VOLUME 80 - ISSUE 2

Kailen Bourne THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

One aspect of Black History Month at our historically Black college campus that cannot be overlooked is the legacy and positive impact Isaac Greggs has left on The Human Jukebox.

Dr. Isaac Greggs has left people with great memories, words of wisdom, and overseen performances that include six SuperBowls, four Allstate Sugar Bowls, and three presidential inaugurations. Dr. Greggs retired in 2005 and was inducted into the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame in 2013. He was known for his excellence pertaining to the musical genre and for creating a beautifully composed sound consistently within the band.

Not only was he Southern University’s legendary band director, but he was also a mentor, leader, and father figure. This is how four of The Human Jukebox’s Alumni

A DifferentWorld: The HBCU Experience to other Races

From the electrifying band and fabulous majorette dancers to the joyful homecoming and community, the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) experience is unlike any other. Naturally, most black students at HBCUs feel comfortable as they are surrounded by a community of people that look like them and may come from the

“Together all:” Counseling Center’s New Online Service

Mental health can be a blockage to the success of a college student’s academic career. Southern University’s Counseling Center (UCC) has joined the numerous list of colleges and universities that have begun to take initiatives to support their students’ mental health.

Togetherall is an online mental health support service that was founded in 2007. The program is currently established throughout 4 countries: New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

band members describe Dr. Greggs; a true hero in their lives and development as adults in society after college.

Trumpet player and Southern alumnus Tamill

Acker, who marched with the Jukebox from ‘92 to ‘94, shared his experience with having the pleasure of being a juke under the leadership of Dr. Greggs. “The band was

everything to me. Dr. Greggs was larger than life, very motivational, influential, and a disciplinarian. He taught

See GREGGS page 3

Isaac Greggs: Honoring the former Director of the Human Jukebox Financial Aid FAQs: Growth within a Flawed System

The general feeling among college students is that financial aid is an apathetic entity that does as it wants to make the students’ process more difficult than it has to be, regardless of the actions a student does correctly. In terms of Southern University, students’ own particular experiences with financial aid; however, department leadership doesn’t view the perception to be the reality in terms of how detractors may view their progress in recent years.

The role that the Office of Student Financial Aid on Southern University’s campus plays, according to the department, is to ensure that the student body has access to the federal student financial aid gateway, which is more than $112 billion nationwide in college grants, work-study funds, and federal student loans, as well as certain state-

based aid programs.

“We strive to make sure they are aware of the availability of the programs to guide them through the process for applying for and receiving aid toward the cost of their program of study,” said Director Taishieka Davis regarding the availability of student services offered by the department upon request and via outreach.

According to Director

Tiren Causey/DIGEST

Davis, the department’s main initiative as far as outreach has been to remain connected to students and ensure they are aware of and prepared for the availability of financial aid resources. The Office of Student Financial Aid continues to implement many outreach programs and services through various communication

The service has a unique feature that allows peer-topeer support on the platform allowing students to engage with other students online but discussions on the platform are regulated by licensed professionals. The service will be available to all students across each of the five campuses under the Southern University System.

The President of Togetherall North America, Matthew McEvoy, explained how the partnership will benefit Southern University system students in the long run. “By partnering with Togetherall, the students have access to mental health resources they can trust to be safe, anonymous, non-judgemental, and allinclusive.” McEvoy divulges.

“I think that it’s pretty cool how the program is going to allow students to vent to one another and look for support, but it also is still being supervised by actual professionals who can give professional advice. It’s common for us to go rant on social media and try to get some help. Very rarely can those people really help you fix the issues though because they aren’t mental health experts”, said Kamani Cannon, a junior criminal justice major.

The process of implementing Togetherall in the Southern University system stemmed from the SUBR University Counseling

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DeBranDin Brown THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

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Jasmine merieDy THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

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The Southern DIGEST welcomes letters from readers commenting on current issues and other matters of general interest to the SU family and public. We set aside this space to publish these letters for others to enjoy. This newspaper is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on its editorials, commentaries, ans speakouts. The Southern DIGEST reserves the right to edit any contributions and or reject them without notification. Authors are encouraged to limit the length of submissions to 300 words. Letters should not include libelous statements. Offensive and personal attacks will not be permitted. The DIGEST will not print “open letters” addressed to someone else. All contributions must be type written, signed and must include the author’s address and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Southern University students should include their majors, hometowns and year in school. When referring to specific DIGEST articles, please include the date and title. All materials should be directed to the editor in chief of The Southern DIGEST, P.O. Box 10180, Baton Rouge, La. 70813. Materials may be delivered by hand to the DIGEST office located in Suite 1064 Harris Hall or can be e-mailed to digest@subr.edu.

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me many life lessons that I apply today which lead him to be my father figure.” Acker reminisces. He continues on the memories, “I will always remember him say ‘Be at the right place at the right time ready to concentrate’ and ‘If you’re early, you’re on time but if you’re on time, you’re late’. I use his slogans throughout my everyday life.” The morals and principles that Dr.Greggs instilled in Acker’s life encouraged him to be the owner of multiple businesses in this present time.

The Dancing Dolls have also experienced the amazing personality and unforgettable features Dr.Greggs brought to the scene. Regina Chenault, a member of Dancing Dolls from ‘86 to ‘92, shared her time as a part of the band and her memories of Dr.Greggs. “My experience was the best time of my life. It was hard work with 16-hour days of dancing for band camp in August. We had the best time traveling, enjoying each other’s company,

platforms such as the Qless app (a virtual appointment scheduler), Instagram live sessions, FAFSA postcards, and Registration zoom sessions.

