From our sister-site, IMDiversity: For the long holiday weekend, IMD wil be running a number of Featured Internships, some of which are, yes, already coming up on application deadlines for the summer.
For the industrious students looking to line up their ducks with plenty of lead-time, stop by and check them out. For the procrastinators among us, it looks like there are still some accepting applications for spring as well, but they're going fast.
Meanwhile, a few insider tips from the editors:
On our site or on other job sites, click on any internship with a major national employer if the title interests you, even if it is identified as being in another location. During the big intern hiring season, the big employers often have the same internship slots open at many hiring locations, but only a few locations may be advertised or at the top of a search result.
Often, when you click through to apply to an internship listed at a specific location, you will be redirected to a special internships section on the employer's website with an application form that is for the entire intern pool nationwide, not just at that one location.
Also: If you see an internship posting you like, save a copy or print it out right away. If a good internship is close to its deadline, the posting may be about to expire on the database when you catch it, so best to have a backup.
Also: When customizing a database search for internships, make sure to try variants of a keyword (try "intern" and "internships" and "interns" or "coop" and "co-ops").
Also again: On our sites and many other job sites, you can program an automated alert agent to send you emails with all future internships in your target area or field. They might take a little while to refine and schedule the first time, but the effort can be well worth it, so you might want to spend a little of your Thankgsiving down-time getting a head-start on finding your spring or summer gig.
Good luck!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Dillard Students Rewarded for Volunteerism with "Gangster" Preview
Nearly 400 students from Dillard University will attend a free advance screening of the new Denzel Washington film “American Gangster” tonight, compliments of NBC-Universal, AMC Theatres, and State Rep. Juan La Fonta.
La Fonta, who serves as an adjunct professor at Dillard, wanted to offer a special reward for those students who have contributed greatly to New Orleans’ ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
“I talked to the students at Dillard to see what they would like to do,” La Fonta said. “Universal Pictures agreed to donate the screening and AMC – Elmwood is offering use of their space at the Palace Theatres. Many have given their all to rebuilding our communities, and many of these Dillard students aren’t natives but came here from other cities to pursue their educations and make a positive difference. I’m happy to have been able to arrange this small gift in recognition of their efforts.”
The students – 377 of them – have each contributed more than 1,500 hours of community service.
“The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well in New Orleans,” La Fonta said. “This next generation of leaders is already making a difference. I can’t thank or commend them enough.”
Also of Interest
Tag: Katrina Anniversary Readings at http://blackcollegian.blogspot.com
YouTube Preview of American Gangster
La Fonta, who serves as an adjunct professor at Dillard, wanted to offer a special reward for those students who have contributed greatly to New Orleans’ ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
“I talked to the students at Dillard to see what they would like to do,” La Fonta said. “Universal Pictures agreed to donate the screening and AMC – Elmwood is offering use of their space at the Palace Theatres. Many have given their all to rebuilding our communities, and many of these Dillard students aren’t natives but came here from other cities to pursue their educations and make a positive difference. I’m happy to have been able to arrange this small gift in recognition of their efforts.”
The students – 377 of them – have each contributed more than 1,500 hours of community service.
“The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well in New Orleans,” La Fonta said. “This next generation of leaders is already making a difference. I can’t thank or commend them enough.”
Also of Interest
Tag: Katrina Anniversary Readings at http://blackcollegian.blogspot.com
YouTube Preview of American Gangster
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Online preview of new BLACK COLLEGIAN
With the First Semester Super Issue of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN hitting campuses, the editors are starting to post online versions of the articles and some extended features at THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online, starting with this month's highlighted features:
- Kanye West: The Man, The Music and The Message
- Job Search Calendar for Seniors
- The On-Campus Interview - Be Prepared to Run the Race
Stop back for more updates soon!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
New edition of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN on campus
We're pleased to announce that the First Semester Super Issue of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN has made its way to college campuses. Available at colleges nationwide, primarily through career services offices, as well as through direct personal subscriptions, the new Career Planning and Job Search Issue features:
- The annual TOP 100 Diversity Employers List
- Careers Focus on Engineering, Science and Technology, including an interview with NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham
- A new special report on the progress at New Orleans' HBCUs two years after Hurricane Katrina, in collaboration with Black College Wire
- Kanye West feature profile
- Campus to Careers section
Stop in and get your free copy at your campus careers office for these features and many more today.
Monday, October 22, 2007
From INROADS: Secrets of Interns Who Get Full Time Jobs
As frequent readers of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN may know, our site and magazine have many times cited an organization, INROADS, that is dedicated to helping talented underrepresented minorities find and make use of internship opportunities in their career development.
A non-profit organization, INROADS trains and develops talented young people, including high school students, through workshops, internships, and other programs.
We recently got in touch with INROADS, and invited them to share with us some of their insights into how students could make the best use of internships as a step in their career-building. The following, based on release material and other information, provides good tips.
Top 10 Secrets of Interns Who Get Full Time Jobs
As the saying goes, “You can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without getting a job.” However, the adage doesn’t apply to INROADS Interns. INROADS Interns are getting the experience they need and when they graduate, they even get the job. We’ve uncovered the Top 10 Secrets to landing a full-time permanent job.
While securing an internship is a major accomplishment, there is a list of characteristics that must accompany this on-the-job training experience. They are skills that every employer looks for in a college graduate.
An excellent resume is a must. It's the first meeting between you and a prospective employer. The resume is you on paper; therefore, it must be perfect. That means, of course, free of grammatical and spelling errors, but equally important, your resume has to tell potential employers why they should hire you. INROADS Interns work one-on-one with INROADS staff members to perfect their resumes and they attend resume writing workshops as part of their year-round training.
