Black women with HIV often overlooked, under-supported By Thurka Sangaramoorthy THE CONVERSATION The face of HIV in the United States has long been white gay men, even though the epidemic has had a devastating and disproportionate impact VOLUME 20 NO. 37 WEEK OF MARCH 3, 2019 $1.00 on African-American communities. This is especially true among women; 60 percent of newly diagnosed cases of HIV in women in 2017 were African-American. Yet, black women’s voices are notoriously absent from the national discourse on HIV. N.C. A&T football team Largely invisible to a fractured health care system, these women are often breadwinners and matriarchs whose families count on them for support honored at the and care. Treatments to help people who are HIV-positive manage their ill- Governor’s Mansion for ness and survive into older age have improved greatly, yet the unique health needs of black women living and aging with HIV – estimated at about winning black college 140,000 – are often ignored. While many are actively taking medication and receiving care, some do national not know their HIV status. After diagnosis, many have difficulties managing championship. their HIV, which can contribute to their other health challenges. HIV and African-Americans Many believe the HIV epidemic in the United States is nearing an end, in Please see HIV/2A Suicide Cooper rates up pitches for NC school youth bonds, By Sarah Ovaska-Few N.C. HEALTH NEWS more Child health experts are star- tled by the steady increase of By Gary D. Robertson adolescent suicides in North THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Carolina, with the state experi- encing twice the rate of deaths RALEIGH — Speaking to a among older children as it did a legislature and electorate now decade ago. more favorable to his party, Suicide is now the second- Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper leading cause of death of chil- on Monday pressed lawmak- dren from age 10 to 17, topped ers to better fund public edu- only by motor vehicle deaths, cation, expand Medicaid and according to the joint annual re- help rural North Carolina port card on the health of North through more broadband ac- Carolina children released this cess and Hurricane Florence week by the advocacy group aid. N.C. Child and the N.C. Institute During his second biennial of Medicine, a think tank. FREDA FREEMAN State of the State address, “This is something we need to City workers discuss workplace racism in unfair hiring and promotional practices. Cooper made a soft sell for his be talking about,” said Whitney favored — but not always uni- Tucker, N.C. Child’s research di- versally supported— initia- rector and one of the report’s tives to a joint session of the primary authors. “This really is Durham city workers decry General Assembly. The legis- an epidemic.” lature is still in Republican The increase in suicides hands, but Democrats won 16 earned the state a “D” on the an- additional seats in November, nual report card, which also racism and favoritism on taking away veto-proof con- pointed out that 8.2 percent of trol the GOP held during the high-schoolers reported having first two years of Cooper’s a suicide attempt, and nearly the job in promotions term, which was marked by twice that number seriously acrimony and litigation. considered suicide in 2017. “The people of North Car- There was a total of 44 chil- Claim working conditions are a hazard olina are determined for us to dren between 10 and 17 who By Freda Freeman things continue the way they’re president of UE Local 150, work together. They have died in 2017 from suicide, the CORRESPONDENT going. thanked the workers for com- spoken. They want a more most recent calendar year data Members of the Durham City ing out. She said, working to- balanced approach to govern- was available. Though those DURHAM – Durham city Workers’ Union met at the To- gether, they can make a ment,” Cooper said to a numbers may seem small, the workers came out en masse bacco Workers Union Hall to change. statewide television audience. fact that suicides doubled in fre- Thursday to complain about voice their frustrations and “We will not be silent. We will While Cooper and Demo- quency from a decade prior and racism, favoritism, discrimina- anger about being passed over not be quiet. We will make cratic legislators have more mirror national increases in the tory hiring and promotional for promotions for which they them listen to us, because this negotiating power, the gover- teen and adult populations was practices, low pay, and being said they are qualified, working is what democracy looks like,” nor declined to use a figura- reason to highlight in this year’s understaffed and overworked. double and sometimes triple Mayo said. “We as workers, as tive stick on the Republicans report on child health, said Employees with the city’s Pub- shifts with little to no sleep, and everyday rank and file workers, to get his points across during Adam Zolotor, a family doctor lic Works, Water and Sewer, being penalized by unfair dis- we have