Okay, so he didn't win the Oscar -- this time. (But even for his fans, it's bittersweet consolation that the award went to Forest Whittaker for his amazing turn as Uganda's Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.) But in an interview with THE BLACK COLLEGIAN, the thespian formerly known as the Fresh Prince reveals why his name name has become synonymous with box office clout.
In the new edition of TBC now available on college campuses, Smith discusses his career path over the past two decades, leading to pass up admission to MIT (!) for a music career, then on to a hit TV show, to silver screen superstardom, and now into the business of show business as well.
Mostly, it's drive and a belief in one's own abilities. Smith says he was attracted to the rags-to-riches story of Chris gardner in the The Pursuit of Happyness because of how the millionaire stockbroker's life reflects the American Dream.
"To me, The Pursuit of Happyness is so connected to the idea of why America works," Smith told THE BLACK COLLEGIAN. "This is the only country on the face of the earth that Chris Gardner can exist. … The hope for that doesn't even exist anywhere else on Earth. That you're homeless, you have $21, and without killing anybody, without oil, without an army, [but] strictly based on an idea that you have in your mind … you create a multimillion dollar empire."
Check out the full intervew, "Will Smith in Pursuit of Excellence".
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Added to Online Edition: Annual Job Interview section, and working at the CIA
In the continuing updates to the site: Our annual seasonal series of advice articles for those students and imminent graduates who are getting ready for on-site employer interviews. Good tips from a variety of experienced career develpment folks, HR professionals and more share tips on How to Prepare for the On-site Interview, the Top Ten Reasons for Failing the Interview, and What to Do Next? if you blow an interview (and the answer is not simply to implode).
Another item of interest is the continuation of a series of profiles on working Inside the CIA. Forget about the James Bond stuff; the series gives a sober look at what's going at the Agency in terms of diversity and hiring, from the perspectives of people who work there. If you think it could be for you, see what the insiders say.
More updates later.
Another item of interest is the continuation of a series of profiles on working Inside the CIA. Forget about the James Bond stuff; the series gives a sober look at what's going at the Agency in terms of diversity and hiring, from the perspectives of people who work there. If you think it could be for you, see what the insiders say.
More updates later.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Focus on: The Hip-Hop Generation
Of interest this week: We didn't plan it this way, but a series of readings added to our site recently all seem to be focused on the question: What does the so-called "Hip-Hop Generation" stand for? How does it compare with previous generations and movements?
It starts with Black College Wire's Aariel Charbonnet reporting the Hip-Hop Generation Debated at "State of Black Union" Conference, at activist broadcaster Tavis Smiley's eighth annual "State of the Black Union" symposium on February 10 at Hampton. At the conference, the Rev. Al Sharpton said "Black youths have lost the dignity that the Blacks brought in 1607 to nearby Jamestown, Va., possessed."
Earlier, Martin Luther King Jr's daughter knocked violence and Hip-Hop culture at a commemoration of Dr. King's birthday.
As part our new edition's special section on Black Student Political Power, TBC contributor Shawn Chollette interviewed Yvonne Byone on Hip-Hop politics. Bynoe's thrust is that while trendy campaigns like P Diddy's Vote or Die may create temporary activity around elections, the potential clout of young African Americans is undercut by the a number of problems. One is the negative perception of "Hip Hop" among many people in the general population, including older Black activists that should be building coalitions with young voters as well as politicians who do not take the youth vote seriously.
Bynoe is author of books including Stand and Deliver: Political Activism, Leadership and Hip Hop Culture and The Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip Hop Culture.
Is it all just too many older folks beating up young people, and failing to appreciate that creativity and energy and expression can be found in hip hop? Or is it that today's generation of young African Americans is participating in its own continuing political marginalization through its adherence to that spirit in hip hop? Check out the articles and see what you think?