Excellent communication skills. Regardless of your major, or industry, you will interact with co-workers, management, executives, and vendors. It is critical that you know how to write effectively, speak articulately, and how to give presentations. INROADS Interns do this everyday in their jobs. INROADS Interns work closely with a team of mid-level and senior managers. Additionally, they work on company projects that include executives and managers from cross functional areas.
Becoming a team member. Teamwork has become an essential element for the success and survival of a business, and for employees. More and more, corporations form teams to solve real work issues and improve real work processes. Therefore, it is imperative that all new hires be able to learn the corporate culture quickly and be able to add to the productivity of their assigned team(s). INROADS Interns participate in community service projects that require them to give respect, provide support, and to stay focused on the team goal, recognizing there is no ‘I’ in team.
Forming a strategic outlook. Employers look for professionals who think strategically. They want employees who know how to set personal and departmental goals that are in accord with the corporation’s overall goals. INROADS staff members work closely with the Interns and our Corporate Clients to set aggressive goals for their internship that are aligned with the company’s strategic goals.
Training is essential to performance. It is not enough to just show up for work. You must show up armed with the knowledge and skill set to make positive, lasting impressions. Each summer all INROADS Interns attend Leadership Development Institute sessions that provide exciting, interactive and challenging leadership simulations to prepare them to handle even the most challenging situations with professionalism and grace.
Problem solving and critical thinking. Successful corporations hire employees who, when in a position to make decisions that can cost or make the company millions of dollars, will exercise critical thinking and problem solving skills. INROADS Interns spend time in training sessions, where they learn how to apply the critical thinking process and solve problems in real business simulations.
Community service is as important as the work. Most companies have made giving back to the communities in which they live and work a priority. It is important for them to make the world a better place and they want employees who feel the same way. Community service is part of the INROADS mission, and each Intern looks forward to participating in both group and individual community service projects and roles.
Confidence is key. Confidence cannot be confused with arrogance. When one is confident, he or she has a quiet self assurance and poise that is perceived by co-workers and makes others feel at ease. INROADS Interns receive a solid foundation of education, industry specific training, and practical hands-on experience. This cornerstone gives them confidence in their abilities and themselves, and it shows.
Corporate Etiquette is crucial. Your people skills play a huge role in helping you reach your professional goals, determine if you will be hired or not, retained or not, passed over or promoted. Beginning with your first contact with a potential employer, you are being judged on how you handle yourself and others. These are called soft skills, but they are just as important as knowing the fundamentals of your industry. INROADS Interns receive both one-on-one and group training, so they know how to effectively carry themselves the moment they meet their potential employer. In addition, their experience in real life corporate situations provide unprecedented training.
Networking makes you more attractive. Networking is more than collecting and passing out business cards. When done effectively, you can build relationships for personal, professional, and corporate success and growth. INROADS Interns consistently and routinely have the opportunity to network with corporate executives, industry leaders, and other INROADS Alumni.
“INROADS has been a tremendous advocate in helping me reach my corporate goals. INROADS is a wonderful program with thorough trainings, interactive mentors, and much guidance. My experience with INROADS has been pleasant every step of the way. Going through the INROADS process, I’ve been able to learn so much more about the corporate world and relationships in the corporate environment. My INROADS experience has made me a better person in and out of the office,” says Brenden Younger, who is a junior at the University of Massachusetts Boston and an INROADS Intern at Liberty Mutual.
Armand Quenum is a mechanical engineering major at North Carolina State University and an INROADS Intern at United Technologies Corporation. “I believe my INROADS experience has put me ahead of many of my peers because of the exposure I’ve had to the corporate world,” says Quenum.
“Throughout our 37-year history, INROADS has perfected the science of the internship. We do this by learning our clients’ businesses and industries and using that information to give our student interns superior training and industry specific skills, says Charles Cornelius, INROADS President and CEO.” Students who are looking for that competitive edge, should visit http://www.inroads.org/ and apply.
Also of Interest
INTERNS WANTED! Opportunities in Washington, DC
New article at THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online
The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education coordinates 10-week summer assignments that help students get a foot in the door with some of the top agencies in the nation’s capital
Other readings about internships and INROADS can be found at THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online.
A non-profit organization, INROADS trains and develops talented young people, including high school students, through workshops, internships, and other programs.
We recently got in touch with INROADS, and invited them to share with us some of their insights into how students could make the best use of internships as a step in their career-building. The following, based on release material and other information, provides good tips.
Top 10 Secrets of Interns Who Get Full Time Jobs
As the saying goes, “You can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without getting a job.” However, the adage doesn’t apply to INROADS Interns. INROADS Interns are getting the experience they need and when they graduate, they even get the job. We’ve uncovered the Top 10 Secrets to landing a full-time permanent job.
While securing an internship is a major accomplishment, there is a list of characteristics that must accompany this on-the-job training experience. They are skills that every employer looks for in a college graduate.
An excellent resume is a must. It's the first meeting between you and a prospective employer. The resume is you on paper; therefore, it must be perfect. That means, of course, free of grammatical and spelling errors, but equally important, your resume has to tell potential employers why they should hire you. INROADS Interns work one-on-one with INROADS staff members to perfect their resumes and they attend resume writing workshops as part of their year-round training.
Excellent communication skills. Regardless of your major, or industry, you will interact with co-workers, management, executives, and vendors. It is critical that you know how to write effectively, speak articulately, and how to give presentations. INROADS Interns do this everyday in their jobs. INROADS Interns work closely with a team of mid-level and senior managers. Additionally, they work on company projects that include executives and managers from cross functional areas.
Becoming a team member. Teamwork has become an essential element for the success and survival of a business, and for employees. More and more, corporations form teams to solve real work issues and improve real work processes. Therefore, it is imperative that all new hires be able to learn the corporate culture quickly and be able to add to the productivity of their assigned team(s). INROADS Interns participate in community service projects that require them to give respect, provide support, and to stay focused on the team goal, recognizing there is no ‘I’ in team.