to come together in or- his nearly 40-minute speech who is president of the N.C. In- Solid Waste, and Parks and ciplinary action. Several said ganizations, we have to build in the House chamber. stitute of Medicine and co-au- Recreation departments said they expected to face retalia- unions, we have to make On Medicaid, Democrats thor of the annual report card. they fear for the safety and wel- tion for attending the meeting. change through those unions. have for years sought to ex- While those involved with fare of Durham residents if Nathanette Mayo, former Please see DURHAM/2A pand its rolls to cover hun- youth are well aware of the chal- dreds of thousands of low- lenges related to teenagers’ and middle-class residents, mental health, the issue hasn’t arguing it will bring tens of gotten as much attention on the thousands of jobs, help rural state policy level, Zolotor said. hospitals and save lives. “We’re trying to shine a light on “Are we willing to help it,” he said. them? It’s time,” Cooper said The release of the report SE Raleigh pioneers honored in a phrase he repeated sev- cards, and focus on suicide as a eral times during what was worrying trend, comes on the likely his strongest pitch of heels of a national study pub- in black history program the evening. But he acknowl- lished in JAMA Pediatrics this edged the second thoughts of month that found North Car- By Lori D. R. Wiggins Republicans: “Guys, I know olina has the poorest record in we can do this and I know CORRESPONDENT the country in providing mental some of you have some con- health services to children with RALEIGH – Mary Hodge let soft cerns. But let’s listen to each behavioral health diagnoses. tears flow as she reflected on her other and let’s get this done That study found most (72 per- late husband being honored for his in a North Carolina way.” cent) of North Carolina children legacy as a young entertainer who As expected, he also urged diagnosed with a behavioral infused joy into Raleigh’s African- lawmakers to agree to put a health condition were unable to American community. public school construction meet with a licensed mental “It’s amazing,” she said. “We ac- bond on the statewide ballot, health provider within the last tually don’t think we can put some- saying roughly 40 percent of year. thing into black history, but they the public schools are at least With youth, more so than in all had minds to bring something 50 years old. He and Republi- the general population, suicide valuable to this community, and can House Speaker Tim is not always a direct result of now it’s our history.” Moore have created an un- documented depression or ob- Hodge was in seventh grade at usual alliance in support of a servable mental illness but can then-Aycock Middle School when LORI WIGGINS K-12 debt referendum. Senate occur after a sudden shock or she met classmate Donald Hodge The Richard B. Harrison Community Library was among the six hon- Republicans have approved emotional event, Earls said. of Donald and The Hitchhikers, a an alternate plan without That’s why many in the public self-taught boy-band that enter- orees at the North Central Citizen Advisory Council's 21st Annual debt. health field are also looking at tained Raleigh youth at the Boys Black History Month Celebration. Left to right: William Phillips, Beverly A bond package “gets ham- reducing access to lethal de- Club, on Teenage Frolics, in Battle Williams, Monica Lucas-Shavazz, Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane, mers swinging all across our vices, such as encouraging the of the Bands competitions and at Wanda Cox-Bailey, James West, Christine Craig, Corey Branch and state, and still leaves money use of gun locks for firearms Temple Lounge. Octavia Rainey. for good teachers and princi- and restricting access to pre- “It was a time when we were pals,” Cooper said. Although scription drugs, to reduce the young kids who didn’t know any- he didn’t provide teacher pay chances a young person has ac- thing but to have fun,” said Mary was one of six honorees at the businesses who played significant details — leaving it his up- cess to things that could quickly Hodge, 63, adding her husband’s North Central Citizen Advisory roles in the area’s culture and char- coming budget — Cooper has cause irreparable harm. kind heart led him to consider oth- Council’s 21st Black History Month acter. previously proposed to raise CCNC has been encouraging ers when he opened his own print- Program: Celebrating Community “We do this to bring the commu- pay to the national average by practitioners it works with who ing business. “I feel so good today Legacy at the Tarboro Road Com- nity closer together,” said Octavia the early 2020s. Republicans treat children who use Medicaid that my husband was thought of.” munity Center. The celebration Rainey, chairperson of the North have pointed out that they’ve Hodge, who died three years ago, honored the contributions of resi- Please see SUICIDE/2A dents, families, neighborhoods and Please see PROGRAM/3A Please see COOPER/2A