Black Ink Graduation Issue 2011

BLACKÂ INK Dedicated to Revolutionary Media

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Life After Graduation An Honorable Alumna The Arab Spring

Graduation 2011

Black Ink

Letter from the Editor

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Springtime. There’s a lot behind this one season – sunny days in the Pit, lazy moments in the Quad, pollen covered cars and graduation.

Whenever this time of comes around, I’m always reminded of spring being a sense of closure and new beginnings. Just think about it, with spring comes the end of winter and the start of beautiful weather and new seasons and that’s what the Black Ink wanted to do with this last issue.

We wanted to end the year with an issue that reminded you that of some of the major events from past semester but also had you thinking about the new possibilities for the future.

In this graduation themed edition of the Black Ink, you’ll find articles that highlight all aspects of spring semester from March Madness, spring fashion, summer plans and of course, a few revolutionary pieces that will make you think!

But this issue also means one more thing, it’s my last issue as your Black Ink Editor-in-Chief. Two years ago when I decided to become editor I really had no idea (like for real no idea) what I was getting myself into. I could barely use Publisher, I had like five people on staff and the only experience I had in print was news writing. But I did have hope. I had hope in this magazine and I knew it could be something great, I just needed help. And you, our readers, you have been our support and I have to THANK YOU! Without you the Black Ink wouldn’t be as successful as it has been. I ask that as I pass the torch along that you continue to be a supporter of the Black Ink because it’s only going to be better each year.

To my staff, which has changed and evolved each year, I also thank you for all your hard work and dedication to this effort. You all made my hopes and dreams for this magazine a reality and I’m so grateful for all your help. You guys have helped make Black Ink relevant again!

With graduation getting closer each day, I’m reminded how much I’ll miss this place. Yes, we may complain about the papers, the tests, the infamous group projects but that’s only a small part of college. It’s all the friends, accomplishments and experiences that you remember, not that grade on your last paper.

With peace and love for the last time as an undergraduate, Kirstin Garriss, 2009 – 2011 Editor-In-Chief

Black Ink

Letter from the Managing Editor

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Hello all!

This has truly been a great year for Black Ink Magazine.

And we definitely could not have made it happen without you all, our dedicated readers!

This coming year will mark a big transition for Black Ink as we are saying goodbye to our graduating Editor-inChief Kirstin Garriss. Words can truly not express how much she has given to this publication through her tireless dedication. She had a vision of what she hoped this magazine to be and truly did not let up until it was fulfilled. It is nothing short of a blessing to have had such an ambitious woman leading this publication.

But in her absence we have no intention of slowing down. The dedicated staff of Black Ink is excited to continue the legacy that Kirstin and countless others have left for us. So we hope that you will continue to support us!

This graduation issue includes a little bit of everything, from Summer Fashion to domestic and international political events. We were also able to publish two articles from guest writers Perrine DeShield and Anthony E. Dent. To both of whom we would like to extend a special thanks! Most importantly make sure you check out the last two pages of this miniissue to see a very special dedication to a phenomenal young women (wink-wink). Bet you can guess who it is!

As always, I hope this issue opens your eyes, expands your thoughts, challenges your ideals and charges that inner revolutionary spirit. We hope that you will continue to support this publication as we embark on a new chapter. And with your help we will continue to represent the Black presence on UNC’s campus through informative and revolutionary media.

Sincerely, Brittany Johnson 2011-2012 Editor-in-Chief

Black Ink

Social Media and the Arab Spring

Social Media Changing the World

Ebony Shamburger

Though social media may primarily be used for people to keep in contact, recently it has been used to initiate protests in Egypt and Tunisia and develop support for a natural disaster in Japan.

In Egypt and Tunisia, multiple forms of social media – Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube – were used to tell the world about anti-governmental protests against corruption, high unemployment rates and food inflation. During these protests, tweet topics ranged from arrests to tear gas reports.

The power of social media was recognized to such a great extent by government officials that they often shut down and blocked these sites from residents and journalists.

The mixture of social media and ground protests helped oust former presidents Muhammad Hosni Mubarak and Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. As of now, there is no proof that social media influenced protests in Egypt or Tunisia.

But it is clear that social media was beneficial to journalists who needed to give quick updates to their audience.

Via Twitter, ABC News reporter Brian Hartman made it public that he was safe while reporting in Egypt by saying: “Just escaped after being carjacked at a checkpoint and driven to a compound where men surrounded the car and threatened to behead us…” “One man who swore to kill us wore police uniform. Mubarak banner over the scene.” But anger at perceived media bias was genuine.