Forming a strategic outlook. Employers look for professionals who think strategically. They want employees who know how to set personal and departmental goals that are in accord with the corporation’s overall goals. INROADS staff members work closely with the Interns and our Corporate Clients to set aggressive goals for their internship that are aligned with the company’s strategic goals.
Training is essential to performance. It is not enough to just show up for work. You must show up armed with the knowledge and skill set to make positive, lasting impressions. Each summer all INROADS Interns attend Leadership Development Institute sessions that provide exciting, interactive and challenging leadership simulations to prepare them to handle even the most challenging situations with professionalism and grace.
Problem solving and critical thinking. Successful corporations hire employees who, when in a position to make decisions that can cost or make the company millions of dollars, will exercise critical thinking and problem solving skills. INROADS Interns spend time in training sessions, where they learn how to apply the critical thinking process and solve problems in real business simulations.
Community service is as important as the work. Most companies have made giving back to the communities in which they live and work a priority. It is important for them to make the world a better place and they want employees who feel the same way. Community service is part of the INROADS mission, and each Intern looks forward to participating in both group and individual community service projects and roles.
Confidence is key. Confidence cannot be confused with arrogance. When one is confident, he or she has a quiet self assurance and poise that is perceived by co-workers and makes others feel at ease. INROADS Interns receive a solid foundation of education, industry specific training, and practical hands-on experience. This cornerstone gives them confidence in their abilities and themselves, and it shows.
Corporate Etiquette is crucial. Your people skills play a huge role in helping you reach your professional goals, determine if you will be hired or not, retained or not, passed over or promoted. Beginning with your first contact with a potential employer, you are being judged on how you handle yourself and others. These are called soft skills, but they are just as important as knowing the fundamentals of your industry. INROADS Interns receive both one-on-one and group training, so they know how to effectively carry themselves the moment they meet their potential employer. In addition, their experience in real life corporate situations provide unprecedented training.
Networking makes you more attractive. Networking is more than collecting and passing out business cards. When done effectively, you can build relationships for personal, professional, and corporate success and growth. INROADS Interns consistently and routinely have the opportunity to network with corporate executives, industry leaders, and other INROADS Alumni.
“INROADS has been a tremendous advocate in helping me reach my corporate goals. INROADS is a wonderful program with thorough trainings, interactive mentors, and much guidance. My experience with INROADS has been pleasant every step of the way. Going through the INROADS process, I’ve been able to learn so much more about the corporate world and relationships in the corporate environment. My INROADS experience has made me a better person in and out of the office,” says Brenden Younger, who is a junior at the University of Massachusetts Boston and an INROADS Intern at Liberty Mutual.
Armand Quenum is a mechanical engineering major at North Carolina State University and an INROADS Intern at United Technologies Corporation. “I believe my INROADS experience has put me ahead of many of my peers because of the exposure I’ve had to the corporate world,” says Quenum.
“Throughout our 37-year history, INROADS has perfected the science of the internship. We do this by learning our clients’ businesses and industries and using that information to give our student interns superior training and industry specific skills, says Charles Cornelius, INROADS President and CEO.” Students who are looking for that competitive edge, should visit http://www.inroads.org/ and apply.
------
Also of Interest
INTERNS WANTED! Opportunities in Washington, DC
New article at THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online
The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education coordinates 10-week summer assignments that help students get a foot in the door with some of the top agencies in the nation’s capital
Other readings about internships and INROADS can be found at THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Updates During TBC Online Redesign
Over the past week, the staff of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online has been implementing the first of a series of changes to our site design. Frequent visitors to the site may have noticed that portions of the site have been gradually taking on a new graphical look and a streamlined navigational structure. The planned changes will continue throughout the month, coinciding with the release of the newest issue of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine.
Meanwhile, we continue to update both the main site with new features and our job bank with opportunities, as well as maintaining ongoing postings by our featured bloggers Kim R Wells and Al The Insipiration Duncan, as well as new film, book and DVD reviews and other entertainment features by columnist Kam Williams in our Extracurricular Department.
While we're changing our navigation structure, we wated to call attention to some other recently added features that may have been temporarily harder to spot this past week:
Meanwhile, we continue to update both the main site with new features and our job bank with opportunities, as well as maintaining ongoing postings by our featured bloggers Kim R Wells and Al The Insipiration Duncan, as well as new film, book and DVD reviews and other entertainment features by columnist Kam Williams in our Extracurricular Department.
While we're changing our navigation structure, we wated to call attention to some other recently added features that may have been temporarily harder to spot this past week:
- Thousands Demand, "Free the Jena Six"
Black T-shirts, purple ribbons, the U.S. and black liberation flags swinging high, handmade posters, picket signs and fists clenched while rising to the sky: This was the uniform for many of the thousands who marched two miles to the LaSalle Parish courthouse declaring, "Free the Jena Six." - HBCUs Figure in Obama's Campaign Strategy
Singled out in Vibe magazine, dropped in some of hip-hop's hottest songs of the summer from the likes of Talib Kweli to Common, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination are focusing strongly on the student population, including those at historically black colleges and universities. - Shayla Price: The $100,000 Scholarship Queen
Earning money for college has become an art form for Shayla Price who began her journey at the age of 18 searching for a way to pay for college, and ended up as a college and career prep adviser helping students across the country make their dreams come true - INTERNS WANTED! Opportunities in Washington, DC
If you’ve been wondering how to get your foot in the door of some of the leading government and industry employers in Washington, DC, regardless of where you live, then you’ll want to take notes. - Q&A: Post-Maternity Leave Job Re-entry; Financial Aid; more
- 2007 HBCU Homecoming Dates
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online Site Maintenance
Starting today, the main BLACK COLLEGIAN Online site at http://www.black-collegian.com/ will be undergoing the first stage of a network redesign. During the maintenance, users may experience periods in which the site is noticeably slower or temporarily inaccessible. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you visiting.
