Morehouse grad becomes youngest principal in the Atlanta Public Schools System

By Sheyla Fairley

Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, graduate Dr. Dominique Merriweather has become the youngest principal in the Atlanta Public Schools and the first Black leader at Sutton Middle School.

As stated in a release, the middle school’s new principal graduated from Morehouse College in 2014 and originally wanted to be “a corporate attorney but changed his mind after he began reading and mentoring to inner city students a few years ago.”

Nine years ago, Dr. Merriweather began his career as a special education teacher, but has since risen up to become the district’s youngest principal at 30-years-old.

“Age does not equate to ability or capacity. If you are driven and open to learning and if you truly want to be the best at what you are doing, it can happen,” shared Dr. Merriweather.

Partnership between Dominion Energy Charity Classic and First Tee – Greater Richmond on HBCU golfing tournament

By Sheyla Fairley

Taking place from October 23 – 25, 2022, seven historically Black colleges and universities from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) will compete in the inaugural River City Collegiate Classic where it will be held at Belmont Golf Course and The Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course.

In a partnership, Dominion Energy Charity Classic and First Tee – Greater Richmond announced that the 36-hole event will be presented by Truist, an American bank holding company.

“Dominion Energy long has believed in the mission of HBCUs and supported and partnered with them with scholarships, capital improvements, and more,” said Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy’s Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to expand our partnership with these excellent colleges and universities to the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.”

For more details, read the full article here.

New Huston–Tillotson president/CEO shares plans for university

By Sheyla Fairley

Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX, has named Melva K. Williams as the new president and CEO after the retirement of Colette Pierce Burnette on June 30, 2022.

According to an article, Williams plans to continue the work Burnette already established by “working with the Huston-Tillotson community to create a strategic plan, building partnerships with local industries and expanding fundraising so the campus has enough resources to support students, staff and faculty.”

“My goal is to really connect with the faculty, with the staff, with the students to create a shared vision that will be our vision going forward,” Williams said. “I didn’t come here to place a vision on top of HT and to put a round peg into a square hole.”

For more information, read the full article here.

Fisk University makes history with gymnastics team 

By Sheyla Fairley

Fisk University, Nashville, TN, announced back in February that they would develop a new gymnastics program, making them the first HBCU to have an intercollegiate women’s gymnastics team. In March, the university appointed Ivy League coach Corrinne Tarver as head coach of the program due to her experience with college athletics and gymnastics.

Recently, a TikTok video of the gymnastics team’s first practice has gone viral, garnering over a million views across platforms.

“The Fisk women’s gymnastics program is slated to begin this Fall and the enthusiasm has been nothing short of inspiring. The partnership with Brown Girls Do Gymnastics is highly innovative and we are so excited for the future of Fisk athletics,” said school president Dr. Vann Newkirk in a release.

Jordan Brand and HU agree to multi-year partnership

By Sheyla Fairley

According to an article, Howard University, Washington, D.C., and Jordan Brand, the Nike corporation, announced a 20-year partnership where it will “elevate Howard University’s athletic department,” “bring about new opportunities for students to excel,” and deepen “Jordan Brand’s connection to HBCU culture.”

“We have always been proud of our legacy at Howard University, but we are audacious enough to believe our future could be brighter than our past. Partnering with Jordan Brand is another signal of our ambitions as a university to become an even brighter beacon for Black Excellence. We are thrilled to work on that vision of greatness together,” said HU president Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick.

Read the full article, here.