HBCU Lifestyle Podcast | HBCU News and Interviews: Recent Episodes
HBCU Lifestyle, LLC
HBCUs are more than an academic experience. They’re a lifestyle, the HBCU Lifestyle! In this podcast we’ll bring you news and interviews from around the HBCU Nation.
Let’s just say that this edition of the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast is full of wonder. One of the most prolific producers in hip hop, 9th Wonder, visited the podcast to talk about his rise from a D.J. to a college lecturer and social activist. The native of North Carolina discusses how his experience at an HBCU helped inspire his journey.
The interview is packed with insights about the music industry and entertaining stories. 9th drops knowledge that any up-and-coming producer can use as he dives into to the social foundation of hip hop. He even shares stories about his first encounter with an unknown actor by the name of Idris Elba and about his conversations with Kadeem Hardison about the influence of his famed character “Dwayne Wayne”. Most importantly, we find out how 9th Wonder went from being a student enjoying his Walkman on North Carolina Central University’s campus to a college lecturer on that same campus.
A Grammy Award-winning producer, 9th Wonder was born Patrick Douthit in Winston-Salem. It was during his days at NCCU that he formed the hip hop group Little Brother with Phonte Coleman and Thomas Jones a.k.a. Big Pooh. The group released the critically acclaimed album “The Listening” which earned four mics from Source magazine and served as a spring board for 9th’s career. His talents led to his producing a track on Jay-Z’s iconic “Black Album” as well as songs for Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, David Banner, and Drake. 9th even scored music for “The Boondocks”. In addition to his work at North Carolina Central, 9th is also an adjunct professor at Duke University and lectures on college campuses across the country.
As a new academic year begins, HBCU students across the country are looking forward to returning to their respective campuses. Regardless of their student organizations, these students are surely looking forward to seeing old friends and making new friends at events. While life inside of the classroom is the focus of college life, student organizations create well-rounded students. That is where leaders like Travis Martin come in.
Travis is the director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Northwestern University. There, he oversees 46 fraternities and sororities including five National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities. Travis joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to discuss his role as a student life administrator. He talked about his path from student leadership in college to his current responsibilities at one of the country’s most respected universities.
Raised in Clarksdale, Miss., Travis attended Mississippi Valley State where he was a student athlete and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. Fascinated by student affairs, he went on to earn his M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Arkansas and is pursuing his Ph.D. in College Student Counseling and Personnel Services at the University of Georgia. Travis’s path started as an admissions counselor at Valley, took him to a graduate resident director at Arkansas to residence hall director at Georgia to senior coordinator/advisor of Greek Life at Georgia to Northwestern.
Travis also contributed to the forthcoming book “Models of Success: How Historically Black Colleges and Universities Survive the Economic Recession” which was co-edited by Dr. Shametrice Davis and Dr. Walter Kimbrough who appeared on episodes 40 and 44 of the podcast.
Follow Travis on Twitter.
Just how challenging is it for an HBCU alumnus to pursue a doctorate? What are the pitfalls and what is the “fine print” of the experience? Halima Leak Francis, an HBCU alumna who is pursuing her Ph.D. from New York University, joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to share her experiences and insights.
In a poignant interview, Halima talks about the challenges of her doctorate journey from an intellectual and emotional standpoint. She discusses the culture change of going from a bachelor’s at an HBCU to post-graduate work at a predominantly white institution. In the process, we learn that pursuit of a doctorate takes time and careful consideration as well as intentional management of the process. Halima gives tips for picking the right kind of academic path and institution in addition to tips for self-care during the process.
About Halima Leak Francis
Halima joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast for episode 28 when she gave fundraising tips for HBCU alumni associations. She is a charitable giving professional whose experience include institutional fundraising, non-profit consulting, and philanthropic consulting. Halima has served as a fundraising and sociology instructor in higher education. She has also written about giving for the Huffington Post and Black Enterprise, and she is also the author of the “Write to Bear Alms” blog. Halima earned her bachelor’s from Hampton and her master’s in Educational Sociology from NYU. She is conducting her Ph.D. research on fundraising capacity-building at HBCUs.
