The Home Depot’s Retool Your School Expands Commitment to HBCUs

The Home Depot’s Retool Your School Program is back for its 14th year to encourage and recognize innovative projects that contribute to the campuses of HBCUs.

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Apply Now Until February 10th

The Home Depot’s Retool Your School Program is back for its 14th year to encourage and recognize innovative projects that contribute to the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). 

Over the years, the program has awarded grants to HBCUs for campus renovations, repairs, and enhancements and has given more than $5.2 million across 70% of HBCUs nationwide.

In 2023, Retool Your School renewed its commitment to being “Powered by Purpose” by developing several exciting new initiatives, quadrupling the available grant pool, and merging HBCU-focused efforts across teams under one umbrella.“We saw an opportunity for us to bring it all together and make it more of an impactful, company-wide collective initiative to support HBCUs,” said Tiffany Mitsui, Senior Manager of Multicultural Marketing at The Home Depot.

This year’s Program will present an opportunity for HBCUs to apply for three different grants: Campus Improvement Grant, Innovation Lounge Grant, and Community Project Grant.

This year students will be able to directly benefit from Retool Your School initiatives even if their HBCU does not apply for the Campus Improvement Grant Program. 

The Home Depot is partnering with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to award $2,500 scholarships to 60 students currently enrolled at any HBCU. In addition, they are offering 300 virtual externships to HBCU sophomores, juniors, and seniors that will give them the opportunity to build their professional networks and learn about business in a collaborative environment. 

The program will also allow HBCUs to apply for two new needs-based grants, the Innovation Lounge Grant and Community Project Grant.  

The Innovation Lounge Grant will support the development of a dedicated space on campus for students to come together to ideate and collaborate.  The Community Project Grant will allow HBCUs to continue their work of building up their surrounding communities by partnering with a local non-profit on a project focused on giving back. 

“We’re strengthening our commitment to HBCUs and their students, from educational enrichment to career development opportunities that will follow them long after graduation,” said Arlette Guthrie, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at The Home Depot. “As a proud HBCU graduate myself, I value the education I received and have personally experienced the diversity of thought and innovation that HBCU students bring to the workforce.”

To apply for Retool Your School grant opportunities, a school administrator must register their HBCU and fill out an application. Any questions regarding the application should be directed to the Retool Your School Contacts. 

Applications must be submitted between Monday, January 9, 2023, at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) EST and Friday, February 10, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

For more information regarding the application, visit Retool Your School’s rules page.

For information about individual student scholarships and career development opportunities, click here.

TSU Aristocrat of Bands Makes History With Grammy Win

Tennessee State University’s marching band, the TSU Aristocrat of Bands makes history as the first collegiate marching band to win a Grammy.

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Tennessee State University’s marching band, the TSU Aristocrat of Bands (AOB) is now officially a Grammy award-winning band.

On Sunday, AOB took home the Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album for their album “The Urban Hymnal.” The band made history as the first college marching band to receive a nomination in this category, and the first to win a Grammy.

In addition, AOB also won the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album category for “The Poet Who Sat By the Door”, which was a collaboration with spoken word artist J. Ivy.

Credit: Recording Academy Official Twitter Account

“Hymnal” was co-produced by songwriter and producer Dallas Austin, Sir the Baptist, and TSU professor Larry Jenkins.

Jenkins thanked his students in his speech, saying, “Your hard work and dedication created the pen that allowed you to write your own page in the history books. We all know we made history, but this is also February. We also made Black history.”

The full “Aristocrat of Bands” wasn’t able to accept their win in person, but the university held an official watch party on campus Sunday afternoon. TSU took to Twitter to share the student’s reaction to the big win, where they can be heard chanting “AOB! AOB!” in excitement.

E-40 Donates 100K to Alma Mater Grambling State

Hip-hop legend E-40 contributed $100,000 to his alma mater, Grambling State University to support a number of its music programs.

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On Friday, legendary rapper, E-40 generously donated $100,000 to his alma mater, Grambling State University to support a number of its music programs.

The funds will benefit the music department, the World Famed Tiger Marching Band, and the upkeep of the newly installed recording studio, which has been named the Earl “E-40” Stevens Sound Recording Studio, in the rapper’s honor.

“E-40 has used his success as a recording artist to create an entrepreneurial empire,” said GSU President Rick Gallot. “We are so grateful that he is giving back to his alma mater in such a substantial way. Our current and future students will benefit from his investment in our state-of-the-art student recording studio.”   