Even with all of the aforementioned proactive growth on part of the department, unrest among students still exists and in no small number due to continued issues such as long lines and a not always speedy process. Much of this does come down to student responsibility as deadlines for paperwork submissions alike all play a role in the efficiency of a student’s experience. Even so, Director Davis does note that external factors can dampen their efficiency as well, even in the face of her own staff working to the best of their abilities.

With student admissions rising yearly since the COVID-19 pandemic, the imbalanced ratio of financial aid personnel and continually rising student numbers has been an issue that many students have pointed to as being a likely cause of miscommunication and confusion towards the start of semesters.

As of 2021, the subr.com ran a story relaying a fifth straight year of enrollment increases, clocking in a total of 8,317

and priding ourselves in representing the University, and more importantly our legacy.” She describes. Chenault then vocalizes Dr.Gregg’s routine behavior, “Doc Gregg’s was brilliant, sharp, and witty. You couldn’t get nothing by him, including when we watched band tape on Monday afternoon. He knew exactly when a fraction of a step was off and who needed to fix it later. Doc took care of us, he made sure we got in school, classes were together, and he did not tolerate mediocrity under no circumstances.”

Although those who were instructed by Dr. Greggs had the same experience, some had a more personal feel. Saxophone player, Donye’ Allen, ‘92 to ‘94, and Baritone player Damien Williams, ‘97 to ‘98, had support from Dr. Greggs when it came to education and finances. Donye’ shared how Doc cared more about his grades and academic standing than his position in the band. “When he found out

students that year alone.

In that time since, minimal growth in financial aid personnel is a dynamic that Director Davis notes that they are aware of and are currently taking steps to add more financial aid personnel to their roster.

“My supervisor, Dr. Jacqueline Preastly [Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Dean of Enrollment Management] is aware of the staffing needs that we could benefit from. She’s working with the president to accommodate the staff that we will need as enrollment continues to grow,” said the director. Director Davis continues on to say, “My office is dedicated with the number of the staff that we have now ensuring that no process is neglected and still all students who are eligible for financial aid can be awarded.”

From the student standpoint, despite there being generally proactive solutions to financial aid woes, the overall experience that has been provided does leave a lasting mark. According to freshman studentathlete and Jacksonville, Indiana native, “It’s been rough, could definitely be better. Just stressful,” expressed Mailiek Bush, a civil engineering major.

GREGGS from page 1

I made a B average and was getting close to my degree, he didn’t care that I was one of the best saxophone players; it was more than that. He always told me you have to look the part, you have to look like what you want to be in life. I never met another human being like him in my life.” “The band for me was a dream come true. It was exciting and an experience I had always wished for. As a young man coming out of high school, it was my ultimate goal to be a Juke. Although it was challenging while being at Southern with a single parent, Doc assisted me with financial support when I needed it,” Damien remarked. Due to the positive impact of Dr. Greggs, many wish to continue to honor him and everything he stood for. His life lessons, discipline, motivation, and leadership continue to carry on today both on and off the campus of Southern University.

FINANCIAL AID from page 1

Detractors of education and the shortcomings of the for-profit system that American education is based on in terms of crippling long-term loans are all the realworld problems that the average student feels as they undergo the financial aid and educational process as a whole. This is a dynamic that Professor Ann Morey notes at length in Globalization and the emergence of for-profit higher education (https://www.opensocietyfoundations. org/uploads/7fab0f35-4f84-4ed7-82d6ee2346b7c142/carnoy_english.pdf). This brings about the questions should the ill effects of these systems, such as a lack of funding for allotments of departmental personnel and university infrastructure, be cast as blame off to workers at the ground level, or is it not their fault?

Discontent with an imperfect system is rational from both the student and departmental standpoint, but the systemic problems that affect efficiency and effectiveness will always land somewhere short of the ideal system. Being proactive with deadlines and submission dates as a student through the resources that are provided, however, can assist in making the financial aid process as seamless as it can be until larger fixes can be made.

same background as them. However, what about nonBlack community members at HBCUs?

HBCUs are predominately Black as they were erected for the development and education of Black people during segregation, but, diversity is still commonplace at HBCUs and are oftentimes overlooked as a result.

Center’s Executive Director, Dr. ValaRay Irvin. Dr. Irvin began a discussion with the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Dr. F Carl Walton, and representatives from Togetherall about possibly providing additional support to students through this service.

Dr. Irvin states how partnering with Togetherall accommodates Southern University students who do not want to participate in regular face-to-face counseling.

“During the pandemic and since, we’ve found that our students found comfort in supporting each other at times when they weren’t willing to reach out traditional counseling.

Dr. Irvin continues on to mention, “Teaming with Togetherall is another way the university is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to prioritizing student wellness.”

“I’m glad Southern is trying to put more emphasis on this issue. This year especially has been really mentally taxing. It’s important that students take care of themselves,” Taylar Major, a senior criminal justice major, elates.

Currently, the center does have two fully funded, unfilled positions remaining. According to Dr.Irvin, the issue has been finding licensed professionals who desire

COUNSELING from page 1 Listen

to work in-office versus remotely. The majority of Southern students choose in-person services over remote.. If you need any form of mental support or have more questions about the Togetherall platform, please contact the Southern University Counseling Center at (225)771-2480 or email counselingcenter@subr. edu. The center’s business hours are 8:30-5:00 pm Monday thru Friday. Also, the Holistic Behavioral Health is the UCC’s 24/7 Crisis Line support, at (225)368-9602.

