D.J's Music Site Forum

Four alumnus of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) received their medial degrees from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences this graduation season.

One of the medical graduates were Dr. Randall Walker, a 2010 UAPB graduate decided to go into medicine after having witnessed firsthand the many health disparities citizens faced when he was a child. His decision became more firm during his teenage years when his maternal grandmother passed away from cancer.

"It was at that time I decided that I wanted to make a difference in the lives other through health care," Dr. Randall Walker said. "The summer of my freshman year, my decision to choose medicine as solidified when I was accepted in the Summer Medical Dental Education Program (SMDEP) at Howard University. It was there I witnessed firsthand how physicians can positively impact not only the patient's physical and mental health but social, emotional, and spiritual health as well."

Dr. Walker received his medical degree from the UAMS this semester with a specialty in family medicine. He is currently pursuing his Master's degree in Public Health from UAMS and attributes his success in medical school to his experiences at UAPB.

Dr. Walker is also former Student Government Association President (2009-2010) and plans to pursue Family Medicine with plans to possibly fellowship in Adolescent medicine upon receiving his MPH in December this year.

Another UAPB Alumni that received their medical degree from UAMS this graduation season is Dr. Kristopher Stepps, a 2007 graduate. The Pine Bluff native has been admitted to the LSU School of Business Executive MBA program. After earning his MBA, Dr. Stepps will pursue residency training in Family Medicine.

Dr. Stephen Broughton, II, a 2011 graduate and Pine Bluff native. He is a third generation physician behind his father and uncle, who are also UAPB/AM&N and UAMS gradutes. His specialty is in Internal Medicine.

and last by not least Dr Barbara Johnson, a 2010 graduate and a Chicago native. She will be the first doctor in her family specializing in Pediatrics. Dr. Johnson was hooded by her husband, Dr. Roderick Johnson, who is an ER resident and 2014 UAMS graduate.

Three HBCUs have top the Top 10 Colleges Doing Right By Kids list conducted by Kipp.org.

Kipp.org featured 10 colleges and universities which includes three HBCUs, that are leading the way in supporting first-generation and low-income college students. These institutions are large and small, public and private, urban and rural. According to Kipp.org, they all have a deep commitment to providing  students with a meaningful college experience, and helping them ultimately make it to graduation day.

The three HBCUs that were highlighted were the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for Pre-Orientation Summer Programs, Dillard University for On-Campus Support Systems and Spelman College for Graduation rates.

According to Kipp.org, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas was highlighted for Pre-Orientation Summer Programs.

For first-generation students, entering college can be a challenge transition. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers Learning Institute and Opportunities for New Students (LIONS) summer program to help incoming students adjust to college life. Participants move into a residence hall on campus over the summer. During the program, they meet fellow freshman and UAPB faculty, take English and algebra classes, attend tutoring and academic enrichment sessions, and participate in "College Knowledge" workshops and seminars. At the end of the program, they attend UAPB's general freshman orientation with a head start.

For many first-generation college students, college can feel like a "sink or swim" environment. Dillard University proactively helps first-year students navigate the school's support system. All first-year academic support programs are housed under the Academic Center for Excellence, so that a student only has to go to one place to get help with everything from managing personal challenges to navigating academic struggles. Dillard also assesses incoming students' college preparedness and their individual concerns - like social-emotional issues or affordability - then alerts specific departments that a particular student may need their support. Finally, Dillard places students with similar academic interest in "learning communities," so that they are surrounded by peers who are exploring the same majors and taking the same classes.

The third HBCU which was highlighted was Spelman College located in Atlanta, Georgia for their Graduation Rates.

If a first-generation or low-income student attends a school with high graduation rates for students like them, they're far more likely to graduate themselves. Spelman College boasts a 76 percent six-year average graduation rate - that's the highest graduation rate of any Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the country. Spelman also enrolls the largest number of black female recipients of the Gates Millennium Scholarship - a program for students with financial need - of any institution in the U.S. Knowing this, college advisors can encourage students who are interested in HBCUs to consider Spelman a top choice.

Congratulations to these illustrious HBCU institutions on excelling academic excellence and making the list in being highlighted for achieving historically. Way to take your campus to the next level!

