APRIL 11, 2016 | @THEHILLTOPHU | VOLUME 100 ISSUE 32
PHOTO BY CRYSTAL SMITH PHOTO EDITOR
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MAYA KING ASSISTANT EDITOR
7th annual Research Week Kicks Off
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Amber Broaden
improve society forward.”
institution.”
esearch Week will begin April 11 with a keynote address by Ivory A. Toldson, executive director for the White House Initiative on HBCUs.
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The week will also include various activities from panel discussions, presentations from external agencies, to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the university’s new Interdisciplinary Research Building Friday, April 15 at 11:30 a.m.
The symposium’s planning committee for this year’s Research Week has been planning for over six months in order to accommodate all presentations and speakers that will be in attendance.
“The whole point of research week is to highlight the level of research that is done at many levels—undergrad to faculty,” said Charles Prince, co-chair of the Research Day committee. “Research allows everyone to ask a question that engages and looks to
“I am excited to be attending the ribbon cutting,” said Chantianna West, a junior majoring in psychology. “As this is a milestone for the university as we continue to fulfill the mission as a research
Staff Writer
This year there will be approximately 500 faculty, students and post doctorates from the 13 schools and colleges presenting, judging and moderating the event. “It is through this growth that we will be able to impact all institutions as well as return to Howard to shape the minds of young scholars while continuing to promote academic excellence,” said Chibuike Ezeibe, doctoral candidate at the Howard University School of Medicine. The annual Research Symposium which is scheduled for Thursday, April 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will feature students, faculty and research staff to discuss their research findings with other Howard University members, external visitors from various federal agencies, private industry and surrounding universities. Prizes will also be awarded for the winning presentations in several categories. During the symposium, 12 interdisciplinary categories will be presented with both oral and poster presentations. These categories will include research in creative arts, education and ethics, law and religion, humanities and social sciences and STEM Research. “The university spends a significant amount of time to highlight these projects since the Research Day administrationis responsible for planning the next years week No. 1 month after the event is over,” said Prince. “The level of work that is done is really exciting because we are trying to make people more aware and involved with the innovation we are doing.” For further information on the week, visit http://researchweek.howard.edu/.
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A Treasure Among Us: Spotlight on the W. Montague Cobb Lab Maya King
Assistant Campus Editor
L
ab bones used for anthropologic research were sloppily stacked in the corridors of Douglass Hall When Dr. Jamilah Jackson joined Howard’s faculty as director of the W. Montague Cobb Research Laboratory. Today, the lab houses genomic samples from more than 400 years and 20 generations of African-American people with a team of more than 200 undergraduate students “[Through research at the Cobb Lab] we are gaining new perspectives on the historical significance of our people,” Jackson said during the lab’s Open House event held in Howard’s Interdisciplinary Research Building. “[We are] pushing the envelope on research of African-American peoples”.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MONTAGUE COBB RESEARCH LAB
Students who work with the lab have backgrounds ranging from neuroscience and molecular biology to journalism and playwriting. Students research to answers questions about the relationship between society and science while highlighting the role people of African descent play in world history.
“The lab was started under the guise of creating equal dignity and combatting a lot of the race- based theories of the time,” Christopher Cross, an assistant curator at the Lab said. “In the 1930s [shortly before the Cobb Lab was founded] it was about civil rights, now, [in] modern-day [history], it’s about Black Lives Matter and being unapologetically black”. As its researcherscontinues to provide a scientific basis for unique health, behavioral and social patterns among AfricanAmericans, the Cobb collection has the potential to grow into the nation’s leading authority on black history. What’s more, it operates almost entirely on Howard’s campus. “The Cobb Lab is a reminder to the Howard community that we are able to control our own destiny and tell our own stories as African-Americans,” said Cameron Clarke, a sophomore biology and community health major. “I think that gift is priceless.”
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Major Key Alert: The Keys to a Successful Finals Week Compiled by:
Ava Robinson Contributing Writer
As finals week quickly approaches, stress levels among students rise to unparalleled levels. Finals stress is inevitable, but preparing ahead of time may serve as a students’ saving grace. Check out some keys to success in the final couple of weeks of your semester.
