GREENSBORO, NC — The spring 2016 HBCUgrow LEAD Conference, on the campus of Bennett College, featured North Carolina Senator Gladys Robinson, who spoke about the many faces of Jim Crow and how HBCUs can thrive in the 2016 political landscape. “Jim Crow has many faces, not only police brutality but injustice at the levels that denies food stamps for the hungry, housing for the homeless and access to higher education for our young people,” said Robinson.  The senator also highlighted several ways that HBCUs can sustain their momentum.  She encouraged HBCU leaders to focus on fundraising, sustainable endowments and achieving strong alumni giving.  She ended her address by issuing a challenge to the audience. “I encourage you to remember how you felt when you got that baccalaureate degree from an HBCU, and then I want you to go out and lift your hands and voices so that students that attend HBCUs can feel the same way,” she said.

The conference was designed to provide HBCUs with best practices in attracting prospective students, talented faculty, and donors.  Also, the conference recognized excellence at HBCUs. The HBCUgrow  2016 Gold Award winners were:  Shaw University for LEAD website,” Florida A&M University for LEAD marketing and the President of Shaw University, Tashni-Ann Dubroy for the “Best Leadership.”

Bennett College President Rosalind Fuse-Hall delivered the keynote address for the luncheon dispelling the notion that higher education is no longer the key to opportunity. “Americans are being constantly told that we are weighing students down with excessive debt, they can’t graduate timely, and we don’t really need that many people that are well educated -- we just need a few people with a few certifications to do certain things.  We know that this is not the case,” said Fuse-Hall.”  She also discussed the importance of student enrollment, fiscal stability, fundraising, budgeting, leveraging facilities, and having a better understanding of the dynamics of governing boards.

HBCUgrow is a consortium dedicated to helping HBCUs grow enrollment and alumni giving, and tackle the changing landscape of marketing challenges. HBCUgrow helps by offering a community of like-minded professionals sharing knowledge and inspiring HBCUs to grow. The group organizes conferences and events on topics such as enrollment management, alumni engagement, and marketing. To learn more, visit www.hbcugrow.com or join the HBCUgrow group on LinkedIn.

College leaders attending the HBCUgrow LEAD Conference were (left to right): and President of Shaw University Tashni-Ann Dubroy; Bennett College President Rosalind Fuse-Hall; Dr. Debra Saunders-White, chancellor at North Carolina Central University; and Dr. Larry Czarda, president at Greensboro College.

From left to right are: Jeanne Frazer, president of Vitalink, one of the Founding Partners of HBCUgrow; Anthony Brooks, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Shaw University; N.C. Senator Gladys Robinson; Bennett College Senior Cymone Baker; David Hoard, president of DHT & Associates and an HBCUgrow Advisory Board member; Audrey Franklin, executive director of Alumnae Relations at Bennett College; and Dr. Kim Long, associate provost for Administration at Wiley College.

 New Program Aims to Widen the Pipeline to Engineering Careers from HBCUs

Chairman Neville receives the 2 million dollar check on stage from Northrop Grumman Corporate Vice President, Darryl M Fraser. (Image: Grant Martin)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Northrop Grumman Foundation and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) have launched a three-year, $2-million program designed to expand the nation’s engineering workforce through a partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Northrop Grumman Corporation/NSBE Integrated Pipeline Program, funded by the Northrop Grumman Foundation, will provide 72 engineering students with $8,000 scholarship grants, internships with Northrop Grumman and year-round academic and professional development support. The program’s three HBCU partners — Florida A&M University, Howard University and North Carolina A&T State University — will receive grants, technical assistance and a package of programs researched and managed by NSBE, to increase their already high capacity to recruit, retain and graduate engineers. NSBE is one of the largest student-governed professional societies based in the United States.

Executives of the Northrop Grumman Foundation and Northrop Grumman Corporation presented the $2-million grant to NSBE’s National Executive Board on March 26, during NSBE’s 42nd Annual Convention in Boston, Mass. The presidents of the NSBE chapters at Florida A&M, Howard and North Carolina A&T also joined the presentation. The convention drew more than 11,000 attendees to address the theme “Engineering a Cultural Change.” NSBE’s more than 31,000 members are dedicated to the Society’s mission: “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”

“Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation are committed to helping improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to ensure a future workforce that can protect our nation and maintain our global leadership,” said Sandra Evers-Manly, Northrop Grumman vice president, global corporate responsibility and president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation.  “Our partnership with NSBE will help us achieve that goal and develop the pipeline of diverse talent that is so important to our company and our society’s future.”

