HBCU grad creates non-profit to provide students with dorm room makeovers

By Sheyla Fairley

Founded in 2022 by Hollywood veteran and Howard University, Washington, DC, grad TeeJ Mercer, Move-In Day Mafia (MIDM) is a non-profit organization of volunteers who visits HBCUs to provide dorm room makeovers mainly to freshmen who have aged out of foster care, are homeless or need more financial support.

According to an article, the students are provided with “a fully furnished dorm room on move-in day, as well as a TV, refrigerator, and microwave (if not already provided by the school), artwork, school supplies, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, storage options, and much more.” Additionally, the organization provides “ongoing support for the duration of the academic year.”

“We have to take care of this demographic of students because they are already beating the odds,” noted Mercer. “We want to ensure they stay focused on just being a student without having to worry about detergent, deodorant, and toothpaste.”

For more information, read the full article here.

An all-girls wrestling clinic to be held at Delaware State University

By Sheyla Fairley

In collaboration with the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Wrestling Initiative (HBCUW), Wrestle Like a Girl (WLAG), the Black Wrestling Association (BWA), and Division I Women’s Wrestling (D1WW), Delaware State University, Dover, DE, will host an All Girls Wrestling Clinic on August 19, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. led by Olympians Toccara Montgomery and Randi Miller.

“Girls wrestling is the fastest-growing sport on the high school level,” expressed Jahi Jones, Executive Director of HBCU Wrestling Initiative, in a release. “I am incredibly excited about the prospect of adding opportunities for women to compete at the highest level while still experiencing the rich cultural offerings that HBCUs provide to their students.”

For more information about the clinic, click here.

N.C. A&T student forms plus-size dance team to promote inclusivity for all body shapes and sizes

By Sheyla Fairley

In an effort to promote more inclusivity in college dancing, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, student Jada Mayes formed the university’s first plus-sized majorette dance team, Liquid Gold.

According to an article, Liquid Gold is “still working towards becoming an official organization to receive funding from the university,” but the team members have “created a GoFundMe page to raise money” with the goal of earning $5,000.

“The sole purpose of Liquid Gold is to create a safe space for plus-size dancers to build confidence in themselves and their craft without judgment or discrimination,” said Mayes, the team’s captain.

For more details, read the full article here.

?ASU professor turns article publications into children’s books

By Sheyla Fairley

Dr. Linda J.M. Holloway, an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, has found success in turning her journal article publications in her field of study into books for children.

As stated in a release, this started as “a result of her academic research in the area of Black women’s mental wellness” and in the midst of researching and learning knowledge concerning various topics, “Dr. Holloway’s heart became very troubled as she pondered ideas of how to make an impact in young Black girls’ lives prior to them becoming an adult.”

This eventually led her to “publishing children’s books as a way of speaking to young Black girls concerning many of the topics she had previously published academically including topics such as hair bullying, counseling, Sickle Cell Disease, sexual assault, and colorism.”

Jarvis Christian University awarded $2.25M grant for cancer research

By Sheyla Fairley

Jarvis Christian University, Hawkins, TX, has received a 5-year, $2.25 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant titled “Interdisciplinary Research Infusion into STEM Education Undergraduate Program,” lasting from August 1, 2023, and running through July 31, 2028.

According to an article, students will have the opportunity to “study plant-based bioactive compounds and green synthesis of nanoparticles in the potential treatment and drug development to find natural answers to combat growing cancer cells,” and be able to write and present their peer-reviewed research at conferences.

“The infusion of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences into lower-level STEM courses exposes students early to hands-on research with the potential to advance student understanding of their chosen field and to promote critical thinking skills,” said Dr. Shakhawat Bhuiyan, JCU biology professor and principal investigator of the grant. “Student participation in faculty-mentored research during the academic year and summer internships contributes to students’ ability to compete successfully for graduate research fellowships.”

Read the full article, here.