Use Time Management Skills Writing a schedule for your study time will keep you organized, so you can study all the material for each subject and avoid cramming. Writing a schedule for your study time is beneficial because you will be confident taking the exam which will improve your test performance.
Sleep, Sleep, Sleep!
Eliminate All Distractions
College students tend to While studying for an exam, prioritize everything but sleep. you can become easily During finals week- and during distracted by surfing the the entire school year- making net, watching television, sleep a priority will help you listening to music or checking function on a higher level and sending messages on academically. Sleep can help your phone. It's best to turn with information retention and everything off and studying in short-term memory- the keys to silence. Put your phone on dopassing your exams! not- disturb and find a quiet place to get your work done.
YOU CAN LAND A GIG IN SILICON VALLEY
Relax, It's Just a Test Before an exam, take a deep breath and relax. Meditate and tell yourselfyou will pass the test to speak a good grade into existence. When you get to the test, read each question carefully and listen to any directions given to you by the instructor.Pace yourself and don’t worry about other people’s pace.
OR YOU CAN APPLY
YOU KNOW TO PROTECT OUR NATION.
Eat a Healthy, Balanced Breakfast
Sure, you could work for a buzzworthy tech company that has a playground in the lunchroom. Or you could come to the CIA – where you’ll embark on a mission to keep Americans safe. With your STEM background, critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity, you’ll crack some of the toughest challenges imaginable – from developing the world’s most advanced technology to seeing the complex narrative in big data. This is your opportunity to have a career that’s as meaningful as it is challenging. Apply today.
THE WORK OF A NATION. THE CENTER OF INTELLIGENCE.
An equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workforce.
cia.gov/careers
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so you shouldn’t skip it on the day of your final! Eating a breakfast that consists of healthy carbohydrates, fruits or vegetables is fulfilling and will keep you energized throughout the day. Also, eating these types of food a week prior to your final exam will heighten your attention span and increase your cognitive abilities.
Don’t Cram for the Exam Pulling an all-nighter the night before an exam and attempting to cram every last bit of information into your head is the equivalent to not studying at all. For better retention of all the information, it’s better to study the week leading up to the exam in intervals- don’t lose sleep and sanity because you tried to cram!
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Program Spotlight: Young AfricanA Leadership Initiative Aesha Atherley Staff Writer
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oward University students have opportunity to participate in the exclusive Young AfricanA Leadership Initiative (YAALI) this winter. The YAALI initiative aligns with President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) to develop partnerships in Africa. “The YAALI program is a continuation of Howard’s long legacy of cultural exposure to the continent of Africa,” said Amy Yeboah, Ph.D, YAALI faculty advisor and assistant professor of Africana Studies in the Howard University Department of Afro-American Studies. “Studying abroad is great, but with YAALI you get the experience of travelling with a group and creating memories with those people.” According to The White House, President Obama launched the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in 2010 as a signature initiative that supports young African leaders as they work to spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance and enhance peace and security across the continent. The YAALI program was initially a trip facilitated by Howard’s College of Arts and Science’s Student Council in the International Affairs Department. Faculty Advisor Dr. Yeboah turned the program into what it is today. “Studying abroad is great, but with YAALI you get the experience of travelling with a group and creating memories with those people,” Yeboah said.
But Students in the YAALI program are required to participate in the following core components during the program: education, research, service, travel and praxis. Participants are expected to learn research skills and are expected to present their research during the program. Brittany Scott, junior economics major and previous YAALI participant, believes the research component gave her the opportunity to bring in Howard’s motto of truth and service. “Back in 2014, YAALI wasn’t YAALI yet but a trip under the College of Arts and Science Students Council,” Scott said.“They planned a trip to Ghana and it’s definitely one of those places everyone should go to being from the Black Diaspora because a lot of our history and our ancestors came from there.” Potential fellows will be able to participate in a YAALI peer review to get a conversation and feel for what they the program will entail. “YAALI was literally the most rewarding and life changing experience,” said Sadijah Wallace, a senior public relations major. “We got to be in super nice places where you couldn’t tell where the sky started and the water stopped.” Howard students can apply until April 15 on the YAALI.com website. Students must be enrolled at Howard University with good standing and have maintained at least a 3.2 grade point average. ‘ According to the YAALI application, the cost of the trip is $3,000 which covers
accommodation, daily breakfast and dinner, airport pick up and drop -off, daily transportation, training, personalized volunteer placement process, a city tour,
cultural learning activities, round trip air fare, air conditioned bus to all sights per itinerary, English speaking guides, and government and hotel taxes.
