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“State of HBCU Athletics” Roundtable Session Featuring HBCU Conference Commissioners highlights the Get In The Game Sports Business Career Conference

By
Randall Barnes
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The Get In The Game Sports Business Career Conference, hosted by SBRnet and First and Pen, is excited to announce its featured session, “The State of HBCU Athletics,” led by the HBCU conference commissioners from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).

“We are thrilled to have four of the leaders in HBCU athletics on our featured session at the first annual Get In The Game Sports Business Career Conference,” said First and Pen CEO Yussuf Khan. “Who better to discuss the state of HBCU athletics than these brilliant executives who are shaping and leading the direction for these storied conferences and institutions in a rapidly evolving sports media landscape.”

The highly anticipated “State of HBCU Athletics” will be the featured session taking place on Saturday, October 7th at the Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore, the host venue for the event.

The excitement of coming together and discussing the business and future of HBCU sports is echoed by all the commissioners.

“It is a pleasure to participate in the ‘Get In the Game Sports Business Career Conference’ with my Historically Black College and University colleagues in the great city of Baltimore,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “I appreciate Yussuf Khan and the team’s efforts in bringing us together as industry leaders in college athletics to continue to advance the business of HBCU sports and provide continued exposure collectively.”

“I am so excited to participate on this panel to share my experiences and contribute to creating opportunities to feed the pipeline of diversity into the sports industry, particularly in athletic administration,” said MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills. 

“I’m excited to participate in the ‘Get in the Game Sports Business Career Conference’ as this is a unique opportunity for students to engage leaders and industry professionals who work at the intersection of sports and business,” said SIAC Commissioner Dr. Anthony Holloman. 

“I am honored to be part of Get in the Game and have the opportunity to share with young professionals,” said GCAC Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes. “This conference is in direct alignment with the mission of my organization, ‘So You Want a Career in Athletics™,’ I encourage anyone interested in athletics to attend this conference and learn more from the best in the industry. Thank you Yussuf for the opportunity.”

SBRnet co-owner Mark Sullivan was equally thrilled to have the distinguished commissioners lead the featured discussion at the first-year event.

“We didn’t think we would have the incredible opportunity of having these four amazing executives together at our inaugural event, so we are truly honored that the commissioners agreed to take the time and come together for our featured session to discuss the state of HBCU athletics,” said Sullivan.

“The State of HBCU Athletics” takes place at the inaugural Get In The Game Sports Business Career Conference on Saturday, October 7th and will also be streamed live on First and Pen (firstandpen.com).

Get In The Game is a sports business career conference designed to educate HBCU students and students of color about the sports business industry and the career pathways within it. The three-day event takes place October 6th – 8th at the Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD.

For more information, including press, sponsorship/partnership and marketing opportunities:

Mark Sullivan

[email protected]

 

Yussuf Khan

[email protected]

 

For all event information, including schedule, registration, travel, scholarship opportunities and more, please visit https://getinthegameconference.net/

 

About First and Pen: Multimedia sports platform First And Pen (firstandpen.com) informs, inspires and connects through voices of color in sports and is part of The Khanate Group; a media, tech, and eCommerce company fully committed to supporting and investing in underserved and overlooked communities and individuals. CEO Yussuf Khan has over two decades of experience in sports and multicultural media. After beginning his career at ESPN, he invested the last 18 years of his career in start-up ventures, building a successful track record at companies such as CSTV (now CBS Sports Network), Interactive One (now Urban One), Big Lead Sports and The Shadow League. The media veteran has a unique and diverse career path with a long history in the fields of multimedia sales, marketing, communications, journalism, and content creation. Yussuf is also an adjunct professor of sports management at Rider University and Long Island University (Brooklyn) and an adjunct professor of communications at Union College (NJ).

 

About SBRnet: SBRnet is a comprehensive online data platform of nationwide sports marketing analytics, using syndicated and custom proprietary sports fan information for the professional and college sports, consumer research, industry reports, and licensed industry articles. Since 2020, SBRnet has been owned by Neil Schwartz and Mark Sullivan. Schwartz is a 20-year veteran of sports data with stints at Nielsen and SportscanInfo. Sullivan is an editor and publisher and one of the founders of The Running Event conference and trade show. The pair are also co-hosts of the “My First Job in Sports” web series. 

 

IMPACT NETWORK ANNOUNCES HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE URBAN EDGE NETWORK (UEN) TO BRING HBCU+ SPORTS TO ITS VIEWERS

By
Randall Barnes
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July 28, 2023 – Los Angeles – The Impact Network announces historic partnership deal with the Urban Edge Network (UEN) to bring their HBCU+ sports to air across Impact’s current reach of over 70% of US households on every major cable & satellite provider, Impact Network’s EVP, Royal Jackson announced today.  The Impact Network will now be the official linear network home for the UEN and its HBCU+ sports and entertainment content.  Impact will have access to all the HBCU+ football, basketball, volleyball and other HBCU sports as they become available.  In addition to sports, Impact will also provide adjacent HBCU programming that highlights campus life and education on HBCU’s in entertaining and engaging ways. Impact’s goal will be to educate the general public about HBCU schools and their historical significance and provide general entertainment content around HBCU campus life and student activities to help elevate HBCU schools in the public consciousness. The partnership will include both parties utilizing their platforms, audiences and each to cross promote the games and other entertainment entities. 

This exciting new block of urban, cultural entertainment will air Saturdays afternoons starting September 2023 – November 2023.  UEN will deliver a pre-game/post-game and full game broadcasts to the Impact Network. Currently, there are 36 HBCU’s that broadcast through HBCU+.

