The Griot.com 100

So I found out a few weeks ago I was named to the 2013 The Griot.com 100 list of African Americans making history today. My friend Sidmel Estes-Sumpter in Atlanta nominated me (thank you!).

These lists are cool, especially when for the next year I can brag that I am on a list with these cool people:

Kerry Washington
Judy Smith (the real Olivia Pope)
RGIII
Gabrielle Douglas
Ambassador Susan Rice
Arian Foster
Brittney Griner
Terrence J
Kendrick Lamar
Will Packer
RZA
Swizz Beatz
Ben Crump
DJ Beverly Bond
Michael Strahan
Wendy Williams
Mellody Hobson
Randall Pinkett

GREAT company to be in!

The Prez

4th Circuit Court of Appeals

We submitted part of this in a recent press release: "The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal will hold court at Dillard University to hear oral arguments on five pending cases tomorrow. The session is part of an ongoing effort to educate students and the public about the work of the appellate court. The session will convene at 10 a.m. in the Justice Revius O. Ortique Jr. Mock Trial Center. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal Judges Dennis Bagneris, Terri Love and Madeleine Landrieu will hear the oral arguments."

This was first done in 2011 and now brought back as we are ramping up our pre law program.

 

To ensure that this is a meaningful experience, Judge Terri Love met with a group of students last week to preview tomorrow's activities. Judge Love is part of our pre-law advisory group and coordinated the hearings on campus.

 



The students are excited about the upcoming event, and we will also have local high school students participate.

The Prez

Bleu Devil Classic

As a part of our rivalry with Xavier University, we held our Bleu Devil Classic. XU got us twice, so we owe them in a big way. Hopefully we can steal a couple over at their new home this month.

 

The games are important, but it was great to receive scholarship support as well. The Hobley family has done a great job and we're very appreciative of their support.

The Prez

Billy Ray Hobley Gala

Last Friday we held the Billy Ray Hobley Gala, created about 5 years ago by the family of former Globetrotter Billy Ray Hobley, a Dillard graduate. This was an initiative to raise funds for athletics as well as recognize current and former athletes.

 

 

Our alumni awardees distinguished themselves with their athletic prowess. Douglas Evans was able to attend the even and shared words with the audience.

 

Our student recipienet was Jordan Kilson, a sophomore from Los Angeles. He was grateful for the support of the Hobley family. The event continues to grow and is doing well.

The Prez

The Poverty Tour

We celebrated the King Holiday by hosting Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West with 800+ of our closest friend. They have begun a tour to continue to raise the issue of poverty, with the goal of trying to convince the President to hold a major address on the issue of poverty, and then convene a forum at the White House for further action.

While both have been under fire for pushing the president on these issues, the audience agreed that poverty is a major issue in our community. Both powerfully articulated their case to make poverty a majr issue.

It was a stimulating conversation and everyone was engaged. Loking forward to more events like this in the future.


The Prez

4 Events 4 King

We're about to host 4 big events on campus around the King holiday. I hope those of you in the area will come out to one of these if not all:

Friday, 6:30 p.m., Lawless Chapel. A Martin Luther King Jr Jazz Concert, sponsored by the Jazz & Heritage Foundation.

Sunday, 3 p.m., Lawless Chapel. City of New Orleans Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service, with Rev. John Bernard Wingate preaching.

Monday, 7 p.m., Lawless Chapel. The Poverty Manifesto Lecture by Tavis Smiley and Cornel West. Booksigning to follow.

Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Georges Auditorium. Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Peace Convocation and Awards, featuring Melissa Harris Perry, William Jelani Cobb, and Justice Bernette Johnson.



The Prez

Smiley & West at Dillard. January 21st. 7 p.m.