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| Black Academic Prodigy Chooses HBCU Over Harvard, Stanford, Cornell and 40 Other Elite Universities "I believe Florida A&M is unlike any other college in the world just because of the HBCU experience here: the step shows, the band, the night life. It's all unique. When it comes down to it, the family feeling - I didn't feel that at other institutions because I visited a lot of schools. And this is the only one [where] I felt like I was part of something larger." Ralph Jones, Jr., 16 year-old prodigy | |
Flawed Attacks on the HBCU Idea by Dr. Ibram Rogers, October 18, 2010  | | Dr. Ibram Rogers |
Ralph Jones Jr., a 16-year-old academic prodigy from Atlanta, recently shocked some Americans when they learned that he choose to enroll at historically Black Florida A&M University instead of Harvard, Stanford, Cornell and more than 40 other elite traditionally White institutions. Critical questions and comments were ringing in public forums. Why would this African-American choose a historically Black college over an Ivy League school? Does he not know the Ivy League road is better paved and lit up for him to travel quickly to economic security? "I would have picked Harvard, hands down!" wrote one commenter on The Root, which interviewed Jones about his decision. "There is too much competition and to have the Harvard name and prestige, it's priceless! FAMU is a good school, but regardless of the family feeling you go to college to better yourself and your chances for employment." Other respondents on The Root, usually members of the HBCU family, defended Jones and applauded his choice. This debate came on the heels of a heated national argument as to the mission of HBCUs, tossed into the public discourse by Wall Street Journal editorial board member Jason Riley in late September. Riley, an African- American, responded in a WSJ editorial to President Barack Obama's pledge earlier in the month to invest $850 million in HBCUs over the next decade. HBCUs were necessary when African-Americans could not attend most historically White colleges and universities (HWCUs), Riley contends. But now since there is "no shortage of traditional colleges willing to give Black students a chance" and the vast majority of African-Americans are choosing HWCUs, "Black colleges are at a crossroads," he writes. Riley says the SAT scores of students at the "better Black schools - Howard, Spelman, Morehouse" still "lag behind those at decent state schools like the University of Texas at Austin." He also cited the low graduation rates at HBCUs and a study by two economists who lamented about a "substantial wage penalty" for attending HBCUs. Finally, he urged President Barack Obama to consolidate uneconomically small Black colleges, bring in for-profit entities to manage other schools and downgrade others to community colleges. Many academics challenged Riley and this old attack on the HBCU idea, which HBCUs have combated since the late 1960s. His piece, "Black Colleges Need a New Mission," was the latest in a seemingly upsurge of condemnation towards the supposed worthlessness of HBCUs, propelled by "post-racial" and "race-neutral" mythology. None of the critical responses to Riley's column (and his growing contingent of powerful supporters) could compare in impact with the public decision made by Ralph Jones Jr. Words move people, but actions are idea-shattering. And Jones shattered Riley's ideas, which were already fragile. By choosing FAMU - one of the nation's finest HBCUs - over the country's most elite and heralded White institutions, he declared to the world that an HBCU is better for me than anything any elite traditionally White college and university has to offer. Why did he choose FAMU? Because of its top engineering program, which is "one of the best, if not the best, in the state," he told The Root. And, he said, "I believe Florida A&M is unlike any other college in the world just because of the HBCU experience here: the step shows, the band, the night life. It's all unique. When it comes down to it, the family feeling - I didn't feel that at other institutions because I visited a lot of schools. And this is the only one [where] I felt like I was part of something larger." From the available knowledge, students generally choose schools based on two reasons. They choose the school that is going to best prepare them and provide the most opportunities for their post-college career to build economic capital. And students assess what schools will best provide them with the opportunities to develop their social selves and build social and cultural capital - schools where they feel at home away from home. So why are HBCUs still needed? For many African-Americans, they provide that unmatched social and cultural atmosphere and a good academic experience. We need to supply demographically focused (though not exclusionary) schools like HBCUs with the same funds that the elite schools receive. Censuring HBCUs for their supposed academic follies compared with the Ivies and research institutions is like an employer censuring underpaid workers for not performing as well as the overpaid employees. Obama's pledge is something but it's not nearly enough to erase the historic funding gap (and wealth gap between African-Americans and Whites) that directly has led and will continue to lead, in most instances, to the academic gap. Yet, despite the gap, why are HBCUs not at a crossroads? Riley and his supporters only need to ask the new FAMU Rattler and the thousands of other African-Americans who every year spurn the Ivies for HBCUs. Dr. Ibram H. Rogers is a postdoctoral fellow at Rutgers University. He is on leave as an assistant professor of African-American history at SUNY College at Oneonta. Visit his personal blog "The Progressive Corner" at progressivecorner.wordpress.com. |
| The Documentary Beyond the Bricks Hits Chicago 10-City Educational Tour Huge Success | | | Recently Added to the Panel Discussion:
Rhymefest AKA Che Smith 
- Mr. Salim Muwakkil, Senior Editor, In These Times
- Dr. Cathy Cohen, Professor of Political Science & founder of The Black Youth Project, University of Chicago; author of Democracy Remixed: Black Youth and the Future of American Politics
- Dr. Waldo E. Johnson, Jr., School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago; editor of Social Work with African American Males: Health, Mental Health, and Social Policy.