Check out a weekly video series called "On The Yard SU". This series brings you the all the latest news and story lines around Southern University and A&M College located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The series is co-directed/co-produced by Perry White and Garrett Edgerson of DaEdge1Productions. Perry White also serves as host of the series.

You can watch their weekly series videos by viewing their YouTube Channel here.

Watch this weeks video featuring the Southern University Alumni Home Chapter Crawfish Boil & Music Festival below:

As we celebrate Bethune-Cookman University as our May 2015 HBCU of the Month Supported Institution, let's meet those who succeeded from #BCU as notable alumni. This outstanding HBCU leader and pastor,  Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, Sr., served as the institution's president for 29 years (March 18, 1975 until 2004) when he was named president emetrius.

Dr. Bronson is an alumnus of Bethune-Cookman College, where he graduated in 1950 and also earning a bachelor of divinity degree from Gammon Theological Seminary. He received a Ph.D. degree from Northwestern University in 1965.

Commitment to academic excellence was the cornerstone of his presidency. Under his leadership, major fields of study increased from 12 to 37. In addition, seven continuing education centers for students began operating throughout the state. Dr. Bronson also spearheaded investments in faculty development, student achievement and retention. While of maintaining accreditation by SACS, Florida State Board of Education, and The University Senate of The United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education, the college added new accreditations in the Nursing and the Teacher Education programs.

Student enrollment increased during Dr. Bronson's tenure from 1,520 students in 1975 to 2,794 in 2003. He also presided over tremendous growth of the institution's physical plant, budget and endowment. Fifteen new buildings were constructed under his administration, most notably the 2,500 seat Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center. The institution's annual budget grew from $6.2 million in 1975 to $51.4 million in 2003, and the endowment surged from $1.2 million to $26.5 million in the same time period.

Prior to being named resident of Bethune-Cookman College, he served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center. Dr. Bronson is an ordained United Methodist minister, he have pastored in a number of churches over 16 years.

Every Tuesday the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund organization will highlight a HBCU Chancellor or President. This is in promotion of our social media campaign to bring awareness and support the excellence of historically black colleges and universities.

This Tuesday (5/19/15), we highlighted Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr., (pictured on the right), President of Langston University.

Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr. was named 16th president of Langston University by the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical Colleges on January 19, 2012. He assumed office on June 4, 2012 and also serves as professor of education.

A Louisiana native, Dr. Smith earned a bachelor of science in secondary education, a master of education in educational administration and supervision from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, and a doctorate in education and human resources studies, with a concentration in educational administration and student affairs, from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Prior to coming to Langston University, Dr. Smith served as the vice president for student affairs, chief student affairs officer and assistant professor of education at Ohio University in Athens. He is a former dean of students at Auburn University in Alabama, director of multicultural affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and was an adjunct professor at Cleveland State University. Dr. Smith was also an adjunct professor of education at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, he was an assistant director of black student services as well.

A deeply committed dynamic leader that is student-focused, Dr. Smith brings with him the experience and potential to take Oklahoma's only historically black institution of higher education to the next level of academic excellence and national preeminence. He is the parent to four sons - Trey, Tyler, Trent and Tanner (pictured above) and daughter Morgan.

Langston University was named D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund's January 2015 HBCU of the Month Supported Institution.

For more information about Langston University, visit www.langston.edu.

CHICAGO, IL - For some people its their dream to attend college, for some others college is not for everyone as they speak but for this all black prep school located in Chicago, Illinois every black male student that across the stage receiving a high school diploma will be attending college in some way.

Urban prep continues to maintain its 100 percent college acceptance rate for an all-black senior class as well for the sixth year in a row, every senor except one at Chicago's Urban Prep Englewood West and Bronzeville campuses has been accepted at four-year colleges and universities.

The except one? Is 17 year-old Deonte Hoard, who was gunned down in Chicago's South Deering neighborhood. He was fatally shot in the chest on the corner of East 106 Street and South Oglesby Avenue back in March. Sources say he was walking to a store with a friend, when shots were fired by someone in a black SUV.

Hoard was scheduled to receive a red and gold striped tie during a ceremony celebrating seniors going to college the week of his death, but yet during a assembly Thursday his mom was given the red and gold striped tie he would had receive for being college-bound.