It starts with Black College Wire's Aariel Charbonnet reporting the Hip-Hop Generation Debated at "State of Black Union" Conference, at activist broadcaster Tavis Smiley's eighth annual "State of the Black Union" symposium on February 10 at Hampton. At the conference, the Rev. Al Sharpton said "Black youths have lost the dignity that the Blacks brought in 1607 to nearby Jamestown, Va., possessed."
Earlier, Martin Luther King Jr's daughter knocked violence and Hip-Hop culture at a commemoration of Dr. King's birthday.
As part our new edition's special section on Black Student Political Power, TBC contributor Shawn Chollette interviewed Yvonne Byone on Hip-Hop politics. Bynoe's thrust is that while trendy campaigns like P Diddy's Vote or Die may create temporary activity around elections, the potential clout of young African Americans is undercut by the a number of problems. One is the negative perception of "Hip Hop" among many people in the general population, including older Black activists that should be building coalitions with young voters as well as politicians who do not take the youth vote seriously.
Bynoe is author of books including Stand and Deliver: Political Activism, Leadership and Hip Hop Culture and The Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip Hop Culture.
Is it all just too many older folks beating up young people, and failing to appreciate that creativity and energy and expression can be found in hip hop? Or is it that today's generation of young African Americans is participating in its own continuing political marginalization through its adherence to that spirit in hip hop? Check out the articles and see what you think?
Thursday, February 01, 2007
New Second Semester Edition of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN
Check out the Preview: Second Semester 2007 Super Issue
...and more.
The magazine is now shipping and will be available to students free this month at most campus Career Centers. View Full Edition
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Southern U. Weighs Prospect of First Black U.S. President
“Will he or won’t he?” After so many months of asking that question, Obama-watchers at Southern University are now asking “Can he or can’t he?” … win the Presidency, or at least his party’s nomination.
In a report on Black College Wire, Kim Butler, a student at Southern University who writes for the Southern Digest, interviewed students and faculty about Illinois Senator’s chances – especially against Hillary Clinton.
On the whole, most people interviewed concluded that Obama’s relatively short time in high-level politics was an asset.
"If anything, his inexperience is an advantage because he has had less time for corruption," said Niiobli Armah, president of Southern University's Student Government Association.
Excitement over Obama as a “fresh face” in politics is consistent with the findings of a 2006 study by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).
While voters’ weariness with a culture of corruption certainly contributed to last November’s increased turnout and party seachange, the CIRCLE found that a lack of confidence in government was pronounced among youth voters and particularly among young African Americans.
Fifty-four percent of African American youth surveyed responded that government is “almost always wasteful and inefficient,” which was up 20 points from a similar survey conducted in 2002. This attitude was high among all youth voters surveyed, but highest among African Americans. (Report in PDF here.)
For more, see Butler’s “Southern U. Weighs Prospect of First Black U.S. President”.
In a report on Black College Wire, Kim Butler, a student at Southern University who writes for the Southern Digest, interviewed students and faculty about Illinois Senator’s chances – especially against Hillary Clinton.
On the whole, most people interviewed concluded that Obama’s relatively short time in high-level politics was an asset.
"If anything, his inexperience is an advantage because he has had less time for corruption," said Niiobli Armah, president of Southern University's Student Government Association.
Excitement over Obama as a “fresh face” in politics is consistent with the findings of a 2006 study by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).
While voters’ weariness with a culture of corruption certainly contributed to last November’s increased turnout and party seachange, the CIRCLE found that a lack of confidence in government was pronounced among youth voters and particularly among young African Americans.
Fifty-four percent of African American youth surveyed responded that government is “almost always wasteful and inefficient,” which was up 20 points from a similar survey conducted in 2002. This attitude was high among all youth voters surveyed, but highest among African Americans. (Report in PDF here.)
For more, see Butler’s “Southern U. Weighs Prospect of First Black U.S. President”.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Resume Techniques for Students and New College Graduates
Calling attention to an article in our archives with good advice for advance-planners out there.
