Prairie View A&M University Offers Students New Bachelor’s Degree Option In African American Studies
After 150 years, this Texas HBCU has expanded its student learning curriculum.
Prairie View A&M University has launched a new opportunity for its students, offering attendees an option to earn a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies through the institution’s new $1 million initiative, Enhancing the Humanities at PVAMU.
Prairie View issued says the program is a part of President Ruth J. Simmons’s vision at the historically Black college or university (HBCU). The curriculum prepares students to be emerging leaders through communication, critical thinking, and research. Students are expected to be equipped with resources to enhance their approach to any field of work through a comprehensive cultural lens.
“A part of the HBCU experience for many students is a journey to self-identification, Blackness, and trying to understand the Black experience better,” said Director and Associate Professor of AAS Jeanelle Hope, Ph.D. “It [African American Studies] provides students with the language to understand the world around them and an opportunity to engage key theories, concepts, and methods that seek to make sense of the Black experience and amplify our narratives.”
The initiative is reportedly funded partly by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, an anonymous contribution, and a matching grant.
According to Prairie View A&M, the university is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state, offering baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs for students to achieve excellence in teaching, research, and service.
The Texas Constitution designated the university as an institution of “the first class” as students have graduated to become leaders in education, agriculture, engineering, nursing, and the arts and sciences.
According to The Chicago Tribune, San Francisco State University faculty and student activists established the nation’s first Black studies department in 1968. HBCUs, including Morehouse College, Spelman College, Howard University, and Florida A&M University, are some of the other institutions that offer AAS programs.
Fox Soul’s Funky Dineva Chews OUT Coach Stormy About Controversial ‘Low Vibrational’ Food Speech
Leave it to Funky Dineva to read the fitness coach Stormy Wellington for filth for her now-viral video scolding her friend for eating a plate of food that’s “low vibrational.”
Coach Stormy appeared on Fox Soul’sTea-G-I-F this week to address the viral video showing the self-certified nutrition coach shading one of her mentees for eating a “low vibrational” plate of food. Compared to her “queen’s plate,” Coach Stormy said her friend’s plate of food looked like that of a “hood rat.”
While appearing on Tea-G-I-F, Stormy explained that the woman she scolded was a close friend, Tammy Price, for whom she claimed to feel a personal responsibility.
“There’s a history with this young lady that y’all saw in the video; her name is Tammy Price,” Stormy explained.
“I have been her mentor, her coach, her friend….I feel responsible for her success, her next level.”
“So when I sat down at my woman’s retreat…and she was the top income earner that I’ve coached to….multimillionaire status, and she sits down with enough food for three people–I had a problem with that,” Stormy continued.
“I felt not only did she dishonor herself, but she dishonored and disrespected me…it would be wrong for me to have sat next to her and let her treat herself less than the queen that she is…she had too much food.”
That was Funky Dineva’s cue to scold Stormy for seemingly trying to embarrass her friend for all to see.
“You sat up there, in my opinion, as a friend and embarrassed the hell out of this lady, right, and then it was like, ‘my plate is fit for a queen and your plate is fit for a hood rat,’” Dineva said.
“First of all, Tammy used to be big Tammy, still semi-big, she was hungry…Your plate was giving starvation realness.”
But, Dineva wasn’t done. He accused Stormy of being the “hood rat” of the crew for the way she promotes herself.
“Then to compare it to royalty, Stormy…what you give on a daily is more consistent with hood rat than her plate,” Dineva quipped.
“You had green fingernails, you was licking BBQ sauce and God knows whatever else from up under your nails. All while digging around in this lady plate… y’all was eating off of white Dixie plates at an event that people paid thousands of dollars to attend that you was responsible for [sic]. And then, on top of that, shrimp are roaches of the sea and there is literally no nutritional value in corn–so how was your plate or your vibrations any higher than her while yo’ legs was cocked open on the chair.”