The deal was brokered by Dennis Ray & Jahid Mirza, of Ze3no, Impact’s ad sales partner who will coordinate all ad sales and client revenue opportunities such as but not limited to:

  • On-air spots
  • Integrations into broadcast
  • Branded entertainment
  • Sponsorships

“I am excited about Impact Network’s partnership with UEN & HBCU+. This is a monumental opportunity to have Historically Black Universities being presented to viewers everywhere on a Black founded & operated national tv network,” stated Bishop Wayne T. Jackson

Impact’s EVP Royal Jackson stated, “As a multi-generational platform, it’s an honor for Impact Network to be able to serve the African-American and HBCU communities on multiple levels from HBCU alumni to students and future recruits.”

“We are both proud and excited to have this partnership and expand our reach by adding 75 million homes. This completes our marketing 360 strategy for our new NBA G League and HBCU + partners.” Hardy Pelt, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer, Urban Edge Network.

About Impact Network:

Impact Network is an independent, 100% black founded & operated cable network, providing entertainment & lifestyle content aimed at multicultural audiences with a purpose to enrich, educate and entertain. Impact was founded in 2010 by community leaders, serial entrepreneurs & philanthropists Bishop Wayne T. Jackson and Dr. Beverly Y. Jackson. Impact is media with a mission that connects with a coalition of organizations to improve and impact lives within the underserved communities in holistic ways. Impact Network’s operations are led by Executive Vice President & GM Royal W. Jackson. The Impact Network can be found in over 70% of US Homes broadcasting via cable & satellite across the United States on Comcast-Xfinity, Frontier, Cox, Time Warner, Spectrum, Charter, Spectrum, ATT-U-verse, Verizon, Fios, Altice, DirecTV, DISH and expanding digitally.

About Bishop Wayne T. Jackson

Bishop Wayne T. Jackson a trailblazer and entrepreneur made history by launching The Impact Television Network, the world’s largest independent African-American owned and operated tv network alongside his wife Dr. Beverly Y. Jackson. With distribution in tens of millions of homes, The Impact Network provides urban family friendly entertainment, inspirational, social & cultural programming that impacts the lives of viewers in positive ways. Combining the spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, financial and social aspects of life into a total impactful viewing experience that both educates and entertains.

Bishop Jackson is no stranger to making a difference, as a faith & community leader of over 35 years and an entrepreneur, philanthropist and humanitarian; he has served his local community as a strong pillar of hope in the city Detroit, Michigan. And beyond, on a national and international scale in Africa and the Bahamian Islands. Bishop Jackson’s reach spans across various cultural spectrums including the spiritual, political, economic and social arenas.

About EVP Royal W. Jackson

Royal W. Jackson is an award-winning media entrepreneur who has been recognized for his compelling and dynamic work for many major brands. His over 20 years of expertise in creative leadership and brand positioning includes working on campaigns for Ford, Yahoo, Levi’s, Motorola, Kraft, Time Warner, and Feeding America. Jackson also serves as a prolific film & television creator and producer, who has created, produced and directed multi-platform scripted and unscripted content. Jackson is the recipient of an Addy Award for the Feeding America: Ad Council Public Awareness Campaign, as well as recipient of a media grant from the Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan-Chan Zuckerberg Initiative alongside with National Association of Black Journalists for his Covid in Color media initiative.

About Urban Edge Network (UEN)

Urban Edge Network (UEN) is a Black-owned media company that delivers diverse intelligence targeting allowing UEN and the Legends to tailor the content to each consumer’s unique interests. Their unique media consumption environments and specialized creative solutions assist brands better understand and reach diverse audiences. 

About HBCU+

HBCU+ 24/7 access to Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ live men’s and women’s sporting events (football, basketball, baseball, tennis, swimming, golf, and track and field); TV shows, marching band competitions, eSports tournaments, podcasts, and more!

Impact Media Contacts:

Shannon Barr

CEO/Owner

Strategic Public Relations

[email protected] 

Cierra Wiseman

Publicist

Strategic Public Relations

[email protected]

Tamera J. Inyang

Publicist

Strategic Public Relations

[email protected] 

UEN Media Contact:

Tony Wyllie

Publicist

Urban Edge Networks

[email protected]

White House Initiative On HBCUs Announces 2023 Class Of HBCU Scholars, 102 Students Recognized

By
Randall Barnes
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Today, the White House Initiative on HBCUs announced their ninth cohort of HBCU students selected to be recognized as 2022 HBCU Scholars, previously titled HBCU All-Star Ambassadors. The HBCU Scholars program was created in 2014 under the Obama Administration to recognize HBCU leaders who excel in academic, social and civic engagement. The selected scholars visit the nation’s capitol during the annual HBCU Week observance in September to network with White House officials and learn of further outreach and engagement opportunities to aid in their respective HBCU experiences. This cohort, featuring 102 students, is the largest in the program’s history.

“Our 2023 HBCU Scholars are talented students who embody the culture of excellence and inclusion championed by our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “On behalf of the U.S. Department of Education and everyone across the Biden-Harris Administration, I congratulate each of our 2023 HBCU scholars on this prestigious recognition and thank them for their commitment to serving their communities. I’m thrilled to see the HBCU Scholars program continue to expand its reach and provide such exciting professional development, networking, and educational opportunities to some of our nation’s brightest and most promising young leaders.”

HBCU Scholars have been extended invitations to attend the 2023 HBCU Week Conference, which is scheduled to take place from September 24th to 28th, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, Virginia. The conference’s central themes for this year are “Raising the Bar: Forging Excellence Through Innovation & Leadership.”