Meanwhile, the jobs portion of our site will still be accessible and fully operational at the direct URL http://jobs.blackcollegian.com/.
Meanwhile, the jobs portion of our site will still be accessible and fully operational at the direct URL http://jobs.blackcollegian.com/.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Four Views of Vick
Two student writers from Black College Wire go at the Vick question from different angles:
For Kai Beasley, a recent graduate of Emory, the Vick Case Raises Question of Personal Responsibility. Yes, "'The System' has been a source of worry and woe for black men, since Africans in America learned how to pronounce the word 'system'," Beasley acknowledges. But, while "the system is flawed, [at] what point do we ask ourselves what role we play in our own demise?"
At the same time, Brian Browley, a student at Tennessee State University, urges that Before Condemning Michael Vick, Consider Ignorance, Stupidity — and Insanity. Observing that dog-fighting events "take place on the lowest rungs of society, in the slums and dirt-poor rural communities of America -- places where the living conditions of people mirror that of dogs," Browley is disturbed by the intense media scrutiny given to the case, which may be tinged with class bias. "You won't find [dog fights] on Park Avenue or in the suburbs."
Between the two commentators, though, they are tackling the same question: Can a person be both highly condemning of Michael Vick's actions while also being wary of the intensity and outrage in how the case has been reported?
Elsewhere, on our IMDiversity sister site, Earl Ofari Hutchinson muses over the The Rehabilitation of Michael Vick. "Vick will pay and continue to pay two steep prices for his crime. He’ll do jail time, cough up a load in fines and restitution, and be canned indefinitely by the NFL. That price is fair and warranted," Hutchinson says. "The other price he’ll pay is that he’ll be the permanent poster boy for animal abuse and the bad behaving celebrity. That price is questionable."
However, Kam Williams believes that the Disgraced QB Still Needs Serious Help. Sure, Vick needs counseling and rehabilitation. But Williams is disgusted that instead, a slick PR machine has rolled out the announcement that Vick has abruptly found Jesus, "selling the notion that his shedding crocodile tears and converting to Christianity on the courthouse steps means that his high crimes and misdemeanors are already behind him."
We don't expect this discussion to go away soon, and welcome your thoughts, as well as encourage you to check out any comments posted on the Black College Wire article.
For Kai Beasley, a recent graduate of Emory, the Vick Case Raises Question of Personal Responsibility. Yes, "'The System' has been a source of worry and woe for black men, since Africans in America learned how to pronounce the word 'system'," Beasley acknowledges. But, while "the system is flawed, [at] what point do we ask ourselves what role we play in our own demise?"
At the same time, Brian Browley, a student at Tennessee State University, urges that Before Condemning Michael Vick, Consider Ignorance, Stupidity — and Insanity. Observing that dog-fighting events "take place on the lowest rungs of society, in the slums and dirt-poor rural communities of America -- places where the living conditions of people mirror that of dogs," Browley is disturbed by the intense media scrutiny given to the case, which may be tinged with class bias. "You won't find [dog fights] on Park Avenue or in the suburbs."
Between the two commentators, though, they are tackling the same question: Can a person be both highly condemning of Michael Vick's actions while also being wary of the intensity and outrage in how the case has been reported?
Elsewhere, on our IMDiversity sister site, Earl Ofari Hutchinson muses over the The Rehabilitation of Michael Vick. "Vick will pay and continue to pay two steep prices for his crime. He’ll do jail time, cough up a load in fines and restitution, and be canned indefinitely by the NFL. That price is fair and warranted," Hutchinson says. "The other price he’ll pay is that he’ll be the permanent poster boy for animal abuse and the bad behaving celebrity. That price is questionable."
However, Kam Williams believes that the Disgraced QB Still Needs Serious Help. Sure, Vick needs counseling and rehabilitation. But Williams is disgusted that instead, a slick PR machine has rolled out the announcement that Vick has abruptly found Jesus, "selling the notion that his shedding crocodile tears and converting to Christianity on the courthouse steps means that his high crimes and misdemeanors are already behind him."
We don't expect this discussion to go away soon, and welcome your thoughts, as well as encourage you to check out any comments posted on the Black College Wire article.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Today, a Sight to See: HANDS AROUND THE DOME
As we head into the last day of this week's Hurricane Katrina anniversary remembrances in New Orleans, our roving reporter NOLASon is on his way to what promises to be the most spectacular in a whirlwind of events and actions somber and inspirational, angering and reflective, uplifting and mournful.
THE BLACK COLLEGIAN encourages everyone in the area to head on down to the "HANDS AROUND THE DOME CEREMONY" this afternoon, with a full schedule of civic and cultural events programming starting at 12:30 PM, culminating in the Circling of the Dome at 3:30 PM.
Organized by the African American Leadership Project, the HADC intends to symbolize "healing from the suffering and losses, and affirmation of the future." The program consists of rituals, prayers, brief speeches, cultural events, reflections, music and song, and reading a partial roll of the deceased. To close the program, participants form a powerful and dramatic hand to hand human circle around the Dome as each person calls out and names their loss."When that circle is formed reflecting a diversity of human hands, and the Dome is surrounded and encircled, there is a dramatic feeling that we are together, and that we will prevail no matter what has happened," said Gail Glapion, AALP Chairperson.
