We Do It Better Together
On Behalf Of The 2018-2019 Campus Queens
To whom it may concern:
We as a collective body of sister queens drafted this letter to address the recent actions displayed on social media pertaining to the the 2018-2019 Ebony Campus Queens Competition. Following a discussion between Brooke Kane, Miss Bennett College and Jada Brown, Miss North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University it became evident that more needed to be done. For those of you who are unaware of the context between this exchange, Bennett College is currently in jeopardy of losing its accreditation. Bennett College, was originally founded in 1873 as a co-ed school. They were then re-established in 1926 as an all women’s institution. It is 1 of the 2 all female HBCUs in the nation, with a total enrollment of close to 1,000 students. This school has such a rich history of breeding black women who have ignited pivotal change in our society: Mary-Jane Foster, founder of a minor league baseball franchise and Diann Dawson, appointee for the United States Department of Health and Human Services. With black women reaching new highs and making history, including being listed as the most educated group in the US it is to time stand behind them. Standing behind them means standing behind Bennett College.
“Black women have had to develop a larger vision of our society than perhaps any other group. They have had to understand white men, white women, and black men. And they have had to understand themselves. When black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.” – Angela Davis
DONATE TO BENNETT COLLEGE
Jada Brown ran on the campaign slogan, “We do it better together.” This quote was created as a call to students, and all persons to unite in achieving the epitome of black excellence. Black excellence is ultimately achieved when we work together as a unit to support and uplift one another. Right now, Brooke Kane is currently in the running for The Ebony Campus Queen Competition. This competition was created back in 2010 to highlight 10 Queens who received the most votes via social media on their page. With this Jada Brown made a video statement on January 10th, which was released on several social media platforms donating her votes to Brooke Kane in hopes of helping Bennett College receive a feature in the magazine. This initiated this cause and sparked a contagious response from several student leaders. Several HBCU Queens and Kings have followed her suit in supporting Brooke for Ebony Campus Queen, Jada Brown, Miss North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Australia Say, Miss Fisk University, Ayanna Lyons, The University of the District of Columbia, Faith Thomas-Lewis, Miss North Carolina Central University, Imani Cooper, Miss Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Moriah Batiest, Miss Alcorn University, A’Kira Black, Miss Tougaloo College, Tamia Casey, Miss Lincoln University, Stormy Green, Miss Mississippi Valley State University, Telayah Richards, Miss Harris-Stowe State University, Gabrielle Baker, Miss Jackson State University, Destiny Latimer, Miss Paine College, Jaymi Phillips, Miss Cheyney University, Monique Scott, Miss Bowie State University, Jasmine Moss, Miss Wilberforce University, Ahmani Green, Miss Prairie View A&M University, Licole Bursey, Miss Talladega College, Jacqualyn Townsend, Miss Bethune-Cookman University, Jasmin Carson, Miss Benedict College, Ja’Scotta Jefferson, Miss Virginia State University, Kayla Sampson, Miss Tennessee State University, Taylor Chapman, Miss Central State University, Eva Dickerson, Miss Spelman College, Jauan Durbin, Mister Blue and White of Spelman, Allen Christian, Mister Fisk University, Myles Millsap, Mister Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and Orlando Sutton Jr., Mister Texas Southern University.
The other suggestion proposed was to do a special feature for Brooke Kane as Miss Bennett regardless of votes being donated if the donations to her campaign were an issue. With this, our goal is to see Ebony and many other companies donate to Bennett College, and challenge others to help support this institution reach the required $5 million needed to maintain their accreditation by February 1st. They are still in need of $3.5 million more. The school has already met all of the necessary academic requirements according to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Their accreditation is only in jeopardy due to a lack of cash flow. So, we are asking that you support Brooke in serving as an Ebony Campus Queen and to help save this institution which serves as a gem to many members of our community. In addition to that, please spread the word to all of your colleagues and encourage them to donate. We look forward to seeing what Ebony can donate to this cause as well.
In solidarity,
Queens
Jada Brown, Miss North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University – [email protected]
Australia Say, Miss Fisk University – [email protected]
Ayanna Lyons, The University of the District of Columbia – [email protected]
Faith Thomas-Lewis, Miss North Carolina Central University – [email protected] -Advisor: [email protected]
Imani Cooper, Miss Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University – [email protected]
Moriah Batiest, Miss Alcorn University – [email protected]
A’Kira Black, Miss Tougaloo College – [email protected]
Tamia Casey, Miss Lincoln University – [email protected]
Stormy Green, Miss Mississippi Valley State University – [email protected]
Telayah Richards, Miss Harris-Stowe State University – [email protected]
Gabrielle Baker, Miss Jackson State University – [email protected]
Destiny Latimer, Miss Paine College – [email protected]
Jaymi Phillips, Miss Cheyney University – [email protected]
Monique Scott, Miss Bowie State University – [email protected] -Advisor: [email protected]
Jasmine Moss, Miss Wilberforce University – [email protected]
Ahmani Green, Miss Prairie View A&M University – [email protected]
Licole Bursey, Miss Talladega College – [email protected]
Jacqualyn Townsend, Miss Bethune-Cookman University – [email protected]
Jasmin Carson, Miss Benedict College – [email protected]
Ja’Scotta Jefferson, Miss Virginia State University – [email protected]
Kayla Sampson, Miss Tennessee State University – [email protected]
Taylor Chapman, Miss Central State University – [email protected]
Eva Dickerson, Miss Spelman College – [email protected]
Kings
Jauan Durbin, Mister Blue and White of Spelman – [email protected]
Allen Christian, Mister Fisk University – [email protected]
Myles Millsap, Mister Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University – [email protected], [email protected]
Orlando Sutton Jr., Mister Texas Southern University – [email protected]
Waiting on University Response to Join
Trinity Gaskins, Miss Virginia Union University
Chinquetta Lewis, Miss Miles College
Hyidea’ Burgess, Miss Alabama A&M University
The Queens & Kings who were UNABLE to Compete, Standing Alongside Us Supporting the Cause:
Mia Stevenson, Miss Coppin State University
James Young IV, Mister Coppin State University
LaTerrian Wiley, Miss Jarvis Christian College
Shania Jackson, Miss Lincoln University of Missouri
Quincy Barnes, Mister Lincoln of PA
Issac Bivins, Mister Jarvis Christian College