- Mr. Bryan Echols, Executive Director, MAGIC Inc.
- Shayne Evans, Director of the University of Chicago Woodlawn Charter School
- Mr. Jonathan Lykes, Black Youth Project Blogger, University of Chicago Undergraduate Student
- Mr. Trevor Wilkins, Youth Filmmaker, Princeton Undergraduate Student
Saturday October 30th, 2010
University of Chicago
International House
1414 East 59th Street · Chicago, IL 60637 The Beyond the Bricks project looks to be a driving force for social change, especially in the communities where our boys are most vulnerable, by creating a grass-roots debate that challenges all the stake-holders; educators, parents, policy makers, community members & the children themselves, to examine their roles as role models and community citizens. The Project will bring together students, educators, community groups & policy makers to promote positive communication, and to create solution-driven actions
around the problems black male students and their communities are facing. If you would like to register for the Community Engagement Workshop for Chicago CLICK HERE |
| Peter Cunningham, a Blues Man and a Friend of The Black Star Project, Returns to Chicago to Promote Parental Participation in Education | | | |
"Take a Black Male to Worship Day" Sweeps the Country On Sunday, Novmeber 21, 2010, if your faith-based institution is not inviting, embracing and supporting young Black males, WHY NOT? You have plenty time to organize a successful "Take a Black Male to Worship Day." Call Bruce at 773.285.9600 to register. | | Take a young Black man to worship at your church, mosque, temple, synagogue or place of worship in your home town. 
The Black Star Project's Million Father Movement is partnering with the most dynamic force in the Black community--the Black church. Black churches, mosques, temples and synagogues across the country are working together on "Take a Black Male to Worship Day," Sunday, November 21, 2010. Faith-based institutions throughout America are participating in this event. We are especially asking fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, mentors, deacons, trustees, male choir members, significant male caregivers and family friends to join The Black Star Project in this movement. Women and men of all ethnicities are also encouraged to "Take a Black Male to Worship Day." Please email blackstar1000@ameritech.net or call Bruce Walker at 773.285.9600 to bring this effort to your city, to receive a complete organizing kit or for guidance concerning this event. Participating faith-based institutions will be listed in our national directory. The churches listed below have participated in The Black Star Project's "Take a Black Male to Worship Day" initiative in the past or will participate in the future. If your faith institution is not participating, why not? City Name of Church or Association Pastor or Representative Bloomfield, Michigan St. Paul Community Christian Church Pastor Venise Robertson
Buffalo, New York Zion Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Gregory Brice
Calumet Park, IL Pioneer Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Preston R. Winfrey
Chattanooga, TN New Hope M.B Church Pastor Wayne L. Johnson
Chicago, Illinois Original Providence Baptist Church Rev. Cleophus J. Lee
Chicago, Illinois Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church Rev. Patrick l. Daymond
Chicago, Illinois Pastors of the Englewood Community Apostle Ulyesses Ruff, Sr.
Chicago, Illinois Gospel Temple Church of God and Christ Elder Sidney Grandberry
Chicago, Illinois True Vine of Holiness Missionary Baptist Rev. Dr. Henderson Hill
Chicago, Illinois Cathedral Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Otis L. Anderson Jr.
Chicago. Illinois God Seed Ministries Pastor Glenn Bone
Chicago, Illinois Gifts of God Ministries Church Pastor John Chisum
Chicago, Illinois Cathedral of Love Church Rev. Daniel Allen
Chicago, Illinois Inspirational Deliverance C.O.G.I.C. Evangelist Shirley Hughes
Chicago, Illinois New Memorial Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Roosevelt Walker, Jr.
Chicago, Illinois St. Mark Church Rev. Ed Harris
Chicago, Illinois ABBA Church of Renewal Faith Rev. Sharyon Cosey
Chicago, Illinois Stone Temple Baptist Church Rev. Derrick M. Fitzpatrick
Chicago, Illinois New Pentecostal House of Glory Pastor Lafayette E. Young Sr.