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A new smartphone application offers delivery of birth control as a convenience. But, some doctors say it could lead to health risks.
Contraception Now Accessible Through Smartphone App Doctors Recommend Caution
Alante Millow
Howard University News Service
to birth control. O’Riley asked that her real name not be used in this story in order to protect her privacy.
WASHINGTON -- A new smartphone application offers delivery of birth control as a convenience. But, some doctors say it could lead to health risks. Are you on the pill? That is a common question women hear when sexually active. Whether the question is coming from a doctor, concerned parent, friend or sexual partner, women often feel obligated to obtain their own protection.
Once the application is downloaded, the user answers eight questions in order to receive three months’ worth of their chosen contraception. The chosen contraception will be prescribed by a physician licensed in the state where the order takes place. Nurx provides these services for free to those who have insurance, and charges as low as $15 for those without.
That’s the reason that a new smartphone application, called Nurx, is rapidly becoming what some perceive as a girl’s best friend. It expedites the process of getting birth control by delivering it to a person’s door within 24 hours. “I’m super lazy and taking time out of my schedule to visit the doctor just so they can prescribe more birth control is annoying,” said Amber O’Riley (Not her real name), who is currently prescribed
Currently, the application provides services to women 18 and up in the state of California and will soon expand to New York, Florida and Illinois, according to Hans Gangeskar, a founder of Nurx and a former attorney. According to a Contraception in America study, conducted by medical communications company Strategic Pharma Solutions, about 15 percent of women use the pill compared to only 8 percent who said they used a male condom.
According to PlannedParent.org, there are 11 birth control methods available for women, compared to only two for men. However, it can be more difficult for women to obtain birth control pills, as they can not be picked up on a late night store run. Also, the process of making an appointment and consulting with a physician every few months can be daunting for many women. Not only does Nurx provide convenient delivery, but the application also eliminates the need to constantly follow-up with doctors. However, users can reach their physicians via text message if they have any questions or concerns. Dr. James K. Massengill, an obstetrician-gynecologist, believes the application is a good idea, but, he does have two main concerns. “First, young ladies might not get their pap smears done as they will not have to come in for their birth control pill refills,” Massengill said. Secondly, Massengill says if women stay away from their
doctors, they may not get necessary testing for sexually transmitted diseases. “They may have infections that will not be detected and thus not treated and can have tubal damage,” he said. Dr. Rudolph M. Chang, an osteopathic physician, also said the new application may run into some issues. He is concerned that users may not fully understand the “side effects [such as] problems with increased risk of blood clotting, especially in smokers and obese patients.” He said there may also be a possibility of undelivered items and theft which can ultimately result in unintended pregnancies. Regardless of criticism, Gangeskar, along with his cofounder, Edvar Engesaeth, a physician, have decided women need more convenience in obtaining birth control. “We wanted to make preventative healthcare more accessible for people,” Gangeskar said. “We started with contraception because this is a complicated and burdensome process for many
people today.” After viewing Nurx on her smartphone, O’Riley said, “I like how the app shows you several birth control options with the specific names of each of them … Whenever I go into the doctor’s office, I always feel so overwhelmed by everything they tell me and he ends up just picking the option for me. I’m not even sure the name of the pill I’m on now.” Gangeskar said that each year there are about three million unintended pregnancies in the United States. He believes main the main contributors to these pregnancies are the “financial barriers” and “unnecessary hoops people have to jump through” to obtain proper birth control. “This motivated us to create an app that streamlines this process and, unlike similar apps, Nurx users have the option to use their insurance to cover the cost,” Gangeskar said. “We want women to be able to access their birth control on their own terms.”
