Giving Thanks

Since 2009 we have hosted college students for Thanksgiving dinner, knowing that many can't go home for Thanksgiving. So this year was our 4th at Dillard.

We ended up with 12 students and 2 young alums, the bulk of the group from California. Even year we also host our non-biological daughter Carmela who was a freshman at Philander Smith when we started this tradition, so she has been to all of them.

Lots of good food and fellowship- one of the best days of the year for my family.

The Prez

Talking about Black Colleges on Black radio

Had a great time this morning at WBOK radio with host Warren Bell as the 3 New Orleans HBCU leaders chopped it up discussing our schools, college choices for students, politics, financing college, etc. I hung out with the Chancellor of SUNO, Dr. Victor Ukpolo, and the president of Xavier, Dr. Reynold Verret. We were just together yesterday for another meeting, and we are all in the same athletic conference as well.

Would be great if we did this quarterly- I enjoyed it.

One of the things that I think is unique about New Orleans is that we have our own HBCU center with Dillard, Xavier and SUNO. While not in the same proximity as the AUC in my hometown, we are all about 10 minutes from each other. So having these 3 schools in this city I think is a plus for us. And we all have different strengths which I believe benefit the city.

The Prez

Thanks to #PHI444 Guest MCs (moved the class)

Thanks to these great folks who visited with my class on hip hop, sex, gender and ethical behavior this fall:

Bakari Kitwana, author, "The Hip Hop Generation"-- helped us understand hip hop history after we went to see the movie "Straight Outta Compton"

Dr. Karen Dill Shackelford, media professor, Claremont Graduate School-- she testified before Congress in the Imus aftermath; helped us understand media as culture.

Dr. Monica Miller, religion professor, Lehigh University-- discussed the idea of new black godz and hip hop's God complex

David Banner, rapper and activist-- discussed how Black people have been programmed, so how do we reprogram to love ourselves and see the God in each other

Big KRIT, rapper-- discussed his values and why we need to hear a variety of voices

Dee-1, New Orleans hometown hero rapper-- made us think about why positive lyrics can get banned

Karrine Steffans, NY Times best selling author-- made us question why women can't tell their stories like the men can, or why no one protects women when male rappers use their actual names in songs

Rajul Punjabi, journalist-- explored the idea of cultural appropriation

Carolina Dirty, South Carolina MC and member of group Heresy-- you need to watch this video for their song "Da Call Out" and ask how do we get MORE hip hop like this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SJJ0076bx4
Lady Leshurr, UK rapper-- helped us talk about differences between America and UK for rap and why she wants to be valued based on her flow and not her appearance.


These folks made for a GREAT semester. Working now to line up new MCs for spring 2016.

The Prez

Senator Cassidy visits political science class

Last week Senator Bill Cassidy visited campus and spoke with a political science class. He engaged them in a good conversation about a variety of issues, even acknowledging potential ideological differences, but committed to engaging his constituents, which is great. I believe the students benefitted greatly, and it is always good for elected officials to engage their constituents.

The Prez

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

First kid born in US commemorating the election of Barack Obama. Benjamin was born election day at 2:35pm.

The Prez

Inaugurations!

Last Friday I attended 2 inaugurations in one day. Started off the morning at Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, where Dr. Everett Ward is president. He is also my fraternity brother whom I have known for years.

 

Then I drove almost 2 hours to Winston-Salem State where Dr. Elwood Robinson is president. Dr. Robinson has really embraced social media as part of his strategy. So it was a hectic day but I wanted to be part of these events.

 

The Prez