HBCU Times Magazine

WINTER 2019

My HBCU Band Experience Brandi Mitchell

Hamilton and Alana Grant: Millennial Power Couple

Black Greek Life

More Than Meets the Eye

The Evolution of the HBCU

Claflinite Visionary Cecil Williams

Power Alums

TMCF Feature UNCF Feature

Dr. Dorothy $5.00

Buckhanan Wilson HBCU Times Winter 2019

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Post-doctoral Opportunity: Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program at the LU-RRTC on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Project at the Langston University (historically Black college/university [HBCU]) Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building represents a collaborative effort between the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston ([ICI] Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University ([NCA&T] HBCU), South Carolina State University ([SCSU] HBCU), and Jackson State University ([JSU] HBCU). The Project implements a Peer-to-Peer Multiple Mentor Model to help post-doctoral fellows navigate institutional context and cross-fertilize their independent research project and research grant proposal through exchanges with a primary mentor and a scientific panel of mentors comprised of content experts, multicultural specialists, methodologists, and statisticians.

The ARRT Program works in concert with the LU-RRTC drawing upon the center’s extensive minority-serving institution research capacity building expertise, collaborative networks, resources, and interventions (e.g., methodology and grant writing web-based trainings, communities of practice, strategic planning, sponsored programs office and institutional review board technical assistance and consultation), offer courses, webinars, and implement peer mentoring as an innovative strategy to holistically address the fellows’ research skill building needs.

INVITATION TO APPLY:

We invite individuals who have earned a doctorate from a minority-serving institution (i.e., HBCU, Hispanic serving institution, or American Indian tribal college) or traditionally White institution (TWI) and current doctoral candidates (must graduate before beginning fellowship) at minority-serving institutions or TWIs interested in employment research to apply to participate in the post-doctoral fellowship. Minority-serving institution based faculty members who have earned doctorates are also eligible to apply (i.e., 80% research supplements through subcontract for such faculty in residence at their employing minority-serving institution are optional). We strongly encourage individuals with disabilities to apply. We are particularly interested in recruiting candidates who have a strong desire to obtain an academic faculty position or research position at a minority-serving institution upon completion of the fellowship program.

PARTICIPATION INCENTIVES:

• Salary and benefits package- Annual salary with full health benefits • Peer-to-Peer multiple research mentorship opportunity with scientific panel mentors • Financial research agenda start-up package- i.e., study participant honorariums/fellow research travel • Peer reviewed publications • Present research findings at national and/or international rehabilitation related conferences If you have any questions regarding the Langston University Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Program (LU-ARRT), please contact Dr. Corey L. Moore, Principal Investigator/Training Director at (405) 2530-7531 email:Winter capacitybuildingrrtc@langston.edu.

HBCU or Times 2019

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities The MISSION of the Langston University RRTC is to improve minority entities’ (e.g., historically Black colleges/universities [HBCUs], Hispanic-serving institutions [HSIs], and American Indian tribal colleges/universities [AITCUs]) disability and rehabilitation research capacity and infrastructure by conducting a programmatic line of research examining experiences and outcomes of persons with disabilities from traditionally underserved racial and ethnic populations and communities and capacity-building efforts.

LU-RRTC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

The LU-RRTC serves as a national resource center for minority entities (MEs) seeking to develop their research infrastructure (RI), and to enhance their capacity to engage in disability and rehabilitation research.

To this end, the RRTC initiates dissemination, training and technical assistance (TA) activities to develop strong RIs within MEs for the conduct of research, preparation, submission, and management of NIDILRR funded research grant projects. TA services are provided as a part of LU-RRTC interventions for research project participants and to ME and SVRA requestors around the country. The quality, intensity, and duration of TA vary by system (i.e., ME or SVRA) and the readiness of TA recipients.

Minority Entity TA Areas- • Faculty Scholar Role & Function Balance Consultation (e.g., teaching/service/research balance)• Sponsored Programs Office Operations Consultation • Research Infrastructure Strategic Planning • Institutional Review Board (IRB) Operation Consultation • NIDILRR Research Proposal Development Mentorship • NIDILRR Research Project Management Consultation • Manuscript for Peer Reviewed Publication Development Mentorship • NIDILRR Request for Comment (RFC) or Request for Proposal (RFP) Interpretation Consultation • NIDILRR Expert Panel Application Development Consultation • Data Management and Analysis Software and Related Technology Support Consultation State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (SVRA) TA Areas- • SVRA Policy Consultation to Improve Outcomes for Persons from Traditionally Underserved Communities • SVRA Rehabilitation Practitioner Consultation or Training to Improve Outcomes for Persons from Traditionally Underserved Communities LU-RRTC PEER-TO-PEER MENTOR RESEARCH TEAM ACADEMY

The LU-RRTC Peer-to-Peer Mentor Research Team Academy represents a collaborative effort between Langston University and the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

The Academy mentors Fellows to conduct research that addresses the rehabilitation needs of persons with disabilities from traditionally underserved backgrounds and communities. Ultimately, the program builds Fellows’ scholarly self-efficacy and research skills by providing them with state-of-the-science knowledge of scientifically valid measurement strategies and methodologies, and direct hands-on experience in the conduct of research and grant proposal development.

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HBCU Times Winter 2019

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the Winter Issue of the illustrious HBCU Times Magazine!

T

his is the Winter 2019 edition of HBCU Times Magazine! Our exciting theme for this special edition is, “HBCU Excellence, HBCUs Matter.”

It is a new year, so that means all new amazing stories celebrating HBCUs and Black Excellence in its various forms. This year is all about achieving your greatest potential, taking on new challenges, and remembering the legacies of those who, not only accomplished goals they set for themselves, but made incredible strides towards institutional change for marginalized communities.

Inside, we have a truly inspirational article by Ashley Elliot, on former International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Dr. Dorothy Buchanan Wilson. In addition to serving one of the premier black sororities for over 40 years, Dr. Buchanan is the longest serving board member in the history of the organization. In the article, she discusses helping over 500,000 families through community service efforts within the organization by implementing clothing, food, and health education programs. As a proud graduate of Benedict College and Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Wilson continues to promote HBCUs and also shares the success of her “ThinkHBCU” initiative, which raised over $12 million in a four-year period for student chapter scholarships.

This issue also includes an article by Kimberlei Davis, “Claflinite and Visionary: Cecil Williams” In this timeless piece on Cecil Williams, the Claflin University graduate and notable photographer, shares all things “faith, family, and photography.”

He reflects on major moments in his career, from capturing photos of powerful black figures like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Muhammad Ali, to being the last living photographer present during the Orangeburg Massacre in 1968. He even shares some words of wisdom on the city of Orangeburg and his hopes for true social change within the community.

Now for the young people who are searching for the ultimate #relationshipgoals, look no further than Davis’ article, “Grant Us This Day: Millennial Power Couple” on Hamilton and Alana Grant. This married couple is redefining what it means to be in a strong and happy marriage. As they ironically reconnected as a result of a tragic loss, the Grants share their testimony of supporting one another no matter the circumstances, and collectively reaching personal and professional success. As HBCU graduates, the pair reveals how they are currently supporting HBCUs and how they believe their institutions shaped them into the empowered individuals they are today.

Finally, you are going to be blown away by “Eating Well and Growing Strong: HBCUs and the American Dream” by Spelman alum, Kathryn Stanley. The English educator craftily utilizes Langston Hughes poem, “I, Too” to discuss the place where blacks, historically developed and matured within white America. She lables HBCUs, along with other black spaces as “kitchen institutions,”places for black people to receive nourishment in more ways than one.

Stanley shares the personal intergenerational stories of her grandfather, great grandfather, and brother. She reveals how in these kitchen institutions, her family grew into leaders, educators, and advocates.

These products of HBCUs are continuously changing the narrative into one which exemplifies excellence. As the new year takes off, so does the success of HBCU graduates and black professionals all over the world. HBCU Times Magazine is just trying to keep up with the pace of all these pioneers who are changing the world and celebrate their actions of excellence.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Staten Dr. David Staten Editor in Cheif

4HBCU HBCU Times4Winter 2019 Issue Times | November

CONTENTS

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20

8

From Anger to Activism

10

The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

12

Black Greek Life: More Than Meets the Eye

16

Point and Drive for Life: My HBCU Band Experience

20

Cover Story: By Culture and By Merit Dr. Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson

24

Claflinite and Visionary: Cecil Williams

26

Grant Us This Day: Millennial Power Couple

30

TMCF Feature

32

UNCF Feature

35

The Greatest Gift an HBCU Gave Me Was It’s Legacy

36

The DNA of HBCU Graduates

37

Eating Well and Growing Strong

39

Power Alumni

Candace Bazemore

Dr. Lester A. McCorn

Dr. Macie P. Smith

Leah Williams

Hope E. Goins

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Michelle A. Mitcham

45 46

Student Spotlight: Fredericks L. Sanders Jr.

47

Presidential Spotlight: James E. Clark

45 HBCU Times Winter 2019

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6 HBCU Times Winter 2019

CREDITS Editor and Co-CEO Dr. David Staten Co-CEO Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten Art Director Mia Salley Associate Editors Octavia Robinson Adrienne Jorgensen Dr. Regina Bush Contributing Writers Amori Washington Shondra Abraham Natasha Chisolm Ashley Elliott Ayana Tyler Hardaway Dr. Janelle Williams Brandi Mitchell Kimberlei Davis Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond Dr. Sekou Biddle Ashley McDonough Dr. Marybeth Gasman Kathryn V. Stanley Dr. Lester A. McCorn Dr. Macie Smith Dr. Leah Williams Hope E. Goins Dr. Michelle Mitcham Frederick L. Sanders Model Taylor Johnson

Creative Consultants G.Kenneth Gary Ebony Hillsman Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell Dr. Demarcus Bush Dr. Corey Phillips Dr. Carlton Watson Contributing Photographers Cover-Victor Powell Photography Terrell Maxwell of Maxwell Photography Thurgood Marshall United Negro College Fund Dr.Melita Pope Mitchell Natrawn Maxwell Rolando Davis Craig Sweeney Photography UNCF Cecil Williams Jay Logan Photography Piera Moore Cassema Photography Additional Photos provided by the authors

HBCU Times Inc, LLC Follow Us On:

@HBCU Times

Logo Designer Lionel T. Angevine

hbcu_times

Publisher Georgetown Times

www.hbcutimes.com HBCU Times inspired by Ethel and Jordan Staten

@HBCU_Times

HBCU Times Winter 2019

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FROM ANGER TO ACTIVISM: REMEMBERING THE BLACK CAMPUS MOVEMENT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR PRESENT DAY STUDENT

ACTIVISM

AYA N A T Y L E R H A R D AWAY, J A N E L L E W I L L I A M S

B

lack college students share a collective history of discrimination and marginalization within systems of higher education in the United States. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have historically served as incubators for resistance and sites for disrupting oppressive policies and practices. Many of these institutions still serve as incubators for activism. Regardless of the decade, these institutions have always had student anger and student activism.

Black students have claimed and continue to claim their spaces and reinforce belonging in university settings despite disparities, barriers, and marginalization.

Black Campus Movement Drawing upon the consciousness of the Black Power Movement pioneers, Stokely Carmichael (later known as Kwame Ture) —Howard University, Willie Ricks (later known as Mukasa Dada —Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Bobby Seale—Merritt College and Huey Newton —University of California, Santa Cruz, Black collegians would mobilize one of the most pivotal developments of the Black student educational experience, the Black Campus Movement (BCM). In 1965, just one year after the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the BCM began and is credited as the catalyst of Black student activism on college campuses.

Black students became campus activists, in solidarity with their non-Black peers, at HBCUs and predominantly White Institutions, demanding validation of the Black experience through educational development. They demanded a Times more Winter diversified 8 HBCU 2019faculty, staff,

and student population, Black cultural centers, and diverse student programming.

The movement, fueled by social injustices, began to progressively disrupt and dismantle vestiges of oppressive educational, societal, and institutional spaces. Black students, using their collective voices, through peaceful demonstrations and protests on college campuses across the United States changed the trajectory of higher education and the power dynamic between students and administration.

In his award-winning national study of Black student activism, The Black Campus Movement: Black Students and the Racial Reconstitution of Higher Education, 19651972, scholar Ibram H. Rogers offers a detailed account of Black student activism in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which ultimately contributed to the social history of Black students and the intellectual history of Africana/Black Studies. For example, because of BCM, Black studies is now widely accepted as an academic discipline, allowing the reproduction of scholarship through hundreds of departments and more than ten doctoral programs nationwide. Specifically, Rogers highlights how HBCUs’ social and cultural consciousness evolved through the efforts of Black campus activists. For example, Black students formed the nation’s first chain of culturally and politically progressive Black Student Unions (BSUs) and became leaders of governing associations. With these platforms, Rogers highlights how students fought at almost every historically black college and university for a more radical “Black University” – or institutions controlled by African Americans, which gave them the tools to empower their communities. This notion addressed one of the BCM’s major goals of creating “oppositional space” or relevant reforms to replace what

they considered the Eurocentric American academy, bourgeoisie, “Negro University.”