The 2015 graduating class was accepted into more than 180 different colleges and universities including historically black colleges and universities like Fisk University, Florida A&M University, Howard University and Morehouse College. Seniors also received $11 million in scholarships as well as produced six Gates Millennium Scholarship winners.

"Six straight years of 100 percent college acceptance is no exception - that is an expectation of every child in the City of Chicago," said Rahm Emanuel (Mayor of Chicago). "The young men of Urban Prep are continually raising the standard of academic excellence, both here in Chicago and nationally. Congratulations to the students, parents and educators on this incredible achievement."

The staff at D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund would like to also congratulate the graduating Class of 2015 of Urban Prep Chicago campuses on their achievement as well and also congratulate those who were accepted into an HBCU. We hope you bound to accept admission into one of those illustrious institutions and we wish you the best in your future education endeavors.

About Urban Prep Academies

In 2002, a group of African-American civic, business and education leaders, organized by former Hales Franciscan High School President Tim King, determined to establish a new high school in Chicago focused on providing a strong, college-preparatory high school option for boys in under-served African-American communities. African-American males had been, or continue to be, the lowest-performing demographic in Chicago Public Schools. A University of Chicago study published in 2006 reported that only one in 40 African-American boys in Chicago Public Schools will eventually graduate from a 4-year university.

The Chicago Board of Education approved Urban Prep Academies' charter application in 2005, and Urban Prep opened its first school, Urban Prep Academy for Young Men - Englewood Campus, the subsequent September. It is the first charter high school for boys in the country and currently enrolls 460 students in grades 9-12. Urban Prep's second school opened in the East Garfield Park community in 2009, and moved to the near west side of the city in 2011. Urban Prep's third campus, serving the historic Bronzeville community, opened in 2010. Based on its success thus far, Urban Prep plans to open more schools in Chicago area and in other low-performing urban centers. Approximately 85% of Urban Prep students are low-income and nearly all are African-American.

For more information about Urban Prep Academies, please visit their website - www.urbanprep.org.

ST. LOUIS, MO - Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is one step closer to offering graduate degrees. The Missouri legislature passed Senate Bill 334, which if signed by Governor Jeremiah "Jay" Nixon, it would allow the city's only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to offer a range of graduate degree programs.

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is an historically black university located in midtown St. Louis. HSSU is a fully accredited four-year institution that offers 14 degree programs in teacher education, business, and arts & sciences.  In 2014, HSSU ranked No. 1 in the state of Missouri and No. 47 in the nation in granting degrees in mathematics and statistics to African-Americans according to Missouri Department of Higher Education and Diverse: issues in Higher Education. The university, which has origins dating back to 1857, offers the most affordable bachelor's degree in the state of Missouri.

Currently, Harris-Stowe is only authorized to offer undergraduate degree program with an emphasis on selected professional skills. In addition to the governor's signature, the Coordinating Board for Higher Education must also approve any new graduate degrees.

"This historic bill puts Harris-Stowe State University on the same level playing field with every other state university," said Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack (President of Harris-Stowe State University. "An advanced degree is increasingly becoming a minimum requirement to build successful career opportunities and this allows HSSU to better meet the higher education needs of the St. Louis region."

The legislation that modifies provisions relating to the boards of regents of state colleges and universities and expands degree-granting authority to Harris-Stowe State University was sponsored by Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis. The legislation passed in the Higher Education Committee of the Missouri House of Representatives by a unanimous 9-0 vote on April 28.

"Long is the road that brought us to this momentous place in our 158-year history," said Dr. Dwayne Smith (Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Harris-Stowe State University). "This is a monumental shift in higher education for our region, state and the countless students who will receive graduate degrees from our great institution. It cannot be overstated how important this is."

Harris-Stowe State University was named the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund's October 2015 HBCU of the Month Supported Institution. During those perspective months of our HBCU of the Month Initiative program, the HBCU institution is campaign for socially to bring awareness as well as raising contributions to assist the institution, its students in financial needs and recruit interested students to its institution.

The D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund is rooting for Harris-Stowe on receiving that step closer into offering graduate degrees at its institution!

As we celebrate Bethune-Cookman University as our May 2015 HBCU of the Month Supported Institution, let's meet those who succeeded from #BCU as notable alumni. This phenomenal women is the granddaughter of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and CEO of the Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Preservation Institute, Inc. Dr. Evelyn Idell Bethune, which she founded to expand the knowledge of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and to ensure the continuation, growth and development of her legacy by encouraging and promoting education and community service in a variety of platforms.