Chicago, Illinois By Faith M.B. Church Pastor Bennie McClain
Chicago, Illinois Christ Lives in Me Ministries Pastor Tyrone Johnson
Chicago, Illinois St. Mark Lutheran Church Rev. Lawrence J. Clark
Chicago, Illinois New LandMark Church Pastor Cy Fields
Chicago, Illinois Divine Church Pastor C.E. Watkins
Chicago. Illinois Mighty God Tabernacle Bishop Michael Carter
Chicago, Illinois Appointed Heirs Outreach Pastor Edward Anderson
Chicago, Illinois New Joy M.B. Church Minister Lynda Gathing
Chicago, Illinois New Memorial Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Roosevelt Walker, Jr.
Chicago, Illinois Resurrection UMC Rev. Dwayne, L. Grant
Chicago, Illinois New Pentecostal House of Glory Pastor Lafayette E. Young Sr. Chicago, Illinois Destiny Empowerment Ministries Rev. Cynthia Walker
Cleveland, Ohio St. James AME Church Mr. Steven Sims
Columbia, Missouri St. Luke UMC Rev. Raymond Hayes
Columbia, Missouri Russell Chapel CME Rev. Karen Walker-McClure Columbia, Missouri Bahai Faith of Columbia, Missouri Tyree S. O. Byndom
Columbia, Missouri Chosen Generation Ministries Reverend Lorenzn
Detroit, Michigan Liberty Baptist Church Rev. Steve Bland
Detroit, Michigan New Trinity of Galilee M.B. Church Pastor Mona Lisa McCaskell
Dolton, Illinois Cornerstone Christian Church Pastor Edward Crayton
Dolton, Illinois Voice For God Ministries Pastor Jerie Neal
Dolton, Illinois Crusaders Outreach Reformation Ministry Rev. Michael Frazier
Elgin, Illinois Breeding Saints Global Church Bishop Kendrick Scales
Green Bay, WI Divine Temple GOGIC Pastor Lesky C. Green
Harvey, Illinois First Wesley Academy UMC Rev. Charles Woolery
High Point, N.C. Temple Memorial Baptist Church Rev. Thomas A. Bannister
Indianapolis, IN Covenant Fellowship M.B Church Pastor J.P. Smith
Kansas City, Kansas Cross Roads Christian Cathedral Pastor P. T. Hood
Los Angeles, Calif. Higher Order of Discipline Ministries De'Niece Williams
Los Angeles, Calif. Second AME Church Pastor John E. Cager, III
Mansfield, Texas Kyev Tatum Ministries Pastor Kyev Tatum
Mooresville, N. C. St. Paul United Methodist Church Rev. Donald McCoy
Muskegon, Michigan Holy Trinity Institutional C.O.G.I.C. Rev. Bishop Wells, Jr.
New Bern, N. C. Bethel Wold Prayer Fellowship, Inc. Rev. James Heath
New Rochelle, N.Y. Bridge Street AME Church Rev. Valerie E. Cousin
New York, New York True Vine Christian Academy Minister Michelle Quick
Rockford, Illinois Liberty Baptist Church Rev. Herbert Johnson, Jr.
Springfield, Illinois Love Deliverance Evangelistic Church Pastor/Founder C.C. Doss
Trenton, new Jersey Grant AME Chapel Rev. Vernon R. Byrd, Jr. Esq. Wilmington, Delaware Latter Day Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Wayne S. Miles
Please ask your faith leader to ensure that your faith-based institution participates in this event. If you wish to participate in or lead the effort in your city or in your congregation on Sunday, November 21, 2010, (or your day of worship near this date), please call Bruce Walker at 773.285.9600 for an organizing kit and to register or email blackstar1000@ameritech.net. Those who want to educate their children rather than wait for others to educate their children should join The Black Star Project in this effort at 773.285.9600 or visit our educational programs at www.blackstarproject.org. |
| Come join the supporters of The Black Star Project at a live radio broadcast on Saturday, November 13, 2010, or listen live at WVON 1690am in Chicago or stream by clicking here anywhere in the world. | | | 
| Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Presents a Youth Law Conference | | | Saturday, October 30, 2010 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm at Christ The King Preparatory High School 5088 West Jackson Chicago, Illinois Please call 312.523.9288 for more information
|
Join Us for a Business Luncheon The Black Star Project is inviting Black businesses and Black executives, vice presidents, directors, managers, accountants, lawyers, real estate brokers, bankers, construction contractors, retailers, sales associates, or other business people to learn about and to support the work of The Black Star Project. | | | Lunch at
The Black Star Project Wednesday, November 17, 2010 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm 3509 South King Drive Chicago, Illinois  
Please RSVP to Jami by
Monday, November 15, 2010 at 773.285.9600. | Click on links below for more information about the great programs of The Black Star Project | | For more information on our other programs and how you can get involved, click on these links below or please call 773.285.9600: | | | | | |
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