America’s first African American Veterans Monument unveiled in Buffalo

The African American Veterans Monument was unveiled Saturday at Buffalo's Naval and Military Park.

The monument is the first of its kind across the nation.

This has been six years in the making.

The monument has 12 columns and will light up at night. There are also bricks that have the names of African Americans who have served our country.

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes is the one who had the idea to bring this monument to Buffalo.

"There's not a war this country has ever been in that somebody who looked like me wasn't on the frontlines. Not ever. And they're going to understand that because school children are going to take visits to this monument not just from Buffalo and Western New York but around the world." said Stokes.

"This is the first African American monument in the country that honors veterans in all the wars. Many areas and many spots may have a statue that honors Blacks in Vietnam or something. But there's no other monument that honors all the wars with African Americans and that's why this is very unique," said Warren Galloway, president of the board of directors at the African American Veterans Monument.

There are 550 with names right now, and many families were excited to see the names of loved ones who deserve their names there.

All the bricks here that are unmarked, about 4,500, are for sale. So if you are a veteran and would like to buy one for yourself or a family member, it costs $250.

[ SOURCE: WGRZ]

Bowie State To Host Second Annual HBCU Entrepreneurship Conference

It began in 2021 and in one year the HBCU Entrepreneurship Conference has grown into one of Bowie State University’s (BSU) signature events attended by students, leaders from other HBCUs, foundation executives, entrepreneurs and others interested in furthering entrepreneurship and innovation.

Hosted by the BSU Entrepreneurship Innovation Center EIC), the hybrid conference is set for October 6, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Supported by lead sponsor Truist, registration is now open and free for all attendees. Conference participants will have the opportunity to connect with peers to share research and experience a new vision for experiential education in entrepreneurship beyond the classroom. Attendees will also help advance entrepreneurship education across HBCUs by sharing what institutions are doing in the entrepreneurship arena and discussing how to get more students to buy-in to the entrepreneurial mindset.

“Our conference takes entrepreneurship beyond the classroom and will help promote entrepreneurship education across all departments at HBCUs as fundamental to a students’ higher education experience,” said Johnetta Hardy, executive director of the EIC. “We want administrators from HBCUs to engage with successful entrepreneurs, business leaders, students, researchers and other conference participants to foster an entrepreneurial mindset that they will inject at their colleges and universities upon their return.”

Over 25 interactive virtual sessions led by HBCU faculty, administrators and business executives will be presented on experiential education in entrepreneurship; connecting communities to an entrepreneurial ecosystem; building strong university entrepreneurship ecosystems that remove silos and spawn closer working relationships; and measuring the success of entrepreneurship education based on competencies, skills, and other evaluative measures.

Keynote speakers include Philip Gaskin, vice president of entrepreneurship, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Al Reynolds, co-host of FOX Soul’s TEA G-I-F and business development executive; and Clifton L. Taulbert, Pulitzer nominee, entrepreneur, and CEO. Reynolds will appear in person at the conference while Gaskin and Taulbert will make virtual presentations.

“This conference has something for everyone,” said Hardy. “Students will develop new contacts, find mentors and learn about entrepreneurship from experienced business owners. HBCU administrators and business executives will have the opportunity to share their knowledge on entrepreneurship and develop new relationships that will be beneficial for everyone.”

Jackson State University Tigers stays at #11 in FCS Coaches Poll

After stomping Mississippi Valley State (0-4) 49-7, Deion Sanders and the Jackson State University Tigers (4-0) stayed at #11 in the FCS coaches poll. JSU is the only HBCU in the FCS top 25.

To this point the Tigers have been dominant with an average margin of victory of 38 points while allowing opponents to score on 9.5 points per game.

JSU's next game is on the road against the (2-2) Alabama State University Hornets.

Full FCS Top 25 Poll

1	North Dakota State   (43)	3-1	1334	1
2	Montana   (6)	4-0	1267	3
2	South Dakota State   (5)	3-1	1267	2
4	Montana State	3-1	1108	4
4	Incarnate Word	3-1	1108	6
6	Missouri State	2-2	1091	5
7	Sacramento State	3-0	995	8
8	Delaware	4-0	963	9
9	Villanova	2-2	874	7
10	Chattanooga	3-1	831	10
11	Jackson State	4-0	818	11
12	Weber State	3-0	789	12
13	Holy Cross	4-0	742	13
14	William & Mary	3-1	610	15
15	Eastern Washington	1-2	559	14
16	Eastern Kentucky	2-2	449	19
17	Mercer	3-1	401	20
18	Tennessee-Martin	2-2	351	16
19	North Dakota	2-2	305	22
20	Rhode Island	2-2	232	17
21	Samford	3-1	212	24
22	Richmond	3-1	164	26
23	Stephen F. Austin	1-2	131	21
24	Southern Illinois	2-2	123	30
25	North Carolina Central	2-0	104	36

Mississippi Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Cross Burning

The Justice Department announced that Axel C. Cox, 23, has been charged with hate crime and arson violations for burning a cross in his front yard to threaten, interfere with and intimidate a Black family in Gulfport, Mississippi.

According to court documents, Cox is charged with one count of criminal interference with the right to fair housing and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. The indictment alleges that on Dec. 3, 2020, Cox threatened, intimidated and interfered with a Black family’s enjoyment of their housing rights. According to the indictment, Cox burned a cross in his front yard, and used threatening and racially derogatory remarks toward his Black neighbors. Cox allegedly chose to burn the cross because of the victims’ race.

If convicted, Cox faces up to 10 years in prison for interfering with the victims’ housing rights and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for using fire to commit a federal felony. Cox also faces a fine of up to $250,000 with respect to each charge.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca for the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby for the FBI Jackson Field Office made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Cabell Jones for the Southern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorney Noah Coakley II of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock leading Herschel Walker by five percentage points

In Georgia’s race for U.S. Senate, Raphael Warnock (47%) leads Herschel Walker (42%) by 5 points statewide. Warnock (47%) and Walker (45%) are closely matched among registered voters who say they definitely plan to vote.

Warnock’s lead over Walker is bolstered by independents (+9 points) and women. A 23-point gender gap exists. 52% of women support Warnock while 49% of men back Walker.

70% of registered voters with a candidate preference for U.S. Senate strongly support their choice. This includes 74% of Warnock’s supporters and 68% of Walker’s backers.

43% of Georgians have a favorable opinion of Warnock, and 40% have an unfavorable impression of him. Walker’s favorable rating is upside down (37% favorable to 41% unfavorable).

[SOURCE: MARIST]