Graduated in 1979 from the institution who her grandmother founded with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration/Accounting, she has served as president of the Houston Area Chapter of the Bethune Cookman College Alumni Association, promoting the excellence while recruiting for the Daytona Beach HBCU, and served as Co-Director of the Youth Empowerment Committee of the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, she was elected president of the Elease Knight Section, NCNW Houston. Today, she is a lecturer and motivational speaker, sharing personal insights and life lessons as well as speaking on the life of her grandmother Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Dr. Evelyn is also the corresponding secretary for the Bethune-Cookman University Women's Advisory Board, member of the Board of Directors for the Mental Health Association of Volusia and Flagler Counties,  and a member of the B-CU President's Community Roundtable just to list a few.

In May 2009, she published her first book entitled, BETHUNE: Out of Darkness into the Light of Freedom. It is the first book on the life of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, written by a family member and speaks on a very person level about the relevance of the exceptional accomplishments of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in today's world as well as a look at her legacy. And in 2010, she opened the Daytona Beach office of the Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Preservation Institute. Dr. Evelyn Bethune states, "At the very core of the work of my head, heart and hands, stands the inspiring p, awesome, far-reaching legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, touching every volunteer, every vendor, every contractor, every customer, every product and every service provided by the Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Preservation Institute, Inc. Their purpose is to empower and to take the legacy of a great woman to the next level.

Dr. Evelyn has used her experiences both personal and corporate to help others get on tract with their own lives. Her story is one of faith and determination. Her example is one of triumph over adversity. Instead of finding excuses or accepting mediocre efforts, Dr. Bethune points to the accomplishments of her grandmother as the example of what faith and perseverance can do.

Ebony recently announced their annual HBCU Campus Queens online competition. The reigning beauties from Historically Black Colleges and Universities from around the country are featured here and awaiting your votes. The Top 10 vote getters will grace the pages of the September 2015 issues of EBONY magazine. Read all about these campus winners, view their videos and cast your votes for our favorite Queen.

The D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund has six phenomenal Campus Queens who represent six of our Supported HBCUs who are part of our 2015 HBCU of the Month Initiative program.

We ask for your support of our Supported HBCUs Campus Queens who are:

• Miss Jordan Outing (Miss North Carolina A&T State University 2014-15) (NCAT is represented during the month of February)
• Miss Ginia Smith (Miss Grambling State University 2014-15) (Grambling State is represented during the month of March)
• Miss Sierra Gray (Miss Tuskegee University 2015-16) (Tuskegee is represented during the month of April)
• Miss Tiara Anderson (Miss Bethune-Cookman University 2014-15) (BCU is represented during the month of May)
• Miss Veronne Clark (Miss Central State University 2014-15) (Central State is represented during the month of July)
• Miss Aminah Henderson (Miss Philander Smith University 2014-25) (Philander Smith is represented during the month of November)

and you can cast your vote by logging onto EBONY's website here. Vote OFTEN. Vote DAILY. Voting ends May 22.

AUSTIN, TX - Congratulations to Huston-Tillotson alumna and donor Mrs. Ada C. Anderson, who has been selected to receive the National Black College Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award for her philanthropic efforts in and around the Austin area community on September 25, 2015 in Atlanta, GA. Mrs. Anderson donated $3 million to the University's new Community Health & Wellness Center set to begin construction May 2015.

We at the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund commend HBCU alums who are achieving it up on the daily! Keep up the good work in helping us keep our HBCUs alive.

Welcome Bethune-Cookman University as the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign's May 2015 HBCU of the Month Supported Institution.

Founded as Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune. The school underwent several stages of growth and development until it merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida in 1923 and became a co-ed high school. A year later in 1924, it became affiliated with the Methodist Church and by 1931, the school became a junior college.

TUSKEGEE, Ala. - The D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund team mourns the loss of our April 2015 HBCU of the Month Tuskegee University longtime administrator behind John A. Andrew Hospital, Mr. Louis Adolph "Mike" Rabb, who died on April 23rd. He was 101 years old.