Although originally posted as a graduation feature, we're highlighting it again first as a way of announcing that the author, resume writing expert Abby M. Locke of Premier Writing Solutions, has joined the team as new regular columnist on THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online's sister-site, IMDiversity Career Center.
We're also resurrecting it now, though, because the editors have been going through drafts of an upcoming feature, providing advice from college career services professionals from all over. Among the countless great tips and cautions, a number of the career office directors observed that students frequently fail to make use of the office's resources available to help them craft the best strategies for presentation to a recruiter -- whether in a resume, an on- or off-campus interview, a cover letter or even, for that matter, in a graduate school application. Even among those students who do consult these reources, many don't do it early enough.
One important lesson in Locke's article is that even students who have had little formal job experience do have real accomplishments and quasi-work experiences that can be made into compelling evidence of skills and potential on a resume. A counselor at your career center can help you recall and craft these items in such a compelling fashion. Similarly, a number of the career directors contributing to TBC point out that the earlier a student starts making use of their career planning assistance -- even in freshman year, and certainly well before second semester of senior year -- the more successful they usually are come the post-graduation job hunt.
So, with graduation coming up sooner than you think, take a look at Locke's advice for your winning student resume.
Although originally posted as a graduation feature, we're highlighting it again first as a way of announcing that the author, resume writing expert Abby M. Locke of Premier Writing Solutions, has joined the team as new regular columnist on THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online's sister-site, IMDiversity Career Center.
We're also resurrecting it now, though, because the editors have been going through drafts of an upcoming feature, providing advice from college career services professionals from all over. Among the countless great tips and cautions, a number of the career office directors observed that students frequently fail to make use of the office's resources available to help them craft the best strategies for presentation to a recruiter -- whether in a resume, an on- or off-campus interview, a cover letter or even, for that matter, in a graduate school application. Even among those students who do consult these reources, many don't do it early enough.
One important lesson in Locke's article is that even students who have had little formal job experience do have real accomplishments and quasi-work experiences that can be made into compelling evidence of skills and potential on a resume. A counselor at your career center can help you recall and craft these items in such a compelling fashion. Similarly, a number of the career directors contributing to TBC point out that the earlier a student starts making use of their career planning assistance -- even in freshman year, and certainly well before second semester of senior year -- the more successful they usually are come the post-graduation job hunt.
So, with graduation coming up sooner than you think, take a look at Locke's advice for your winning student resume.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Of Interest: Knocking Down Affirmative Action - What It Means for America
Q&A with Ellis Cose, a contributing editor with Newsweek magazine and author of the report "Killing Affirmative Action: Would Ending It Really Result in a Better, More Perfect, Union?" published by the USC Annenberg's Institute for Justice and Journalism.
Cose discusses with Brian Shott of New America Media the impact of the initiatives by Ward Connerly to end public affirmative action programs. Michigan voters approved such a ballot intiative during the November midterms, and Connerly says he'll attempt to replicate the initiative in nine other states.
Read the Q&A with Ellis Cose in the Workplace Diversity section of IMDiversity.com Career Center.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Featured Employer: Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car's Management Trainee Program Opportunities in locations coast-to-coast to join a major company and get in on management training in a wide range of areas, from Sales and Marketing to Accounting to Customer Service to Human Resources. As of this posting, see 50+ postings for current Management Trainee openings.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Fresh Idea: Convocation for AND by Students at FAMU
In the last edition of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN, U.S. Senator Barack Obama spoke forcefully of the need for established African American politicians and leaders to get more students involved in political leadership as an important part of a long-term strategy for progress.
A good example of the Senator's sentiment was illustrated ina recent article by Carnell Hawthorne Jr. in Florida A&M University's FAMUAN newspaper: First student keynote speaker at convocation.
