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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 HBCU Times 2 | Fall 2018 Issue Dr. Corey L. Moore, Principal Investigator/Training Director at (405) 530-7531 or email: capacitybuildingrrtc@langston.edu.
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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Kyle Reiss 2017 Dillard University, Walton-UNCF K-12 Fellow
IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO INVEST IN EDUCATION.
UNCF and HBCUs are building a pipeline of African American leaders in K-12 education across HBCU Times 3 | Summer 2018 Issue the United States. Learn more at UNCF.ORG/K-12
EDITOR'S LETTER
The theme of this very special issue is HBCUs: America’s Best Kept Secret. For several generations, HBCUs have been at the forefront of producing exceptional graduates, who have significantly impacted the world. Prominent historical leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., along with pioneers like Oprah Winfrey and Spike Lee are all proud graduates of HBCUs. From iconic actors like Samuel Jackson and Chadwick Boseman, to notable politicians such as Senator Kamala Harris and U.S. Representative James Clyburn, HBCUs are continuously demonstrating their status as collegiate institutions producing educated, upstanding, and diverse members of society. While some are quick to categorize HBCUs as the underdog of higher education, a recent Gallup study revealed that African American graduates of HBCUs were more likely than African American graduates of non-HBCUs to thrive in a number of areas of their lives, specifically financial, social, and purpose wellbeing. Additionally, the United Negro College Fund released a landmark study last year which affirmed, HBCUs generate $14.8 billion in economic impact annually. Given the success of HBCUs, it is somewhat surprising these institutions are still one of America’s best kept secrets. In an effort to share their wonderful work and achievements, as well as shine a light on the unmatched historical value, this issue is dedicated to revealing some of those HBCU secrets with the world. With intriguing stories on transcendent leaders, alumni, and supporters of the HBCU community, the Summer 2018 issue of the HBCU Times acts as the doorway to just some of the hidden treasures within HBCUs. This issue includes an article by Angela Clark which analyzes the historical evolution of Black Greek Life and its prominent role on HBCU campuses. There is an excellent interview with former Miss USA and proud graduate of South Carolina State University, Miss Kára McCullough. Not only did Miss McCullough provide us with a glimpse of her journey to becoming Miss USA, but also how her HBCU prepared her for success. Finally, this special summer issue even includes a timely article by host of HBCU Podcast, Natasha Carter, who received the amazing opportunity to interview Jamal Joseph, a Voorhees College alumnus and the innovative choreographer behind Beyoncé Knowles’ HBCU influenced Coachella performance. This edition of the HBCU Times magazine is definitely spilling the beans, although filled with great stories of success and achievements, it only opens the door to the abundance of the exceptional work of HBCUs, America’s best kept secrets! Sincerely,
Dr. David Staten
HBCU Times 4 | Fall 2018 Issue
CONTENT 8 From Voorhees to Working with Beyonce 10 Gullah Geechee Curriculum 14 The Evolution of Black Greek Life 18 How my Howard University Changed My Life 20 Cover Story Capturing the Crown: Setting the World Standard for Beauty and Brains 24 UNCF Spotlight
26 HBCU Magic 31 HBCUs: There’s No Place Like Home 33 Dreams Deferred Are Not Dreams Denied 36 A Spelman Story: For Colored Girls 38 Power Alumni and Student Spotlight 45 Thurgood Marshall Feature: Boeing Leads the Way 49 Faculty Spotlight
SUBSCRIBE NOW! Listen to episodes of The HBCU Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or any podcasting platform.
WHAT LISTENERS ARE SAYING “Great Podcast” by Nupe1949
“It is refreshing to hear what is going on in higher education in regards to HBCUs. I also love hearing about other people’s professional experiences!”
HBCU Times 6 | Fall 2018 Issue
Editor and Co-CEO Dr. David Staten Co-CEO Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten Art Director Mia Salley Associate Editors Albert Jackson Dr. Regina Bush Octavia Robinson Amori Washington Editorial Consultants Willease N. Williams Shana Robinson Contributing Writers Amori Washington Dr. Melita Pope Mitchell Natasha Carter Ashley Elliott Ashley McDonough Dr. Jessica Berry Angela T. Clark Dr. Brian Bridges Dr. Tyra Turner Whittaker Amani R. Holder Inga S. Willis Gauracandra Nimai Garrett Chelsea Bosely Daijah Thibodeaux Shantavia O. Edmonds Dr. Harry L. Williams Dr. Corey L. Moore Publisher Georgetown Times Models Terrance Tucker Daijah Thibodeaux
Creative Consultants G.Kenneth Gary Ebony Hillsman Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell Dr. Demarcus Bush Dr. Corey Phillips Dr. Carlton Watson Contributing Photographers Cover-Fadil Berisha G.Kenneth Gary Thurgood Marshall Langston University Trey Hazlewood William Bradley Patrick Harris Photography Dr.Melita Pope Mitchell Dr.John Bannister of JB Photography Vee Seward of Ohh Snaps Photography Natrawn Maxwell Terrell Maxwell of Maxwell Photography Rolando Johnson Craig Sweeney Photography UNCF Cecil Williams Joshua Reed Taren Marsaw Devin Smalls Jay Pearson Photography
Logo Designer Lionel T. Angevine Advertisement Consultant Melvin Hart
Beyoncé
From Voorhees to Working with
by NATASHA CARTER
B
y now, you’re likely familiar Jamal Josef. The Oakland native has garnered much attention since Beyoncé’s performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. He’s now known for his choreography during one of the Superstar’s most acclaimed performances. “When it came to Coachella, I just wanted to dance in it,” Josef says. “I don’t think I really understood the magnitude until recently when I saw my name in the credits at the "On The Run II' tour.” Beyoncé’s Coachella performance was infused with Black culture and HBCU culture in particular. The specificity of HBCU culture could not be replicated without some knowledgeable
HBCU graduates. Enter Josef, a graduate of Voorhees College in Denmark, S.C. and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He, along with several other HBCU graduates in the form of dancers, singers, choreographers' musicians and band consultants, assembled to create a LIVE homecoming experience presented on a world stage. "The performance put HBCU culture on the map." Josef admits. “I've had friends sending me stuff from South Africa and Brazil." The performance was a team effort; Josef was responsible for the step choreography. He worked with fellow fraternity brother, Joe Brown to make magic. Since the April production, it's safe to say Josef 's life
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has been a whirlwind. Daily offers to teach, facilitate workshops and judge step shows aren't uncommon. He recently facilitated a workshop at Stanford University and taught a master class in Atlanta. He just met with an agency to help manage the myriad of requests that have come his way. "I wake up to crazy DMs or people add you on Facebook and start shootin' shots.” Josef laughed. However, on the heels of the festival performance, Josef sets his sights on the future of his career in entertainment. Which isn't necessarily a dream for Josef, it’s simply the family business. “I naturally thought I’d be a singer because that’s what everyone in my family does.” Josef admits. His father is a pastor and formerly worked in the
music industry as a singer, musician and producer for Motown Records. His uncle is Lenny Williams, a singer best known for his 1978 hit "Cause I Love You." Josef recounts his family work with music's most notables. "My aunt used to be one of Beyoncé’s background singers," he says. Aunt Crissy Collins is a member of Beyoncé’s allfemale background vocalist group knows as "The Mamas." "We'd come home and like Chanté Moore is sitting on our couch, but I just knew a lot of people growing up," he says. While celebrity occurrences were commonplace, none of those relationships came into play as Josef has grown in the dance industry. He booked his first job at age 11 and danced background for Kirk Franklin at age 13. "I just connected with it, and I knew
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“The performance put HBCU culture on the map.”
it was what I wanted to do,” he said. Josef has trained and studied with the Ballethnic Dance Company in Atlanta, started teaching dance while in New York and now actively works in Los Angeles. Initially offering what he learned at Voorhees College as a Mass Communications major to barter ballet and modern lessons from dance studios is how he got his foot in the door. "I used my major –– the PR and Marketing, by marketing and advertising myself to this community to make people say 'Hey, I want to work with you." he says. He's since been featured on Season 1 of NBC's World of Dance and worked with the likes of Eric Benet, Danity Kane’s D. Woods and Dawn Richard and The Walls Group. His career is now taking him from city to city as a dancer and choreographer.
