HBCU alumna becomes the youngest Black person to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
By Sheyla Fairley
Hampton University, Hampton, VA, alumna Angel Rich-Jones, author of the bestseller book History of the Black Dollar and founder of the AI FinTech App CreditRich, has become the youngest African American HBCU graduate to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden. As stated in release, the awards are annually held to celebrate those “who exhibit outstanding character, work ethic, and dedication to their communities.”
“I am thankful to the administration to receive such a prestigious award at such a young age. For just as many accomplishments behind me there are significantly more DEI mountains to climb, financial freedom battles to win, and technology wars to conquer,” added Angel. “I am blessed to have passion and vision from God to lead my work, company, and communities where we aim to make a big change.”
Howard University’s skate club inspires other HBCUs to start their own clubs
By Sheyla Fairley
Howard University, Washington, DC, seniors Monyell Sessoms, political science major, and Kameren Haliday, a cybersecurity and infosystems major, banded together a little over three years ago to create a skateboarding club to foster an environment of Black skaters attending the university and in the DC community.
According to an article, other HBCUs were inspired by Howard’s skate club to “start their own campus groups” and have “all reached out for advice to strengthen their respective skating communities.”
“Skateboarding is an art, a skill, an experience that I believe if anyone is willing to try should be able to without judgment,” said Haliday, the club’s vice president. “Creating a space for that on any campus can really help and inspire those willing to try something new for the first time or find their people again. Having a skate club allows people to come together in a fun environment where the impact could be something small as finding a space to relax and blow off steam or large as helping those with their mental health.”
For more details, read the full article here.
Tennessee State to become first HBCU to add ice hockey program
By Sheyla Fairley
On June 28, 2023, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, made history by adding a men’s club hockey team, becoming the first historically Black college and university (HBCU) to offer the sport.
According to an article, TSU plans to have the team play in 2024-25, while aspiring to shift to an “NCAA Division I status” for both men’s and women’s teams. Additionally, the university is “searching for a director of club hockey operations who will handle fundraising, corporate partnerships and student-athlete recruitment.”
“Bringing ice hockey to Tennessee State University is part of our continued commitment to provide our students with new opportunities and to broaden new interests in areas where they had limited or no access,” TSU president Glenda Glover said. “We appreciate our ongoing partnership with the Nashville Predators, which has played a pivotal role in our decision to pursue this historic undertaking. TSU has a tremendous legacy in athletics. Adding hockey to our programs will start a new chapter and build upon that legacy.”
For more information, read the full article here.
Norfolk State University and Black BRAND join forces to launch a professional development program for minority women
By Sheyla Fairley
Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, and the nonprofit organization Black BRAND are collaborating to launch Women Who Lead, a 12-week professional development program to help minority women.
As stated in a release, the program aims to “support and empower disadvantaged women in Hampton Roads by helping them to break barriers related to race, skills, and capital” and “promises to showcase the region’s resources, provide professional mentorship, enhance leadership abilities, and facilitate access to industries traditionally dominated by men.”
For those who are interested, applicants must register here or here to attend one of four 90-minute info sessions (July 10, 17, 24 or 31).
USDA awards $4.5M to West Virginia State University for its Next Generation project
By Sheyla Fairley
According to an article, West Virginia State University, Institute, WV, has been granted $4.5 million by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture for WVSU’s West Virginia Agriculture Professionals’ Next Generation project, with the goal to “cultivate the next generation of diverse food and agriculture professionals while fostering innovation and education in the field.”
“We are thrilled to introduce our Next Generation of WV Agriculture Professionals initiative,” stated Dr. John Kessell, program leader for WVSU’s Agriculture and Natural Resources, who will be leading the project. “This NextGen program will prove beneficial in equipping qualified WVSU graduates for the USDA workforce. The project will secure funding for 30 NextGen Scholars, covering their tuition, room and board, while offering them 1,500 hours of paid experiential learning in various USDA careers. By providing diverse, talented, and dedicated professionals with the necessary tools and resources, we can contribute to the creation of a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for our state and our country.”
Read the full article, here.
