Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms To Deliver Spelman College Commencement Address

The Honorable Keisha Lance Bottoms, current mayor of Atlanta, has been named keynote speaker for the Spelman College 132nd Commencement ceremony. The 60th Mayor of Atlanta will address 474 graduates in the Class of 2019 and 9,000 of their family and friends on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 3 p.m., at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta. Mayor Bottoms will also receive the National Community Service Award in recognition of her service as a lifelong public servant and commitment to addressing local, state and national issues.

Mayor Bottoms is the only mayor in Atlanta's history to have served in all three branches of government, serving as a judge and city councilmember before being sworn in as mayor. Leading with a progressive agenda focused on equity and affordable housing, Mayor Bottoms serves as chair of the Community Development and Housing Committee for the United States Conference of Mayors.

Only the second woman to be elected to Atlanta's highest office, Mayor Bottoms has demonstrated her courageous leadership through initiatives like the citywide elimination of cash bail bonds, the closure of the Atlanta City Detention Center to ICE detainees, and the launch of Atlanta's financial transparency platform – Open Checkbook. During her time on city council, she launched Invest in Southwest , a 360-degree urban planning initiative with the goal of revitalizing and expanding economic development within the Southwest Atlanta community. She also authored panhandling legislation, which combined empathy with enforcement, and resulted in offenders receiving often-needed social services to help break the cycle of recidivism.

"Atlanta is fortunate to have such a dynamic leader as Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has had a tremendous impact on the city, in particular on the Westside, where Spelman is located," said Spelman President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D. "She stands as an example for Spelman students of how to effectively lead the country's bedrock for civil and human rights, while navigating complex issues, prioritizing civic engagement and advancing Atlanta's progress in global commerce and equity. We look forward to Mayor Bottoms sharing her experience with the class of 2019."

Under Mayor Bottoms' leadership, the City of Atlanta recently led the successful staging of Super Bowl LIII, which included unprecedented community benefits – a $2.4 million renovation of John F. Kennedy Park on Atlanta's Westside, more than 20,000 trees planted throughout the community and the seamless coordination of 40 federal, state and local public safety agencies.

Mayor Bottoms has volunteered and served on the board of numerous community organizations, including The Children's School, the Firefighters' Pension Fund, the Andrew and Walter Young YMCA, the YWCA of Atlanta, Cure for Childhood Cancer and Central Atlanta Progress. She has been a member of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights – Women's Solidarity Society and also served on the board of Families First, where she often shared her personal story of adoption and advocates on behalf of adoption and foster care.

"Spelman College is a beacon of excellence across the globe and I am honored to stand among the many fearless women who have graced this space to share life lessons with the graduates as they journey into their next chapter," said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. "I am equally grateful to receive the 2019 National Community Service Award. Thank you, Spelman College, for the thoughtfulness in this recognition."

Sheilah Coley to Lead Trenton New Jersey PD

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora announced on Monday his nomination of Sheilah Coley as the next Director of the Trenton Police Department. Coley previously served as Director and Chief of the Newark Police Department and as Public Safety Director for East Orange. Coley also has the designation of being Trenton’s first African-American female Police Director.

“I am thrilled that Chief Coley has agreed to head the Trenton Police Department,” said Gusciora. “She has been at the forefront of cutting edge crime-fighting technology and understands how to make changes in a department that pay off in reducing crime. She is extremely qualified, and we are excited to welcome her to the Capital City.”

“This is an honor, and I am proud to have the chance to serve the people of Trenton as their next Police Director,” said Coley. “I want to thank Mayor Gusciora for this opportunity and the City Council for their consideration, and I look forward to working with the community to help make Trenton a safe and prosperous place to live.”

Coley was selected from dozens of applicants and went through a vetting process by Mayor Gusciora’s search committee. She now awaits confirmation by the City Council and approval by the Department of Community Affairs, per the Memorandum of Understanding.

Coley joined the United States Air Force at age 17 and served for three years. She then went on to serve in the Newark Police Department for 25 years, holding each rank, including Chief and Director. She then went on to serve as Public Safety Director of East Orange, overseeing Police, Fire, and OEM divisions. Coley earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice and her M.A. in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Rutgers University Dedicates Plaza to Paul Robeson

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the graduation of its most acclaimed alumnus, Rutgers University dedicated a plaza named for Paul Robeson on Friday to honor his legacy as distinguished a scholar, athlete, actor and global activist for civil rights and social justice.

The open-air plaza, which features eight black granite panels detailing the story of Robeson’s life, stands in a prominent location next to the Voorhees Mall on the College Avenue campus at Rutgers–New Brunswick. The Paul Robeson Plaza was unveiled Friday during a ceremony that attracted hundreds of students, alumni and community members.

“There’s no question, as you’ve heard, that Paul Robeson is among the greatest of the hundreds of thousands of Rutgers alumni – simply one of the greatest,” Rutgers President Robert Barchi said. “In fact, we may never see again so many talents combined in one person – a superior scholar, an all-American athlete, a world-renowned singer and actor, a spellbinding orator and a passionate activist and humanitarian.”