Pictured from left to right are Grambling State University President Rick Gallot, Miss Grambling Kelli Copes, Tracey Stevens, Earl “E-40” Stevens, GSU Band Director Dr. Nikole Roebuck and GSU SGA President Ja’Quel Brooks. (Photos by Carlton Hamlin)

 “I just wanted to make a contribution to my school, Grambling State University, so I talked to the Doc (GSU Band Director Dr. Nikole Roebuck) and she said, ‘Let’s see what we can do,’ and this was what I came up with,” E-40 said as he unveiled the $100,000 check to the Grambling University Foundation. “I feel good about it, too. I feel really good. God is great.” 

E-40 has secured his spot as one of the hip-hop greats, having released several multiplatinum and gold studio albums, mixtapes, collaborations, and hit singles, including “U and Dat,” “Tell Me When To Go,” “Choices (Yup)”  and  “Function,” among countless others. 

As a solo artist, E-40 holds the record for most solo album entries on the Billboard 200 charts by a hip-hop artist (32) and has collaborated with big-time artists such as 2pac, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, Big Sean, and many more. Function,” among countless others.  

He is also an entrepreneur, having launched over 15 different still and sparkling wine offerings under his “Earl Stevens Selections” line and his new food brand —called “Goon With The Spoon.”  

“E-40” is pictured in the recording studio named in his honor.

GSU Vice President for University Advancement and Innovation Melanie Jones expressed her appreciation for 40’s return and donation to the university.

“Grambling State is incredibly grateful for Mr. Stevens’ appearance at the university and especially his donation,” Jones said. “It’s gifts like this from our alumni and supporters that are the driving force that keep the university moving forward and creating bigger and better futures for our students,”  Jones said.

Rosa Parks: 5 Facts About the Civil Rights Icon

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Rosa Parks’ Birthday is February 4th

Rosa Parks was a national figure known for her bravery in refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. Her resistance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and led to nationwide efforts to end racial segregation.  She is often regarded as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” and has earned this title through her courageous act and contributions to black equality. In honor of Rosa Parks’s birthday, here are 5 facts about the civil rights icon!

Parks wasn’t the first African American woman to be arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus.

Nine months before Parks, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin was the first Montgomery bus passenger to be arrested for refusing to give up her seat for a white passenger. Before her, Aurelia Browder, Mary Louise Smith, and Susie McDonald had all challenged bus segregation laws in Alabama. Rosa was an activist before the bus boycotts and was involved in raising defense funds for Colvin. 

She Was a Sexual Assault Investigator for the NAACP

More than a decade before Rosa Parks became the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” she was a sexual assault investigator for the NAACP. In the 1940s, Parks joined the NAACP and was elected secretary of its Montgomery branch, traveling through Alabama and interviewing victims of discrimination and investigating sexual violence against women. She was propelled by her own experience with sexual assault in 1931 when a white male neighbor attempted to rape her. Parks resisted and later said of the incident, “I was ready to die but give my consent never. Never, never.” That encounter fueled her as she provided legal aid to Recy Taylor, the victim of a brutal gang rape by seven white men in Abbeville, Alabama. In 1944 Parks went to Taylor’s home to interview her. While there, the town’s Sheriff burst into Taylor’s house and demanded that Parks leave, and threatened to arrest both women. When Parks returned to Montgomery, she launched the Committee for Equal Justice for the Rights of Mrs. Recy Taylor. The committee made sure the case received national attention and by October, it was headline news.

She had a previous run-in with the bus driver James Blake, 12 years before she refused to leave her seat.

Rosa Parks riding on newly integrated bus following Supreme Court ruling ending segregation of Montgomery buses. (Photo by Don Cravens/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)

When Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat in 1955, it wasn’t the first time she’d faced off with bus driver James Blake. In 1943, Blake had her ejected from his bus after she resisted the rule for Black people to re-enter through the back door after paying bus fare at the front. “After that, I made a point of looking at who was driving the bus before I got on. I didn’t want any more run-ins with that mean one.” Parks said in her biography. She also said that if she had been paying attention that fateful day in 1955 she “wouldn’t even have gotten on that bus.”

She served on the board of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

The struggle goes on. Rosa Parks in her seventies. (© UPI/Bettman)

 After the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Parks and her husband lost their jobs and received endless phone calls and death threats, so they packed up everything and moved to Detroit.  Once in Detroit, Parks worked as a secretary for US Representative John Conyers’ congressional office and served on the board of Planned Parenthood. 