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A non-profit teaching D.C.'s children about themselves MOMIE, a non-profit based on Georgia Avenue is making a change in the classrooms and beyond.
Kayla Irby
Howard University News Service WASHINGTON -- Mentors of Minorities in Education (MOMIE’s) a non-profit organization based in D.C. and Maryland, is doing all it can to help minority youth in Washington D.C. and Maryland reach their full potential. This organization exposes minority children from the ages of 2-19 to important figures who aren’t necessarily highlighted in today's classrooms, while helping them believe in themselves and achieving success. “So instead of talking about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, we talk about individuals such as Emmanuel Jal who was a child soldier. We talk about all these important people with the children to empower them to become great people themselves,” said Elise Roberts the vice president of development and operations associate at MOMIE’s. MOMIE has a total of six sites based in Ward 1 and Ward 5 which reaches 600 children weekly. They have various programs including an after-school program, summer camps, youth ambassadors, and a parent and community engagement program. “Our mission is to nurture the genius of children and creative a transformative learning experience. We try to use the arts, humanities, and social justice to create a more holistic experience for the children,” said Olaide Ajomagberin, an AMERICOR VISTA Intern at the orgnization. At MOMIE’s, aspects like these are incorporated in everyday sessions. Ajomagberin says that minority youth are not taught about important black figures all the time and they try to change that. “Sometimes we don’t learn about the great black people in school all the time. We try to use that too for them to be more aware of who they are as black individuals,” said Ajomagberin.
Mentors of Minorities in Education is located on Georgia Avenue in Washingon D.C.-
Their main activity which makes them so unique; according to an employee, is the “great person’s series” where they teach the children heroes who aren’t often highlighted. The organization has expanded in
the past year, going from about three sites to having six sites. “What I find most rewarding about working with MOMIE’s, is the kids and how unique the organization is. Seeing that the kids take what they learn here at MOMIE’s with them for the rest
PHOTO VIA KAYLA IRBY/IMAGE
of their lives is the best,” said Damian Fontanez, the program/ site director for The Children's Gallery of Black History.
“He is the visionary for this organization and creating this multicultural curriculum,” said Fontanez.
The organization was started in the year 2000 by Ayize Sabater who originally did after-school programs in Atlanta Gerogia.
This program plans to continue their mission and offer its services to minority children in the D.C. and Maryland area.
Office of Off-Campus Housing & Community Engagement 2016 Off-Campus Housing Fair Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Noon- 3 p.m. Blackburn Center Ballroom
All students, staff and faculty are welcome! LOTS OF GIVEAWAYS INCLUDING: HOTEL PACKAGE, BEATS BY DRE AND GIFT CARDS HOWARD UNIVERSITY OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
@HUOCHE #HUOCHCE #2K16HOUSINGFAIR
THE OFFICE OF OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT * 2401 4TH STREET NW * WASHINGTON, DC 20059 202-806-9216| HU.OCHCE@GMAIL.COM HTTP://HOWARD.OFFCAMPUSPARTNERS.COM
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VARIETY Body Noire: A Photo Series Embracing Black Beauty Sydney Davenport Variety Editor
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eyond Classically Beautiful, the acclaimed photo-series- turned-socialmedia-platform, has released its third photo series, entitled Body Noire. The black and white photo series, created by the AbiIshola, founder and editor-in- chief of Beyond Classically Beautiful, and photographed by KunleAyodeji, shares the stories of five Black women and how they came to accept and love their bodies. The inspiration for Body Noire came when Serena Williams’ body was scrutinized during 2015 domination of the tennis world, according to the Beyond Classically Beautiful’s website. Ishola notes how many would call Williams’ body “manly” and “too strong.”
author. The women are featured showing off their figures in bathing suits, with their stories underneath their pictures. Each woman describe their own struggle to accept and embrace their body for what it is.