Black Lives Matter and College Student Activism “1839 Was Built on my B(l)ack” – University of Missouri Student Activist in 2015 Fast forward to almost five decades later, Black student activism is still a significant facet of life and culture across the more than 4,000 institutions of higher education in the United States. Why? As Martin Luther King Jr. said, quoting abolitionist minister Theodore Parker, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Unfortunately, the college campus is a reflection of society, and currently society is a fractured politically, racially, and economically.

In 2013, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi came together in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman to orchestrate a project that would grow into the #BlackLivesMatter Movement (BLM). In the years following, Black Lives Matter has since spread like wildfire on U.S. college campuses. Collaborating with local collegiate organizations and establishing over 40 standalone chapters, BLM has helped to bring national attention to violence inflicted upon Black communities, paralleling characteristics of the Black Panther Party, who also challenged police brutality, intervened for the voiceless, and gave a name to the faceless.

Black Panthers Fred Hampton, 21, and Mark Clark, 22, were shot to death by Chicago police in 1969.

Riots such as those which took place in Ferguson, Missouri (2014), Baltimore,

Maryland (2015) and Charlotte, North Carolina (2016) garnered national attention and helped to make the movement common knowledge among college students. The BLM movement, while eliciting a variety of reactions, has ignited student activism on college campuses which reflects how students perceive racial issues. For example, in 2015, Rutgers University, a predominantly White institution, chartered a BLM chapter to address structural racism on campus. Also in 2015, a student activist group— Concerned Student 1950 at the University of Missouri forced the resignation of the President after a series on racial attacks against Black students on campus.

During the 2016 presidential campaign leading up to the most recent election, the U.S. experienced an uprising in domestic terrorist attacks related to racist rhetoric.

These occurrences resulted in an eruption of violence, and protests which were all recorded and streamed on social media. Such occurrences also impacted U.S. universities across the nation and galvanized student activists who sought out ways to address racial attacks and threats. Anecdotal accounts even suggest that Black students are choosing to attend HBCUs because they do not feel safe at predominantly white institutions. Recently, Black students, staff and faculty, and other historically marginalized groups on campuses have had to confront a myriad of issues

including: institutional and systemic racism in the form of intimidation and harassment, discrimination in admissions policies and hiring, and racist symbols such as bananas hung from trees and confederate flags.

As we reflect on the Black Campus Movement and how it has affected generations of college students, especially on HBCU campus, we are able to draw lessons on the progressive platforms that are driven solely by students (i.e., The Atlanta Student Movement and The Greensboro sit-ins at North Carolina A & T). While the cause for the fight has shifted over the decades, Black student activism persists. Channeling the frustration and anger embedded in the rhetoric of Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”, the irony rings loud & clear. Modern day student activism portrays not only a revolution that has been televised, but includes a viral uprising. #BlackLivesMatter has been posted, streamed, shared, liked and tweeted by Black students demonstrating their refusal to allow their rights and liberties to be ignored. Infiltrating campuses, communities (both on the ground and through cyberspace), Black students today are standing on the shoulders of the giants before them.

Fists raised.

Bloodied, but unbowed.

(Re)imagining a more equitable space.

Using their anger as a catalyst to ignite

change through activism.

Ayana Tyler Hardaway is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Department of Policy, Organizational, & Leadership Studies in the College of Education at Temple University.

You can follow her on Twitter @ AyanaHardaway

Dr. Janelle L. Williams is a Visiting Scholar at the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions at the University of Pennsylvania. You can follow her on Twitter @SincerelyDrJae

HBCU Times Winter 2019

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The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr:

A Morehouse Man Proving True Education Involves Action A M O R I WA S H I N G T O N

M

ost of us can reflect on being 15 years old as the period where we finally entered high school, earned a learner’s permit, or even got our first job. While many of us were far from thinking about who we were to become as future adults, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was entering the gates of Morehouse College as a young, and hopeful student in 1944. With the horrors of segregation and discrimination present within American society during the time period, education was literally the escape for young African Americans and a tool for combating racism.

Morehouse College was the place where 10 HBCU Times Winter 2019

King developed into the prominent leader and unmatched social activist we know today. As a sociology major, King had specific interests in religion and social activism. Through his academics at Morehouse, he was introduced to the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi and David Thoreau’s civil disobedience.

Inspired by the effective activist theories, he led resistance efforts on campus, encouraging his fellow classmates to protest dislikes on campus.

In addition to the academic knowledge he acquired, King sought guidance on campus from the man sitting in the highest position of power. Probably the most influential and impactful to King’s time at Morehouse was his relationship with then-president, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. Leading the university during the time, Mays encouraged the young men of Morehouse to be “sensitive to the wrongs, the sufferings and the injustices of society” and to “accept responsibility for correcting these ills” (Stirgus, 2018). Mays wanted the young men he was leading to, not only earn an education, but to gain an awareness and a desire to act in accordance. He wanted the men to protest issues which served a bigger purpose and included the needs of others, rather than just themselves. King viewed Mays as a mentor, and recalled his leadership years later when implementing his vision of social equality.

After the untimely and tragic passing of King, Mays gave the eulogy at his funeral in which he later included in his book, Born to Rebel: An Autobiography. In the eulogy, Mays not only reflected on his personal relationship with King, but emphasized the truly genuine person King was. Speaking of his character and legacy, Mays affirms, “Though deeply committed to a program of freedom for Negroes, he had love and concern for all kinds of peoples [...] He was supra-class, and supra--culture. He belonged to the world and mankind. Now he belongs to posterity.” While King was undoubtedly a leader for black people, he advocated against discrimination in all forms because he recognized the value and the importance of social equality. While at Morehouse, he was taught to protest with the needs of others in mind, and through that belief, King created an unmatched movement, which triumphed even after his death.

Beyond the accomplishments of King, the principles he instilled within the community remain. He is remembered as a leader who prioritized freedom, resisted oppression, and became the catalyst for authentic change which combatted the most intense wrongdoings in history. As a student, King wrote for the student newspaper and discussed true education as something which

involved, not only intelligence but character.

Today, Morehouse College’s mission remains, “to produce academically superior, morally conscious leaders” who will work to eradicate the issues in society. True education is taking knowledge learned within the classroom and bringing it to life through efforts of social justice. As an impeccable leader who has left an incomparable legacy, it cannot be denied that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is the ultimate example of an HBCU producing unimaginable greatness.

Amori recently graduated from Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Spanish. While attending Claflin University, Amori was an active member of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College. She served as president of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society, a peer consultant and writing fellow in the Claflin University Writing Center, and a volunteer in the Intensive English Language Program. She is currently beginning her first year at Vanderbilt University in the Master of Education in English Language Learners program. Amori also serves as a graduate consultant in the Writing Studio, continuously nurturing her tutoring skills and knowledge of writing pedagogy. Her academic interests include sociolinguistics, rhetoric and composition, urban education studies, and writing center pedagogy. When Amori is not reading, writing, or tutoring, she enjoys taking dance classes and traveling to new places with friends and family.

HBCU Times Winter 2019

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BLAC K GREEK LIFE

MORE THAN MEETS

THE EYE N ATA S H A C H I S O L M

On the campus of HBCU Howard University, the first Black Greek Letter Organization for African American college educated women was founded on January 15, 1908 and later incorporated on January 29, 1913. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. gave a special opportunity for these women to form a sisterhood that bonded them together through service and scholarship for many years to come. From what started as a small group of influencers in Washington, DC to the now over 280,000 members worldwide, Alpha Kappa Alpha Women have made our marks on lives, causes, and communities far and wide.

12 HBCU Times Winter 2019

One such group of those women were initiated into the Theta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at the University of South Carolina in the spring of 1998. We have made it a point to celebrate our 10th and 20th year anniversary as a time to reconnect and reminisce. We returned to Columbia, SC for our 10th anniversary. This year we celebrated our 20th anniversary together in sunny San Diego, California. When asked about the weekend together, Soror Torrey Becote had this to say, “There were a few sorors I had not seen in FOREVER so I was a little apprehensive, but when I saw Tonique and Shana at baggage claim, it all went away. It was like time turned back 20 years. So cool - EVERYONE was exactly the same.” She chuckled, remembering the college days, “Aminah used to ‘invite’ me to dinner in college all the time. A typical menu would be rice, green beans and chicken. All I would do was show up right when dinner was about to be served and I had a plate! I was reminded of those meals when I felt a little snacky on Saturday in San Diego and Aminah started going over my options – ‘Torrey, what do you want to eat?’ I decided on a slice of reheated pizza complements of Aminah of course. I felt adopted once more.”

Twenty years later these sisters continue to embody what our founders held dearly, ‘a commitment to scholarship, leadership, civic engagement and public service, woven together

by the bonds of lifelong sisterhood.’ There are 2 pharmacists, 2 attorneys, 1 nurse practitioner, 1 nurse and founder of a non-profit for sickle cell anemia, 1 Managing Partner in communications, 1 Human Resource Business Partner, 1 Senior Human Resources Business Partner, 1 Senior Vice President at MTV, 1 2004 Olympic Gold medalist and 2005 World Champion in track and field, an educator, a school principal, a Software Development Manager, and a Communications Specialist at a national labor union.

One sister summed up sisterhood like this, “Sisterhood means everything to us. We are sisters, a family, with a bond that can’t ever be broken. We continue to support, honor, encourage one another and to have each other’s backs. Sisterhood means having a group of women who provide an endless amount of encouragement, loyalty, love, and respect,” said Soror Tiffany Williams.

“Striving for excellence in education, becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy, dual licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina, serving for over 15 years as Pharmacy Manager and now Staff Pharmacist, having style of class and sophistication, and representing an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman is really in tune with my sisterly circle and upbringing.”, Dr. LaShawn Cromwell says. “The love for AKA goes way back when I was a little girl playing

with dolls. We all had our matching outfits, but the one doll with the colors of salmon/ rosy pink (symbolizing femininity) and Ivy green (symbolizing resilience) was my absolute favorite”, Dr. Cromwell laughs.

“I always knew that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was the only way. It extends deep in my family line. My daughter is watching my every footstep, and she can’t wait to expand the legacy. The responsibility of executing a platform for our legacy is crucial. My line sisters and I are always in contact with one another. Whether it’s meeting for brunch, lunch or dinner, contacting by the WhatsApp social-media, text, email, you name it, we are tapping into our creative sides and stepping out of our comfort zones to ensure that what our twenty trailblazing founders have worked so hard to find and establish is continued and that we are making a difference. Dr. Cromwell says, “There is Power in Pearls!”

These stunning photos by Cassema Photography in San Diego are just a glimpse of the connection that remains strong, “I can’t believe it’s been that long. Time passes but some things stay the same….sister bonds” said Soror Tiffany Williams “When we reflect on sisterhood and the bond we have shared over these 20 years, a sense of comfort eases over us because we know it wasn’t by accident that we found one another” said Soror Aminah Fraser.

Natasha Chisolm, Esquire graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in English and was initiated into the Theta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and received her Juris Doctor degree and certificate in family law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. She returned to Charleston, SC after graduating from law school and became a prosecutor in Charleston County in the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Following several years of practice there, she opened her solo practice The Chisolm Law Firm, LLC in 2013. In addition, she is a certified Guardian ad Litem who represents children in family court litigation, is a member of the South Carolina Bar, Charleston County Bar Association, the South Carolina Black Lawyers Association, and the National Bar Association. She has been an active member in her community holding several leadership roles in organizations such as The Zonta Club of Charleston, the Charleston Trident Urban League Young Professionals Network, TEDx Charleston, and Art Forms and Theatre Concepts, Inc.- the Lowcountry’s premier African-American theatre company. She has mentored a student at Meeting Street Academy and volunteered with the Junior Girls Day Out Community Project in Charleston. She is also a member of Royal Missionary Baptist Church.

HBCU Times Winter 2019 13

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14 HBCU Times Spring 2019

Point And Drive For Life: My HBCU Band Experience BRANDI MITCHELL

16 HBCU Times Winter 2019

C U LT U R E

“I went to Florida A&M University to major in Business, but I was drawn to the school from...the band”

W

hile everyone loves a high-spirited marching band, few know what it takes to land one of the coveted spots on the field, and many will be amazed at where musicians end up in life once their band uniforms are hung up for good. What remains long after the last note is played are the rich experiences and life lessons that transfer into an innate bar of excellence guiding them like a compass towards success.

What many don’t know is that in college marching bands, only 10% of the members are music majors. The other 90% are majoring in other fields. However no matter the profession, the graduates that are band members do exceptionally well in their chosen careers. This competitive advantage is a term I coined as “The Marching Band Factor”.

I am a benefactor of “The Marching Band Factor” and the many lessons learned at my HBCU, Florida A& M University, and as a member of The FAMU Marching 100. In fact, growing up in Detroit, and far away from the culture of HBCU’s, the band was my #1 source of recruitment to the university.

Unlike today when you can easily see performances live and on demand from your smart phone, when I was considering colleges, there was no social media, or internet – either you saw the band live at a game, caught a performance on BET, or someone passed around a tape of the performance! But what remains true today is that undeniably a big part of the HBCU culture is HBCU bands, and our bands become our schools brand ambassadors.

