Anheuser-Busch Foundation and UNCF Renew Partnership to Provide Emergency Aid to Help HBCU Students

Graduation Day is a college student’s dream. Recently for some, their dream would have been shattered had it not been for emergency funding assistance from UNCF (United Negro College Fund) provided by the Anheuser-Busch Foundation.

For the second consecutive year, the Anheuser-Busch Foundation has made a $200,000 donation to UNCF to support an emergency fund that awards up to $2,500 per student, to help students attending UNCF-member historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) complete their degree requirements. Through last year’s grant, 69 students received assistance this year to help them walk across the stage on graduation day.

Without funding, the students would not have finalized their degree completion due to outstanding academic debt, including fees from tuition, room and board, tutoring, lab fees and other college-related fees that were not covered through direct payments by the student, family contributions, grants, loans or scholarships.

“I would like to sincerely thank UNCF and Anheuser-Busch Foundation for the scholarship which enabled me to become a LeMoyne-Owen College graduate,” said Braxton Miller, a biology major who plans to attend the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in the fall to begin nursing school and pursue a career as a holistic nurse.

Camden Marsh, a graduating senior at Allen University, said the scholarship funds helped him “to pay off student loans.” “I want to personally thank UNCF and Anheuser-Busch Foundation for helping me as I embark upon this new journey in my life upon graduation.”

“I want to truly thank UNCF and Anheuser-Busch. You saved me when I had to pay for not one but two courses I had to take. You truly and honestly blessed me,” said James Wilson, Benedict College graduate who majored in criminal justice administration and will enter the U.S. military to pursue his chosen field.

Through the renewed partnership, the Anheuser-Busch Foundation is continuing the degree completion program this year to support eligible students, with applications opening in July and awards announced in the fall. Eligible students must be African American, a senior attending a UNCF-member HBCU with a financial need preventing them from graduating. Students must major in business, engineering or supply chain logistics. Awards up to $2,500 will be made to an estimated 70 students.

Over a 50-year partnership, Anheuser Busch—through both the company and its foundation—have contributed more than $5.5 million to boost UNCF’s mission.

“For more than five decades, Anheuser-Busch and its foundation have championed UNCF’s efforts, making investments in HBCU students’ futures a priority, and helping so many students with emergency funding at a time when they needed it the most to graduate,” said Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president and chief development officer, UNCF. “We thank the Anheuser-Busch Foundation for helping these talented, deserving students to realize their college graduation and make their dreams come true.”

”At the Anheuser-Busch Foundation, we are committed to investing in the economic prosperity of our friends and neighbors to help build stronger communities,” said Julio Suárez, Anheuser-Busch Foundation. “Through our longstanding partnership with UNCF and the degree completion program, we are proud to continue to empower these bright students, so that they may secure the full benefits of a college degree and be able to pursue their professional goals.”

Scholarship recipients have shared “thank you” videos, expressing their appreciation to UNCF and Anheuser-Busch Foundation for providing the emergency funds necessary to help them graduate.

All-Black Hockey Team Competes In Minnesota’s Summer Showdown

Minnesota’s Summer Showdown is where youth hockey shines in the state, and it draws anyone trying to immerse themselves deeply in the game.

A U-18 hockey team has assembled players from all over the country with one thing in common, thanks to a pair of hockey moms from California who just wanted their sons to have this experience.

Every one of the U-18 Panthers, from across the country, is Black.

NAACP President calls for firing of Washington Commanders coach over June 6 remarks

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator, Jack Del Rio upset many when he asked on Twitter why protests following the killing of George Floyd were not investigated as the attack on the Capitol was.

In response, NAACP President Derrick Johnson released the following statement calling for Del Rio to resign or be terminated:

"It is time for Jack Del Rio to resign or be terminated. His comments could not have been more offensive and ignorant. The January 6th insurrection —an attempted coup—was far from a 'dust-up'. Each day we learn more and more on just how close our democracy came to autocracy. Downplaying the insurrection by comparing it to nationwide protests, which were in response to a public lynching, is twisted. You can’t coach a majority Black team while turning your back on the Black community. It's time for you to pack up and step off the field."

Read the full text of Jan. 6 House Committee chair Bennie Thompson's remarks in first Jan. 6 hearing.

Read the full text of chair Bennie Thompson's opening remarks in first Jan. 6 hearing delivered on Jun 9, 2022.

Read the full text of chair Bennie Thompson's remarks in first Jan. 6 hearing. by George L. Cook III on Scribd

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley Nominated to Head U.S. Africa Command

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced June 9 that the president has nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as commander, U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany.

Langley, if confirmed by the Senate, would be the first African American Marine promoted to four stars.

Langley is currently serving as commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command; commanding general, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic; and commander, Marine Corps Forces North, Norfolk, Virginia.

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Langley graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington and commissioned in 1985. He commanded at every level from platoon to regiment, including Battery K, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines in support of Operations WILDFIRE in Western United States; battalion and regimental commands in 12th Marines forward deployed in Okinawa, Japan; and both the 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command-Central and Regional Support Command – Southwest in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

As a general officer, his command assignments include deputy commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force and commanding general, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade; commander, Marine Forces Europe and Africa; and deputy commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and Deputy commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command.

Langley’s staff and joint assignments include serving as a division officer for Marine Corps Institute, Marine Barracks 8th and I; deputy G-1, 1st Marine Division deployed in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE in Somalia; naval surface fire support requirements officer in the Expeditionary Warfare Division (N75) and joint integration officer in the Surface Warfare Division (N76), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; policy action officer in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5; Iraq desk officer in the Joint Staff Response Cell, J-3 Operations Directorate; deputy executive assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; assessments branch head, Programs and Resources, Headquarters, Marine Corps; assistant division commander of 3d Marine Division; deputy director for Operations, J-3, Joint Staff; assistant deputy commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters, Marine Corps; and director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, J-5, U.S. Central Command.

Langley’s formal military education includes U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School and College of Naval Command and Staff. He holds multiple advanced degrees including Masters in National Security Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Langley assumed the duties of commanding general, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command on Nov. 3, 2021.