March 23, 2025

Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter. This week we dive into how a HBCU is cultivating a future in space agriculture and find out which college is making an impact with increasing the number of Black male teachers.

To Space and Beyond: HBCU’s Groundbreaking Astrobotany Mission with Blue Origin

By Lisa D. Tinsley

Winston-Salem State University’s Astrobotany Lab will send plant samples into space this spring as part of Blue Origin’s first all-female mission. In a groundbreaking partnership, rocket scientist and entrepreneur Aisha Bowe is collaborating with WSSU, one of the nation’s top HBCUs, and Odyssey, its space science and operations firm, to launch a suborbital experiment aboard the NS-31 mission.

Led by WSSU students and researchers, the experiment will examine how crop plants respond to microgravity at the molecular level, focusing on six key genes related to stress response, nutrient transport, and metabolism. The findings could advance sustainable space agriculture and improve food security on Earth. This marks the university’s first suborbital spaceflight experiment and reinforces WSSU’s leadership in space plant science.

The Astrobotany Lab, the only space plant biology lab at an HBCU, is uniquely positioned for this research through its Space Act Agreement with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. “This mission not only advances scientific discovery but also provides an unparalleled opportunity for our students to engage in real-world space research,” said Dr. Rafael Loureiro, associate professor of Botany and Plant Physiology at WSSU.

Beyond expanding knowledge of plant growth in extreme environments, the research has direct implications for future lunar and Martian habitats. “This experiment is about world-class research that benefits both space and life on Earth,” said Bowe, who will conduct the experiment aboard NS-31. As HBCUs continue to break barriers in STEM, this mission cements WSSU’s role in shaping the future of space exploration and sustainable agriculture beyond Earth.

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After slowing due to the pandemic, Huston-Tillotson University’s African American Male Teacher Initiative, launched in partnership with the Austin, Texas Independent School District, is celebrating the graduation of nine seniors and remains committed to addressing the national shortage of Black male teachers. Funded by Apple as part of its Community Education Initiatives, the program aims to certify 25 Black male teachers by 2025, emphasizing the importance of culturally responsive educators in supporting Black students. With 16 students currently enrolled, the program continues to recruit future educators like Kai Turntine, who hopes to inspire young Black students by showing them pathways to success beyond sports or the streets.

Bethune-Cookman University continues to produce top-tier talent, with its students securing spots in the prestigious Milken Institute’s HBCU Strategic Initiative and Fellows Program, which aims to increase diversity in the financial services sector. Despite HBCUs being a wellspring of financial talent, their graduates remain underrepresented, with women- and diverse-owned firms managing just 1.4% of U.S. assets. As the program expands to offer multi-year training, hands-on experience, and guaranteed job opportunities, Bethune-Cookman students are proving they belong in the highest levels of the finance industry.

Johnson C. Smith University is preparing for potential cuts to student aid and services as federal policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives take effect. While the private HBCU is not directly impacted by the UNC System’s recent repeal of its DEI policies, nearly 99% of its students rely on federal funding, making any reductions in financial aid or education programs a major concern. University leaders are strategizing alternative funding sources, including private donors and corporate partnerships, to sustain student support, while also positioning JCSU as a refuge for students affected by DEI rollbacks at other institutions.

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culture

The reopening of the Hampton University Museum reaffirms its role as a vital guardian of Black history, art, and storytelling. As the oldest African American museum in the nation and the longest-standing in Virginia, its revival is more than a restoration—it is a renewed commitment to preserving and celebrating Black creativity. With new exhibits, expanded collections, and a steadfast dedication to education, the museum continues to stand as a beacon of resilience, artistry, and cultural pride.

For over 150 years, the museum has defied systemic barriers, expanding its collection and solidifying its reputation as a premier institution for African American art. In 1967, the Harmon Foundation gifted hundreds of works from the Harlem Renaissance, further cementing its role as a champion of Black artistic expression. The museum also boasts the Countee and Ida Cullen Art Collection and works by iconic artists such as John T. Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, and Samella Lewis—figures deeply connected to Hampton’s legacy. Now, with its reopening, it welcomes a new addition: a collection of costumes designed by legendary Hampton alumna Ruth E. Carter, the first Black artist to win multiple Academy Awards for costume design. Her work, featured in films starring Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy, and Oprah Winfrey, offers visitors an intimate look at the artistry behind Hollywood’s most powerful Black narratives.

Beyond its historical treasures, the museum continues to evolve as a space for education, dialogue, and artistic innovation. Its permanent exhibitions showcase African masks, Native American textiles, and contemporary masterpieces, offering a dynamic exploration of global artistic traditions. With more than 9,000 works in its collection, including Henry Ossawa Tanner’s The Banjo Lesson and The Lion’s Head, each visit unveils new layers of Black artistry and history. As Dr. Thaxton-Ward, the museum’s director, reflects, Hampton’s strength lies in its deep relationships with artists, alumni, and donors, ensuring that Black art not only survives but thrives for generations to come.

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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