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.

Bowie State Grad Joshua Pryor Signs Deal with The Commanders

Bowie State University football player, Joshua Pryor has reportedly signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Washington Commanders.

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Bowie State University football player, Joshua Pryor has reportedly signed a deal with the Washington Commanders.

According to DC News Now, shortly after the NFL draft on Saturday, a source confirmed that Pryor is staying local, signing an undrafted free agent deal with the Washington Commanders.

This news comes after Pryor expressed his hopes to become the first Bowie State player drafted into NFL.

Pryor is indeed an impressive draft prospect, posting 32 sacks and 77 tackles for a loss during his time with the Bulldogs.

He is a captain as a defensive lineman for Bowie State and graduated in December with a degree in communications.

The Baltimore native told WBAL-TV that it has been his dream to play in the NFL since he was playing little league at five years old.

When he found out about getting a chance to get picked in the NFL Draft, he said he wasn’t nervous, but instead, “ready. “This has been my goal for quite some time now,” Pryor said.

“It’s kind of like surreal. I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet. I’m still trying to take it day by day. Trying to maximize my time, trying to be the best I can be,” Pryor said about being in the NFL draft.

Pryor credits Bowie State’s head football coach, Kyle Jackson for getting him back on the field after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jackson spoke highly about Pryor and his chances of getting drafted.

“He’s not called monster for no reason. The things he does on the field is the reason why he’s getting the accolades off the field,” Jackson said. “The energy he brought, the aura he had defensively inspired his teammates. He’s still like a walking inspiration to those guys.”

With his new deal, Pryor will have a chance to make it onto the Commanders roster.

The Concerning Prevalence of Sexual Assault on College Campuses

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and HBCU Buzz is raising awareness about the concerning prevalence of sexual violence on college campuses.

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Trigger Warning: This Article Will Discuss Sexual Assault

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. During this month, people strive to raise awareness about sexual violence, how to prevent it, and how to support those who are affected by it. 

Sexual assault is defined as “illegal sexual contact that usually involves force upon a person without consent or is inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent.” It can take many forms including rape, unwanted sexual contact of any other form, sexual exploitation, sexual coercion, and sexual harassment. 

Sexual violence can happen anywhere and to women and men of all ages but is an alarmingly common crime on college campuses. 

Statistics About Sexual Assault on College Campuses

  •  One in five women in college experiences sexual assault.
  • Studies show that students are at the highest risk of sexual assault in the first few months of their first and second semesters in college
  • Sexual assault happens most often to traditionally college-age women (18–24).
  • Male college-aged students (18-24) are 78% more likely than non-students of the same age to be a survivor of rape or sexual assault.
  • Female college-aged students (18-24) are 20% less likely than non-students of the same age to be a survivor of rape or sexual assault.
  • 23.1% of TGQN (transgender, genderqueer, nonconforming) college students have been sexually assaulted.
  • More than 50% of college sexual assaults occur in either August, September, October, or November.
  • Students are at an increased risk during the first few months of their first and second semesters in college.

Statistics About Sexual Assault on HBCU Campuses  

According to The HBCU Campus Sexual Assault Study, 

  • Black women at HBCUs are most likely to experience physically forced sexual assault (use or threats of physical force) than their white PWI counterparts who primarily experience sexual assault while incapacitated (under the influence due to the use of drugs and/or alcohol).
  • The majority of sexual assaults occur during the months of September (the first few weeks of a school year is called the red zone, most freshmen are sexually assaulted at this time), October (Homecoming and related events), and March (Spring Break).
  • First and second-year students are most likely to be sexually victimized.
  • In 90% of sexual assaults that occur at HBCUs, the survivor knows their attacker.
  • Of those who experience incapacitated sexual assault, only a small percentage (fewer than 5%) of survivors report being drugged without their consent.

Why Does Sexual Assault on College Campuses Go Underreported?

According to RAINN, most college-age survivors do not report sexual violence on campus. Only about 20% of female college students report sexual assaults to authorities.

Many students who experience sexual violence on campus are hesitant to report it to officials for many reasons, such as worrying that they won’t be believed, fearing retaliation, or not wanting to rehash a traumatic experience.  Thus, official reports downplay its occurrence. 

According to the American Association of University Women, despite numerous studies showing that rape is common on campuses, 89% of colleges and universities reported zero incidents of rape. 

Like women, male survivors report sexual assault at low rates, potentially due to shame, humiliation, or the stigma surrounding men being vulnerable.

