needs Howard at maximum strength.”

Bowie State Student and ASL Performer Justina Miles Graces the Cover of British Vogue 

Bowie State student Justina Miles graces the cover of British Vogue after making headlines for her passionate ASL performance to Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show.

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Earlier this year, Bowie State University student, Justina Miles made headlines for her passionate American Sign Language (ASL) performance to Rihanna’s 13-minute Super Bowl halftime show.

She is now reflecting on that viral moment in the newest issue of British Vogue, of which she graces the cover.

“Dynamic, Daring, & Disabled. It is time the world knows, understands, and embraces us- people of all colors, shapes, and abilities,” Miles said in an Instagram caption of a post sharing the cover photo. “I’m honored to be on the cover of the @BritishVogue May 2023 issue. The opportunity to continue to raise awareness of the Deaf community is incredible and one I don’t take lightly” Miles continued.

Justina Miles for British Vogue. Credit: Vogue/Photo by: Adama Jalloh

Miles is the first deaf woman to perform ASL at the Super Bowl pre-game and halftime shows.

In addition to her impressive ASL halftime performance, Miles also also signed during actress Sheryl Lee Ralph’s rendition of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before the Super Bowl.

The Philadelphia native is not new to ASL performing, she has has performed ASL renditions of concerts across the country, according to the National Association of the Deaf.

“When I had some free time at school in Maryland, I asked an agency I knew if they needed any help with signing at festivals. They got me to do Rolling Loud and Austin City Limits, and I then went viral at shows featuring artists like Nicki Minaj, Lil Nas X, and more. The National Association of the Deaf saw a clip and said they had to have me for Rihanna. I sent a tape signing to the National Anthem and “What’s My Name?” and they booked me for the Super Bowl” Miles told Vogue.

Justina Miles for British Vogue. Credit: Vogue/Photo by: Adama Jalloh

Miles is a nursing student and a cheerleader at Bowie State University.

She’s studying to be a travel registered nurse so she can help deaf people she said in her Vogue interview. “My long-term goal is to open my own nursing practice at Gallaudet University, a specialist school for the deaf and hard of hearing, so that there can be more Deaf nurses.”

When the public hears Deaf they think “incapable”. The questions they ask can be so ridiculous: “How do you read? How do you drive?” My hope was to pop off hard enough for people to see, “Okay, Deaf people are literally just like us!” Growing up, the Deaf people I saw on screen would always be white, and me, being my authentic Black girl self on screen, needs to be normalised.

– Justina Miles, May 2023 issue of British Vogue

Miles has been partially deaf since she was two years old and says that she is proud to be the representation she wished she had growing up.

“Representation would have definitely meant the world to a younger me. You’re told a lot that “you can’t do this type of job because you’re Deaf”, so many of us take the easy routes. If I had seen somebody like me at the Super Bowl, I would have decided to be a performer and set bigger dreams for myself at an earlier age. It was such an incredible opportunity. I have so many ideas for myself now.”

The May issue “celebrates a new vanguard of Disabled talent,” British Vogue said. Other cover stars include little person Sinead Burke and Ellie G, a model who has down syndrome. 

The May 2023 issue of British Vogue featuring Justina Miles is on newsstands now.

IKEA Has All Your College Needs To Turn Your Space Into a Cozy Home

Looking to make your college space feel like home? Look no further, shop at IKEA for all your college living necessities and awesome dorm room drip.

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Shop at IKEA for Awesome Dorm Room Drip!

There’s nothing quite like the experience of going to college and living on your own for the first time—the anticipation of finding the perfect place, bonding with your roommates, and working together to make it feel like home. 

I’ll never forget the feeling of stepping into my freshman dorm, both so excited yet nervous to start a new chapter. (The only moment that exceeded it was experiencing my first on-campus apartment in my junior year of college.) One thing rings true for both occasions, the living spaces needed some serious personalization. 

Starting college not only gave my roommates and I a fresh start but it offered us a slew of new freedoms— including the freedom to decorate our own space that spoke to our collective personalities and style. Together, we decided on a  “nostalgic, cool, and welcoming” vibe, so we filled our plain white walls with memorable picture frames and art pieces with colorful hues and accents. We also turned our living room into a cozy crash pad with soft decorative pillows and a rug. 

Turns out, taking the time to create your very own sanctuary—a place to relax and unwind after a long day on campus—makes all the difference. Billy Roberts, a licensed therapist at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, says: “Living space can directly impact mood and anxiety.”  Well-decorated and well-organized spaces can greatly induce feelings of joy, energy, and productivity. 

