May 11, 2025

Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter. This week we will highlight news from the Southern University archives to the big screen, honoring Black legacy.

Preserving the Past: Southern University Partners with Getty Images to Digitize Black History Archives

By Lisa D. Tinsley

Southern University’s archives, housed on the third floor of the John B. Cade Library, contain decades of rich history, including yearbooks, photographs, and student milestones that document the university’s cultural impact. With many of these materials at risk of deterioration, the university recently partnered with Getty Images through its HBCU Photo Archive Grant Program to digitize and preserve these fragile artifacts. Led by archivist Angela Proctor, the project aims to make the archives more accessible while protecting them for future generations. Only a small fraction of the university’s 5,000 archival items have been digitized so far, but with Getty’s support and student interns like junior history major Olivia Locket, the team is working to safeguard this vital history.

The digitization effort is part of a broader initiative by Getty Images, which supports nine HBCUs through funding and technology to help preserve underrepresented historical content. “It’s our legacy, and it has every right to be preserved,” said Locket, emphasizing the importance of student involvement. With assistance from Adnet Global, which handles the delicate restoration process post-scanning, the materials are not only being saved but cleaned and prepped for global access. These images, once buried in boxes, will now tell the story of Southern’s legacy and the broader narrative of Black educational excellence to audiences around the world.

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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.

HBCUs are facing financial uncertainty as the federal government considers major funding cuts and the possible elimination of the Department of Education. Florida A&M University have already lost substantial grants—$16.3 million in FAMU’s case—as the Trump administration signals a crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Many HBCU leaders fear that reduced or eliminated federal support could lead to staffing reductions, discontinued programs, and limited student access, exacerbating decades of underfunding that has already left these institutions $12 billion behind their non-HBCU counterparts.

Federal and state funding accounts for more than half of HBCU revenue, compared to about one-third for other colleges, making them particularly vulnerable to policy shifts. With 73% of HBCU students relying on Pell Grants and other need-based aid, administrators warn that proposed changes send a troubling message to Black students and staff about their standing in the current political climate. Although the Department of Education has stated it will not close immediately and programs remain intact for now, the uncertainty fuels anxiety among students, faculty, and leadership at these deeply rooted institutions.

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Antoine Fuqua’s highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, may be split into two parts due to its nearly four-hour runtime, though a final decision has not been made. Lionsgate, which is producing the film, is also considering shifting the current October 3, 2025 release date, with sources indicating that a 2026 debut is possible but not confirmed. The film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, in the lead role, alongside Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson. Given the scale of the project and the need for Imax access, exhibition plans are still fluid as the studio assesses distribution logistics and international release timelines.

A major factor in the delay is an internal dispute involving the inclusion of references to the 1993 molestation allegations brought by Jordan Chandler’s family—a storyline the Jackson estate reportedly opposed. The decision to incorporate that narrative has led to legal complications and extensive reshoots, further complicating the production schedule. Lionsgate did not present footage at its recent showcase as many aspects of the film remain unsettled. Still, with high expectations and comparisons to Bohemian Rhapsody, Michael remains positioned as a potential awards-season contender.

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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