Kyle Wheeler, a freshman majoring in music education from Virginia and a member of the oh-so-live Human Jukebox expresses his experience at Southern University as welcoming and amicable even though he is Caucasian. He vocalizes, “I feel welcomed here, especially with the help of the band. It truly feels like a family, immediately, and it has been a good time because the band is a very familyoriented program. No one sees color.” Excluding the Human Jukebox, Kyle adds, “I feel very comfortable on campus, and there are so many events on campus that I don’t feel like I’m missing anything because of my busy schedule with the band. More than likely anyone who has visited the bookstore has seen staff member Rebecca Boothly, a Caucasian woman. Boothly, originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, consequently moved to Texas when Hurricane Katrina hit. She previously worked at Baton Rouge Community College and then later came to the Bluff for a year and a half now. As a staff member at Southern University she elaborates on her perspective, “The campus has been really welcoming, and Southern is a beautiful campus. Everyone has been really kind and welcoming since I’ve come here, I’ve worked at many different schools before coming here, and the campus is very lively and has lots of spirit at the sporting events”.

Overall, it appears Southern University creates an environment for everyone of all backgrounds to be themselves and to have a great time on the Bluff. Be sure to be on the lookout for the next segment of the HBCU experience in the Southern DIGEST every Tuesday.

Super Bowl LVII: An Historic Night for Black America

KynneDi JacKson/Kara Porter THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

With many first-time moments and records being broken, Super Bowl 57 will go down in history as one of the most historic Super Bowls in NFL records. The Kansas City Chiefs vs. The Philadelphia Eagles game set the tone not only for the NFL but for all professional sports.

This is the first Super Bowl to feature two African American starting quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes from the Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts from the Philadelphia Eagles. Not to mention both of these young men are also from Texas. The anticipation for both teams’ victory was heightened by the cultural background. With two Black quarterbacks meeting for the first time in a super bowl, Mahomes and Hurts were sure to give the fans a show.

For the Eagles, not only do they have an African American starting quarterback, but they have a management team composed of all females. The majority of them are also African American. If that wasn’t enough history for you, Nicole Lynn became the first Black Woman to represent a Super Bowl quarterback.

The Kelce brothers were another duo that made NFL history as it was the first time brothers played against each other on opposing teams at the most anticipated NFL game of the season. The Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce went against his brother, Eagles center Jason Kelce. Even though the brothers never played against each

other physically, it was still the first on-field sibling rivalry in Super Bowl history. The brothers from Ohio were both athletes at Cleveland Heights High School, and both attended the University of Cincinnati, where the Eagles later selected Jason in the 2011 NFL Draft. Travis was picked two years later by the Chiefs. Everyone was anticipating which brother would win.

With so much at stake, fans were already expecting a close game. It was just a matter of which team would come out victorious. The game began with the infamous coin toss won by Kansas City. However, they chose to kick the ball giving Philadelphia the ball first. This would later lead to the Eagles scoring first. Hurts led the team with an 11-play, 75-yard drive taking an early advantage. Running back, Kenneth Gainwell looked to score the first touchdown, but it was called back due to technicalities. Jalen Hurts in turn came back to score his first rushing touchdown of the night from within the one-yard line. Instantly, the Chiefs had an answer for the play. The connection between Mahomes and Travis Kelce was undeniably strong. The two completed an 18-yard passing touchdown with 6:57 remaining in the first quarter. This is where viewers began to see the dynamics of both teams’ offenses. Travis Kelce, tight end for the chiefs, and DeVonte Smith, Eagles’ wide receiver, both secured big catches and yards for one quarter.

With the offense doing its job on

both teams, the Chiefs and Eagles started the second quarter with a tied score of 7. The Philadelphia Eagles controlled the ball in the second quarter, taking the lead on the quarter’s first play with Jalen Hurts tossing a 45-yard touchdown to A.J. Brown. Later, the Chief’s defense scored a touchdown from Nick Bolton on a 36-yard fumble recovery. Bolton scooped up the ball after Hurts dropped the ball on an attempted run. The Eagles then responded with their third touchdown through Hurt’s four-yard touchdown run. The second Chiefs drive ended after Mahomes was tackled by T.J. Edwards and limped off the field with what was considered a re-injured ankle. With a few minutes left on the clock, the Eagles had the ball tried to score again before halftime with a great throw from Hurts to Smith, but it was ruled incomplete. The Eagles then played

a 22-yard pass from Hurts to Brown to get into field-goal range, and Jake Elliott made the field goal from 35 yards to then go into halftime. The final score of the second quarter was Eagles 24, Chiefs 14.

With what seemed to be a game of trading touchdowns, the intensity of the game rose about ten more notches. It’s also well-known in the football world that the Chiefs are a secondhalf team meaning there was a chance for a complete turnaround in the structure of the game. However, the teams remained neck and neck for the most part. As expected, the Kansas City Chiefs took no time to prove they meant business. The Chiefs went 75 yards in over 10 plays for a touchdown by Isiah Pacheo, a running back drafted in the 7th round, putting the chiefs ahead by three points

See SUPERBOWL page 5

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King James: The All-Time Scoring Champion

On February 7th, 2023, at the electric Crypto Arena, the history of the NBA (National Basketball Association) was changed, with a long-time standing record finally being atop by another. LeBron James, Small Forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. The accomplishment is truly a surreal feeling for LeBron. In addition, a huge reason his achievement is so surreal is that his game reflects being a pass-first guy and getting his teammates involved. His scoring prowess has never been emphasized, in the likes of great scorers, such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, James Harden, and Wilt Chamberlain. He emphasized being the scorer many people depict him or want him to be. However, even though James may not be the most dominant scorer, he still is one of the best scorers the league has ever witnessed.

The key to doing that comes from consistency, an allaround offensive game, IQ on the offensive end, and many more traits. For 20 years, LeBron James has been the definition of dependability in scoring the basketball. Since his entrance into the league, LeBron has averaged over 20 points per game, and this season alone, he is averaging 30.2 points per game at 38 years of age. For James’s entire career, he has averaged

27.2 points per game, which is 5th behind Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, and Kevin Durant.