“Our sincere thanks to the Northrop Grumman Foundation for this generous investment in our mission,” said NSBE National Chair Neville Green. “The student leadership of NSBE is excited about this program’s potential to move us toward the goals of our strategic plan and support HBCUs in the process. Initiatives such as this, with strong strategic partners, will be critical, as we seek to increase the number of African-American bachelor’s degree recipients in engineering from 3,500 to 10,000 annually over the next nine years.”

“We are delighted to receive this endorsement of our work from one of America’s most innovative companies,” said NSBE Executive Director Karl W. Reid, Ed.D. “For years, we have spoken about the vital role that engineering diversity plays in our national economy and national security. Northrop Grumman’s investment in this program illustrates that they understand the need exists and are willing to do something about it. This fact is reflected not only in their longtime support of NSBE but also in the high ratings the company receives from our membership.”

The first cohort of 24 Northrop Grumman Corporation/NSBE scholars will be selected in December, and their participation in the Pipeline Program will be kicked off with a summit meeting in March 2017, during NSBE’s 43rd Annual Convention in Kansas City, Mo. Summer internships for the first cohort will begin in May 2017.

It's that time of year again and if it's HBCU football time then it's time for trash-talking and bragging rights. While the winner of the game is determined by the final score, the half-time competition between marching bands is a serious matter. Check out this video of one of Ricky Smiley's most hilarious comedy routines.

To help you get your travel plans in order, check out HBCU Buzz for the list of this year's Homecoming games. I'll save some of you the trouble, FAMU's Homecoming game is October 17 and BCU is October 24. Who are their opponents? It doesn't matter, it's Homecoming! 

Check out page 59 of the September 2015 issue of Ebony magazine for tips on attending your college's Homecoming. The print and digital versions of the magazine feature a picture of a Florida A&M University Marching 100 drummer. Get the HBCU Homecoming spirit!

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The Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association celebrates local 2015 incoming freshmen and chapter scholarship recipients.

New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church 777 NW 85th Street Miami, FL 33150

For more information call (740) 7GO-FAMU. RSVP: gofamu@miamidaderattlers.org

Channel 10's Bob Norman reported on City of Miami police officer Sabine Raymonvil who is the subject of an internal investigation for performing in porn movies while serving as a cop. After dodging Norman, Officer Raymonvil contacted him and said she would answer his questions after the investigations were concluded.

In dispute is the timing of Raymonvil's involvement in porn movies. She indicates the movies were made before she became a police officer. The person(s) who disclosed her porn past, said her involvement in porn continued years after she became a police officer.  

In the clips submitted to Norman, Raymonvil is shown performing sex acts with Emerson Callum, a pornographer and porn star known as "Jah-T" who is serving a life sentence in federal prison after being convicted of drugging and raping women who auditioned for his company. Former Miami Beach police officer, Lavont Flanders, Callum's partner and cameraman was also convicted in that case. Flanders was also a City of Opa-Locka police officer. The stories of the women violated by these two men are quite disgusting.

No doubt Raymonvil, who must be humiliated and angry, did not think her porn past would ever be disclosed in such a public manner. She might have family, even children, who will be forced to deal with the aftermath. She must have ticked off a friend who chose to send the video and information to the media. Raymonvil might be penalized with suspension from her job or she could be terminated.

So, Blogging Black Miami readers...what do You think about this situation? Some readers on the Channel 10 site think Officer Raymonvil should not be bothered with this if she is performing police duties satisfactorily. Others think what she did before becoming a police officer shouldn't matter if her actions were not illegal. What say you?

 @vbyers

Florida A&M University

Alumni, students, faculty and supporters of Florida A&M University are encouraged to attend, view or listen to the upcoming called meeting of the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees (FAMUBOT). This meeting is crucial as the composition of the FAMUBOT has changed recently, and there will be an election of its Board Chair and Vice Chair. Many FAMUans and FAMU supporters think this election may give Gov. Scott total control of the FAMUBOT.