Coach Stormy doubled-down and responded to Funky Dineva’s statement saying:
“All the time I’m a one thousand percent real person, sometimes I’m a hood rat, all the time I’m a queen. I’m very very that and I don’t pretend not to be. I’m a mixture of two. I’m a hybrid b*tch, by the way. I act queenish all the time, but you can always get a little hood rat within me that’s number one. Number two I hired an outside caterer, I paid them according to what their proposed budget was, for me to get there and to see that stuff, I was already in the event I had no idea what they were bringing as utensils, that is a very high-top level chef number one. Number two, yea I’m a carry myself how I carry myself all the time like a queen, and I had my versions of being the hood rat as well. I love shrimp I was a pescatan for many years I just thought about eating chicken, I love great food, I love chicken, I love corn, I love barbecue, I love to lick it off my fingers, I’m always going to do that stuff but when I gave the example it was just to show the difference. I’m not a vegan, I’m not a vegetarian, I’m not a plant-based eater. It was the amount of food and the way in which it was placed on her plate that had nothing to do with the actual food itself. I don’t care what you, Claudia, nobody says, respectfully that food was not placed on the plate properly it looked tacky and hood rat-ish.”
Hennessy and Thurgood Marshall College Fund Partner With Brooklyn-based Gallery To Make Art Accessible to HBCUs
Today, Hennessy and Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) announce a new collaboration with Brooklyn-Based, The Bishop Gallery and Group Black, the largest collective of Black-owned media, to bring the “Our Friend Jean” Exhibition to six Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide.
The HBCU campus tour of the exhibition includes Hampton University, Howard University, Clark Atlanta University, Tennessee State University, Dillard University, and Texas Southern University, according to a press release.
From now through Dec. 7, 2022, HBCU students will be able to participate in gallery programs such as private tours, talks with curators and collectors, and special immersive experiences designed at each school. “Our Friend, Jean” was first curated and exhibited by The Bishop Gallery in 2019 in the artist’s hometown of Brooklyn, N.Y. In conjunction with collector Alexis Adler, gallerist and curators Erwin John and Stevenson Dunn, Jr. developed this exhibition and tour in their continued mission to make the arts more accessible to underrepresented groups.
(Image: Jean-Michel Basquiat “Blue” Mix Media on Paper / PR Newswire / Authenticated by the Estate Of Jean-Michel Basquiat)
“Since the inception of our Hennessy Fellows Program in 2019, we’ve worked with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to advance educational pathways for Black students nationwide and encourage them to push the limits of their potential,” said Jasmin Allen, senior vice president, Hennessy U.S.
“This new commitment allows us to continue that mission and reach more HBCU campuses, providing students with access to renowned art and culture.”
“The exhibition will highlight some of the earliest artworks created by America’s most influential artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.”
“His massive influence on pop culture and record-breaking sales continue to dominate the art world, as he remains one of the most sought-after artists in history,” Stevenson Dunn, Jr., co-owner of The Bishop Gallery. “During the immersive gallery experience, there will be live discussions with Basquiat’s close friends and people who knew him personally. These stories will hopefully help students gain insight into Jean-Michel’s early influences and creative inspirations.”
Group Black has quickly become a major player in the media space, known for creating custom opportunities and scaled distribution for Black-owned media and creators that would not otherwise be available. With this experience, Group Black is working with The Bishop Gallery to create a unique opportunity to authentically connect the students and culture at HBCU’s with the inspiring works of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
“It is essential that we amplify diverse creativity,” saidBonin Bough, co-founder and chief strategy officer.
“By partnering with The Bishop Gallery to bring Jean-Michel Basquiat’s artwork to HBCU’s across the country it is our hope that it inspires the next generation of culture creators.”
To date, Hennessy has committed $14 million over 10 years to TMCF, through the Hennessy Fellows program, which has helped to increase the visibility of HBCU talent to take on leadership roles across major organizations in North America. As of 2022, more than 30 Hennessy Fellows have successfully completed the program and progressed into full-time employment. Now, Hennessy and TMCF are able to support The Bishop Gallery with Group Black in engaging and educating more HBCU students about “Our Friend, Jean” Exhibition, eliminating previous barriers to access and creating more equity in the arts community.
The tour began at Hampton University last week Friday and new tour dates will be announced throughout the fall and winter.
‘Look at How Far We’ve Come!’: Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance Celebrate 25th Anniversary
Black Hollywood’s favorite couple,Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and gave fans a peek inside how they commemorated the big day.
The Black Panther star took to Instagram on Thursday to share a video showing the lavish hillside celebration she and Vance hosted to honor their 25-year marriage.
“25 years…When we first got married, we couldn’t wait to say we made it to 10 years! Now look at how far we’ve come!,” Bassett shared in the heartfelt caption.
The seasoned film star gave a nod to the soul band Frankie Beverly & Maze in her message, honoring her milestone anniversary.
“As Frankie says, ‘Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain…Whew! He sure was right!’” she wrote.