In his illustrious career, LeBron has one scoring title and eclipsed 30 points per game three times, with this year being his fourth if he stays on pace. There has never been a combination of strength, speed, and athleticism quite like James, but that’s not what makes him such an elite scorer.

Lady Jaguars Win SWAC Bowling Championship

thomas walKer THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

This past week, the Lady Jaguars (45-34, 20-8) were crowned SWAC champions on the final day of the SWAC Round-Up Two. The event took place in D’Iberville, Mississippi. The Jags would have to face Texas Southern, Grambling State, and Prairie View A&M. The Lady Jags would have no easy path to securing their ultimate goal of being SWAC champs.

However, with experience and veteran leadership, and just playing their game they will be there in the end. The team played amazingly as a whole, fighting against the intense efforts of the opposing teams the entire day to prevail in the ultimate satisfaction of victory. Coach Doyle admired how his team came in relaxed as they had a week of practice to prepare after the coming break to prepare for the firstround up. “We practiced for a solid week. We went into the first round-up with the mindset that we wanted to go undefeated, we went 10-4 we were one game out of first after the first round-up.”

Entering the second roundup after two and half weeks of practice, Coach Doyle said his team was more poised, and

that focus helped lead them. “They had a goal, and they went for it. Every day we went into it like we were in third place fighting to get first and we took over first place on Friday and they never looked back.” The Lady Jags would win with scores of 914-889 versus Texas Southern, 809753 versus Grambling State, and 985-909 versus Prairie View.

Coach Doyle, who took over as head coach two years ago when some of his seniors were sophomores, says that he always knew that a title was reachable. “If they work hard, follow my leadership, and apply themselves, we could win a title. I don’t think they

Longevity is what sets LeBron apart away from many of his contemporaries. His routine of keeping his body in shape to play at the highest level for so long while also working on improving his game to adjust to the different eras of basketball is sensational.

After such a tremendous analysis by my colleague Thomas Walker III, my assessment is he is not the greatest scorer of all time. LeBron has never cheated on the game and earned every single point he has gotten. However, there are many more attributes than just points that make a player the greatest scorer. A great scorer is judged based on shotcreating techniques such as fadeaways, flexible release, unstoppable jump shots, and the ability to get to your hot zone on the court. LeBron had great dominance in the paint, but his scoring moves were fundamental, and by mixing that when his physical stature, he dominated. However, I regard him as one of the best scorers we will ever see.

To compare, Michael Jordan had ten scoring titles, Kobe Bryant had two, Wilt had seven consecutive titles, and KD has four currently and counting. Looking at those numbers and the film, they pull away from LeBron. The best scorer of all time will be the late great Kobe Bryant. His ability to transform his shot to create space on the court, due to his footwork, was eye-catching. As the numbers show, LeBron is a consistent scorer, but he had more of a finishing scoring style with layups and dunks. LeBron is a great competitor that has influenced the future NBA with how he plays. If mentioning great scorers, LeBron’s name is in the conversation, but compared to film and stats, LeBron doesn’t win the case for the greatest scorer. However, I am excited to see how many points he finishes with in his career. One thing is clear; there will never be another LeBron James.

believed me their sophomore year, but I had some good recruits coming in last and we kept that same mentality. We’ve been working hard, getting after it. So, we went into the tournament thinking we could win.” Hard work truly does pay off, and the results showed. After the 27th game, the ladies captured the coveted prize and sent the seniors off as champions. The Lady Jags are now competing at the Lady Techsters Classic. It will be held, at the USA Bowl in Dallas hosted by Louisiana Tech from February 10-12. Please continue to support our Lady Jags as they continue their historical season.

with a score of 24-21. The uncanny connection between Mahomes and Travis Kelce struck yet again. Mahomes connected with Kelce for 11 yards to cross midfield and hit Justin Watson on a 12yard pass to get down to the Philadelphia 25-yard line. However, Philadelphia was not going down without a fight. Immediately, they had a response to this. Unfortunately, they had a long drive but could not get to the end zone, still putting them in position to kick a field goal. Jake Elliott kicked the 33-yard field goal giving the Eagles a 27-21 lead. The Eagles now have three drives of over 10 plays and 70 yards. After that drive, the Eagles tied the Super Bowl record for most plays on a single drive on that series. The Chiefs could hold the Eagles to a field goal and keep the game within touchdown range.

Kansas City slowly regained momentum and took control of the game through Mahomes connecting with wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore to score. Toney was wide open on his five-yard touchdown catch that put the Chiefs up by one point. Toney also set up the second touchdown for the Chiefs breaking a record for the most extended

punt return in Super Bowl history. Skyy Moore then carried a touchdown pass on the opposite end of the field with a four-yard connection between him and Mahomes, giving the Chiefs an eightpoint advantage. The Eagles responded with Hurts throwing a 45-yard pass to DeVonta Smith and, on the next play, did a drive that ended with Hurts at the end zone, making this Hurts’ third rushing touchdown. To tie up the score, the Eagles then went in for a two-point conversion run, with Hurts executing, tying up the score with 35 points. The Chiefs replied by going down the field on the Eagle’s defense. Kansas City faced third down at the Eagle’s 15yard line, and Mahomes’s pass was incomplete to wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster. However, Eagles cornerback James Bradberry was called for defensive holding on an important 3rd down, giving the Chiefs a first down and allowing them to run the clock down. Ultimately, Kansas City’s kicker Harrison Butker kicked in a 27-yard field goal. The game’s final score was Kansas City 38, Philadelphia 35, bringing the title back to the AFC and officially making the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl 57 Champions.