Not only did this tweet put the world of Egyptian protests into perspective, but it also informed ABC News correspondents of the cruel treatment journalists, like Hartman, received in the Middle East.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, nearly 25 tweets were sent per minute during the protests in Egypt. After Mubarak was forced out on January 25, tweeters used a hash tag, “#” or a symbol to categorize words or phrases on Twitter, to make #Jan25 a Twitter label. This would later allow any tweeter to search information about this historical day.

Tweeters also told their friends outside the country what happened whenever Internet

4 access was blocked in Egypt, so they could tweet it for them.

Similarly, Twitter, along with Facebook, was used to spread the word of Japan’s 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami.

The FedEx Global Education Center at UNC-Chapel Hill used Twitter to rally support from its followers for a fundraiser by the UNC Japan Club. A tweet by the @ UNC_Global twitter account read: “UNC Japan Club is collecting donations in the pit this Thurs & Fri from 10-2. $ will be sent to Japan via Red Cross:http://t.co/TWO.” UNC Japan Club and its Events Coordinator Yuwa Harimoto also sent out Facebook invites to 3,614 people for the same cause called the Japanese Earthquake Relief. This invitation, like @UNC_Global’s tweet, promoted March 17 and 18 as the days to collect donations to be sent to the American Red Cross, which helped the club raise more than $3,000.

Harimoto said the Japan Club chose to publicize the event on Facebook because it would receive immediate attention, just as a Facebook status had grabbed her attention one day.

“I actually got to know about the earthquake through Facebook,” she said. Harimoto said scary Facebook statutes by her friends in Tokyo led to her discovery of the earthquake.

Harimoto is from Japan. She has been in the U.S. for three years for college and her parents still live in Tokyo.

In shock about the proximity of the disaster to her parents, she immediately called them. Since Tokyo was not largely hit by the natural disasters, her parents were not harmed. However, she learned that her father was forced to make a four-hour walk home because all of the trains had stopped running for the night.

To stay informed on occurrences in Japan, Harimoto used the English and Japanese versions of Facebook. She said that the major difference between the two versions was that the Japanese version had more diary entries, photos and statutes about the disaster.

Social Media and The Arab Spring

Black Ink

EGYPT Many self-immolations, nationwide protests, occupation of public spaces and attacks on office buildings characterized the revolution in Egypt. Egyptians were coping with a struggling economy, high food prices, unemployment and housing shortages for years, so the main catalyst for the rebellion was the increasingly heavy-handed tactics of the Mubarak regime and his plans to have his son succeed him.

The revoltion resulted in the ousting of President Mubarak and Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik, assumption of power by the Armed Forces, suspenion of the constitution, the dissolution of Parliament and the disbanding of the state security force.

The “Day of Revolt” (Jan 25) saw tens of thousands of protestors gathered in Cairo and thousands in other cities throughout the country.

On January 26, the government decided to shut down the internet for most Egyptian people. This occured after several Facebook groups were created and tweets help facilitate mass demonstrations.

5 December 18, 2010

LIBYA Armed military encounters between presidential regime and rebel opposition forces. Reasons for rebellions were heavy handed internal terrorism, violations of human rights corruption.

See Tunisia to the side

December 28, 2010

The president is colonel Mummar Muhammad al-Gaddafi, who has been in power for the past 42 years.

Algeria - major protests, self-immolations, riots and road-blocking led to the lifting of a 19-year-old state of emergency.

TUNISIA nationwide protest which led to the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The protests January 12, 2011 were sparked by the self-immolation of Tarek al-Tayyib Mohammad Bouazizi the previous day. Mohammad Lebanon - Minor protests, clashes beBouazizi was a Tunisian street vendor who did it in pro- tween riot police and pro-Saad Hariri test of confisication of his “wares” and the harassment supporters and humiliation inflicted upon him.