“We’ve had ups, we’ve had downs; we gained two amazing children; but lost cherished family members and friends…” Bassett continued.
“We’ve had successes, we’ve had failures; we’ve had spectacular wins, we’ve had devastating losses…But through it all there’s been one, beautiful constant: We’ve always had each other!”
Bassett concluded by thanking the higher power and their loved ones for all the support over the last two and a half decades.
“Thank you God for each and everyone one of these 25 years! We can’t wait to do 25 more! 10/12/1997🔒❤️,” she wrote.
The Hollywood couple celebrated their 25th anniversary on Oct. 1 at a lush soiree that included familiar faces like Bassett’s 9-1-1 co-star and close friend, Aisha Hinds. During the event, Bassett and Vance watched a sweet tribute video of their children, Bronwyn Vance and Slater Vance, before the twins gave a heartfelt speech to their parents, ET reports.
Bassett and Vance first met at the Yale School of Drama in New Haven, Connecticut, during the 1980s. It wasn’t until they reconnected 14 years later that the romance started.
“I was single. He was single. And I had such an appreciation for him over those years—of his consistency, how he treated other people, of what a supporter he is, what a connector of people he is, how passionate he is,” Bassett told People.
Miss USA Contestants Call Foul, Claim ‘Favoritism’ Played a Factor In This Year’s Crowning
Every contestant wants to hear their name called as the new Miss USA, but some of the ladies in this year’s competition felt they had no chance at winning the title, claiming the competition was fixed.
Some contestants from this year’s Miss USA pageant, held earlier this month, claim the organization did not handle the competition fairly, giving preferential treatment to winner R’Bonney Gabriel. Representing Texas, she made history as the first Filipina American to win the title this month.
However, a series of videos on TikTok, posted by former pageant contestant Jasmine Bruce, who was first runner-up in the 2021 Miss Arkansas pageant, revealed some of the contestants appeared to exit the stage after the crowning took place, as opposed to following the traditional pageant decorum of congratulating the winner as she embraced her moment.
“I’ve never seen all 50 contestants walk off stage or react the way that the contestants reacted in the background,” Gabriel said in an interview with NBC News. “To me, that’s very telling. These girls aren’t just upset that they didn’t win. There’s more to the story.”
Contestants who spoke with the media included Ashley Ehrhart, Miss Oklahoma 2022 and Heather Lee O’Keefe, Miss Montana 2022. Both say there was “favoritism” in this year’s pageant.
“The official coaching school of Miss USA sponsored all of the contestants but gave an extremely more generous amount to Miss Texas USA,” O’Keefe told ABC News.
The pageant was led by The Miss Brand Corp., headed by former Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart, who took over the franchise in 2020. Gabriel and Miss USA officials deny the allegations of “favoritism.”
“As the first African American woman in this leadership role I take this position with all seriousness and regard, Stewart said.
“I would [not do] anything, such as ‘rig a competition’ that I fought so hard [to win], and jeopardize that hope. The fairness of the pageant and the well being of each and every contestant is my top priority. The allegations against the Miss USA Organization are misleading and against everything I stand for personally and professionally.”
According to a statement provided to NBC News, the organization has suspended Stewart’s leadership and a third-party investigation is being conducted.
Stewart said the investigation will provide clarity and assurance that a fair competition took place.
Ghanaian Student Makes History As St Antony’s First DAC Scholarship Recipient
Samira Mohammed Ibn Moro has become the first-ever recipient of the St Antony’s DAC Scholarship.
The award was instituted by the Governing Board of Oxford University in October 2021. It provides undergraduate students in countries that receive Development Assistance, as identified by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), support toward achieving their academic potential.
Born in Bolgatanga, in the Upper East region of Ghana, Ibn Moro started her education in the town and continued her studies in journalism at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) where she graduated in April 2022 with First-Class Honours.
We are delighted to welcome Samira Mohammed Ibn Moro, our first-ever DAC Scholarship recipient to St Antony's. Find out why Samira chose to study for an MSc in African Studies and what the scholarship means to her⬇️https://t.co/OAMCdnM2SL#oxforduniversity @AfricaOxfordUni pic.twitter.com/Vc4RRfn9uZ
— St Antony's College, University of Oxford (@StAntsCollege) September 26, 2022
According to GIJ, Ibn Moro will be pursuing a master of science in African Studies, to further her understanding of the African continent. In addition, she will approach other important cultural issues in Africa, including providing a holistic pragmatic solution to gender inequalities.