The meeting, scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2015 in the Grand Ballroom of Florida A&M University, will be webcast at http://www.famu.edu/famcast and also available via Internet radio at WANM 90.5. Listen online or via TuneIn on your smartphone.

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by Starla Vaughns Cherin

North Miami mayoral candidate Dr. Smith Joseph campaigns to win the run-off election November 4, 2014. With only 523 votes between them in the special election Ken Burns and Dr. Smith Joseph work to rally voters for a decisive win.

True to his word, Dr. Joseph’s goal to serve all residents of the City of North remains foremost in his mind and campaign promises. Improve the beauty and community feeling in North Miami through strong home ownership programs, improve safe neighborhoods through a cooperative approach to community policing and improving city government transparency and responsiveness to the City of North Miami’s residents.

“Having a firm grasp on one’s personal ethics is an essential prerequisite in running for public office,” says Joseph. “One’s personal code of ethics should be high with the determination to help those people who have placed in him their trust.

“I empathize with them and know their problems. I love them and want to work for them for a better tomorrow for our children and our grandchildren.”

FAMU

With the help of his wife attorney Patricia Saintvil-Joseph family and friends Joseph maintains his connections to the people and organizations he feels helped in his success. He is especially grateful to Florida A&M University (FAMU), where he graduated with a doctorate in pharmacy and where his daughter now attends.

“We were embraced and I discovered a world I didn’t know existed. When you are in class at FAMU you have good professors. You will learn about organic chemistry and you will learn about history, the people that paved the way for me to have the opportunity to be at FAMU,” says Joseph.

From FAMU working as a pharmacist at Walgreens and later the Miami Heart Institute Joseph continued his education. Coming to America from Haiti at 17, Joseph knows what it takes to work a job, support a family and continue your education for advancement. “When I came here barely speaking a full sentence of English, I worked at a rubber making factory and so many restaurants. After graduating from Miami Dade College with a laboratory tech degree I worked for seven dollars an hour,” says Joseph. “The money wasn’t enough so I worked at JMH from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. went to school from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and then woke up to deliver papers for the Miami Herald from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. then to another job.

“I understand what families go through to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.”

Physician​

Joseph’s love for people comes naturally especially through his work as an Osteopathic physician specializing in Internal Medicine. After completing his residency at Grady Memorial Hospital/Morehouse School of Medicine, in Atlanta, Georgia and certification by the American board of Internal Medicine he founded the Universal Medical Centre medical clinic on West Dixie Highway, in the heart of North Miami.

Treating the whole person and focusing on preventive and comprehensive health care Joseph helped save a young man’s life by diagnosing a brain tumor. Her son unable to walk, his mother brought him to doctor Joseph knowing she had no money to pay. He had previously been diagnosed with stroke but Joseph’s eye for looking at the internal causes of illness, consulted with doctors at North Shore Hospital and Univ. of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital who operated on the boy saving his life and enabling him to walk again.

Family

Joseph’s dad passed away when he was 10 years old. Mom came to America to make a better living to send money back home to her parents who took care of Joseph and his siblings. One by one she made enough money to send for each of her children.

Joseph’s uncle Joanel Joseph was responsible for the children and came every morning to quiz them on their lessons before going to school. “He was the academic person in the family. He would always make sure he came to our house and make us recite all of our lesson before we go to school. If you didn’t know it he was harsh. He said if I don’t make you cry now, you will make us cry later and become a bum. Once you become a bum you will be a burden on the family. The only way to get a better life is to stay in school and make a better living. It was hard on the family to have my father dead and my mom overseas working to support us,” Joseph remembers.

North Miami

Living and working in North Miami Joseph sees first-hand the needs of the community. “People have told me when they have complaints and come to the appropriate department it is very difficult to speak with someone and get a solution. I want the City of North Miami government to be accessible and responsive. It should be an environment where everyone has access to city government.

“Economic development is important to the life blood of the community. Working together with the City Manager and fellow council members to establish an advisory board and business forum for small business,” says Joseph. “The advisory board would help identify state and federal monies to help small business and the forum will provide expertise and information on starting, maintaining and growing a small business in North Miami.

“The crime rate has decreased from five years ago and we want to keep the trend going. I will work closely with the City Manager and Chief of Police to utilize resources and manpower for increased visibility through the use of community satellite stations. Visibility will make it less likely for a crime to be committed and the police and community can begin to work together to understand more about each other and the diversity within the community of North Miami.

