NCAT student presents study on how blue light exposure affects journalism students
By Sheyla Fairley
At the Black Doctoral Network (BDN) Undergraduate Research Poster competition in Atlanta, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, multimedia journalism student Jaydn James recently presented her innovative research study, “How Consistent Blue Light Exposure Affects the Circadian Rhythm (Sleep Patterns) Among Journalism Students.”
According to an article, her findings indicated that the “journalism students experienced sleep deprivation and associated physical and mental ailments due to prolonged exposure to blue light from electronic screens for their studies, reporting and gathering news.”
“I believe it’s important to keep investigating and uncovering potential issues that might arise when we expose ourselves to blue light from electronic devices,” said James. “There could be more hidden effects that we need to understand, and I plan to continue pursuing this research.”
Read the full article, here.
Play by Bowie State student addresses gentrification
By Sheyla Fairley
Raymond Ingram, a Bowie State University, Bowie, MD, junior theatre arts major, wrote a play called “Buy Black” which opened at the Black Box Theatre in the university’s Fine and Performing Arts Center on November 15, 2023.
According to an article, the play is about how “Black Americans cope under the threats of gentrification” and promotes “supporting small neighborhood businesses such as Black mini-marts to redirect money back into the community.”
“You don’t see a lot of shows for Black people that are written by Black people,” said Ingram. “I wanted to create a play that allows the actors to see themselves through the performance. August Wilson and Lorraine Hansberry are both great Black playwrights. Hopefully, one day I’ll perfect my writing and have my name mentioned along with theirs. It may sound like a lofty goal but that’s how I think.”
For more information, read the full article here.
Former Miss Norfolk State and recording artist Starlet Windham drops new single ‘Never’
By Sheyla Fairley
Former Miss Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, and recording artist Starlet Windham has recently released a new single, “Never,” which conveys a message of self-worth and empowerment.
As stated in a release, Starlet served as “Miss Norfolk State University in the 2018-2019 school year” and graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. During her time at Norfolk State, she wrote, arranged, and produced her “album entitled, ‘Take A Chance On Love,’” which was “a hit amongst the HBCU community.”
“Completing this project is a dream come true! Music is my passion, and I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to inspire and move people with my God-given talent,” expressed Windham.
The Atlanta University Center Consortium are among the first HBCUs to offer a program in media sales, operations, & marketing
By Sheyla Fairley
Starting in 2026, juniors and seniors at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College — all three located in Atlanta, GA — will be eligible to register for courses that will prepare them for careers in media sales, operations and marketing. As stated in a release, the curriculum will be “derived from the successful Media Sales Institute (MSI) curriculum” which will focus on “radio, television, cable, print, digital, and interactive media sales to address the media industry’s challenge of ensuring a diverse workforce” and will be located in CAU’s School of Business.
“I am proud and excited to be a part of this initiative and partner with the MSI Foundation, along with the media industry to offer the first collegiate concentration in media sales, operations, and marketing in the country! Building on the very successful MSI curriculum, the expanded reach that this program will offer promises to accomplish our shared goals of sustained creation of primed media sales professionals for today and tomorrow,” said Dean of the CAU School of Business Silvanus Udoka.
Former NASA astronaut to be keynote speaker for NC Central fall commencement
By Sheyla Fairley
Retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin has been chosen as the keynote speaker for North Carolina Central University’s, Durham, NC, 142nd Commencement Exercises on Saturday, December 9, 2023.
As stated in a release, Melvin was selected by “the Detroit Lions in the 11th round of the NFL draft” as a wide receiver and, after enduring a hamstring injury, began his NASA career in 1989. He spent more than “24 years as a NASA researcher, astronaut and senior executive service leader” before retiring in 2014.
Since retiring, he has shared his “life story as an athlete, astronaut, scientist, engineer, photographer and musician to help inspire the next generation of explorers to pursue STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) careers.”
For more details, read the full article here.