Throughout the conference, HBCU Scholars will participate in sessions specifically designed to foster an environment of innovation, leadership, and personal and professional growth. Importantly, the event provides them with valuable opportunities to engage with one another, initiative staff, and partners, offering a platform to showcase their individual and collective talents.

HBCU Scholars will also have the privilege of participating in various programs, events, and monthly master classes. These initiatives are tailored to enhance their professional development and open doors to post-graduation opportunities within non-profit, business, and federal agency partners. The objective is to ensure the nation’s sustained global competitiveness.

As a member of the 2017 Cohort of HBCU Scholars (known at the time as HBCU All-Star Ambassadors) I can personally attest to the outreach opportunities that the White House Initiative On HBCUs affords the students recognized by the program. Through the initiative I was able to become a Creative Services intern with black-centric cable television network Aspire TV, which opened several post graduate opportunities for me. I also was able to further grow the HBCU Pulse brand by providing exclusive coverage of my time in DC as an All-Star during the first year of the Trump administration. Links to the articles will be listed below, as well as the full list of the 2022 HBCU scholars.

Articles About My Experience As A 2017 White House HBCU All-Star

List Of 2023 White House Initiative On HBCUs HBCU Scholars

ALABAMA

(Alpharetta) Taya Davis, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
(Dothan) Jamal Maloney Jr., Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
(Dothan) Ta’Kari Bryant, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
(Gadsden) Jessica Parker, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL
(Huntsville) Jaela Haynes Williams, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
(Madison) Makahla Riley, Drake State Community & Technical College, Huntsville, AL
(Montgomery) Matilda Perryman, Trenholm State Community College, Montgomery, AL
(Montgomery) Morgan Marshall, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
(Montgomery) Thaddeus Sneed, Trenholm State Community College, Montgomery, AL
(Pleasant Grove) Haley Heard, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
(Troy) Ch’Erykah Dunn, Paine College, August, GA
(Tuscaloosa) Chiamaka Okafor, Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL
(Tuskegee) Eddie Tolbert, Drake State Community & Technical College, Huntsville, AL
(Tuskegee) Bruce Taylor, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL

DELAWARE

(Newark) Imani Wulff-Cochrane, Delaware State University, Dover, DE
(Wilmington) Aa’Khai Hollis, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD

FLORIDA

(Cutler Bay) Maiya Lyn-Ah-Ping, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
(Jacksonville) Janiya Jones, Bethune Cookman University, Jacksonville, FL
(Orlando) Ndidi Ude, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
(Riverview) Lillian Carr, Hampton University, Hampton, VA
(Tallahassee) Terrance McPherson, Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC

GEORGIA

(Atlanta) Aleisha Sawyer, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
(Atlanta) Emmanuel Dean, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
(Augusta) Joshton Mincey, Voorhees University, Denmark, SC
(Augusta) Sierra Powell, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
(Covington) Charis Haynes, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
(Hamilton) Jamyra Hayes, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley GA
(Riverdale) Alexander Richardson, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA

INDIANA

(Indianapolis) Kristyn Lyles, Florida Memorial University, Miami, FL
(Indianapolis) Morgan Graves, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS

ILLINOIS

(Belleville) Payton Jackson, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC

KANSAS

(Kansas City) Kennedy Thompson, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO
(Wichita) Lovette Mba, Langston University, Langston, OK

KENTUCKY

(Bowling Green) Chyler Hughes, Lincoln University of MO, Jefferson City, MO
(Louisville) Dariyah Pennix, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD

KENYA

(Siaya) Annan Odongo, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS

LOUISIANA

(Monroe) Henry Steele III, Southern University A&M University, Baton Rouge, LA
(New Orleans) Dana Bailey, Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

MARYLAND

(Baltimore) Annalyse Belton, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
(Baltimore) Tesfay Robel, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
(Bethesda) Elisha Cloy, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
(Bowie) Brittney Henry, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
(Columbia) Camille Young, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
(Upper Marlboro) Khamara Logan, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
(Upper Marlboro) Victoria Lanier, N.C., North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC
(Waldorf) Zairen Jackson, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC

MICHIGAN

(Bloomfield) Juliet Makena, Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC
(Detroit) Samarion Flowers, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL

MINNESOTA

(Saint Paul) Afiya Ward, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL

MISSISSIPPI

(Brandon) Atlantis Funches, Hinds Community College- Utica, Utica, MS
(Collins) Ronnie Davis, Alcorn State University, Alcorn, MS
(Jackson) Nishan Shears, Hinds Community College- Utica, Utica, MS
(Ripley) Amelya Hatch, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS

MISSOURI 

(Kansas City) Desmond Williams, Clinton College, Rockhill, SC

NEVADA     

(Las Vegas) Mia Douglass, Benedict College, Columbia, SC

NORTH CAROLINA

(Charlotte) David Wilson, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC
(Charlotte) Kaiyah Brown, N.C., North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC
(Charlotte) Trinity Cromwell, Bennet, Benedict College, Columbia, SC
(Concord) Ezeji Nwanaji-Enweren, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
(Southern Pines) Olivia Boyd, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC

NEW JERSEY

(Palmyra) Laquann Wilson, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
(Pennsauken) Calvin Bell, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA

NEW MEXICO

(Rio Rancho) Charina Lancaster, Langston University, Langston, OK

NEW YORK

(Brooklyn) Raquel Liverpool, Miles College, Birmingham, AL
(Bronx) Tamara Wood, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
(Rochester) Carys Carr, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

NIGERIA

(Abuja) Joshua Umoru, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX
(Agbor – Delta State) Obiajuru Nwadiokwu, Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL
(llaje – Ondo State) Adeleye Mesogboriwon, Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL
(Jos) John Josiah, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC

PENNSYLVANIA

(Cheyney) Matthew Wilford, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA
(Harrisburg) Jordan Spencer, Delaware State University, Dover, DE
(Mount Pocono) Troy Wilson, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
(Pittsburgh) Rakayat Sulaiman, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA
(Philadelphia) Tori Haynes-Harrison, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
(Philadelphia) Youma Diabira, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA

SOUTH CAROLINA

(Blythewood) Kenard Holmes, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
(Columbia) Simya Levine, Voorhees University, Denmark, SC
(Fort Mill) Victoria Jordan, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
(Hardeeville) Marlaysia Westbrook, Allen University, Columbia, SC
(Olar) Patience Badger, Denmark Technical College, Denmark, SC

TENNESSEE

(Antioch) Hailey Russell, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
(Chattanooga) Crystal Ammons, Southern University Law Center Baton Rouge, LA
(Memphis) Artrae’vian Epps, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS
(Memphis) Ebenezer Nyenwe, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
(Memphis) Marissa Pittman, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
(Memphis) Tyler Finley, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
(Nashville) Reagan Hagewood, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX

TEXAS

(Abeline) Jabraisa Doss, St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX
(Austin) Kamaria Marshall, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
(Desoto) Ishmia Black, Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR
(Fort Worth) Moreen Kabuho, Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX
(Hawkins) Jhavier Law, Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX
(Houston) Kristian Salas, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
(Water Valley) Jason Bailey, St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

(St. Croix) Michael Bell, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, UVI

VIRGINIA

(Hopewell) Zakyha Jones-Walker, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC
(New Port News) Jordan D. Moody, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
(Richmond) Michael Crossley, Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA
(Suffolk) Trinity Woodson, Fisk University, Nashville, TN

WEST INDIES

(St. Kitts) Jackeima Flemming, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, UVI

WEST VIRGINIA

(Bluefield) Patrice Sterling, Bluefield State University, Bluefield, WV

WISCONSIN

(Milwaukee) Mariah Williams, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC

NBA G-League’s Texas Legends Enters Media Partnership With Urban Edge Network

By
Randall Barnes
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0

FRISCO, TX, (July 18, 2023) – The Texas Legends are proud to announce a historic new broadcasting partnership with Urban Edge Network that will allow Legends games to be streamed on the UEN digital platforms. 

Urban Edge Network (UEN) is a Black-owned media company that delivers diverse intelligence targeting – allowing UEN and the Legends to tailor the content to each consumer’s unique interests. Their unique media consumption environments and specialized creative solutions assist brands better understand and reach diverse audiences. 

The new multi-year agreement is the first of its kind for an NBA G League team as the partnership marks the first-time a Black-owned media group has become an official streaming partner of an NBA G League team. 

“Our team is excited about all this partnership means for both parties,” said Legends President Malcolm Farmer. “We’re excited to be part of the growth process for UEN and excited to provide our fanbase an upgraded viewership experience.”

The partnership was developed to build brand exposure for both companies. UEN, historically focused on HBCU broadcasts, ventures into professional sports to expand both their brand and reach. The Legends look to enhance viewership through a consistent broadcast experience while gaining new audiences through marketing efforts by both parties.

UEN will develop a specific dedicated platform solely for Legends games and fans to gain easy viewing access. 

“This partnership is our first venture outside of the HBCU space and we’re excited to grow and expand,” said Hardy L. Pelt, Founding Member/ Chief Revenue Officer of Urban Edge Network. “The Legends are the perfect team to initiate this movement. They completely understand the importance of having diverse options and the tremendous potential for brands to buy in at sincere investment levels. This changes everything!”

UEN will tipoff the broadcasts with a preseason exhibition game to be announced at a later date. The Legends will include in-arena marketing elements that will promote tune-in opportunities and encourage app downloads. The two organizations will work together on developing audiences and engraining UEN into the Legends Family.

For more information on Urban Edge Network, HBCU Plus or the Legends’ broadcasts, visit www.urbanedgenetwork.net. To learn more about partnering with the Legends, contact [email protected]. 

From The OVC To The SWAC: DB Aaron Webb On Mississippi Valley State Commitment & Putting HBCUs On The Map

By
Randall Barnes
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0

HBCUs often face an uphill fight in the battle for highly-sought after recruits and transfers. There’s a pervasive narrative that HBCU Football is less than and there’s no future that comes from the institutions that developed Jerry Rice, Steve McNair, Walter Payton and other NFL Legends. However, the narrative has shifted. A combination of the introduction of NIL (Name Image Likeness), the transfer portal, more access to football via streaming services and Deion Sanders’s two season tenure at Jackson State provided a renaissance to black college football. Top-tier athletes are once again considering our institutions and seeing the value we possess.

Enter Aaron Webb, a rising star with a relentless drive and an unwavering determination to reshape the narrative of HBCU Football. Previously, Webb was a member of the two-time OVC Champion UT Martin squad who upset #10 Missouri State in the 2021 FCS Playoffs. In this exclusive interview, we delve into Webb’s extraordinary journey from JUCO to FCS football and his vision for reshaping the landscape of HBCU football and Mississippi Valley State University.

 

Randall: Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Aaron Webb: My name is Aaron Webb, and I am from St. Louis, Missouri. In my free time, I like to paint and spend time with my family. I also enjoy maintaining my peace, whether that involves reading or simply enjoying the outdoors.

Randall: You recently committed to Mississippi Valley State University after playing two seasons at Iowa Western Community College and the University of Tennessee Martin. Tell us about your journey to where you are now.

Aaron Webb: Coming out of high school, I decided to take the JUCO Route because I wanted more exposure from bigger schools. After having a good second year at Iowa Western, I gained attention from some good schools. However, I ultimately chose UT Martin, and during my time there, I was fortunate enough to be a part of two championship teams back to back. That experience led me to where I am now!

