Dale G. Caldwell Will Be the First Black President of Centennary University in New Jersey

The board of trustees of Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey has unanimously approved the appointment of Dale G. Caldwell as the university’s 15th president. When he takes office on July 1, Dr. Caldwell will be the first African American president of the university, since its founding in 1867.

“I am grateful for the board’s confidence in my ability to lead Centenary at this pivotal time in the university’s history,” Dr. Caldwell said. Citing the university’s strong commitment to the success of its students, he continued, “I look forward to strengthening partnerships between the university and business leaders to grow Centenary’s reputation for scholarship, entrepreneurship, and service.”

Centenary University enrolls just over 1,100 undergraduate students and more than 400 graduate students according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education. African Americans make up 9 percent of the undergraduate student body.

Dr. Caldwell is currently executive director of the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, as well as president of the board of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey. A resident of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Dr. Caldwell is president of the city’s Board of Education, serving as both an appointed and elected member of the board since 1998.

Dr. Caldwell is a graduate of Princeton University, where he majored in economics. He holds an MBA in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate in education administration from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.

[JBHE]

How Black barbershops are reaching out to at-risk youth in Indianapolis

Amid a violent crime surge in Indianapolis, local Black barbershops are offering safe havens for at-risk youth. Watch the story below:

Bertha Coats Is Missing!

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Police Department is asking for the public's help to find a critically missing 37-year-old woman, Bertha Coats.

Police say Coats was last seen on Saturday, March 18, near 104th and Congress around 5 p.m.

Police describe her as a black woman, 5 feet, 2 inches, 220 pounds with brown eyes and red shoulder-length curly hair. She was last seen wearing "Laffy Taffy" pajama pants and an unknown-colored jacket.

Anyone with information should call the Milwaukee Police Department, Sensitive Crimes Division at 414-935-7405.

Ruth E. Carter becomes First Black woman to win multiple Oscars

Ruth E. Carter made history again at the 95th Academy Awards. The costume designer behind the “Black Panther” films became the first Black woman to win two Oscars.

Carter took home best costume design Sunday night at the 95th Academy Awards for the Marvel sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Carter also won in 2018 for “Black Panther,” which made her the first African American to win in the category.

In her acceptance speech, Carter thanked the film’s director Ryan Coogler and asked if “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman could look after her mother, Mabel Carter, who she said died “this past week.” Boseman died in 2020 of cancer at 43.

“This is for my mother. She was 101,” Carter said. “This film prepared me for this moment. Chadwick, please take care of mom.”

Carter then paid tribute to her mother backstage.

“I had a great relationship with her in her final years. The same relationship I always had with her. I was her ride-or-die. I was her road dog. I was her sidekick,” she said. “I know she’s proud of me. I know that she wanted this for me as much as I wanted it for myself.”

In her career, Carter has been behind-the-scenes in some of Hollywood’s biggest films. She’s received Oscar nominations for her work in Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” and Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad” and received praise for her period ensembles in other projects such as Lee Daniels’ “The Butler,” Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” and the reboot of “ROOTS.” She’s created costumes for Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy and even Jerry Seinfeld for the “Seinfeld” pilot.

[SOURCE: NBC]

27th Annual American Black Film Festival to be held in Miami Beach

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) today announced the 27th annual event will be held in Miami Beach June 14-18, followed by a virtual segment streaming on ABFF PLAY June 19-25, 2023. 

Filmmakers compete for Jury Awards in the narrative features category — including Best Narrative Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay and the coveted John Singleton Award for Best First Feature — and for Best Documentary, Best Web Series and the prestigious HBO Short Film Award.

The ABFF is a premier venue for Black storytellers and celebration of Black culture. The festival presents a wide range of independent films, studio and network screenings, and series of panels and networking events. ABFF continues to spotlight talent both in front of and behind the camera supporting a number of talent discovery programs, providing a platform for emerging artists.

ABFF sponsors and partners to date are City of Miami Beach, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Presenting), and UPS (Premier).

For more information about ABFF, visit www.abff.com. Follow on Twitter (1) AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL (@ABFF) / Twitter on ABFF (#BlackOwned) (@americanblackfilmfestival) • Instagram photos and videos Instagram and (2) American Black Film Festival | Facebook on Facebook.