Robeson’s granddaughter, Susan Robeson, said “what was so extraordinary about my grandfather was that the more successful, the more wealthy, the more famous, the more accomplished he became as a singer and an actor, the less focused he was on himself and the more attuned he became to the suffering of others. To him, all the success in the world was meaningless if it didn’t benefit someone else.”

“My greatest hope is that students today strive to become global citizens who transcend boundaries and engage with the issues of peace and social justice in every corner of the globe and, like Paul, never fear to speak truth to power,” she added. “My grandfather often said, ‘I’m not free until we’re all free,’ and he wasn’t just talking about black folks. He was talking about every single person who walks on the planet Earth.”

The plaza was envisioned and championed by the Class of 1971 for its 45th anniversary, with strong support from the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance, Inc.

“President Barchi, this is our milestone gift and it is the hope of the Class of 1971 that the Paul Robeson Plaza will stand as a public and lasting tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Paul Leroy Robeson and will serve to inspire future generations to stand up, to speak out (on) social injustice and human rights with Paul Robeson as their model and their mentor,” said Claude White, president of the Rutgers College Class of 1971.

In the 20th century, Robeson was a quintessential Renaissance man who championed equal rights. Globally recognized at the time, his name faded from public consciousness even though the issues of justice and equity have flared anew, from Black Lives Matter to the #MeToo movement.

Black Lives Matter cofounder Opal Tometi recently told a Rutgers audience that today's civil rights movement wouldn’t be possible without Robeson and Martin Luther King Jr. “Robeson is so important because he paved the way for us to have a global perspective on our movements," she said.

Robeson, a native of Princeton, attended Rutgers College in New Brunswick on an academic scholarship, becoming the university’s third African-American student. He soon became a star scholar with a consistently high grade point average. In his junior year he became one of only four classmates admitted to Phi Beta Kappa and, in his senior year, was one of four men chosen to join the Cap and Skull Honor Society.

He earned acclaim as an orator and singer while at Rutgers, and won oratorical competitions each of his four years.  At his 1919 graduation he gave the valedictory speech titled “The New Idealism,” which called upon his audience to fight for a government where “character shall be the standard of excellence.”

Robeson also excelled as a Rutgers athlete. He was the university’s first black football player and was named an All-American in 1917 and 1918. He won 15 varsity letters in football, baseball, basketball and track.

He persevered at Rutgers despite the racism he faced. On one occasion, the football coach benched Robeson when an opposing team refused to take the field against a black man – though the coach regretted that decision and refused to give in the next time such a request was made.

After Rutgers, Robeson earned a law degree at Columbia Law School and then launched a successful career as a performing artist. Robeson’s deep baritone led to fame as a singer. He starred in films and plays and, as Othello, led the longest-running Shakespeare play in Broadway history.

Robeson used his fame to advocate for the rights and dignity of African Americans and oppressed people throughout the world. He spoke out for the rights of miners and other workers; for India’s independence; and for the anti-fascist cause during the Spanish Civil War.  His relationship with the Soviet Union generated controversy and attention from the House Un-American Activities Committee.

But, as shown in his song “Ballad for Americans,” he expressed a view of the common humanity of all Americans and belief in America’s promise: “Our country’s strong, our country’s young, and her greatest songs are still unsung.”

Dr. Leroy Staggers named 10th President of HBCU, Morris College

(SUMTER, S.C.) –Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of Morris College celebrated the new leadership of the college with the official Presidential Investiture of Dr. Leroy Staggers.

Dozens of supporters filled the seats of the Neal-Jones auditorium Friday to celebrate the next chapter in Morris College history, led by Dr. Leroy Stagger as the College’s tenth president.

Delegates representing higher education as well as professional and political associations welcomed the elected president with a purpose, invocation, scripture reading, musical selections, and greetings.

The ceremony began with an African Welcome by the Caroline Mack Center for the Arts and a drum performance by Ms. Natalie Williams and Mr. Jamey Johnson. The college’s choir direct, Mr. Herbert Johnson led the crowd to sing the National Negro Anthem before Dr. Mack T. Hines, Immediate Past Chairman of the Morris College Board of Trustees (BOT) gave a ceremonial welcome.

The purpose was given by the Co-Chair of the Presidential Investiture Committee, Elder J. Elbert Williams followed by the Invocation given by Dr. Jamey O. Graham, Vice President at Large of the Baptist Education and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, Inc.

The crowd was moved by the chilling vocals of soloist Thelma Isaac as she sang Amazing Grace following the scripture reading and The Lord’s Prayer, before the presidential response.

Many distinguished leaders gave greetings. The Honorable J. Thomas McElveen, III spoke first followed by the Hon. James. T. McCain who announced the proclamation of April 12, 2019, being named “Dr. Leroy Staggers Day” by the Sumter County Council. Mayor Hon. Joseph T. McElveen Jr. spoke on the great work Dr. Staggers has shown over the twenty-plus years the two have been working in Sumter. His long-time friend Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, president of Claflin University also offered words of encouragement followed by remarks from the faculty and staff, alumni, and student government association.