Index Address: 115 Market St., Suite 360-G Publisher: Gerald O. Johnson Follow The Tribune on News 1A Religion 5A Durham, NC 27701 Managing Editor: Bonitta Best Classifieds 4A Sports 6A (919) 688-9408 Advertising: Linda Johnson Focus 8A © 2019 The Triangle Tribune www.triangletribune.com 2A NEWS/The Triangle Tribune Sunday, March 3, 2019 Durham city workers decry racism and favoritism on the job in promotions Continued from page 1A should be taken. However, get passed up again and again And, it’s only when we come Johnson said, the panel’s rul- by someone who comes from together as an organization, ing can be arbitrarily upheld City Hall.” Morris said he did- as a group, that we can make or overturned by the city n’t apply for a certain job be- change.” manager, who often favors cause he had enough respect Mayo said a report of the the department director who not to “steal it.” meeting will be given to filed the complaint. Standaert, of the Human Re- Durham City Council. Marcus Cates, who works in lations Commission, said she water management, has been was in awe of the workers’ A panel of community allies COURTESY was there to hear the workers’ with the city for 14 years. commitment despite their concerns and offer support. Cates said in the past, promo- working conditions. At the North Carolina gets a ‘D’ on report card. The panelists were Desmera tions were based on job per- same time, she’s very frus- Gatewood with Durham Cares formance, however, now trated to hear them complain and the Coalition for Peace there’s a “good old-boy” sys- about the same issues they tem in place. had in 2015 and nothing has Suicides among North with Justice; Bertha Bradley with Fight for 15 and the “Since 2012, the shift has changed. Durham Workers Assembly; been middle-age white males “I’m in awe and admiration Diane Standaert, chairperson receiving jobs over more of the commitment of all the Carolina youth increasing of the Durham Human Rela- qualified minorities. It’s never workers who spoke tonight tions Commission; and been an issue of just choose a and the long-term commit- Continued from page 1A Angaza Laughinghouse Jr., a guy because he’s this color or ment to making the city a re- to screen for depressive episodes or other mental health issues, and then have resources lawyer with the Southern that color. It’s been an issue ally wonderful place, and the already identified in the community to refer children and their families to. Coalition for Social Justice. of let’s choose the best candi- stories you’ve shared of the CCNC has seen the effort to encourage screenings increase, with more than half of pedi- City administrators are re- dates to serve the citizens of mistreatment and disrespect atricians now screening for depression and other behavioral risks, up from just 12 percent classifying job titles. Accord- Durham, and we’ve been fail- is unfair and unacceptable,” in 2016. Earls hopes those screening rates will continue to climb, as more pediatricians ing to city workers, a recently ing that since 2012. We’re giv- she said. join school districts, parents and others in supporting struggling adolescents. released consultant’s study ing the jobs to people that “I’m also in awe that so Need help? The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK calls for merging 450 job ti- don’t have the background much sounds so exactly the (8255). tles into 203. This, they said, and don’t have the skills set. same as it did when this was It’s a challenge to get the help they need, because of a lack of resources as well as the is an effort to fill the staffing Candidates are being over- first brought to the Human continuing stigma against mental health needs. And then, there’s also the cost, Tucker shortage by “squeezing” looked because they don’t fit Relations Commission. So said. Not every insurance plan covers behavioral health, and the expense can add up quickly more work out of existing into the buddy system, the much in the city has not for a family. staff. good old-boy system,” he changed during that time, and “In our state, mental health care is particularly expensive,” Tucker said. The workers have four de- said. they have not listened to your mands for structural changes Saying Durham residents concerns. So, I, too, am com- within city departments: a fair deserve better, Cates added: mitted to following your lead- grievance process; an end to “I would like to push, from the ership of what needs to be arbitrary and racist hiring and director up, that we go in an- done, what sort of changes promotional practices; an end other direction, because, if you’re asking for, who we to staffing shortages by pro- constantly, we’re going in this need to talk to, and when to viding full funding to fill open direction, we’re going to have show up.” positions; and an end to the issues like Flint, and we’re Bradley pledged her sup- merit pay system in favor of going to have issues with cus- port to fight with the workers. a step plan in which employ- tomers’ high water bills.” She said she will take the ees are at