HBCU grad’s book addresses anger management for children
By Sheyla Fairley
Dr. Delarious O. Stewart, a graduate of Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA; the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, just released Cool, Calm, Collected: Jamal’s Journey to Managing His Anger, a children’s book that addresses anger management in Black boys and offer ways to help them understand their anger.
According to an article, the book also “challenges societal norms and stereotypes that often perpetuate the harmful idea that expressing emotions is a sign of weakness or a departure from traditional masculinity.”
“Young Black boys often face unique challenges that can contribute to feelings of anger and frustration. It is crucial that their emotional well-being is prioritized and that they are provided with the tools to navigate their emotions effectively,” commented Dr. Stewart.
For more information, read the full article here.
Philander Smith transitions from college to university
By Sheyla Fairley
On August 1, 2023, Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR, officially changed its name to Philander Smith University following the announcement of its first graduate degree program, a master’s in Business Administration. It is the first name change for the school since 1882.
As stated in a release, the school was originally called Walden Seminary (est. 1877) in honor of “Dr. J.M. Walden, one of the originators and the first corresponding secretary of the Freedmen’s Aid Society to make education available to former African American enslaved people,” then the name was changed five years later to “honor the financial contributions of Philander Smith and widow Adeline Smith who aided in the construction and expansion of what the college is today.”
Shaw University partners with federal agency to become a resource center for growing small businesses
By Sheyla Fairley
According to an article, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, has formed a partnership with the International Trade Administration, an agency in the United States Department of Commerce “tasked with helping American businesses expand into foreign markets,” to be home to “a new resource for small businesses trying to grow globally.”
“That was part of the intention and strategy of our move here,” said Shirreef Loza, Raleigh Director of U.S. Commercial Service, discussing what the move could mean for small Black businesses. “These are areas that I wouldn’t say are under-served, I want to say we can just do a lot better of serving. This is a step in that direction.”
Cyber Alliance co-founder and CEO Kendrall Felder, seeing the “Shaw office and correlating outreach programs as an opportunity to raise awareness about the government services available to up-and-coming companies,” has stated how “It’s important to us to help people understand that these channels exist and they should be taken advantage of because it’s a win for everyone at the table.”
For more details, read the full article here.
Black teen joins gymnastics program at Talladega College, the second HBCU to have a program
By Sheyla Fairley
After more than ten years of training, 19-year-old Diamond Cook’s dream was to compete in gymnastics at the college level and was finally able to achieve that when Talladega College, Talladega, AL, recruited her to join its first gymnastics team.
Talladega College will become the second HBCU to have a team after Fisk University, Nashville, TN, launched its program last year.
“I saw something in her, kind of like a spark and an energy that was really, really inviting,” said three-time All-American gymnast Aja Sims-Fletcher, Talladega College head gymnastics coach, in a release. “And I was like, wow, you are very good and I would love for you to be a part of this team.”
ALTundergrad provides local students with opportunities through $8M HBCU scholarship database
By Sheyla Fairley
ALTundergrad, an educational platform, has launched a historically Black colleges and universities database to provide students with opportunities in higher education through scholarships.
According to an article, the HBCU database showcases “147 Merit Scholarships amounting to over $8 million from 64 HBCUs nationwide” and provides “information, including application guidelines, deadlines, special requirements, and renewal conditions for each scholarship”.
“The importance of attending HBCUs cannot be overstated,” said Marie Mott, founder and CEO of ALTundergrad. “These institutions have a storied legacy of fostering academic excellence, cultural heritage, and community empowerment. With the ALTundergrad HBCU database, we aim to bridge the gap between local students and these distinguished universities, making pursuing higher education more accessible than ever.”
Read the full article, here.
