June 1, 2025

Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter. This week we will highlight news about a teen prodigy preparing for medical school, Florida A&M University supporting women to study coding and history is made as Southern University wins a major award.

Teen Prodigy to Future Doctor: Alena Wicker’s Historic Path to Medicine

By Jennifer Henderson

At just 13 years old, Alena Analeigh Wicker has made history as the youngest Black person ever accepted into medical school, earning early admission to the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Heersink School of Medicine. Wicker was selected for the school’s Burroughs Wellcome Scholars Early Assurance Program, which partners with several Black colleges in Alabama to support students pursuing medical careers. After graduating high school at 12, she completed more than half of her undergraduate coursework in just one year at Arizona State University and Oakwood University, showcasing a remarkable academic drive and passion for science.

Although Wicker originally set her sights on engineering, a recent trip to Jordan with The Brown STEM Girl Foundation ignited a newfound love for biology, particularly viral immunology. Inspired by hands-on volunteering and global engagement, she shifted her focus to healthcare, aiming to bring change to underrepresented communities. “I want to leave my mark on the world and lead a group of girls that know what they can do,” Wicker said. Her mission now is not only to advance medical research but also to inspire the next generation of young women of color to dream big and pursue careers in science and medicine.

campus chronicles // hbcu edition

Florida A&M University Interim President Timothy Beard, Ph.D., and Arise And Shine Foundation Founder Malinda Williams are partnering to host the 2025 Coding Bootcamp and E.S.T.E.A.M.ED Summit on campus from June 25–27. Designed to empower young women in technology, the two-week program offers immersive training in Swift programming and iOS app development, along with mentorship, design thinking, and professional development opportunities. The experience begins with a virtual kickoff event featuring guest speakers, interactive workshops, and networking, all aimed at preparing participants for success in STEAM fields. President Beard praised the initiative for aligning with FAMU’s mission to support innovation and student achievement.

Tennessee State University’s New Direction Gospel Choir recently won big in Washington, D.C., taking home both the HBCU Choir Category and the People’s Choir Award at the national How Sweet The Sound gospel competition. This achievement adds to TSU’s growing legacy of excellence, following the historic GRAMMY win by its Aristocrat of Bands two years ago. How Sweet The Sound, founded in 2007, is a premier gospel music competition that features choirs, soloists, and performing arts groups, and has expanded internationally while championing causes like mental health awareness in Black communities through partnerships such as the AD Council.

Shaquille O’Neal turned heads on the May 8, 2025 episode of Inside the NBA when he proudly wore an Alabama State University hoodie and announced his plans to become a college professor at an HBCU, declaring, “From now on, I would like to be addressed as Professor O’Neal.” The moment underscored his long-standing commitment to education and the HBCU community. Having previously completed his Louisiana State University degree through Southern University and earned a doctorate in education from Barry University, Shaq’s decision to pursue further studies at Alabama State is both deeply personal and culturally impactful. With his massive platform and multi-generational influence, aligning himself with an HBCU is more than symbolism—it’s a powerful investment in Black educational spaces, mentorship, and legacy-building. Shaq’s journey from NBA legend to future professor represents a cultural statement: education is a lifelong pursuit, and HBCUs are central to cultivating leadership far beyond the court.

black history in quotes 

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culture

A group of trailblazing Southern University students has etched their names into history by winning a prestigious Sports Emmy Award for their documentary The Hidden Sport. The film, which redefines the perception of the university’s iconic Human Jukebox Marching Band, was honored during the 2025 Sports Emmy Awards in New York City in May. Produced by student filmmakers Loren Sullivan, Verbon Muhammad, Sydney Cuillier, Ashley Lovelace, and Eric White—dubbed “The Dream Team”—the documentary was developed through a $40,000 HBCU sports broadcasting grant competition sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and the Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. This win not only shines a spotlight on Southern University but also signals a watershed moment for student storytelling and creative excellence at HBCUs nationwide.

The Hidden Sport challenges viewers to look beyond halftime spectacle and recognize the Human Jukebox Marching Band as a realm of elite athleticism. Through powerful visuals and narrative, the documentary underscores the physical endurance, discipline, and synchronized precision required to perform at such a high level—qualities often reserved for traditional sports. “This isn’t just a win—it’s a call to action to invest in the arts,” said director Loren Sullivan, a senior mass communication major. Her words highlight the film’s deeper mission: to elevate the visibility of HBCU creatives and underscore the value of investing in cultural storytelling that redefines who and what we consider athletes.

Our editor, Lisa D. Tinsley, would like to thank you for spending part of your day with KISA News Radio.

See you next Sunday.

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