Randall: What’s the difference between JUCO & Division I and how do you develop as a player at Iowa Western Community College?

Aaron Webb: My mindset has shifted drastically before and after Juco. The institution taught me how to be a better student in the classroom as well as a player. I aspired to be better, and I learned the game of football in a more complex way, enabling me to play fast. The only difference between JUCO and Division 1 is the accessibility of resources.

Randall: Let’s talk about your time at UT Martin! In 2021 you were a part of the OVC championship team that went 10-3, including a win over #9 ranked Jacksonville State who have since moved up to the FBS and a huge win in the FCS playoffs over #10 ranked Missouri State 32-31. Tell us about how it felt being a part of a championship squad that went the distance in the playoffs.

Aaron Webb: Being a part of that first championship was very special because we were kind of the sleeper team. Some people didn’t even think we would make it to the playoffs. It was a dream come true for me, and the overall atmosphere was exciting. We were ready to go to work every day, especially after being ranked so low.

Randall: In 2022 UT Martin won the OVC Championship again this time as co-champions with Southeastern Missouri State; you had a breakout season with 14 total tackles, including eight solo tackles and six assisted tackles, you had four tackles against #3 ranked Tennessee. Tell us about your season last year and the secret to your success.

Aaron Webb: I just want to thank God for all my success. There’s really no secret to it—I have strong faith in Him and everything He is doing and will do for me. My season last year was just a teaser of what I can do.

Randall: In the interview with Blue from The Bluebloods you said that you want to change the narrative around HBCU Football. What do you believe the narrative is around HBCU Football and how do you want to change it?

Aaron Webb: The narrative surrounding HBCU football that I believed growing up was seen as a NO-GO! Power 5 schools and even Group of 5 schools have so much money and better facilities, making them more attractive. I want to change that perception and make it normal for us to attend an HBCU, receive a great education, and play great football. I plan on becoming an HBCU legend by the time I’m done, and I want to bring my teammates along!

Randall: As a student athlete that was at UT Martin during Deion Sanders two full seasons at Jackson State, how did you feel that he impacted HBCUs? 

Aaron Webb: Deion Sanders strongly impacted HBCUs, but for me, it was more about Travis Hunter. His ability to go to any school in the country and being around my age changed my mindset on it.

Randall: What made you want to leave UT Martin and transfer to Mississippi Valley?

Aaron Webb: I had a calling, and it was time to do what is right—to continue to represent and uplift the black community and achieve success at a great HBCU.

Randall: What are you expecting for Mississippi Valley this season and what do you believe you all need to improve to bring MVSU back to its glory?

Aaron Webb: I’m expecting a sense of brotherhood, greatness from people who look like me, and positive mindsets. I anticipate a competitive culture within the organization, considering the exceptional talent we already have. I feel blessed to be a part of this organization.

Randall: Do you believe that your experience in the OVC on winning UT Martin teams will help you with Mississippi Valley and, if so, how? 

Aaron Webb: My experience in the OVC and the teams I have played against will undoubtedly translate over to Mississippi Valley. I want to bring that fire to the valley, work hard, and positively impact my teammates on and off the field. It’s contagious.

Randall: Where can we find you on social media?

Aaron Webb: You can follow me on Instagram: @__aaronwebb1 and Twitter: @_aaron7

Listen To HBCU Pulse Radio on SiriusXM Channel 142 HBCU Fridays at 5 PM EST/4 PM CST & wherever you get your podcasts! Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts!

BREAKING: Supreme Court Blocks The Biden Administration’s Student Debt Relief Plan

By
Randall Barnes
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0

After months of deliberation, the Supreme Court has ruled against the Biden Administration’s Student Debt Relief Program. Moments ago, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Biden (via the powers granted to the Secretary of Education in the 2003 HEROES Act) doesn’t have the authority to forgive student loan relief via his plan and a plan of this sort must be approved by Congress.

The Biden Administration announced in August 2022 that his administration would cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt for borrowers that make less than $125,000 or households that make less than $250,000 per year. The loan forgiveness would’ve totaled over $400 billon. President Biden in his August 25th press conference also announced that Pell Grant recipients will receive $20,000 in forgiveness. As reported by hbcupulse.com, the $20,000 in forgiveness for Pell Grant recipients would’ve overwhelmingly affected HBCU students as UNCF reports that over 70% of HBCU students are Pell-Grant eligible, with black students making up 72% of Pell Grant recipients amongst all colleges. A press release published in January by the Biden Administration presented data showing that 26 Million People in All 50 States applied or were eligible for relief.

The move drew significant conservative opposition and several legal challenges. The Biden Administration Student Loan Forgiveness program is authorized by the 2003 HEROES Act, which allows the Secretary of Education to waive/modify loans in the case of a national emergency. 

Specific verbiage from the HEROES Act is below.

MEMORANDUM OPINION FOR THE GENERAL COUNSEL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003, Pub. L. No. 108-76, 117 Stat. 904 (2003) (codified at 20 U.S.C. §§ 1098aa–1098ee) (“HEROES Act of 2003,” or “HEROES Act”), vests the Secretary of Education (“Secretary”) with expansive authority to alleviate the hardship that federal student loan recipients may suffer as a result of national emergencies. The Act provides that the Secretary may “waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to” federal student loan programs if the Secretary “deems” such actions “necessary to ensure that” certain statutory objectives are achieved. 20 U.S.C. § 1098bb(a)(1)–(2).