“Earning a master’s degree in African Studies from Oxford University will broaden my scope in understanding the intricacies of African politics, history, general geopolitics, and the processes involved in negotiating collective actions for global responses to existing or emerging challenges in Africa,” she said.
“The DAC scholarship is the foundational dais that holds my dreams, it is the most important and brightest light at the beginning of my Oxford journey, it is my testimony.”
“Being the first-ever recipient is incredibly overwhelming and inspiring at the same time. I am grateful to the sponsors of the scholarship and St Antony’s College for such a life-altering opportunity.”
Face2Face Africa reports that Ibn Moro is an advocate for women’s rights and a development enthusiast who believes the media is a strong tool for change. She shares with the outlet that studying journalism and communications was an important sync to her long-term plan.
Moving the Needle: CEOs Discuss Black Men Raising the Bar, Pushing Forward at Black Men Xcel Summit
BLACK ENTERPRISE Senior Vice President Alfred Edmond Jr., sat down with a diverse group of extraordinary Black men at the 2022 Black Men Xcel Summit for a powerful conversation on how Black men have raised the bar for themselves.
The chat, sponsored by Prudential, included Prudential Financial PlannerDelvyn Joyce; founder of the Marcus Graham ProjectLincoln Stephens, and Values Partnerships Managing Director Nicholas Wiggins.
The men started the conversation discussing the lessons and wins for Black men coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rise in focusing on mental health. Stephens talked about how important it is for Black men to talk about things they used to keep to themselves.
“We’re winning because there is a certain amount of courage, particularly if that’s not the orientation of your mind to be open and expressive and vulnerable,” Stephens said. “So I think we’re winning in that.”
Wiggins agreed with Stephens, adding the pandemic helped break down the stigma of therapy.
“I started therapy post-pandemic, but I’m happy to be in therapy, I didn’t realize how much of a need that was for that and that’s because as Black men,” Wiggings told the panel. “Whether directly or indirectly, we have dealt with trauma most of our lives and it didn’t take the incidents in June 2020 to remind us of the trauma that we’ve faced day in and day out, but it gave us a little more drive to focus on our well-being and our mental health and that’s an important step that’s allowing us to win.”
The men also discussed how in addition to mental health Black men are taking their financial outlook and money more seriously, opening savings accounts, joining 401K plans, and investing.
“More than ever people are taking their financial wellness so much more seriously than previously and part of it is the pain of 2008 and 2009,” Joyce said. “Prior to the pandemic, many people could not imagine a scenario where they could be out of work for six months or a year because they forgot that pain, and one of the big wins that I’ve seen is people taking their finances so much more seriously.”
The men also touched on other topics, including what Black men can do moving forward and how Black men should help each other in business and personally instead of talking about it.
“I think a lot of times we get into rooms and part of the solution is, ‘Yeah we have to partner you know we have to do a deal together,’ but then we don’t,” Stephens said.
“Ego gets in the way or something else but we need to be thinking collective impact strategy and be really intentional about what that looks like,” he added. For example, that could businesses about to do a deal finding “a backbone organization that can help with structure and work together to maximize what you both can get out of a thing.”
ESPN Analyst Jalen Rose Ignores Sister Who Publicly Blasts Him Over Battle For Late Mother’s Home
Family drama has entered the life of a former NBA player as his sister has taken to social media to disrespect him for making a move that she does not like.
According to The Shadow League, current NBA basketball analyst and former NBA player Jalen Rose is embroiled in what appears to be a family feud with his sister.
Rose’s sister, Tamara Rose has taken to social media to blast him for his plan to sell the home he bought for his mother who died less than two years ago. She currently lives there and states she had been taking care of their mother when she was alive.
Tamara took to her Instagram account and posted a now-deleted message to tell the world that Jalen was selling the home she lives in. The video Tamara posted was reposted by Gossip of the City (gossipofthecitytea) shows her chastising her brother in front of another woman. She speaks into the camera as she refers to her brother as an idiot as he is seen walking in the home with the woman as Tamara continues to call him out about wanting to sell the home.
Their mother, Jeanne Rose, died after a bout with cancer in February 2021.
“My MOTHER passed 20 Months ago! I am still grieving her loss!!! How dare you bring ANYBODY in here to go in My Mother’s room!!”
