The HBCU Tour Kicks Off with a Successful Launch at Florida A&M University

Florida Rising's HBCU Tour has officially hit the ground running with an electrifying kickoff at Florida A&M University (FAMU)! The inaugural event, held during Set Market Fridays as part of the South Carolina State vs. FAMU football game weekend, energized students and the community, marking the beginning of a dynamic series of engagements across historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

The atmosphere at FAMU was electric as students gathered to participate in the first stop of The HBCU Tour, an effort dedicated to mobilizing Black and Brown communities ahead of the upcoming elections. The event highlighted the importance of voter participation, with students eagerly discussing their voting plans and solidifying their commitment to making their voices heard.

"We're thrilled with the turnout and enthusiasm we witnessed at FAMU," said Nubian Roberts, Black Constituency Director of Florida Rising. "This event set the tone for what we anticipate will be a powerful and impactful tour, as we work together to empower students and ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to participate in the electoral process."

The HBCU Tour aims to engage students in meaningful conversations about social, economic, and racial justice, while also providing them with the tools to take action in their communities. As part of this initiative, students are encouraged to create a voting plan, register to vote, and stay informed about key issues affecting their lives.

The next stops on The HBCU Tour include:

Florida Memorial University on September 7, 2024, during the Edward Waters at Florida Memorial University football game

Bethune Cookman University on September 21, 2024, during the Clark Atlanta University at Bethune Cookman University football game

Edward Waters University on September 28, 2024, during the Tuskegee at Edward Waters University football game

"The energy and commitment we've seen from students at FAMU are truly inspiring," said Dwight Bullard, Senior Political Advisor of Florida Rising. "Their eagerness to engage in the democratic process and their passion for driving change reaffirm the importance of this tour. We're excited to continue this journey across other HBCUs, fostering a sense of unity and purpose among students as we head into the election season."

Florida Rising continues to bring together Black and Brown communities across the state to advance social, economic, and racial justice, with The HBCU Tour serving as a crucial platform for engaging the next generation of leaders.

For more information about The HBCU Tour, including upcoming events and resources, please visit www.thehbcutour.com.

FAMU Board Of Trustees Approves Interim President Timothy Beard’s Contract

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees (BOT) approved the 12-month contract of Interim President Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D.

Beard, who served as president of Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) from 2015 until his retirement earlier this year, will begin his tenure on August 5. He succeeds President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., who served nearly seven years prior to stepping down. Beard will serve until the next university president is selected. Beard, a FAMU alumnus, addressed the BOT before the unanimous vote.

“Thank you for this opportunity. I am a servant leader and want to make a difference. There are three things I want our students to keep in mind, and that is to learn, earn, and return, which is giving back. We owe a great debt to this institution for what she (FAMU) has done,” said Beard in a statement following the Special BOT meeting.

Beard earned undergraduate degrees from FAMU and Florida State University (FSU) and a doctoral degree from FSU in 1998 in Rehabilitation Counseling with a focus on Higher Education Administration. Two of his daughters and a son-in-law are FAMU alumni.

During his 14 years working at FAMU, Beard served as a faculty member, as well as a staff manager. He was an assistant professor in the School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS), and SOAHS director of Student Affairs. He also held several roles in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, including director of Graduate Student Services, director of Instructional Research, and director of Career Services. He also served as an assistant director of the FAMU Career Center.

BOT Chair Kristin Harper hailed Beard’s return to his alma mater. “Welcome back to The ‘Hill.’ We look forward to working together as we continue to Boldly Strike for student success.”

FAMU pauses $237M donation

The president of Florida A&M University announced Thursday that the school is putting a “pause” on a historic $237 million donation the Rattlers received over the weekend from Batterson Farms Corporation CEO Gregory Gerami and the Isaac Batterson Family 7th Trust.

The news comes after days of controversy over the gift.

FAMU announced the donation with a super-sized check during a jam-packed commencement ceremony on Saturday. But the school’s tone toward the funding swiftly changed this week after FAMU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Deveron Gibbons asked FAMU President Larry Robinson and Board Chair Kristin Harper to organize a public meeting in the interest of transparency.

“The recently announced donation would truly be transformative for Florida A&M University, an institution that is helping to shape the next generation of leaders,” FAMU Vice Chair Deveron Gibbons wrote in a statement shared Tuesday. “However, the reality is that little has been shared regarding the nature of the donation.”

A group of school leaders convened and discussed the donation Thursday afternoon during a FAMU Foundation Board Meeting, which was broadcast via Zoom. During the call, Robinson said that officials decided Wednesday to “put a pause” on the donation “pending additional information that’s come to my attention.”

“It’s in our best interest to put that on hold,” he said.

The group also passed a motion to form an “internal, multidisciplinary committee” that will audit the university’s process for evaluating major gifts.

[]SOURCE: WCTV]

Election puts spotlight on HBCUs, a historic VP and two influential Georgians

Kamala Harris becoming Vice-President Elect is now a defining moment of pride for historically black colleges and universities - and how those institutions foster Black excellence in this country. And it brings the spotlight to three Black women proudly breaking barriers. Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams and Keisha Lance Bottoms each graduated from historically black colleges and universities.

Florida A&M University moves ahead with plans to create African-American news network

Florida A&M University is moving forward with plans to create the first-ever African-American new network, with the university as its headquarters.

"The Black Television News Channel" will broadcast in 14 cities across the US including New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, with hopes of becoming a world-wide station. This comes thanks to a new agreement with Charter Communications.

FAMU first joined the project to bring the Black Television News Channel to viewers in 2014. While there is an 11-year agreement to house the network on campus, many involved are hopeful that the channel and the cooperation with the university will last much longer.

The project is expected to bring hundreds of jobs and 30 million dollars in economic stimulus to Tallahassee, in addition to training for FAMU journalism students.

"Black Television News Channel will focus on the African-American community. We will broadcast 24 hours, 7 days a week, world-wide, much like CNN or Fox, or MSNBC, says former Tallahassee mayor John Marks who is one of the principles in starting the project. "Our focus however will be on the African-American community and bringing news from an African-American perspective. That's the idea for the network at this point in time. "

[SOURCE:WTXL]