She’s the first Black woman to have a full-length statue in the U.S. Capitol

Statue of Rosa Parks in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.


In 2013, President Obama unveiled the Rosa Parks statue to honor her contribution to the Civil Rights Movement. “We do well by placing a statue of her here,” Obama said, “but we can do no greater honor to her memory than to carry forward the power of her principle and a courage born of conviction.” In addition to it being the first full-length statue of an African American person in the U.S. Capitol, it was also the first statue commissioned by Congress since 1873. More than 50 of Parks’ relatives were present for the unveiling ceremony.

Florida Memorial University Unveils New Tech Innovation Center

Last Thursday, Florida Memorial unveiled its brand new tech center in partnership with tech nonprofit TechNolij.

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FMU Partners with Tech nonprofit TechNolij to launch the TechNolij Innovation Center.

Last Thursday, Florida Memorial University unveiled its brand new tech center in partnership with tech nonprofit TechNolij.

TechNolij is a non-profit organization focused on closing the racial wealth gap through technology education.

FMU’s new TechNolij Innovation Center was created to provide tech accessibility to underrepresented Black and brown communities in South Florida and “allows people to earn tech experience through the program’s curriculum and potentially pivot into the industry professionally,” according to the Miami Times.

The partnership between FMU and TechNolij has been in the works since the pandemic, as FMU’s president Jaffus Hardrick, and founder, and CEO of TechNolij, Ted Lucas both saw the importance of creating a Black tech hub for the local community.

According to the SFCN, the center will be open to students and community members. It will offer programs such as talks from local entrepreneurs and nationally recognized technologists, as well as philanthropic events, and educational workshops.

During last Thursday’s unveiling ceremony, FMU hosted various partners, such as Florida Memorial University, Career South Florida, Miami-Dade County, Venture Miami, Miami Gardens Mayor, and Council Members.

Kham Ward, founder of BLK Men in Tech was a speaker at the unveiling ceremony and offered words of encouragement for the students present.

“Everyone will not be a coder, but someone needs to sell the product. Someone needs to manage the people in human resources,” said Ward. “Use your talent and bring it to tech. To my students back there, I want to encourage you all with the time you have to come and access our 3D printers, computers, and the curriculum built for everyone to use.”

according to the Miami Times, accommodating as many people in the community as possible is a priority of the center. Its hours of operation cater to various schedules, with courses available morning and evening, running as late as 10 p.m. and also during weekends.

The center has yet to release an official start date for its program but anticipates beginning in the first quarter of 2023. According to TechNolij’s Managing Director, Chandler Malone, the program expects to welcome an inaugural cohort of 30 people, and expand over the course of five years.

“This is about more than technology and bigger than Ted and I,” said Malone. “This program is about people’s families and their futures. This is about our communities.”

Morehouse College to Partner with Ida B. Wells Society

Morehouse College is partnering with the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting to support the future generation of journalism.

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Ida B. Wells Society Relocates from UNC-Chapel Hill to Morehouse College

On Thursday, Morehouse College announced that it is partnering with the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting (the Society) to support the future generation of journalism.

The Society is a news trade organization dedicated to increasing and retaining reporters and editors of color in the field of investigative reporting.

According to a news release, “this collaboration will produce a stronger, more innovative, data savvy, and ethical generation of investigative journalists with a shared sense of purpose.”

Members of The Society will have an on-campus presence, serving as mentors and advisers to Morehouse students, preparing them for “ethical careers in journalism through skills building in investigative and social justice reporting,” according to the university.

The new partnership will also give students greater access to internships, scholarships, graduate school placements, and employment

 Ron Thomas, the chair of the Morehouse Journalism in Sports, Culture, and Social Justice department said that the program “intentionally tries to fill the gaps in media that rarely are populated by Black reporters and editors.”

The Society is a natural fit for the emphasis that Morehouse College and our journalism program have placed on social justice. So often, keen investigative skills are needed to unearth the truth when social justice issues are explored.”  

– Ron Thomas, chair of the Morehouse Journalism in Sports, Culture and Social Justice department

The Society is making the move to Morehouse after previously being based out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel.

A launch for the Society’s Morehouse operations is scheduled for Feb. 16. Co-founders, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones and Vice president of News and Head of Investigations, Enterprise, Partnerships, and Grants at The Associated Press, Ron Nixon, are expected to be in attendance.