For the first time, a student -- 21 year old Student Body President Phillip B. Agnew -- served as the guest speaker before hundreds of listeners at the 30th Annual MLK Convocation ceremony on Jan 11. Rather than inviting a big-name outsider to give the keynote, the move to have a student to hold such a prominent ceremonial position was inspiring to many young people. It was a good example of how institutions can create opportunities for students to develop leadership experiences and voice the concerns unique to their conditions as young people and collegians.
"[It's critical] in every institution, whether it’s a law firm or church or what have you, [to make] sure that young people are given entree and opportunity to exert their leadership – and to do substantive work, not just licking envelopes or fetching coffee..." Senator Obama said.
"In the African-American community in particular..." he continued, "sometimes we have a tendency for our leadership to be very protective of their turf and not invite young people in until it’s way too late. The earlier we’re grooming young people and giving them leadership opportunities, and pushing them up front, the better."
A good example of the Senator's sentiment was illustrated ina recent article by Carnell Hawthorne Jr. in Florida A&M University's FAMUAN newspaper: First student keynote speaker at convocation.
For the first time, a student -- 21 year old Student Body President Phillip B. Agnew -- served as the guest speaker before hundreds of listeners at the 30th Annual MLK Convocation ceremony on Jan 11. Rather than inviting a big-name outsider to give the keynote, the move to have a student to hold such a prominent ceremonial position was inspiring to many young people. It was a good example of how institutions can create opportunities for students to develop leadership experiences and voice the concerns unique to their conditions as young people and collegians.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
HBCU Newspaper Conference coming to Tallahassee in February
HBCU NEWSPAPER CONFERENCE
When: Feb. 15-17, 2007
Where: Ramada Inn and Conference Center
2900 North Monroe, Tallahassee, FL 32303, (850) 386-1027
For more information about registering / attending, and the nplanned programming for the conference, visit the conference website by the Black Colleges Communications Association.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
More Katrina woes for some N.O. students
Black College Wire reports that hundreds of Dillard University dormitory residents who received assistance payments from the federal government after Hurricane Katrina are being asked to repay the money because according to federal officials, they were ineligible for the aid.
Specifically: "Students who lived in a dormitory owned or managed by the school will not qualify for housing assistance because dormitories are not considered a primary residence," said FEMA spokeswoman Rachel Rodi. Instead of applying to FEMA, she added, the students should have first tried to receive compensation for their losses through the school's insurance company, which was National Student Services, Inc. at the time of the hurricane.
Meanwhile, the Tom Joyner Foundation is continuing its drive to raise money to help the city's HBCUs rebuild and to help students stay in school. In a release, the Foundation has set has goal to raise $1 million dollars in a drive to run throughout January, with proceeds going "directly to the rebuilding of Dillard, Xavier and Southern University at New Orleans."
Specifically: "Students who lived in a dormitory owned or managed by the school will not qualify for housing assistance because dormitories are not considered a primary residence," said FEMA spokeswoman Rachel Rodi. Instead of applying to FEMA, she added, the students should have first tried to receive compensation for their losses through the school's insurance company, which was National Student Services, Inc. at the time of the hurricane.
Meanwhile, the Tom Joyner Foundation is continuing its drive to raise money to help the city's HBCUs rebuild and to help students stay in school. In a release, the Foundation has set has goal to raise $1 million dollars in a drive to run throughout January, with proceeds going "directly to the rebuilding of Dillard, Xavier and Southern University at New Orleans."
January at BCO
BCO wishes everyone a happy new year, and invite our readers to stop in for some of the recent additions to our site.
As we head into the season for on-campus interviews, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN's staff's attention is turning toward our traditional focus on providing information about how students can make the most out of interview opportunities and, as importantly, avoid its pifalls.
In a new Q&A feature, Paul Freyer of New York asks, "Do campus career centers [and college career fairs] really help students find jobs?" As the advice columnist Diane Hess puts it, "Many career centers can be a treasure trove. But as with college itself, what you get out of it depends on what you put into it."