Follow Halima on Twitter.
A trailblazing public servant in Louisiana is the product of Grambling State University. Steven Jackson is the youngest person ever elected to the Caddo Parish Board of Commissioners and also the youngest to serve as president of the commission. He visited the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to tell his story. Steven shared how his experiences as Student Government Association president at Grambling prepared him for public service. In a final keeping-it-real thought, Steven also shares his thoughts on how HBCUs can progress under the current U.S. presidential administration.
About Steven Jackson A native of Shreveport, La., Steven is the sixth sibling of his mother Patricia Jackson’s seven children. He graduated from Woodlawn High School; and while attending Grambling, Steven forged an indelible stamp on student leadership as SGA president. As a student leader, Jackson was elected by SGA presidential peers from across the University of Louisiana System to serve as Grambling’s Student Member of the ULS Board of Supervisors.
Ever the public servant, Steven has served in several professional and volunteer capacities throughout the Shreveport community. In 2012, he was recognized by the Shreveport Bossier Chamber of Commerce, Young Professional Initiative as one of Shreveport’s 40 Under 40 young professionals. Steven also served as executive assistant to Mayor Cedric B. Glover serving as an advisor for state and federal legislative affairs, special economic development projects, liaison for quasi-governmental agencies, and neighborhood associations.
In the fall 2015, Caddo residents of District 3 elected Steven to represent them on the Caddo Parish Commission. Capturing 64 percent of the vote, he is the youngest person to ever serve on the Commission. In 2017, he became the youngest person (29 years old) to serve as president of the Caddo Parish Commission . During his first year of service he is credited with establishing the parish’s Safe Summer Initiative which increased the number of youth employment during the summer and increased safe recreation activities in response to violence. He also successfully secured $1 million to help support building Caddo Common Park.
Steven works full-time as a community and business development coordinator for a local community-based health system. He completed an interdisciplinary master’s degree in Liberal Arts from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in Spring 2012.
Jamie Coleman is proud of where her HBCU experience has led her. The alumna of Alabama State wrote an inspiring piece for Rolling Out about how her HBCU experience led to an offer from Google. The former All-SWAC volleyball standout joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to discuss her path to Alabama State and the success that has followed.
In part, the Michigan native wrote:
“I can confidently say attending ASU was by far the best decision I ever made…Coming here, I was able to achieve things I did not even think about nor knew was possible. A lot was due to the fact that at an HBCU, you are not just another number but you actually matter…I was able to use my close network to build an incredible platform for myself because people believed in me and where I was going…I have been able to study abroad in London, attend a summer program at Harvard Business School, intern at Google — where I received a full-time offer.”
About Jamie Coleman
A native of Farmington Hills, Jamie graduated from Alabama State in May. She holds a B.A. in Marketing with minors in International Business and Journalism. She has interned at WDIV-TV, WSFA-TV, Rolling Out, and Google. Jamie also participated in the Summer Venture in Management Program at Harvard. At ASU, she was a member of the volleyball team, Enactus, the Student Advisory Committee, and the Google Club. Jamie is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta.
To connect with Jamie, follow her on Twitter or Instagram. Also, check out her commentary “HBCUs vs. predominantly White institutions; which degree matters?” on Rolling Out.
It is not uncommon for the challenges of HBCUs to be prominently featured in local, regional and national news. The general public and even HBCU alumni, students and leaders tend to assume the worst when these institutions' stories hit news outlets. After news of HBCUs' accreditation status being threatened reported several months ago, we wondered about leaders' reactions. We invited higher education leadership expert Dr. Charlie Nelms back to the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to offer his thoughts.
Dr. Nelms shares his thoughts on several levels. The former chancellor of North Carolina Central University discusses how HBCU leaders can successfully navigate social media, internal communication, the tough decisions they face, and the positive effects of engaged HBCU alumni during adversity. Dr. Nelms shared some of these thoughts in his HBCU Lifestyle blog "7 Steps HBCU Alumni Must Take in 2017 to Stop the Bleeding".