“I am very excited to announce that Morehouse College will be the new home of the Ida B. Wells Society,”  Hannah-Jones, said in a statement.

“This partnership helps our young organization settle more deeply into our mission, which is to increase the number of investigative reporters of color. Being located on the campus of a historically Black college located in Atlanta in proximity to other HBCUs and coming to Morehouse just as it gets its journalism major off the ground, provides a tremendous opportunity for us to increase our impact on the field and society.”

Honorary Norfolk Grad Missy Elliot Makes Rock & Roll Hall of Fame History

Missy Elliott Makes History as First Female Hip Hop Artist to Be Nominated to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

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Missy Elliott Makes History as First Female Hip Hop Artist to Be Nominated to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

On Wednesday, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) announced its 2023 nominees with rapper and honorary Norfolk State Univesity graduate, Missy Elliott becoming the first female Hip Hop Artist to achieve the honor.

“This is an incredible honor. I’m so humbled and grateful to be counted amongst all the incredible honorees,” Elliot said. “I’ve spent my career making the kind of music I love and it means so much to know that I have touched others as well. But to hear that I am the first female hip hop artist to EVER be nominated into the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame?!? Wow!! This one hits extra different as I hope it opens doors for other female emcees to be recognized!”

Missy Elliot is one of the most prolific rappers of all time with many accolades to her name.

Elliot was also the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2019), the first to receive the MTV VMAs Video Vanguard Award (2019), and with more than 40 Million records sold worldwide, she is the best-selling female rapper in Luminate history, according to Billboard.

She has four Grammys, six solo albums, and has had five top 10 singles in her career, with her single “Work It” hitting No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2003. Elliott is also one of the most in-demand producers and songwriters in the business, working with a multitude of artists including Mary J. Blige, TLC, Beyoncé, Ciara, Fantasia, Jazmine Sullivan, and more.

“I have cried my eyes out,” the songstress shared when reacting to the news on Instagram. “I am so HUMBLY GRATEFUL for this nomination with also 14 other Amazing artist so grateful.”

“To All of you & my fans who been through this journey with me I Thank You also 4 helping me get here,” she continued in her post. “YOU ROCK.”

RRHOF inductees will be revealed in May, with the induction ceremony taking place this fall.

According to Billboard, the top five artists selected through fan voting will be tallied along with the ballots from the Rock Hall’s international voting body to determine the Class of 2023. Fans can vote online every day through April 28 at vote.rockhall.com or IRL at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland.

Fisk Gymnastics Team To Be Subject Of New Docuseries

The Fisk University Lady Gym Dogs are set to be the subject of a new docuseries from filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper and independent studio wiip.

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The Fisk University Lady Gym Dogs are set to be the subject of a new docuseries from filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper and independent studio wiip.

The team made history earlier this year by becoming the first HBCU gymnastics team to compete at an NCAA event. The new docu-series tentatively titled “Flipped,’ will follow them as they compete in their historic first season.

As per Deadline, “Flipped (w/t) will follow college gymnastics’ only all BIPOC team as they navigate the pressures of their first season while challenging the stereotypes and norms in women’s athletics. With no university gym of their own, Coach Corrinne Tarver and her gymnastics team at Fisk University, consisting primarily of first-year college students, aim to take on the best in NCAA gymnastics without mitigating or changing who they are as women of color.”

Earlier this month at the Super 16 gymnastics invitational in Las Vegas, the team placed fourth overall, and top recruit Morgan Price competed in all four individual events, earning the meet’s highest score (9.9) on the vault.

“This is the most aspirational coming-of-age sports story of the year. We have not seen this before and its happening in real time. My work as a filmmaker has always and will always be about unpacking and centering stories of extraordinary Black women as they navigate the intersection of race, gender, and class. Watching this unfold in gymnastics will be a blueprint and a lesson for equity and access,” said Riley Draper.

Riley Draper, director of “Olympic Pride, American Prejudice,” and Robin Lyon, CEO of Baller Alert Films, originated the project. They will exec produce alongside Gail Lyon, Hope Hartman, and Paul Lee from wiip, along with Fisk University.

The series will also feature the coaches, student-athletes, parents, and Fisk University administrators, as well as touch on the highs and lows of HBCU sports.

Coach Corrinne Tarver said, “I am so honored to see this story brought to light in a documentary series. Following this team as it makes history and sharing the courage and fearless nature these student-athletes bring to the mat every day is inspiring to all.”