January 14, 2011

President Ben Ali resigned January 14, 2011. Over 223 Jordan - Minor protests and dempeople were killed. onstrations led King Abdullah II to dismiss Prime Minister Rifai and his cabinet

Lebanon

January 17, 2011

Tunisia Morroco

Mauritania - A person commited selfimmolation and there were several protests that have yet to have any particular impact in the country’s politics

Jordan

Libya

Egypt

Saudi Arabia

Oman

Mauritania

Sudan

Yemen

This map and information was compiled by Jeffrey Sullivan. This information is not complete nor up to date, if interested in the “Arab Spring” the compiler encourages you to do independent research

To most people, like Harimoto, social networking sites are considered a great way to stay informed instantaneously about international events. Likewise, according to “Iran Protests: Twitter, the Medium of the Movement,” by senior writer for Time Magazine, Lev Grossman, free access to Twitter and its high mobility “makes Twitter practically ideal for a mass protest movement, both very easy for the average citizen to use and very hard for any central authority to control.” He also said the ability to retransmit interesting or urgent tweets allow its user to easily search trending topics to spread the word quickly.

On the other hand, in The Tufts Daily, James Ennis, an associate professor of sociology at

Sudan - Minor protests that led President Bashir to announce he will not run for another term in 2015 Oman - Major protests led to economic concessios by Sultan Qaboos, dismissal of of several ministers and the granting of law-making powers to Oman’s elected legislature

Revolution Civil War Minor Protest Civil disorder and governmental change

Tufts University, said “from a sociological perspective, it is too early to tell how influential social media has really been, since there is no good empirical data yet.”

At this point, it does not seem to matter how much statistics can prove whether social media is effective. Three world events in the past four months have shown how useful and life-changing the immediacy of the “new media” can be.

Until proven otherwise, it is sensible to jump on the social media bandwagon. Thus, when the next world-wide event erupts you too will be ready to provide tweets, Facebook statuses and more to inform others and add your mark to history.

January 18, 2011 Yemen - Nationwide protests and riots led President Saleh to announce he will not run for another term in 2013, along with other political concessions.

January 21, 2011 Saudi Arabia - A self-immolation, minor demonstrations and frequent protests in the Eastern Province led to economic concessions by King Abdullah.

“Men-only” municipal elections were held on April 23rd.

January 25, 2011

See Egypt above

February 15, 2011

See Libya above

Black Ink

Kerri Kearse

The word absurd is typically defined as “anything that is utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue; contrary to all reason or common sense; laughably foolish.” For an example, see how Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and the GOP members of the Wisconsin senate are stripping the hard-working people of their state of their rights to organize under unions in the name of “balancing the budget.”

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FACE

Unions no longer have collective bargaining powers except for wage increases that are in proportion to inflation. That means that unions are powerless to address issues like benefits, hours, working conditions and safety, and rules regarding workers. Teachers, actors, journalists, engineers, farmers, musicians, plumbers, electricians, chefs – essentially everyone who isn’t a CEO or COO is being attacked by this bill. Not only can these labor unions no longer bargain for better working conditions for their employees, but they are only allowed to exist if they get enough votes in a public referendum each year. This bill, also seeks to force employees pay double for their health care premiums (up from 6% to over 12%) and 5% more of pensions out of their take-home pay.

Clearly, the concerns of the people (who don’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars to give to campaign contributions like major corporation heads) are not an issue for Scott Walker and the Wisconsin GOP. The GOP is not concerned about the construction workers who are already working twelve-hour days doing back-breaking labor to feed their families who now just lost 11% of their take-home pay. They could not care less about giving hard-working inner-city teachers the pay that they rightfully deserve, or making sure that class-sizes remain manageable; they would rather pass $117 million in tax breaks for big businesses.

This bill is not about solving a budget crisis, nor is it about fulfilling the will of the people. That’s why the Wisconsin Democrats fled the state, to keep this bill from getting passed. Senate Republicans knowingly violated the open-meetings law and formed a committee to split the bill in two by removing the “fiscal elements” (out of a bill on fiscal policy?) and voting to strip collective bargaining to “balance the budget.” You know what helps balance budgets? Money. And $117 million of it could have gone a long way in terms of keeping people employed, class sizes small, and creating new jobs. Where is that money now? In the pockets of big business owners. Apparently when the Wisconsin GOP claims that they are doing the “will of the people” they mean that they are doing the “will of the (wealthiest 1% of ) people.”

If it were up to the Wisconsin Republicans, we workers would be back where they were at the turn of the 20th century: overworked, underpaid and in unsafe and unregulated conditions.

Give Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle a read to see an accurate depiction of life before labor unions.

Black Ink

OFF

Anthony E Dent

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When talking about the recent controversy in Wisconsin, the first thing we need to do is differentiate between public and private sector unions. Private sector unions are mostly legitimate- they may hurt minorities by pricing out unskilled labor, but they do ensure a fair distribution of corporate profits between management and labor.

Public sector unions, on the other hand, are completely illegitimate.