Some students may feel a lack of support from campus police that prevents them from reporting. According to the HBCU Campus Sexual Assault Study, 10% of physically forced sexual assault survivors and 3% of incapacitated sexual assault survivors report to law enforcement, usually through campus police. Fewer than 20% of HBCU survivors report to crisis or health centers, and of those who do, nearly 75% report to centers not affiliated with their school. Fewer than half of survivors were satisfied with law enforcement’s handling of cases and 36% of physically forced and 69% of incapacitated sexual assault survivors regretted reporting to law enforcement.

How Does Experiencing Sexual Assault Affect Students?

Sexual assault can have serious mental and physical negative effects on college students. This includes sexually transmitted infections, sexual health problems, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, chronic illness, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

These conditions can negatively impact a student’s self-esteem, ability to maintain relationships with friends and family, and desire to attend social events or club activities.

The effects of sexual violence can also impact a student’s academic performance, as a  recent study found that, sexual assault was associated with more academic problems including lower grade point average, dropping out of university, and self-regulated learning problems.

How Can We Address College Sexual Assault? 

Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault, and support and help are available. 

After experiencing sexual violence, it is important to get somewhere safe away from the perpetrator, document what happened, and seek medical attention. 

Survivors who go straight to the hospital can get help from local authorities to file a report. They can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) so a trained representative can provide assistance and direction. 

There are many support groups for sexual assault survivors, some even on campus. Survivors may also seek counseling through campus health services or the National Sexual Assault Hotline. 

Survivors can also take legal action if they feel comfortable coming forward with the experience. By law, colleges and universities that receive Title IX funding must respond to reports of sexual violence immediately and if they don’t follow through, students can take legal action. Coming forward may be scary for survivors but can create awareness for other students and encourage them to tell their story as well, and hold the perpetrator accountable. 

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, consider the resources below:

  • National Sexual Assault Online Hotline — Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
    RAINN runs this secure and anonymous crisis support phone line and chat system. The resource is dedicated to assisting sexual assault survivors, along with their spouses or partners, family members, and friends.
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
    If you’re unsure how to get away from an abusive partner, call this free, confidential hotline. You can also chat online or text START to 88788.
  • AAUW’s Campus Sexual Assault Tool Kit
    AAUW created this resource to help faculty and campus staff lead student discussions around sexual violence prevention.
  • Safe Horizon
    A national violence prevention network, Safe Horizon offers hotlines dedicated to crisis support, as well as connections to community programs, counseling centers, and other resources.
  • Know Your Rights: Sexual Harassment and Assault on Campus
    Created by AAUW, this comprehensive resource educates students on how they are protected on campus and how to seek legal action when facing sexual violence.
  • National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
    NCADV is a leading organization that works with victims of sexual violence in domestic and intimate relationships.
  • RAINN Student Activism
    RAINN provides an array of resources for students interested in getting involved and making a difference on their campuses to help combat sexual violence.

Edward Waters Hires Cabral Huff as New Men’s Basketball Head Coach

Edward Waters University has officially introduced Cabral Huff as its new men’s basketball head coach.

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On Wednesday, Edward Waters University officially introduced Cabral Huff as its new men’s basketball head coach.

Huff previously served as the Head Men’s Basketball coach and Athletic Booster Club Coordinator at Voorhees University for the past three seasons. Under his leadership, Voorhees won the Continental Athletic Conference championship in 2020-21, qualifying for the NAIA tournament. The team finished 14-14 in 2022-23.

Before his time at Voorhees, Huff coached high school basketball in Atlanta and also coached at the college level at programs including Division 1 Georgia Southern.

At EWU, Huff replaces interim head coach Howard White Jr. and will be the Tigers’ fourth coach since 2017-18.

University president A. Zachary Faison said EWU is aiming for SIAC honors as well as contending for an NCAA Division II national title.

In the 2022-23 season, the Tigers finished 10-19 but with Huff as the new coach, Faison is hoping to quickly turn things around.

“[The key factors were] his passion for developing student-athletes, and his record of winning,” Faison said. “We wanted someone that was a demonstrated winner.”

According to the Florida Times-Union, Huff promised to bring up-tempo, intense basketball, and a commitment to Edward Waters through what he calls the “four Vitamin E’s”: energy, effort, enthusiasm, and execution.

“We’re going to be playing fast,” Huff said. “We’re going to dictate offensively, dictate defensively, what we’re trying to do. We don’t want teams to think it’s easy.”

Huff spoke about his goals for the program, including wanting to empower the players.