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SUPERBOWL from page 4

thomas walKer THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

Tony King at the Health Fair in the Union spreading knowledge about how to practice safe sex. (Terren Thomas/ DIGEST)

Isaiah Rollins, Festus Ndumanya, and Terrell William Jr. catch their breath during the intense Prairie View vs. Southern game. (Amaya Rosser/ DIGEST)

Students meet and mingle with each other at the On This Bluff, Blind Date event in preperation for Valentine’s Day. (Taylor Haywood/ DIGEST)

Isaac Armstrong, Karah Rainwater, and Tamiko Stroud participate in a panel at the Let’s get Social event inside the Student Union. (Jakavion Ashley/ DIGEST)

Staff at the University Counseling Center. (Zhoee Hugger/DIGEST)

Champions and volunteers of the Ball out tournament. (Stefan Davis/DIGEST)

Students interracting with eachother at the Blind Date Event inside the union on Tuesday Feburary 07. (Christopher Toler, Jr./DIGEST)

Graduate student, Brion Whitely crosses over a Tiger defender during the Jaguars game against Texas Southern on Monday, February 13 (Christopher Toler, Jr./DIGEST)

A quilt on the first floor in library from Change The Pattern 2023. (Zhoee Hugger/DIGEST)

Senior, Chloe Fleming, looking for open players to pass the ball to during the Southern vs. Prairie View game. (Amaya Rosser/ DIGEST)

Freshmore Week Brings Light to a Grim Semester

isaiah clay THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

Freshmore Week opened up to a successful start last Monday securing wall-to-wall attendance at the freshman vs sophomore “Ball Out” sports tournament held in the university Intramural Sports complex.

Basketball and volleyball were the backgrounds to this event and both classes competed to see which team would reign supreme. This tournament was the first of many events that helped to build camaraderie between the two classes throughout the week. Along with the sports tournament, the cabinets hosted a game night, a social discussion panel, a pajama party, and a movie night to tie in the “House Party” themed week.

The week happens in the wake of a string of dispiriting incidents circulating Southern University. Despite this, students of all ages and backgrounds came together throughout the week in a celebration of the family atmosphere often found on the campus. Barrels of laughter and joy filled the hearts of students who attended the events as shown in the videos and photos shared on social media shortly after each event.

“Freshmore week means unity between the freshman and sophomore classes,” said Adekunle Ajayi, the freshman class vice president who is majoring in criminal justice from Memphis, Tennessee. He further describes the week as a host of informative and fun activities to educate both the freshman and sophomore classes. “You can look forward to many more amazing activities from the freshman class that you can find out more about at our monthly class meetings.”

Sophomore class president, Kennedy Orr, a sophomore majoring in Agricultural Business from Chicago, Illinois, also shared similar statements, saying, “The overall goal of Freshmore Week is to bring the two classes together to bond and make memories!” She mentions how fun events can help connect people even through difficult times. Orr also emphasized the importance of safety throughout the week saying, “We put a lot of thought and planning into these events. All we can hope is that students enjoy them and feel safe while doing so.”

Favorable sentiments were expressed by the student body with Makayla Crutchfield, a freshman majoring in child development from Shreveport,

Louisiana, stating, “Freshmore week was honestly so amazing… Everyone was so happy to just be having fun together.” Crutchfield rated her experience a “ten out of ten.” Enjoying the company of her friends at the “house party” was a highlight for her.

Crutchfield is happy to be celebrating even in the midst of tragedy. “This week made a difference mostly because it showed everyone that even

The Journey to Miah’s Beauty

laila hazel THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

The cosmetic industry has been revolutionized in the aspect of widening the range of colors available for Black customers, quality products are more affordable, and our own people are branching out to create their own line of makeup. Currently, Rihanna’s “Fenty Beauty” line is one of the top makeup lines today. Her creation has managed to inspire young entrepreneur Shemiah Neblett.

Shemiah is a sophomore criminal justice major originally from Guyana. Many years ago Neblett’s grandfather moved to the United States and at the age of nine years old, her grandfather filed for her to be moved as well. She explained her grandfather was living in Louisiana during the time of her transition which allowed her to become a resident of Louisiana.

“A culture shock” is how Neblett described her adjustment to the move.

Learning theaccent of Louisiana natives and the weather change were two big roles in her adaptation. She explained how it felt like she was living in two different worlds, but at this time she has fully embraced her new home.

The CEO of “Miah’s Beauty” began her journey of entrepreneurship in 2017. The launch of her cosmetic line began in July 2022. During the creation of a business, it can be considerably challenging to come up with a name that will be memorable.

“Miah’s Beauty”, came about by blending the owner’s name and naming the type of business. Miah was thirteen when she began her journey.

When asked what inspired her to bring her vision to life, she explained that she

always wanted to build something of her own. The idea of working under someone was not the ideal life she wanted for herself, so creating a business was a perfect fit. ‘Miah’s Beauty’ caters to all skin types, and this keeps her business unique.

As a young woman, doing makeup is part of one’s everyday routine.

Neblett gave some insight into how she supplies her products by sharing that she has a vendor who assists her with the creation of her products. The vendor allows her to have creative control and quality products made for her customers. After receiving the customized products from her vendor, her job is to market in the best way possible to receive traction. Her favorite products were the chocolate lip liner, sugar cookie lip gloss, and the ‘bomb’ lashes.

through tragedy and heartbreak, there is always a reason to be happy… This school is a family and we have to stick together through everything and we do.”

The freshman and sophomore class cabinets hope to continue the atmosphere of community curated by Freshmore week throughout the course of the semester and beyond.

