Howard University
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Howard University, which maintains a sprawling campus in Northwest Washington, D.C., is currently on alert after a recent violent incident went wide. According to reports, a group of suspected locals beat students on campus grounds and police are investigating the matter.
As reported by local outlet WRC-TV, Howard University officials confirmed that an attack from a large group did take place on campus near two residence halls in the early morning hours of Monday (August 16). One student explained that a large group of what they described as “D.C. locals” began to attack them. Another explained that the group stomped them so badly that they thought death was near.
“I was prepared to die,” the student said. “When I was on the ground getting stomped out, I just stopped feeling the pain at one point.”
The outlet added in its report that another student was stabbed in the back and beaten by over two dozen people. According to witnesses, security guards at Howard University allegedly did nothing to help the harmed student. It hasn’t been shared what sparked the group to attack the students.
So far, campus police say that they managed to arrest one teen suspect who was found with a handgun in their possession. Marcus Lyles, executive director of public safety and chief of police at Howard University, announced a series of investigations and other actions connected to the incident. A lieutenant for the campus police was suspended after internal findings, and a security contractor is no longer working with the university.
The school shared plans to install over 1,000 cameras across cameras. In addition, the school will also establish walking paths for students that will keep them near a security officer.
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Photo: The Washington Post / Getty
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Lil Durk is giving back through a new partnership with Amazon Music creating an endowment for students to receive scholarships to HBCUs, including Howard University.
The Chicago native announced last Friday (April 14th) that he has created the Durk Banks Endowment Fund in partnership with his Neighborhood Heroes 501(c)(3)non-profit group which he founded and Rotation, the HIp-Hop & R&B brand from Amazon Music. He let his fans know through social media. “I’m the voice this the part they don’t show, I appreciate all the kids who struggling to finish school and needed this blessing,” he wrote.
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The fund awarded a $50,000 scholarship to two students from Chicago who’re set to enroll in Howard University in Washington D.C. this fall. “I feel it’s my responsibility to reach back to the kids—especially those that are growing up in my community,” says the rapper in a press release. “These kids have to be our biggest investment as they’re our future leaders. They are destined for greatness and I’m encouraging others to join my team’s efforts to help pave their way.”
In addition to the scholarships, Lil Durk also donated $250,000 directly to Chicago-area students who are receiving Howard’s Graduation Retention Access to Continued Excellence (GRACE) Grant. This fund is to assist students with financial support to alleviate financial burdens so they can stay in school and graduate on time. “For me to boost them up and get them to the next level, it was like a no-brainer,” he stated in an interview with Billboard. “And this scholarship was a super-no-brainer for me. For me and my team, having my own scholarship is like a Grammy.”
The “Hellcats and Trackstars” artist also was the headliner for Howard’s Springfest over the past weekend and paid $100,000 towards a trip taken by 20 high school students from his hometown to visit the university. “We are incredibly grateful to be the recipients of such generous support from Lil Durk, the Neighborhood Heroes Foundation, and Amazon Music,” adds Cynthia Evers, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs at Howard University in the press release. “Not only did they lend their support to the premier event run by and for Howard University students, but they also left a lasting impression by offering a gift that will continue to benefit Howard students for a long time to come.”
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While sneakerheads bicker, battle and bot highly-anticipated general releases like this past weekend’s “Reimagined” Air Jordan 3’s, colleges like Howard University are out here getting the kind of grails we can only dream of getting our hands on.
Sneakernews is reporting that the historic Black college have been blessed by Jordan Brand with their own PE Air Jordan 1 Lows that boast the University’s colors on the silhouette and man are these a beauty. Baring a striking resemblance to the OG “Chicago” colorway of the Air Jordan 1 High’s, the Howard University PE’s feature a textured fabric in a mostly red and white color block with the Nike swoosh in Bison blue. But what really makes these joints pop are the details that come with it.
Swooshes on the sides and lateral forefoot introduce the Bison’s signature navy tone, while labels on the tongue follow suit. The inner-lining on the low-top Air Jordan 1 enjoy a quilted satin material, making the sneakers that much more special. Traditional “NIKE AIR” logos are replaced with “HOWARD BISON” graphics on the sockliner. Lastly, an off white and brown combination rounds out the sole unit.