About Charlie Nelms, Ed.D.
Widely respected for his transformational leadership, Dr. Nelms is a motivational speaker and a higher education consultant. The University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff alumnus has more than 40 years' experience and leadership in: student access, retention, and graduation; institutional effectiveness; and strategic planning. Dr. Nelms serves as a board member of leading educational associations and foundations across the U.S., he is a senior scholar at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and provides leadership in assisting minority-serving institutions. Dr. Nelms has also been a consultant for a wide range of higher education organizations.
Dr. Nelms is the recipient of numerous awards for his accomplishments in higher education, including two honorary doctorates and fellowships from the American Council on Education and the Ford Foundation. In 2012, President Obama honored Dr. Nelms with the MLK Drum Major for Service Award for helping to address the most pressing needs in our communities and our nation. Dr. Nelms is a founding member of the Millennium Leadership Initiative and Professor Emeritus at Indiana University. During his tenure as chancellor of North Carolina Central, U.S. News & World Report ranked NCCU as one of the best public HBCUs in the nation for three consecutive years. Dr. Nelms is the founder and director of the Destination Graduation Initiative, which aims to increase retention and graduation rates at HBCUs. In 2011, Dr. Nelms published A Call to Action, a policy directive intended to spur a national dialogue concerning the revitalization of HBCUs as an important sector of American higher education.
Upon retiring as the tenth chancellor of NCCU in August 2012, Dr. Nelms established the Destination Graduation Initiative (DGI) to assist Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) with increasing retention and graduation rates. The central dimension of DGI entailed utilizing the expertise of senior higher education officials, policy experts, and faculty to identify impediments to student academic success and to design strategies for improvement. DGI associates served as coaches to ensure implementation of recommended strategies. In 2013, Dr. Nelms and a colleague received a grant, Leading to Completion, to design protocols, processes, and procedures to assist MSIs with increasing retention and graduation rates.
After HBCU presidents met with members of Donald Trump’s administration, Dr. Walter Kimbrough recognized an opportunity. He wrote about the opportunity in the op-ed “Thanks to Donald Trump, HBCUs are on America’s radar again.” In part, Dr. Kimbrough wrote, “Whether you support the president or not, or believe he'll deliver for HBCUs or not, he unquestionably brought our institutions front and center to the nation's consciousness.” Despite the anti-climactic Trump photo op that drew much national attention, Dr. Kimbrough recognizes a door that has been opened for HBCUs.
Dr. Kimbrough joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to discuss his op-ed and the need for HBCU presidents to strike while the iron is hot. He dishes on what really led to the infamous group photo with Trump as well as opportunities of which the public may not be aware. Most importantly, Dr. Kimbrough discusses the need for HBCU presidents to take advantage of the attention that Trump may have unwittingly brought to HBCUs.
About Walter Kimbrough, Ph.D.
The 7th president of Dillard University is a native of Atlanta who has enjoyed a fulfilling career in student affairs. He earned degrees from the University of Georgia, Miami University (Ohio), and a doctorate in higher education from Georgia State University. Before his first assignment as a college president—the 12th president of Philander Smith—Dr. Kimbrough gained attention in student affairs at Emory University, Georgia State University, Old Dominion University, and Albany State University.
Dr. Kimbrough, most popularly known by his alias “The Hip Hop Prez,” is one of the most recognized higher education leaders in America. He has been included in Ebony’s Power 100 and on NBC News/Grio.com’s 100 African Americans Making History Today lists. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. where he served as a regional assistant vice president. Dr. Kimbrough is probably best known for his groundbreaking research on Black Greeks as well as his book “Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities”.
Deon’s HBCU Rhode Show It started with a visit to Howard and has resulted in a transfer to Claflin University. In November 2016, HBCU Lifestyle caught up with Deon Rhode after he decided to begin a tour to visit every HBCU in America. All of this, after he visited Howard University aka “The Mecca” to see the Greek plot of the Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity of which he is a member. We invited Deon to follow up with us on the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to talk about his first few visits and future visits to HBCUs. He shares accounts of meeting colorful HBCU staff and alumni, being regaled with campus history, and even entertaining encounters with campus security. Most importantly, Deon talks about debunking HBCU myths and his hopes for the future of HBCUs.