Let’s two Meet at the Fork

As we all know February is Black History Month. This means there will be parades all around the United States in celebration of Black excellence. So what’s different about this Black History parade? Natchez, Mississippi was the number one prominent location for slave trading of African Americans, Native Americans, and Europeans. Now what was known as a place of heartbreak and sorrow will soon be filled with Black people of all ages celebrating legacy, tradition, and pride.

In the future, Neblett hopes to expand her business in the aspects of the number of customers to obtain more products, and to upgrade her brand to the likeness of Rihanna’s ‘Fenty Beauty’. Some advice she gave for young people who are looking to build a career in the cosmetic industry is to have patience, stay motivated, and do your research. Shemiah emphasized that doing your research is very vital in the cosmetic industry.

Making sure that the products are up to the correct standards, having an ingredient list for customers, and proper packaging are a large part of the job. For legal purposes, you must not try to cut any corners. Check out her Instagram @ miahsbeautyy and orders can be placed by logging on to her website miahsbeautyy. com

BlackNatchez.org is committed to promoting and uplifting an American culture in Southwest MS. Their mission is to promote love, collaboration, and understanding of all people with particular emphasis on Black achievement, history, and empowerment. The theme is celebrating Black genius, Black excellence, and Black joy.

Community organizations, fraternities, sororities, bands, colleges, churches, bike clubs, K-12 schools and clubs, elected officials, dancers, artists, food trucks, and more

Students posing for a quick picture at the FreshMore game night on February 7 inside the Event Center. ( J’Me Bryant/ DIGEST)

Courtesy: Shemiah Neblett

THE SU CEO: PART II

hannah chaffee THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

Unsung Heroes of SU: Bookstore Edition

On a university that is thousands of students large, there are many moving pieces operating at once that seek to achieve the same goal; creating and maintaining the best educational environment possible for the students of Southern University. One such integral piece to this puzzle that is Southern University A&M College is the Multi-Unit Store Manager of the campus bookstore, Miss Deshawn Jones.

The university bookstore prepares book orders and course materials for the student body in the form of access codes, online e-books, and gear such as lab coats. Additionally, the bookstore sells an assortment of merchandise from a variety of vendors, including but not limited to Mitchell & Ness, Big Boy Headgear, and Champion. Since her initial start as the leader of the Follett Southern University location in 2015, Miss Jones, a New Orleans native, has been the leader of the SUBR Follett branch and is responsible for overseeing all of its facets.

Approaching ten years with the company as the Southern University bookstore manager, Jones reflected on what factors played into her taking this position back then and what has made her stay in the capital city so positive. “I

came on campus and toured and interviewed, and for me, this was a no-brainer. This campus displays a culture like no other. Just driving around in the city speaks volumes of the love, not only from the students, faculty, and staff but also the community,” said Jones.

When asked what was her favorite aspect of what has become her weekly routine, Jones responded by saying building and maintaining the relationships with the student body, faculty, and staff. As the bookstore manager and the on-campus face of the company, one of Miss Jones’ chief roles is maintaining communication with the

student body regarding their course materials and textbooks. The distribution of graduation regalia similarly falls in the wheelhouse of Jones’ jurisdiction, making her a key part of the student educational process on all fronts.

Having spent nearly a decade on this historic HBCU campus, there have been numerous events and special occasions that she would attend. In terms of her favorites, Jones had this to say: “I would have to say I have two favorite memories; my first was my very first visit to the campus, and my second was my first homecoming game. I think football season

has to be my favorite time of the year [overall]. The fans, the tailgating, and the sales,” Jones added with a small laugh. True enough, when you can’t catch her at the bookstore, you probably will see her at one of the home basketball or football games where bookstore staff sells merchandise and partakes in the patent HBCU game day culture.

A veteran of HBCU and Southern culture, Jones’ tenure at Southern continues as she does her part to keep the machine that is Southern University going, a definitive Unsung Hero.

“Put in the Work: SU Alum Feature

“Ambition and vision for my life, ” Kaycee Ntukogu stated his key motivations.

“It’s so easy to get caught up in working everyday, you can get discouraged and forget your end goal.” Born in Nigeria, Kaycee and his family relocated to the United States while he was still young. With success starting early in his career, it has not always been peaches and cream.

“Let God carry the wheel and have faith,” Ntukogu said as he pitched advice to undergraduates, “ This stuff isn’t easy and I’m not trying to scare anyone, but you really got to put in the work.”

Currently working as a Territory Sales Lead for Fortune 500 company,

Hershey, Ntukogu is a recent 2022 MBA graduate who obtained both his undergrad degree in criminal justice and masters here at Southern. Surprisingly enough, sales was not always Ntukogu’s career route. In fact, because of a professor of his, he was able to dive into another corporate field. “My professor, Dr. Ron Jackson, actually introduced me to Human Resources.”

As Ntukogu goes explained his drastic career change, “I probably wouldn’t understand Human Resources if it wasn’t for him.” In Ntukogu’s journey, his professors played a big role in preparing him for his current success. “They would have informational sessions and events with people speaking to the class, which was good to see and hear from an outside source.”

During his time at Southern University, Kaycee was able to make a name for himself as a scholar-athlete.

Not only was he granted a football scholarship that was thankfully able to fund

his collegiate career and studies, Ntukogu was also the Vice President of the Southern University Society of Human Resources (SHRM). “Networking and doing more than just showing up to class is a big part of success. Sign up for different organizations and career fairs. Career fairs are a great way to showcase yourself while also learning about people in different positions and how they operate. It opens you up to what can be done.”

