Author: Carma Henry

     “I am proud of Howard’s continued efforts to drive economic development in the District. Adding critical residential and retail amenities transforms vacant and underperforming assets into thriving communities that both improve the fabric of the neighborhood and add vitality to Howard’s mission,” said Howard President Wayne Frederick. “I am also particularly happy that we were able to include Gideon, which is headed up by a strong Howard University Alumni with a history of giving back.”

     Of Teeq Tequila’s three products, co-owner Nayana Ferguson says it’s hard to pick a favorite. “It’s like picking a favorite kid! I’d say that the Coconut Lime is my favorite, just because there’s nothing like it on the market. It’s the smoothest, and you can sip it alone,” Ferguson says.

Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd

     This acclaimed Delta Sigma Theta Sorority academician set footsteps for sisters to follow!  Dr. Boyd’s professional career of more than three decades at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics laboratory was highlighted by exemplary leadership and dedicated services as part of the engineering teams.   Dr. Boyd returned to her alma mater, Alabama State University, in 2014 to serve for three years as the 14th and first female president of ASU. Highlights of her presidency included establishing the university’s first engineering degree program with approval for a B.S. in biomedical engineering. She and her team had the university removed from SACSCOC warning status from previous financial instability. The largest freshman class was documented during her tenure.

      Although HBCUs are celebrated for their culturally enriching environments and unrivaled homecoming weekend festivities, they are also some of the nation’s most academically rigorous institutions, attracting competitive students from various backgrounds. Benedict College’s 2023 cohort is no exception. This school year, the 2019 “HBCU of the Year” (named by who) welcomed over 800 students, a class that includes three Valedictorians, an overall GPA of 3.1, and an increase in international student enrollment.

     Dr. Smith joined the company at age 35, the youngest person to accept this role, and has since grown the AATC by 118 percent, enhancing local employment efforts, while it has been recognized as one of the city’s Top 20 “Best Places to Work” for medium-sized companies by the “Atlanta Business Chronicle.” That same publication also recognized Dr. Smith with its Most Admired CEO Award in 2018.

  After a career of service spanning 37 years, Southern Region Director Ron Oats signs off on his retirement effective Feb. 15, 2020.

A drop in the bucket for disadvantaged creators

     Lefevre was asked to wear large monkey ears and monkey lips as accessories during her strides down the catwalk. She refused but various non-Black models went ahead with the disrespectful program and wore the accessories. The FIT event was directed by Jonathan Kyle Farmer, a FIT professor and chair of the new MFA Fashion Design.

     According to the statement, Butler “put his hands up, dropped his cell phone, and dropped to his knees. … While one officer handcuffed him, other officers pinned him to the ground by pushing a knee into Jaylan’s back and pressing down on Jaylan’s neck. Another officer then held his gun to Jaylan’s forehead and threatened to ‘blow his [expletive] head off’ if he moved.”

      The Trump Administration has finalized implementation of new work requirement rules that would cut food stamp benefits for 700,000 Americans. The average food stamp payout is $36 per month. Though the Trump Administration estimates that under 700,000 people will be impacted by their policy changes, the Urban Institute estimates that the new Trump Administration rule changes will cause 3.7 million poor people to lose food stamps.