I can still remember vividly my first time attending a HBCU homecoming and the impression that an experience had on this 16-year-old girl from Detroit. The stadium was packed and carried its own energy; it felt like I had walked right into a movie. There were sororities and fraternities in the stands stepping, fashionistas strutting to their seats, and multi-generations of proud alumni gathering to “come home” as if they never left. But, no matter what was going on in the stadium, it all stopped at halftime – everyone

was in place to see the show, especially this one.

The two bands, The Southern University “Human Jukebox” and The Florida A&M University “Marching 100” had been long time rivals so the halftime show battle was about to be epic!

At the time I couldn’t explain what I experienced as I watched in the stands, but now I realize I had a deep sense of emotion, connection, and possibility. I knew from that day forward I had to be in the band and I wanted to be a part of the HBCU culture for college. It was already a done deal in my mind.

I had made a life decision from one powerful and memorable experience.

I went on to attend Florida A&M University to major in Business, but I was drawn to the school from – you guessed it – the band.

I still remember the first day stepping foot on “The Patch”- the legendary practice field where men and women are made. I had no idea what I signed up for, but I would learn very quickly that there was much more to this band then what I saw on the field; this band had its own ecosystem. As challenging as it was, no matter what, I decided I was not going to quit.

To this day, I still say making the Florida A&M University Marching 100 was one of the hardest things I have ever done. In fact, the band shirt I received after I made the band that beautiful day in November had a simple quote – “The Race is Given to the One Who Endures Until the End”. While I had no idea what world of greatness I was stepping into as a kid from Detroit, I’m glad that I hung in there because the payoff was extraordinary. It still is.

The nourishing environment was one of extreme growth, challenge and teamwork.

Eventually these kids became my confidants, best friends, sisters, brothers and teammates.

The thing I really appreciated was that I met and became friends with people all over the world, and it was our unique differences that really made us great friends. These great friends are now business owners, CEO’s, Grammy Award winners, leading educators, music directors of the nations top bands, philanthropists, lawyers, politicians, and even filmmakers. Yup, we make money and do deals together too!

The environment and culture of excellence set a standard for me and thousands of others of what we expected throughout life; I looked for nourishing environments were I could be both stretched and motivated to go further. I also seek to create that environment for others.

I was so inspired by what I learned at my HBCU and in band that I made a documentary called Point And Drive® which made history by being the first HBCU marching band documentary and, most recently, a book titled Point And Drive For Life: The Marching Band Factor. These projects were my way of showing my appreciation for the environment that fueled me to go from being a celebrity makeup and hair artist for over 20 years creating multiple brands, writing 4 books, producing and directing a film, and owning a media company. I know that my drive came from being in an environment and culture that showed me what excellence looked like.

Brandi Mitchell is a Brand Producer®, 4X Author, Coach, and Filmmaker.

Brandi has been an authority in the branding arena helping emerging and established entrepreneurs make the transition from brilliant and broke to packaged and profitable since she’s done it herself going from celebrity makeup and hair artist to turning her passion and expertise into a brand empire including books, film, a media company, branding, coaching, and consulting. Brandi is the President of KORIS Media, and founder of the Package the Product of You® Brand & Business Academy. Her courses, consulting and coaching equip entrepreneurs, and influencers to be seen, heard, felt, and paid for their expertise and gain the confidence to become the celebrity of their industry.

Join the Become the Voice movement today at BrandiMitchell.com and learn more about Point and Drive at www.

PointAndDriveMovie.com.

HBCU Times Winter 2019

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COLLEGE

Welcome

to the 2018-2019

Benedict College Board of Trustees

Dr. Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson The Immediate Past President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a Benedict College Alumna

Dr. Haywood L. Strickland President Emeritus of Wiley College

FOLLOW US ON 18 HBCU Times Winter 2019

1600 Harden Street |Columbia, SC 29204 www.benedict.edu

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By Culture and By Merit ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA’S 29TH INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT TALKS DEDICATION TO SERVICE ASHLEY ELLIOTT Dr. Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson has an affinity for many things. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is certainly one of them, having served the organization for more than 40 years in various capacities. Fifteen of those years were spent as a member of the International Board of Directors, solidifying her position as the longest serving board member in the history of the organization. In 2014, she became the 29th international president of the prestigious organization and established unprecedented programming that would display her care for communities of all kind. It was one initiative however that brought her the most pride and would reveal her other most endearing affection – Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Under the distinctly titled “ThinkHBCU” initiative, Dr. Wilson and her team dedicated their time to not only increasing awareness of “the nation’s treasures,” as she affectionately calls them, but motivated individuals to provide support while bringing attention to the great things happening at these institutions. The result: raising more than $12 million in a four-year period (20142018) for student chapter scholarships.

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hat led to this passion and adoration of advocating for these beloved institutions? She was a product of two of them; that would be instrumental in transforming her thinking, developing her character, and instilling confidence that excelled beyond her corporate colleagues.

It all started when she was a young girl growing up in rural Sumter, SC. Having been raised by her grandparents, she knew the importance of hard work. She quickly became a master at completing laborious manual tasks.

Fast forward to her young adult years - as she began to ponder the direction for her life -her grandfather shared a vision he’d always had for his family. “He planted a seed while I was in high school that he wanted his family to be educated,” shared Wilson. “We had proven that we could work hard with our hands, but he wanted us to excel with our minds; since I was a good student and had an interest in going to college, we determined I would be the first to attend.” Off to Benedict College she went where she found her passion for business and her love for all things AKA. She continued to work hard, this time with her mind, mastering academics and serving the community with her AKA family. After matriculating through Benedict College and proudly becoming the first college graduate in her family, Dr. Wilson kept going, attending another HBCU approximately four hours away from her hometown – Clark Atlanta University. “When I left Benedict, I was confident I could do the work on the graduate level and when I left Clark Atlanta, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was prepared to pursue a career as a Marketing professional. Dr. Wilson admits that her preparation came as a result of a community of people at both institutions who cared and worked together to bring out the best student that she could be. “The faculty and staff worked together and provided the best experience,” she recalled. “They nurtured us as students, gave us unique learning experiences, and instilled in us that we were expected to work hard, prove ourselves, and take advantage of all the opportunities that were placed in front of us.”

The opportunities came pouring in quickly for 22-year-old Wilson. With a business degree in one hand, and an MBA degree in the other, she moved to Connecticut to secure a position with Xerox Corporation, a place she’d interned at a few years prior. She later took a job with SC Johnson Wax, relocating to Wisconsin, where she served as assistant brand manager and quickly worked her way up to brand manager, becoming the first African-American and one of the youngest women to be promoted to that position. While certainly enjoying her success

in the corporate world, Dr. Wilson’s dedication to service wouldn’t leave her. After taking time off to start her family, she realized that she just couldn’t sit still and jumped back in the world of work, this time in the non-profit sector. “I became the senior vice president at the largest Goodwill operations in the world.” For 15 years, Dr. Wilson managed programs worth millions of dollars that helped with job placement services and programs to assist the elderly.

“We were able to help a lot of people,” she noted. “I really started to see the impact that I was having on people’s lives. When I worked in consumer brand management, I knew how much money I made for the company and how much my impact had on the brand itself, but this position allowed me to help others and I really enjoyed that.”

This benevolent zeal carried over into her work with Alpha Kappa Alpha, where she became the first full-time, non-profit executive to hold the position as international president.

Under her leadership, the organization saw its active membership increase to over 25% in four years. In 2016, Dr. Wilson led the $6.2 million renovation project of the Ivy Center, the organization’s corporate headquarters in Chicago. The project was completed in a little over a year, under-budget and ontime. Also, in 2016, a new chapter in Dubai, United Arab Emirates was established, the first chapter chartered in the middle east. The most impactful and rewarding initiatives were helping others through the servicing of prolific programming, explained Wilson. “We have served over 500,000 families through programs and services around clothing and food, as well as health education. We had a big focus on Alzheimer’s disease and helping individuals prevent heart disease as well as focusing on mental health.” Dr. Wilson also ensured that the organization obtained trademarks and patents on all initiatives that were completed to protect the operations of the brand. “My four years were really spent approaching it as the sorority life of business, similar to what I did when I worked in my job - making sure that Alpha Kappa Alpha was fully prepared and poised to go into the next 110 years. Someone has to do some heavy lifting and work to make sure a lot of things happen, and since I’m the operations person I was able to bring that expertise to the forefront to help the organization.”

As Dr. Wilson transitioned out of her role as international president, she continued to support her sorority, and added a new venture, serving on the board of trustees at her alma mater Benedict College. Her support for the institution was established well before becoming a board member through the formation of an endowed scholarship named

“When I left Benedict, I was confident I could do the work on the graduate level and when I left Clark Atlanta, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was prepared to pursue a career as a Marketing professional.”

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after her grandfather. “When I was getting ready to go to college, we didn’t have a family of college graduates. We were workers. We knew how to work hard in factories, on farms, and how to be entrepreneurs,” she explained.

“We had always been very productive, creative and knew how to do things with our hands; well my grandfather felt like we needed to do more with our minds.” As a result of her grandfather’s vision, generations of Dr. Wilson’s family, including her two children have attended several institutions of higher learning across the country, earning a myriad of advanced degrees. “All of that came out of the mind of one gentleman 37 years ago who wanted to change the face of his family,” she expressed.

Dr. Wilson’s courage to step out of the norm and become the first college graduate during a time in which attending college wasn’t exactly customary or wasn’t always supported, proves her fearless fortitude to

win. Her accomplishments centered around how she could be of service to all mankind, the mission of her sorority, and in-turn she experienced an overwhelming amount of personal success. In addition to receiving an array of accolades from the Alpha Kappa Alpha organization, she has received proclamations and keys to over 20 cities in the U.S. In October 2018, she was inducted into the National Black College Hall of Fame for her many community service efforts, joining the list of notables such as Oprah Winfrey, Phylicia Rashad, and Tom Joyner. “I’m still quite overwhelmed by that experience,” shares Wilson. “I do what I do for the schools because I love HBCUs and the work that they do. I love the impact that they make and saw the work through the ThinkHBCU initiative as my small way of contributing and paying it forward. Being inducted was an added gift.”

Dr. Wilson continues her public service in a variety of ways that include motivational

speaking. Her messages includes a culmination of lessons she’s learned throughout her career. Her first is one she grasped as a young professional. “You have to be willing to speak up for yourself and use your voice. If you feel you have been empowered to do something or have an interest or passion in something, you’re going to have to make sure you speak up for yourself. Let someone know you’re interested in something. Secondly, she said “don’t be afraid to take on challenges, which includes the possibility of relocating or taking on a new assignment. “When a challenge comes, take it on and go to the next level. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you’ve come from, if you feel that you can do the job, take it on.”

Lastly, she says be willing to put in the work.

“There are no short cuts. We have to be able to show up at the table and not be afraid to roll up our sleeves and get the work done. Learn how to be a team player and work with and through others.” – A philosophy instilled in Wilson many years ago by past generations in her family, at HBCUs, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

“When I was getting ready to go to college, we didn’t have a family of college graduates. We were workers. We knew how to work hard in factories, on farms and how to be entrepreneurs.”

Ashley Elliott is a Marketing and Public Relations professional who has spent more than 12 years developing Integrated Marketing Communications campaigns for three institutions of higher learning across the state of South Carolina.

She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Marketing and Information Technology for the University of South Carolina Career Center, as well as a University 101 instructor.

Ashley is a member of Andrew Chapel Baptist Church in Orangeburg, S.C., where she has helped organize the Community Church Growth Conference for more than 10 years. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Northeastern Corridor of Orangeburg Community

22 HBCU Times Winter 2019

Development Commission and is a member of the American Marketing Association, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and South Carolina Women in Higher Education.

A native of Orangeburg, S.C., Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Claflin University and a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Eastern Michigan University. She is a graduate of Leadership Orangeburg and is a Licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Columbia.

“I do what I do for the schools because I love HBCU’s and the work that they do.”

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CLAFLINITE AND VISIONARY: CECIL WILLIAMS K I M B E R L E I D AV I S He’s a huge fan of FOX’s hit show Empire and for the last “25 years 2 months 4 days 6 hours and 20 minutes” he’s had a standing dinner date with his wife Barbara each night.

At age 9, he picked up his first handy-medown camera, a Kodak Brownie, and by age 11, his name was synonymous with the civil rights era.

It’s not everyday that you gain national notoriety before you can drive, but that’s exactly what he did when he captured NAACP attorney Thurgood Marshall stepping off a train in Charleston, SC as he prepared to argue for the 1952 Briggs vs. Elliott case out of Clarendon County.

At 14 “CJ,” as he’s affectionately known to family and friends, was a freelance photojournalist for JET magazine.

Now at age 80, Cecil J. Williams’ Wikipedia page still doesn’t seem to capture all that he’s accomplished through the lens and on the streets of activism.

Williams, a 1960 graduate of Claflin University, stays true to the foundation that family time is sacred and breaking bread together “helps to unify the family unit.”