Republican detractors argued that the federal government doesn’t have the power for unilateral federal student loan relief. Two specific cases (Biden v. Nebraska & U.S. Department of Education v. Brown)  were heard by the Supreme Court in late February. Biden v. Nebraska was filed by six conservative-led states who argued that the Student Debt Relief Program would hurt tax revenue for their state as well as student-loan company MOHELA. MOHELA denied involvement in the case.  U.S. Department of Education v. Brown was filed by two student-loan borrowers who didn’t qualify for relief. The issue of if plaintiffs had legal standing to file both lawsuits were brought up during oral arguments. The liberal justices and conservative justice Amy Coney Barrett heavily scrutinized standing by the plaintiffs, especially surrounding the involuntary involvement of MOHELA in the Biden v. Nebraska case. The plaintiffs in both cases needed to prove that the policy would injure them and the relief would address said injuries.

Ultimately, the Supreme court ruled in U.S. Department of Education v. Brown unanimously that the plaintiffs didn’t have standing due to them not proving significant injury from the policy. However, the Supreme court found in the Biden v. Nebraska case that Missouri had standing (and not the other five states in the ruling), striking down the Loan Forgiveness Program. The conservative justices ruled ultimately that MOHELA would suffer injuries due to the Loan Forgiveness Program, although they denied involvement in the case.

The verbiage from the majority ruling opinion is below:

At least Missouri has standing to challenge the Secretary’s program. Article III requires a plaintiff to have suffered an injury in fact—a concrete and imminent harm to a legally protected interest, like property or money—that is fairly traceable to the challenged conduct and likely to be redressed by the lawsuit. Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U. S. 555, 560–561. Here, as the Government concedes, the Secretary’s plan would cost MOHELA, a nonprofit government corporation created by Missouri to participate in the student loan market, an estimated $44 million a year in fees. MOHELA is, by law and function, an instrumentality of Missouri: Labeled an “instrumentality” by the State, it was created by the State, is supervised by the State, and serves a public function. The harm to MOHELA in the performance of its public function is necessarily a direct injury to Missouri itself. The Court reached a similar conclusion 70 years ago in Arkansas v. Texas, 346 U. S. 368.

President Biden responded to the Supreme Court ruling this afternoon. In his remarks at the White House,, he revealed a new Student Debt Forgiveness plan through the Higher Education Act of 1965. One of the provisions of the act allows the Secretary of Education to authorizes the education secretary to modify, waive or compromise federal student loan under certain circumstances. In his remarks, he emphasized that this route will take longer but the administration is not giving up the fight to forgive student loans.

“This new path is legally sound,” he said. “It’s going to take longer. And in my view, it’s the best path that remains to student debt relief to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible.”

President Biden also laid out actions that the administration is taking to relieve the financial stress around federal repayment resuming in October. The actions detailed in his remarks are:

  • The Biden administration will create a temporary, 12-month “on-ramp repayment program” that will remove the threat of default for borrowers who are unable to pay their bills.
  •  The Department of Education will not refer borrowers who miss payments to credit agencies for a year
  • Modifications will be made to the REPAYE (Revised Pay As You Earn) Plan, such as reducing the amount that borrowers have to make on their monthly payments by half — from 10% of their discretionary income to 5%

The plan has to undergo a regulatory process, which could take months and would likely be finalized by Spring 2024.

Listen To HBCU Pulse Radio on SiriusXM Channel 142 HBCU Fridays at 5 PM EST/4 PM CST & wherever you get your podcasts! Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts!

Tennessee State To Launch Hockey Team, First HBCU To Do So

By
Randall Barnes
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Tennessee State University is once again making history. The Nashville based HBCU is set to formally announce via a press conference this afternoon that a hockey team will be established at the institution.

“Bringing ice hockey to Tennessee State University is a part of our continued commitment to provide our students with new opportunities and to broaden new interests in areas where they have traditionally had limited or no access,” said Tennessee State President Glenda Glover in a statement released today, “We appreciate our ongoing partnership with the Nashville Predators which has played a pivotal role in our decision to pursue this historic undertaking, of starting an ice hockey program at TSU, and the first for an HBCU. TSU has a tremendous legacy in athletics. Adding ice hockey to our programs will start a new chapter and build upon that legacy.”

Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen said, “Today is a historic day as Tennessee State University, a prestigious HBCU, collaborates with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Nashville Predators in an unprecedented partnership. TSU had been a great partner of the Predators for some time, and we are excited to help them work toward the goal of becoming the first HBCU to field a NCAA Division I college hockey team. President Glover and Dr. Allen are visionaries in their respective positions and should be lauded for continuing to build Nashville into the ultimate hockey town.”

Tennessee State conducted a feasibility study in partnership with the National Hockey League, Nashville Predators and College Hockey Inc. in 2021. A fundraising campaign was announced by Tennessee State athletics director Mikki Allen and Predators president and CEO Sean Henry to fund the men & women hockey teams. The funding is going towards the construction of an on-campus stadium, scholarships, equipment, travel and other expenses that will be incurred.

“The idea of establishing a collegiate hockey program at TSU is a tremendous opportunity as the nation’s first HBCU to take on this endeavor,” said President Glenda Glover in 2021. “This allows us to expand the sport, increase diversity, and introduce a new fan base.”

The feasibility study, as reported by ESPN NHL reporter Ryan S. Clark, concentrates on the financial impact of adding hockey to an institution’s athletics slate. The study examines if schools are able to add scholarships, the cost of adding a support staff and coaching staff as well as a conference assessment to see if the team can join a league. D1 Hockey programs compete in six conferences: Atlantic Hockey, Big 10, ECAC, Hockey East, NCHC and WCHA and the conferences houses sixty teams that are primarily located in the northeast and upper-midwest of the country. Arizona State is the only D1 Hockey program to be independent as it transitioned from a ACHA club team to a full varsity team in 2016. 