The AALP Project Manager, Mtangulizi Sanyika, continued, "We try to overcome the pain and suffering that occurred in this building which along with the Convention Center has become symbolic of the general pain and suffering caused by human error and neglect during Katrina."For the AALP this year's Ceremony as the closing and "crowning event" of the 2nd Katrina Anniversary Observance and commemoration.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st
LOUISIANA SUPERDOME PLAZA LEVEL (click for map)
Read the AALP release from NewOrleansAgenda.com
ABOUT THE IMAGES HERE
Top - Louisiana Superdome from AALP/NewOrleansAgenda.com release; Middle and Bottom - Two extraordinary views of the damaged Superdome immediately after the hurricane, from a photo essay by a then-student journalist Nikki Bannister called "Welcome to New Orleans". The photo essay was part of a special collaborative project by Black College Wire, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN, and IMDiversity.com, Hurricane Katrina - Views from America's HBCUs. It appeared as an extended online/offline feature in the First Semester 2005 Super Issue of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine. For larger, uncropped versions of the images, see the essay.
Friday, August 31, 2007
NOLAson's Take: Candlelight Vigil at Jackson Square
The people taking part in the candlelight vigil marched from the Mississippi River to Jackson Square, and not much was said.
So, when a gentleman observing the procession began to play his flute to the tune of “We Shall Overcome,” it carried softly into the night air over "the city that care forgot".
That melody made me realize that as many times as I’ve frequented the French Quarters, this was one of the few occasions where a diverse group of people stood in close proximity without the help of Mardi Gras floats or beads or booze.Instead, tonight’s congregation was drawn by loss and remembrance as speakers such as Rev. Al Sharpton and Susan Taylor delivered messages of empowerment.
And there in the dark, with folks standing shoulder-to-shoulder and candles ablaze, I could see the hope for a better New Orleans flickering at times, but still bright enough to light the night sky.
New Orleanians: If only we could let that light shine day-in and day-out, this might one day be the city that care remembered.
Around Town: Black Greek Letter Organizations Step Up for NOLA
The relevancy of Black fraternities and sororities may be a recurring theme on the national level, but local chapters are proving their worth.
From providing communities with informational resources to gutting houses, undergraduate and alumni members are providing the service their founders intended, as well as helping rebuild a fractured city.
Chavez Cammon, a political science/criminal justice major at Southern University at New Orleans and president of the Epsilon Nu chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, said his chapter is ready to work.
“We’re in the process of setting up a partnership to adopt one of the schools in the recovery school district near SUNO,” said Cammon, whose chapter has also set up voter registration drives and political awareness campaigns.However, Cammon said there is plenty yet to be done.
“We have a young leadership among the student government, and there’s a movement to get all the organizations on campus together and figure out how we can all make a difference as undergrads.”
Ross Johnson, a graduate of Dillard University and chaplain for the citywide alumni chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, said that in his opinion undergraduate chapters are working hard.However, Johnson said for those members of the Greek black letter organizations that his challenge is simple: “You are mandated to service, and it’s time show up and serve.”
Around Town: Drum Beats = Heart Beats for one Young Musician
Like many of the talented musicians bred in New Orleans John Jones talent could have been his ticket out of New Orleans when Katrina struck. However, the 27-year-old drummer said he wouldn’t feel right anywhere else.
“For one this is home. I was born raised here,” said Jones, a member of the Marlon Jordan Jazz Group. “More importantly, people that are aware of the city’s deep culture should be at the forefront of the rebuilding process.”
Jones, a master’s candidate in the University of New Orleans’ Jazz studies program, said another reason he chose to return was because he eventually wants to teach music.
“I could probably go elsewhere and establish myself, but it makes more sense to come back and help lay a foundation for other young kids.”
Like many of the talented musicians bred in New Orleans John Jones talent could have been his ticket out of New Orleans when Katrina struck. However, the 27-year-old drummer said he wouldn’t feel right anywhere else.
“For one this is home. I was born raised here,” said Jones, a member of the Marlon Jordan Jazz Group. “More importantly, people that are aware of the city’s deep culture should be at the forefront of the rebuilding process.”
Jones, a master’s candidate in the University of New Orleans’ Jazz studies program, said another reason he chose to return was because he eventually wants to teach music.
“I could probably go elsewhere and establish myself, but it makes more sense to come back and help lay a foundation for other young kids.”
Around Town: The Anthony Bean Community Center
Although the commemorative events placed me in the midst of politicians, academics, entertainers, and other moneyed people, seeing young people do positive things in post-Katrina New Orleans gently reminded me where the wealth of our city lies.
I’m speaking specifically of the Anthony Bean Community performing artists. The group of high-school-aged New Orleanians graced the ‘Day of Presence audience with sleek dance moves, but their story is deeper than boogying and bopping. Their story explains that what young people do on stage can keep them from doing negative actions associated with many of New Orleans’ high-crime neighborhoods.
“For me, dancing keeps me off the streets,” said Daldesa Keppard. A 17-year-old student at Warren Easton High School, Keppard said because she has something to occupy her evenings, she has very little time to get into the trouble which many of New Orleans’ youth are all to familiar with.
“Dancing not only keeps us involved and off the streets, but it also allows us to express ourselves creatively,” Keppard said.
Elise Felix, asst. director of the Anthony Bean Community Center for seven years, said that the kids are not only dancing, but learning to put on plays as well.
Felix said the young people are putting together a production called 5-0-4 in which six kids return to New Orleans four weeks after the storm determined to help rebuild the city. After tossing around ideas, the group stages a large concert to rally the people of New Orleans.
Felix said that the group members not only perform, but also builds props and work behind the scenes to put on the production.
“Many of our youth, especially our young Black men fall into the trouble because there’s no place for them and a lot of times they drop out of school,” Felix said. “But if you’re running with Peanut, Pookie and Juju, then you become apart of the school of hard knocks.”
Felix said if groups or organizations have the means or resources to help young people, then that’s what they should be doing.
“I challenge them to take these young folks in, not just to get government funding, but more importantly to keep these kids off the streets.”
Danny Glover Co-Chairs African Diaspora Heritage Conference
AFRICAN DIASPORA HERITAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE HELD IN THE BAHAMAS
(BLACK PR WIRE RELEASE)
DALLAS, TX (August 30, 2007) - The Islands Of The Bahamas will host the African Diaspora Heritage Trail (ADHT) Conference with the theme, "From Slave Ship to Self-Determined Destinations," October 10 - 14, 2007 at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas.