“Fisk University has always been at the forefront of social justice and impact from W.E.B DuBois, to Diane Nash, and Nikki Giovanni. This remarkable gymnastics team continues this unique legacy by paving the way for the next generation of HBCU athletics and Black gymnasts,” Fisk University Executive Vice President Jens Frederiksen added

The Lady Gymdogs will conclude their first season in April.

Meet NyAshia Muata, The Future Face of Black History

Cricket Campus Ambassador and Alabama State University senior, NyAshia Muata is sharing her story of how community and connection is helping her become a future Black History maker.

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Cricket Wireless is Celebrating Black History Now

Connection is indeed an essential part of the human experience, without it so many would be lost. After all, people need people and that’s why community is so important. It gives us a sense of belonging, as well as a chance to learn from each other and to support and comfort one another. 

Communities give people an opportunity to share their stories so that they may be passed down and continue to inspire generations to come. 

This Black History Month, Cricket Wireless is not only thinking of the stories of the past that have impacted our present but is also celebrating current stories that will impact our future. 

Black History Month is a time to acknowledge and spread awareness for the countless contributions Black people have made to society. In a time when America is trying to silence racial history, it’s more important than ever to celebrate Black History and support Black communities.  It is also imperative to help fight and spread awareness of the inequalities, racism, and biases black people continue to face so we may look forward to a future of social equity for all.

 Black History is American history, and Black people are continuing to make history every day. 

One Black History maker in the making is Cricket Campus Ambassador, NyAshia Muata. 

NyAshia is a senior marketing major at Alabama State University. She grew up surrounded by a family full of HBCU graduates, so she always knew that she would also attend a school that would ensure her success as a young Black woman.

Her dreams are what inspire her to keep moving forward. “Every day I achieve a new goal, realize a new passion of mine, and am granted opportunities for success. That alone inspires me to keep pushing towards my full potential and beyond.”  She is also inspired by her support system, who has been with her every step of the way during her college journey. NyAshia credits the encouragement from her village with shaping her to become the leader that she is today. Through the connections she’s made, she has been granted many opportunities including attaining scholarships and internships. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoIFivKj6-d/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The future is bright for NyAshia as she aspires to obtain her master’s degree after graduating and work in freelance digital and social media marketing during graduate school. She also wants to open her own “art house” one day which will be a space for established and up-and-coming artists to cultivate art, including dance, music, visual arts, and theater.

As for the legacy NyAshia wants to leave, she hopes it will be a “legacy of greatness.” 

“When people hear my name years after I’m gone I do not want them to think of me, but of all the great things I have done for my community and the world. I think that every black person has the responsibility to make an impact within our community. Whether it be big or small, we as people are the ones responsible for pushing our community forward.” 

Meet Cette 3: The New R&B Trio On The Rise

There is a new girl group on the rise and their name is Cette 3. Comprised of two CAU freshmen and their younger sister, they are ready to take the music world by storm.

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Two CAU freshmen and their sister are aspiring to become music’s next big thing.

There is a new girl group on the rise and their name is Cette 3. Comprised of three sisters from Houston, twins Taneeyah and Meniyah Biscette (19) and younger sister Krissy (16), they are ready to take the music world by storm.

The girls found their passion for dancing and singing at a young age. Growing up they took dancing lessons in ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and lyrical and sang in their church and school choir during middle school.

It wasn’t until the 2020 coronavirus pandemic that the three decided to form a group. “We were just staying in the house with nothing to do, so it was like why not make use of our time and just make a group?” Taneeyah said.

With musical influences such as Alicia Keys and Destiny’s Child, they describe their sound as “a vibe.”

While mixing elements of R&B and Hip-hop, they all write and produce their own music and engineer in-house at their own recording studio.

The group has done several live performances and landed a partnership with the independent record label company Swaggertown Records which was connected by their label TMK Influence Management.

Over the summer, they achieved one of their biggest music accomplishments yet—taking the number one spot on the Triller Billboard for two weeks straight for their song, “Been That Chick.”  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoJPc3HnqOA

Before the sisters formed Cette 3, Taneeyah and Meniyah branded themselves as TM Twins.

With 1.1M followers on Instagram and almost 600K on TikTok, the duo has gained a following for their viral dance videos. They said they feel as though their technical training is what sets them apart from other creators, as they both have professional experience dancing with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

Teneeyah and Meniyah are also first-year freshmen at Clark Atlanta University (CAU), both majoring in mass media arts with a concentration in radio, television, and film.

