HBCU grad creates book series to teach kids about Black history
By Sheyla Fairley
North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, grad Fred Whitaker Jr. was inspired by his daughter, Journee, and niece, Briley, to create the Come on a Journee With Me book series with his sister, Courtney E. Whitaker.
According to an article, the book series have themes such as “travel, entrepreneurship, and the importance of learning Black history and culture” while also highlighting the “dynamic between Black fathers and their daughters.”
“With this series, I hope to continue highlighting great Black fathers and Black culture that has shaped major cities for children who are less fortunate to experience traveling outside their communities,” shared Whitaker.
For more details, read the full article here.
HBCU alum-owned beauty supply store set to debut in February
By Sheyla Fairley
Married couple Quintin, a graduate of Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD, and Megan Lathan, a graduate of Bowie State University in Bowie, MD, are the owners of Beauty Plus, a Black-owned beauty supply store. The store will be within the radius of Morgan State.
As stated in a release, Quintin and Megan recognize how important it is for “HBCU students to have access to Black hair care and supplies.”
“We are the main users of beauty supply products. We know about the products. We know how it interacts with our hair, we can speak to it. We can give people a personalized shopping experience that no other culture can provide in this element. Also, just ownership and entrepreneurship in general within the black community is essential to the growth and progress of our community at large” Megan Lathan said.
Beauty Plus will have its official grand opening on February 11, 2023.
Coppin State receives $3.9M grant to expand broadband internet access to underserved Marylanders
By Sheyla Fairley
According to an article, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD, has been awarded $3.9 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce to launch ConnectEagle Nation, “a collaborative broadband internet pilot program that will improve connectivity and access for economically disadvantaged and underserved communities in West Baltimore.” The program is expected to launch in March 2023.
“The internet and mobile technology are critical tools for accessing and sharing information every day. Socioeconomic status should not determine access, or opportunities for individuals or our communities, in Baltimore or anywhere else,” said Anthony L. Jenkins, president of Coppin State University. “We appreciate our local, federal, and business partners who are committing their funds and expertise to this project. We look forward to a dynamic collaboration that will make great progress in closing the digital divide in West Baltimore.”
For more details, read the full article here.
Exhibit at Bowie City Hall to feature Bowie State students’ artwork
By Sheyla Fairley
From January 23 – May 20, 2023, an art exhibit at Bowie City Hall will feature more than 30 pieces of art with most of the pieces coming from students in Bowie State University’s, Bowie, MD, fine and performing arts department. This will be the first time a university is featured in the City Hall Gallery.
“The concept behind the exhibition was to allow Bowie State University students, staff and faculty to showcase their artwork to the community,” Arts Committee Chair Kathleen Parker said in a release. “Our City Council awarded an arts grant to the university to invest in our artists and provide supplies to assist students with matting, framing and wiring their artwork.”
Docuseries to feature Fisk University gymnastics team
By Sheyla Fairley
Fisk University’s, Nashville, TN, women’s gymnastics team, the first HBCU team to compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) gymnastics, will be the subject of a new docuseries from filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper and the independent studio wiip.
According to an article, the working title of the project is called Flipped and will follow “college gymnastics’ only all BIPOC team as they navigate the pressures of their first season while challenging the stereotypes and norms in women’s athletics. With no university gym of their own, Coach Corrinne Tarver and her gymnastics team at Fisk University, consisting primarily of first-year college students, aim to take on the best in NCAA gymnastics without mitigating or changing who they are as women of color.”
“My work as a filmmaker has always and will always be about unpacking and centering stories of extraordinary Black women as they navigate the intersection of race, gender, and class. Watching this unfold in gymnastics will be a blueprint and a lesson for equity and access,” said Riley Draper.
Read the full article, here.