About Deon Rhode A native of Washington, D.C., Deon went to high school in Saluda, SC. He later attended Charleston Southern University where he joined the band as a drummer and then joined Kappa Kappa Psi. Deon left the university to help support his family. After a couple of twists and turns, Deon resumed his college career by enrolling in Claflin where he expects to get his bachelor’s in psychology by the end of 2017.
Shayla Price has always loved writing and now it is her career. Before she dove into the lucrative waters of business-to-business (B2B) content marketing, however, Shayla grabbed national attention for paying for her college education before she even started taking classes. As a senior at Thibodaux High School in Louisiana, the two-time alumna of Southern University earned over $100,000 in scholarships. Not only did she pay her undergraduate tuition and fees in full but she earned more scholarship money to pay for her J.D. from Southern. That is how she became affectionately known as “The Scholarship Queen” among other monikers.
Her path to becoming a B2B content marketer was paved by blogging while in college. While her friends enjoyed college life the way most students do, Shayla invested hours into her side hustle as a blogger for a college website. She joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to talk about her path and how much of a difference great writing can make in one’s career.
The Southernite’s work can be seen in many places on the web. Shayla has written for a myriad of web sites including Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, Search Engine Journal, Shopify Plus, Marketing Insider Group, and LinkedIn.
Connect with Shayla Price You can connect with Shayla on Twitter or LinkedIn.
From a young age, Jazz Kelley dreamed of becoming a professional musician. Her passion for music led her to Albany State University, where she became the first female percussionist to earn a music degree at her school. After years of intensive training, Kelley is committed to teaching the next generation of music students.
Attending Albany State University
When Kelley was in high school, she learned about Albany State University from a family friend. After taking a campus tour in 2010, Kelley knew that she wanted to go to ASU.
“I went there, and I remember going into the city. When we pulled up to the school, I saw the palm trees. Then I was like, that’s it, I’m sold, I’m coming. There’s no other school that I want to go to.”
After high school, Kelley moved to Albany where she enrolled in college as a music major. Kelley was a bass drummer in the ASU Marching Band, and when the band played at the 2016 Tournament of Roses Kelley got her first taste of life as a professional musician.
“That scenery when you’re marching down that street is so beautiful. We got to a point where you could see the mountains in the background, and the sun was just starting to come up, because it was really cold. It was clear skies, the sun was out, all these people are on each side. I mean thousands of people, and they’re just cheering you on.”
When Kelley wasn’t playing the bass drum, she was studying music theory and learning different instruments. After years of intensive study, Kelley became the first female percussionist to graduate from ASU with a bachelor’s degree in music.
Connect with Jazz Kelley Twitter: https://twitter.com/jazz_bean Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jazz_bean/
In September, The Washington Post published a letter from Dr. Walter Kimbrough as part of their article "Enrollments surge at historically black colleges amid rise in racial tensions". In part, Dr. Kimbrough wrote
As we see young black people chant 'Black Lives Matter' in the streets, their actions clearly indicate that black colleges matter as well. Dr. Kimbrough joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast for episode 40 to discuss his letter. The president of Dillard talked about the letter and how the current social climate affects black students.
About Walter Kimbrough, Ph.D. A native of Atlanta, Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough was his high school salutatorian and student body president in 1985, and went on to earn degrees from the University of Georgia, Miami University in Ohio, and a doctorate in higher education from Georgia State University. He has enjoyed a fulfilling career in student affairs, serving at Emory University, Georgia State University, Old Dominion University, and finally Albany State University in 2000 where he became the Vice President for Student Affairs at the age of 32. In October of 2004, at the age of 37, he was named the 12th president of Philander Smith College. In 2012, he became the 7th president of Dillard University.