Makes you want to enroll in Howard University just to see if you can somehow get a pair. You won’t but still.
Naturally these more than likely won’t ever see a general release but don’t be surprised if you see a few pairs pop up on the secondary market for a few grand.
Would you drop a King Kong grip on these joints if you had the chance? Let us know in the comments section below.
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A white student who attended Howard University School of Law has sued the university for discrimination after being expelled. However, reports are questioning the student’s motives as the details from the suit are being released.
Michael Newman attended Howard University School of Law for nearly two years until he was expelled in September of last year and he is seeking $2 million in damages alleging “pain, suffering, emotional anguish and damage to his reputation.”
Fox6 reports that Newman enrolled in the fall of 2020–amid the coronavirus pandemic when classes were virtual and that as he and other students communicated via online forums and GroupMe chats, Newman frequently posted inflammatory photos and ideas.
The report says that after a symposium featuring an African American speaker ahead of the 2020 election, Newman posted the forum page asking if further discussion could be had on “whether: (1) Black voters didn’t question turning to government for solutions, and (2) reliably voting for the same party every election disincentivized both parties from responding to the needs of the black communities.”
Newman also said that his goal in attending the school was to “learn, not just law, but to learn the thoughts and experiences of people of color,” and referred to his time there as a social experiment.
He said that he frequently felt ostracized because fellow students referred to him by names such as “white panther” and “mayo king.” Black students at the institution also frequently complained about Newman claiming that his actions caused them “severe stress” and “distracted them from their studies.”
The report adds that Newman sent out a four-page letter trying to explain his views, but it was received as a “manifesto.”
The School of Law Dean Danielle Holley noted that a digital town hall was held with 300 participants to discuss Newman’s actions. And Holley characterized his actions as “disturbing in every sense of the word.” She accused the man of “continual harassment of member [sic] of the Howard Law community, and disturbance of the learning environment at the School of Law.”
The lawsuit was filed in federal court and Frank Tramble, Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for Howard University, said that while he could not comment “substantively” due to pending litigation, the university “is prepared to vigorously defend itself in this lawsuit as the claims provide a one-sided and self-serving narrative of the events leading to the end of the student’s enrollment at the University.”
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Photo: The Washington Post / Getty
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Who said Black people couldn’t swim? Howard University’s swim and dive team is making a big splash and history at the same damn time.
The Howard Bison have made history after becoming the first all-Black swim and dive team to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, earning a well-deserved spotlight in the sports publication while kick-splashing the idea that Black people are no fans of water and swimming.
Howard is the only Historical Black College or University with a swim team. While racking up wins, The Bison are also breaking records.
Sports Illustrated highlighted the team to kick off Black History Month to spotlight the team’s accomplishments in the predominately white sport. The magazine spoke with the Bison’s coach Nic Askew.
“This is about our mission as a university and the message we want to send as an HBCU…,” Askew told Sports Illustrated. “This isn’t a bunch of Black people in a pool; it’s young Black men and women succeeding in a sport that, for years, has shut them out of this experience.
The Howard University Swim Team Features Athletes From Different Countries
Per Hilltop, the team brings together many athletes from different countries in the Americas and the Caribbean, with each team member already being accomplished athletes before joining Howard’s team.
Blavity spoke with women’s team captain Raychel Fauntroy, a Miami native who is a senior at Howard University. She has been swimming competitively for the past decade.
“We love what we do. We chose a sport and stuck to it for around 10+ years, which most of us have. We love it so much … there are people on the team willing to teach people how to swim and water safety,” she detailed. We volunteer at swim clubs and teach them tips and tricks to be successful. I’m proud to say that I’ve been a part of the team and am very grateful to have had this experience. Howard University swim and dive has a familial bond and a team unlike any other,” she told the website.
Currently, the men’s (6-2) and women’s (5-3) have an excellent chance to capture the Northeast Conference crown.
Black excellence we love to see.
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Photo: The Washington Post / Getty
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