Tennessee State and the NHL’s Nashville Predators already have an established relationship after entering a partnership in January 2020 where they partnered for the “$1 Million In One Month” campaign, an initiative launched to raise aid for students in financial need. The partnership also entails internships and employment opportunities for TSU students with the Predators.

The hockey team is said to begin their inaugural season in 2024. The team will start at a club-level program but looks to achieve Division I status for both the men and women programs in the near future. Tennessee State is also in the process of hiring a Director of Club Hockey Operations to handle the day-to-day for the new team as well as fundraising, seeking corporate partnerships and recruiting student-athletes.

Tennessee State will host a press conference at the Bridgestone Arena from 3:30 PM-4:00 PM CST before the NHL draft to announce the launch of the hockey team.

Listen To HBCU Pulse Radio on SiriusXM Channel 142 HBCU Fridays at 5 PM EST/4 PM CST & wherever you get your podcasts! Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts!

GBCA Live Sessions I & II Streams Will Be Presented by HBCU Plus

By
Randall Barnes
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0

One of June’s best high school basketball events includes 300+ teams across six states

EMERSON,GA — JUNE 14, 2023 — From consensus NBA Top 3 pick Scoot Henderson to McDonald’s All American Isaiah Collier, the Georgia Basketball Coaches Association (GBCA) hosts some of the country’s best high school basketball players and teams at showcase events with college coaches every June. This year, roughly 300 teams will compete at the LakePoint Sports Champions Center as part of a two-session event that includes the National High School Basketball Coaches Association (NHSBCA) Southeast Regional on June 16-18 and the GBCA Live Session II on June 23-25 – for Georgia teams only. Thanks to a unique partnership with SUVtv and HBCU Plus, every game on Showcase Courts 5 and 8 will stream live and free-of-charge for family, fans, and college coaches that are unable to attend.

GBCA Live’s NHSBCA Southeast Regional starts on Friday, June 16 at 12pm ET and will feature some of the top teams from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Carolina. As the transfer portal continues to be a factor that affects high school recruiting – the more evaluation opportunities for high school players, the better. GBCA Live Session II will tip off at 12pm ET on June 23. Over the course of the two events, a total of 96 games will be viewable live & on demand as part of the GBCA, SUVtv, and HBCU Plus collaboration.

“The GBCA was one of the first groups to lead the charge in making the most out of June for high school teams and their players”, says Marques Burnett, Founder of SUVtv. “We’re looking forward to using our platform and the exposure HBCU Plus provides in order to showcase the process, work, and talents of players and coaches that are working towards something bigger – whether it’s a state championship down the road or college scholarships.”

HBCU Plus has provided a 24/7 platform for HBCUs while expanding the reach of other events that are near and dear to its core audience. From high school sports to celebrity and semi-professional events, the balance the platform has been able to strike has been impressive and more importantly, impactful. 

Viewers can access the GBCA Live Showcase Courts 5 & 8 streams by going to theSUVtv.com, https://watch.hbcu-plus.com/ or by downloading the HBCU Plus app available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung TV, iOS, and Android. Full game schedules are available on the NHSBCA app available on iOs and Android.

About SUVtv

As the content arm of The Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), SUVtv is an Atlanta-based broadcast and original content platform providing thousands of live streams and original content for sports audiences. The SUVtv pipeline includes over 15,000 hours of premium sports content that spans from grassroots to professional levels. For more information, visit www.theSUVtv.com 

About HBCU Plus

HBCU+ is a comprehensive source for live and on-demand coverage of athletic events, as well as other university news and highlights including homecomings, campus events, and student life. With a revamped platform that was launched two years ago, viewers are now able to enjoy an exceptional viewing experience that includes high-definition streams, enhanced viewing options and seamless mobile compatibility.

 

No, Black People & Affirmative Action Aren’t Why You Didn’t Get Into Your Desired College

By
Randall Barnes
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0

When I woke up on Saturday morning, I had every intention of taking a break. My brain was overloaded with news, and I just needed to step away for a couple of days. But in these moments, it’s crucial to log off social media completely. If you don’t, your “news break” will end prematurely, and you’ll be sucked right back into whatever hot topic is dominating the conversation. And, of course, that hot topic happened to be higher education and Affirmative Action.

An article titled “Asian-American student with 1590 SAT score rejected by 6 elite colleges blames affirmative action,” published by Fox News, caught my attention and left me perplexed. “How can this person go so far as to blame affirmative action for this? It makes no sense!” I thought to myself. Curiosity got the best of me, so I clicked on the article and read it in its entirety. Yet, even after reading it, I still couldn’t understand how someone could make such a claim.

The article focuses on Jon Wang, an 18-year-old from Florida and one of the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case “Students For Fair Admissions vs. Harvard” (Students For Fair Admissions also has a case against the University of North Carolina). Jon appears to be an exceptionally capable student, scoring 1590 out of 1600 on the SAT exams and boasting a 4.65 GPA. However, he was denied admission to all six institutions he applied to. Two of them were Ivy League institutions (Harvard & Princeton).

“The top-tier schools I applied to were MIT, CalTech, Princeton, Harvard, Carnegie-Mellon and U.C. Berkeley,” he said to Fox News host Laura Ingram.

According to Wang, he wasn’t shocked by the rejections. His guidance counselors had specifically warned him that it would be tough for him to be admitted to these “elite” schools, particularly as an Asian-American student. Frustrated by this information, Wang quickly jumped to the conclusion that he was denied admission due to Affirmative Action. He even claimed that Students For Fair Admissions informed him that black students had a higher chance of admission to these competitive institutions than Asian-American students.