His recent Atlanta master class centered around stepping, which he says has always been a part of his style. “I am a tough one,” Josef says as he reflects on his time as a step master for Eta Iota chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. "That person is not nice at all," he says. But his teaching style as a choreographer is much more strategic than stern. "I take an overall consensus of where everyone is and go from there. I try to find how I can make everyone grow," he says. The self-proclaimed visual learner is solely focused on storytelling through movement. “Movement is movement and I think of dance to be more of a movement than choreography,” he says. With the mention of movement, he naturally pivots to dancers and choreographers he admires and hopes to work with in the future, like Tony Tzar, Lee Daniel, and Devin
Solomon. "They all have made very fluid and smart choices. They’ve accepted who they are in every single way and it makes them amazing to watch." Josef says. Never too far from his church roots, it was during a performance at The Stellar Awards that Josef decided to have his own dance ministry, Eden Dance Ministry. "I want to build a company that can do that... choreograph for those gospel artists and people who are excited to serve God," stated Josef during an interview with The HBCU Podcast. "I know that God is going to give me all the things that I desire as a test to see if I’ll still do what it is He wants me to do," he says.
great singers and artists," he said. With sights on a multifaceted career, Josef appreciates how his HBCU and fraternity connections have assisted him thus far. "HBCUs carry a different energy that you have to experience," he says. Moving forward his focus is on trying to uplift the HBCU community in any way possible. "I'm starting to figure out how to use my platform to give back, that is very important," Josef says.
NATASHA CARTER
While dance is still near and dear to his heart, Josef has recently set his sights on honing his vocal abilities and sharpening his acting chops with hopes of one day working with Janet Jackson, Brandy and Jazmine Sullivan. "I want to work with some
HBCU Times 9 | Fall 2018 Issue
e e h c e e G Gullah m u l u c i r r Cu
at HBCUs by DR. JESSICA BERRY
Walking onto the campus of South Carolina State University in 2008 to begin my master’s degree, I remember feeling anxious and excited. Of particular interest was seeing the infamous Chuck Phi Chuck organization. As a native of the Charleston area, the idea that people from the low country came together to form an organization that celebrated and acknowledged being Gullah Geechee was fascinating. As I scrambled to get textbooks and financial aid in order, I saw a group of students wearing white t-shirts with black writing. Each shirt was engraved with a line number, line name, and Chuck Phi Chuck written across the top. I quickly recognized that Chuck Phi Chuck and the HBCU campus of SC State University was a safe haven for Gullah Geechee natives. Most notably, this was a space where speaking Gullah Geechee was accepted.
HBCU Times 10 | Summer 2018 Issue
FOR THE CULTURE
The completion of a research study during graduate school intensified my perspective on the importance of incorporating Gullah Geechee into academia. The study examined pre-service teachers’ attitudes toward different dialects, using 2-minute clips of speakers of African American English, Southern White English, and Mainstream English. The pre-service teachers overwhelmingly rated speakers of Gullah Geechee lowest in the categories of intelligence, education, friendliness, and ambition when compared to the other speakers. The results of this study were disheartening but not surprising. Spoken language is a consistent factor in how the world views and makes decisions about a person’s capabilities. Therefore, as HBCUs continue to fulfill their mission of serving African American communities by providing equal education opportunities, it is important for HBCUs to take the lead in educating students about their history. One way of educating African American students at HBCUs about their history is the incorporation of Gullah Geechee courses into the curriculum as a foundation for future African/African American studies. Such focused education will provide students with the knowledge necessary to refute unfounded conclusions about their capabilities based solely on their spoken language. Gullah Geechee is distinct because it is the only English-based creole language spoken in the U.S. that was created by enslaved Africans on the Sea Islands of South Carolina. Gullah Geechee has been preserved and retains many significant remnants of the South Atlantic slave trade that have since faded in other areas of the U.S. Furthermore, like other nonmainstream languages and dialects spoken in the United States, Gullah Geechee is a structured rule-governed language and not broken English as has been previously assumed. Perhaps introducing systematic education about this unique culture and language at HBCUs would promote a change in the narrative and negative stigma that has surrounded the Gullah Geechee language and culture for decades.
The potential impact of the inclusion of Gullah Geechee in the curriculum at HBCUs is profound. The Gullah Geechee proverb “Ef oonuh ent know’ whe’ onnuh gwine, den onnuh should kno’ whe’ onnuh cum fum,” emphasizes the importance of remembering where you come from, even if you do not know where you are going. HBCU students are primarily of African American descent, creating a central audience for learning about their connections to the Gullah Geechee history, culture, and language. Similar to the purpose of HBCUs in their goal of providing education to a population that was otherwise excluded, the implications for inclusion of Gullah Geechee are similar. I theorize that there are three major positive implications for the implementation of Gullah Geechee into the curriculum at HBCUs. First, acknowledgment of the contributions of the Gullah Geechee culture to the vibrant African American culture of today’s society could energize students to explore their family roots and preserve their stories. Preservation of Gullah Geechee history, culture, and language are important to safeguard for the next generation. The current
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FIND YOUR RIGHT CAREER PATH AT generation of HBCU students should be equipped with the stories of the past that will help to guide them into the future. Second, understanding of the magnitude of the preservation of the African languages and traditions of the Gullah Geechee people is important to support and provide a foundation of HBCU pride. The opportunity for students to learn about the intentional preservation of Gullah Geechee traditions like sweetgrass baskets, music, and foods (i.e. okra soup & red rice) gives credence to the brilliance of the ancestors who paved the way for modern HBCU education. It will also demonstrate to students the importance of their role in the deliberate preservation of their HBCU legacies. Third, the celebration of Gullah Geechee people through Gullah Geechee curriculum would promote pride in the historically marginalized culture. A recent surge of interest in the Gullah Geechee culture has manifested with a Gullah Geechee language course being offered at Harvard and a CNN documentary hosted by W. Kamau Bell that explores how the Gullah Geechee culture is different. These examples of
Dr. Jessica Berry
Dr. Jessica Berry is a native of Huger, South Carolina. She is currently an assistant professor of speech pathology and audiology at South Carolina State University. She completed her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders at Winthrop University, her master’s in speech pathology and audiology at South Carolina State University and earned her doctorate at Louisiana State University in Communication disorders with a minor in linguistics. Dr. Berry’s most recent work, Dialect Variation of Copula and Auxiliary Verb BE: African American English–Speaking Children With and Without Gullah/Geechee Heritage was published in the Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research in September 2017.
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acknowledgment, understanding, and celebration of the Gullah Geechee culture by mainstream entities, in many ways, validates the importance of HBCUs taking the lead in educating students about Gullah Geechee. The rising interest in the Gullah Geechee culture in many ways proves that the time is now for HBCUs to take the lead in educating African American students about a culture that reflects who they are. The Gullah Geechee proverb, “Every frog praise e own pond” proposes that we all have something to praise or celebrate. Gullah Geechee is worth learning about and being celebrated in a structured college classroom environment, like many other languages (e.g. Spanish, French, German). The incorporation of Gullah Geechee into the HBCU curriculum will give students, like the members of Chuck Phi Chuck, a foundation of educated praise to lavish on their HBCU and their culture.
Dr. Berry is the owner of Berry Institute, LLC a private pediatric speech therapy practice and has worked as an early intervention/ pediatric speech therapist for over 6 years in Louisiana and South Carolina. Dr. Berry is passionate about the Gullah/ Geechee language and has worked as a translator/transcriber with the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History and Culture project (2014) and completed the first Gullah/Geechee professional development sessions for early childhood and head start teachers in Charleston County School District (2017). She is a fluent Gullah/Geechee speaker and remembers being ridiculed and not provided certain opportunities because of the way that she spoke. For these and other reasons, she is an advocate for creating spaces where children who do not speak Mainstream English are provided the same opportunities and additional assistance that they may need to be successful. Dr. Berry along with fellow Gullah community advocates will offer a Gullah Geechee course at South Carolina State University that will explore Gullah Geechee history, culture, and language. She hopes that this course will inspire students to learn more about their roots while becoming advocates for marginalized communities. Dr. Berry enjoys learning and growing and plans to use all that she has learned through her years as an educator/clinician to mentor next generation of scholars. She is the proud wife, mother, scholar, and servant leader to the community.
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The Evolution of
BLACK GR by ANGELA T. CLARK
C
ollegiate life was a different experience for me as my formal education began at South Carolina State University at the age of 5. My family lived on the campus and my parents both taught in the science department. Both first generation college students, Carl Clark and Barbara Randall met on the campus of Morgan State University. This southern girl (hailing from Macon, GA) and the northern guy (growing up in Baltimore, MD) were exposed to Greek Life in the mid fifties. My mother pledged the Alpha Gamma Chapter and in the fall of 1956 became a Delta. My father was on the Sphinx Line of the Beta Alpha Chapter in the same year. I heard stories of their year long process and consistently saw my parents serve campus and the community of Orangeburg as a part of Greek Life. We traveled to many conferences and events nationwide and witnessed first hand the deeper bonds of friendship and service that developed from the lifelong kinship with their line brothers and sisters. I saw this for myself, in my own pledge process. I have significant memories being initiated in the Alpha Xi Chapter of South Carolina State University in the spring of 1988. Crossing the burning sands at that time, the condensed membership intake process we know today had not yet implemented. The fellowship and deeply significant bond that develops while you are on line are only known by few. This connection nurtures, helps, supports, sustains and commits you
HBCU Times 14 | Fall 2018 Issue
to a higher purpose. Now don’t get me wrong, pledging during the 80s was a glorious journey. To say we had a magnificent time would most certainly be an understatement. There were all kinds of parties and fun to be had. I am often thankful that social media didn’t exist then because we definitely had a lot of fun. What I think truly separates black collegiate Greek life from any other collegiate Greek experience is that our commitment is lifelong. After graduation, my career allowed me a great deal of flexibility and transition. Traveling all over the world and often settling for larger amounts of time in cities across this nation gave me a diverse perspective. I gained incredible insight to how my sorority conducts the business of Delta. Each member organization of the National Panhellenic Council has service initiatives which focus on the concerns and needs of our communities. There used to be a distinct difference and unspoken rivalry on a collegiate level, but once you graduate you quickly realize that none of our service success is possible without each other. The Divine 9 connection unites our call to service. We must support each other’s events and activities with a combined effort; simply because there is strength in numbers. The more we come together, the more effective we can be in making lasting strategic change. It is more relevant now than ever as some of this country, our country, has begun to show they care less and less about what we do and more about what
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REEK LIFE we look like. Whether you wear blue and white or black and gold, it doesn’t prevent you from being harassed while black. Just the other day, I was playing the game Taboo with my family. My cousin said, “a black man walking can get...” and almost in unison my family shouted “Arrested.”
regardless of membership. This must be the evolution of Black Greek Life. It is only through that evolution that we, cooperatively, can show future generations that it’s not about what color separates us, but about what service connects us all.
