Category Archives: Education

Mar23

Operation: Send Red to the WNBA Combine

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Operation: Send Red to the WNBA Combine

Antonia “RED” Bennett

**This image does not belong to this site. This image was captured from Google.**

WHO IS RED?

Antonia “RED” Bennett is a senior at Florida A&M University hailing from Lakeland, FL. Red has been recently selected to participate in the 2012 WNBA Combine which will be held in Denver, CO in one week, March 30 – April 1, 2012.

ON THE COURT

Red, a forward averages 18 points a game, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. She is the 2012 MEAC Player of the Year. She was selected as a part of the first team all conference, MEAC tournament team, and a nominee for the Pan-American game team captain just to name a few of her most recent accomplishments.

OFF THE COURT

Red is a 22 year old criminal justice major who has led the Lady Rattlers not just with her statistical accomplishments on the court but also by being success in the classroom. Red regularly mentors youth through a juvenile justice program in Tallahassee. She has also worked in numerous summer camps for youth.

Due to NCAA rules and regulations, FAMU is unable to assist with any expenses which amount to about $1800. The expenses include but are not limited to (flight, hotel, travel, food, etc.) Red has been able to raise about $700 thus far, but time is ticking.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

Your financial support, resources, contacts, etc.) will help this dynamic young lady fulfill her life long dream of playing professional basketball. So here’s what I need you to do… Please make a donation to help this young lady get to Denver and then ask your friends to do so as well. My goal is to see her have that $1800 by the time North Carolina takes to the court on Sunday night (Yea I’m a Tarheel).

As the first women’s basketball player from FAMU to be selected to participate in this event, with your help she will be able to represent the RATTLER NATION and bring exposure to HBCU women’s basketball programs.

Her mother, Iris Hinson has created a PayPal account to help get her babygirl to Denver…. We hope you will send a donation.

You can call Karen Riggien at 850-599-3264 or …

Click here to donate: https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=7VCyzfbfRou90I1cWvcZ6DR41LXi8tulJTVmUfDKYq1jrH61w9CA9bJ-3v8&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8dcbcd55a50598f04d927139403713ca13

Dec20

Has Governor Scott exceeded his authority… Crisis at FAMU

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Has Governor Scott exceeded his authority… Crisis at FAMU

Governor Rick Scott isn’t out of the “scope of his authority” as he is the Governor and FAMU is a state entity, however many see his actions against President Ammons as a reflection of his over zealous reaction to a very tragic event and as an attempt to begin what many FAMU supporters and alumni have feared for generations… “The State of Florida is trying to take OUR FAMU away from us and merge it with FSU.”
Ask Yourself, Should President Ammons step down
We had no problem supporting Penn State firing everybody when news broke, but because it is one of our own institutions we now are feeling some kinda way. One thing that I learned and heard repeatedly in law school was…”The Law Has No Feelings” and here we must keep our feelings in control and focus on the relevant facts.

What About Robert Champion
The implications behind this tragedy are greater than what many of us want to accept or even wanting to imagine, however at the end of the day a Georgia family buried their son who loved his FAMU Marching 100 and who died following its biggest tradition and most anticipated annual performance… THE CLASSIC! Sadly though, there was nothing celebratory nor remotely exciting about how Robert Champion’s life ended, and the only thing “CLASSIC” about it is, that it fits the definition of homicide!

What’s Next for FAMU

There are so many things happening in this story, this Crisis at FAMU. The murder, the possible firing/forced resignation of the beloved University President and most feared… will the “whispers” come true… Will this tragedy lead certain powers to move towards closing FAMU as we know it and have loved it for generations, or will it trigger FAMU supporters and alumnus to band together to for one, to work towards preventing there ever being another Marching 100 murder and two, to keep FAMU open as it is one of the greatest institutions of higher education in this nation and it ain’t because of the band… The band is a PLUS!

