By Alissa Paolella, Communications Manager

On March 6, Central State University stepped boldly into a new chapter with the inauguration of its 10th President, Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti.  

The ceremony was a vibrant celebration filled with enthusiasm, highlighting the rich history of Central State, its unwavering dedication to academic excellence, and the bright future that awaits under Dr. Kuti’s visionary leadership. Excitement filled the air as the University community came together to embrace this momentous occasion and the possibilities that lie ahead. 

Dr. Kuti’s connection to Ohio’s only public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and 1890 Land-Grant Institution dates to 1982, when he arrived on campus as an international student from Nigeria. His journey, as recounted by Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Amy Hobbs Harris in her introduction, was shaped by the relationships he built with faculty who saw his potential and guided him along his path. “One of my favorite stories is about his professor who always kept packets of snacks in her office,” Hobbs Harris shared. “He went for the snacks but stayed for the conversation. And it was through those conversations that he built a relationship that changed the course of his life.” 

This emphasis on personal connections and mentorship is a hallmark of Dr. Kuti’s leadership style. As Hobbs Harris noted, “Watching Dr. Kuti’s impressive curiosity, his care for others, and his commitment to this Institution is truly inspiring.” 

In his address, President Kuti laid out a bold vision for Central State, centered on transforming the University into a “Destination Learning Environment” — a place where students, faculty, and staff thrive in an environment that fosters success, innovation, and integrity. 

Dr. Kuti reflected on the University’s motto, “Veritas et Lux” (Truth and Light) and “Recta et Honor” (Straight and Honor), emphasizing that these values will serve as guiding principles in his leadership. “Truth requires us to pursue academic knowledge, while light brings clarity. Together, they illuminate the path to success,” he said. 

He also underscored CSU’s strategic importance as one of only four public 1890 Land-Grant Universities in the Midwest, serving a region with a population of 76 million people. While Central State welcomes students from across the U.S. and 15 foreign countries, Dr. Kuti emphasized that strengthening recruitment in Ohio and surrounding states is essential for the University’s growth. 

To enhance academic excellence, Dr. Kuti announced a comprehensive academic program review to ensure the University’s offerings align with student interests, regional workforce needs, and financial sustainability. He highlighted plans to launch CSU’s Allied Health programs, introducing stackable credentials and certificates that will prepare students for immediate employment in healthcare fields while they pursue their degrees. 

Additionally, the Institution is adapting to the evolving job market by integrating artificial intelligence literacy and digital skills training into the general education curriculum, ensuring graduates are prepared for careers in emerging industries. 

Beyond academics, President Kuti emphasized strengthening student engagement and leadership opportunities. This includes revitalizing Greek life — aiming to bring all nine Divine Nine organizations to campus within 18 months — and expanding student organizations, which now number 70. “The more connections students have to campus, the more likely they are to succeed,” he said. 

As a Land-Grant and Research University, CSU is committed to expanding its research capacity. Dr. Kuti announced the establishment of master’s programs in Humanities and Agricultural Sciences in 2026, with additional programs in Engineering Management and Computer Science to follow. 

The University’s faculty are already making significant strides in research. He highlighted the work of Dr. Sakthi Kumaran, who is using advanced technology such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to improve agricultural productivity. CSU’s Research and Demonstration Complex is also leading initiatives in bee genetics, specialty crops, and environmental stewardship. 

In recognition of Central State’s growing research impact, the University was recently designated as a Research College and University in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications — a milestone that underscores its expanding influence in the academic and scientific communities. 

Financial sustainability and operational excellence 

President Kuti reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the University’s financial stability through prudent resource allocation and strategic growth initiatives. He expressed gratitude to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey, and state education partners for their steadfast support in advancing Central State’s mission. 

A key component of his administration’s approach is the Marauder Ethos, a University-wide commitment to excellence in customer service, engagement, and continuous improvement. This initiative aims to ensure that every interaction within the CSU community is guided by three core principles: 

• Respectful engagement: Treating every individual with dignity and professionalism. 
• Responsiveness: Addressing needs efficiently and effectively. 
• Continuous improvement: Striving for excellence in all aspects of University operations. 