I am so blessed to be able to celebrate my 30th “Deltaversary” this year as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Entering a new chapter in my life has brought some monumental changes. However, along with those changes, I have gained the opportunity to reconnect with my own sorority’s purpose. As I step into a significant leadership role with my current graduate chapter affiliation, I am reminded of the core principles I swore to uphold as a new initiate. Sometimes we get so busy living life that we forget that service to others is the cornerstone of Black Greek Letter organizations. It is our responsibility to refine our intake process to a lasting foundation of service and rejuvenate that spirit in our current membership. The mission of our collective organizations has to change. It has to grow and embrace one another as we recommit to our communities
HBCU Times 15 | Fall 2018 Issue
Angela T Clark
An Orangeburg, South Carolina native, Angela Teresa Clark is the second child born to Dr. Carl O. Clark and Mrs. Barbara Randall Clark. Performing in commercials since the age of four, Angela has a dual degree in theater and business from South Carolina State University. The Founder and CEO of Frabjous Enterprises, Inc. managing thirteen subsidiaries; with offices in Orangeburg and Greenville, South Carolina, she is currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship/Innovation at her alma mater and works as a Business Management Specialist with CGF LLC in Greenville, SC. Angela has performed in over 75 countries; as a dancer, actor, choreographer, writer and producer. The executive producer of the CROWN Group TV shows “KNOW Carolina”, “TEEN TALK Carolina” & “ANOINTED”, Angela was the featured performer with the six star luxury cruise line Silver Sea.
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The first African-American woman to hold the titles of Miss North Charleston, South Carolina Queen of Roses and Miss Orangeburg County in the Miss South Carolina/America scholarship organization, she is the Local Executive Director (LED) for the Miss Orangeburg County & Miss Orangeburg County Teen, Miss Garden City & Miss Garden City Teen and the Miss Edisto River and Miss Edisto River Teen preliminaries. Angela is excited to be featured in the June 2018 GlambitiousIAm publication PUSH THROUGH as a Co-Author. She is thrilled to also share her first solo book project entitled the PAIN Perspective - making the pain you experience or create positive due out this fall. The current 1st Vice President of the Greenville SC Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Angela is proud to celebrate serving her community as a part of this sisterhood for the past 30 years.
Howard University Changed My Life: "The Mecca" by ASHLEY MCDONOUGH While A Different World originally sparked my interest to enroll in an HBCU with its prideful cast, outspoken females and strong intelligent black leaders, I wasn’t completely sold on the idea, that is until my first visit to Howard University.
I know my parents loved me/ Stand behind me/Come what may/ I know now that I’m ready/ Because I finally heard them say/ It’s a different world/ From where you come from. Do these lyrics sound familiar? Or what about the names Whitley and Dwayne, our original relationship goals? If you haven’t already guessed the legendary 80’s-90’s hit show A Different World, your childhood most definitely missed out on television greatness. Nevertheless, this spin-off Cosby Show series changed black television and black education forever. This show highlighted the HBCU experience and was the first of its kind, a sitcom that boldly displayed the lives of young black intellectuals. As a young black girl growing up in Queens, NY, I was mesmerized from the very start and I knew that if given that opportunity, an HBCU would change my life. Being first generation American, with parents both of Caribbean descent, education has always been key. You went to school, you performed nothing short of excellence and you were not to expect a reward because of it. Excellence was, in fact, the only expectation! But through all my teachings and years of hard work when it came time to go to college, there was no particular school that was enforced. Growing up Caribbean-American, the historically black college experience was not enforced in my household unlike for many black-Americans. While going to college was mandatory and never for one second up for debate, it didn’t really matter where I got my degree from, it only mattered that I got one. Unlike my Caribbean-American upbringing, I’ve grown to realize many black Americans had a completely different experience than I did. Many black-American parents I’ve encountered encourage their children from young to attend historically black colleges, best known as HBCUs because of the rich legacy they possess; However I learned about this legacy much later.
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Fast forward to 2011, my junior year in high school and my first walk across the infamous Howard University yard. My mom and I took a 4-hour Megabus ride from NY, got lost in D.C once we finally arrived and, to make matters worse, it was raining, and I just got my hair done. Tragic! Originally thinking I should’ve stayed in NY where it was dry and where I belonged, I figured let’s see what this school has to offer. Shortly after, I was greeted by a handsome chocolate man who gave me a poncho to continue my tour and all was well in the world again. But it wasn’t the handsome chocolate man or the much-needed poncho that made me fall in love with what is now my alma mater, Howard University. It was the unexplainable essence, pride, and self-awareness that had me in awe. As we continued the tour, our tour guide went on about the famous alumni who’ve graduated from the illustrious university such as Taraji P. Henson, Toni Morrison, and Phylicia Rashad. He continued to show us university landmarks like where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once gave a speech for the Gandhi Memorial or where Harlem Renaissance extraordinaire, Zora Neale Hurston, helped co-found the university’s 94-year-old paper, The Hilltop. As I listened, learned and fell deeper in love. What I learned most about the university, outside of the accolades, I learned from simply observing the students and the campus. As I walked the yard, it’s almost as if the students felt the legacy this university possessed. From the pride and confidence as they walked to their perspective classes or from their intelligent yet ratchet conversations they so eloquently shared. They did all of this while being impeccably dressed; Howard was also ranked second best-dressed college in the nation, but I digress. It was the epitome of black excellence, and I was home! Soon after my visit back in 2011, I committed to Howard University as the school where I would earn my bachelors in journalism; little did I know I would get much more than a college degree within those 4 years.
FOR THE CULTURE
What I didn’t realize prior to attending a historically black college is how much I didn’t know. Now while I was always an exceptional student (hello again Caribbean parents!), I quickly realized the school system failed me as a black woman. We learned endless math courses and various forms of science (which I still haven’t used), but what about my history as a black woman?
Being taught by successful black women and men, while learning alongside the most well-rounded ambitious people I’ve ever encountered is something I could’ve never asked for. Not to mention the parties were as lit as the academics.
The school system has a way of conveniently leaving out key components of American history, especially when it comes to black history. We learn just enough to think we understand our backstory but, in reality, we are subtly being brainwashed into downplaying our past. Of course, we'll learn about the key players such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman, but my history is richer and more complex than a few important people. What about everyone else, and what about everything else we had to endure? What about all the great things we’ve contributed and continue to accomplish?
Also if you’ve ever attended a homecoming at Howard, your life has most likely been changed too, just saying.
That’s where Howard University came in. Howard University taught me the TRUTH about my history and not the truth they thought I could handle. Our history courses were African American courses and mandatory in the curriculum. Professors insisted we were going to learn and love our black history whether we liked it or not. They made sure to teach us who we really are so society wouldn’t be able to do that for us. The university’s bold, honest approach brought to light many of the issues that have happened in this country and illustrated why many of these same issues continue today. Our courses were real, they were honest, and they were life-changing. Howard gave me more than a degree, it gave me a rebirth of who I am as a black woman. I learned self-love, self-awareness and an endless respect for my people. I learned what black excellence is, and why mediocre is never an option; after all our school motto is “Excellence without excuse”.
Howard University changed my life, changed my perspective and I’m a better black woman because of it.
ashley mcdonough
Ashley McDonough is a Howard University graduate, writer, and producer from New York. With her work in the media industry, McDonough aims to tell the stories that matter, open minds, and showcase the truth behind a misconstrued culture.