Public Relations

There is so much that can be gleaned from this tragedy. So many lessons can be prevented from having to be learned if other institutions begin to implement and enforce expectations of greatness. FAMU needs to hire the best public relations team they can put together so that the very tarnished image of the school can be restored. Although this won’t be an overnight process, it needs to begin very soon.

Perhaps, firing Ammons isn’t the answer however he needs to stay in front of this. Perhaps he needs to sit down in front of America and be the voice of why FAMU is still a great institution and why the school and community must learn from this tragedy… If Oprah, Dr. Phil, Dateline or 20/20 won’t interview him exclusively as a special presentation, I know a few bloggers who will!

Reporting live from my bed… I AM “The Southern Socialite” and I’m out… Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays, be blessed and always be a blessing too!!

Sep21

When Girls Kill… Meet The Murderer’s

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When Girls Kill… Meet The Murderer’s

Killed not by a bomb in 1963 but by 4 other girls in 2011... WHEN GIRLS KILL

Thursday, September 15, 2011 marked the 48th anniversary of a bombing that rocked a nation… The 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL was bombed during Sunday School services, killing 4 little girls… WE REMEMBER THEM and we also now should remember 4 more girls who have died not by the hands of racists but by the the hands of 4 more girls who now face murder charges… But more than remember, we must now protect, serve, mentor and support our youth. This is part 2 of a 3 part series which reveals the victims, the suspected murderers and more. ~~>  Read the Series Here

Sep17

When Girls Kill… 4 Little Girls GONE in 2011

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When Girls Kill… 4 Little Girls GONE in 2011

Part One of Three… The 4 Victims

Killed not by a bomb in 1963 but by 4 other girls in 2011... WHEN GIRLS KILL

Thursday, September 15, 2011 marked the 48th anniversary of a bombing that rocked a nation… The 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL was bombed during Sunday School services… WE REMEMBER THEM and we also now should remember 4 more girls who have died not by the hands of racists but by the the hands of 4 more girls who now face murder charges… This 3 part series will reveal the victims, the suspected murderers and more. Meet the victims::

MURFREESBORO, TN… Wednesday, March 2, 2011… (exact time unknown), 21 year old Tina Stewart was stabbed multiple times by her roommate after an apparent physical altercation. When police arrived they found Stewart stabbed to death in her apartment.

BESSEMER, AL … Saturday, August 13, 2011… 12:02 am 18 year-old Meoshia Townsend was shot in the head while seated inside a car parked at the McDonald’s on Ninth Avenue, following a verbal altercation. Townsend was taken to University Hospital where she died at 1:40 am.

TALLAHASSEE, FL … Sunday, September 4, 2011… approximately 2:03 am, police rush in response to a report of a stabbing at 3025 South Adams Street. EMS  found an unresponsive 20 year-old Florida A&M University student athlete, Shannon Washington. Washington had been fatally stabbed in her neck. Washington was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

BOWIE, MD… Thursday, September 15, 2011… just after 8 p.m. in the 14000 block of Jericho Park Road in Bowie, police responded to a reported stabbing at Christa McAulliffe Residential Center on the campus of Bowie State University. 18 year old Dominique Frazier was stabbed to death by her roommate. Fire/EMS took Frazier to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Jun30

My $3 Birthday Wish… HBCU Yard Edition

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My $3 Birthday Wish… HBCU Yard Edition

Usually on my birthday I travel out of town and party, party, PARTY, well this year while all my friends are partying at Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, at The Taste of Chicago or at a beach I’ll be enjoying a full day in Bar Review class down in Dixie (insert sarcasm here).

Since I won’t be out partying, sunbathing (yes I do lay out at the beach) or traveling with my friends, I figured I’d celebrate my “BIG 3 Day” by revving up support for a good cause… Education!!