Actor and activist Danny Glover will co-chair the conference with former U.N. Ambassador to The Bahamas, Davidson Hepburn. The Honorable Neko Grant, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, and the Government of The Bahamas will host this year's conference at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
Founded by the Government of Bermuda, the ADHT is a global heritage tourism initiative seeking to establish a transnational African Diaspora Heritage Trail, linking Diasporan countries and venues around the world.
The ADHT Conference provides a forum for scholars, professionals and travel officials to explore the African Diaspora and its impact on African cultures and heritage. The Conference allows attendees committed to researching the African Diaspora to showcase its cultural significance through artistic expression, written and oral histories, institutional building and policy-making.
Featured presenters include Shirley Franklin, Mayor, City of Atlanta; Doudou Diene, Special Rapporteur, United Nations High Commission for Human Rights; Patricia J. Francis, Executive Director, International Trade Centre; Howard Dodson, Chief of the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture; and A.B. Spellman, Author and Former Deputy Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Attendees can experience the African Diaspora Heritage Trail among The Bahamas Islands of Exuma, Eleuthra and Harbor Island during optional pre and post-conference guided tours. In addition to conference sessions and forums, other conference activities include an Afro-Caribbean Film Festival, African Diaspora Trade Expo, Gala Awards Dinner and the unveiling of the historic African Diaspora landmark in The Bahamas.
Registration is available until October 1, which includes conference fees, meals, all special events, transportation and materials. Airfare, accommodations and airport transportation is not included.
To register and learn more of how the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference will transcend cultural boundaries and ignite international dialogue about the African heritage and culture, visit http://www.adht.net/ for more information or call 301-650-5700 Ext. 507.
About The Islands Of The Bahamas
The Islands Of The Bahamas form a 100,000-sq-mile archipelago that extends over 500 miles of the clearest water in the world. Our 700 islands, including uninhabited cays and large rocks, total an estimated land area of 5,382 sq miles, and register a highest land elevation of 206 ft. Most notable, however, is that each island has its own diversity that continues beyond geography, carrying through to the heart of The Bahamas, the Bahamian people. You'll find it in our heritage. In our culture. And in our humble pride. These are The Islands Of The Bahamas. Population: somewhere north of 300,000.
(BLACK PR WIRE RELEASE)
DALLAS, TX (August 30, 2007) - The Islands Of The Bahamas will host the African Diaspora Heritage Trail (ADHT) Conference with the theme, "From Slave Ship to Self-Determined Destinations," October 10 - 14, 2007 at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas.
Actor and activist Danny Glover will co-chair the conference with former U.N. Ambassador to The Bahamas, Davidson Hepburn. The Honorable Neko Grant, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, and the Government of The Bahamas will host this year's conference at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
Founded by the Government of Bermuda, the ADHT is a global heritage tourism initiative seeking to establish a transnational African Diaspora Heritage Trail, linking Diasporan countries and venues around the world.
The ADHT Conference provides a forum for scholars, professionals and travel officials to explore the African Diaspora and its impact on African cultures and heritage. The Conference allows attendees committed to researching the African Diaspora to showcase its cultural significance through artistic expression, written and oral histories, institutional building and policy-making.
Featured presenters include Shirley Franklin, Mayor, City of Atlanta; Doudou Diene, Special Rapporteur, United Nations High Commission for Human Rights; Patricia J. Francis, Executive Director, International Trade Centre; Howard Dodson, Chief of the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture; and A.B. Spellman, Author and Former Deputy Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Attendees can experience the African Diaspora Heritage Trail among The Bahamas Islands of Exuma, Eleuthra and Harbor Island during optional pre and post-conference guided tours. In addition to conference sessions and forums, other conference activities include an Afro-Caribbean Film Festival, African Diaspora Trade Expo, Gala Awards Dinner and the unveiling of the historic African Diaspora landmark in The Bahamas.
Registration is available until October 1, which includes conference fees, meals, all special events, transportation and materials. Airfare, accommodations and airport transportation is not included.
To register and learn more of how the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference will transcend cultural boundaries and ignite international dialogue about the African heritage and culture, visit http://www.adht.net/ for more information or call 301-650-5700 Ext. 507.
About The Islands Of The Bahamas
The Islands Of The Bahamas form a 100,000-sq-mile archipelago that extends over 500 miles of the clearest water in the world. Our 700 islands, including uninhabited cays and large rocks, total an estimated land area of 5,382 sq miles, and register a highest land elevation of 206 ft. Most notable, however, is that each island has its own diversity that continues beyond geography, carrying through to the heart of The Bahamas, the Bahamian people. You'll find it in our heritage. In our culture. And in our humble pride. These are The Islands Of The Bahamas. Population: somewhere north of 300,000.
Not to be Forgotten: Other Coast Colleges Struggling
While most national media coverage of the week's hurricane anniversaries has focused on Louisiana, observations have not been limited to New Orleans. As the Jackson Clarion Ledger reports in its expansive, Mississippi-focused Katrina +2 section, problems institutional, political and social persist in the state despite a good deal of tangible progress towards recovery.
Gulf Coast colleges are still feeling a pinch in enrollment, their futures uncertain, as a number of campuses face long-term challenges of not just restoration, but wholesale relocation. As LaRaye Brown reports, state and community colleges in particular have been forced to absorb major losses, and readjust their recovery and growth goals, as they hunt for and seek to fund new homes. Schools like the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, Brown suggests, are on the path to breaking ground on new sites.