The post Inauguration of CSU’s 10th president marks a new chapter appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO

    Tennessee State University (TSU) continues to break ground on a historic journey to become the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to field a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I ice hockey team. Alongside some assistance from the National Hockey League (NHL), the NHL Players’ Association and the Nashville Predators, the TSU Tigers have already named their official head coach, unveiled their jersey and received their first official commitment from a student-athlete.

    TSU held a press conference to announce the plan in June 2023. Their first official season as a sanctioned Division I program is planned to commence in 2025-26.   On April 18, TSU named Duantй Abercrombie as the head coach of the Tennessee State Tigers ice hockey team.

    “I am incredibly excited to embark on building this program, supported by God, my family, TSU students, alumni, and all those eagerly awaiting this moment,” said Abercrombie in a press release courtesy of TSU Athletics. “I firmly believe that one day, TSU will be recognized not only as a powerhouse on the ice but also as a program whose student-athletes leave a profound legacy on the world, enriched by the lessons learned at TSU.”

    Abercrombie was raised in Washington, D.C., and was mentored by hockey legend Neal Henderson, the first Black man to be inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Abercrombie attended Gonzaga College High School and graduated from Hampton University, where he was a track and field athlete prior to retiring due to an injury. After college, Abercrombie briefly played professional hockey in both the New Zealand Ice Hockey League as well as the Federal Hockey League.

    After his career as a professional hockey player, Abercrombie moved onto coaching, including stints with his alma mater Gonzaga and Georgetown Preparatory School. In 2022-23, Abercrombie was a member of the coaching staff for NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs organization.

    “We are no longer doing club play in 2024-25. We are going right into D1 play for 2025-26,” Nick Guerriero told the AFRO. Guerriero is the assistant athletic director of communications and creative content at Tennessee State.

    On Jan. 19, TSU got their first official commitment from an ice hockey recruit, Xavier Abel. Abel played at Drury University and scored 12 goals in 34 games, including three game-winning goals. Abel was recruited by Guerriero.

    In July, the Tigers got their second commitment from forward Trey Fechko. In October, Trey’s brother Marcus Fechko also committed to Tennessee State. Since, the Tigers have also signed forward Greye Rampton, goaltender Johnny Hicks, Grady Hoffman and four-star forward Bowden Singleton. Singleton flipped his commitment from North Dakota to Tennessee State. Guerriero said that TSU has a “few” other recruits that they are waiting to announce during their November signing period.

    “I think it’s important to invest in these unorthodox sports for Black athletes because it allows Black children to have more opportunities to play sports in general,” said Zion Williams, a 2024 Gettysburg College graduate and former collegiate athlete. “The more opportunities that children have, the better. They won’t feel like they are boxed into one thing or sport.”

Feature photo: National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman (left), Tennessee State University (TSU) Athletic Director Mikki Allen (center) and TSU president Glenda Glover share a moment after holding a press conference announcing TSU’s intent to become the first historically Black college or university with a Division I ice hockey team. Credit: AP Photo/George Walker IV

The post TSU set to debut first Division I hockey team at an HBCU appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

In a monumental move to address the underrepresentation of Black physicians in the United States, Bloomberg Philanthropies has announced a $600 million donation to the endowments of four historically Black medical schools. Officials said the donation is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative, which aims to advance racial wealth equity and address systemic underinvestment in Black institutions and communities.

Howard University College of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, and Morehouse School of Medicine will each receive $175 million, while Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science will receive $75 million. Additionally, Bloomberg said $5 million in seed funding will support creating a new historically Black medical school in New Orleans, the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine. The historic investment will more than double the endowments of three medical schools, significantly boosting their financial stability and capacity to educate future Black physicians.

A recent study highlighted the need for such support, revealing that only 5.7% of U.S. physicians identify as Black or African American. This is despite Black Americans comprising 13% of the population. According to research, treating black patients by black doctors results in better health outcomes and more frequent medical care. For instance, Black patients are 34% more likely to receive preventative care if they see Black doctors.

The four historically Black medical schools receiving funding reportedly graduate around half of all Black doctors in the U.S. but have been traditionally underfunded due to systemic inequities, including lower federal and state support. Since the early 1900s, discriminatory practices and the impacts of the Flexner Report have led to the closure of 10 Black medical schools in the United States. The financial boost from Bloomberg Philanthropies should have a transformative impact.

Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor, Democratic presidential candidate, and founder of Bloomberg LP, will formally announce the donation at the National Medical Association’s annual convention. “This gift will empower new generations of Black doctors to create a healthier and more equitable future for our country,” Bloomberg said.

In 2020, Bloomberg Philanthropies granted $100 million to these same medical schools to reduce the debt load of enrolled students facing severe financial burdens exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Valerie Montgomery Rice, president of Morehouse School of Medicine, noted that the 2020 gift relieved an average of $100,000 in debt for each student, significantly enhancing the school’s ability to fundraise and support its students.

Denise Smith, deputy director of higher education policy and senior fellow at The Century Foundation, emphasized the importance of such philanthropic gifts. She pointed to MacKenzie Scott’s donations to HBCUs in 2020 and 2021 as pivotal in sparking increased support from other large donors. “Donations that have followed are the type of momentum and support that institutions need in this moment,” Smith told the Associated Press.

Dr. Yolanda Lawson, president of the National Medical Association, expressed relief upon hearing about Bloomberg’s gift, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down affirmative action and attacks on programs promoting inclusion and equity.

“This opportunity and this investment affect not only just those four institutions but our country’s health and future,” Lawson asserted.

The post Historically Black medical schools receive historic donation appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By AFRO Staff

Graduation season is upon us! On May 5, Lincoln University, the first degree-granting historically Black college or university (HBCU), proudly held its 165th Commencement Ceremony. Over 400 undergraduate and graduate students were honored, marking the culmination of their academic journey and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

The ceremony, held on Lincoln’s main campus, was a momentous occasion filled with joy, pride and celebration. Distinguished speakers for the event included Bryan Stevenson, the esteemed founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, who delivered the keynote address. Stevenson, known for his tireless advocacy for social justice, resonated deeply with Lincoln’s commitment to critical thought and equity.

Lincoln University President Brenda A. Allen, Ph.D., expressed her admiration for the esteemed speakers.

“Bryan Stevenson addressing our graduates at Lincoln University’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony stands as a testament to the university’s dedication to fostering critical thought and pursuing social justice,” said Allen.

The ceremony also bestowed honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees upon four remarkable individuals: Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Cherelle Parker, of the class of 1994, Stevie Wonder and Bryan Stevenson himself. Each honoree has made indelible contributions to society, embodying the excellence and leadership that Lincoln University champions.

The commencement was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a testament to the resilience and determination of its graduates.

Among them was AFRO Arts and Culture writer, Ericka Alston Buck, who received her degree in human services. Buck’s journey to graduation was particularly inspiring, having navigated the challenges of adult life, parenthood and the COVID-19 pandemic– all while pursuing her education. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and dedication.

“Lincoln University understands the needs of adult students. Being able to graduate while working full time and being a parent made this 20-year journey possible for me,” said Buck. “Receiving my degree on the same day that Stevie Wonder received his honorary doctorate made the moment all the more special. He is an iconic figure in the music industry and a champion for social causes.”

“He epitomizes the spirit of excellence and service that Lincoln University instills in its graduates,” Buck continued. “His presence added an extra layer of significance to an already momentous occasion.”

The post Lincoln University honors Stevie Wonder appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Hazel Trice Edney

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Circumventing criticism from pundits who say Democrats, including the Biden Administration, have done little to advance the Black community, the White House had released a special report unveiling a list of “Equity and Opportunity” successes advanced for Black Americans and communities across the country.

“Over the past three years, President Biden and Vice President Harris have leveraged the full force of the Federal Government to advance racial justice and equity and ensure the promise of America for all communities, including Black Americans, across the country,” states the report released this month. “With the support of these efforts, Black Americans are starting new businesses, creating jobs, buying homes, and taking advantage of increased education opportunities at historic rates—contributing to a 60% increase in wealth compared to before the pandemic. And this boom in wealth creation following the pandemic is helping to drive a historically equitable economic recovery.”

The report continues, “From promoting entrepreneurship to increasing access to homeownership and delivering the lowest Black unemployment rate, from proving it’s possible to reduce child poverty to historic lows to expanding access to quality affordable healthcare, from advancing voting rights and police accountability to ensuring equal access to a high-quality education with historic funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to investing in the future of Black communities.”

More than 90 percent of Black voters casted ballots for Biden in the last presidential election. But, according to Politico, a recent poll focusing on Black voters says, “President Joe Biden is facing strong headwinds among his most loyal base of support: Black Americans.”