June 2010, I featured Rustin “Roundup Russy” Moore as  ”A FINE SOUTHERN GENT” and well, he’s proving just why he deserved that title. Russy’s latest venture is to raise funds to film a documentary of  the FIRST 48 Hours of an incoming freshman’s experience at North Carolina A&T.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT…

Whether you’re an HBCU alum, a current student or a teacher, friend or family member of the former, this All Access Documentary of an HBCU incoming freshman will hit home. Meet Kaiya Watson from Los Angeles, California. She will be leaving home this August to fly across the U.S. to begin her undergraduate studies at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Russy will be spending the first 48 hours with her from the time she lands in North Carolina, and arrives on campus.

SO WHAT’S YOUR WISH SOUTHERN SOCIALITE?

My wish is for everyone who reads this blog to donate a $3 as a “birthday wish” to this project.

HOW CAN YOU DONATE:

Click here —->First 48: HBCU Yard Edition  If you would like to donate $25 or more, don’t be shy about it!!!

Jun4

The One Time I Support Alabama Crimson Tide!

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The One Time I Support Alabama Crimson Tide!

This my friends should come as no surprise that I am a die-hard University of Miami fan who truly detests the Crimson Tide… However, in contrast to my disdain (athletically for UA) I am a champion, supporter and believer in higher education.

Please support Nikki on her quest... Back 2 Bama!

Having said that, I would like to introduce you to Ms. Nikki Gamble. Nikki is a single mother who attended UA several years ago, but due to circumstances that arose, she endured a “Pause” in her academic pursuit. Today, Nikki is ready to press “Play” and return back to “Bama” and finish her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Here is her story… Back To Bama

May18

Pre-Review… My Journey To The Bar

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Pre-Review… My Journey To The Bar

I’m about to pledge LAW! Literally and figuratively! Journey with me as I endure the rigors of this Journey To The Bar! Follow my story here:  Save Me A Margarita… My Journey To The Bar

**JVM is a recent law school graduate preparing for a  State Bar Examination down in DIXIE. She accepts support in the form of prayers, food, SBUX gift cards and gas money.**
Jan16

I Love ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA

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I Love ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA

When I graduated high school I was headed to Clark Atlanta University. Then on my 18th birthday my mom decided that I was going to Talladega College instead. I was pissed, I cried, I cussed (not at her of course… Heck naw), I had a major attitude about the decision.

But TC gave me an awesome Financial Aid package so out the window went CAU. August 1996 I arrived in Talladega, AL. Over the next four years at TC I fell in love.

I had always crushed on AKA, for it had been in my heart from the start. But the AKA’s at Talladega made that crush a life long love affair. These AKA’s weren’t interested in stereotypes, unless the stereotype included being the BEST OF THE BEST! They were the leaders, they were fun, they were cool, they were caring, they partied hard, they served the campus and the community, they weren’t just conceited they were definitely convinced.

Two years after my enrollment, I began to “court” AKA. Our courtship wasn’t an easy one. It was filled with late nights and long days. Like with most courtships, ya gotta put away that ponytail and baseball cap and let your hair down *winks*. The harder it became to court AKA, the more I wanted it. Then one Sunday in November, AKA made my childhood dream come true, it was no longer my secret crush it was a’las my true love!

CHI CHAPTER, Talladega College… Life long friendships, a sisterhood that no fight or disagreement can destroy, best friends, role models, a perpetual bond of sisterhood thats what CHI is to me! Chi, Chi, Chi, Chi, Chi… forever! AKA forever!

I thank GOD for my mother and her decision to send me to Talladega. I love you mommy and Soror Von!! CHI sister’s & all ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA sister’s, HAPPY 103rd Founder’s Day!!

 

**I forgot to hit publish on 1/15/11, blame my head not my heart. I was in tears once I finished this.**

Jan13

Happy Founders Day DST

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Happy Founders Day DST

I wouldn’t want to leave any one friend out by trying to name each of you soooo, I decided to extend my wishes this way…

To my Talladega, Texas Southern, Birmingham, Houston, Atlanta, New York & Lakeland friends of DST, Happy 98th Founders Day to you and all of the women of Delta Sigma Theta! See ya in the 100 Club soon… Skeee-Ooop!!!