I write this letter on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an larger than life icon of epic proportions. Dr. King changed the world through his fearless leadership and unwavering hope at what life could be after the tumultuous times of the Jim Crow era. We often forget to mention many things about Dr. King. One often forgotten fact about Dr. King is that he was a heavy proponent of economic empowerment. A few weeks before his death he gave a fiery speech in support of black people getting reparations and speaking against the systemic inequities that white communities benefit from.

An even more glossed over aspect of Dr. King’s life is that he’s an HBCU graduate. Dr. King attended Morehouse College, in which he enrolled at the age of 15. He grew into the leader that we know today on the campus of Morehouse. He pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. He made the call in 1947, a year before graduating, to accept his calling as a preacher of the gospel. He was only 18. Dr. King would’ve been trailblazing no matter where he went or what he did. Morehouse set the foundation for him though. It gave him an outlet to hone his talents and sharpen his philosophies, pushing him to the heights of eternal glory.

This MLK Day, Bennett College faces an existential crisis. Bennett, the sister institution of Morehouse, has been charged with the lofty goal of raising $5 million dollars by February 1st to maintain its accreditation and keep its doors open. You would expect for the $5 million dollars to be raised in a matter of days. In this politically charged time, you’d expect for there to be an overwhelming wave of support to keep a safe space for black women such as Bennett College open. Yet, things have been awfully silent. The Belle’s have rallied. Brooke Kane, Miss Bennett College, has sounded the alarm amongst the HBCU student community. Jada Brown, Miss North Carolina Agricultural & Mechanical University, sparked a movement to sequester Ebony Magazine to shine media attention on Bennett College. Yet, things have still been relatively quiet.

Quiet is a relative term. There have been articles about the issue. As you’ve probably seen, we here at HBCU Pulse have been on top of this story since December. We’ve worked hand-in-hand with Brooke to get the word out about donating to Bennett College in this time of crisis. Pages like HBCU Pride Nation, HBCU Grad, HBCU Alum, HBCU Startups, Delta Fierce and several others have shown their unwavering support for Bennett. Several media interviews have been conducted with Bennett President Phyllis Dawkins. I know you have to be thinking, “How have things been quiet?” One sector of the black community has been speaking out, especially in recent weeks. What about our celebrities?

Black celebrities drive the conversation of this nation. If Beyonce dropped an album tonight she’d be the #1 trending topic on Twitter. A 58-minute interview with Soulja Boy on The Breakfast Club garnered 3.8 million views in a day. We drive the narrative on social media. Why haven’t we forced the mainstream to support Bennett College? Often times I wonder if these celebrities even know that Bennett is in this crisis. I spoke with Regina Martin, one of my friends and a mass communications peer, and she said something that really made me think. How would these celebrities and dignitaries know that Bennett is in this crisis? How would they know Bethune-Cookman is close to this same end as well? How are they getting their news?

DONATE TO BENNETT COLLEGE

HTTP://WWW.BENNETT.EDU/STANDWITHBENNETT/

We are a week and a few days removed from February 1st. It’s time to take extreme measures. We must hold our black celebrities accountable in their positions of prestige and power. Tom Joyner is retiring from radio at the end of this year. He’s been one of the biggest advocates for HBCU’s that we’ve ever. Period! What happens when we lose that valuable, daily national voice? Who picks up for him in his immediate absence? Looking at how the Bennett situation has been handled in the media, who really knows?

On February 4, 1968, Dr. King gave a speech that’s called the “Drum Major Instinct”. That’s why Dr. King is often called the “Drum Major For Justice”. Drums are instruments that emmitt a loud sound when it’s struck. On this MLK day, we must beat the drum to push for their to be more support of Bennett College. We must keep her doors open. We must protect this safe space. We must continue to beat the drum. That’s what Dr. King would’ve done. That’s what he would’ve wanted, as a proud Morehouse alumnus. We must continue to beat the drum!

I call on these celebrities to donate or, at the very least, call on their fans/followers to donate to Bennett College!