Politico reports, in the GenForward survey released in December, “nearly 1 in 5 Black Americans, 17 percent, said they would vote for former President Donald Trump. And 20 percent of Black respondents said they would vote for ‘someone else’ other than Biden or Trump.”

The July 2023 article continues, “According to the survey, about three-quarters of Black respondents said they would vote if the presidential election were held today, a figure that trails the number of white voters who said they would vote today by 10 points.

“The GenForward survey is housed at the University of Chicago and was conducted with 3,448 eligible voters, including large oversamples with voters of color, from Nov. 8-30 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The survey — which was conducted over the internet with a mix of respondents who were randomly selected to join a panel and those who opted-in to participate in the survey — has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 points.”

Among the factors in the election may be the independent candidacy of former Harvard Professor Dr. Cornell West. West has strongly criticized Biden for 1990s votes that he says amounts to “crime against humanity.”

In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Biden said, “Well, I think you’ll think Joe Biden contributed to a crime against humanity when he became the architect of the mass incarceration regime in the 1990s.” The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act that Biden sponsored as a senator in 1994 authorized the hiring of 100,000 new police officers and allocated $9.7 billion for prisons,” the Post reported.

West described the prisons as barbaric, which he said in the New York Post article, “has something to do with that crime bill that he put forward.”

West, now a professor at Union Theological Seminary, who teaches in prisons said, “Black folks are low priority” to Biden and added that “the president was much better at window dressing — ‘black faces in high places’ — than substantive change.”

But substantive change is what the White House release appears to stress as it lists a string of accomplishments affecting Black communities under the Biden administration. Among the list are the following verbatim descriptions:

• Powered a historic economic recovery that created 2.6 million jobs for Black workers—and achieved both the lowest Black unemployment rate on record and the lowest gap between Black and White unemployment on record.
• Helped Black working families build wealth. Black wealth is up by 60% relative to pre-pandemic—the largest increase on record.
• Cut in half the number of Black children living in poverty in 2021 through ARP’s Child Tax Credit expansion. This expansion provided breathing room to the families of over 9 million Black children.
• Began reversing decades of infrastructure disinvestment, including with $4 billion to reconnect communities that were previously cut off from economic opportunities by building needed transportation infrastructure in underserved communities, including Black communities.
• Connected an estimated 5.5 million Black households to affordable high-speed internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program, closing the digital divide for millions of Black families.
• Achieved the fastest creation rate of Black-owned businesses in more than 30 years—and more than doubled the share of Black business owners from 2019 to 2022.
• Improved the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) flagship loan guarantee programs to expand the availability of capital to underserved communities. Since 2020, the number and dollar value of SBA-backed loans to Black-owned businesses have more than doubled.
• Launched a whole-of-government effort to expand access to federal contracts for small businesses, awarding a record $69.9 billion to small, disadvantaged businesses in 2022.
• Supported small and disadvantaged businesses through CHIPS Act funding by requiring funding applicants to develop a workforce plan to create equitable pathways for economically disadvantaged individuals in their region, as well as a plan to support procurement from small, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses.
• Set up the first-ever national infrastructure to stop evictions, scaling up the ARP-funded Emergency Rental Assistance program in over 400 communities across the country, helping 8 million renters and their families stay in their homes. Over 40% of all renters helped are Black—and this support prevented millions of evictions, with the largest effects seen in majority-Black neighborhoods.
• Championed the largest increase to Pell Grants in the last decade—a combined increase of $900 to the maximum award over the past two years, affecting the over 60% of Black undergraduates who rely on Pell grants.
• Delivered a historic investment of over $7 billion to support HBCUs.
• Through ARP, secured $130 billion—the largest investment in public education in history—to help students get back to school, recover academically in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and address student mental health.
• Secured a 30% increase in childcare assistance funding last year. Black families comprise 38% of families benefiting from federal childcare assistance. Additionally, the President secured an additional $1 billion for Head Start, a program where more than 28% of children and pregnant women who benefit identify as Black.