“This man is acting as if I do not exist and I do not live here! It will be 4 years in March. He has always said, I don’t know what it is about Detroit ni$$as, I’ve been all over the world but it summin about Detroit ni$$s they think somebody supposed to take care of them!!! I’m not just sum ni$$a off the street! I’m you SISTER, grew up in the same house with you, took care of you, raised you! You would do this to me! You let these white people see you treat your Sister this way with no conscious, heart or soul! The way I’ve been bullied, threatened, taunted, harassed, disregarded and disrespected us totally.”
Jalen Rose hasn’t commented publicly about the situation between him and his sister.
Las Vegas Raiders’ Davante Adams Charged With Assault After Shoving Photographer
The actions at the end of a recent game have led to an assault charge against an NFL player.
According to NFL.com, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, after shoving a photographer to the ground earlier this week after losing a football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, has been charged with a city ordinance violation. News of the violation was announced several days after the brief confrontation at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The incident was captured on video.
Adams is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 1:30 p.m. CT.
The photographer filed a report with the NFL.
“[The victim] made arrangements for private transport to the hospital for treatment at which time he called police,” according to the incident report. “The injuries are preliminarily thought to be non-life threatening.”
On the citation, it states that the Raiders wide receiver “did, by an intentional, overt act, inflict bodily injury or cause an unlawful offensive contact” upon the photographer as he pushed him to the ground using both hands and “causing whiplash and head ache” as well as a possible concussion.
Adams did release a statement about the incident.
“Before I say anything, I want to apologize to the guy running off the field and he ran and jumped in front of me,” Adams said in a written statement. “I’m coming off the field and I bumped into him and pushed him. I think he ended up on the ground, so I want to say sorry to him because that was just frustration mixed with him running in front of me and I shouldn’t have responded that way and that’s how I initially responded. I want to apologize to him for that.”
Although Adams was cited for the push, he may also face additional discipline from the NFL. This could include a possible suspension.
Founder Launches Black Woman-Owned Investing Mobile App
Meet Sabrina Lamb, the Founder and CEO of Wekeza, a Black-owned and Black woman-led trading and investing mobile app.
Wekeza means “invest” in Swahili.Together with Wekeza’s experienced team of Wall Street experts, Sabrina is determined to close the widening wealth gap in the Black community by democratizing access to trading and investor education – with zero trading fees. Members can purchase fractional, and whole shares of U.S. publicly traded companies.
Sabrina comments, “We are excited that with Wekeza, everyone can own fractional or whole shares of any company we support as consumers. Let’s become consumers and educated investors! And receive guidance from licensed, experienced financial advisors.”
A former stand-up comedian, Sabrina is the best-selling author of the NAACP Image Awards nominated Do I Look Like An ATM? A Parent’s Guide to Raising Financially Educated African-American Children (Outstanding Literary Work- Instructional). She knows that financial insecurity is no joke in the Black community. She says, “It is no laughing matter to ignore the power of saving and investing, which are opportunities to earn returns over time. Parents can also create Wekeza custodial accounts for their children.”
Despite some fluctuation, the widening racial and ethnic wealth gaps have remained unchanged for half a century. Typical white families have about ten times the wealth of average Black families.
Sabrina says that her 17-year-old non-profit WorldofMoney helped to inspire the creation of Wekeza. WorldofMoney is the leading provider of immersive online and classroom financial and entrepreneurial education for ages 7 – 21 in the United States, Senegal, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.
Sabrina shares, “Leveraging decades of WorldofMoney’s financial education experience empowering over 7,000 youth with 120 hours of holistic financial education, we created Wekeza so adults also can receive investor education, create financial security, and build generational wealth for themselves and their families. Imagine the day when we no longer experience financial roller coasters in our lives!”
The Team
The Wekeza team possesses over 20 years of Wall Street, financial education, technology, legal, and marketing experience. Stellar members include Mickey Factz, the legendary MC, hip-hop recording artist, producer, and entrepreneur. Rory Sparrow formerly played in the National Basketball Association with the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, and the Miami Heat and was honored by Sports Illustrated as co-Sportsman of the Year.
Sabrina, the founder and CEO, has co-hosted radio programs on three popular New York City radio stations. She was a radio correspondent during three Democratic National Conventions and presidential inaugurations. A former actor and stand-up comedian, Sabrina performed at national comedy clubs and starred in Lifetime Television’s Girls’ Night Out and NBC’s Saturday Night Live. She is a three-time finisher of the New York City Marathon.
Sign up now for your free invitation. Visit Wekeza.com for more details!