HBCU Times 19 | Fall 2018 Issue
HBCU Times 20 | Fall 2018 Issue
COVER STORY
Crown CAPTURING THE
Setting the World Standard for Beauty and Brains
by ASHLEY ELLIOT
SC State Alum Kára McCullough Talks Journey to Becoming Miss USA 2017
The night of May 14, 2017 was no ordinary night for SC State University alumna, Kára McCullough, ’13. In fact, it would be one that she would never forget. In just a matter of minutes, her life would change in the most profound way. A dream that she held in her mind’s eye since she was a little girl would soon be realized. Standing center stage donning a beautiful beige and white gown that swept the floor behind her, she waited in anticipation for the official announcement. After a few tense seconds, Kára heard the words, “Miss USA 2017 is…District of Columbia!” With tears streaming down her face, she bowed to receive her crown. It was breathtakingly beautiful, aligned with sparkling jewels and stars representing the country that she would now serve as Miss USA. After proudly taking her first walk down the long runway and receiving hugs from her peers, she looked into the camera and shared an inspiring message: “Follow your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t happen.”
HBCU Times 21 | Fall 2018 Issue
Looking back, Kára admits that she was initially shocked that she’d won despite having prepared for this moment all her life. Rather than focus on the journey that led to that victorious night or what the future may hold, she decided to fully embrace the moment. “I was just thankful for the entire experience,” she recalled. “Throughout the competition, I just kept reminding myself that I need to enjoy the process rather than focus on the outcome. I like to believe my prayers were answered because I didn’t set too many unrealistic expectations but allowed myself to enjoy every bit of the process.” Growing up in Virginia Beach, Va., Kára acquired the characteristics of a queen early on, quickly developing such qualities as confidence and maturity. She embraced three traits for success that would ultimately help mold her into becoming Miss USA: Don’t complain and take responsibility for your own actions. “When I was six years old I remember my mom telling me that I complained a lot, but I never really listened until one day one when I was at the Boys and Girls Club playing foosball with one of my peers and he was like wow you complain a lot. I think from that moment on, I stopped complaining,” noted Kara.
Her second success strategy is an age-old adage taken from the best selling book of all time. “You have to honor your mother and father like the Bible says to be successful. You can’t bite the hand that feeds you.” Lastly, she says it’s important to always have a growth mindset. “You have to constantly want to be working, constantly want to be enlightened, and constantly want to be fertilized so you can learn new things.” Kára’s precocious thirst for knowledge, coupled with her passion for success and strong work ethic, which she undoubtedly acquired from her mom who she deems her greatest mentor, prepared her to experience all of the amazing opportunities that came her way. She could confidently say her vision for the future was pretty clear, particularly when it came to obtaining the Miss USA title, but there was one aspect of her life that wasn’t particularly mapped out. “Most people would be surprised to know that me attending South Carolina State University was actually happenstance,” she explained. “I had a Colonel that attended my church who gave me an application and I applied. Me attending turned out to be the most beautiful story because I didn’t have expectations but I set goals for myself regardless while I was there.” One of those goals was becoming Miss South Carolina State University a year prior to her graduation. During the University’s 75th coronation ceremony, appropriated themed, “A Celebration of Cultural Elegance,” Kára’s platform, “Keep Your Coins, Inspire for Change,” focused on empowering young black women in science, technology, engineering, and math-related (STEM) subjects. As a chemistry major with a concentration in radiochemistry, her passion for all things STEM spilled over into other collegiate experiences which led her to become a member of the American Chemical Society, the Health Physics Society, the American Association of Blacks in Engineering, the American Nuclear Society, the Alpha Nu Sigma Honor Society, the Golden
HBCU Times 22 | Fall 2018 Issue
COVER STORY
Kára McCullough
Key International Honor Society and the National Society of Black Engineers.
accomplishment of being comfortable in your skin and knowing that you are powerful.”
Undoubtedly, SC State University helped pave the way for the next chapter in her life, making her academically prepared and socially adept. After graduation, she began a career at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. She also went on to compete in pageants, remembering her reign as Miss SC State University. Kára understood, after having to compete with many diverse individuals, that matriculating through an HBCU gave her a heightened level of confidence and solidified her rightful place in royalty. “The biggest advantage is being disadvantaged and since we attend HBCUs, we’re typically placed with placards on our heads saying that we’re not as deep as other students but, when you use that to your advantage, you can prove that you can perform just as well as ivy league students.”
Now that her reign is complete, there are a lot of things on the horizon for Kára, including implementing various initiatives for her non-profit agency, developing youth travel camps, and motivational speaking. Her message for her peers and future generations is that the sky is truly the limit for anything they want to achieve, but it takes self-reflection and hard work. “When it comes to accomplishing goals and aspirations, we have to be mindful of the process. To those little girls that aspire to be Miss USA or an Olympian or a Mathematician, I always tell them that you have to take your education seriously because that comes before anything,” explained Kára. Take the time to find out what is it that just makes your heart burst into fireworks whether it be in a classroom or on the basketball court. You have to find where your passion is first. Then you have to know yourself before you can enter into a competition or do anything for that matter.”
Since its inception in 1952, the Miss USA organization has crowned close to 70 queens from various states across the U.S. Many have unique stories and backgrounds but only three have matriculated through an HBCU. This demonstrates the tenacity and defying of perceived disadvantages while solidifying the fact that there are endless opportunities for empowerment, self-awareness and unparalleled success for graduates of HBCU institutions. “We have to be very mindful and aware that there’s a lot of racial pressures and a lot of identity issues when it comes to the black community so we have to continue to especially uplift our young black men and our young women to always see themselves as young kings and queens and to remind them that you can’t be inferior to anyone,” stressed Kára. “We have to continually tell them that they are capable of accomplishing anything regardless of where you come from, what neighborhood you grew up in, or what social economic status you felt like you were placed with a disadvantage in. HBCUs should continue to provide that sense of achievement and
ashley elliot
HBCU Times 23 | Fall 2018 Issue
UNCF Career Pathways Initiative Addresses Underemployment and Unemployment of HBCU Graduates by BRIAN BRIDGES
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aculty, staff and executive leadership from 40 institutions (39 HBCUs and 1 Predominantly Black Institution) engaged in interactive sessions focused on purposeful approaches to leveraging disruptions in higher education. Led by UNCF Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) staff under the umbrella of the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building (ICB), this convening provided a space for higher education professionals and leading industry experts to gain insight, collaborate and share learning strategies to increase student outcomes and improve the use of data management and analytics at their respective institutions. The Convening featured a series of keynote speakers who addressed the needs of the 21st century workforce, and how it is being shaped by large-scale change and a rapidly changing, technologically-driven world. Speakers included Cheryl L Hyman, author and former chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago; Amelia Parnell, vice president for research and policy, NASPA-Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education; Terrell L. Strayhorn, Ph.D., CEO and professor, Do Good Work Educational Consulting, LLC; and Heather Hiles, general partner and managing director, Imminent Equity. The Data Institute consisted of three data session formats, including: Technology Boot Camps, Bring Your Own Data sessions and Work Without Borders sessions. The goal was to help institutions gain: 1) a better understanding of how to effectively use data technology on their respective campuses; 2) knowledge on how to best execute data analysis projects and produce useful reports; and 3) tools to develop necessary relationships to facilitate cross-campus data sharing and communication.
UNCF announced a significant partnership in 2015 with Lilly Endowment, Inc. that directly addresses the employment gaps of African American college graduates in comparison to white graduates. For the CPI pilot program, UNCF selected 24 colleges and universities to receive five-year implementation grants totaling an impressive $35 million; the goal: to improve job placement outcomes for African American graduates. “The value proposition for HBCUs and PBIs remains strong, as these institutions disproportionately produce first-generation, low-income graduates of color,” said Lomax. “UNCF and Lilly Endowment are helping to produce new pathways so that these deserving graduates have seamless transitions to meaningful careers. We heartily congratulate the 24 institutions chosen to lead this important work.” The $50 million gift from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. has allowed UNCF to develop the UNCF® Career Pathways Initiative (CPI), a unique pilot program at select historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly black institutions (PBIs) that aims to impact over 54,000 students enrolled at these 24 institutions by creating attainable pathways to careers after graduation.
For more information about this event follow @UNCFCPI on Twitter, using the #PurposefulDistruption or #UNCFCPI hashtags. For more information, please visit UNCF.org.