Though he never had any children, Williams said he anticipates dining around the table with his bride to discuss the joys and jolts the day might have presented.

“It’s a time that I look forward to seeing her, because no matter what my schedule might demand, that time is for us.”

His faith and devotion to his profession are other values that help move Williams forward each day.

“My hobby is my occupation and my occupation just so happens to be my hobby,” Williams said. “My entire life revolves on the axis of faith, family and photography.”

Born in 1937, Williams is the middle child of Cecil Leroy and Ethel Lillian Williams.

His brother Alfred traded in the Kodak Brownie for the saxophone.

A decision that helped shaped the photography style of a young Cecil and developed an appreciation for the glitches of modern picture taking for the seasoned historian.

“You know, I had an iPhone 10, but I had go back to the Generation 7, because it had too many glitches,” Williams laughed.

First introduced in 1900, the Brownie, sits in Williams’ Orangeburg based photography studio greeting some thousands as they came and went.

Williams says he’s photographed way too 24 HBCU Times Winter 2019

many beautiful faces, places and historical events to possibly keep track.

Among the people the documentarian of black history and culture has captured on film include Sen. John Kennedy, educator Septima Clark, the Rock Hill Nine, the Elloree 21, Burke High School graduate and architect Harvey Gantt, boxers Joe Lewis and Muhammad Ali, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and actor-singer Harry Belafonte.

Williams is a member of the coveted American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), Delta Chi Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and is a Connecting Link in the Orangeburg (SC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and is a Getty Images contributor.

On October 25, Williams was one of four recipients of the 2018 Governor’s Award in the Humanities at the University of South Carolina.

Other honorees were Anne Cleveland, Director of the Charleston Library Society; Bobby Donaldson, historian and educator and Sara June Goldstein, literary arts advocate.

Established in 1991, the Governor’s Awards in the Humanities recognizes outstanding achievement in humanities research, teaching, and scholarship; institutional and individual participation in helping communities in South Carolina better understand our cultural heritage or ideas and issues related to the humanities.

For his work, he has previously been recognized by such organizations as the South Carolina Arts Commission, the South Carolina African American Heritage Foundation, the South Carolina General Assembly, the National Conference of Black Mayors, the NAACP, Claflin University and the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Williams has marched to the beat of his own drum choosing to become a Claflin Panther while his wife, a retired educator, adjunct professor, and trustee board member of MUSC, sister Brenda Williams, a retired vice president of strategy and compliance the the Regional Medical Center and late brother Alfred all became SC State Bulldogs.

His road less traveled approach has proven to work out well for the man best known as chronicler, but he is also a highly regarded architect.

In 2017, Williams received the The Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor used to recognize a lifetime of achievement and service.

As a product of racial segregation, Jim Crow laws and now the Black Lives Matter movement, Williams’ global activism has landed him in his own backyard - literally.

For nearly two decades, the Williams’, residents of the Northwood Estates community have spoken before Orangeburg city and county councils petitioning that their sewer rates are astronomically high citing the contamination is comparable to the Flint water crisis.

“Injustice and misjustice of any kind, anywhere is not right and I intend to hold the office holders - not elected officials, accountable for discriminating against those that live on fixed incomes and those that are disabled,” Williams said.

The decades old fight is a little different in recent years Williams said because of the county’s predominantly African-American leadership.

“They didn’t start the problem with the water and sewage system, but from the mayor on down they are holding on to the ideas and policies that have long been in place,” Williams said.

On the forefront for many social issues in ‘The Garden City,’ Williams (the last living photographer at the scene of the Orangeburg Massacre) says the town nestled between Columbia and Charleston should be much further along and is vastly “behind the times.”

On that fateful night of Thursday, February 8, 1968, South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers fired rounds from the entrance of then South Carolina State College into a crowd of unsuspecting students protesting a segregated bowling alley.

Samuel Hammond, Delano Middleton and Henry Smith were killed and over two dozen were injured.

Williams could have easily been seriously injured during what he says was a completely avoidable tragedy.

“Orangeburg has very special problems, it has never embraced racial equality and it’s been last to conform to state, regional and national implementation of civil rights laws. During the time of the massacre it was illegal to operate a segregated bowling alley, but officials of that time allowed a racist establishment to exist in the city limits and did nothing about it. They were wrong then and they’re wrong today.”

Williams chronicles the events of that day and the days leading up to it and the aftermath in his book ‘Orangeburg 1968: A Place and Time Remembered’ His latest book “Unforgettable”, a collection of 40 images portrays events, people and significant moments of social change from the 1950s through the 1970s, was recently released.

A reception was held in Charleston in July.

Another book talk is planned for December 11 at the Richland County Library in Columbia.

In addition to his already lengthy bio, Williams also invented the film toaster.

No it’s not a pop-up toaster for waffles or pastries, rather Williams said it’s a device that enables you to create digital image files from older photography film.

The products as well as his books are available on Amazon and cecilwilliams.com.

Make no doubt about it Williams will continue his fight for freedom, justice and equality on the local and national stage, but there’s always room for downtime.

When he’s not in the pews of either Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church or St. Luke Presbyterian Church, Williams is locked in to an episode of The Walking Dead or Empire.

Not a fan of live television, Williams said he prefers to kick back with the DVDs of the hit series of the zombie apocalypse and the music dynasty drama.

Williams has seen the end of World War II, segregation and desegregation, the assassination of King and Kennedy, September 11th and the election of a reality TV star turned president and the public resurgence of racist ideology, yet Williams remains hopeful.

“I hope that my life and experiences has inspired those that may be less fortune to overcome any situation and that we would end our petty differences when it comes to race and other trivial matters that hold us back as a community, state and nation.”

Kimberlei Davis is a published author, brand strategist, empowerment speaker and an accomplished journalist currently working in print, digital and broadcast media. She is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University and is the founder of The LEAP Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at assisting with the academic outcome of foster children.

Kimberlei is the mother of one son, Benjamin. Connect with the writer @ KimberleiDavis HBCU Times Winter 2019

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Grant Us This Day: Millennial Power Couple K I M B E R L E I D AV I S

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here’s George and Weezy, Will and Jada, Jay-Z and Beyonce, Harry and Meghan and Barack and Michelle.

All #couplegoals right?

But don’t forget Hamilton and Alana.

Their love story reads like a Hallmark movie script.

For the newlyweds, their union was seemingly sealed and written in the stars while each were still in diapers.

Hamilton’s father Anthony Grant and Alana’s uncle Reggie “The Bulldog” Russell were best friends and roommates at then South Carolina State College.

In 1990, Hamilton’s maternal grandfather the late Reverend W.J. Nelson christened the former Alana Simmons at Chappelle Memorial A.M.E. Church in Columbia, South Carolina at the insisting of her grandmother.

Both would earn music scholarships by becoming members of rival collegiate bands, Hamilton a member of the Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and two-time Drum Major for the Marching 101 at SC State and Alana as a #VikingPride soprano section leader on the choir .

If all that didn’t provide an opportunity to meet, they crossed into the culture of Divine 9 having had family members who were either their prophyte or neophyte of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (Xi Psi) or Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (Delta Chi), But even with all this, ‘Coleman Love’ and more, their paths never crossed.

On the heels of multiple high-profile officerinvolved incidents: the 2014 shooting of Levar Jones and the April 2015 deaths of 50-year-old Walter Scott and 25-year-old Freddie Gray, Hamilton and Alana say they were here for all of the progressive movements that were developing among people of color and those who spoke truth to power.

On a hot summer’s night, fate would bring the couple whose lives were already intertwined together - permanently.

The heartwrenching often irrevocable pain the Jones, Scott, and Gray families felt would soon ring Alana’s doorbell and Hamilton would be there to help her pick up the pieces.

Neither say they were “looking for love,” but Hamilton says it was while watching an MSNBC interview following the massacre at a Charleston church on June 17, 2015, that he was first drawn to Alana.

Decades after first meeting on church pews as infants, Hamilton would re-introduce himself to his soon-to-be-bride at the funeral of The Honorable Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney.

“Besides the fact that she was stunning and gorgeous, it was the grace she showed and the message behind forgiveness that all the families exhibited that was profound and unfathomable.”

While the world mourned the deaths of Pinckney and the others known as the ‘Emanuel 9’ at the hands of a self-avowed white supremacist, Alana put her faith in action to create the movement #HateWontWin, Incorporated in honor of her paternal grandfather, the late Reverend Daniel L. Simmons, Sr. It was the Alabama A&M MBA graduate’s persistence in the world of the “DMs” and art of sealing the deal following the funerals, that was cupid’s arrow to Alana’s heart.

“It was really an overwhelming time for our family, knowing that our loved one was killed in a hate crime,” Alana said. “Thousands of people reached out in person and via social media in the wake of the tragedy, but then the calls and messages dwindled down, but Hamilton came strong with the follow-through.”

Hamilton slowed me down and helped me see the value in people.

“I watched Hamilton in the weeks and months that followed. How he interacted with family, business associates and even strangers and he always placed a value on their existence.

I saw how he loved on his dad when he got sick shortly after the massacre and I knew this was a man worth getting to know.”

Alana has a heart of gold and can make

mean homemade soups, stuffed chicken, seafood, the whole nine without box recipes, Hamilton said.

He offers this advice to single men who pass on women who are “too phenomenal.”

Know who you are first, because you’ll damage someone else trying to find yourself.

“You can accomplish many great things as a man, but all of that is operating out of unmerited grace. Your wife is your favor, so just imagine how much further you’ll go with your favor.”

The Grants say they proudly hail from an HBCU and will forever say their names.

Hamilton teases his wife that she missed out by not attending SCState.

The Virginia native said “our meeting was truly an act of God, because I never went to a homecoming at State.”

Hamilton, 30, is the youngest serving member on the Board of Trustees at his alma mater, following in the footsteps of his father.

“I can remember when my father served on the board in the 90’s, I was so mesmerized by the Marching 101 and the guys with the big hats.”

A chance meeting with the legendary Ronald J. Sergeant and invitation to sit with the drum majors and the late Eddie Moe as a child, forever etched garnet and blue in the loyal son of SCSU. Hamilton comes from a lineage of Bulldogs as does Alana (both parents Daniel Lee and Arceila Simmons, Jr. attended SCSate), but the former campus queen and music education major set her sights on Elizabeth City State University.

Alana, 29, was the first Miss Elizabeth City State University to also capture the title of Miss CIAA and currently serves as the youngest member of the school’s foundation board.

If you’re following #AlanaIsMyRealtor on IG, you know Alana is about getting her coins.

For years Alana taught in Virginia as a certified public school teacher, but has found flexibility in real estate and the ability to empower people with home ownership.

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Their social media bios are a brand all by itself, but both are well versed in Scripture and savvy when it comes to what it takes to support and maintain HBCUs. “The biggest misconception about South Carolina State University is that we’re closing our doors,” Hamilton said. “We, as a collective HBCU family, find ourselves fighting the narratives that we are not relevant.”

As long as there are PWIs, there will be the need for HBCUs, the Grants noted.

Both agree, “You know an HBCU grad when you see one. They are confident and unapologetic.”

“I needed to go to an HBCU,” Alana said.

“Even though I was a good student, I became a great student. The experience built character, I learned how to work with people, be resourceful and walk into a room regardless of how my hair looked and still exude confidence.”

The pair also say that all HBCU alum have to consistently increase their yearly giving in order for doors to stay open and for corporate and community donors to consistently increase their giving.

The president of Grant Business Advisors, LLC and former graduate assistant of AAMU’s president Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr. said, “People would be amazed at the strides we are making at South Carolina State to make it a competitive university and set vision for the future.”

From the wardrobe slay to community activism to guest appearances on ABC, CBS, NBC and other national broadcast and print media outlets, the couple like to do things together.

Hamilton and Alana are both graduates of Leadership Columbia, they serve as president and vice-president of the Columbia Urban League Young Professionals and were recognized by Columbia Business Monthly as Top 35 and Under.

Among a host of community involvements, the Omega Man is on the advisory Board for Famously Hot New Year for the City of Columbia, is a 2017 graduate of The James E. Clyburn Congressional Fellowship and was the youngest serving member of Bethel A.M.E. Church’s Trustee Board.

In 2018, Alana who holds a Master of Arts in

Music Education from Norfolk State University, was honored by the King Center with the Coretta Scott King A.N.G.E.L. award and was recognized as a Top 20 Under 40 by the South Carolina Black Pages.

So what’s next?

Alana is actively building her real estate business. She is an agent with Keller Williams Realty in Columbia, South Carolina.

Hamilton is issuing a rallying call for millennials to seek office in elected roles and to go after available seats at the table.

Power couples who maintain highly successful careers can seem intimidating and an unattainable goal, reserved for the rich and famous, but Hamilton and Alana have shown that their relationship started way before they knew it began. It was built of adversity very early on and they saw each the best in each other.

If you work to improve yourself and as a pair; support each other fully; compromise and don’t compare your relationship to other couples, then you’re on your way to #couplegoals.

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®

Transformation Through Collaboration

DID YOU KNOW...

SC State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In addition, several of its programs are accredited by 14 national accrediting agencies.