Wang told Ingram. “I gave them my test scores, and then they must’ve ran the model on that… [they] told me I had a 20% chance of getting accepted to Harvard as an Asian American and a 95% chance as an African American,”

Reading that statement left me perplexed. How did he and SFFA arrive at the rationale that black people were the reason behind two problems that plague highly competitive higher education institutions: legacy admissions and the culture of inclusiveness? If anything, black applicants are even more affected by these problems.

Affirmative Action in higher education, by definition, refers to the practice of considering race and gender in the admission of students to universities. This practice was defended by the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2003 regarding the case Grutter v. Bollinger. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor stated, “We expect that 25 years from now, the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary to further the interest approved today.” Now, here we are, 20 years later. Have things improved? Is Affirmative Action still needed? Does Students For Fair Admissions have valid reasons to push for the end of Affirmative Action? And, perhaps most importantly, are black students the real problem?

Well, let’s look at the most recent statistics, courtesy of U.S. News & World Report for each institution Wang applied to.

Harvard (Ivy league)

Acceptance rate: 4%

Undergraduate enrollment: 7,153

White Students: 36%

Asian-American Students: 22%

Hispanic Students: 12%

African-American Students: 9%

California Institute of Technology

Acceptance rate: 4%

Undergraduate enrollment: 987 

Asian-American Students: 35%

White Students: 23%

Hispanic Students: 22%

African-American Students: 3%

MIT

Acceptance rate: 4%

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,638

Asian-American Students: 33%

White Students: 24%

Hispanic Students: 15%

African-American Students: 7%

Princeton (Ivy League)

Acceptance rate: 4%

Undergraduate enrollment: 5,321

White Students: 39%

Asian-American Students: 23%

Hispanic Students: 11%

African-American Students: 8%

Carnegie-Mellon

Acceptance rate: 14%

Undergraduate enrollment: 7,365

Asian-American Students: 32%

White Students: 22%

Hispanic Students: 9%

African-American Students: 4%

U.C. Berkeley

Acceptance rate: 15%

Undergraduate enrollment: 32,143

Asian-American Students: 35%

White Students: 21%

Hispanic Students: 20%

African-American Students: 2%

To me, the data from U.S. News & World Report is staggering. Asian-American students comprise the highest racial population at four of the six institutions Jon Wang applied to. Meanwhile, black enrollment at three of the four institutions (U.C. Berkeley, Carnegie-Mellon, and CalTech) didn’t even reach 5%! Even more concerning, black students represent a smaller portion of the population at two institutions with the highest acceptance rates and student enrollments. One would expect that with more students enrolled, there would be a more diverse representation, including more black students.

Getting into these universities is highly competitive, as they all have low admission rates and rigorous standards. Yet, the issue of legacy admissions isn’t emphasized in this case. Students For Fair Admissions acknowledges that legacy admission is indeed a problem and argues that ending the practice would help achieve racial diversity if Affirmative Action is also ended. But why fight to end Affirmative Action when you can directly challenge legacy admissions?

It seems that the policies and practices of Affirmative Action have done their job, as the minority population at these institutions (especially for Asian-American students) either surpasses or nearly matches the white population. However, a survey conducted in 2018 by Inside Higher Ed found that 42% of admission officers at private schools admitted that legacy status was a factor in admission decisions. Additionally, the Harvard Crimson reported findings from their survey of incoming freshmen, stating that 15.5% of applicants were legacies. If these numbers are accurate and reflective of all Ivy League institutions, they would far surpass the percentage of African-Americans admitted.

I am all for combating systemic inequity in higher education, and it’s understandable that Jon Wang’s lack of admission to those six institutions raises questions about the process. However, jumping to the conclusion that Affirmative Action should be abolished and citing black students as the determining factor is misguided. We are five years away from Justice O’Connor’s projected timeline for the end of Affirmative Action, but it seems that, just like in college, the deadline to turn in our assignment should be extended. Give us 25 more years, and we’ll get back to you.

Listen To HBCU Pulse Radio on SiriusXM Channel 142 HBCU Fridays at 5 PM EST/4 PM CST & wherever you get your podcasts! Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts!

Urban Edge Network, LLC Rebrands HBCU League Pass Plus to HBCU+

By
Randall Barnes
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0

Las Vegas , NV— Urban Edge Network, LLC, a recognized, industry leading black-owned ad-tech entertainment media company, has announced the rebranding of its streaming platform,  HBCU League Pass Plus to  HBCU+ effective immediately. The platform which showcases all forms of student activities and sporting events for historically black colleges and universities, (HBCUs), will continue to provide high quality content that celebrates the rich culture and tradition of HBCUs.

HBCU+ is a comprehensive source for live and on-demand coverage of athletic events, as well as other university news and highlights including homecomings, campus events, and student life. With a revamped platform that was launched two years ago, viewers are now able to enjoy an exceptional viewing experience that includes high-definition streams, enhanced viewing options and seamless mobile compatibility.

“We recognized that our platform was providing a lot more than just HBCU sports.”

Said Todd F. Brown, President and CEO of Urban Edge Network, LLC., “So we decided to rebrand in order to better reflect the breadth of our content.”

The platform has been growing rapidly, building a strong following and with this rebranding, HBCU+ will continue its mission to elevate HBCUs through media and storytelling, shining spotlight on the educational culture and athletic achievements. 

Fans, Students and Alumni can stream through all the major outlets: iOS, Android Play Store, Amazon Fire, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Smart TV, Android Smart TVs and Samsung

For more information, please visit www.urbanedgenetwork.net

Contact: [email protected]

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