They were inspired to go to an HBCU by their parents who are both alumni of Prairie View A&M University and chose CAU because they hoped being in Atlanta would give them better opportunities to further their music careers. “We meet like a lot of artists out here so it’s a good thing that we’re in the right place to do that,” Taneeyah said of networking in Atlanta.

CAU has also helped them on their musical journey, as they have performed at their school’s homecoming concert and other events, and have been able to meet other CAU artists.

As for balancing schoolwork and their career, they said it’s all about time management and sticking to a schedule.

Although their younger sister, Krissy is still in high school, she is making strides toward her career as well. She is a student-athlete whose been playing basketball since she was seven. She also plays the drums and piano and plans to attend college on either a basketball or academic scholarship to obtain a degree in Marketing/Business.

The ladies said the best piece of advice they’ve received is to “focus on yourself, and not to compare yourself to others.” The future is certainly bright for Cette 3 as they continue to march to the beat of their own drums and forge their own sound.

Within the next five years, they hope to expand their brand, have their own TV show, continue performing and go on tour.

Fans can look out for their brand-new EP, set to be released on Feb. 14.

Fort Valley State Receives Approval For Nursing Program

Fort Valley State University is accepting applications for the inaugural class of its new nursing program, which has been approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.

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Fort Valley State University is accepting applications for the inaugural class of its new nursing program, which has been approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.

The four-year pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program will start in August 2023 and will include a cohort of 40 students, according to director of nursing Lawanda Greene. “We plan to increase that by 20 for the second cohort which would be in 2024,” she told WMAZ.

FVSU is only the second HBCU in Georgia to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing degree.

According to the university, the program aims to address the critical need for nurses in rural Georgia.

“I am excited that we have reached this milestone, and we are ready to empower future scholars to serve,” said Inaugural Program Director of Nursing Lawanda Greene, DNP. “FVSU’s program will focus on decreasing health disparities in rural and underserved areas.”

FVSU’s Nursing department will be housed in Meyers Hall. The newly renovated facility will include simulation rooms, nursing skills labs, conference and computer rooms, a student lounge, and office space.

Greene and a team of four other faculty and staff members will serve as instructors and support staff for the program.

“The nursing program at FVSU prepares students to enter this very much-needed, challenging profession with critical-thinking skills, knowledge, theory, and evidence-based practice to deliver health care for individuals, families, and communities,” said Fares Howari, Ph.D., dean of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences. “This is an exciting time to join Fort Valley State University.”

The school is taking applications for the program’s first class now through March 1.

4 Mentoring Programs for HBCU Students

This National Mentoring Month, we’ve compiled a list of four mentoring programs designed specifically for HBCU students. Check it out!

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January is National Mentoring Month

Navigating college can be a daunting task, from choosing the right internships, joining organizations and clubs, and preparing for your career, all while balancing your social life, it can be a lot. That’s why it’s good to have someone who’s been there before to help guide you through it. A mentor can be anyone from a peer to a university staff member, or even alumni working in your desired field. Finding the right mentor can help ease some of the day-to-day stresses of college and direct you toward the path of success. Effective mentorship can expose students to great opportunities for networking and career development. Studies have shown that it can also increase productivity by reducing stress and bettering mental health.

There are many ways to find a mentor in college. Many schools provide mentorship programs that are beneficial to students, while some students may simply ask someone they look up to on campus to be their mentor. There are also national mentoring programs that target HBCU students in particular, making it easier for them to find a mentor that they can relate to and connect with on a personal level. This National Mentoring Month, we’ve compiled a list of those programs. 

Here are 4 Mentoring Programs for HBCU Students!

HBCU First: HBCU Near-Peer Program

HBCU Near-Peer Mentoring Program is a 10-week internship helping Black youth navigate the college-to-career journey. The hybrid program is open to full-time HBCU students, designed for them to pair up to build their skills and grow their network. The Near-Peer Mentors help their freshman mentee adapt to college while exposing them to networking and internship opportunities. Applications for the Spring 2023 cohort are open now until April 1st. 

The Black Executive and Student Training (B.E.S.T.) Program

The Black Executive and Student Training, also known as B.E.S.T., is a mentorship program that pairs HBCU students with successful Black executives to help guide them on their college-to-career journey. The B.E.S.T program aims to empower, support, and ensure the success of future Black leaders.