We couldn't agree more, and we've planned a series of strong, practical advice pieces by knowledgable contributors to run in our upcoming Second Semester issue on the related topics of how to get the most out of (unfortunately underutilized) campus career centers and on-campus opportunities, as well as how to prepare for an interview, on-campus or off-campus.
Meanwhile, we refer you to a few advance features posted on BCO, such as a new addition by College Journal's Shawn Graham on How to Walk a Recruiter Through Your Resume and Mike Wilson's feature from our current edition, What Recruiters Look for in On-Campus Interviews.
We'll be adding more throughout the late winter and spring, so be sure to stop back frequently.
As we head into the season for on-campus interviews, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN's staff's attention is turning toward our traditional focus on providing information about how students can make the most out of interview opportunities and, as importantly, avoid its pifalls.
In a new Q&A feature, Paul Freyer of New York asks, "Do campus career centers [and college career fairs] really help students find jobs?" As the advice columnist Diane Hess puts it, "Many career centers can be a treasure trove. But as with college itself, what you get out of it depends on what you put into it."
We couldn't agree more, and we've planned a series of strong, practical advice pieces by knowledgable contributors to run in our upcoming Second Semester issue on the related topics of how to get the most out of (unfortunately underutilized) campus career centers and on-campus opportunities, as well as how to prepare for an interview, on-campus or off-campus.
Meanwhile, we refer you to a few advance features posted on BCO, such as a new addition by College Journal's Shawn Graham on How to Walk a Recruiter Through Your Resume and Mike Wilson's feature from our current edition, What Recruiters Look for in On-Campus Interviews.
We'll be adding more throughout the late winter and spring, so be sure to stop back frequently.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
PWC Diversity Leadership Scholarship, Internship, Conference Deadline Dec. 31
Financial services giant PriceWaterhouseCoopers has announced a December 31, 2006 deadline for applications to its annual PWC eXceed scholarships, a comprehensive program offering opportunities for Native American, African American, and Hispanic American college students to explore careers at PWC through internships and participation in an annual Diversity Business Leadership Conference, along with a $3,000 support stipend. Applications are accepted from Freshmen or Sophomores with a 3.2 or higher GPA, and an interest in Accounting, Management Information Systems, and/or Computer Science.
Also of Interest: It's that season for students to apply for next year's internships. Most deadlines are coming up by early December. Visit IMDiversity's seasonal Internships & Co-ops special page with categorized internships listings.
Also of Interest: It's that season for students to apply for next year's internships. Most deadlines are coming up by early December. Visit IMDiversity's seasonal Internships & Co-ops special page with categorized internships listings.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
New Analysis Shows Black Youth Voting Picking Up
A new Lake-Goeas Poll analysis, published in PDF format at Civicyouth.org, shows that youth voter turnout increased in 2006 for the second election in row, with turnout by young African Americans increasing. (Direct URL for PDF: http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/PR_06.pdf.)
Broken down, the analysis data suggest that young African Americans provided "Key Democratic support" in the November election, which shifted the balance of power in Congress to the Democrats' favor. In other findings, young African Americans were 12 and 19 points more likely to say they were “almost certain” to vote than either young whites or young Hispanics, respectively.
Analysis of preliminary exit poll and survey figures also suggest that "Thirteen percent of young voters (ages 18-29) self-identified as Black, compared to 10% of the overall voting population.
The analyses were published by CIRCLE, the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, with Young Voter Strategies, a project of the Graduate School of Political Management at The George Washington University, with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts.
The release uses estimated figures, based on analysis of early November exit polling data, and adjustments are expected to be made on an ongoing basis at least throughout the year. Nonetheless, the general trend indicating a continued increase in young voter particpation is a positive sign that eligible youth voters, including college students, are strengthening their collective political clout.
THE BLACK COLLEGIAN will continue to follow and report on developments as new information is released.