Dr. Kimbrough has been recognized for his research and writings on HBCUs and African American men in college. He has also been noted for his active use of social media to engage students in articles by The Chronicle of Higher Education, CASE Currents, and Arkansas Life. Dr. Kimbrough was cited in 2010 by BachelorsDegree.com as one of 25 college presidents to follow on Twitter (@HipHopPrez).
A 1986 initiate of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at the University of Georgia, Dr. Kimbrough was the fraternity's College Brother of the Year for the Southern Region and served as the region's assistant vice president. Dr. Kimbrough is the author of "Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities" and has forged a national reputation as an expert on fraternities and sororities with expertise in historically African American, Latino, and Asian Greek-lettered organizations.
Dr. Kimbrough was named the 1994 New Professional of the Year by the Association of Fraternity Advisors and he was selected as a 2001 Nissan-ETS HBCU Fellow. In 2009, he was named by Diverse Issues in Higher Education one of 25 To Watch. In 2010, Dr. Kimbrough made the coveted Ebony "Power 100" list, joining the likes of President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Jay-Z, Richard Parsons, Tyler Perry, Debra Lee, and Tom Joyner. In February of 2013, he was named one of the 100 African Americans making history today by NBC News/The Griot.
Dr. Kimbrough's blog: http://hiphopprez.blogspot.com
The HBCU Lifestyle Podcast was pleased to welcome the Thurgood Marshall College Fund for episode 39. TMCF’s president and CEO, Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., came bearing great news about their partnership with Apple. The two organizations have joined to form the Apple HBCU Scholars Program. HBCU students with a minimum GPA of 3.25 who will be graduating between December 2017 and May 2018 are eligible for the program.
Apple HBCU Scholars will participate in a 12-week internship in Cupertino, California and receive scholarship funding as part of this groundbreaking program. Up to $25,000 based on individual financial needs will be applied to each scholar’s final year of study. Also, each scholar will have an Apple mentor throughout their experience, receive an opportunity to develop key skills, enhance their resumes, and help launch their careers through the hands-on experience gained at one of the top tech companies in the world.
Apple HBCU Scholars Program Criteria To be eligible, students must be:
- Enrolled full-time at a four-year accredited HBCU or PBI (Predominately Black Institution),
- Currently in the second-to-last year of study, graduating in Fall 2017 or Spring of 2018 (e.g., juniors or seniors pursuing a fifth year of study), and
- Prior internship experience is preferred.
This highly competitive program targets STEM students but opportunities exist for students of all disciplines. The selection process aims to assess critical people skills, along with technical ability, that lends to the success of the Apple HBCU Scholars Program.
The deadline for applications is October 16, 2016, 11:59 p.m. EST.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY
Aspiring lawyers will have the opportunity to network with pre-law peers, law students, law school administrators, and seasoned lawyers at the National HBCU Pre-Law Summit September 23 and 24 in Atlanta. Founder and executive director of the summit, Evangeline Mitchell, joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to discuss the event which is in its third year. The National HBCU Pre-Law Summit, which is free of charge, is the only major national conference of its kind geared specifically to aspiring black lawyers who are students and alumni of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). It addresses the unique issues, concerns and challenges that this special group of law school aspirants face.About today's guest Evangeline Mitchell, Esq. graduated magna cum laude from Prairie View A&M and went on to earn her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law where she was a member of the Iowa Law Review. There, she also studied international and comparative law abroad with the University of Iowa Bordeaux Summer Program and participated in the London Law Consortium Semester Study Abroad Program as well as their British Legal Externship Program. Additionally, she earned her M.Ed. With a concentration in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University. Evangeline worked for the Harvard University National Campus Diversity Project and the Harvard Medical School Office of Recruitment and Multicultural Affairs.