For others, including the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College system, the estimated time to restoring pre-Katrina numbers and operations keeps stretching outward. With enrollment still down nearly 12%, state funding will decline by over $3.6 million, president Willis Lott said in the report. As a result, Lott estimated, the school enrollment numbers would not reach pre-Katrina numbers until 2014, rather than 2010 as originally projected.
Meanwhile, the AP's Sheila Byrd reports on a study by the Southern Education Foundation, finding "that thousands of Gulf Coast students are still displaced...and millions of dollars worth of school reconstruction projects remain unfunded," and that a "new response" by federal government is needed to address the needs of educational institutions including K-12 level as well as colleges.
Among the study's key findings:
Another problem observed by the Clarion Ledger's editors is more social and political, and insidious. In Immigrants feel fallout on Coast, reporter Julie Goodman describes how "gratititude has turned to spite" targeting the Coast's immigrant population, those who were on-hand to "brave storm-ravaged homes, working among the corpses of dogs, cats and humans and cleaning rotten food from refrigerators..." and now, having contributed so much to the recovery work, and put down roots with homes, schools and businesses, say they're "stared at in public, singled out by law enforcement and targeted by politicians on the campaign trail."
See the special section for more extensive coverage and commentary related to the Katrina anniversary in Mississippi.
Gulf Coast colleges are still feeling a pinch in enrollment, their futures uncertain, as a number of campuses face long-term challenges of not just restoration, but wholesale relocation. As LaRaye Brown reports, state and community colleges in particular have been forced to absorb major losses, and readjust their recovery and growth goals, as they hunt for and seek to fund new homes. Schools like the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, Brown suggests, are on the path to breaking ground on new sites.
For others, including the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College system, the estimated time to restoring pre-Katrina numbers and operations keeps stretching outward. With enrollment still down nearly 12%, state funding will decline by over $3.6 million, president Willis Lott said in the report. As a result, Lott estimated, the school enrollment numbers would not reach pre-Katrina numbers until 2014, rather than 2010 as originally projected.
Meanwhile, the AP's Sheila Byrd reports on a study by the Southern Education Foundation, finding "that thousands of Gulf Coast students are still displaced...and millions of dollars worth of school reconstruction projects remain unfunded," and that a "new response" by federal government is needed to address the needs of educational institutions including K-12 level as well as colleges.Among the study's key findings:
Displaced students re-enrolled in schools in 49 states, but a lack of adequate federal funding meant that schools with the greatest number of displaced students had insufficient classrooms, staff and supplies to support them. The report found that as many as 15,000 K-12 public school students and 35,000 college students in Louisiana and Mississippi missed school last year because of lingering problems associated with Katrina.
Only 2 percent of the federal government's hurricane-related funding went toward education recovery. While the costs of hurricane destruction in K-12 and higher education were estimated at $6.2 billion, only $1.2 billion in federal funding had been committed to restoring physical structures and property -- inadequate even with the addition of some local government and insurance funding.
Another problem observed by the Clarion Ledger's editors is more social and political, and insidious. In Immigrants feel fallout on Coast, reporter Julie Goodman describes how "gratititude has turned to spite" targeting the Coast's immigrant population, those who were on-hand to "brave storm-ravaged homes, working among the corpses of dogs, cats and humans and cleaning rotten food from refrigerators..." and now, having contributed so much to the recovery work, and put down roots with homes, schools and businesses, say they're "stared at in public, singled out by law enforcement and targeted by politicians on the campaign trail."
See the special section for more extensive coverage and commentary related to the Katrina anniversary in Mississippi.
Around Town: SUNO students turn out
While many collegians are focused on the start of school, purchasing textbooks, and worrying about outfitting their dorm rooms, students from Southern University at New Orleans are on a different mission.
“Of all the colleges and universities effected by Hurricane Katrina, SUNO is the only institution that has not been able to return to its campus,” said Sabrina Effron, a senior criminal justice major and member of the university senate and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.Located near New Orleans’ Lakefront area, SUNO was hit hard by Katrina. Currently, SUNO’s classes and offices are held at a temporary campus housed in modular buildings not far from the original campus, such as the one snapped here by Drew Daniels for Black College Wire and THE BLACK COLLEGIAN. But the school’s enrollment, which Effron said topped 2,800 this semester, is straining the temporary campus.
“The city’s recovery is important to SUNO because it’s primarily a commuter school. And as the institution responsible for educating many New Orleanians, SUNO is important to the city – we need each other,” Effron said.
What’s amazing is that SUNO students are not just attending rallies and forums (such as the Day of Presence Convention Center rally I photographed above), they are proactive ambassadors of the university.
Brenda Campbell, a graduate student in SUNO’s social sciences department, caught the ear of Rev. Al Sharpton (who I caught at the 8/29 candlelight vigil at Jackson Square), and some of the first words out of her mouth were, “I need you to see the condition of my school. Books are still stuck to the walls in the library.”
Although it may be considered "just a city college" by many, based on the courage and persistence that many of its students have exhibited, I believe there is some world class educating taking place at SUNO.
What’s amazing is that SUNO students are not just attending rallies and forums (such as the Day of Presence Convention Center rally I photographed above), they are proactive ambassadors of the university.
Brenda Campbell, a graduate student in SUNO’s social sciences department, caught the ear of Rev. Al Sharpton (who I caught at the 8/29 candlelight vigil at Jackson Square), and some of the first words out of her mouth were, “I need you to see the condition of my school. Books are still stuck to the walls in the library.”Although it may be considered "just a city college" by many, based on the courage and persistence that many of its students have exhibited, I believe there is some world class educating taking place at SUNO.
Around Town: Policy Forum at Dillard Involves Youth
When I think of "policy forums," I envision a stuffy room filled with talking suits who toss around a bunch of big words. However, a public policy forum held at Dillard University earlier this week was a departure.
As I gazed around the room there were many young elected officials and college students, but what caught my eye was a group of high school students from Jackson, MS.