TMCF and Novartis US Foundation Career Readiness and Mentoring Program

The Career Readiness and Mentoring program, presented by The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Novartis US Foundation is designed to guide, shape, and prepare the next generation of Black and African-American healthcare professionals and leaders. The program is available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending TMCF member schools along with Historical Black Medical Colleges, and will include career readiness and leadership development experiences over a three-year timespan.  Students will be paired with a Novartis employee to foster networking and development interactions, with the opportunity to build a longstanding relationship with an industry professional.  

National Cyber Security Alliance HBCU Career Program 

The National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), the nation’s leading nonprofit promoting cybersecurity education and awareness is addressing the critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals with its HBCU Career Program.  It is made up of an online mentoring program and in-person events at HBCUs, with the mission to equip students with the necessary life and career navigation skills needed to succeed in roles in security, privacy, and risk. The mentoring program pairs HBCU students with security and privacy professionals to help prepare them for the job search process. 

Albany State Coach Apologizes for Making Offer to Ex-UF QB Commit Who Used N-Word

After receiving backlash, Albany State football coach Quinn Gray issued an apology on Friday for offering a scholarship to former University of Florida quarterback recruit, Marcus Stokes.

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After receiving backlash, Albany State football coach Quinn Gray issued an apology on Friday for offering a scholarship to former University of Florida (UF) quarterback recruit, Marcus Stokes.

Stokes made headlines in November after a video of him using the N-word went viral on social media. Due to the controversy, UF promptly revoked its offer.

However, In a surprising turn of events, Stokes revealed that he received an offer from two HBCUs, Albany State University, and Alabama A&M . The former is now apologizing for “not honoring the tradition and history” of the school.

Albany State football coach Quinn Gray

On Friday, Albany State head football coach Quinn Gray released a statement, apologizing for his decision to recruit Stokes.  

Quinn called his decision “unacceptable,” and also revealed that he had a conversation with university president Marion Ross Fedrick about the matter.

“Dear Ramily, Let me start with a humble apology,” Quinn wrote. “An apology for not honoring the tradition and history of ASU and for letting many of you down. I didn’t uphold the Ramily standard that I know you expect. Please know that my decision to speak with a student that did not meet your expectations was unacceptable. I only wanted the best for our team, athletes, and institution when I invited the student to visit ASU. ”

“As I say to our players, ‘there is a consequence to every action.’ The consequences of my actions brought pain to our University. I was trying to help a student get back in competition, and in my haste, I did not consider the impact the decision would have on all of you. Frankly, it wasn’t my place to use ASU as the platform for redemption in this case. I regret that I used flawed judgment. If given the opportunity, I will do better.”

“ASU expects excellence,” the statement continued. “The president has made it clear that my actions did not meet that standard. It was never my intent to misrepresent what ASU stands for nor to ignore the rich history of this institution. I am fully committed to the University’s mission of supporting academic excellence and student success.

“Being accepted into the Ramily is something that you have to earn.” Quinn said. “The Ramily embodies the spirit, authenticity, and love forged from the toil of giants before me. My actions caused you to question my commitment to our institution and our ancestors. As the consequences go, I hope to find a way back into the Ramily.”

Quinn was hired as ASU’s head coach at the beginning of the year and is a 2020 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and FAMU Sports Hall of Fame inductee.

Alabama A&M, who also offered Stokes a football scholarship, has not yet commented on their decision.

Over 200 Howard University students using GoFundMe to Pay Tuition

A new report by FOX 5 News reveals a staggering amount of Howard University students with a GoFundMe account to cover tuition costs.

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A new report by FOX 5 News reveals a staggering amount of Howard students with a GoFundMe account to cover tuition costs.

The story follows Jaleen Bondieumaitre, a sophomore at Howard University, and his story of online fundraising for college.

He told the news outlet that his goal is to raise $10,980.74 and that he’s taken out the maximum amount of loans he can as a Pell Grant student.

According to U.S. News & World Report, Howard’s tuition is $31,050.

“Compared with the national average cost of tuition of $41,568, Howard University is cheaper,” the site said.

Bondieumaitre and many others have turned to the online fundraising website GoFundMe to pay for what loans, financial aid, and scholarships don’t cover.

He says he got the idea from Howard alumni. “While the alumni did tell me they would donate money and help me raise money I know that I can’t all rely on them,” Jaleen said. “I need to actually work towards it myself.” 

Bondieumaitre is certainly a hard worker as he had two jobs over winter break and a paid internship with the U.S. House of Representatives during his freshman year. This year he will be working at D.C.’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. 