Broken down, the analysis data suggest that young African Americans provided "Key Democratic support" in the November election, which shifted the balance of power in Congress to the Democrats' favor. In other findings, young African Americans were 12 and 19 points more likely to say they were “almost certain” to vote than either young whites or young Hispanics, respectively.
Analysis of preliminary exit poll and survey figures also suggest that "Thirteen percent of young voters (ages 18-29) self-identified as Black, compared to 10% of the overall voting population.
The analyses were published by CIRCLE, the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, with Young Voter Strategies, a project of the Graduate School of Political Management at The George Washington University, with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts.
The release uses estimated figures, based on analysis of early November exit polling data, and adjustments are expected to be made on an ongoing basis at least throughout the year. Nonetheless, the general trend indicating a continued increase in young voter particpation is a positive sign that eligible youth voters, including college students, are strengthening their collective political clout.
THE BLACK COLLEGIAN will continue to follow and report on developments as new information is released.
Updates: 2006-2007 Career and Networking Events Listing
Newly posted on THE BLACK COLLEGIAN: Select events nationwide of interest to African-American students and young professionals, including career fairs, professional organization conferences, more.
Coming up soon:
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) has announced that it will hold its Region 1,2, and 3 Conference on the theme “Global Problem - Local Solutions” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 30 - December 3, 2006.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has announced that it will hold the NAACP Annual Leadership 500 Summit in Destin, Florida, December 7 – 10, 2006.
Coming up soon:
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) has announced that it will hold its Region 1,2, and 3 Conference on the theme “Global Problem - Local Solutions” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 30 - December 3, 2006.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has announced that it will hold the NAACP Annual Leadership 500 Summit in Destin, Florida, December 7 – 10, 2006.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Affirmative Action Ban Passes in Michigan
University of Michigan vows to seek legal remedies; drop in Black, Latino and Native American enrollment expected to follow.
Report by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang,
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
CNN Projects Win for Deval Patrick for MA Governor
Shortly before 9 PM Eastern, CNN projected that Deval Patrick had defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey in the race to replace Gov. Mitt Romney. If the results are verified, it will make Mr. Patrick Massachusett's first African American governor.
Video: Anti-Affirmative Action leader takes it where he can get it - even the Klan
Ward Connerly, the so-called “racial privacy” movement guru who successfully led the Proposition 209 effort in California, has now publicly announced, accepted, embraced the Ku Klan Klan’s support for the measure.
Even this: “God bless them,” said Connerly of these kindred spirits, in a controversial video broadcast circulating on YouTube.com.
At issue is a proposal on Michigan's ballot that would ban affirmative action in both university admissions decisions and the awarding of state business contracts.
As reported by the Associated Press, Connerly defended his remark after the controversial video began circulating widely, saying he accepts support for banning affirmative action "wherever he finds it".
Connerly, a one-time Regent of the University of California, was a main leader of the Prop 209 effort, which barred California public universities and other institutions from considering race or gender in admissions and hiring. According to the AP, the ballot initiative is blamed for plummeting numbers of Black, Hispanic and Native American students in the year following its passage.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
If You Are Hassled During Election Day...
Voters can reach the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and other cooperating civil rights organizations to report complaints prior to Election Day or on Election Day by contacting:
866-OUR-VOTE
For more information see www.naacpldf.org.
866-OUR-VOTE
For more information see www.naacpldf.org.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Series: The Role and Future of HBCUs in Changing Society
A compelling two-part series for Black College Wire by Danielle Kwateng, a student journalist at Howard University, takes a look at what's in store for America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
1) Views of HBCUs Change as Mainstream Accepts More Blacks
2) HBCUs Fight Perception of Inferiority
Both articles are posted in the new BCO News & Views section: http://www.black-collegian.com/news/index.shtml
1) Views of HBCUs Change as Mainstream Accepts More Blacks
2) HBCUs Fight Perception of Inferiority
Both articles are posted in the new BCO News & Views section: http://www.black-collegian.com/news/index.shtml
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