Spelman College Names Helene Gayle as its 11th President

The Spelman College Board of Trustees unanimously voted today to appoint Helene Gayle, MD its 11th president. Spelman College has a long, proud history of excellence and global leadership in the education of women of African descent and is committed to addressing racial inequities in education ensuring equitable opportunities for students of all economic backgrounds. Dr. Gayle’s presidency will begin on July 1, 2022.

Dr. Gayle currently serves as president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation's oldest and largest community foundations. Under her leadership, the Trust grew its assets from roughly $2.8B to $4.7 billion and adopted a strategic plan aimed at closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap. A public health leader and humanitarian, Dr. Gayle spent nearly a decade as president and CEO of Atlanta-based CARE, one of the largest international humanitarian organizations, with approximately 11,000 staff and poverty fighting programs that reached 82 million people in 2010 in 87 countries. Under Dr. Gayle’s leadership, CARE reinforced its commitment to empowering girls and women to bring lasting change to communities living in poverty.  

“Our success for more than a century and a half has been built by an engaged student body and alumnae, committed faculty and staff, and a history of exemplary presidents, “said Rosalind G. Brewer, Board Chair of Spelman College. “I’m excited about Dr. Gayle’s appointment and confident that her demonstrated ability to address complex issues in communities of color many of which involve the strength of Black females and her success factors, coupled with her commitment to equity, will further build on Spelman’s legacy and propel the College into the future.”

In the months-long search, the Presidential Search Committee sought a leader who embodies the Spelman mission of academic excellence and global leadership, and whose experience and expertise would build on the College’s momentum in key areas, including affordability, entrepreneurship and innovation, and the Arts. In considering the Search Committee’s recommendation, the Board of Trustees considered key priorities for Spelman’s 11th president, some of which included increasing or improving the student experience, such as safety and housing, building on Spelman’s fiscal strength and maintaining the college’s attraction to diverse and talented students, faculty and staff. 

“I am an honored and look forward to being a part of a long, proud legacy committed to the education of women of African descent. This is a moment where HBCUs are once again being recognized for the importance that they bring to every sector of this country,” said Dr. Gayle. “Spelman has a strong history of changing lives for people who will change lives. The idea of giving back to generations of students through cutting-edge academic programs and facilities, increasing college affordability, raising financial aid support and increasing the endowment, and developing new career pathways and opportunities is what invigorates and excites me about this new role.”

As Spelman’s 11th president, Dr. Gayle will assume the presidency at a time when the college is thriving. Spelman was named U.S. News and World Report’s #1 Historically Black College or University for 15 years in a row in 2022, the National Science Foundation’s #1 baccalaureate institution of Black or African American science and engineering doctorate recipients and is a top producer of Fulbright Scholars.

Dr. Gayle is an epidemiologist who also spent 20 years at the Centers for Disease Control, working primarily on HIV/AIDS and at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with a focus on global public health. Dr. Gayle holds a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Psychology from Barnard College -Columbia University a M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and a M.P.H. from Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health. Dr. Gayle serves on several public and nonprofit boards, including The Coca-Cola Company, Organon & Co  a women’s health care company,  Palo Alto Networks a cybersecurity company, and the Brookings Institution. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.


HONORARY DEGREES:
Emory University, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2019
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Doctor of Science 2019
American University, Doctor of Science, 2018
Xavier University, Doctor of Science, 2016
University of Buffalo, Doctor of Science, 2016
University of Miami, Doctor of Science, 2013
Oberlin College, Doctor of Science, 2011
Colby College, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2010
Columbia University, Doctor of Laws, 2009
Agnes Scott College, Doctor of Science, 2009
Brandeis University, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2008
Morehouse School of Medicine, Doctor of Science, 2008
Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2008
Duke University, Doctor of Science, 2008
Meharry Medical College, Doctor of Science, 2007
Smith College, Doctorate, 2007
Pennsylvania State University, Doctor of Science, 2004
Jackson State University, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2004

Academic Affiliations:
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, 2008 -
Adjunct Professor, Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, 2009 - 2020
Clinical Assistant Professor of Community Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, 2006 
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Health Services, University of Washington, School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, 2002 

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to run for re-election

Intending to make it “official” sometime “soon,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday she will seek a second term in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.

Regarding her reelection bid, Lightfoot said, “The issue is when is the announcement, and that will come soon. I mean, I’m giving you every indication of what the future is going to hold. The question is just formally announcing it. And we will do that soon.”

That Lightfoot is running for another term is certainly no surprise.

Asked about a timetable for making an announcement, Lightfoot said, it will be “soon,” adding “for the first time in two years, we have, I have the ability to look on the horizon, not through a COVID cloud. Now I’m concerned about the uptick in cases as we are all across the U.S. But it feels good to be back together. It feels good to make personal connections with folks that aren’t just over phone or Zoom.