Seeing a great need, Evangeline created the “Black Pre-Law” brand of accessible educational resources, events, and initiatives geared to empowering black pre-law students to become competitive law school applicants and students. Those resources include written and/or edited and published books including The African American Pre-Law School Advice Guide, Profiles & Essays of Successful African American Law School Applicants, The African American Law School Survival Guide, and Conquering the Bar Exam. All of her books are provided free of charge or at nominal cost. She is currently working on two compilation books including Lessons from 100 Black Lawyers and African Americans and the Law School Experience. Also, Evangeline founded the award-winning National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair (Houston, Texas and New York, New York), the National Diversity Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair (Washington, DC), the National Hispanic Pre-Law Conference, the Joint National Black and Hispanic Pre-Law Conference, the National Black Pre-Law Network, HBCUPreLaw.org, among other initiatives. She is currently the founder and executive director of National Pre-Law Diversity Initiatives, Inc., a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable and educational organization focused on connecting diverse aspiring lawyers to game-changing information, resources and networking opportunities to help them become more excellent, competitive and strategic law school applicants, law students and lawyers - as well as conscientious leaders and community servants. Further, a budding filmmaker and producer, her video and film media projects in the works include the documentary series “African Americans and the Law School Experience” and The Black Lawyers Legacy Project.
For her groundbreaking pipeline efforts in working to provide greater access to legal education, Evangeline received the National Black MBA Association Houston Chapter’s Leadership Empowerment Award in Law. She also received two Congressional recognitions from Sheila Jackson Lee, numerous Congressional letters of support/commendations, the National Black Law Students Association’s Sadie T.M. Alexander Award, the Houston Lawyers Association’s Roberson L. King Excellence in Education Award, and the National Bar Association's Nation's Best Advocates 40 Under 40 Award. Lastly, Evangeline was also recognized twice in Who’s Who in Black Houston and received the d-mars.com Business Journal’s Top 50 Black Attorneys of Houston “Trail Blazer” Award. Evangeline's work in trying to provide opportunity to underrepresented minorities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds is her calling, life's work, passion and a sacrificial labor of love - and no one else in the country is doing it in the way she is - at the grassroots level, with a servant leader spirit and high standard of excellence, and at no cost to those she is serving. She sees it as a social responsibility and undying desire to see others in our community succeed - which she believes the HBCU experience encourages.
It’s that time of year — back to school! For incoming college freshmen, however, this is a completely new chapter. Episode 37 of the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast focuses on that special group of students who have chosen HBCUs as their landing spots for higher education. To give us some perspective on how students and parents — especially those from under-resourced communities — deal with this major step, the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast invited an education leader to be our guest.About today’s guest Dr. Vera Triplett is the founder and CEO of Noble Minds Institute for Whole Child Learning. Having begun her career as a middle and high school English teacher, she is a former Deputy Superintendent of the Louisiana Recovery School District and had also served as the COO and CEO of a New Orleans charter school management organization. Dr. Triplett has worked at a cross section of education, mental health, and juvenile justice for over 20 years. She serves on numerous boards including the Greater New Orleans Foundation Board, the Parkway Partners Board, the Junior Achievement Board, the International High School Board, and the Operation Spark Board where she serves as chair. Dr. Triplett also serves as a mentor for the Soledad O’Brien and Brad Raymond Starfish Foundation.
Dr. Triplett earned her undergraduate degree in English Education from Southern University at New Orleans. She later earned her master’s degree in School/Community Counseling and Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of New Orleans.
Connect with Dr. Vera Triplett on Twitter.
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The HBCU Lifestyle Podcast was pleased to feature a conversation about the documentary “Point and Drive”. Based on the rise of the Florida A&M University “Marching 100,” the movie features the renowned band’s alumni plus alumni of other HBCU band programs. Most importantly, the documentary focuses on how FAMU’s band and others turned talented college students into leaders while influencing college marching band programs across the country. In addition to live performances and rare footage of the “Marching 100,” the film features entertaining interviews. “Point and Drive” features notable figures such as Grammy Award winning artists Scotty Barnhart, Wycliffe Gordon, Vincent Gardner as well as neo-soul artist Dwele.
The documentary’s energetic creator and director Brandi Mitchell joins the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to talk about the road to making “Point and Drive” a reality. The former member of FAMU’s “Marching 100” talks about her experience under the legendary Dr. William P. Foster. She also shares what it was like creating the film and its rave reviews from viewers.
For upcoming screenings visit the Koris Publishing Eventbrite page.