Finishing the School Year Strong I P D R A O B K C A L B
In her Editor’s Note, Ishola herself describes her struggle with her body, particularly after she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a condition that can cause insulin resistance, mood swings, facial hair growth, fertility issues and more. The stunning photo series can be found on BeyondClassicallyBeautiful.com, along with the two previous photo series highlighting the beauty of Black women.
F T F O C U S Z U C A A
S T U D Y G U I D E N S
D I G T K T K V K L I S
I G H F O R G U A M F I
T C E J O R P P U O R G
E X T R A C R E D I T N
Z C U D S R L Y G H Z M
H I E Y T C E J O R P E
T S U W U H R F B P J N
F R Y Q D X J P D Z R T
I C F R Y F P P R T J S
ASSIGNMENTS BLACKBOARD EXTRACREDIT FINAL FOCUS GRADES
GROUPPROJECT PROJECT QUIZ STUDY STUDYGUIDE TUTOR
The five women featured in Body Noire body types ranging from slender to curvy, as well as careers ranging from yoga instructor t
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN CHAPEL The Office of the Dean of the Chapel and The Artishia and Frederick Jordan Scholarship Fund are pleased to announce applications are now available for the 2016-2017 Artishia & Frederick Jordan Scholarship Scholarship Amount Equals One Full Semester’s Tuition Applications are available online at www.jordanscholarship.com and the lower level of the Carnegie Building. Applications are due April 11th!
Join us this Sunday…
Dr. Cornel West Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice Union Theological Seminary New York, New York
Upcoming Events & Programs April 13, 2016 – Solidarity Day Join Muslim brothers and sisters in wearing kofis and hijabs. Hijab wrapping demonstrations available in Blackburn lower level during lunchtime and Douglass Hall in the afternoon. April 14, 2016 – Multicultural Day Join us for a celebration of diverse cultures and beliefs at Howard University. Blackburn Center- Main Entrance 11:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M. April 15, 2016 – Holi Celebration Join us in a celebration of unity, a festival of colors. Main Yard, 5:30 P.M.-7:00 P.M.
Willie B. Adkins Scholars share a moment with Dean Richardson and Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart.
“Deeper in Faith – Wider in Community”
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SPORTS
PLAYER JAMES DANIEL III IS FEATURED ABOVE.
PHOTO COURTESYOF HUBISON
Daniel and Gonzales Receive Post Season Honors HU Bison Athletics James "J-Byrd" Daniel, III has been named the 2015-16 Co-Player of the Year by both the Boxtorow and the Black College Sports Page. Daniel, the 2016 MEAC Player of the year and a first team all-conference selection, led the nation in scoring from start to finish with 27.1 points per game. The 5-11 junior guard from Hampton, VA also led the nation in free throws made and attempted, was 4th in total points and 5th in total field goals. Daniel was 2nd in the MEAC in steals. The Phoebus High School graduate scored 30 points or more in eight games this season and became the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,899 points, shattering the old mark of 1,724 points. He scored a careerhigh 39 points against William and Mary on November 28. The high-scoring guard
shared the honors with Texas Southern redshirt freshman center Derrick Griffin. Gonzales, who was also a first team all-MEAC selection, had her best season averaging over 19.9 points and almost 9 rebounds per contest. The 6-0 senior center from Atlanta, Ga, ranked second in the conference in scoring and finished her career Number 12 on the school scoring list with over 1198 points. Gonzles was named to the Black College Sports Page third team. First Team All-Americans Victoria Gonzales, Howard (F, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.) Norianna Haynes, Alcorn State (F, Sr., Meridian, Miss.) Malia Tate-DeFreitas, Hampton (G, Jr., Harrisburg, Pa.) Keiana Vines, Texas Southern (C, Sr., Oxnard, Calif.) Kailyn Williams, Bethune-Cookman (C, r-Jr., New Orleans, La.) Britney Wright, Alabama State (F, Jr., Detroit,, Mich.) Khadejra Young, Florida A&M (G, Sr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.).
PHOTO COURTESY OF BISON ATHLETICS
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SPORTS