Howard becomes the first HBCU to have a figure skating team

By Sheyla Fairley

Howard University, Washington, DC, has made history as the first HBCU with a figure skating program on an intercollegiate level. The program was founded by  junior psychology major Maya James and senior political science major Cheyenne Walker, both who had been skating since childhood, after they reached out to each other on Instagram in late 2022.

According to an article, it “took an entire semester” to get the club officially registered by the university and U.S. Figure Skating, and was able to begin recruiting by summer 2023 with the club being available to everybody — “some familiar with the sport and others wanting to give it a try for the first time.”

“Being the first of anything is a really big responsibility because you’re trying to set the precedent for everyone else,” said Howard’s figure skating team member Ariel Clarke. So, if there is another HBCU that feels like they should create a figure skating team or is inspired by our story, I think that would bring a lot of the current skaters on those campuses together to create a powerhouse of HBCU skaters.”

The team is set to compete in February 2024 at the University of Delaware, Newark, DE.

For more details, read the full article here.

NSU students participate in effort to revitalize stormwater treatment areas on campus

By Sheyla Fairley

In partnership with Norfolk State University’s, Norfolk, VA, Department of Facilities Management, Parkway Grading Inc., BrightView Landscape Services and the Elizabeth River Project (ERP), NSU biology students planted native flowers and plant materials between the Student Center and Gill Gymnasium as part of the University’s efforts to construct stormwater treatment areas.

According to an article, the stormwater treatment areas known as “Best Management Practices (BMP) control potential flooding, prevent and reduce water pollution, and improve the water quality” and the plants (Sweet Bay Magnolia, Golden Alexanders, and Sweet Pepperbush) that were chosen for the project were better suited because they have “deeper roots to soak in water and prevent soil erosion and provide food and cover for pollinators and songbirds.”

For more details, read the full article here.

HBCU ‘King of NIL’ launches his own platform to help other student-athletes

By Sheyla Fairley

Norfolk State, Norfolk, VA, running back Rayquan Smith, the self-proclaimed “King of NIL,” is planning to launch his own NIL (name, image, and likeness) service called SponsorPro.

“This platform aims to upend the sports industry by empowering student-athletes and forging new brand partnerships,” according to a press release. “With the NCAA’s new Name, Image, and Likeness regulations granting student-athletes unprecedented opportunities to maximize their personal brands, Sponsor Pro fills a crucial gap in the market by offering a vital link between athletes and brands.”

SponsorPro will provide “student-athletes free access to NIL insights” to help “guide them on their NIL journey” with the platform “now live and open to collegiate athletes, agents, brands, and businesses.”

Solar-powered charging trailer brings tech to N.C. A&T field

By Sheyla Fairley

North Carolina A&T State University’s, Greensboro, NC, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences research division has introduced a portable solar-powered charging trailer for growers, researchers and community members.

According to an article, individuals “no longer have to leave their tech behind during field demonstrations or community outreach sessions” and will be able to “run presentations, access the internet, charge phones and other electronics” in the field.

“It’s the ultimate classroom, but it’s small enough that we can move it anywhere in Greensboro, or go down east, where there’s less broadband but more agriculture,” said Greg Goins, Ph.D., CAES associate dean for research.. “It’s portable power on wheels. It’s a momentous day for North Carolina A&T.”

Read the full article, here.

TMCF and Las Vegas Sands introduce HBCU students to a career in the hospitality field 

By Sheyla Fairley

Over the summer, twelve students from historically Black colleges and universities were welcomed by the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, Las Vegas, NV, to participate in the Sands Hospitality Immersion Program, created by Las Vegas Sands, a casino and luxury resort company, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to encourage students to consider a career in the hospitality industry.

As stated in a release, the students were treated to in-depth seminars led by college faculty and industry experts, on-property tours of resorts and venues, and “hands-on experiences, such as a gaming tutorial in the college’s mock casino and a ‘Chopped’-style cooking competition in the college’s executive kitchen.”

“Our goal is to ensure our industry cultivates a diverse and inclusive workforce that provides opportunities for people from all backgrounds and communities,” said Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs at Sands.