Hailing from Jim Hill and Piney Woods high schools, the group made the trip to New Orleans to listen in on the forum.
Renee Ombaba, a 17-year-old senior at Jim Hill High, said this was her first trip to New Orleans and she was “surprised at the condition of the city.”
“On the news you hear this and you hear that, but when you come here it looks like the city was in a time capsule,” she said.
As a member of her school’s Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Club, Ombaba said one thing she took away from the forum is accountability at the local and state levels of government.
“People always blame the federal government, but the federal government can only do so much. After they disburse the funds to states, it’s up to the states to use the money wisely. We need to also hold our state governments accountable to help fix problems instead of just blaming the federal government,” Ombaba said.
Charles Taylor, also a 17-year-old senior at Jim Hill High School, said of attending the forum: “It’s very significant for me to be here to listen and weigh in on this forum, because the people who are going to be affected by many of the decisions made here are the youth,” said Taylor, who serves as the president for the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties club.
“We are going to be the leaders of tomorrow, so it’s important that we engage in dialogue today,” Taylor said.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Around Town: Candlelight Vigil at Jackson Square
“Well it showed respect to a lot of people that died in the storm and I gained that even in a bunch of chaos we can all come together and act like one big family”
– Blake Sanders, 18, student at Delgado Community College
- - -
“I think it was important to attend the ceremony because it gives us closure for people that we lost in the storm. Also, I gained a new respect for Rev. Al Sharpton and how he spoke on the issues. He said some things that we needed to hear, especially his comments about how Bush can find money to rebuild Iraq, but can’t rebuild New Orleans.”
– Victoria Nicks, 20, student at Delgado Community College
Around Town: NOLAson’s take
This is NOLAson checking in. As the man on the street for THE BLACK COLLEGIAN, I’ve been able to attend a number of events commemorating Katrina this week and meet a number of people and see a range of emotions.
While the events are marked by somber remembrances and frustration with the lack of progress, one of subtle, underlying themes is the need for young people to step up and take charge.
Mainstream media may focus on the commemorative events in general; it’s my hope to bring you the views of young folks attending area rallies, forums and universities.
While the events are marked by somber remembrances and frustration with the lack of progress, one of subtle, underlying themes is the need for young people to step up and take charge.
Mainstream media may focus on the commemorative events in general; it’s my hope to bring you the views of young folks attending area rallies, forums and universities.
More "Around Town" dispatches to come...
[Photo: Heading to the 8/29/07 Candlelight Vigil at Jackson Square, by Shawn Chollette for THE BLACK COLLEGIAN]
Supporters, Officials Gather for A Day of Presence
Uncounted throngs gathered all across New Orleans yesterday to mark the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, taking time off and braving rain storms to participate in commemorative events, some reflective and some forcefully political, that took place in all corners of the city.
In addition to prominent local politicians and cultural figures such as mayor Ray Nagin, Governor Kathleen Blanco, and Archbishop Alfred Hughes, supporters from outside the area came to the city to participate in events and show their support for efforts to rebuild in the Gulf.
Organized by a coalition of national and local groups calling for a Katrina Bill of Rights, a rally/presentation at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center was the centerpiece of "A Day of Presence," a campaign to promote a 5-point "call to action" urging increased government assistance in region's recovery and restoration.
For a detailed overview of the tone and breadth of some of the day's events, see the Times-Picayune's Communities gather for prayers, protests under national spotlight.
Anniversary events will continue throughout the rest of the week and into the weekend, culminating in is planned to be a spectacular rally promoted by the African-American Leadership Project, with participants gathering hand-in-hand to encircle the SuperDome.
THE BLACK COLLEGIAN dispatched our own NOLASon (aka TBC contributor and former Black College Wire writer Shawn Chollete) to scour the town this week, observing the memorials and talking with area students about their feelings and plans for commemorating the anniversary.
Shawn's a freelance journalist working and living in New Orleans, whose previous articles for us include "Black Students’ Political Clout in ’06 and Beyond," “New Orleans’ HBCUs Fight to Recover," "Today's Black Collegians," and features and photographs in the special section, "After Katrina: Starting over in New Orleans”.
He'll be posting his observations and images from About Town here on the blog throughout the week (including the photos here of an afternoon performance and of Mayor Nagin speaking at the Day of Presence Rally at the Convention Center), and we invite others to do the same.
In addition to prominent local politicians and cultural figures such as mayor Ray Nagin, Governor Kathleen Blanco, and Archbishop Alfred Hughes, supporters from outside the area came to the city to participate in events and show their support for efforts to rebuild in the Gulf.Organized by a coalition of national and local groups calling for a Katrina Bill of Rights, a rally/presentation at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center was the centerpiece of "A Day of Presence," a campaign to promote a 5-point "call to action" urging increased government assistance in region's recovery and restoration.
For a detailed overview of the tone and breadth of some of the day's events, see the Times-Picayune's Communities gather for prayers, protests under national spotlight.Anniversary events will continue throughout the rest of the week and into the weekend, culminating in is planned to be a spectacular rally promoted by the African-American Leadership Project, with participants gathering hand-in-hand to encircle the SuperDome.
THE BLACK COLLEGIAN dispatched our own NOLASon (aka TBC contributor and former Black College Wire writer Shawn Chollete) to scour the town this week, observing the memorials and talking with area students about their feelings and plans for commemorating the anniversary.
Shawn's a freelance journalist working and living in New Orleans, whose previous articles for us include "Black Students’ Political Clout in ’06 and Beyond," “New Orleans’ HBCUs Fight to Recover," "Today's Black Collegians," and features and photographs in the special section, "After Katrina: Starting over in New Orleans”.He'll be posting his observations and images from About Town here on the blog throughout the week (including the photos here of an afternoon performance and of Mayor Nagin speaking at the Day of Presence Rally at the Convention Center), and we invite others to do the same.
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