About today’s guest Brandi Mitchell is the owner of Koris Publishing, a multi-faceted publishing and media company which helps to monetize the messages, intellectual property, and personas of great brands to its audience through producing high caliber products in print, television, film, and digital media. She has the privilege of working with talents such as Steve Harvey, Anthony Mackie, Ruby Dee, Eric Benet, Chrisette Michelle Hector Elizondo, and Eminem; as well as TV Networks including TLC, BET, MTV, TBS, and TV ONE.
Thank you for listening* Subscribe: Get the latest episodes of the podcast on iTunes or via our RSS feed from Podbean.com. If you enjoyed this episode, go to iTunes and give us a positive rating and review. It helps this show greatly. * Comment: Do you have feedback on this episode or the show in general? Leave us a note at the bottom of the page. * Share: If you think this episode is worth sharing, please use the social media buttons on the page to post to Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
Episode Sponsor* This podcast is brought to you by the Podbean Podcast App. The Podbean Podcast App is the best app for mobile podcast publishing. You can record and publish podcasts right from your phone…great for educational purposes and sharing your message on-the-go. Get the Podbean Podcast App now on the App Store or Google Play, it’s free.
Visual artist, author, educator, and keynote speaker Synthia Saint James, D.H.L.
If her name does not ring a bell, her work will. Do you remember the first Kwanzaa stamp or the book cover for “Waiting to Exhale”? Yes, the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast was happy to welcome that Synthia Saint James to join us for Episode 35. The visual artist whose work has been described as ebullient, bold and joyful, joined us to chat about her craft and career. Her new Kwanzaa stamp will be issued in October 2016.
Dr. Saint James, who received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Augustine’s University, is an award-winning and widely respected visual artist. Synthia Saint James’ career began in New York City in 1969 when she sold a painting to a co-worker. That sale eventually led to artwork that has been displayed by the U.S. Postal Service, the Center for Disease Control, Essence Communications, the National Chapter of 100 Black Men, the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, Maybelline, Coca Cola USA, Barnes and Noble, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the House of Seagram.
Awards and Recognition Her work has been commissioned for several public displays. Dr. Saints James’ vibrant colors can be seen at the LA/Ontario International Airport, the West Tampa Library, the Los Angeles non-profit organization WORKS, and the Capitol Area East End Complex in Sacramento to name a few places. Her work has also been included in international group exhibitions in France, Sweden, Canada, Poland, and South Korea. Dr. Saint James’ art is displayed in embassies in Venezuela, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo.
Some of her most noted collectors include have included Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., Alice Walker, Glynn Turman, Brenda Russell, Jenifer Lewis, Charles Fuller, Regina Taylor, Randy Crawford, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Coca USA, Spelman College, and Essence Communications.
Naturally, Dr. Saint James has been highly recognized for her work. She earned an induction into the National Association of Women Business Owners, a 2010 Trumpet Award, an award for Woman of the Year for the 26th Senatorial District (Calif.), an AT&T Entrepreneur of the Year award, and a 2012 NAACP Image Award nomination in addition to a distinguished list of other honors and recognition.
Synthia’s Work Beyond Visual Art Synthia Saint James work is not limited to visual art, however. She is also a speaker, author, actor, and educator. She lights up when speaking of the nearly 20 children’s books she has written and illustrated. Dr. Saint James is a fixture at colleges and universities across the country including several HBCUs. She has visited the campuses of Kentucky State, Voorhees, Morgan State, Tennessee State, Fisk, Bennett, Rust, Spelman, Dillard, Langston, and Winston-Salem State. She has been an artist in residence at Albany State, Alabama State, Cheyney, the District of Columbia, Harris-Stowe State, and of course St. Augustine’s where the Synthia Saint James Fine Art Institute was established.
To learn more about Dr. Saint James’ distinguished career and to view her work, visit www.synthiasaintjames.com.
How did Kareem Taylor, a Clark Atlanta University graduate, make the leap from college student to successful voiceover artist? In this episode of the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast, Kareem shares his story with host Eddie Francis and inspires millennials to pursue their dreams in his book, ‘Get Your Life’.