He has raised $4,631 so far and says he doesn’t know anyone who has donated to his GoFundMe personally. “I don’t know how to express how thankful I am because I don’t know any one of these people, and they are still willing to donate their hard-earned money,” he said. 

Upon searching GoFundMe, you can see many other fundraisers like Bondieumaitre’s. FOX 5 News says “a simple search of GoFundMe shows more than 200 Howard students are using the website to raise money to pay tuition bills.”

According to the news source, this school year Howard’s tuition went up by more than 7%. The school cites inflation and rising costs as part of the reason. 

Lincoln University Missouri Announces New Sports Programs and Conference Change

Lincoln University Missouri is joining a new sports conference and adding three new sports programs.

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On Thursday, Lincoln University Missouri announced that they are changing sports conferences and adding three new sports programs.

After 13 years with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), Lincoln is entering a full-time membership with the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

The school is also adding baseball, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer to its athletics department.

“This is a significant day for the future of Lincoln University,” said Dr. John Moseley, President of Lincoln University.

“This puts us in a position athletically where we’ve leveled the playing field by realigning ourselves with others of similar size and similar fiscal commitment. This will also give us the opportunity to compete and recruit in areas where Lincoln already has a large alumni base,” Moseley added.

Lincoln University will be the first HBCU a part of the GLVC in 45 years, according to the commissioner of the conference, Jim Naumovich.

“This is an historic day for the GLVC,” Naumovich said. “Under the leadership of Dr. Moseley, and what he’s done for Lincoln as the university president, and Dr. Wilson with intercollegiate athletics, it will be a great fit.”

The GLVC is currently one of the largest NCAA Division II conferences in the country, featuring 15 schools and 24 sports.

The baseball program, which started in 1970, will return to Lincoln after being discontinued following the 2016 season; a fact Dr. Moseley is most excited about.

“For me personally, bringing baseball back is special. It’s a sport that’s had a lot of history here at Lincoln, so I’m excited about its return. Soccer is a growing sport and will give us a chance to have an international presence. Adding these sports, in addition to joining the GLVC, will give us more opportunities to recruit students, not just student-athletes.”

Lincoln will begin national searches for a baseball coach and a director of soccer, who will serve as the head coach for both the men’s and women’s programs. All three programs will officially start up in the fall of 2023 and will begin playing opponents in 2024-25.

B-CU Students Continue to Protest, Organize Lock In and March to City Hall

Students at Bethune-Cookman University are demanding action from school officials, continuing their protest against school conditions into day three.

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Students at Bethune-Cookman University are demanding action from school officials, continuing their protest against school conditions into day three.

The students started their protest on Monday following the news that the university was not going forward with hiring Ed Reed as head coach. His departure seems to have sparked a movement within the students, giving them a platform to bring awareness to the issues they face at the university.

On Tuesday, they hosted a “Whitehall Takeover,” where they performed a lock in at the chapel in the Whitehall building, then marched to Daytona Beach City Hall the next day.

Credit: @ee.wayy/Instagram

“Today we marched to Daytona Beach city hall from White Hall, we delivered letters to city hall to express our concerns as students of Bethune-Cookman to grab the attention of city officials,” Tyler Kelly, the 12th Mister Bethune-Cookman University said.

The students are protesting a variety of issues, including housing conditions like mold in dorms, as well as a lack of hot water and air conditioning.

Bethune Cookman’s interim president Lawrence Drake said that the university is “working on the issues.”

In an interview with journalist, Roland Martin, Drake claimed that he “walks the campus every day” and that the students are experiencing mildew in their dorms, not mold. Drake blamed the recent hurricanes in Florida for the cause of the mildew and revealed that he has invested a quarter of $1M in one of the buildings for the remediation of it.

However, students contested Drake’s claim of having a presence on campus in a separate interview with Roland Martin on the “RolandMartinUnfiltered Daily Digital Show.”

One B-CU football player said that his first time seeing Drake was in his interview with Martin. “I’ve never seen him in person, in the flesh, walking on campus, I’ve never spoken to him, ” he said. Two other players agreed and said that they first met Drake at the Florida Classic banquet in November. Drake was appointed interim president in June.

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Students are addressing the school’s Board of Trustees, financial issues such as a lack of available scholarships and high tuition, a lack of renovations and improvements to student life, a lack of transparency between school officials and students, and sexual harassment from cafe workers, as per a story post to B-CU’s protest Instagram page, @bcu_protest.