Improving Health Outcomes for Black Families and Communities
To improve health outcomes for the Black community, the Biden-Harris Administration has:

• Increased Black enrollment in health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act by 49%—or by around 400,000—from 2020 to 2022, helping more Black families gain health insurance than ever before.
• Through IRA, locked in lower monthly premiums for health insurance, capped the cost of insulin at $35 per covered insulin product for Medicare beneficiaries, and helped further close the gap in access to medication by improving prescription drug coverage and lowering drug costs in Medicare. 
• Through ARP, expanded postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months in 43 states and Washington, D.C., covering 700,000 more women in the year after childbirth. Medicaid covers approximately 65% of births for Black mothers, and this investment is a critical step to address maternal health disparities.
• Financed projects that will replace hundreds of thousands of lead pipes, helping protect against lead poisoning that disproportionately affects Black communities.
• Provided 264 grants with $1 billion in Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funds to more than 40 states to increase the supply of school-based mental health professionals in communities with high rates of poverty.
• Signed two Executive Orders directing the Federal Government to advance an ambitious whole-of-government equity agenda that matches the scale of the challenges we face as a country and the opportunities we have to build a more perfect union.
• Nominated the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court and more Black women to federal circuit courts than every President combined.
• Countered hateful attempts to rewrite history including: the signing of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act; establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday; and designating the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Mississippi and Illinois. The Department of the Interior has invested more than $295 million in infrastructure funding and historic preservation grants to protect and restore places significant to Black history.
• Created the Justice40 Initiative, which is delivering 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments in clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other programs to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution as part of the most ambitious climate, conservation, and environmental justice agenda in history.
• Repeatedly and forcefully called on Congress to pass essential legislation, including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, including calling for an exception to the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation.
• Increased funding for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, which has more than doubled the number of voting rights enforcement attorneys. The Justice Department also created the Election Threats Task Force to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers and investigate and prosecute these matters where appropriate.
• Signed into law the bipartisan Electoral Reform Count Act, which establishes clear guidelines for our system of certifying and counting electoral votes for President and Vice President, to preserve the will of the people and to protect against the type of attempts to overturn our elections that led to the January 6 insurrection.
• Launched the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and taken more executive action on gun violence than any President in history, including investments in violence reduction strategies that address the root causes of gun violence and address emerging threats like ghost guns. In 2022, the Administration’s investments in evidence-based, lifesaving programs combined with aggressive action to stop the flow of illegal guns and hold shooters accountable yielded a 12.4% reduction in homicides across the United States.
• Signed into the law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun violence reduction legislation enacted in nearly 30 years, including investments in violence reduction strategies and historic policy changes to enhance background checks for individuals under age 21, narrow the dating partner loophole in the gun background check system, and provide law enforcement with tools to crack down on gun trafficking.
• Secured the first-ever dedicated federal funding stream for community violence intervention programs, which have been shown to reduce violence by as much as 60%. These programs are effective because they leverage trusted messengers who work directly with individuals most likely to commit gun violence, intervene in conflicts, and connect people to social, health and wellness, and economic services to reduce the likelihood of violence as an answer to conflict.

• Signed a historic Executive Order to put federal policing on the path to becoming the gold standard of effectiveness and accountability by requiring federal law enforcement agencies to ban chokeholds; restrict no-knock warrants; mandate the use of body-worn cameras; implement stronger use-of-force policies; provide de-escalation training; submit use-of-force data; submit officer misconduct records into a new national accountability database; and restrict the sale or transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, among other things. 
• Taken steps to right the wrongs stemming from our Nation’s failed approach to marijuana by directing the Departments of Health and Human Services and Justice to expeditiously review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law and in October 2022 issued categorical pardons of prior federal and D.C. offenses of simple possession of marijuana and in December 2023 pardoned additional offenses of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law. While white, Black, and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionately higher rates.
• Announced over 100 concrete policy actions as part of a White House evidence-informed, multi-year Alternatives, Rehabilitation, and Reentry Strategic Plan to safely reduce unnecessary criminal justice system interactions so police officers can focus on fighting crime; supporting rehabilitation during incarceration; and facilitating successful reentry.

The post White House touts historic increase in black wealth and economic recovery appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Lauren Victoria Burke,

NNPA Newswire Contributor

New Colorado Buffaloes Coach Deion Sanders has been named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year.”After all the controversy that came with his decision to leave an HBCU, Jackson State University, Sanders remains a winner even after a losing season. The Colorado Buffaloes record is 4-8.