Rabb worked for four university presidents during his 46-year tenure at the institution. He served as the administrator of the former John A. Andrew Hospital now the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University. From 1953 to 1981, Rabb also served as secretary of Tuskegee's Board of Trustees under former Tuskegee president, Luther Foster. He was also assistant to the president from 1974 to 1981.

Rabb retired from the university in November 1981, but continued to be an involved and welcomed alumnus on campus. He was a special gust at the first ribbon cutting for Tompkins Hall's re-opening and was served the first meal when the renovated dining facilities open to the public in 2013. Later that year, the university helped him celebrate his 100th birthday in elegant style at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Tuskegee University.

Rabb was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Tuskegee on April 24 at 12:30pm. A memorial service will be held May 16th at Tuskegee University Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 701 W. Montgomery Road; Tuskegee Institute, AL, 36088. The church can be contacted at: 334-727-3210.

The D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign celebrated and campaign for Tuskegee University as our April 2015 HBCU of the Month Supported Institution. We ask for you to help us continue to celebrate this rich prestigious institution throughout the entire year and beyond. We must keep our HBCUs alive for many more year to come!

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football season will be back around the corner faster than you know it.

Need a ride to the games this season? Jump on the bus with T&O Charter Bus Service. T&O Charter Bus Service is the OFFICIAL travel service of the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund organization. This service is chauffeured by Larry Tours in Little Rock, Arkansas. The charter buses that are provided are from the major company that is well equipped with professional drivers and service to make your trips comfortable.

Seating availability is now open for this season games that T&O Charter Bus Service will be traveling away to. In order to reserve your seat you MUST pay the bus fare in full by the deadlines. (Deadlines and games are listed below).

Deadlines for payment of the T&O Charter Bus Service games:

Sept. 6th game | deadline: Aug. 1st

Sept. 12th game | deadline: Aug. 15th

Sept. 26th game | deadline : Aug. 26th

Oct. 24th game | deadline: Sept. 21st

Oct. 31st game | deadline: Sept. 30th

Nov. 21st game | deadline: Oct. 21st

All trips are subject to change due to scheduling or cancellation if there are not enough paid seats sold in advance. Seats are NONREFUNDABLE unless trip is canceled due to lack of bus seats being sold by deadline. Please make plans and reserve your seat today!

The D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign team would like you to join on an FUN and ENJOYABLE and we mean fun bus ride as well as HBCU experience football games as well this upcoming football season.

The charter bus(es) will depart from the parking lot of the UAPB/AM&N Alumni House. The address is 27 Watson Blvd.

If you have any questions or need to contact T&O Charter Bus Service, please call (870) 535-2534 or (870) 692-3099. T&O Charter Bus Service thanks you for your loyal support!!

$225 (Bus Seat)

$90 plus tax (Hotel cost)

Hotel Lodging @ Drury Inn

$150 (Bus Seat)

Hotel Lodging Information TBA

$75 (Bus seat)

Hotel Lodging Information TBA

Jackson State @ Jackson, MS

(Homecoming)

$50 (Bus seat)

$125 (Bus seat)

$99.00 plus tax

Hotel Lodging @ Sheraton Houston

$35 (Bus seat)

In Conjunction with our yearly HBCU Featured Desk Calendar that showcases our present year HBCU Supported Institution Campus Queens and our 50 Queens, 50 Kings Royal Dictionary that also showcases newly elected queens & kings for the upcoming academic school year, we are proud to bring you 'April is HBCU Campaign Honors HBCU Queens' month.

During the month of April, we plan to honor HBCU campus queens presently elected and newly elected PLUS it's Ebony Campus Queen time! Who will be your NEXT 10 EBONY Campus Queens?

We humbly introduce you to our '50 Queen, 50 King' honoree, Ms. Monique L. Griffith (Miss Harris-Stowe State University 2014-15). She is a senior, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. She has served as Miss Freshman 2012-2013 and has been a recipient of many scholarships. She is a member of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society and currently serves as the Vice President of the Pre-Law Club Mock Trials Team. Harris-Stowe State University was named D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Supported Institution. Please support Ms. Griffith as she's vying to become one of the top ten Ebony Campus Queens 2015 by clicking here.

Watch Ms. Griffith's Ebony Campus Queen promotion video below.