SC State University’s School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, a distinction held by only 5% of business schools worldwide.

SC State University offers stellar academic programs that prepare students for rewarding careers, and for the rigors of graduate and professional schools.

SC State University transforms lives and prepares global leaders in the areas of biology, education, speech pathology, engineering, business, communications, the arts, sciences and humanities.

SC State University offers engineering programs including the only undergraduate nuclear engineering program in the state of South Carolina.

SC State University’s signature programs include: speech pathology & audiology, nuclear engineering, education, business, biology, criminal justice, industrial engineering, music industry and communications.

SC State University’s world renowned ROTC “Bulldog Battalion” has produced 21 general officers, second only to West Point.

ENROLL TODAY! (803) 536-7000 www.scsu.edu

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POLITICS

TMCF Feature TMCF’S 18TH ANNUAL

LEADERSHIP

INSTITUTE AN ESSENTIAL

HBCU SUPPORT

SYSTEM

T

here are a few elements of support which every college president hopes to have throughout their tenure of advocacy and oversight of an institution.

First, the support of alumni as an invaluable system of fundraising, narrative building, and community outreach. Second, all presidents hope to draw upon the support of elected officials as thoughtful and mindful stakeholders in building capacity to serve surrounding communities. And finally, presidents hope that regional and national corporations are willing partners in the effort to boost workforce development and philanthropy for our schools, to help in making them more attractive and productive for our students.

While many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have not received their due credit for individually establishing these support networks, many of our schools have built strong models around these areas of help and are primed for sustainability in the years to come. However, one conference also deserves more credit for the work being done to make HBCUs stronger and better at serving our communities.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)’s 18th Annual Leadership Institute combined all of these elements into one dynamic week of training, professional immersion, networking, and recruitment. Over 400 of the best and brightest from our nation’s HBCUs were handpicked by TMCF to engage with corporate, government and graduate school executives who are eager to support their academic and professional journeys through internships and full-time jobs.

Leadership Institute (LI) allowed students, seven of which came from Central State University this year, to clearly see what a future career could look and feel like, as described by leaders living and working in a variety of industries. Students were able to network with each other, to compare personal stories and insights and to visualize what an emerging brain trust of caring and concerned HBCU supporters could be and could do in the years to

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come as they form their professional identities and given chances to succeed during and and impact on the world around them. after college. Much needed experiences like Leadership Institute are actually capacity More importantly, they saw their building opportunities for our schools. The responsibility for their institutions grow and value is not just for the students, and our parallel their individual success. For many campuses, it can also impact the communities participants, they were able to see that their where the scholars come from. We have to performance is a direct reflection of how help every student navigate leadership in this highly their school is regarded by industries in complex and diverse world. We have to help public and private sectors, making them more first-generation students and first-generation aware of the opportunities presented in being corporate or government career students move able to represent the rigor and reputation of an into a bigger sphere of leadership beyond any entire school with their ability to interview or campus. Leadership Institute is the vehicle to ask probing questions of influential people. that does that.

These experiences can quickly transform minds and lives in a positive way, and this exposure means a great deal for some students whose first engagements with professional travel, networking, and elevator pitching come as a result of access to the Leadership Institute.

For as much learning and nurturing we can provide at HBCUs like Central State University, the invaluable LI experience can simply not be replicated in a campus setting alone. Leadership Institute is the key to helping us move lower-income students from fragile communities to being empowered

When partners like Wells Fargo, United, USDA, John Deere, JP Morgan Chase, and Walmart invest in Leadership Institute they also invest in the lives of all of our students, especially those that attended this year and have attended and thrived in the past from Central State University. As an HBCU president and higher education advocate, I know exactly what conferences like this means for our students, their families, and to the prospect of our schools’ growth in the years to come.

Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond is the eighth President of Central State University in Wilberforce, OH. She also serves on the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Board of Directors. Follow her on Twitter at: @ CSUPrezHammond.

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U N C F F E AT U R E

THE JOURNEY TO A SUCCESSFUL HBCU EXPERIENCE BEGINS NOW S E KO U B I D D LE ( U N C F V I C E P R ES I D E N T O F K - 1 2 A DVO CACY ) Most HBCU [Historically Black Colleges and Universities] alums would agree that their college experience was probably the best times of their lives. We have all heard stories about how one school’s team, campus, homecoming, etc. is better than the other; or stories about how alumni’s remarkable work has had such a profound impact on future generations of students. When I was an undergraduate student at Morehouse College, I remember being inspired each time I walked past the famous statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We also know how important a college education is to earning potential over a lifetime. We’ve read the statistics from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics or UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, where HBCU alums are likely to earn greater than sixty percent more than their counterparts who do not have a bachelor’s degree. Undoubtedly, a college degree prepares you for transition into your career field. But what about the years before going to college?

In the years before college, whether the course was an elective or required, the education you received should have been the foundation of the courses you enroll in in higher education. We all know that! Having graduated from DC Public Schools, I’m extremely lucky to have received a quality education that

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more than prepared me for my Morehouse College education. But what happens if the education you receive doesn’t match the high quality education needed to do well in higher education? Because some current K-12 education lacks rigorous curriculum, subjects that should be covered simply aren’t. This results in African American students not being fully equipped for college-level coursework.

Oftentimes, our children enter HBCUs having to take remedial math, English, or both, just to catch up. As you can imagine, taking courses in college that should have been taken in high school wastes valuable time, energy and money. In 2016, US students and families spent $1.3 billion in remedial courses. Not to mention, some low-income African American students don’t have an early exposure to highly demanding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses to prepare them for STEM careers.

While UNCF strongly supports the education of black students in college, we also strongly support the path to college –ensuring students are fully prepared for college success.

That starts in their K-12 education, including expanded educational options such as magnet and charter schools. The UNCF K-12 Advocacy department believes that if students are academically prepared for college, we can

radically change the story of what’s possible.

In addition to school choice, we must challenge the deficit narrative about the educational aspirations of low-income African American youth who want to go to college.

While substantial racial inequalities exist, we have to protect our children from becoming discouraged or disengaged with education.

Such negative narratives hinder college aspirations. One way of challenging this narrative is through diversifying the teacher workforce. In other words: “representation matters”. A recent study released by Johns Hopkins University highlights a key factor that UNCF has been saying for years now – Black students in K-12 education who have just one black teacher are 13 percent more likely to go to college. However only 18 percent of all public school teachers are teachers of color.

But how do we change the current K-12 education system in America? How do we ensure our children are prepared to succeed when it’s time for them to attend an HBCU or other college? We hold our schools and teachers accountable for providing high-quality education. We work on diversity and inclusion at the teacher and school administration levels.

We promote college-readiness environments in our homes, communities and schools. We support HBCUs partnering with local K-12

education systems that provide professional development training to prospective teachers or college credits to high school students. We support organizations like UNCF, Stand for Children or other groups working to advocate for improved and equal education standards.

As for what an individual can do, starting the conversation is paramount to engaging your local community. UNCF’s K-12 Advocacy department also suggests you: •Learn about important education reform terms, issues and facts.

•Access your local community and create opportunities to hear from key stakeholders.

•Launch a social media campaign advocating for change in education.

Parents: Understanding the standards at your child’s school may be difficult. Supporting your children throughout their K-12 journey, however is essential. Check out the parent checklist at UNCF.org/ParentChecklist for key questions when approaching your child’s teachers and other school administrators about your child’s educational development.

Lawmakers: Don’t neglect high quality education or education reform. Education reform shouldn’t only impact high-income communities. It’s time to build a better narrative in the education of black students and other students of color by charting a new path in education reform. Create equitable education policy solutions that emphasize a college readiness atmosphere.

UNCF’s report A Seat at the Table: African American Youth’s Perceptions of K-12 Education examines the perspectives from African American youth on their thoughts about education reform, their education priorities, barriers to achievement and ideas on how to improve their K-12 education experiences so that they are better equipped for college. It’s time that we as a community not only advocate for our children attending college, but also that their journey to college gives them the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to succeed at the university level.

Meaningful change will not happen unless there are policy advocates – like you – who are unapologetic in your endeavors. Are you – as changemakers – ready to act on what students say they need in order to succeed in college?

Let’s bridge this opportunity gap and invest in innovative programs that provide broader financial literacy programs for K-12 students, college counseling and federal financial aid advising.

Sekou Biddle leads UNCF’s advocacy efforts to ensure more African American students will be college-ready and better prepared to enroll in and complete college by driving sustainable education reforms that benefit students and empower parents and communities to demand improvement. He manages UNCF’s advocacy platform, which includes three major components: grasstops partnerships, grassroots engagement and messaging and research. Sekou has a bachelor’s degree in business from Morehouse College and a master of education degree in early childhood education from Georgia State University with a focus on urban education. He also completed advanced studies in education policy at Georgia State.

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Celebrating Diversity in Education

Charleston County School District,

the second largest school district in South Carolina, serves approximately 50,000 students. CCSD includes 86 urban, suburban, and rural schools along the coast. The district features a diverse, expanding portfolio of options including neighborhood, charter programs, and magnet schools. With a staff of over 5,000, CCSD is Charleston County’s fourth largest employer.

www.ccsdschools.com

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THE GREATEST GIFT AN HBCU GAVE ME WAS

IT’S LEGACY ASHLEY MCDONOUGH

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n recent years it seems the HBCU craze continues to rise in society.

Maybe it’s Hollywood’s perception of the “turnt up” party life, maybe it’s the greek life experience portrayal in a number of television shows and movies alike, or maybe it’s even the help of Queen Bey’s most recent HBCU inspired Coachella performance (perfection, by the way)... nevertheless, the HBCU awareness has been at an all time high lately. While the recent recognition of our beloved alma maters near and far is appreciated, I can’t help but wonder…. why? Why is it that HBCUs are now being frequently promoted in modern day society, and more importantly, are we promoting them for the right reasons? Colleges that hold centuries worth of powerful legacies and have educated our ancestral legends, are now being minimized as just “fun.”

Don’t get me wrong, an HBCU experience is indeed one like no other. The parties are endless, the greek life is as exciting as any given A Different World episode and you may even find your own ‘Stomp The Yard’ love story, but none of that is an adequate representation of its legacy.

It brings me to question what have we done to the real legacy of the HBCU, the legacy our ancestors died to create? And, are we the ones responsible for perpetuating one sided views of the HBCU?

you can one day succeed at their expense is a privilege that the legacy of an HBCU gives you.

It allows you to connect with those before you, who are the reason you are even here today.

Walking across that stage on graduation day and receiving a degree is like a thank you note When we look at today’s media and think of for the thousands of ancestors who made it the HBCU experience the first things that may possible. come to many of our minds are simple; greek life, parties, fashion, fun. along with so many My alma mater has gifted me many things: a other superficial aspects the media has taught degree, lifelong friends and endless memories, us. While all these things may be true, there is but the fact I get to say I graduated from a so much more to take away as an HBCU alum university, made for me and my people is or attendee. something I will always cherish. Being a part of the legacy of the historically black college What about the feeling you get walking a and university is the greatest gift I have ever campus a legend such as Martin Luther King received.

Jr. once did? Or writing for a paper the late great Zora Neale Hurston helped create? What they don’t tell you is the prideful feeling you get knowing that you are here at a university learning and thriving because your ancestors made it possible. During a time when they had no options for higher education, their decision to create one made your collegiate experience attainable, and that alone gives you endless amounts of gratitude. That alone is the real “legacy,” a legacy that spans far beyond any ounce of fun you’d experience.

The legacy of an HBCU runs centuries deep and should be respected and promoted for Yes, your HBCU will most certainly be every bit of it. From the academics to walking filled with fun filled memories, but luckily the campus built by our own, the HBCU legacy for you that’s not all you’ll take away from the is too many years in the making to not be experience. respected in its entirety.

I say all this to say, there is no one-sided This legacy dates back to 1837, when the experience of an HBCU. You’ll have the very first HBCU, Cheyney University, was memorable parties alongside the pride and established. The university, initially named gratitude of being a part of black excellence.

African Institute, was the first representation The best of both worlds multifaceted of what was yet to come. This university opened experience is a privilege only few can say they the doors for African Americans to be afforded have. an opportunity at higher education, which was, surprisingly enough, once deemed illegal.

One of my favorite things about the overall Since Cheyney University’s establishment, HBCU experience is just how multifaceted it more than 100 Black colleges and universities truly is. There is no one-sided experience, it’s have been created throughout the U.S, building an experience that not only teaches you who individual legacies as the years go on. you are and where you came from but leaves With a legacy that took centuries to create, you with memories that will last a lifetime. it’s almost absurd to minimize it to just “fun,” HBCU students can experience a fun, “turnt disregarding all the many facets of the HBCU up” collegiate career, all while learning what experience in the process. society won’t teach them in the real world and also getting a chance to walk the same How can a complex, full experience filled campuses their ancestors once did. with pride and gratitude be pushed aside and Getting the opportunity to attend a replaced for entertainment? university created for and by your people so

Ashley McDonough is a Howard University graduate, published journalist and producer. With her passion for storytelling McDonough aims to create content that not only resonates with all, but inspires and informs them as well. With experience at top media companies such as EBONY magazine, SiriusXM Radio and Bustle, to name a few, McDonough continues to create quality content in hopes of leaving her mark in the media industry.

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The DNA of HBCU Graduates DR. MARYBETH GASMAN

S

ince becoming a professor in 2000, I have served as the doctoral and dissertation advisor for over 80 students, most of whom are students of color and most of those students are African Americans, hailing from HBCUs. In addition, of the 1000s of master’s students that I’ve taught, great numbers have earned their undergraduate degrees from HBCUs. Interestingly, people, of all racial and ethnic backgrounds and of varying institutions, often ask me how HBCU graduates perform in majority graduate programs.

messages that they are given by HBCU faculty and staff. Research has told us for decades that students at HBCUs feel enveloped by the support and warmth they experience at their alma maters. I think this support and warmth leads directly to confidence.

Second, HBCU graduates have what I’d call a Teflon shield around them when it comes to facing the racial microaggressions that often happen at majority institutions. They push these things out of the way and are determined to move forward to success.

the success of the individual.

Fifth, I notice that HBCU students are focused on the local community and the idea of creating a strong and supportive student community once they arrive at the institution.

They volunteer, they assume leadership roles, and they ensure that those in their cohort of students have a voice in the institution. I know from my research related to HBCUs that being civically-engaged and community-oriented are characteristics that are common among HBCU students.

Third, HBCU graduates are wonderfully Sixth, HBCU graduates are often the student resourceful, asking a lot of questions, regularly leaders who hold the institution accountable, requesting to meet with faculty, and skillfully pushing for increased equity and more tapping into the knowledge of their peers. inclusivity. They are brave and activist in their approach to securing an education.

Fourth, HBCU graduates are excellent team players; they enjoy working with others and Yes, students from many institutional bring a lot of enthusiasm and professionalism backgrounds have many of these to their classroom team work. I attribute the characteristics. However, from my vantage willingness to tap into peers’ knowledge and the point, I have noticed a consistency of these enthusiasm for working in teams to a culture at attributes among HBCUs students, and I most HBCUs that centers on supporting each think these attributes are key to their success First, they are confident in who they are other and ensuring communal success. The regardless of where they go. as people, and I attribute this to the positive success of the community is valued more than My answer is always that it depends on the student, just as it does with all students, and their commitment to succeeding. I also think that the faculty relationships and faculty commitment are integral to success as well as the work of the overall institution, but each student’s effort makes all the difference. That said, I have noticed several things about the HBCU graduates that I have advised and who I teach.

Dr. Marybeth Gasman is the Judy & Howard Berkowitz Professor of Education in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Her areas of expertise include the history of American higher education, Minority Serving Institutions (with an emphasis on Historically Black Colleges and Universities), racism and diversity, fundraising and philanthropy, and higher education leadership. Marybeth is the founding director of the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), which works to amplify the contributions, strengthen, and support MSIs and those scholars interested in them. She holds secondary appointments in history, Africana Studies, and the School of Social Policy and Practice. Marybeth is the author or editor of 23 books, including Educating a Diverse Nation (Harvard University Press, 2015 with Clif Conrad), Envisioning Black Colleges (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007), and Academics Going Public (Routledge Press, 2016). She has written over 200 peer-reviewed articles, scholarly essays, and book chapters. Marybeth has penned 350 opinion articles for the nation’s newspapers and magazines and is ranked by Education Week as one of the most influential education scholars. She has raised $22 million in grant funding to support her research and that of her students, mentees, and MSI partners. Marybeth serves on the board of trustees of The College Board as well as Paul Quinn College, a small, urban, historically Black College in Dallas, Texas. She considers her proudest accomplishment to be receiving the University of Pennsylvania’s Provost Award for Distinguished Ph.D. Teaching and Mentoring, serving as the 36 HBCU Times Winter 2019dissertation chair for nearly 70 doctoral students since 2003.

Eating Well and Growing Strong: HBCUs and the American Dream K AT H R Y N S TA N L E Y

Iconic Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, a graduate of Lincoln University, the oldest degree-conferring HBCU in the US (founded in 1854) wrote a poem titled, “Epilogue,” popularized as “I, Too,” In it, Hughes affirms African-Americans’ rightful place at the table of the American Dream while lamenting the country’s failure to allow us a seat there. In the poem’s first stanza, Hughes writes, “They send me to the kitchen when company comes,’ as he metaphorically describes the racial segregation, oppression and terror suffered by blacks through statesanctioned white supremacy. Yet he follows with this ironic affirmation, “but I laugh, eat well and grow strong.” In Hughes’ kitchen, black folk turned lemons into lemonade, table scraps into scrumptious suppers.

As I reflect on Hughes’ kitchen, I ask myself this question: How? How did black folk, banished to the kitchen, beaten and bruised while there, manage to not only eat but eat well; not only grow, but grow strong; and, in the midst of it all, have the audacity to laugh? I believe that what I’ve coined “kitchen institutions”, institutions formed by and for Africans during the reigns of racial segregation and terror, have allowed us to not only to survive but to thrive in this America which has been hostile to our very beings. Those kitchen institutions include the black church, Divine Nine organizations, and without question, the nation’s Historically Black College and Universities which have educated African Americans for more than 150 years. Even after the doors of previously segregated institutions opened to us, HBCUs played a critical role in fulfilling the dream of higher education for us and providing a continuous stream of professionals to our communities, the broader community and the world.

As I consider my own HBCU connections, I am reminded of the many stories which my father, the late A. Knighton Stanley, a prominent DC minister who received his undergraduate degree from Talladega College and his doctorate from Howard University, told from the pulpit and around the dinner

table. These stories stressed the generational significance of HBCUS in our family, the sacrifices that were made for us to attend, and how we have used the education we received to serve the community. The remainder of this article will relay some of the stories of HBCUs that are a part of my family narrative.

I will begin with the story of my paternal grandfather, J. Taylor Stanley, who grew up in rural Bibb County, Alabama near Tuscaloosa.

His first opportunity to become educated came when his older brother refused to go to the Lincoln Normal School.Grandpa was asked if he wanted to go instead and he agreed. After Lincoln Normal, Grandpa attended Talladega College and later earned his Master of Divinity from Howard University defraying his tuition cooking meals for the football team. (He continued to cook as if for a football team for even decades later.)

Grandpa used his Talladega and Howard educations to, among other things, pastor a rural congregation in Eastern North Carolina in a little village called Dudley. Grandpa’s congregation tithed off the land, offering potatoes and other staples to ensure that my father and his four siblings were fed. Grandpa’s church housed the city’s first playground for “colored” children and also introduced the congregation’s youth to theatre and music.

Next is the story of my maternal greatgrandfather, Henderson Hollowell Dunn. He died in 1955, long before I was born, but I am intrigued by him because he was a career educator, writer and minister. Under his leadership, the first preschool for colored children in Louisiana was opened; and he was the first African American writer for the local newspaper, The Times Picauyne. What I didn’t know is that he was born in Thibodeaux, Louisiana with little or nothing. But he learned that there was a school in New Orleans called Straight University, now Dillard University. His daughters, my grandmother and two of her sisters, would become alumni of his HBCU. As an educator, writer and public theologian myself, my own career reflects his legacy.

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Finally, the story of beloved late brother, Nathaniel’s entry into Morehouse College is one my daddy loved to tell. A brilliant and beautiful mind, my brother’s gifts were not always apparent in the traditional educational system. In fact, his junior high school history teacher told my parents that my brother wasn’t college material and that he should consider trade school. This is not unlike conversations many African American parents of sons have had with white teachers. To be sure, there is nothing wrong with earning a living with a trade, but my brother had significant challenges with manual dexterity.

My parents determined that my brother needed a non-traditional culturally competent high school experience to ensure his success.

Cromwell Academy, a tiny all-black private high school in Washington, DC founded by Mrs. Ruby Woodson, a Florida A & M graduate came to the rescue. My brother and his classmates received a culturally competent classical education in an environment which nurtured their gifts. For example, the English teacher taught students Shakespeare. So confident was she in their skills and ability that she entered them in the annual high school Shakespeare competition, where they earned numerous accolades. My brother was voted best actor for his portrayal of King Lear.

My brother earned enough credits to graduate from Cromwell a year early. After entering Montgomery Community College the next fall, Nathaniel attended a concert of the Morehouse College Glee Club at a DC church during their spring tour. He was so impressed that he came home and told Daddy, “I want to go to Morehouse.” Daddy believed in God and a good education, so while he wasn’t so sure it would be possible to apply, be accepted, and find the funds at the late date; he nevertheless agreed to support my brother’s goal. August came, Daddy put Nathaniel on the plane to Atlanta with no official acceptance letter but with cash proceeds from a life insurance policy enough to cover the first semester. Knowing

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that “cash talks” at often cash strapped HBCUs, Daddy felt sure that Nathaniel would be alright.

Four years later, Nathaniel graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in finance with honors and an admittance into NYU law school. He never entered law instead becoming an educator, trainer, and advocate for persons living with mental illnesses.

Nathaniel enjoyed connecting with other alumni and did so especially during the King Holiday weekend when a group would trek to the King Memorial.

He did so for the last time in 2018, the year of his transition.

Other stories abound. Bennett College enlivened my mother’s passion for advocacy during the turbulent 60s, a zeal which continues to this day as she continues to fight for justice for all. My cousin, Natalie, another Bennett Belle returned to her alma mater as its college minister, responsible for the spiritual formation of young black women.

The list of other HBCUs which educated my family members is storied: Fisk, Wiley, Johnson C. Smith, St. Augustine’s Knoxville, and Meharry. And, while I don’t yet have children of my own, in my career as a middle school English teacher I have seen my students matriculate at Spelman, Savannah State, Fort Valley, Tuskegee, Fisk, and Tennessee State.

These so-called “kitchen institutions” have created a legacy in my own family’s life and the lives in which we have sown.

Hughes’ last stanza speaks of a day when no one will “dare say” eat in the kitchen, a day when they will see “how beautiful we are and be ashamed.” Armed with education from HBCUs, we have been prepared to face what America has handed our way and we have become the architects of the progress that has been achieved. While we have seen only glimpses of Hughes’ vision for America, HBCUs remain spaces where we can “eat well, grow strong” laugh even, garnering what we need for the journey forward.

Kathryn V. Stanley is an Atlantabased English educator, writer, editor and public theologian. Her writing credits include Essence, Emerge and sojo.net magazines.

Her most recent set of writings appear in the Fall 2018 quarter of Judson Bible Journeys for Adults and her article titled, “Behold, She Stands at the Door: Black Women, Entry and the Black Church” was published in the Journal of Prison Education and Reentry. Stanley, an intergenerational daughter of teachers and preachers, was educated in the public schools of Washington, DC, Spelman College, the University of Virginia School of Law, and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

CANDACE

BAZEMORE Candace Bazemore is a Digital, Social Media and Marketing Consultant for businesses, nonprofits and women. Candace is the Digital Marketing Manager for LogistiCare, the nation’s largest healthcare logistics company, where she is responsible for the direction, definition and development of the company’s digital strategies.

Candace has held several key roles in the digital marketing space, including being the Senior Manager of Web and Digital Marketing for Cbeyond/Birch Communications, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Liberian Consulate, and Vice President and Digital Sales Product Development Manager at SunTrust Bank.

Also an entrepreneur, Candace is the President and Founder of J. Lane Media, an Atlanta based design and marketing firm that specializes in digital, social media and content marketing strategy. She also founded both Sister Girl News & Sister Girl Life, digital magazines and podcasts with large international followings, and she has thousands of articles, posts and interviews to her credit.

A strong believer in giving back to the community, Candace currently serves as

Amario’s Art Academy Board President, an Atlanta Film Festival Board Member, and she is a member of the United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Women of Cole Cabinet. Candace is the 2017-2018 Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Junior League of Atlanta (JLA). Candace won the 2013 Committee of the Year award as the Founding Chair of the JLA’s Leadership Institute and was 2004 American Business Women’s Association Chapter Woman of the Year.

Candace is a part of the 2018 Outstanding Atlanta Class, 2018 Who’s Who in Black Atlanta, 2017 Leadership DeKalb Class, Georgia WIN List Academy 2017, Project Understanding 2015 Program and 2014 United Way VIP Program.

Candace has served as President of the Atlanta Micro Fund and as an Ambassador for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Last, but never least, Candace is a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University, a Kennesaw State University KIP Program graduate and a Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master (CSM). A Newport News, Virginia native, she has made Atlanta her home for over 15 years.

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Q&A

CANDACE

BAZEMORE

INTERVIEW BY LY N I T A M I T C H E L L B L A C K W E L L

What’s coming up next in the pipeline (2019)?

Why did you pick Clark Atlanta University?

In 2019, I am working on building up the following for Sister Girl Life, the news magazine I co-founded with two other HBCU Alumnae. Sister Girl Life is a digital magazine on a mission to authentically share our expertise to help women follow their dreams while navigating the modern world. We are recording shows new shows now for the Sister Girl Life podcast that will launch in January.

That’s a funny story, I went to Clark Atlanta University because our bus broke down there! I was on a college tour with Educational Talent Search and the bus had a malfunction and would not start. So for over three extra hours we waited for it to be repaired and got to hangout on the campus. We met more students and learned even more about life at CAU; after that, I had my heart set on Clark Atlanta.

What’s your passion, why do you get up excited in the morning?

I love the arts, technology, entertainment and education. They are what I am passionate about because they are all tools that women, children and minorities can use to express themselves, connect with other communities, generate wealth and level the playing field.

I wake up every morning excited about how I can help connect these underrepresented communities to these tools in order to help them empower themselves.

Favorite place to go and why. Same for your favorite thing to do.

My favorite place to go is ‘Some Place New’, I love meeting new people and exploring world from a new perspective.

My favorite thing to do is go to the movies or read books, I love seeing great stories brought to life.

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What’s the one thing you’d share for those seeking advice on success?

There is no one path to success, but every path has challenges, setbacks, surprises and rewards, and on this journey your success is totally up to you as long as you do what you love, and love what you do.

Contact information, including social media.

Candace Bazemore Cbazemore@gmail.com 404-931-4702 IG: @TheCandaceB TW: @TheCandaceB IG: @SisterGirlLife TW: @SisterGirlLife

Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell is a Leadership Champion! CEO of Leading Through Living Community, Lynita guides authors to bestseller status, sharing their stories of empowerment, encouragement, and inspiration. LTLC also executive produces entertaining and informative television and radio shows, movies and events.

Lynita is also CEO of BOLD Favor Media Group, publisher of three award-winning lifestyle magazines – BOLD Favor, BOLD Plus, and BOLD Ageless Beauty; as well as produces the BOLD Lifestyles Awards program celebrating people who inspire us to live boldly and fearlessly.

Additionally, Lynita is a National Top 100 Lawyer, leading her own law firm for 12 years, including through the Great Recession of 2007-08. She is also a CPA, first in Corporate America at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte, and later leading her own accounting firm.

A certified Christian Life Coach, Lynita has coached women business owners and leaders through the leadership development and training non-profit she co-founded and named in honor of the founder of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, the Jewell Jackson McCabe Emerging Leaders Institute.

An engaging keynote speaker, Lynita is also a bestselling author of three books focused on leadership and business.

Lynita is married to Rev. Brian K Blackwell, pastor of St Paul AME Church Smithfield and they have one daughter.

“There’s no time to imitate some other person’s brand, style, or swag. I’ve been in the making 42 years and my clients reap the benefits of all my experiences – the good, bad, and…

Brilliantly BOLD!”

POWER ALUMNI

HOPE E.

GOINS

H

ope E. Goins is the Staff Director of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. She is the top advisor to Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson on all matters related to the oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and national security related matters throughout the Executive Branch. Ms. Goins is responsible for advancing and coordinating all Committee policy and legislation with the leadership of the House of Representatives. Throughout her tenure on the Committee, Ms. Goins has also been Chairman Thompson’s most senior advisor on matters related to counterterrorism, countering violent extremism, intelligence, cyber security, natural disasters, and civil rights and civil liberties.

With a decade of Capitol Hill experience, Ms. Goins has supervised the negotiation of key homeland security legislation, including the authorization of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office at the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration Opportunities to Pursue Expanded Networks for Business Act, and the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Strategies Act. Under Ms. Goins’s leadership, the House of Representatives passed over 100 of the Committee’s bills during the 115th Congress, including the Department

of Homeland Security Authorization Act, the first reauthorization of the Department of Homeland Security since its inception.

Ms. Goins has also supervised high level congressional investigations of the Executive Branch, including investigations into immigration policies and the government’s response to Hurricane Maria. After critical vulnerabilities to the U.S. elections systems were exposed, Ms. Goins worked with the Office of the Minority Leader and the Committee on House Administration to establish the Congressional Task Force on Election Security.

This task force was the only comprehensive Congressional investigation into the United States voting systems and created common sense solutions to close security gaps.

Additionally, under Ms. Goins leadership, the Committee held a series of briefings related to the intersection of public health and homeland security.

one of the 40 under 40 policy leaders by The Root and Impact DC. Ms. Goins has given lectures to both domestic and international audiences. She was selected to give remarks at the German Marshall Fund Transatlantic Women of Color Summit.

She has given lectures at George Washington University, George Mason University, Georgetown University, the University of Memphis, the University of Arkansas, and American University. She is a member of the Congressional Black Associates, Women in Government Relations, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Intelligence and National Security Alliance. Recently, she provided enhanced leadership training to Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated.

A graduate of Tougaloo College, Ms. Goins is a lifetime member of the Tougaloo College National Alumni Association and the 40 under 40 Society. Because of dedication to the college, Ms. Goins has also represented the United she has been named Young Alumnus of the Year States and the Department of State on and Alumnus of the Year. Ms. Goins has also delegations to 21 nations including the United received an award from the Washington Area Arab Emirates, Qatar, Australia, Bahrain, Saudi Interalumni Council for her contributions. She Arabia, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Turkey, is a member is the United Negro College Fund Ukraine, Tunisia, Estonia, France, Egypt, and Hall of Honors.

Poland.

Ms. Goins is a member of Alfred Street Ms. Goins has been recognized by Roll Call Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia where and the Joint Center for Political and Economic she serves as a volunteer for the My Brother’s Studies for her leading one of the most diverse Keeper Initiative. She is also an avid reader, staffs on Capitol Hill. She was also named as exercise enthusiast, and world traveler.

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DR. LESTER A.

MCCORN

T

he Reverend Dr. Lester A. McCorn is a visionary leader, scholar, author, activist and college president. He is the 13th President of Clinton College in Rock Hill, SC. He is a native of Worcester, Massachusetts. He is an alumnus of Morehouse College, Yale Divinity School and Chicago Theological Seminary. He holds the Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.) from United Theological Seminary. He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Ethical and Creative Leadership, with a concentration in Martin Luther King Jr. Studies and Social Change, at Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio. For several years, he served as an adjunct professor/mentor of doctoral students at United Seminary. Dr. McCorn is the author of “Standing on Holy Common Ground: An Africentric Ministry Approach to Prophetic Community Engagement.” (MMGI Press, Chicago). He also served as the Vice President of Urban Development of the Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development, an innovative school which offers accredited degrees and certificates in theology and ministry. He served as the Senior Pastor of the historic Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church 42 HBCU Times Winter 2019

in Baltimore, Maryland from 2008 to 2017.

Lester Agyei (pronounced Ahd-JAY-ee, which means “messenger of God” in Akan language, Ghana, West Africa) McCorn began preaching at the age of 16 under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. W. Robert Johnson, III, the retired General Secretary-Auditor of the A.M.E. Zion Church.

He began his pastoral career at the age of 20, while a student at Morehouse. At Morehouse, he was a student leader, serving as President of the Freshman Class and President of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He was featured in the classic Spike Lee movie “School Daze” with the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was also a congressional intern in the Atlanta office of Representative John Lewis (D-GA). His pastorates included: Lawrence Temple, Menlo, GA; Hemphill, Summerville, GA; Bush Chapel, Winder, GA; St. Luke Christian, Boston, MA; Varick Memorial, New Haven, CT; Martin Temple, Chicago, IL; Faith Church, Atlanta, GA; Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore, MD. He was the Vice President of the New Haven Public Schools Board of Education while he was the pastor of Varick Memorial Church. He established community development corporations in New Haven, Chicago, Atlanta and Baltimore, with innovative

programming, including a Family Life Center, an independent living program for young men and a senior residence for women.

Dr. McCorn is the former Director of Young Adult Ministries for the A.M.E. Zion denomination. He served as the President of the Zion Development Corporation, Inc. and the Zion M.A.D.E. Institute. He is also a principal of Community Churches for Community Development, Incorporated, headquartered in Baltimore. Pastor McCorn is the spiritual father to over 30 sons and daughters in ministry, some of whom are active pastors.

Dr. McCorn has received many awards and honors. He was a fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Next Generation Leadership Program (which included CNN host Van Jones and NAACP Legal Defense Fund President Sherrilyn Ifill) and Leadership Greater Chicago. He has served on the Boards of the United Way, Urban League and as chair of the Anti-Racism Task Force of the Illinois Conference of Churches.

He is an inductee of the distinguished Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., initiated at Morehouse College (Alpha Rho Chapter) in 1986.

Dr. Lester A. McCorn is married to Mrs. Charlene M. McCorn, a native of Monroe, Georgia. Mrs. McCorn is a deaconess, psalmist, and a veteran public school teacher. They are the proud parents of three children William Elijah Benjamin, Maliaka (Mal-LIE-ah-kah) Kenyetta, and John-Charles Wesley.

DR. MACIE P.

SMITH

Dr. Macie P. Smith is a nationally-recognized award winning educator with over 18 years of experience working in the areas of Alzheimer’s and dementia within aging and vulnerable populations. She is the acting President of the National Association of Social Workers-South Carolina Chapter. Dr. Smith is a Licensed Social Worker, Certified Social Work Case Manager, and a Social Worker in Gerontology. She serves as an Adjunct Faculty and a Subject Matter Expert on the collegiate level in the areas of social work, policy analysis, and public health.

She has appeared in several editions of Faculty Matters Magazine for her continued contributions in the academic areas of teaching, discovery, integration, and application. She conducts research, develops programs, conducts program evaluations, and facilitates professional development training in the areas of health care management and human services program development. Her focus is coordinating quality care within aging and underserved communities.

Dr. Smith is a regular contributor on OnPoint on WACH FOX 57 where she answers health related questions posed by viewers. She also is a columnist for the Carolina Panorama Newspaper and has been a featured contributing writer in the All About Seniors Magazine.

Dr. Smith has been recognized as a Top 20 Under 40 leader by the South Carolina Black Pages Magazine for her work as a community and industry change agent. Dr. Smith has been featured on WACH FOX 57, WIS-TV’s Awareness, WLTX, ABC Columbia, WFMV, WGCV, Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio, and WURD Radio.

Because of Dr. Smith’s dedication to serving the aging community, she has been granted countless opportunities to travel the country to deliver thought-provoking practically sound dementia-capable education and training.

Her work has even been recognized by Health Advocate/Journalist, Leeza Gibbons. Dr. Smith is a highly sought after speaker for local, state, and national conferences. She has dedicated her career to uplifting and empowering women to age on purpose and not in fear. Dr. Smith’s book, which she parrots after her talks, is slated to be released in spring 2019.

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LEAH

WILLIAMS

L

eah graduated from Delaware State University in 2015, making history, as the first person to ever be awarded both the Presidential Academic Award for her cumulative 4.0 GPA, and the Presidential Leadership Award for her campus leadership.

Leah returned to DSU, completing her MBA the following year and currently works as a Supply Chain Analyst for Northrop Grumman, one of the top Defense Technology companies in the world.

Although very humble, Leah has received several honors, and has been recognized worldwide for her outstanding leadership, performance, and service to the community.

For 2017, Leah was selected as one of the top 30 under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars in the Country by Thomas & the Institute of Supply Management. In 2018, Leah was recognized as the Top Supply Chain Analyst of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals.

Leah has been featured on Aspire TV Network, the HBCU Nation Radio Show, BlkWomenInBiz, 44 HBCU Times Winter 2019

and other media networks.

After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 22, Leah serves as an advocate and strives to be an inspiration to others who are battling illness. Leah is also an advocate for Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Leah was selected by the White House in 2015, to serve as an HBCU All Star supporting President Obama’s Initiative to promote the excellence, innovation, and sustainability of HBCUs. Leah introduced Vice President Biden at the HBCU Week Conference. In addition, Leah currently serves as the Vice President of DSU’s National Alumni Association and in 2016, DSU selected Leah as one of their top under/over 40 alumni.

A lifelong learner, Leah has continued to further her education by obtaining both the Project Management Professional & Certified Supply Chain Professional Certifications. A gifted musician, Leah plays nine instruments and arranges music. Leah plans to keep making her mark on the world and in her community any way she can.

FA L C U L T Y S P O T L I G H T

Dr. Mitcham takes time to give back to the community, as well as the profession. She is honored to serve as one of the twenty-one commissioners for the Tallahassee/Leon County Commission for the Status of Women and Girls (CSWG). It brings her great pleasure to be a contributor to the Tallahassee Woman Magazine, sharing messages of empowerment and also participating in the Women Who Mean Business community and events. Dr. Mitcham has served in leadership roles within the Florida Counseling Association (FCA) as Past President of the Florida Association of Counselor Education and Supervision and President Elect of FCA in 2013 and 2014. Dr. Mitcham also serves as a CACREP Accreditation Team Chair and Member, evaluating counselor education programs at universities across the country. Dr. Mitcham is excited about serving as Chair, for the newly formed SACES Leadership Development Taskforce, spearheaded by President Natoya Hill Haskins.

Through her Tallahassee based company Courageous Conversations, Dr. Mitcham helps individuals and businesses arrive at a Courageous Solution, providing consultation and training to increase the bottom line, fostering teamwork, effective communication, and appreciation for diversity. Using a solution-focused approach, Dr. Mitcham offers professional success coaching and counseling for empowerment, career advancement, image, self-esteem, diversity, professional development, high-conflict divorce, family, and relationships. Dr. Mitcham was once a featured guest on the Oprah.

DR. MICHELLE A.

MITCHAM

Michelle A. Mitcham, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, CCMHC, CFM, is a native of Detroit, Michigan, graduate of University of Central Florida for both her Bachelor’s and Doctoral degrees in Psychology and Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Mitcham earned her Master’s degree at Webster University in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling. She completed doctoral courses in Organizational Leadership.

Dr. Mitcham is an Associate Professor at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and CACREP liaison, where she coordinates the CACREP specialization accreditation for the graduate counseling programs in mental health and school counseling. Dr. Mitcham works with esteemed colleagues, recognizing that both faculty have CACREP accredited doctoral degrees and bring needed expertise, which benefit both the students, program and the pursuit of accreditation. With this said, Dr. Mitcham is honored that FAMU has been recognized as one of the eight recipients of the NBCC CACREP grants for schools pursuing initial specialization accreditation for Counselor Education programs. Dr. Mitcham reached out to the outstanding stakeholders in Tallahassee to provide letters of support to strengthen her grant proposal, knowing what a difference it would make for the community. According to NBCC August 2018 newsletter, Dr. Mitcham stated, “It is a great honor for the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), the only state Historically Black College or University (HBCU), to be awarded one of the selected 2018 NBCC CACREP grants for the College of Education’s Counselor Education program’s initial accreditation. The grant will provide the needed resources for FAMU faculty to complete the self-study, which will illuminate the high quality School Counselor and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs offered.”

Dr. Mitcham is passionate about keeping children out of the middle of high-conflict divorce and educating parents about being a united front.

This passion led her to gain extensive experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), having worked as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, Parenting Coordinator, Child Custody Evaluator and providing expert testimony. She is endorsed by the Florida Dispute Resolution Center, Florida Supreme Court to provide training on the topic of “psychological effects of divorce on children and families,” and has presented this training in Italy and Germany to counselors serving our military families. Dr. Mitcham is passionate about mentoring women and students to success. She enjoys helping couples using the Gottman Method, trained in Levels I & II. Her research interests include leadership, multicultural competencies, diversity, empowerment, advocacy, social justice and transformational multicultural pedagogy.

She was honored to deliver the keynote speech for both the 2015 and 2016 American Counseling Association’s US Virgin Islands annual conference in St. Croix and has presented numerous times at regional, national and international conferences.

Dr. Mitcham’s work has been chosen and recognized by ACA as CEU for 2015. Her scholarly achievements include delivering the Presidential Session, Courageous Conversations with Women of Color in Counselor Education at the national Association for Counselors and Supervision at the conference in Philadelphia in October 2015; as well as moderating the Presidential Session, Courageous Conversations with Diverse Women in Leadership; in Chicago, October 2017, as well as the Presidential Education Session at the 2015 Florida Counseling Association Fall 2015 conference. The Association for Multicultural Counseling & Development (AMCD) sponsored the national webinar series, Courageous Conversations with Women of Color; Surviving and Thriving in 2016, created and facilitated by Dr. Mitcham.

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FREDRICKS L. SANDERS JR.

46 HBCU Times Winter 2019

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Fredricks L. Sanders, Jr. is a Trojan legacy, Junior Business Management Major at Virginia State University (VSU) in Petersburg, Virginia. Mr. Sanders is a Provost Scholar and a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Recipient.

He has served well at V.S.U. as Trojan Induction Program Leader, Sophomore Class President, a Resident Assistant, Member of Intramural Basketball Team called Witness and as an active member of the F.L.O.W. Campus Ministry.

He was recently selected as a President of the VSU Pan-Hellenic Council. The Virginia State University chapter of the National PanHellenic Council Inc. (NPHC) governs the nine Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities that are members of the NPHC. The NPHC serves as an umbrella organization that promotes unity among its affiliate members and monitors their activities through an internal disciplinary board. He is a proud member of The Alpha Phi (E) chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Sanders has had many successes and failures however he is determined to make a difference within the community. He is a leader as well as a well-spoken scholar.

One of Fredricks, Jr.’s most significant accomplishments is being chosen a Top 100 Scholar with Young Black Male Alliance in 2014 and selected as a 2015-16 Ambassador.

Fredricks, Jr. has been selected Distinguished Beau for Beta Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha for 2015-16. This award is based upon votes from the Beautillion participants, mentors, attendance, his participation in Beautillion program overall, good character and meeting fundraising requirements. In March of this year, he participated and after two rounds won first place in their Oratorical Contest; where he delivered a challenging speech on Steps that should be taken to reform the criminal justice system and addressed the high rate of black men incarcerated in America.

Fredricks L. Sanders, Jr. is the only son of Virginia State University graduate Fredricks, Sr. & Monica L. Sanders. He was born in Washington, DC and became the center of attention instantly with his two sisters as he was and still is curious, confident and determined.

T

JAMES E. CLARK Transformational Leadership & The Evolution of the HBCU SHONDRA ABRAHAM

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PRESIDENT SPOTLIGHT

those changes as a team.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education’s article, “A Checklist of Transformative Leaders” by author Elaine P. Maimon, higher education transformation, which is essential if colleges and universities are to survive in the 21st century, relies on transformative presidential leadership.

“HBCU Presidents can no longer surrender to the multitude of challenges with enrollment, financial management, funding, curriculum, fundraising, and physical infrastructure; but instead, we must seize the opportunity to transform our universities by leveraging many of the best business practices that have been so finely honed by businesses over the years,” said Clark.

We are in the business of educating the youth. The product of our efforts is a highly educated individual that is in high demand by other (graduate) institutions, industries or communities.

A major issue facing HBCUs is enrollment.

With the emergence of a growing market 48 HBCU Times Winter 2019

T R A N S F O R M AT I O N

THRO

An accomplished visionary with a stellar career, James E. Clark brings to the presidency a data-driven, results-oriented, business approach that launches and drives positive outcomes. His proven experiences in leading Fortune 500 companies has prepared him to provide the leadership necessary to move SC State University to the next level.

Dedicated and loyal to its mission, a “next level” transformation is necessary to maintain and sustain the legacy of the Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

On March 4, 1896, the institution known today as South Carolina State University, was created out of the need to educate an underserved population of African Americans.

Since that time, the state’s only 4-year, public HBCU has educated and graduated leaders who have made major contributions to society.

Most notable, U.S. Representative James E. Clyburn who serves as House Majority Whip; Harry Carson, David “Deacon” Jones, and Marion Motley, who are Pro Football Hall of Famers; the late Honorable Judge Matthew Perry, Jr., who has a federal building named in his honor; seventeen of SC State’s graduates have led institutions of higher education as college presidents; Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, noted educator, sociologist, civil rights activist and former president of Morehouse College; legendary Coach Willie E. Jeffries, and twenty-

one graduates who have achieved the rank of General in the U.S. Army, among many others.

Within its 123-year history, SC State has continued to maintain its legacy of educating students. As with many higher education institutions though, there exists challenges among HBCUs that threaten their very existence. Generally, HBCUs experience more challenges in comparison to their majority counterparts. But, with the appropriate leadership and vision, those challenges can be transformed into opportunities.

Assuming the presidency at one of the most critical times in the institution’s history, Clark brings an innovative and progressive leadership style and perspective, one that is poised to reset and recalibrate the university.

Faced with potential accreditation loss and potentially subsequent closure in 2016, Clark shared a precise and strategic vision for SC State to not only survive, but to emerge as a transformed institution. Clark noted that transforming the university is not to be confused with changing its mission and legacy, but instead building upon that foundation in an effort to remain relevant and competitive with the changing times.

Known throughout his career as transformative, he believes in working with teams to identify needed changes, create a vision to guide those changes, and execute

for recruiting African American students to majority institutions, HBCUs must be more strategic in their efforts to attract and enroll students.

“HBCUs are now competing with predominantly white institutions, which over the years, have increased black student enrollment.

These institutions are now becoming more minority serving. With the ability to offer more attractive financial packages, they have become our expanded competition,” stated Clark. “We must compete on our historic ability to embrace, while developing increasingly competitive academic offerings.”

The windows of the world are wide open, and African American students have global college choices. Clark believes that a strategic approach to enrollment can present a tremendous opportunity. “We must recruit a more diverse student population. Degree type, delivery style, geography, transfer status, and military goals must all be considered,” stated Clark.

In using such an approach, after eight consecutive years of decline in enrollment, SC State has experienced three consecutive years of enrollment increases. This speaks volumes to the new approach and its value to the future of SC State.

Now that other institutions are more aggressively pursuing the historic HBCU mission of educating African American students and in many cases, making packages more appealing, strategic reinvention is inevitable.

Financial issues have been a major challenge for many HBCUs, as well as other universities.

Operational costs are increasing while funding continues to dwindle. “We can no longer rely solely on state appropriations; nor can we continue to cut programs and personnel. Most HBCUs are working at the bare minimums of staff and resources and cannot afford to continue this practice. Our approach should be finding alternative revenue streams to support the University,” Clark stated. “Effective fundraising and creating and maintaining

ROUGH

C O L L A B O R AT I O N

endowments are critical.”

Since becoming president in 2016, Clark has instituted a major financial turnaround at SC State, from tens of millions negative to many millions positive.

Clark pointed out that even more critical is the concept of universities partnering and collaborating with other entities. Serving as a partner has already proven beneficial to SC State’s efforts.

“Partnerships and collaborations allow us to pool resources and services that may not be otherwise available.

To date, we have created partnerships that provide opportunities with the “ABCs”; academic institutions, business entities and the community. The results are increasing resources, internships and co-ops for students, as well as pathways to degrees,” said Clark.

“Furthermore, we must partner and more aggressively pursue research and other grants available from a myriad of federal agencies including Department of Agriculture, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, National Science Foundation, Department of Education, and Department of Defense.”

In order to be recognized as a next level HBCU, the curriculum must be reviewed and addressed to ensure that attractive and relevant programs are being offered. With career preparation and readiness as deciding factors for college choice, HBCUs must measure the quality of their programs and ensure progression and innovation.

“Higher education institutions, and HBCUs in particular, are now charged with meeting the unique needs of society and students. We must produce graduates that match the skill and mindset of real-world needs,” stated Clark.

“In the end, our students must be given the skills to compete at the graduate and at the industry level.”

According to Clark, we must understand the dynamic of the HBCU and what makes us special. “Dismissing the mission of the HBCU is not an option. Transformation should be inclusive and not exclusive. SC State will always be an HBCU, but we will embrace 21st century methodologies to assist with enrollment growth, diversification, increased funding and

improved physical infrastructure,” he said.

Within the last three years, SC State has been praised for its accomplishments and the short period of time in which the turnaround occurred. Part of transformational leadership is a concentrated effort on the core of an institution. That core involves fully addressing and correcting issues and putting measures in place to avoid them in the future.

The Hugine Suites residence hall was refinanced resulting in an annual savings of more than $500,000 per year, and a total savings of over $11 million. The average gift to SC State is up, signaling increased confidence in the University.

The campus environment has been enhanced by the repaving of campus roads made possible by a $1M donation from the City of Orangeburg and an in-kind donation of labor and equipment valued at $800,000 from the County of Orangeburg. Partnerships and collaborations have also been developed between OC Tech, Denmark Tech, Midlands Tech, Piedmont Tech, University of Phoenix, MUSC, Clemson, and USC. The partnerships create mutually beneficially bridges between the institutions and SC State. For example, the relationship with MUSC resulted in the winning of a $12.6M grant to cancer research at the two institutions.

Drawing heavily from his upbringing and past career, Clark has brought a unique perspective to the presidency. He continues to develop a foundation and structure to effect the change necessary for the institution to not only sustain itself, but to also transform and evolve.

There is even more to be said about his passion. Clark is very passionate about the HBCU and its impact on African American community. Throughout his career, he has enjoyed his journey; yet, he credits serving as the President of SC State as the most rewarding.

“There is much reward in transforming the lives of young people as we develop minds and prepare the next generation of leaders,” said Clark.

Shondra F. Abraham currently serves as the Chief of Staff at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC. In her role as Chief of Staff, Abraham is responsible for providing executive-level support to the president by managing complex projects; assisting with strategic planning; working collaboratively with leadership team members to ensure achievement of the University’s strategic initiatives and goals; and serving as liaison between the President and the University community.

During her 20-year higher education career, she has served the institution in Public Relations and Administration. Prior to her current role, she was Special Assistant to the President, Executive Assistant to the President, and Interim Director of News and Communications where she was responsible for the overall implementation of comprehensive public relations and marketing program. She also served as Assistant Director of Communications and Public Relations Specialist.

Abraham is a member of the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and a former member of the National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ). Her hobbies are writing, design décor, and brand development. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from SC State University and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. She is married to Benjamin Abraham and they have one son, Jalen.

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Let TMCF help you LAND a paid internship and/or GOOD job.

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52 HBCU Times Winter 2019