“So I’m spending a lot of time going across the city, having conversations meeting with folks and feel like I need to do that and make real reconnections that you can only really get by sitting down with people face to face. So I’m giving myself the time to do that.”

[SOURCE: WBEZ]

Boeing Unveils First T-7A Red Hawk Advanced Trainer Jet that honors the Tuskegee Airmen

Boeing has unveiled the first T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer jet to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force. The jet, one of 351 the U.S. Air Force plans to order, was unveiled prior to official delivery.

The fully digitally designed aircraft was built and tested using advanced manufacturing, agile software development and digital engineering technology significantly reducing the time from design to first flight. The aircraft also features open architecture software, providing growth and flexibility to meet future mission needs.

“We’re excited and honored to deliver this digitally advanced, next-generation trainer to the U.S. Air Force,” said Ted Colbert, president and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “This aircraft is a tangible example of how Boeing, its suppliers and partners are leading the digital engineering revolution. T-7A will prepare pilots for future missions for decades to come.”

The T-7A Red Hawk incorporates a red-tailed livery in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. These airmen made up the first African American aviation unit to serve in the U.S. military.

“The Tuskegee Airmen are one of the most celebrated units in our Air Force history, and the T-7A honors the bravery and skill of these trailblazers, said Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Air Force. “Like the Airmen they were named and painted to pay homage to, the T-7A Red Hawks break down the barriers of flight. These digitally-engineered aircraft will make it possible for a diverse cross section of future fighter and bomber pilots to be trained, and provide an advanced training system and capabilities that will meet the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s national security environment.”

The aircraft will remain in St. Louis where it will undergo ground and flight tests before being delivered to the U.S. Air Force. The T-7A program resides at Boeing’s St. Louis facility with the aft section of the trainer being built by Saab in Linkoping, Sweden. Saab will soon start producing that section at their new production facility in West Lafayette, Indiana.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Marisa Darden becomes first Black woman U.S. attorney in northern Ohio history

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Marisa Darden as the top federal prosecutor in northern Ohio, making her the first Black woman to be appointed to the role.

Darden, 38, currently serves as a principal in the Cleveland office of the law firm Squire Patton Boggs. She previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Cleveland from 2014 to 2019 handling an assortment of criminal cases. She also worked as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan.

Darden will succeed Justin Herdman, who was appointed by President Donald Trump. Herdman stepped down in January 2020. Michelle Baeppler has been acting U.S. attorney since February. Another former U.S. attorney in northern Ohio, Steve Dettelbach, has been nominated by Biden to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Ohio’s two U.S. senators, Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, recommended Darden to Biden, and Brown lauded her confirmation on Wednesday.

“Ms. Darden will be an outstanding U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio,” the statement said “Throughout her legal career, serving the community has been her priority. As the first African American woman in this role, Ms. Darden would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to lead the Northern District with excellence.”

[SOURCE CLEVELAND.COM]

AFTER 20 YEARS MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE ANNOUNCES FULL ACCREDITATION

Morris Brown College (MBC) is proud to announce it has received full accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), a Virginia-based accreditation agency. TRACS Board of Trustees voted to grant accreditation to MBC on April 26, 2022, at its annual meeting. This monumental achievement came after nearly 20 years of effort, marking a historical achievement for the 141-year-old college.

TRACS is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as an institutional accrediting agency for Christian post-secondary institutions, colleges, universities, and seminaries. TRACS is also a member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), a worldwide association of over 200 organizations active in the theory and practice of quality assurance in higher education. Moreover, the agency is a member of the American Council on Education (ACE), with over 1,700 organizations that collectively promote, protect, and advocate for students, faculty, and administrators in higher education.

Morris Brown College earning full accreditation is a significant achievement demonstrating that it holds quality standards and is engaged in continuous improvement. Furthermore, the college has been reinstated to participate in the Federal Financial Aid Program. Financial aid is any type of college funding that does not come from family, personal savings, or earnings. It can include grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and federal or private loan programs. Financial aid can be used to cover educational expenses such as tuition/fees, room/board, books/supplies, and transportation. Morris Brown has one of the most affordable tuition rates in Georgia at $4,250 a semester.

Having served as chief executive for three years, President Kevin James said, “I am honored to lead this great institution. Many thought that this feat was impossible, but due to our strong faith in God, our hardworking and wonderful faculty and staff, the support of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, our dedicated alumni, and our resilient spirit, we were able to achieve full accreditation. Morris Brown offers a unique, affordable, and quality education that prepares students for success. This was truly The Hard Reset. This is just the beginning!”

Founded by formerly enslaved religious leaders at Big Bethel AME Church in 1881, MBC is the first college in Georgia to be owned and operated by African Americans. The iconic Fountain Hall and the current Morris Brown campus are where Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois wrote “The Souls of Black Folk” in 1903. Notable alumni include Alberta Williams King, mother of Martin Luther King, Jr., and James Alan McPherson, the first Black writer to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.