Making your college dorm room or apartment a sanctuary has never been easier thanks to IKEA.

The first step to creating the ultimate cozy space in your college home is to maximize your space by keeping an organized environment. A great way to do this is by using the KALLAX shelving unit and the TROFAST storage combination with box/trays to declutter your space.

Continue to stay organized as you go from class to class by carrying the STARTTID backpack with you. They are packed with multiple compartments to make those trips across campus easier for you. They are designed for students on the move so that everyone always has what they need with them, from laptops to chargers to water bottles – they can carry it all.

Bring your own BLAVINGAD duvet cover and pillowcase for your bed and a TERTIAL work lamp for those late study night sessions. If you’re worried about keeping your roommate up, invest in a TOLKNING room divider for a little privacy.

College isn’t exactly a fashion show but it’s always good to look your best! Before you head out for the day make sure you look presentable by using a full-lengthDRÖMMARE mirror. 

Lastly, if you’re staying in an apartment or a dorm with a kitchen, come prepared with kitchenware such as the TAGGHAJ frying pan, the RÖRT spoon, and the 365+ carafe with stopper. Continue to make your kitchen feel complete with the POKAL glass, the DINERA mug and the 365+ dry food jar with lid. 

You get one shot at perfecting your first college living space so why not make it feel home sweet home with these can’t miss items from IKEA. Whether you’ll be moving into a dorm, living off campus, or commuting from home, they have all the essentials you need to create a unique space that you can call your own—and are proud of!

Shop IKEA.com/starting-college now for the college living necessities.

HBCUs get donations 178 times lower than Ivy League: study

A new report on the underfunding of HBCUs found that the average historically Black college and university received 178 times less funding from foundations than the average Ivy League school in 2019. Learn more in the story by Glenn Gamboa at Associated Press.

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A new report on the underfunding of HBCUs found that the average historically Black college and university received 178 times less funding from foundations than the average Ivy League school in 2019. Learn more in the story by Glenn Gamboa at Associated Press.

The school plaque sits at the main entrance to Savannah State University in Savannah, Ga. The average historically Black college and university received 178 times less funding from foundations than the average Ivy League school in 2019, according to a new report on the underfunding of HBCUs released Tuesday, May 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum, File)


The average historically Black college and university received 178 times less funding from foundations than the average Ivy League school in 2019, according to a new report on the underfunding of HBCUs released Tuesday.

The study — conducted by the philanthropic research group Candid and ABFE, a nonprofit that advocates for investments in Black communities – found that the eight Ivy League schools received $5.5 billion from the 1,000 largest U.S. foundations compared to $45 million for the 99 HBCUs in 2019. Between 2002 and 2019, foundation support of HBCUs declined 30%, even before inflation is taken into account.

“We were not surprised by the findings because philanthropy generally funds Black-led nonprofit organizations disproportionately less than other similarly situated organizations,” said Susan Taylor Batten, ABFE’s president and CEO. “However, we were surprised by the data that indicated the enormity of the disparate funding between Ivy League colleges and HBCUs.”

Some study participants blamed systemic racism for the underfunding. Others said it was a result of limited connections between philanthropists and HBCU leaders.

In any case, the disparity is even more problematic, experts say, because HBCUs have proven themselves so effective in educating Black students.

According to the UNCF, the nation’s largest private provider of scholarships and other educational support to Black students, HBCUs account for 80% of Black judges, 50% of Black doctors, and 50% of Black lawyers. Studies show that Black HBCU graduates earn $900,000 more in their lifetimes than Black graduates from predominantly white institutions or Black workers without college degrees.

Those arguments may have become more convincing in the racial reckoning that followed the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. Preliminary estimates showed a 453% increase in foundation funding to HBCUs in that year.

That $249 million in donations does not include the $550 million that philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave to 22 HBCUs that year, including $50 million to Prairie View A&M University in Texas.

Grace Sato, Candid’s director of research, said the interest in HBCUs in 2020 allowed her organization to work on the study released Tuesday. Candid had been interested in researching donations to HBCUs for five years, but could not find a partner to help finance the work.

“I think understanding the context for the historic disinvestment sheds new light on this new funding and also calls into question whether that new funding is going to be sustained or is just a blip followed by declines,” she said. “Shining a light on the issue of underfunding is important and necessary.”

