Phylicia Rashad Is Stepping Down As Howard University’s College of Fine Arts Dean After 3 Years
By Aria Bell Phylicia Rashad has fulfilled her agreement with Howard University as the Dean of the institution’s College of Fine Arts following the spring commencement ceremony. Three years ago, Rashad helped to revive the fine arts program she was once a part of by stepping into the role of dean. Initially, the Houston native was unsure if she could fully commit to the role. On May 10, Rashad sat down with fellow Howard alumna Lesli Foster, who is now a news anchor at WUSA9, to discuss the work she’s done at her alma mater and what’s next. Before playing the beloved Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show,
HBCU Lincoln University’s 2024 Commencement Address Will be Delivered By ‘Just Mercy’ Subject Bryan Stevenson
By Kyra Alessandrini Lincoln University announced that Bryan Stevenson, the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, will be the keynote speaker at the HBCU’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony. This year will mark the institution’s 165th Commencement Ceremony. The event will take place on May 5 on Lincoln’s main campus, and around 400 undergraduate and graduate students will receive their degrees. “Bryan Stevenson addressing our graduates at Lincoln University’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony stands as a testament to the university’s dedication to fostering critical thought and pursuing social justice. His profound commitment to human rights and equity resonates deeply with the
For Howard’s ice skating club co-founders, love of sport drove them to make history
By Mia Berry Howard University junior Maya James and senior Cheyenne Walker have been avid ice skaters since age 7. However, after high school both hung up their skates after deciding to attend Howard because the school didn’t have a skating program. When James and Walker traveled home during school breaks, they occasionally would visit local skating rinks to brush up on their skills. After James returned from winter break during her sophomore year, she decided to team up with Walker in hopes of creating an ice skating program at Howard. That way, current and future students wouldn’t have to
FAMU Ranks No. 1 In Niche’s 2024 Best HBCU Schools In America
By Dantee Ramos In Niche’s 2024 Best HBCU Schools in America category, Florida A&M University placed No. 1. FAMU President Larry Robinson said he is happy to see the transformative years recognized. “Great things happen every day at FAMU, and we are proud to know that what we do is being recognized nationally,” Robinson said, according to Tallahassee. “For 136 years, FAMU has been changing and transforming lives, and we will continue to stay true to this important mission.” The university moved to No. 91 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Colleges ranking — breaking into the Top 100. The university was
US Senator Laphonza Butler and US District Judge Carlton W. Reeves named 2024 Spring commencement speakers
Courtesy of Jackson State University Jackson State University announces two distinguished alumni will keynote the 2024 Spring commencement ceremonies. United States District Judge Carlton W. Reeves will serve as the speaker for the graduate student ceremony on Friday, May 3 at 9 a.m. CT in the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center; and United States Senator Laphonza Butler will serve as the speaker for the undergraduate student ceremony on Saturday, May 4 at 9 a.m. CT at Veterans Memorial Stadium. “Both Judge Carlton Reeves and Senator Laphonza Butler’s accomplishments are shining examples of the excellence and impact our institution fosters. Their dedication
FAMU BOT Approves Architectural/Engineering Design Contracts for Two More Student Residence Halls
Written By Andrew Skerritt The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees (BOT) approved contracts for architectural firms to design two more student residence halls. Meeting on campus Thursday, March 7, the BOT approved a $429,521 contract with JRA Architects of Tallahassee for engineering and architecture services for a 500-bed, mixed use facility that will be built where Paddyfote residence hall once stood. As part of the plan, the four-story building will be designed to include retail and office space on the first floor. The local firm also secured the architecture and design contract for the Howard Hall renovations, for
Eddie George speaks on interest in Ohio State RB coach job
Eddie George became an NCAA football legend at Ohio State University, but he isn’t yet headed back to the Buckeye State. At least not to become the running backs coach for Ohio State football. Currently the Tennessee State University head football coach, Eddie George told long-time Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May he is not interested in the running backs coach position opening at Ohio State University. Now former Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford had been with the program for nearly a decade but recently jumped to the other side of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry when he became the new
Mayor Brandon M. Scott Launches HBCU Fellowship Initiative to Cultivate Next Generation Leaders in Baltimore
Written By Beverly Richards Mayor Brandon M. Scott has collaborated with Baltimore Corp, Coppin State University, and Morgan State University to launch the Mayor’s HBCU Fellowship Initiative. The partnership, announced on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Baltimore City Hall, aims to provide recent graduates with hands-on experience and to create a pipeline into local government careers for the next generation of leaders. As part of this initiative, 25 recent graduates from Coppin State and Morgan State will work at city government agencies for nine months, receiving professional development, training, and mentoring. The inaugural fellowship will run from September 2024 to May
S.C. State’s proposal to cut history and education programs sets risky precedent
By Ken Makin South Carolina State University is a campus forever shaped – and shaken – by protest. Feb. 8, 1968, is a date that marks perhaps the most tragic day in the school’s history: the Orangeburg Massacre, a civil rights protest that turned deadly after three unarmed students were shot and killed by police. Long before his tenure as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, Earnest Smith was a hopeful freshman at South Carolina State. He arrived on campus during the turbulent 1970s, with the violent massacre in 1968 only a few years past. When Smith heard about a recent proposal from
Spelman College Produces Another Round of Gilman Scholars
Courtesy of Spelman College Spelman College is proud to announce that five students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a prestigious opportunity with a 25% national acceptance rate. This is the 21st year in a row that Spelman has produced Gilman Scholars. Princess Dandoo, C’2025; Journei Savoi Ferguson, C’2026; Naomi Vivian Johnson, C’2026; Taylor Tyler Jones, C’2026; and Ysabella Lopez, C’ 2025, were selected by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) as part of this year’s 1,700-student cohort representing more than 500 U.S. colleges and universities. “Spelman College is deliberate in developing global leaders who