Since government has no “profit,” they’re negotiating off the backs of taxpayers; thus, their interests are inherently at odds with the common good. These unions create a class devoted solely to more and more government, beyond what we actually need or want. For precisely this reason, leftist luminaries such as FDR and Doug Wilder opposed public sector unions.

Public sector unions also serve to protect their employees- not the people they serve. Teachers unions serve teachers’ interests, not the children’s...

When the TSA unionizes, their workplace rules won’t further our security- just their financial security.

Not only this, but public sector unions artificially limit the labor pool by increasing wages beyond the employees’ actual worth. So that limits the number of people the government can hire. Example: let’s say Wake County schools pays teachers upwards of $100,000. If their work is only worth $60,000, that means they can’t hire other teacherseven if they need more.

Public sector unions also serve to protect their employees- not the people they serve. Teachers unions serve teachers’ interests, not the children’s- let not kid ourselves here. When the TSA unionizes, their workplace rules won’t further our security- just their financial security.

For this reason, we have policies like “first in, first out” and others that don’t reward the best employees, they reward seniority. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has pointed out that these policies actually hurt minority communities because teachers in lower socioeconomic areas are newer (on average) and have less experience.

And minority students are also hurt by the fact that teacher pay isn’t tied to performance. Unions oppose it. Unions also oppose other innovations that help minority students, like the DC Voucher Scholarship.

Wisconsin revealed the fact that unions are out for themselves, not for us. Wisconsin faced a serious pension crisis and the workers were paying nothing into the pension system, so it was a simple request to ask that they would. But the unions resisted, and we all saw what happened. Public sector unions don’t allow governments to make the important decisions that have to be made and instead turn these proceedings into a farce- they’ve got to go.

Black Ink

Women: Summer Fashion

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Black Ink

Men: Summer Fashion

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Black Ink

Japan in the Spotlight Olivia Hart

International Spotlight/Carolina Sports Japan has experienced more than its share of tragedy. March 11, 2011 the largest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the country followed, of course, by a tsunami. As if that is not enough the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima plant only has added to the disasters endured this year by Japan.

There are the miracles though, the instances of hope that glimmer among all of the chaos and catastrophes. There were survivors, found days after the tsunami, among the debris and rubble. And there is the force of people all over the world coming together to support the Japanese people. Consider Hollywood a part of this force.

Since the quake struck, celebrities have been turning to social media to get out the word about relief efforts.

Rihanna wrote on Twitter, hours after the quake, “Let’s continue to keep the people of Japan in our prayers!” Sean “Diddy” Combs also tweeted, encouraging visitors to text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to bill an additional $10 from their phone bills to go towards relief efforts. Other celebrities using social media to raise awareness of the disaster included Chris Brown, Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber.

Celebs have also taken the initiative to raise funds themselves. Members of the R&B group Boyz II Men have raised over $13,000 from fans, as of one week after the quake struck. Lady Gaga has designed a bracelet which sells for five dollars and reads “We pray for Japan” in both Japanese and English. As of

Winning Ugly Thomas Buckley

The number three ranked team U Conn won its first NCAA Men’s basketball Championship since 1949 in a low-scoring win against Butler. The final score was 53-41, and U Conn point guard Kemba Walker could only be stopped by the final buzzer, finishing with 16 points. U Conn forward Jeremy Lamb was the main force aggressive force behind the victory, as Walker had no rebounds in the game. This impressive display of defense skills from U Conn forced Butler to score only 18.8 percent of its shots, the lowest ever in a title game.

“I have so much joy in me, its unreal” said Walker after the victory. Although Butler was ahead at halftime, Connecticut made Butler look like the underdog it really was in this grinding beatdown of the Bulldogs. At age 68, U Conn Coach Jim Calhoun became the oldest coach to win the NCAA championship. Connecticut outscored Butler an unbelievable 26-2 in the paint.

In the East Region, the Tar Heels made it to the regional finals, before losing to Kentucky by seven points. The Heels toppled Long Island, Washington,

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six days after the quake, she had raised $250,000.

Others have pledged a portion of their own revenue to go towards relief efforts. Sandra Bullock, Charlie Sheen, and Disney star Demi Lovato have each pledged $1 million of their earnings to go to Japan.

One of the biggest efforts to date is the Songs for Japan album compilation. The album, made available for purchase for $9.99 on iTunes on March 25, enlists the vocal talents of young and old Hollywood alike. A total of 38 celebs appear on the album and proceeds directly benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society. Stars who lend their music include Beyoncé, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Cee Lo Green, Eminem, the Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj, Sade, and Ne-Yo, among other big names.