• Beyonce & Jay Z (The Carters)
• Chance The Rapper
• Charlamagne Tha God
• Charles Barkley
• Diddy (Howard)
• DJ Envy (Hampton)
• Wanda Sykes (Hampton)
• Taraji P. Henson (NCAT/Howard)
• Common (FAMU)
• Will Packer (FAMU)
• Rob Hardy (FAMU)
• Erykah Badu (Grambling)
• Ruben Studdard (Alabama A&M)
• David Banner (Southern University)
• Terrence J (NCAT)
• Yolanda Adams (Texas Southern)
• Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State)
• Marquette King (FVSU)

Feel free to add more celebrities to this list and let’s contact them one-by-one to see what they can do to help us with this movement. It’s a long shot but you don’t make the shots you don’t take. We must be fearless and continue to fight for change the same way that Dr. King did.

 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

HTTP://WWW.BENNETT.EDU/STANDWITHBENNETT/

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

Stand With Bennett

January 13, 2019

To whom it may concern,

I am Brooke Ashley Kane, a graduating senior, Political Science major, hailing from Upper Marlboro, Maryland and I serve as the 39th Miss Bennett College for the 2018-2019 academic school year.

On December 11, 2018, Bennett College received the news that during the annual meeting of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that Bennett College will be removed from its SACSCOC membership. Our 18th President, Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, announced that we needed $5 million for an appeal. We are in need of the $5 million dollars because we may lose our accreditation, and the thought that the Land of Black Girl Magic – a safe haven for many girls who attend the institution – may close, puts great fear in our hearts and minds. As a result, Bennett began a social media campaign called “Stand with Bennett” to raise the necessary funds and promote awareness on a global scale to conserve our Oasis.       

Donate to bennett college

http://www.bennett.edu/standwithbennett/

In 1873, Bennett College was started in the Warnersville Methodist Episcopal Church, presently known as St. Matthews United Methodist Church, by seventy young men and women whose focus was on Elementary and Secondary level studies. By 1878, a group of emancipated slaves purchased the present site of the institution and in 1926, the Women’s Home Missionary Society as well as the Board of Education of the Church, decided to make Bennett College of Greensboro, North Carolina, a college formally for Women. For over 150 years, Bennett Belles have made a consistent impact within their community and the world. Even today, Bennett College is preparing young girls to be educated, productive, well informed citizens and most essentially, to become phenomenal women in their own right and on their own terms.

The bell is our beloved icon, the formal representation of our prestigious institution. Belles are compelling, and their profound ringing has brought communities together. As Bennett Belles, we hold ourselves to a higher standard, a code of morals and ethics and we ensure that our ringing voices are heard, not only for the sisterhood at Bennett but in the world that we expect to make a valuable difference in. Our Belle Creed teaches every Belle that strength, wisdom, and compassion are our gifts.

A Bennett Belle is a phenomenal woman and she is a leader shaped for the future.

We ask that Ebony Magazine and the Ebony HBCU Campus Queens Competition supports Bennett College and myself, and allow us to claim a place in the magazine while standing with Bennett. This grand opportunity could possibly grant donations to Bennett, generate more publicity and most importantly, bring the chance to sprinkle a little more magic for current and future Belles to come.  

Always Historically Ringing,

Brooke A. Kane

The 39th Miss Bennett College

Today is a very important day. If you missed it yesterday there was a call to action for Ebony magazine to support Bennet College by Jada Brown, who serves as Miss North Carolina A&T University, and her fellow campus queens in support of Bennett College and fellow sister queen Brooke Kane. Brooke reigns as Miss Bennett for the current scholastic year and is vying to be an Ebony Campus Queen, while also leading the charge to raise $5 million dollars for Bennett to maintain its accreditation. You can watch Jada’s call to action below in its entirety.

Yesterday on the HBCU Pulse Instagram page I found that several of my posts in support of Jada’s stand were taken down out of nowhere! I’m not on my conspiracy theorist swag because iPhones trip from time to time. So, I wanted to use today to stand in support of Jada in her push to get Brooke recognized and to raise money for Bennett College. I want to weigh in. I’m preferencing everything I’m saying after this by saying that this is how I feel as Randall Barnes, Founder of HBCU Pulse. My views don’t represent any other member or Ambassador of HBCU Pulse but we all collectively defend and support Bennett!

