Actor Khris Davis starred in George Foreman biopic
By Sheyla Fairley
American actor Khris Davis, an alumnus of Cheyney University, Cheyney, PA, starred as former professional boxer George Foreman in the biopic “Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of The World,” which premiered in theaters April, 28, 2023.
According to an article, Davis enrolled in Cheyney University in 2005 where “he joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and studied theatre arts before graduating and moving to Philadelphia to pursue a career in acting and entertainment.” Davis has appeared in the 2021 film “Judas and the Black Messiah” and the 2016-2022 TV series “Atlanta.”
“To be able to jump timelines, to be able to age up, or age down, it’s one of the great challenges of acting, to be able to stretch your body thin and wide and long and short, to take physical contact and to give it,” said Davis. “If you ever have the opportunity and the privilege to do it, it is something you’ll never forget. So I’m incredibly grateful as an actor that I had the opportunity to do so.”
For more information, read the full article here.
Partnership between Innovate Alabama and The Alabama Collective to launch initiative for state’s HBCU students
By Sheyla Fairley
According to an article, Innovate Alabama, the state’s first public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, and The Alabama Collective have teamed up to launch Innovation Power Hours, an initiative to provide “hands-on digital learning labs to engage [HBCU] students and faculty with emerging technology” and to help “identify internship opportunities, explore entrepreneurial paths and obtain industry-level certifications for employment.”
“As an HBCU graduate with a STEM education background, I understand the great impact this program can have on empowering collegiate talent to pursue careers in tech and innovation,” said Innovate Alabama CEO Cynthia Crutchfield. “We have taken a multiphase approach to reaching HBCU students and educators by collaborating with community stakeholders, such as The Alabama Collective, Ed Farm and Bronze Valley, in an effort to better invest in Black talent and encourage them to grow roots here in Alabama.”
Read the full article here.
Bowie State student to appear on cover of British Vogue magazine
By Sheyla Fairley
Bowie State University, Bowie, MD, nursing student Justina Miles, a deaf American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter who signed Rihanna’s and Sheryl Lee Ralph’s performances during Super Bowl LVII, is once again grabbing people’s attention by appearing on the cover of British Vogue’s May 2023 issue.
“Dynamic, Daring, & Disabled. It is time the world knows, understands, and embraces us- people of all colors, shapes, and abilities. I am my undying potential. My community WILL leave behind a legacy” wrote Miles in an Instagram post. “I’m honored to be on the cover of the @BritishVogue May 2023 issue. The opportunity to continue to raise awareness of the Deaf community is incredible and one I don’t take lightly.”
For more details, read the full article here.
The Beauty Genie to bring quality haircare products to campuses
By Sheyla Fairley
As stated in a release, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL, alumna Ebony Karim has teamed up with her hair stylist Quintella Rodgers and Rodgers’ twin sister Swanzetta to launch Beauty Genie, a vending machine that “dispenses bonnets, gels, bundles, braiding hair, shampoos, conditioners, edge control, and more for students without risking the comfort or safety of leaving campus.”
There are plans to install the Beauty Genie machines at several “HBCU campuses, nursing homes and beyond,” but the “first Beauty Genie will be installed at Chicago Premium outlet mall in Springfield, IL on July 1st.”
“We’re so excited to be doing this because people really need it,” expressed Karim. “Everyone Should Be Able To Care For Their Crowns’ no matter where they are.”
Howard University Black female lacrosse player fights for diversity in sports industry
By Sheyla Fairley
When she was on her high school lacrosse team, Kimora Williams always felt a level of exclusion since she was attending a predominantly White high school, which led to her struggling to make connections and feeling targeted due to her skin color.
However, once she joined the Howard University, Washington, DC, lacrosse team, the sophomore was able to form deeper connections with her team because she was surrounded by people that look like her.
As stated in a release, after “[u]nderstanding how much representation means to her, Williams wants to show young girls who look like her that a career in lacrosse is possible.” She stresses that “equal promotion and showing up for women will open doors for all athletes.”
“Coming to Howard, that big jump of confidence of just knowing that I belong, that I’m meant to be here, I’m not an aggressive player, really changed just my play overall,” she said.