Jane Luther Smith, Senior Instructor of Music at the University of South Carolina-Sumter, played a musical piece on the piano following the greetings.

The college has not had an investiture ceremony in over four-decades since Dr. Luns C. Richardson was named the college president in 1974. Dr. Richardson transitioned in 2017 following retirement.

The installation of Dr. Staggers as the tenth president called for a Presidential Charge which was given by the President and CEO or the United Negro College Fund, Dr. Michael Lomax. In the Presidential Charge, Dr. Lomax challenged the tenth president to take on a life-long commitment to remain a “student-centered and student-focused president.”

He challenged Dr. Staggers to remain a role model and continue to transform lives.

Upon receiving his robe, medallion and mace, the newly named tenth president of Morris College stood before the crowded auditorium and delivered his Presidential Response.

Dr. Staggers acknowledged the ninth president for being a great leader while he served under him for nearly two decades.

“My vision for Morris College is to build onto the great achievements of Dr. Richardson.”

“I had the blessing and good fortune to sit under Dr. Richardson as dean for 17-years,” he boasted proudly into the crowd.

He spoke on the transformations that the college has made for over a century, producing great scholars since the campus was chartered in 1911 with just two wooden buildings to house the college courses.

Dr. Staggers responded to the presidential charge with confidence and high esteem.

“Dr. Lomax, I understand the hopes, dreams, and ambitions of our students and their parents. Therefore I do accept this challenge, and I will be a student-centered and student-focused president. I will work diligently to keep students front and center, in all of my decisions. For all of the students that come through the Morris [College] gate, I will lead the faculty and the staff to ensure that students do learn and learn well and become college graduates and depart to serve. Together with the faculty, staff, and other constituents, we will motivate students, encourage them and nurture them. We will see to it that each becomes a successful college graduate. We will help students to realize their true potential and use it. Dr. Lomax, I concur wholeheartedly with you, 100 percent, about the benefits and value of a college degree. I commit today to a laser-focused purpose on this goal of creating college graduates of those students that enter our gate. “

He accepted the challenge to remain committed through all of the institution's trials and tribulations and asked for God’s guidance in getting him through all there is to come.

“I ask for God’s guidance, I pray for courage, and I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

NETFLIX ANNOUNCES FIRST ORIGINAL AFRICAN ANIMATED SERIES MAMA K'S TEAM 4

Johannesburg, ZA and Hollywood, Calif. - April 16 2019 - Netflix, the world's leading internet entertainment service, today announced its first original African animated series, Mama K’s Team 4, produced by Cape Town-based Triggerfish Animation Studios and leading London-based kids’ entertainment specialist CAKE.

Mama K’s Team 4 tells the story of four teen girls living in the neo-futuristic African city of Lusaka, Zambia who are recruited by a retired secret agent still committed to saving the world. The series joins Netflix’s growing slate of original animated programming designed for kids and families everywhere, brought to 190 countries by artists from around the world.

Mama K’s Team 4 is created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema, who was one of eight winners in the Triggerfish Story Lab initiative in 2015, a pan-african talent search.

Designed by Cameroonian artist Malcolm Wope, it draws visual inspiration from retro-’90s R&B and hip hop girl groups.

To join the creative team on the series, Netflix is collaborating with Triggerfish Animation studio and CAKE to launch a continent-wide search for local female writing talent.

Malenga grew up watching cartoons on TV and found herself asking why no heroes looked like her and why they didn’t live in a world that felt like her own. “In creating a superhero show set in Lusaka, I hope to introduce the world to four strong African girls who save the day in their own fun and crazy way. Most importantly, I want to illustrate that anyone from anywhere can be a superhero,” commented Malenga.

"In addition to giving African writers a global platform on which to be heard, we are excited to present this powerful and entertaining new animated series that brings Malenga's incredible and unique vision to life on Netflix," said Melissa Cobb, vice president of original animation at Netflix. "Mama K's Team 4 has the potential to give a whole new generation of African children the opportunity to see themselves on-screen in the powerful, aspirational characters they look up to.”

“After animating four multi-award-winning BBC Christmas specials set in England, including the Oscar-nominated Revolting Rhymes, Triggerfish is delighted to bring an African capital city to life on Netflix,” added Vanessa Ann Sinden, Triggerfish’s development producer. “Female writers from Africa who have had their work produced for either TV, film or theatre can find out more about the Writers Lab and how to apply from the careers page of our website, http://careers.triggerfish.com/.”

CEO & Creative Director at CAKE, Tom van Waveren concluded, “We are delighted to be partnering with Triggerfish and Netflix on Mama K’s Team 4, a uniquely empowering, but most of all fun project, which brings a fresh perspective to a classic cartoon genre."

Announcement Assets
Malenga Mulendema’s headshot can be accessed here. (Please do not post link, download only)