About Kareem Taylor Kareem is a growth strategist, author, and voiceover artist who lives in Los Angeles, CA. To learn more about Kareem and purchase your own copy of ‘Get Your Life! The Transforming Power of Turning Fate Into Fortune’ on Amazon, visit GetYourLifeBook.com
Amid discussions of HBCUs and financial equity, the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast digs into two areas not often touched. This edition kicks off with a conversation about how people of color, including HBCU alumni, factor into economic development. The feature interview goes into an area that many of have probably never even considered—bonds. EQUITY IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
What role do people of color play in economic development? Rodrick Miller, the CEO and president of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to talk the ABCs of economic development. We took the conversation a step further and talked about the value that HBCU alumni bring to their communities.
Miller graduated from St. Augustine’s with a bachelor’s degree in International Business. A Fulbright Scholar, the multilingual Miller also earned his Master of Public Policy from Harvard.
Follow Rod Miller on Twitter or connect with him on LinkedIn.
HBCUS AND BOND INEQUITY
According to a study, HBCUs pay more than colleges and universities of similar financial strength to issue bonds of the same value. The study, which was covered in April on Inside Higher Ed’s web site, was conducted by a team of four scholars. One of them, Dr. Bill Mayew, was a guest on the podcast.
Dr. Mayew is an associate professor of Accounting at Duke University, and he joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to talk about the study’s findings.
Podcast episode 32 guests (top to bottom): Nicole Sharpe, Leslie Brown and M. Scott Lilly.
Two major events for HBCU students approach while we find out how we can best support our military veterans.
NATE PARKER SUMMER FILM INSTITUTE
Producer, director, and actor Nate Parker got his first taste of HBCU life as “Henry Lowe” in “The Great Debaters”. From there, Parker formed a lasting relationship with Wiley College and has since stepped up his commitment to the Marshall, Tex. college.
Through his foundation, Parker has committed to offering a summer film institute and a forthcoming academic program. Nicole Sharpe, co-executive director of the Nate Parker Foundation, joins the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to talk about the celebrity’s efforts.
Applications for the summer institute, which will be held at Wiley July 8-17, are due April 30. For information, email filminstitute@nateparkerfoundation.org or nicole@nateparkerfoundation.org or call 914-304-4290.
HOW WE LIVE
Some of the most beloved members of the HBCU community are military veterans. Their struggles after serving the U.S., however, can be significant. Leslie Brown is a therapist who works with veterans and she joins the podcast to discuss how civilians can better understand and support veterans.
Brown, whose father Jasper Brown appeared on episode 23, is an alumna of Hampton. She is pursuing her Ph.D. and marriage and family therapy.
THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM CONFERENCE
M. Scott Lilly, vice president of programs of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and president of the Opportunity Funding Corporation (OFC), visits the podcast to talk about the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program. Sponsored by OFC, the program’s conference will be May 25-28 in Atlanta.
Over the past 14 years, OFC has infused entrepreneurship into HBCUs curricula by providing the resources and knowledge needed to bridge the gap for HBCU students.
Episode 31 of the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast features two uplifting stories for the HBCU community. Dr. Jalaal Hayes talks about his journey to earning a doctorate at 22 years old. We also find out TM² Education Search, a firm that seeks to improve HBCU leadership through recruitment and training.DR. JALAAL HAYES Jalaal Hayes made history when he earned his Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry from Delaware State. Also an alumnus of Lincoln (Pa.), the Philadelphia native talks about how he arrived at the historic point in December 2015.
Dr. Hayes is also the founder of ELYTE Universal, an organization that provides tutoring and promotes STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Connect with Dr. Hayes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
TM² EDUCATION SEARCH The HBCU community was abuzz in March 2016 with the news of four former HBCU presidents uniting to form a firm dedicated to identifying quality leadership for HBCUs. Christopher Braswell, the president of TM² Education Search, joined the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast to share why the firm was formed and how it can change the game for HBCUs.
Click to learn more about TM² Education Search.