Securing an internship after his undergrad graduation, Kaycee was relocated for a few months learning the ropes of the corporate world. “The job was given to someone else and I was discouraged but that didn’t stop my faith. I knew just getting my degree was only half the battle.” After starting his master’s program, he then went on to travel to Washington D.C. for his first ever case composition. “I never had done a case before,” Kaycee chuckles and says, “but I still went and was able to see people from different HBCUs

PARADE from page 8 are welcome to participate in this experience. The children hold the future. It is essential to show up for them, and let them see Black excellence to have someone to look up to. No one is excluded from participating no matter the race, religion, gender, or club, this is all about love first. The only thing that is prohibited is horses because street sweepers are not equipped for the task. If you are resistant to coming out and broadcasting your business, this is your sign not to be. Every time you are advancing yourself and others in a positive light you will experience resistance. It is important to not let your fear stop you from being great. Highlight your work to the world, don’t hide it.

Representatives of Blacknatchez.org is asking all who would like to participate to please design floats, posters, banners, and hand signs based on your theme. If you are stuck on finding a theme that correlates, the following can be used: Blacks in Art, Sports, Fashion, STEM, Film, Politics, Civil Rights, Business, or Blacks in Natchez. This parade is all about love, light, and inspiring and educating our young people, so it is the perfect place to promote yourself. The parade will be Monday, February 20th at 3:00 p.m. If you would like to participate you can sign up for free online at blacknatchez. org. Registration forms should be completed by February 13th. If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns you can email the Parade Planning Team at blacknatchez@ gmail.com. Don’t forget to bring walking shoes and stay hydrated. Black Natchez hopes to see you all there!

which motivated me to keep going.” That motivation paid off as he was then selected as the top masters student for the 2021-2022 academic year for the National Academy of Human Resources.

Ntukogu was blessed enough to receive a job opportunity straight after graduating with his masters. During a career fair here at Southern, Kaycee was offered an interview with Hershey, where he was offered a full time position in November, officially starting his corporate job not even a month after graduation.

As he continues his new journey navigating his way in the corporate world, Ntukogu plans on going to law school in the future and then proceed to dive into mergers and acquisitions where he would be guiding companies on different business transactions. “You’re not always going to start at the top, you have to start somewhere so don’t be discouraged.”

DeBranDin Brown THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

Southern University Bookstore Manager, Deshawn Jones, greets a customer inside the campus bookstore . Debrandin Brown/DIGEST)

NTUKOGU

THE CAREER FAIR

How To Prepare

• Review the list of companies in attendance and determine the companies you want to target.

• Prepare your elevator speech and be able to state your interests, skills, strengths, etc. in under three minutes.

What To Bring

• Multiple Resumes: You will need a copy of your resume for every company or organization with whom you plan to speak.

• Portfolio/Briefcase: To store your resumes, pad, and pen as well as the literature and Business cards you will accumulate.

What To Wear

• Professional Dress: If you are going to the career fair from class, take the time to change to professional attire. Remember, you are selling yourself. You also want to make a good impression.

• Dress in business attire: A suit is appropriate for both men and women, as is a shirt and tie for men and a blouse and skirt/dress slacks for women.

• Pick up the DRESSING FOR THE INTERVIEW tip sheet in the Career Services Center.

What To Do When You Arrive

• Survey the layout of the room and locate your target companies.

• Quickly walk around and take note of how the company reps are engaging with the students. Know what type of student the company is looking for and pay attention to the questions being asked.

• Pick up additional literature for your target companies and review it briefly while waiting to speak to the representatives.

What To Do When It’s Your Turn

• Smile, shake hands and introduce yourself. Ask the company representative about his/her company to get more information.

• Answer questions enthusiastically making eye contact regularly.

• Listen carefully, answer clearly and offer your resume if you are interested in the company.

• Ask for a business card and thank the company representative for his/ her time.

After Your Career Fair Interview

• Capture quick notes about your conversation.

• Put the card and literature away and head to your next company.

• Follow up on company instructions from Career Fair.

After The Fair

• Send thank you letters to the company or organizations you would like to pursue.

• Watch for posting on Handshake and apply to the posting on time.

• Attend company sponsored events on campus and visit the Career Services Center.

SpeakOut!

(by: Journei Turner and Taylor Haywood)

Are Blind Dates Hot or Not?

That’s So Southern!

Vincent ParDo THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

CAMERON

“BLIND DATES ONLY HOT IF YOU HOT, BUT IF YOU COLD THEN IT AIN’T HOT.”

Overlooking the Mississippi River, Southern University has been cultivating black excellence for nearly 145 years!

Founded in 1880 by P.B.S Pinchback, T.T. Allain, T.B. Stamps, and Henry Demas, the university was first commissioned by the Louisiana State Legislative Act 87. According to the www.subr. edu website Southern hosts over 30 educational programs covering diverse fields of study.

The university has also produced renowned black historical figures such as the United States Army Lt. General Honoré, musician Randy Jackson, and Hall of Fame football player Mel Blunt. Although Southern was originally erected in the city of New Orleans, it would eventually be relocated over 80 miles west in an area known as Scotlandville in the city of Baton Rouge.

Scotlandville is known as the black mecca of Louisiana and at one point was a “self-sufficient” neighborhood according to Dr. Robinson, a former Southern University professor. Despite vibrant beginnings, over the years

the community has felt the absence of multiple businesses, turning the neighborhood into a food desert. Being a native Detroiter myself, in a homogeneously black city, I understand the complexities and impact of a lack of resources; especially within our black communities. The stark difference between Scotlandville and Detroit is our prestigious university! I believe it would be advantageous for my fellow Southernites to continue strengthening our presence within the community. The growth, evolution, and restoration of Scotlandville starts and ends with us.