Though these celebrities seem to have good intentions, there are some who question if Hollywood stars are using relief efforts as a way to bring themselves into the spotlight.

Celeb Kim Kardashian has offered someone the opportunity to meet her as an item for the US Fund

by UNICEF’s Japan relief auction, an action deemed “vain” by some.

Others question if Hollywood is doing enough to support efforts, or if Japan will be forgotten, as places often are soon after natural disasters. But, for now, the celebrities of Hollywood are uniting to help the people of Japan overcome this crisis. What else can we ask for?

and Marquette before losing to Kentucky. “Losing didn’t enter my mind until the final horn sounded” said freshman Harrison Barnes. With great performances from Tyler Zeller, Kendall Marshall, Barnes, and John Henson, it is hardly surprising the Heels went this far. Zeller and Henson plan to return for another season.

Virginia Commonwealth University, winner in the Southwest Region, was the most surprising story of this year’s March Madness by making it to the final four ranked eleventh. Head Coach Shaka Smart beat four teams by double digits, and pulled “the biggest regional final upset since 2006,” knocking off topseeded Kansas. On the court, Jamie Skeen, the Wake Forest transfer, had 26 points and 10 rebounds and did not commit a single foul in 38 minutes played.

Other big upsets included top-ranked Duke, 2010 champions, who lost to Arizona in the regional semifinals, and Louisville, losing to Denver in the first round. In response to the win, Denver coach Donnie Tyndall said “I don’t think it’s ever been bigger than that in the history of our school.”

Black Ink

Living under Carolina Blue Skies

Life as a Carolina Graduate Perrine DeShield

UNC Life after Graduation Being a grown up is overrated and bills are REAL. As a recent graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill I entered the real world unlike the seven strangers on MTV. I actually had a plan. However, I quickly realized how vital it is not only have a plan, but also your plan B, C and D in stock and fully loaded.

You never know what life may throw at you, but something that is always consistent is your identity. Comfort and knowledge about who you are and what you’re passionate about is essential after college. Whether or not graduate school is for you, you need to know what profession to pursue and the steps it takes to get there.

Working in the present to protect your future comes full circle when networking contacts serve as mentors, employment advisors and pure encouragement. Make sure to keep all business cards and emails within arms reach because you never know who may know someone who knows someone else who can land you your first entry- level position.

11 If you’ve ever spoken to a recent graduate still on the road to employment bliss, they are constantly working on two things (other than more job applications and updating resumes): Prayer and patience. You must believe that God’s purpose for you is already in place. You can’t rush things or jump the gun because you are attempting to fulfill what you think is your own purpose.

Another mistake that several recent graduates make is simply forgetting their youth. The world will not end if you have to move home and save up money for a few months after graduation. Just keep working towards your goals and God’s purpose for you! Even if you’re fortunate enough to venture out and see the world—use your time of transition to grow and appreciate a change of scenery.

I’m a full believer of self-actualization and the fact that you can be anyone you want to be and do anything your heart desires. Though realistically you won’t get your dream job on the first try, keep pushing in pursuit of it and obtain occupations that are resume builders and building blocks. After all, you are a tar heel and destined for greatness!

want to advertise with black ink Contact the Black Ink Advertising committee for more information uncblackink@gmail.com

*Discounts are available for UNC Organizations

Black Ink

In the Pit

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Black Ink

Toyosi Oyelowo

Gessiqua Pugh Psychology, 2014 “I’ll be here in Chapel Hill for summer school to get ahead on some of my pre-med courses. I plan on taking Chemistry 102 with the lab.”

Lauren Latten African Amerivcan Studies, 2013 “I’m going to Bangalore and New Delhi, India, as part of the BSBA Glimpse Program for business minors. We’ll be going to different companies to learn the difference between international and domestic business and also get to experience a new culture.”

Nicoya Langley Psychology, 2011 “After graduation I definitely want to find a job where I can do research involving psychology since I never got the chance to do that in undergrad. If that doesn’t work out I might take some trips back to either Texas or Miami.”

Lee Chapman Business Administration, 2014 “I have a pretty packed summer. I plan on taking Chinese during summer school and then later intern with a dentist and work as a pharmacy technician.”

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Black Ink

A Tribute to a Significant Senior

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A Tribute to a Honored Alumna

The Black Ink would like the use the final pages of the this issue to say goodbye to a very important person. Kirstin Garriss was the driving force behind the resurrection of the Black Ink; she has been an integral part of our existence since. Kirstin’s tireless work, amazing attitude and skilled leader‐ ship has touched countless people throughout the UNC community. Now as she leaves our ranks, the Black Ink would like to recognize her as an honored alumna. Good Luck and remember the both the lessons you’ve learned and the battles you’ve foungt in these pages and at UNC! Kirstin, I'm going to miss you dearly. You’ve been a mentor and friend to me as we're members of several of the same campus organizations.

You’ve guided me through the School of Journalism (which can be an overwhelming task) and given me professional and academic advice. I know you’re going to conquer broadcast news, fulfill your dreams, and make everyone who has been lucky enough Kirstin, you are the most energetic person with the to know you very proud. Congrats on graduation, KG! wildest passion for journalism. I've loved having you I'm wishing you all the best! as a leader, role model and friend who puts herself aside to give people advice about life and journalism.

-Averi Harper Your enthusiasm and drive will certainly be missed, but your heel mark will never be forgotten.

"It was such an honor to get to know someone as dedicated, intelligent, and humble as KG. She was such a great role model for me. I couldn't have asked for a better person to be my editor-in-chief for my first year at Carolina. I know she is destined for greatness."

God bless you, Kirstin, and continue being the best!

-Ebony S.

-Ari Hires I would like to tell you thank you for your amazing work with Black Ink. It has been a pleasure reading your work and working with such a well put together committee. Black Ink will do great things in the future thanks to your hard work over the last couple of years. Way to leave your HEELPRINT. -Claudia Parker After seeing the hard work you've put into everything you've done over the past five years of knowing you, I hope, and know, that you will do well! Congratulations on graduation and I love you dearly!!

-John Daniels

KG, I am so glad I've gotten a chance to get to know you over the last two years. I have appreciated all that you've done for Black Ink and the new life you have helped bring back to it. You are an amazing person and I know you will continue to do great things, I am excited to see what the future holds for you, I know I'll be seeing you in the head-lines!!! Love you lots -Courtney Spain

Kirstin, you are a caring and loving individual who's personality promotes a spirit of excellence in others.

I will certainly miss you and I wish you the best!!

-Mycal

Black Ink

Kirstin Garriss - Honored Alumna

To one of the hardest working women in television, and you haven't even graduated yet. Thanks for all that you do.

- Eric Campbell

Kirstin I met you during my first year at UNC and saw you as the ideal role model for the hardworking journalism student that I one day hope to be. Your skill, personality, and drive to work hard and network in order to have a successful future are just some of the things that I admire about her. Not only do I consider Kirstin a friend, but a mentor as well. I wish her the best of luck in her career and will definitely look forward to seeing her as the face of CNN politics some day soon. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Briana Harper

From Summer Bridge 2007, Project Uplift , BSM Central Committee members, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Coordinators, to being my two-time ROOMIE, I have not only watched you revive the Black Ink Magazine, but also develop into one feisty journalist and amazing young woman. You WILL change mainstream media as we know it!

Kirstin "KG" Garriss you have a Heart of Gold. It is exemplified by your humble character, (yes you are humble...your resume is TIGHT aka LEGIT..and you don't even have to flaunt), your compassion for others, and the pride that you have not only for yourself, but also this institution. Your contributions to the Black Student Movement are many, but the contributions you have made to my life are endless.

-<3 Lisle aka "YOUR #4409 Roomie"

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Executive Board Kirstin Garriss Brittany Johnson Ebony Shamburger Kandace Watkins Shana Smith Averi Harper Briana Harper

‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐

Editor‐in‐Chief Assistant Editor‐in‐Chief Copy Editor PR Coordinator Ad Committee Chair Blog Master Alumni Relations

Interested in joining the Black Ink Family? Contact Brittany Johnson at uncblackink@gmail.com for more information

Graphic Designer Jeffrey Sullivan Cameron Lewis

Contributing Writers Thomas Buckley Anthony Dent Perrine DeShield Briana Harper Olivia Hart Kerri Kearse Toyosi Oyelowo Ebony Shamburger

Photographers Laura Cowart

Our mission remains: “If Blackness can be trans‐ formed into pictures and words, we intend to do so, by any means necessary.” *The Black Ink is a recognized publication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This is‐ sue was paid for, in part, by student activity fees. **If you have questions or concerns about the Black Ink please email uncblackink@gmail.com