“I want to establish a program of excellence on and off the court by being one percent better daily, building better people which in turn produces better student-athletes while building trust amongst the players, the entire Edward Waters faculty & staff and the Jacksonville community. These things will help us in our quest to compete not just in the SIAC and a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament, but in life” Huff said.

Huff also said that he plans to focus on recruiting players in a six-hour radius around Jacksonville, from Charlotte to Atlanta to Mobile and down to Miami.

“We want to find them. Sign them. Recruit them. Develop them. And graduate them,” Huff said.

Fisk University Unveils New Career and Development Center

Fisk University recently unveiled the doors to the new Roland G. Parrish Center for Career Planning and Development, the first new building to be added to the campus in half a century.

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On Saturday, Fisk University opened the doors to the new Roland G. Parrish Center for Career Planning and Development, the first new building to be added to the campus in half a century.

The new building was funded and named after Roland G. Parrish, a Dallas, TX philanthropist and businessman who donated a historic $3 million, one of the largest gifts in the university’s history.

“Fisk is a winning team. To me, it’s the same positive vibe you get from an athletic team being successful. Here we have a mix of an educational institution and business-savvy individuals who’ve come together to create a win-win situation for the university,” Parrish said. 

The Roland Parrish Career Planning and Development Center

Nashville Mayor John Cooper described the building as a “launch pad” at the unveiling ceremony. 

The 10,605 square feet, two-story building aims to provide HBCU students with better career opportunities, as well as the proper guidance, resources, and skills that are essential to entering the job market.

According to Fisk Interim President Frank Sims, the new career center is the first of many additions coming to campus.

Sims revealed that the university is currently working on a new 300-bed dormitory, slated to open in 2025, as well as a new science building and container dorms which are opening in June. 

“We’re really pleased about this because this is exactly what our students deserve and everything we do here we do it thinking about what’s best for our students,” said Sims. “I invite all of you to come back to Fisk University in three to five years and I think you’re gonna be even more amazed than you are today at the things we’re doing to revitalize this campus.”

“The Blackening” Brings the Culture to the Horror Genre

Lionsgate’s new horror-comedy film, The Blackening puts a unique spin on the horror genre, bringing about laughs, screams and relatability for the Black movie goer.

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 See The Blackening in Theaters June 16

If you ever wondered how a horror movie would play out with an all-Black cast, then look no further — from director Tim Story (Ride Along, Think Like a Man, Barbershop), comes The Blackening. 

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

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

Perkins (The Amber Ruffin Show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), co-wrote the screenplay alongside Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip, Harlem). 

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

In what plays out like a mix of Jumanji and Saw, this cabin getaway horror-comedy follows the group of friends as their vacation takes a killer turn when they find an ominous-looking board game titled The Blackening. 

They discover one of their friends is kidnapped by a killer and in order to save them and get out alive they are forced to play the game. In a terrifying video, the killer demands that they sacrifice the “blackest” person in order to spare the rest. 

The Blackening is based on a 2018 short film of the same name by the comedy sketch group 3Peat — also starring and written by Dewayne Perkins.  

In an interview with Collider, Perkins said the movie seeks to turn horror genre tropes on its head. 

“The intent was to take tropes and then expand them to force the audience to realize tropes are also human beings.”

– Dewayne Perkins on The Blackening 

My character is a ‘gay best friend,’ which is a trope that is in movies,” Perkins said. “Usually, [gay best friends are] regulated to the side to be a person who gives humor, or they are part of a joke. So being able to take these tropes and find exactly what makes them complex, what gives them depth, and then forcing that in the movie so that when you start watching it, you see what has been in horror movies before and then the goal of the movie is to constantly break down your assumptions of these characters by constantly forcing depth.”

The Blackening hits theaters on June 16.

Environmental Racism’s Affect on HBCUs

This Earth Day, HBCU Buzz is bringing awareness to issues hurting the Black community and HBCUs: environmental racism and food deserts.

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Earth Day is April 22

Today is Earth Day, a day to celebrate the achievements of the environmental movement and raise awareness about various environmental issues.

Certain environmental issues disproportionately affect people of color due to systematic racism. 

This Earth Day, HBCU Buzz is highlighting these issues by raising awareness about environmental racism and food deserts.

Sixth Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference (Credit: Dr. Robert Bullard, Father of Environmental Justice)

Environmental racism is a form of systemic racism where environmental hazards have a larger impact on groups that are discriminated against based on race. 

Minorities are disproportionately faced with health hazards through policies and practices that force them to live in proximity to sources of toxic waste such as sewage works, mines, landfills, power stations, major roads, polluting industries, and areas with poorer air quality.