But the excitement around the Buffaloes, despite the record, led to excitement for all of college football.

Even though the Colorado Buffaloes did not make it to Pac 12 championship and have lost their last six games, Sanders’ short time as head coach has brought attention and money to a failing sports program in Colorado. Sanders’ son, star quarterback Shedeur Sanders, did not finish the season for the Buffaloes after a leg injury.

But the excitement around Deion Sanders, 56, despite the team’s record, has been undeniable. Sanders’ had already been a legend because of his exceptional skills on the field and his impact on the sports world as a multi-sport athlete and a charismatic personality. Sanders was the first time two-time Super Bowl champion after winning with the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX and the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX. Sanders was known for his exceptional speed and coverage skills, which earned him the nickname “Prime Time.”

Deion Sanders attended Florida State University, where he played both football and baseball. In football, he played as a cornerback and a punt returner. He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in college football. Sanders was also an outstanding baseball player, playing as an outfielder. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the 1988 MLB Draft.

Even after a season with an unimpressive record Sanders remains optimistic. “Coach Prime” is causing excitement in the same way he did at Jackson State even though the population at Colorado is only 1.3% Black. Sanders is promising improvement next year.

The post Deion Sanders named Sportsman of the Year for 2023 appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire

Baltimore police are intensifying their search for multiple suspects involved in a shooting incident that occurred on the campus of Morgan State University two weeks ago, leaving five individuals injured. Among the victims, four are students of the historically Black institution.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley and Morgan State University Police Chief Lance Hatcher told reporters that the incident happened around 9:25 p.m. when university police officers, on their regular patrol, detected gunfire from the campus. The victims, aged between 18 and 22, which include four men and a woman, sustained injuries that are reported to be non-life-threatening.

“The entire city of Baltimore’s heart aches for the Morgan community, for the victims and their families, and for our city as a whole,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott stated.

Multiple windows were shattered during the incident, and school officials said they immediately began active shooter response protocols. Worley said police systematically cleared buildings in pursuit of those responsible. While there are indications that it could have been more than one shooter, authorities could not confirm whether multiple assailants were involved.

Hatcher said university police received notification of the shooting at approximately 9:27 p.m. and sent the first public safety alert to the community at 9:30 p.m., followed by four other notifications.

At approximately 11:45 p.m., city police announced via Twitter that the incident was no longer an “active shooter situation.” University officials announced via social media that the shelter-in-place order had been lifted, and shuttle services resumed at around 12:30 a.m. Worley emphasized that SWAT officers meticulously combed through every floor of the buildings they searched, conducting two sweeps, before lifting the shelter-in-place order.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in their efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

The post Baltimore police intensify search for suspects in Morgan State University shooting incident appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Howard University, the renowned historically Black college in Northwest, D.C., finds itself in esteemed company alongside institutions such as the Abbey Road Institute in London, the Berklee College of Music in Boston and Spain, and the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts in Liverpool, England. These distinguished higher education establishments have earned a spot on Billboard’s prestigious list of the best schools for music business degrees.

Billboard’s selection process, which refrains from ranking the institutions, is based on a comprehensive evaluation that includes executive recommendations, alum feedback, information furnished by each school, and a decade’s worth of reporting on music business programs. Publishers said the decision not to rank the schools stems from Billboard’s acknowledgment of widespread criticism surrounding conventional college ranking practices. American University, also located in Northwest, D.C., secured its place on the list, emphasizing Washington’s significance in music education.

Of note, Howard University is one of only two historically Black colleges and universities recognized on the list, the other being Tennessee State University in Nashville. Howard’s remarkable achievement is underpinned by the establishment of the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business in 2021, made possible by a generous $4.9 million donation. Billboard highlights the center’s one-year fellowship program, which offers invaluable coaching, mentorship, and real-world industry exposure through collaborations with partner organizations. The program is specifically designed to combat the underrepresentation of Black executives and professionals within the music and entertainment sectors.

According to Billboard, one of Howard’s standout offerings is the course “The History of the American Music Industry: What Isn’t Black Music.” This unique perspective aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s roots and evolution.

Billboard’s methodology emphasizes more accessible public colleges and universities, focusing beyond the traditional music capitals of New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville. The publication underscores that attendees of these top music business schools are primed for success in an increasingly intricate music industry landscape.