HBCU Times 24 | Fall 2018 Issue
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brian bridges
UNCF® Career Pathways Initiative Implementation Grantees
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Benedict College* Claflin University* Clark Atlanta University Dillard University Fayetteville State University Fisk University Florida Memorial University Huston-Tillotson University Jarvis Christian College LeMoyne-Owen College Morehouse College Morgan State University* Norfolk State University* Oakwood University* Rust College Spelman College Talladega College* Tennessee State University* Tougaloo College* University of West Alabama Voorhees College* Wilberforce University Wiley College Xavier University
Brian Bridges, Ph.D., is UNCF’s vice president of research and member engagement and leads UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute (FDPRI) and the Institute for Capacity Building (ICB). He serves as UNCF’s chief research officer, principal editor and contributor for FDPRI’s publications and the manager of internal and external projects involving capacity building, evaluation and assessment. Bridges also leads the UNCF Career Pathways Initiative, a project funded by the Lilly Endowment, to improve job placement outcomes at HBCUs and PBIs. Prior to joining UNCF, Bridges was vice provost for diversity, access and equity at Ohio University. He was associate director of the Center for Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Equity at the American Council on Education and held various roles, including associate director, at the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). While at NSEE, he managed a million-dollar subcontract for the Building Engagement and Attainment of Minority Students project, a national initiative funded by Lumina Foundation to assist minority-serving institutions use of NSSE results for institutional improvement. In addition, he has served on numerous panels and advisory committees on issues related to HBCUs, learning environments at minority-serving institutions and success factors for African American college students at predominantly white institutions. Bridges earned his doctorate in higher education administration from Indiana University-Bloomington, a master of public administration degree from the University of North CarolinaCharlotte and a bachelor’s degree from Francis Marion University.
HBCU Times 25 | Fall 2018 Issue
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#HBCU by DR. TYRA TURNER WHITTAKER
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here is something “magical” about the Historically Black College or University (HBCU) experience. From the stellar academic curriculum to the lively homecoming halftime shows, the HBCU experience is unmatched! The secret to the power of the HBCU experience is discovered in its high caliber administrators and faculty, dedicated students and alumni, and an extended family culture. High Caliber Administrators and Faculty HBCUs are known for attracting exemplary administrators, scholars, and researchers. HBCU administrators and faculty are educated at some of the nation’s top institutions of learning. HBCUs have been vested with the obligation and the privilege of preparing students for the real world—not a theoretical world in which all people are treated equally, but the real world. It’s the preparation provided by HBCUs that allows African-American students to thrive and be agents of positive change. HBCU administrators and faculty are committed to the mission of HBCUs, which is to educate African-Americans. On the surface this may appear to be a rather logical and simplistic charge; unfortunately, it is not. Considering the historical, current, and future challenges to beset African-Americans, our education must be different. For example, while others may study math in order to learn the importance of numbers, we must go further. We must learn not only how to count, but more importantly, we must learn what counts. One of the reasons that our HBCUs teach students what counts is because of the disproportionally negative portrayals of AfricanAmericans in many media venues. HBCUs are entrusted to prepare students to lead the way with confidence and skill no matter what perceptions others may have of them. So, although students must know how to count as it pertains to being able to tell time, HBCUs teach students that this is not enough. Not only must we teach our students how to count,
Magic
U
HBCU MAGIC
Discovering the Power of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the 21st Century
as it pertains to being on time; but more importantly we have to teach our students what counts—getting to the interview early. In addition to being highly qualified, they often serve as the African-American ambassador in the workplace. It’s interesting how many meetings and interactions become informal educational sessions, as our graduates find themselves uprooting negative stereotypes and holding class—”African American Excellence 101”. Throughout the 21st Century, the need to focus on what counts will continue to increase. Consequently, it’s not uncommon for HBCU graduates to return to their alma mater as faculty members because they recognize the importance of preparing the next generation of leaders and mentors. They return to teach others because they know what counts. Because they understand what counts, HBCU administrators and faculty work tirelessly to ensure that each student is prepared to operate in a competitive global society. It is not uncommon to see the university president strolling through the campus square or the “quad” shaking hands, encouraging students, and even helping a freshman and his or her parents move into the dormitory. Servant-leadership is one of the hallmark characteristics of HBCU administrators, faculty, and staff. These high caliber leaders have an unwavering commitment to the development of the next generation of African-American students and instilling confidence and vision in its graduates. During networking sessions at a professional conference or congregating with fellow church members, HBCU graduates fondly recall faculty members who served as educators, mentors, cheerleaders, and “in loco parentis” (second parents). Dedicated Students and Alumni Many HBCUs are geographically positioned in underserved and under-resourced communities. In the current social climate, punctuated by issues of human dignity and social injustice, HBCU students often provide community service to make a
HBCU Times 27 | Summer 2018 Issue
positive difference in their communities. In fact, at some schools, it’s a requirement to graduate. At the heart of HBCUs are dedicated students and alumni who carry the torch of the HBCU spirit. The alumni provide a necessary ingredient for the #HBCUMagic formula. Alumni, because of societal challenges they have faced and the support they received from their classmates and their entire HBCU family, often have a pride in their school that is unrivaled. Their courage and learning experiences, in and out of the classroom, have allowed them to be pioneers in professional circles and in civic organizations. It is on the shoulders of alumni that current HBCU students stand to obtain a better view of their future and become masters of their own destinies.
and friendly climate where individuals not only survive but thrive. HBCUs provide a nurturing environment that fosters mentoring relationships between students and faculty. HBCUs believe that it takes a village to educate a student. Alumni choose to send their high school graduates to their alma mater to become a member of the extended family. Graduates know that they can trust HBCUs to educate and protect their adult children. HBCUs are a safe haven for African-American students in the 21st century as they continue to produce the next generation of professionals. HBCUs provide high caliber administrators and faculty; they provide dedicated students and alumni; they teach not only how to count, but they teach what counts, and they provide a second family; it’s not your typical college experience.
Extended Family Culture From the moment you step onto an HBCU campus, you quickly realize that you are a part of an extended family that spans the southern part of the nation. HBCUs possess a warm, welcoming,
Dr. Tyra Turner Whittaker Dr. Whittaker is currently a Professor of Counseling and the PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling and Rehabilitation Counselor Education Program Coordinator at North Carolina A&T State University where she has received over 13 million in grant funds to meet the needs of racial and ethnic minorities with disabilities and addictive behaviors. Additionally, she assisted in the development of the PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling and Rehabilitation Counselor Education with an emphasis on Trauma and Trauma Informed Care. She has also served as the CoPrincipal Investigator on grants to establish certificate programs in Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment and Rehabilitation Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. She has worked with the university’s counseling center to obtain grant funding in the area of substance abuse prevention. She has numerous presentations and publications in the area of rehabilitation and multicultural counseling and has served on numerous professional boards including the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling, Commission on Rehabilitation Counseling Certification (CRCC), National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE), and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
HBCU Times 28 | Fall 2018 Issue
BE ACON LE ADERS.
A FOR
Explore the new Clinton. As the college approaches its 125th-year anniversary, Clinton is aggressively moving to meet the needs of the 21st-century student. With a continued focus on the development of the student body, updates to our campus facilities and academic programs will empower the next generation of leaders to excel in the workforce. Follow the Clinton College journey HBCU Times 30 | Fall 2018 Issue at www.clintoncollege.edu
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HBCU MAGIC
HBCUs: There is No Place
Like Home
by AMORI WASHINGTON
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s a high school student, the idea of attending a Historically Black College/University was far from foreign to me. Not only had both my parents graduated from the same HBCU, but one of my older sisters was currently attending one. I was no stranger to the special institutions which prioritized academic excellence while celebrating black identity. My earliest memories were my dad, sitting me up on his shoulders so I could view the homecoming parade at his alma mater, filled with black kings and queens, cheerleaders, dancers, marching bands, and so many more. As I watched in amazement at the abundance of black culture, black pride, and family dynamics, my parents looked with genuine contentment as if they had finally made it back home. Because of my exposure to these institutions so early on, I understood the beauty and value within HBCUs, but it was not until high school that I began to realize this was not the reality for other students like myself. I remember close friends of mine saying, “I could never see myself at a black school, I just would not fit in, plus I want a real college experience.” Confused does not begin to describe my feeling towards their comments; I could not understand why young black people like myself were not elated by or even open to the idea of pursuing an education
alongside others like themselves at an institution that not only educated and enlightened, but was created historically to provide black people with the knowledge they need to be successful. I would grow angry at their comments and pass them off as hateful and rude, but I soon realized that my exposure at such a young age was not common to everyone. I began to question, if my parents had not attended an HBCU and ensured I recognized their purpose and value, what would my perception of an HBCU be? Could I see myself there? As a recent HBCU graduate, I see now more than ever the need for high school students to “see” themselves in the student body of HBCUs. College is the first time young people get a voice in their education, choosing where they will spend the next four years, paving the way to their future, so beyond just race they desire to relate with other students at the institution. While there are recruiters, admissions directors, organization representatives, and many more institutional outreach personnel who travel to high schools near and far and speak about the diversity of the institution, these students are unable to simply listen and believe. They are desiring to actually communicate with college students and witness the diversity themselves.
HBCU Times 31 | Fall 2018 Issue
While there are campus visits and tours implemented to grant high school students this opportunity, factors such as money and transportation may greatly hinder the idea from ever coming to fruition. Consequently, it is the duty, specifically of current college students and recent graduates, to advocate not only for their school, but all HBCUs. In order to continue the legacy of these institutions, it is imperative that we work to control the narrative which is popularized and successfully represent what truly occurs at HBCUs. During my first semester at Claflin University, I joined P.U.L.S.E. Dance Company, a performing arts organization which involved creating and performing in shows on campus each semester, as well as performing in a number of off-campus events for middle schools, high school, churches, and NAACP gatherings. In February, we were invited to a high school to put on a show, in celebration of Black History Month. As we performed our repertoire of traditional slave pieces, a rendition of Nina Simone, Alvin Ailey inspired pieces, excerpts from Lion King on Broadway, and even some modern-day hip hop, the audience was completely blown away. The students especially, were so invested and watched with undeniable admiration. Our company was asked to change out of costume and stick around during the lunch hour to converse with the students. As we walked down the hallways, the students practically idolized us, asking for pictures, hugs, and even if we would join them for lunch. We entered the cafeteria and went table-by-table to spark up
amori washington
HBCU Times 32 | Fall 2018 Issue
conversations with various groups of students who had many different interests. As we asked them questions in order to get to know them, we instantly followed up with something Claflin University, our HBCU, could offer them. The students’ eyes lit up as they heard our responses, and they instinctively began to ask more questions about our institution. They were in awe at the diversity they were able to not only see, but interact with. Just from the university’s dance company, the students were exposed to college students from different hometowns, upbringings, ethnicities, academic disciplines, and interests, yet all connected by their passion and love for dance. In that moment, I realized it is not enough to simply tell a high school student that there is a place for him/her at every HBCU; it is essential we go above and beyond to show them they fit in. In order to bridge the gap, current HBCU students and recent graduates must seek out opportunities to educate high school students. Gather with others and plan a visit to a high school to simply speak with students about what they want out of their college experience. Take advantage of every opportunity and share with them some of the unique components HBCUs have to offer. Diversity is not absent from HBCUs, but rather emphasized and celebrated in numerous ways. High school students are eager to learn more, so it is our duty to share and begin the conversation. Bridging this gap will only contribute to the continued success of these great institutions, therefore now is the time to take the initiative to show all prospective students there is a place for them at every HBCU. Amori recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Claflin University, 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 MAGIC
by DR. MELITA POPE MITCHELL
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ore and more adult learners are seeking educational opportunities at colleges and universities across the country. Now that children are older and life is a little more stable, some of these individuals are ready to complete the journey they started after graduating high school years ago; others are looking to finally begin their road to education after putting it off for so many years. Whatever the case, the Adult Degree Program at Johnson C. Smith University’s (JCSU) Metropolitan College of Professional Studies helps adult learners realize that dreams deferred are not dreams denied.
that promotes success. The program offers five degree tracks including face-to-face, online and/or hybrid courses in Business Administration, Social Work, Sport Management, Criminology and Interdisciplinary Studies. Students have dedicated staff and faculty members that encourage them from start to finish. There is a local chapter of the Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) and Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society for Adult Learners. Students are also inducted into other honor societies and join organizations with their traditional age peers, including collegiate chapters of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Adult learners often bring a wealth of life experiences to the classroom. Many learners have work experience that can enhance the engagement between instructors and classmates. They also have other experiences that have allowed them to grow and mature which can develop a strong sense of purpose in their studies. These experiences help adult learners stay motivated to achieve their goal. In addition, the experiences they have had in the workforce and beyond can be strong influencers toward their desire to join the university community. The need to excel in the workforce, change careers, set an example for other family members, and/or finish a long-time goal are a sample of the factors that push adult learners to our programs. At this point in their lives, it is their own internal motivation that drives their determination to learn and take control of that learning (Knowles & Associate, 1985, p. 78).
Angela Silver graduated from the Adult Degree Program at Johnson C. Smith University’s Metropolitan College of Professional Studies and embodies the tenacity of adult learners. Her story is one of many the make up the palette of students who find success here. She became a single parent by her junior year and had two children by the time she graduated high school in 1991. Despite becoming a young mother, she still managed to graduate tenth in her high school class becoming the first high school graduate in her family. After a brief break, she began her college career at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee in 1992. After dealing with the grief of losing her grandmother, Angela decided to complete an associate’s degree at the local community college in nursing and eventually made her way to the University of Memphis to complete a BSN. During this time, she decided that this career was not for her, but she still needed to support her children as a single parent. She tried again with an online program at a for-profit university in 2008, but her busy life and lack of support left her defeated. It was then she decided to defer her dreams of finishing a bachelor’s degree.
When going back to school, adult learners can also have a great deal of responsibility outside of the classroom that they must now manage in addition to education. As adult students, there are demands that many deal with on a constant basis. These can include family responsibilities such as caring for children, grandchildren, parents, or partners. Many work full-time jobs and/or multiple jobs to provide for themselves and their dependents. Yet their determination and resilience lead them to add education to their already full plates. The Adult Degree Program at Johnson C. Smith University’s Metropolitan College of Professional Studies provides flexible delivery programs and a support system for adult learners
After raising her three children, Angela married and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2015. It was then she began to think about returning to finish her degree and started researching schools in the area. She was leaning toward enrolling in the local state university, but after overhearing a conversation at her church she decided to learn more about opportunities at Johnson C. Smith University. When she searched for the university’s webpage for more information, she was greeted by the face of one of her favorite sports legends, fellow Golden Bull Earl
HBCU Times 33 | Fall 2018 Issue
Manigault, which she took as a positive sign. She reached out to an enrollment counselor in the adult degree program to inquire about an opportunity for her to complete what she started over a decade ago. When trying to find a school Angela says, “I wanted a school that I could relate to and they could relate to me. I wanted to be somewhere where I could connect with others. I wanted to be around instructors that understood where I came from including my life as a black woman and a single parent”. Within a few weeks, she found herself back in the classroom and found those instructors at JCSU. The adult degree program was a perfect fit for her as a full-time employee. Even though she had some doubts, unexpected encouragement from the college dean ignited the confidence in herself to know she had found where she needed to be. Fast forward to May 2018, Angela marched across the stage to receive her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. In addition, she graduated summa
Dr. Melita Pope Mitchell Dr. Melita Pope Mitchell is a veteran educator and advocate for adults and underrepresented populations in higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American World Studies from the University of Iowa. In addition, she holds a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Michigan. She completed her Doctor of Education degree in Adult and Community College Education from North Carolina State University in 2015. As a doctoral student, she was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key International Honour Society. Her doctoral research addressed the Factors Influencing Prospective African American Doctoral Students’ Selection of For-Profit Institutions and was presented at the
HBCU Times 34 | Fall 2018 Issue
cum laude with a 3.9571 GPA. The month before, she was initiated into the Gamma Lambda chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at JCSU. Angela says that these accomplishments have changed the trajectory of her family. “My entire family’s life has changed. I want them to see through me what a career looks like. We have had jobs. Now I want them to see what careers and retirements look like. That kind of thinking. Knowing that it is for us too”, she says. Even though she never thought this would be her life, the adult degree program at Johnson C. Smith University’s Metropolitan College of Professional Studies has given her the vehicle to the life she thought would never be. HBCUs are steeped in the tradition that nurtures students through their obstacles and encourages them that their dreams can be accomplished through the support of community. Adult learners can find an opportunity to benefit from these factors at JCSU. Flexible program delivery, supportive staff, dedicated faculty, and a community of adult peers are waiting to move dreams to reality. Here, deferral is not denial. It is never too late to accomplish your goal.
31st Annual International Society for the Scientific Study of Subjectivity Q Conference in Ancona, Italy. Throughout her 19 year career in higher education, she has held positions in both student and academic affairs at the University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Johnson C. Smith University. She has worked with traditional and nontraditional students in higher education. Dr. Mitchell is currently the Assistant Dean of the Metropolitan College of Professional Studies and Director of Adult Degree Programs at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this capacity, she supports adult learners from enrollment through graduation. Dr. Mitchell serves as Metropolitan College of Professional Studies Adult Degree Program Department Chair supporting full time and adjunct faculty. She has also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Johnson C. Smith University since October 2011. In this capacity, she has instructed traditional and non-traditional students in the face to face and online delivery formats. She previously served as a Board Member of the North Carolina Adult Education Association. A dedicated alumna of the University of Iowa, she has served on the University of Iowa Alumni Association Board of Directors, University of Iowa Foundation Alumni Leadership Council and founded the Iowa Black Alumni Network in 2009. Dr. Mitchell is a Diamond Life Member and the current President of the Union County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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
I walked into the office with a heavy heart. I knew that I needed to express my deepest concern to one of my mentors and the woman who had the power to admit me into what could have been my dream Ph.D. program. It was prestigious, had excellent funding, and would open doors for my future. As I sat across the room from her, I heard the words of another professor at the university replaying in my head: “We don’t have more diverse faculty because we can’t find any people of color who are just as qualified as the faculty we already have.” I remembered how in the span of 48 hours, I had been micro-aggressed several times, thought critically about what to order at lunch, and made eye contact way too many times with the two other students of color in the applicant group. From the depths of my soul, I had a deep conflict. Was I willing to sacrifice my sanity for this degree? Was I willing to be on-edge, invalidated, and lonely for a few letters behind my name? No. The tears came without my permission and washed away my uncertainty. I sat there, looked my mentor in the face, and withdrew my application for admittance. It hurt me to turn down the opportunity to attend what I believed would be the ideal program to do the type of research I was passionate about. I had to prioritize my well-being over the research, work, and program. What good was I going to be to the field if I was spending just as much energy proving that I was valid as I was trying to produce novel contributions? Applying for graduate school is scary. It’s even more intimidating when you consider how selective graduate programs can be. At face value, the slim likelihood of getting your foot in the door makes turning around and walking away seem foolish. My upbringing at Spelman College taught me otherwise.