Lodriguez Murray, UNCF’s vice president of public policy and government affairs, warned that the increase in HBCU funding since 2020 does not mean that HBCUs are no longer underfunded. “We consider this to be a drop in the bucket and the need is still extremely severe,” said Murray, adding that the report did not specifically account for the work of UNCF and other organizations who provide scholarships to HBCU students, which lowers the schools’ costs. “So even though there has been greater funding, there are still greater needs.”

In many ways, HBCUs and supporters like UNCF have been preparing for the recent increase in attention and support for decades, said Nadrea R. Njoku, director of UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute. “We have been telling our story for more than 100 years as a collective,” she said. “When that moment came, and everyone turned their heads to what toward what the needs of Black people were, UNCF and our partners had both the story and the data to support it. And that’s what got the philanthropists and the corporations across the finish line in bringing those donations.”

Batten said her nonprofit’s goal is to encourage philanthropic groups to direct their donations equitably. She hopes this report will convince foundations to examine their grantmaking practices and consider increasing their donations to HBCUs.

“Philanthropy tends to fund organizations that they know,” Batten said. “Philanthropy does not know HBCUs and has little knowledge about the importance of HBCUs in the education of Black people and others. Additionally, I believe that philanthropy has a false sense that the quality of research and education is superior at (predominantly white institutions) in comparison to the quality of research and education at HBCUs.”

Let’s Talk About Post-Grad Depression

As graduation quickly approaches, this Mental Health Awareness Month HBCU Buzz is highlighting the aspect of graduating no one warns you about: post-grad depression.

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Post-Grad Depression: The Aspect of Graduating No One Warns You About

Graduation day is one of the most important days in a college student’s life, but what happens after you walk the stage and accept the degree you’ve worked so hard for? 

Some people may instantly find work in their field, while for others it may take more time; some may move to a new city and others may move back home. No matter your plans after graduation, there’s an unpleasant feeling that unfortunately creeps on many graduates — post-grad depression. 

Being a college student and all that comes with it — whether that be social gatherings, close proximity to friends, or just the daily routine of going to and from class —  becomes a part of your identity. After graduating, it may feel like a part of you is suddenly stripped away. 

Graduating from college is a huge life transition. Adjusting to not being a student for what may be the first time in your life, and finding your footing in the “real world” is challenging and can often lead to depression.  

According to Healthline, depression among young adults ages 18 to 25 has steadily risen over the past decade. Young adults now have double the rate of depression as the general population (people over the age of 18).

In addition, a 2020 survey screened 15,000 graduate students for depressive symptoms and found that the rate of depressive symptoms increased more than two-fold between 2019 and 2020 from 15 percent to 32 percent.

“Change, in general, can bring about feelings of sadness. College graduation represents a major life transition and with that transition can come feelings of sadness or concern about the future. For many, graduating college can mean that multiple aspects of their life change relatively quickly (i.e., finding a new place to live, starting a new job, meeting new people). In essence, this becomes a bit of change-overload and it can be overwhelming for many individuals to navigate these additional stressors,”

Rachel O’Neill, Ph.D., a clinical counselor and Talkspace provider

Not knowing what comes next after graduating college is nerve-wracking but normal.

Just a year ago I was walking across that stage and saying goodbye to my friends that became family and the campus that became my home. While making the drive home I couldn’t help but wonder “What now?” It felt like the life I was accustomed to was suddenly a thing of the past and I just had to soldier on and start a new beginning. 

I know I’m not alone, many graduates have trouble adjusting to their new normal after graduating from college.

There are many factors that can lead to post-grad depression, including pressure or difficulty finding a job, moving back in with parents, having trouble adjusting to adulthood, comparing yourself to others, paying off student loan debt, or not being able to see friends as often or as easily. 

Post-grad depression is often accompanied by a quarter-life crisis — a period of stress and anxiety in a young adult’s life over the direction in which it’s going. 

Many “twenty-somethings” experience this uncertainty when it comes to their future. According to psychologists Joan Atwood and Corine Scholtz, a quarter-life crisis may be accompanied by an emotional crisis, “the sense of desolation, isolation, inadequacy, and self-doubt, coupled with a fear of failure.” These feelings are also common symptoms of post-grad depression. 

Recognizing the symptoms of post-grad depression is important so that you may seek help. These symptoms may include loneliness, lack of motivation, isolating oneself,  a sense of hopelessness or feeling worthless, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, brain fog, or loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. 

Often times these symptoms may confuse recent graduates because they are expected to feel happy and relieved after graduating. It’s perfectly okay to feel these feelings and work through them rather than ignore them. 

Once you’ve acknowledged and accepted your feelings of post-grad depression you can take certain steps to overcome it.

Many consider therapy when working through these difficult emotions. A therapist can help you to understand why you are feeling a certain way and point out steps you can take to begin to heal and move forward after graduating from college.

Certain lifestyle changes and self-care practices can also help manage depression. Some tips include finding creative outlets or hobbies, staying active and eating healthy, reaching out to friends and family, joining a meetup group, prioritizing self-compassion and self-care, and practicing mindfulness or meditation.

With our identity so wrapped up in who we were and what we did in college, it can be difficult moving on — but remember life doesn’t end after college! It may be unfamiliar and uncomfortable but with a change in perspective, life after college can be a beautiful new beginning.

“It’s really okay to not have all the answers. The answers will come—for sure—if you can accept ‘not knowing’ long enough to get still, and stay still long enough for new thoughts to take root in your more quiet, deeper, truer self.”

– Tennessee State Unversity Alum, Oprah Winfrey, Facebook Virtual 2020 Commencement

Jackson State Cornerback Isaiah Bolden Becomes The Only HBCU Player Selected in the 2023 NFL Draft

Jackson State University cornerback, Isaiah Bolden has been selected by the New England Patriots as the 245th overall draft pick in the 7th round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Jackson State University cornerback, Isaiah Bolden has been selected by the New England Patriots as the 245th overall draft pick in the 7th round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Bolden becomes the only player from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) picked in this year’s NFL draft.

According to USA Today, since 2000, HBCU players have not been picked at all in nine drafts. There were no players taken in the 2021 draft, and only four last year.

“It means a lot to me, carrying the weight of the HBCUs,” Bolden told ESPN after the New England Patriots selected him on Saturday. “There are a lot of talented guys out there,” he remarked.

According to HBCU Gameday, Bolden was ranked as one of the top 30 cornerbacks in the country landing him a spot at Florida State University. In 2020, he transferred to Jackson State shortly after Deion Sanders was hired. At Jackson State, he led the nation in kickoff return yards in the 2021 fall season averaging 36.9 yards and scored two touchdowns.

In the 2022 season, Bolden recorded 44 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. Out of the 44 tackles 30 were solo. Additionally, he averaged 26 yards for kickoff returns. Bolden received recognition as the second-team SWAC cornerback and fourth-team kick returner for Phil Steele.

Bolden played a tremendous part in Jackson State bagging back-to-back SWAC championship titles, according to HBCU Gameday

The cornerback said his decision to change schools and play for Deon Sanders at Jackson State was to show other athletes the amazing opportunities HBCUs can provide. “I’m taking on the responsibility to show recruits and transfers that you can come to an HBCU and get to the league,” Bolden told ESPN. “Me being a part of that change is a big thing for me.”

Efforts to create more visibility for HBCU football players in front of NFL scouts and general managers have increased throughout the years with the HBCU Combine and the HBCU Legacy Bowl. All 32 teams sent representatives to this year’s HBCU combine and the 47 participants also played in the HBCU Legacy Bowl. Astonishingly, this added visibility has yet to lead to more HBCU players being drafted into the NFL.

Bolden being the lone HBCU player to be selected in the draft came as a surprise to many, including Florida A&M University head coach Willie Simmons who wrote on Twitter: “Truly a head scratcher at this point!!!”

Simmons’ comment is presumably in regard to Isaiah Land, an outside linebacker from Florida A&M, not being drafted as he was the top-ranked HBCU prospect this year, according to ESPN.

Former Jackson State head coach, Deion Sanders also took to Twitter to express his disdain over the lack of HBCU players drafted this year. After congratulating Bolden, he said, “I’m ashamed of the 31 other @nfl teams that couldn’t find draft value in ALL of the talented HBCU players…”

Steve Wyche, an NFL Network reporter and alumni of Howard University, tweeted words of encouragement for HBCU athletes striving to make it to the NFL.

“To all the HBCU players that don’t get drafted. Use that as another chip on your shoulder so if you get into a camp, let them know what time it is. Remember, it’s about the opportunity. If you get your foot in the door, earn your keep and wake up all those who slept!”

According to HBCU Legends, many HBCU athletes have been contacted by NFL teams and given undrafted free-agent contracts or rookie mini-camp tryouts.