I’m going to be 100% honest. I’ve never liked or been in support of the Ebony Campus Queen Competition. I’ve been in support of the various young women (and kings this year) vying for a spot in the magazine. I felt as if Ebony was using this competition to drive clicks and views to the website. I saw several queens such as Imani Cooper (Miss FAMU), Janese Bibbs (Miss Albany State) and Brooke pushing to be featured in the magazine. I knew I wanted to do something to help! So, I started the daily takeovers. It started with Janese taking over for the Albany State Sigma Probate but became what it was after Jada took over for the Celebration Bowl!

I started the takeovers in direct response to what I saw from the Ebony campaigning. I saw that the Kings and Queens were vying for spots in the magazine so their institutions could be recognized and their platforms they campaigned on in their school elections could be heard around the nation. Personally, I don’t think we need Ebony to tell our story. We don’t need Ebony to give you national exposure. We can give you national exposure here at HBCU Pulse! I can’t speak for the other HBCU pages but I know they can as well and many of us have the same following (if not more) than Ebony!

Our queens and kings are worth more than a picture on a magazine. They have real stories and stand for real causes. They have talents, aspirations and goals. They’re real people! Our kings and queens aren’t here to boost your numbers and SEO ranking! If you are a black magazine you gotta promote HBCU’s 25/8. It isn’t hard. Man, it’s a benefit. As they can see from the competition, their numbers grow more!

I actually did some research into Ebony Magazine. I didn’t like what I found, especially seeing why we’re upset at them. I need for all HBCU Students to pay attention. All the queens, especially in the competition, need to listen up! In June of 2016 Ebony got new ownership. A company called “Clearview” bought them and changed the name to “Ebony Media”. Ebony became a digital only publication in 2014 with the Ebony Campus Queen competition starting in 2012.

“We are excited about the future of Ebony Media and the opportunity to position the enterprise for long term growth. Our team has a true understanding of the Ebony brand as well as its legacy, and is committed to providing its audience with premium content across all media platforms,” said Michael Gibson, CEO of the African American-owned Clear View Group and new chairman of Ebony Media.

Did y’all peep that? Clear View is an African-American owned company. Let’s take a look at the heads of Clear View! You’ll find something very interesting

But, there’s something even more interesting about Ms. Elizabeth Burnett who is a senior level executive at Clearview. Check out her bio:

“Since her undergraduate years at Texas Southern University, Elizabeth has resided in Houston, TX, where she enjoys sports and spending time with her family and friends.”

Wait. So, there’s a TXSU alumnae in senior level administration at Clear View and there’s been nothing about Bennett College? For real? Not even a running ad on the voting pages reminding people to donate? Nothing? The point of it all is this: Jada and the Queens are right to take a stand and demand that Ebony and Clear View spotlight Bennett College. We don’t need the “special feature queen” thing either. We need for Brooke to be prominently featured in that magazine. The queens have generated a whole bunch of free publicity for Ebony. Even out of their own pockets! They deserve to demand whatever they want from Ebony/Clearview.

Oh, and everybody telling Jada and other Queens that they’re losing an oppourtunity and “you don’t know who you’ll meet at Ebony”, y’all are dead wrong! Jada and the other queens are not doing this for clout. What God has for them is for them. Plus, have you seen their social media followings? Jada has 6,000+ followers. She’s getting a psychology degree this semester from one of the top HBCU’s in the nation. I don’t think she needs to kiss up to Ebony/Clearview executives for a shot. She’s gotten this far. The same goes for all the other HBCU Queens. Clearly, they’re doing something right. You can’t go on IG without seeing a promotion for an Ebony Campus Queen campaign.Even moreso, we’re here for them. I’m here. Pulse is here! Online black media outlets that unapologetically serve HBCUs are here. We don’t need them!

I hope this helps in pushing the situation forward and I hope that maybe Clearview/Ebony will hear out the Queens moving forward. We all make mistakes and missteps. We can give them a chance to make things right. Maybe Brooke and Bennett will get recognition and the competition will get needed changes going into the end of 2019. But, while we wait for that, HBCU Pulse is here! We are the heart of HBCU Student life! We got you! Stay tuned to what we have in store. We’ve been supporting Bennett and will continue to support Bennett during this crisis but also after.

Donate to Bennett

http://www.bennett.edu/standwithbennett/