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The Afro-American, May 26, 2018 - June 1, 2018
Happy Graduates
Dr. David Wilson, president, Morgan State University
On May 19, nearly 1,000 candidates for the Bachelor’s degree braved the continuous heavy downpour of rain during Morgan State University’s 142nd Spring Commencement Exercises at Hughes Stadium. Philanthropist, community activist, renowned national radio show host, and advocate for HBCUs, Tom Joyner, was the keynote speaker for the commencement. Joyner challenged the graduates to, “Look out for each other, believe in and advocate for justice, give back to the University and your community.” Honorary degree recipients included Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Stanley E. Nelson, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker, as well as the awarding of Doctor of Laws for Tom Joyner.
Honorable Kweisi Mfume, Chair, Board of Regents
Thomas Joyner, Radio Talk Show Host is conferred the Honorary Degree by Regent Chair Mfume and President Wilson
Dr. Mildred Huff Ofosu and Nina Hopkins The Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters is conferred upon Stanley E. Nelson Jr.
Rev. Dr. Frances Murphy Draper, vice chair, Board of Regents and CEO, Publisher of the AFRO
Class of 1968
Cheryl Hitchcock and Regent Dr.Marquis T. Walker Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine
On May 17, the James H. and Louise Hayley Gilliam Concert Hall of the Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center was crowded with family members and friends who came to celebrate the more than 200 students receiving their Doctoral and Master’s degrees. Two students gave salutes to the
graduates; doctoral candidate and cancer survivor, Tyrone Stanley challenged the graduates to “embrace your individuality and treat each
other with love and kindness,” and Jessica White implored the graduates to, “Make a difference in this world. Morgan has ingrained in us the characteristics with tools that will enable us to succeed in any environment.”
Jessica White, Master’s degree graduate gave a Salute to the graduates Dr. Glenda Prime and Dr. Patricia Welch, dean places the hood on Ph.D. candidate Avetta White
Tyrone Stanley, doctoral graduate gave a salute to the graduates
Dr. Carolyn Anderson, advisor with Doctor of Education candidate Debra Brooks
Senator Joan Carter Conway received her Master of Education degree
Professors and graduate advisors Dr. Michelle Bondima and Dr. Myrtle Dorsey
The Honorable Kweisi Mfume, chair, Board of Regents
Inaugural Online MSW Graduates Sakia Sanders, Danielle Baldwin, Shawanda Garner and Sensee George
Lakeisha Mixon, HBCU All Star received her MS in Social Work
Happy graduates with proud family member and friends Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine
Dr. David Wilson, president, Morgan State University
May 26, 2018 - June 1, 2018, The Afro-American
Women dancing to go-go
Yango Sawyer, 75
In response to the Washingtonian Magazine campaign which featured photos of only White District residents wearing shirts that read “I’M NOT A TOURIST. I LIVE HERE,” activist and influencer Tony Lewis Jr. and chef Angel Anderson rallied Washingtonians for a “D.C. Natives AFRO Washington, D.C. Photoshoot” to show the diversity of the city and Editor, Micha Green, combat the narrative perpetuated by the magazine. posing with the D.C. flag. On May 20 in Union Market, in Northeast, D.C., native Washingtonians donned all black, many with shirts and accessories alluding to District pride, posed for group and individual photos and shouted “D.C Native.” After the official photoshoot was complete, organizers turned on D.C.’s indigenous go-go music and held a block party.
Photos by Lenore Adkins and Micha Green Photoshoot organizers Angel Anderson, owner of the Spice Suite snack bar and Tony Lewis Jr.
Jimmi and Barney Barnwell with Loretta Franklin
Emma Ward, Miss Senior DC 2011, posing with the group
Poem, “Mother to Son” by Brother Michael Taylor
Ron Aldmont, owner of Check It Enterprises in Anacostia
Bowie State University Commencement On May 22, Bowie State University held its Spring 2018 Commencement at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. Bowie alumna, Eunique Jones Gibson, founder and publisher of Because of Them We Can, delivered the keynote address.
Israel Ibidapo, Senior Class President Dae’Quawn Landrum, Graduate Student Association President Eunique Jones Gibson, commencement speaker, Bowie State University alumna of 2007, founder and publisher of Because of Them We Can
Dr. Aminta H. Breaux , President of Bowie State University
Graduating Students Joe and Sue Briggs
Brothers Michael Taylor, Tim Lamb, Sheldon Schanck, Dion Chapman, Chester Keller, James Williams, Larry Pratt and Calvin Beidleman
Brother Pete Burnett(left) and Craig Spraggins(right) present special award to Dr. Lonise Bias, the keynote speaker
Guests who attended the celebration
Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity hosted a tribute to mothers with the theme: A Celebration of Motherhood, We Exist Because of You on May 5 at The Waterford at Springfield in Springfield, Virginia. Dr. Lonise P. Bias, Founder of Bias Speaks, was the guest speaker and Sam Ford, Reporter, ABC7/ WJLA-TV, was the emcee. Brothers Tim Lamb, Sheldon Schanck and Cornelius Beidleman led the planning team for the celebration. Photos by Rob Roberts
Jerry Hubbard, Marlene Coleman, Janie Doctor, Geradine Woods and Brother Antonio Coleman
Craig Spraggins (standing) and Maurice Spraggins; Selam(right), Vernice and Marian Spraggins
Musical Selection by Nicholas McCatty
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Brother Conrado Morgan, 1st Vice District Representative, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
Cornelius Beidleman, Cadleine Hudgins, Fairfax County Board of Superiors and Sam Ford, ABC7 News, emcee