Research has shown that Black and Latinx populations are more likely than their white counterparts to live in neighborhoods with higher air pollution. Also, young Black children are significantly more likely to have higher blood lead levels than their white neighbors, from sources like chipping lead paint or water.  

According to Ben Crump Law, environmental racism has a lasting and systemic effect on minority groups, causing birth defects, long-term illnesses, and poverty. “Unfortunately, these effects are deeply integrated into communities and can take generations to fix.” 

Environmental racism can also take the form of a lack of readily available nutritious, high-quality, affordable food, known as food deserts.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food deserts as “parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas.” 

Food deserts affect low-income, urban areas where a significant number of people live farther than a mile away from the nearest grocery store, as well as low-income, rural areas where people live more than 10 miles away from the nearest grocery store. 

These communities are left with limited access to healthy foods and are instead subjected to fast-food outlets or chain drug stores. 

Many historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are a part of these communities that are impacted by food deserts. 

An analysis by POLITICO showed that a majority of 1890 land-grant universities are located in low-income, rural areas,  most of which are at least four miles from the nearest grocery store. 

The 1890 land-grant institutions are HBCUs named for the year they were incorporated into the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s land-grant program. 

According to POLITICO, “1890 schools are particularly isolated along the Black Belt, a region in the South named for the color of its super-rich soil.” The news source found that Alabama A&M University is almost five miles from the nearest grocery store and so is Alcorn State University. 

Tuskegee University is perhaps the most prominent HBCU located in a food desert. 

“There is a huge issue of food insecurity at Tuskegee,” said Rev. Audrey Rodgers, director of Tuskegee’s Methodist-sponsored Wesley Foundation, which runs a community garden close to campus. “Students know that if you live in Macon County, you live in a food desert.”

HBCU students are prompted to leave town to shop for healthier, fresh produce options, as some university on-campus cafeterias are not accommodating for students who work late or take evening classes. 

Food deserts may also negatively impact HBCU enrollment, for the lack of viable food options around campus could make it hard to attract and maintain students.  

Despite the effects of environmental racism, HBCUs are continuing to fight for environmental justice. 

Many schools have implemented food pantries for students to address food insecurity and collaborated with community gardens. Alumni have also made monetary donations and foodstuffs to help students. 

HBCUs have also come together to fight environmental racism and advocate for climate change through the HBCU Climate Change Consortium. 

The Consortium was formed following the flooding from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans that drowned that city’s three HBCUs  — Dillard University, Xavier University, and Southern University at New Orleans in 2005, as well as 2008’s Hurricane Ike, that caused major property damage to Texas Southern University in Houston. 

“The Consortium was conceived to help raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities to develop HBCU students leaders, scientists, and advocates on issues related to environmental and climate justice policies, community resilience, adaptation, and other major climate change topics—especially in vulnerable communities in the southern  United States where the vast majority of HBCUs are located and where more billion-dollar disasters occur than the rest of the country combined,” according to the website.

While the fight to end environmental racism is a long one, there are plenty of ways to get involved. This includes calling your lawmakers and getting in touch with a local environmental legislator, spreading awareness, and getting involved with environmental justice groups.

Morgan State University Launches Regional Hub For Black Entrepreneurship

Morgan State University has partnered with the PNC Foundation to launch a new business hub designed to provide the Black community with the resources and education needed for pursuing entrepreneurship.

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Morgan State University has partnered with the PNC Foundation to launch a new business hub designed to provide the Black community with the resources and education needed for pursuing entrepreneurship.

According to CBS News, the center will help students of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality.

Dr. Mary Foster, a business professor at Morgan State University, highlighted the significance of educating Black students about entrepreneurship.

“There are many rich resources already out there, so we want to not reinvent the wheel, not duplicate things. We want to create new things that are needed to help reduce those disparities for Black entrepreneurs” Foster said.

Cierra Jones, a West Baltimore native, and owner of Noble Gems Community Health Services, recently completed a program as part of the collaboration. She reflected on the invaluable experience of being apart of the program.

“It’s deeper than a Google search, it’s deeper than what you can find in a dictionary or encyclopedia, right, or even a newspaper, but it’s about having access directly handed to you or having those direct relationships with the most important people that can bring you those resources and direct you to the right opportunity,”  Jones told CBS News.  

Morgan State along with its HBCU partners and the PNC foundation will hold an inaugural conference for Black entrepreneurship, June 14-16th in Washington, DC.