What’s Love Got to do with it: Swiping Left on 21st-Century Dating

ALEXANDRIA DREAD SOPHOMORE POLITICAL SCIENCE PENSACOLA, FL

“IT SEEMS KINDA CORNY. YOU’RE MEETING A STRANGER AND EXPECTING A ROMANTIC CONNECTION LIKE IN THE MOVIES AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA IF THE PERSON IS CRAZY OR NOT.”

What’s dating in the 21st century like? Love in today’s time is different for every person. Being in and finding a relationship is very easy for some, and for others, it’s very challenging. The process of finding “the one” can make relationships seem difficult. Social media is playing a major part in the way many view relationships. With social media being at the tip of our fingers, online dating has become popular. Instagram, Snapchat, Tinder, etc. have created ways for us to meet one another online. You can get to know someone without having to meet them in person, which in some ways has made dating seem easier for some. However, for others, this has made relationships seem more “casual” in

their eyes, helping make hookups the new norm.

Everyday hookups are starting to be more common. This has led to the vast majority starting to prefer casual encounters with no strings attached. The idea of being able to get with someone whenever you like, but not having any real commitment to them has become exciting. This allows people to talk to as many people as they’d like because, technically, they’d still be “single.” This is becoming the preference that takes away from the idea of committed relationships. Due to committed relationships becoming rare, the idea of having one has become very detrimental to people like me who desire to be in genuine relationships. Wanting a relationship in 2023 can go one of two ways: you will either find someone you like, and the two of you decide to be a couple, or you’ll be left with the ones who prefer to keep it casual. If more men preferred

real commitment, it would take away a plethora of issues. I would much rather spend time with one person I love being around rather than being with multiple boys who I know will waste my time. Furthermore, being on a college campus has done everything but make the dating process simpler. Relationships nowadays can be a hit or miss.

So, when one is asked what dating in the 21st century is like, the answer to this question can be classified as many things depending on what you’re looking for. For me, dating in the 21st century would be classified as challenging. However, it’ll all be worthwhile when I find the one that’s for me. With everyone having different dating preferences, the answer will always vary. There are always going to be contrasting crowds as the revolving door of love spins and people search to find whatever they’re looking for.

AARYN RANDALL SOPHOMORE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AVOYELLES PARISH, LA

“IT’S HOT. I THINK IT’S A GREAT WAY TO GET OUT AND MEET PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE SHY AND DON’T KNOW HOW TO STEP OUT AND APPROACH SOMEONE.”

Rihanna’s Halftime Performance

christoPher toler THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

Coming from someone who doesn’t listen to Rihanna on a day to day basis, her halftime performance was astonishing. First off, her outfit didn’t have too much going on. She had a very unique hairstyle with a side part and braids coming off the back of her head. She went with a red dress-like suit with a pair of red gloves to match, and I loved how she stood out from all of her background dancers. Her background dancers had similar baggy clothing like Rihannas’, but their clothing was white and futuristic. Rihanna represented the culture by using all African-American background dancers.

“BLIND DATES ARE 50-50. MORE SPONTANEOUS PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT, IF YOU LIKE ME THEN YOU WANT TO SEE THE PERSON YOU GOING ON A DATE WITH BEFORE THE DATE.”

She started off her performance levitating in the air on a small rectangle platform. Can we talk about how she revealed her little bump on her stomach? In front of millions of

spectators/viewers all around the world, she revealed that she was with child. Due to her pregnancy, her dancing routines were limited, but overall it was a decent showing. You can tell she was holding back, but she was still throwing in a few dance moves with her background dancers. I know for a fact that she would have put on a better show because her last performance 6 years ago at the 2017 VMA’s was also one for the books, stacking up 83 Million views on YouTube. During the halftime performance, I also loved how the background lights were in sync with Rihanna’s music. Rihanna’s visuals were astonishing! I loved the way the background dancers moved their bodies to make certain types of visuals for the audience. The way Rihanna also added a few dances from her culture (Barbados) was also very impactful. Shout out to whomever the choreographer was!

Rihanna’s voice was so soothing

POLICY

and beautiful as well. It would have been nice if other famous artists were to pop out during her performance on certain songs they are featured in. For instance, if Drake came on stage when she was singing “Work ” or if Kayne were to come out during “All of The Lights,” that would have sealed the deal. Speaking of lights, during Rihanna’s “Shine Bright Like A Diamond” performance, the whole stadium pulled out their flashlights and moved to the beat. This was my favorite part of the show because the audience shining their lights on Rihanna made it as if she was shining like a diamond herself. During the last couple of songs starting with “All of The Lights,” fireworks started to come from the top of the stadium, shooting up golden sparks. Overall, this was a halftime show to remember. In my opinion, this was the best way to start a comeback.

Journei turner THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

JACKSON JUNIOR BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SHREVEPORT,

LA

ZION PARKER SENIOR COMPUTER

SCIENCE MONROE, LA

Companies, Inc.

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

Motion Industries

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) -

Weapons Division

NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD

Nucor

Nutrien

Ochsner Health

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Oracle

Performance Contractors, Inc.

Pointe Coupee Parish Schools

Postlethwaite & Netterville

Premier Health Consultants

Raytheon Technologies

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Rocket Companies

Royal Engineers and Consultants, LLC

RoyOMartin

Sasol Chemicals (USA) Corporation

SLB

Spring 2023 Sponsors

Southwest Power Pool

Spirit AeroSystems

St. Martin Parish School Board

Tangipahoa Parish School System

Target

The Hershey Company

The Lemoine Company, LLC

The Mosaic Company

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Trader Joe’s

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District

U.S. Department of State

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

United Rentals, Inc.

Unum

Urban Teachers

USACE, Vicksburg District

USDA Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC)

WBRZ

Woman’s Hospital

WVLA NBC Local33/WGMB Fox44 (BRProud)