“In addition Task Forces and community crime councils are two other elements I hope to introduce. Task Forces comprised of business owners, homeowners and law enforcement officials will analyze the community using geographic grids. Each grid will be responsible for introducing strategies to reduce crime and improve public safety.

“We also want community crime councils to go into the schools speak with young people about public safety and listen to their concerns. We want to make them feel comfortable enough to come forward and report risky behaviors. This is one of the most effective ways to help isolate trouble and pierce the code of silence in communities that have let crime go unpunished.

President Clinton campaigns for Gov. Charlie Crist in Miami-Dade County. FILE photo: Florida Politics

This is the weekend after Labor Day, school has started and one would think our schedules allowed us more breathing room but that is not the case. This is a super busy weekend and that can be measured by the number of places Gov. Charlie Crist visits as he continues to unleash his historic re-election campaign. Crist, a Republican turned Independent and now Democrat could become the first person to hold the top elected position in the State of Florida as a Republican and a Democrat. The Crist Campaign has brought out the really big guns in the person of President William Jefferson Clinton so let’s hope that motivates eligible voters to register and registered voters to get out and vote.  

One of the largest high school football games will be played tonight at Traz Powell Stadium as the Booker T. Washington Tornadoes take on the Miami Central Rockets. Traz Powell is far too small a venue for a game with such a large fan base; SunLife Stadium is too large and FIU Stadium is too far in distance. Too bad that wasn’t considered prior to the demolition of the Orange Bowl or perhaps it was and the powers that be didn’t give a hoot about how inner-city black communities would be impacted.

By the way, the football game tickets with Miami misspelled, really should not have been sold. Mistakes can happen but that’s why there should be quality control procedures in place to catch items are made available for the public. I could go on and on about how this mistake results in derogatory comments about black schools but I think you get my point. One little misspelled might not seem like a big deal but it is.   

The Florida A&M University Rattlers play the University of Miami Hurricanes Saturday night at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens. Since FAMU no longer presents the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami, when the team is here to play, the game results in a big celebration by local FAMU alumni and supporters. Several FAMU students from the Miami area will travel back home for the experience.  

There are several activities included on the list of official list of Florida A&M University-sanctioned events for this weekend: 

Friday, September 5

8PM - Set Fridays II - An evening of networking and music with DJ and FAMU alum “Ed the World Famous,” Fate Lounge - Gulfstream Park, 601 Silks Run, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. Admission - $20. Presented by the Miami-Dade Chapter of the FAMU National Alumni Association. 

Scholarship Gala featuring FAMU President Dr. Elmira Mangum, Hyatt Regency Hotel, 400 Southeast Second Avenue, Miami, FL 33131, Admission - $85. Presented by the Gold Coast Chapter of the FAMU National Alumni Association.

Saturday, September 6

9AM - Scholarship & Recruitment Workshop, Featuring Florida A&M University President Dr. Elmira Mangum, the famous performing troup, FAMU Connection, and FAMU student leaders. Scholarships will be awarded on the spot! The Historic Lyric Theater, 819 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, Admission - FREE. Presented by Florida A&M University in partnership with the Miami-Dade Chapter of the FAMU National Alumni Association. 

Noon - Rattlers Strike in the Gardens - Join the Rattlers before the FAMU/UM football game for an afternoon of music, food and fun featuring health and wellness presentations and local vendors. Betty T. Ferguson Recreational complex, 3000 NW 199th Street, Miami Gardens, FL 33056, Admission - FREE or VIP $30. Presented by the City of Miami Gardens and the Miami-Dade Chapter of the FAMU National Alumni Association.  

7PM - Football Game - Florida A&M Rattlers vs. University of Miami Hurricanes, featuring the halftime performance of the Marching 100. Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL and ESP3. 

Except for the football game, profits from these events will fund scholarships for deserving students at Florida A&M so please support events that support FAMU.  

Journalist, commentator, motivational speaker and author Jeff Johnson and several hundred youth will invade Florida Memorial University on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6, for a South Florida #HacktotheFuture Youth Summit YouthTown Hall Meeting and tech workshops. This is an excellent event for your teen.

Have an awesome and safe weekend!