October 20, 2024

Good morning. Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter. This week we will highlight the inaugural HBCU Choral Music Festival showcasing rich musical traditions, Vice President Harris unveiling her economic plan for Black men and discovering Common’s prison film debut.

HBCU Excellence in Harmony:

A Celebration of Choral Music

By Lisa D.Tinsley

Coahoma Community College, located in Clarksdale, Mississippi, will host its inaugural HBCU Choral Music Festival in November. The event will celebrate the rich tradition of HBCUs by featuring performances from some of the most well-known HBCU choirs. The evening will highlight diverse musical expressions, ranging from classical to gospel and contemporary styles, showcasing the vocal mastery of choirs from institutions such as Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Jackson State University, and more.

This festival is a tribute to the cultural significance of choral music within the African American community. Dr. Kelvin Towners, director of fine arts and choir activities at CCC, expressed pride in hosting this event, emphasizing that it will celebrate both the musical talents of students and the rich heritage of HBCUs. According to Dr. Towners, “choral music has long been a way to uplift and unite, and this festival is a testament to that enduring power.”

Supported by a Title III Part B Lyceum grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the event underscores Coahoma Community College’s dedication to enhancing the educational and cultural experiences of its students and the surrounding community. This initiative is part of the college’s broader commitment to providing platforms for artistic exploration.

campus chronicles // hbcu edition

• In a remarkable initiative to empower students and encourage global citizenship, more than 100 Hampton University students will receive their first passport at no personal expense, thanks to a generous donation from alumna Ashley N. Company, CEO of Jelani Travel. On October 7, 2024, Company presented a $25,000 gift to the Hampton University International Office, covering the costs of passports and photos for students who have never traveled internationally.

• The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), a historic conference made up of HBCUs, has announced the introduction of Women’s Flag Football at seven of its HBCU member institutions. This exciting new sport will launch in Spring 2025, further enhancing opportunities for female student-athletes at HBCUs.

• Tuskegee University has announced the establishment of the Carver Genomic Research Center following the award of the first phase of an 11 million dollar grant from the National Health Genome Research Institute. This innovative initiative aims to tackle health disparities in the Black Belt South by investigating genetic factors that contribute to diseases, including cancer, within minority populations.  The center will address long-standing disparities in research and healthcare outcomes, ensuring that genomic discoveries benefit all communities, particularly when looking at clinical trials for research.

national news

• Vice President Kamala Harris will build an Opportunity Economy where everyone will be able to get ahead. A portion of her plan for Black men includes the following:

  Provide forgivable business loans, up to $20,000, for Black entrepreneurs, by working with mission-driven lenders and banks committed to their communities.

  Addressing health disparities, with specific efforts to study sickle cell anemia, diabetes, prostate cancer and other health challenges that disproportionately impact Black men.

  Invest in grant programs for leadership development, mentorship and pathways for men to become teachers and school leaders.

  Provide financial support to financially stressed farmers and ranchers - including Black farmers and ranchers.

• The only museum in Sacramento, California showcasing African American history is in jeopardy of closing after losing critical grant funding. The Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum is asking for donations to keep their doors open and their many community events funded. 

black history in quotes 

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our community in numbers

• There are 107 HBCUs across the United States, collectively enrolling 290,000 students, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. This figure represents a 30% increase from 1976 when enrollment was just over 222,000. Enrollment peaked in 2010 at over 326,000 students, reflecting broader trends in U.S. higher education that saw total college enrollment soar during the same period.

• HBCUs accounted for 16% of the bachelor’s degrees earned by Black college students in the 2021-22 academic year.

• For the 18th consecutive year, Spelman College is ranked as the number one HBCU in the nation. The college maintains its forefront position with a 68% graduation rate — the highest in the country among HBCUs. Spelman also became the top HBCU for social mobility this year, while remaining among the top 40 Best National Liberal Arts colleges.

culture

The San Quentin Film Festival, the first-ever festival held inside a prison, has added a significant title to its lineup: “Four Letters,” a documentary short executive produced and scored by Common. The film had its first industry and press screening at the festival, but its world premiere occurred in April across California state prisons as part of Second Chance Month, a justice reform initiative led by Prison Fellowship.

“Four Letters” follows the story of software engineer Charles Anderson, focusing on his life before, during, and after incarceration. The film highlights his journey from the criminal justice system to working for global tech giants. Anderson, who serves as a producer, discovered coding while in prison and now uses his skills to mentor formerly incarcerated youth, offering hope for redemption for those impacted by the legal system.

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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