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HBCU MAGIC
When I first began this journey, I limited myself to only considering lower tier programs until my professors and mentors encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, believe in myself, and apply to schools that I truly wanted to attend. They encouraged me to be just as selective about my graduate program as the programs were about me. Spending time in an incubator environment like Spelman, with constant affirmation, fostered a sense of confidence about my worth as a Black woman and my ability to make meaningful contributions to academia. In the end, prestige alone just wasn’t enough for me. I found a prestigious program that was an even better fit for my interests, future career opportunities, and needs as a graduate student. No graduate program is perfect, but I appreciated the
commitment that the university and program were making to improve their lack of diversity. I was able to stick to my values and consider sanity and holistic well-being with equitable weight as prestige. For that ability, amongst others, I am indebted to the transformative experience that Spelman gifted me. In your journey to graduate school and beyond I encourage you to look for actions that demonstrate diversity and inclusion efforts in the programs that you are interested in. Accepting admittance to a program is only the beginning of the journey. Make sure you select a program that will support you holistically along that journey.
Amani R. Holder
Amani R. Holder is a native of Saint Petersburg, Florida. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Spelman College and was the Salutatorian of the class of 2018. Amani is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Psi Chi International Honor Society for Psychology. As an undergraduate, Amani was a Bonner Foundation Scholar, Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar, and Take Stock in Children Scholar. She also earned the Benjamin A. Gilman Fellowship, Rachel Robinson International Fellowship, and Gordon-Zeto Scholarship to study abroad in Cuenca, Ecuador and Copenhagen, Denmark. Currently, Amani is an incoming Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program at Indiana University. Her research interests include race/ethnic identity, trauma, and sexual assault.
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power alumni
Inga S. Willis is an award-winning writer, entrepreneur, and brand developer. Working as an industry professional since the age of 17 as a songwriter and music publisher, Inga’s career began under the tutelage of Antonio “L.A” Reid at LaFace Records. With success as a Grammy Award-nominated songwriter, her clients included T.LC, N’Sync, Carlos Santana, Lauryn Hill, and Anthony Hamilton. Inga emerged from creative writer to music publisher, brand manager, international tour agent, and consultant. “While navigating the music business and developing elite talent, I learned that every brand eventually has a problem, but the root issue is the absence of sustainable strategy. Industries change, the real problem is when businesses and brands don’t adapt.” It was from this observation, that The Mogul Group was launched in 2004 as a strategic consulting firm. Executing in the spheres of entertainment, politics, and brand infusion, Inga has successfully brokered and launched equity initiatives in Africa, Europe, and Asia, as well as domestically. Understanding that each client has a unique thumbprint and need, TMG began solving client issues. Clients saw results in brand escalation, market territory expansion, and global strategic partnerships. “The thing about the entertainment business as we knew it that stuck with me most was a full commitment to client development. It was a strategic process, an incubator, a molding, and a mentorship toward greatness that resulted in sustainable and iconic brands. I still employ that model on all levels.”
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Inga S. Willis
In 2014, Mogul Brokers partnered with Genesis Asset Management, creating a financial hub servicing entertainment clients, business owners, and corporate employees with insurance, investment and retirement options. In 2017, The Mogul Group teamed with the BRANDPRENUER Agency to service both political and executive clients in realms of social media marketing and digital storytelling. A riveting public speaker, Inga has toured academic and business environments, inspiring current and future business leaders to identify “the difference” within, further develop platforms of impact, and innovate existing business models. Coupling her creative clientele with ever-changing business platforms, Inga has emerged as an innovating strategist for emerging business models, political climates, and brand infusion. Her motto is “if it doesn’t exist, we must create it, then repeat.” An Atlanta native, HBCU advocate and proud graduate of Howard University, Inga’s passion is rooted in service platforms, economic community initiatives and the empowerment of budding female entrepreneurs. Inga is a recent recipient of the Pinnacle of Leadership Award, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and The Links, Incorporated.
HBCU SPOTLIGHT
Gauracandra Nimai Garrett
Gauracandra Nimai Garrett was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is the eldest son of Lawrence and Nilsa Garrett. Garrett was formally educated at Allen University where he was a student/athlete participating on the Yellow Jacket Men’s Basketball team and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in Social Science. After completing his undergraduate studies, he chose to pursue the next chapter of his higher education at Webster University’s Columbia Metropolitan Campus where he received a Master of Business Administration degree. Garrett is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer for The Father Factor of South Carolina, LLC, an organization geared towards empowering, supporting and bridging the gap for fathers throughout the palmetto state. Garrett is the Director of Alumni Affairs and University Webmaster at Allen University. He is responsible for managing all aspects of alumni engagement, fundraising and development, marketing and website management, volunteer development and coordination, and special events development and implementation for the division of Institutional Advancement. Garrett kept his passion for basketball alive by becoming a co-owner of the Florence Wildcats/Lady Wildcats Semi-Pro Men’s & Women’s Basketball Teams (Florence, SC) where he serves as the Director of Community and Public Relations. Garrett is also the President and CEO of Golden Moon Marketing & Management, LLC.
Garrett currently serves on the Board of Directors for: the newly proposed Fair Pointe Charter School in Loris, SC; The Talented Tenth of SC’s Board of Directors as the Director of Marketing; The South Carolina Alumni and Advancement Directors Board and is the former Chapter President for the Webster University Alumni Association (Columbia Metropolitan Campus). Garrett is also a volunteer member of the South Carolina Diaper Bank. Garrett is a proud member of the international brotherhood, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences, and NAACP. Garrett is an award recipient of the UNCF “Hall of Honor”, General Alumni Association of Allen University Presidential Award, and was named Best & Brightest 35 and under in the Business Monthly Columbia Magazine in 2017. Garrett is married to Shanna R. Garrett, Founder and President of the South Carolina Diaper Bank. The two are proud parents of a son, Narayan (4), and daughter, Nadia (1).
HBCU Times 39 | Fall 2018 Issue
HBCU Times 40 | Summer 2018 Issue PREVIEW ONLY/INTERNAL USE
TURN
South Carolina
BLUE.
VOTE DEMOCRAT NOVEMBER 6, 2018 JAMES SMITH
MANDY POWERS NORRELL
Governor
Lt. Governor
CONSTANCE ANASTOPOULO
ROSALYN GLENN
Attorney General
Treasurer
MELVIN T. WHITTENBURG Secretary of State
SC-1 JOE CUNNINGHAM
SC-2
SEAN CARRIGAN
SC-3
MARY GEREN
SC-4 BRANDON BROWN
SC-5 ARCHIE PARNELL
SC-6
JAMES CLYBURN
SC-7 ROBERT WILLIAMS PAID FOR BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
power alumni
Chelsea Bosley “When they go low, we go high” is the Michelle Obama quote that Chelsea lives by. Chelsea D. Bosley was born and raised in Plaquemine, Louisiana, a quaint city near Baton Rouge. Chelsea attended Brusly High School where she graduated with honors and was voted by her peers as the Homecoming Queen. Now a 23-year-old second-year law student at Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas, Chelsea aspires to become a corporate lawyer and eventually an appellate judge. As an undergraduate student at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, Chelsea was heavily involved academically and socially. Chelsea served as Miss Freshman, Miss Sophomore, and Miss Junior before receiving the ultimate honor of being elected as the university’s 81st Miss Dillard University. Chelsea is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Through her leadership positions and memberships in various clubs and organizations on and off campus, Chelsea has served the New Orleans community and surrounding areas in exceptional ways, including creating the “Reading for the Record” program. The program’s mission is to increase the literacy rate for students in New Orleans. In 2017, Chelsea, along with hundreds of other HBCU Queens across America, campaigned to be one of ten HBCU Queens featured in Ebony Magazine. Not only was Chelsea elected to
the prestigious group of Queens, she had an “experience of a lifetime” at Walt Disney World for several photo shoots and an exclusive parade where the Queens served as the Grand Marshalls, all provided by Ebony Magazine. Chelsea is most passionate about passing the torch to future generations of young black women. She is a dedicated mentor and hopes to use her experiences to inspire others. After graduating from law school, Chelsea plans to start her own scholarship foundation for college seniors to encourage and aid in furthering education beyond the undergraduate level. Chelsea credits her success and motivation to continue in her journey to God and her parents, Mr. Wayne and Mrs. Lynne Bosley.
HBCU Times 42 | Fall 2018 Issue
HBCU SPOTLIGHT
Daijah Thibodeaux
Recent graduate of South Carolina State University, Daijah Thibodeaux, is a standout HBCU alumna. Daijah is currently attending Medical School at the Morehouse School of Medicine. She made her mark during her undergraduate career and will continue to impact the world with her passion for leading and helping others. An active student on campus, Daijah participated in a number of clubs and organizations which demonstrated her admirable character and interest in mentoring others. Examples include the Student Orientation Leader Program and Religious Life Council. Additionally, she valued academic merit, earning the Sports Marketing Internship and serving as a member of South Carolina State University’s Honors College. Daijah used her talents and dedication to uplifting others by implementing the B.A.L.L. (Build. Achieve. Lend. Learn.) platform during her reign as Miss South Carolina State University 2017-2018. In her leadership role, Daijah placed a strong emphasis on community development and empowerment, focusing on both the campus and the Orangeburg communities. After impressively graduating Magna Cum Laude, Daijah plans to continue her education, earning a master’s degree in Public Health. She views attending South Carolina State University as a matter of God’s will, destined to occur in order to contribute to her growth and development as an individual. Because of the great lessons she learned and the significance of her experience, Daijah will forever defend and honor, love and cherish thee. Finally, as a servant leader who celebrates the success of others, Daijah would like to spotlight her fellow classmates of 2018 on all their various accomplishments and endeavors.
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student Spotlight
Shantavia O. Edmonds Shantavia O. Edmonds is a junior attending Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She is Biochemistry major and a member of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College and currently serves as Miss Claflin University 2018-2019. As a student at Claflin University, Shantavia has lived by the Claflin motto, “The World Needs Visionaries,” by being an active leader on and off campus. She is a member of the honors council and Claflin’s Young Democrats of America as secretary. Moreover, she served as sophomore class chaplain 2017-2018, and Miss University Honors 2017-2018. As an active member in the community, she was as a tutor for Jerusalem Baptist Church and was Miss Garden City Teen 2015-2016. During her matriculation, Shantavia received her first pharmacy technician position at CVS pharmacy in Orangeburg, South Carolina, conducted research at the University of Virginia; and currently doing research at the University of South Carolina at the College of Nursing. Shantavia is from Rowesville, South Carolina and the daughter of James and Joyce Edmonds. She has three older siblings, Devaughn, Jasmine, and Dorshae. Shantavia believes in a quote stated by Mrs. Lecia Rivers, “You cannot lead the people if you do not love them, and you cannot save them if you do not serve them.” As Miss Claflin University 2018-2019, she was elected on the platform to save lives in the Orangeburg community, South Carolina, and globally. Her platform, EIGHT Organ Donation is an acronym for Every Individual Gets Hope Through Organ Donation. Shantavia believes that her platform will allow her to touch thousands of people who need a hero (organ donor), educate her peers about the importance of giving the gift of life; as well as, give hope to others through her father’s story, who received a double lung transplant in 2014.
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After graduating from Claflin University, she plans to attend pharmacy school to receive a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree and a Master’s in Business Administration. She believes the impossible is possible; therefore, she plans to continue to strive for excellence and exemplify the “Claflin Confidence.”
HBCU SPOTLIGHT
Thurgood Marshall Feature:
Boeing Leads the Way by DR. HARRY L. WILLIAMS
HBCU Times 45 | Fall 2018 Issue
Earlier this month, Boeing announced a groundbreaking $6 million investment in technical workforce development in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). TMCF has been fortunate to work with Fortune 500 companies in helping students to realize their career goals and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to build their capacity in pushing these students to success, but I am extremely proud of this partnership and its role in shaping the future of how HBCUs do business with our corporate allies.
It looked at metrics such as existing corporate partnerships, performance of graduates in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics marketplace, and execution of government grants and contract awards for elements of capacity. It looked at geographic trends of industry, workforce development need and future growth to see if there was alignment between the kind of graduates schools are producing, and the jobs Boeing is prepared to create to support strategic American productivity and innovation.
Boeing selected eight outstanding HBCUs that will take a lead on cultivating students for careers in the aerospace industry. Those schools are: • Alabama A&M University • Clark Atlanta University • Morehouse College • Spelman College • Howard University • Morgan State University • North Carolina A&T State University • Tuskegee University
After these assessments, the eight institutions proved that in several areas of training and research, they were the best equipped to support Boeing’s mission of diversity and inclusion in building its pipeline of future talent. Their investment will fund scholarships, internships, on-campus engagements and immersive “boot camp” programs that will introduce students to Boeing’s culture and career paths.
What makes this partnership different is that unlike most TMCF agreements where the organization helps to broker relationships between corporations and campuses strong in developing talent in high-need disciplines and industries, Boeing took the lead on developing its own model of performance assessment over short and long-term periods to determine which schools would be better positioned to have a deeper instead of wider relationship in order to focus on a greater return on investment and a larger impact to each priority school.
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And in a true showing of commitment, Boeing has also opened access to its personnel, resources and culture to HBCU students beyond this “Elite Eight” through TMCF’s annual Leadership Institute which will be held October 26-30, 2018 in Washington, DC. The four-day conference prepares carefully selected students from TMCF’s member-schools, which make up the 47 publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to compete in today’s very competitive global workforce. Additionally, Leadership Institute culminates with a robust recruitment fair where Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and graduate program representatives offer jobs, internships and continuing education opportunities.
HBCU SPOTLIGHT
So what does this mean for the black college community? It means that the model of schools approaching industrial players are waning, and that companies are becoming increasingly aggressive in working with institutions to help develop their own workforce development structures. Gone are the days when college graduates would go to a career center, attempt to match their skills and experiences with a company and an entry-level job with the potential of upward mobility. Companies are now willing to pay to train future mid-level managers, managers, and future executives while they are in school through on-site training, corporate mentoring and field exposure.
Dr. Harry L. Williams
Companies like Boeing are shifting their entry level talent strategy, understanding it is more effective to develop talent over a course of years, with a focus of establishing meaningful relationships. Gone are the days of using long-standing methods of recruitment such as on campus marketing and job fair recruitment to attract a generation of workers with attitudes and approaches to careers that are vastly different from the generation which preceded it. They are under pressure to find workers who look, think, and innovate differently from those which they have historically recruited and hired, in order to keep pace in a global marketplace. Boeing should be applauded for its years of support of our institutions, and its leadership of the American corporate community in how to measure HBCU value beyond the headlines and rhetoric. This ground-breaking partnership with TMCF builds on Boeing’s ongoing investment in HBCUs, including TMCF member-schools, South Carolina State University, Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, Florida A&M University and Tennessee State University. With Boeing, HBCU students are going to continue to soar to higher heights because they are leaders worth investing in.
Dr. Harry L. Williams is the President & CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. Prior to joining TMCF, he spent eight years as president of Delaware State University. Follow him on Twitter at @ DrHLWilliams.
HBCU Times 47 | Fall 2018 Issue
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HBCU SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Corey L. Moore
Dr. Corey L. Moore has served as a faculty member in rehabilitation and disability studies at Langston University spanning over the past 18 years. He has worked under the Presidents’ Ernest Holloway, JoAnn W. Haysbert, and Kent Smith Jr. administrations. He received his Doctorate in Rehabilitation Education and Research from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky, and Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from the University of Georgia. Dr. Moore holds the prestigious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair and serves as the Principal Investigator and Research Director at the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities Langston University (LU-RRTC) and Research Director and at the university. The LU-RRTC is funded through a five-year 4.375 million dollar grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Administration for Community Living- U.S. Department of Human Services. He provides oversight and participates directly in research development, data collection and analysis, and has intellectual command. He also serves as chief methodologist for all on-going LU-RRTC research and research capacity building programs. Dr. Moore was an Institute for Rehabilitation Issues (IRI) National Scholar for the 38th IRI entitled: “Serving Traditionally Underserved Populations”. He has served as PI for sixteen (16) different U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education research, training, and service grants exceeding 20 million dollars. Prior to coming to LU, he was employed as a Research Assistant Professor (Research Scientist/Co-Principal Investigator) at the NIDILRR-funded
RRTC for Persons who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (RT-31)the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He has authored or co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed research publications and monographs/technical reports and has conducted numerous national and state presentations on rehabilitation topics. He has been a recipient of research awards such as the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Inc. Outstanding Leadership in Faculty Research Award and the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns Bobbie Atkins Research Award. He currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. Dr. Moore is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. (Zeta Iota Chapter-University of Georgia, Spring 1992). He served in the Georgia and Kentucky National Guard as a medical specialist (combat medic: E-4 rank) with mechanized/light infantry units from 1990 to 1996.
HBCU Times 49 | Fall 2018 Issue
Let TMCF help you LAND a paid internship and/or GOOD job. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund has been supporting and developing students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for over 30 years and dedicated to connecting HBCU students to top employers.
To learn more, visit: tmcf.org