“The schools listed are selected through executive recommendations, alumni information provided by honorees from our multiple power lists, information requested from each school, and a decade of reporting on these programs,” the Billboard publishers explained. Notably, the publishers said students could find robust curricula in cities such as Philadelphia, Memphis, and New Orleans, as well as in Syracuse, N.Y.; Kennesaw, Ga.; Stillwater, Okla.; and Cleveland, Miss.

This extensive list encompasses the Valencia, Spain, campus of Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music, the esteemed BRIT School located outside London, LIPA, and the BIMM Institute, the largest provider of contemporary music education in Europe.

“By any measure, the colleges and universities here offer impressive opportunities for students seeking an edge in music-industry careers — running campus record labels, devising business plans, volunteering at top festivals, traveling to major music industry events, and meeting with leading artists and executives,” Billboard affirmed, while also solidifying Howard University’s place among the foremost institutions in the field of music business education.

The post Howard University among top music business schools on Billboard’s list appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed

Baltimore City Police are offering a $9,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and charge of the culprits in the homecoming week shooting at Morgan State University. Authorities say two people were responsible for the attack which injured five people. With its own homecoming just weeks away, students at fellow HBCU Howard University, share their concern. NewsVision reporter Gregory Lloydon Coleman has reaction.

The post Baltimore police offer $9,000 reward for information on Morgan State homecoming shooting appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed

U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA), with U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), introduced a new bill that would help ensure states provide 1890s land-grant universities with their fair share of state funding.

Brown has worked for years to secure critical investments for 1890 land-grant institutions. He secured a provision in the 2014 Farm Bill that granted Central State University 1890 land-grant status. In the 2018 Farm Bill he increased the amount of funding the university is able to receive from USDA, while not jeopardizing the funding of any other 1890 land-grant institution.

Under federal law, states are obligated to provide an equitable distribution of state funding for all land-grant universities. However, historically Black land-grant universities have often been shortchanged and don’t always receive the funding they deserve. The Land-Grant Research Equity and Accountability Act would require governors to annually attest publicly whether or not the state plans to provide funding to each 1890s land-grant institution.

“1890 land-grant universities have fostered generations of African American students, farmers, and scientists – opening doors for students who might otherwise have been denied the quality education and fair shot that all Americans deserve,” said Brown. “I will continue fighting for investment in these institutions so they can continue creating opportunity and preparing future leaders in Ohio and around the country.”

“Our 1890 Land-Grant institutions have been punching way above their weight for far too long, so this legislation will bring us one step closer to ensuring historically Black Land-Grant universities get the funding they’re due,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “This is a win for Georgia students, Georgia farmers, and Georgia’s economy. I’m proud to join with Chairman Brown on this important legislation. Let’s get this done.”

“Our 1890 Universities are at the leading edge of making our food and agriculture system safer, more productive, and fairer, and they need resources and funding to maintain that edge” said Congresswoman Adams, a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. “This bill brings greater accountability to ensuring that the federal funds the 19 historically Black 1890s need to train the next generation of leaders are matched by their respective home states. As a proud 1890s graduate, I am honored to introduce this bill, which both strengthens and brings parity to our nation’s land-grant system.”

“Supporting 1890 Universities, also known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), is vital to long-term investment in Black students and communities in this country,” said Rep. Strickland. “The Land-Grant Research Equity and Accountability Act will hold states accountable by increasing equitable fulfillment of these state funds and help HBCUs provide quality education for our next generation of Black leaders. We must ensure that these historic institutions have equal access to funding they rightfully deserve.”

“For over a century, 1890 land-grant universities have been shortchanged of the resources they deserve,” said Denise Smith, deputy director of higher education and senior fellow Century Foundation and author of a landmark report on the underfunding of Black land grant universities. “Even in spite of this, they’ve managed to produce some of the country’s most important thinkers and provided countless Black families with a pathway to the middle class. It’s long past time Black universities got the equitable funding they deserve and the Land-Grant Research Equity and Accountability Act will guarantee transparency and accountability for 1890s, ensuring that they have the resources they need to serve their students and communities. I want to thank Senators Brown and Warnock, Congresswoman Adams, and Congressman Strickland for leading on this important issue and being champions for racial justice in our higher education system.” 

The post Senators introduce bill to ensure fair funding for historically black land-grant universities appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .