PVAMU Honors Program student joins National Humanities Leadership Council

By Sheyla Fairley

Irma Fowe, a five-year BS/MS mechanical engineering student at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, TX, has joined the National Humanities Leadership Council as a member in part to her wanting to help others.

According to an article, the organization is “an institute for the advanced study of human society and culture” established by the National Humanities Center and “regularly offers programs to aid education and scholarship.”

“Studying humanity will help me organize well, learn about and become familiar with the resources that are available, know the policies associated with them, and, lastly, learn how to reach more people,” said Fowe. “My goal is to create an international organization that will support women and empower them. My direct goal is to use my social platform to connect to people all around the world and teach them using my personal experience.”

For more details, read the full article here.

West Virginia State University launches CPM® Program

By Sheyla Fairley

On May, 18. 2023, West Virginia State University, Institute, WV, launched its Certified Public Manager® Program where participants will meet for the next 12 months to discuss a variety of topics.

According to an article, the program is a “professional development and training program for public employees within the state of West Virginia designed to provide practical public management training, which is relevant to public servants, regardless of their current level of educational attainment.”

“This program is a prime example of the ways that West Virginia State University is meeting the workforce needs of the state of West Virginia by providing a high quality, nationally-recognized and accredited program for public sector employees right here in the capitol city and across the state,” said WVSU President Ericke Cage.

For more information, read the full article here.

Maryland inmates complete first semester at Bowie State University

By Sheyla Fairley

As stated in a release, inmates at Jessup Correctional Institution were able to complete their “first semester of courses offered by Bowie State towards a degree in sociology or a certificate in entrepreneurship” where their tuition and fees were covered “through federal Second Chance Pell Grants.”

“This program has been wildly successful,” said Dr. Charles Adams, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice at Bowie State. “Our goal is to educate and help inspire these men to make meaningful changes in their lives so they’re better prepared to reintegrate into society after they are released. With the proliferation of AI and other technologies, it is imperative returning citizens have skills that can translate into a job market that is constantly changing.” 

Howard University sophomore to study Arabic in Morocco

By Sheyla Fairley

Howard University, Washington, DC, sophomore Jordyn Wright, who is studying TV & Film and minoring in African languages, will be heading to Morocco in North Africa to study Arabic for six weeks.

“I’m going to do the same with my minor like I do with my major; I’m going to make films. I’m going to bring people together. Now I’m not secluded to only doing American and English films, I can do films in French, I can do films in the UAE, Morocco, and other places that speak Arabic and French,” said Wright, grateful for how this opportunity allows her to immerse herself into a different culture and expand her creativity. “I’m not closed off to a particular part of the world. I can be like a well-known worldwide director with the languages that I’m learning and perfecting.”

Read the full article, here.

Tones of Melanin founder lands 300K deal on ‘Shark Tank’

By Sheyla Fairley

Tones of Melanin founder and Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, alumna Ashley Jones appeared on the reality TV series Shark Tank and walked away with a $300,000 from “shark” Mark Cuban.

As stated in a release, national attention, “like the kind an appearance on Shark Tank provides, helps to inspire other students and alum looking to bring HBCUs more visibility.”

“I think that everyone who attended an HBCU will benefit from my appearance on national television, which will show that we can thrive anywhere,” Jones said. “Never give up on yourself or your dreams, regardless of what anyone else says. Understanding what your purpose is along with your vision and that no one can ever discredit you because of where your degree may come from. HBCU graduates are thriving everywhere!”