the top of the pay The city of Flint, Michigan, workers’ issues back to Fight scale after 20 years with the has been having problems for 15. city. The workers said they since 2014 when, due to in- Gatewood encouraged the want the same pay system as sufficient water treatment, workers to keep fighting. “The police officers and firefight- lead leaked from lead water power lies in the organizing. ers. pipes into the drinking water, It lies in the mobilizing. It lies Mike Johnson, who’s exposing more than 100,000 in the activism from the city worked in water management residents. workers,” she said. for nine years, said the cur- John Morris, a maintenance Pledging his support, rent grievance process is un- technician in the Water and Laughinghouse urged the fair. If a department director Sewer Department, said work- workers not to become dis- AAMIR KHULLER, CC BY-NC-SA has a complaint against an ing long shifts because of couraged. He said the ques- employee, a hearing is held staffing shortages is a safety tion isn’t what’s the point in Shawnte’ Spriggs contracted HIV/AIDS as a child. She’s now 45. before a panel of three city hazard for both city workers fighting, thinking nothing will employees from different de- and residents. Morris also change; the question is what partments. The panel decides said that as a white man, “It’s happens if you don’t fight what disciplinary action eye-opening to watch black back. guys who are more qualified Black women with HIV often overlooked, under-supported Continued from page 1A one of the wealthiest black- face. They both laughed part because increased fund- majority counties in the na- about it in the morning, as if ing, targeted prevention ef- tion, but with HIV rates that it had been an accident. But forts, and better treatment are four to 10 times higher the abuse continued. have resulted in drastic re- than those of white adults. Spriggs eventually escaped ductions in new cases. Even Since the beginning of the the marriage. She moved to President Trump, in his recent epidemic in the 1980s, black another state and created a re- State of the Union address, women have carried a large warding life. She even found discussed his goal of ending burden of HIV, and over love again and remarried. She HIV by 2030. I am an HIV re- 60,000 lost their lives. But not changed careers. She also be- searcher, and I can say this is everyone died. My project of came an evangelist, traveling totally unrealistic, especially personal narratives of these for religious conferences. for African-Americans. women suggest that they live In 2010, Spriggs accepted Despite comprising only 12 with multiple uncertainties an invitation to speak at a percent of the overall U.S. brought on by HIV. Many women’s conference in population, African-Ameri- worry about how their health, Lynchburg, Virginia. The con- cans represent 43 percent of disability and eventual death ference offered health screen- AP all persons with newly diag- will impact their roles as ings. Some of the women nosed HIV and 42 percent of mothers, grandmothers, invited her to take an HIV test Gov. Roy Cooper addresses constituents at his State of the State Address. all people living with HIV. daughters, sisters and wives. with them. “Sure, why not?” African-Americans living with Lives of suffering, strength she thought, wanting to set an HIV are nearly 10 times more and survival example for the young Cooper pitches school bonds, likely to be diagnosed with Shawnte’ Spriggs’ story is women attending. The last AIDS and over six times more typical of many African-Amer- thing she expected was to test likely to die of complications ican women living with HIV. positive. of AIDS than their white coun- Like everyone, however, she Her initial reaction was that Medicaid, storm aid, more has her own unique story. she was going to die. She re- terparts. Blacks are also at a higher “My family stories are not searched to learn more about Continued from page 1A Berger also criticized De- clapping. pretty,” said Spriggs, 45, who HIV and began to realize that mocrats and Cooper for re- He also mentioned his exec- risk for other health condi- raised teacher pay, in some tions, which can make man- grew up in northeast Wash- many people in her life prob- form, five years in a row. cent developments in the utive order seeking to reduce ington D.C., in a neighbor- ably died of it even though it courts he considered parti- greenhouse gases and praised aging HIV infection more Senate leader Phil Berger difficult. For instance, they hood with open-air drug was being labeled as some- gave the Republican response san. On Friday, a Democratic lawmakers in 2017 for taking markets, crime and gang vio- thing else in the community. trial judge voided a constitu- the state’s “bathroom bill” off are twice as likely to die from on TV. With Cooper seeking heart disease and 50 percent lence. “My mother had a very She was terrified, especially re-election in 2020 and GOP tional amendment approved the books. He said more anti- bad temper. If she had a bad because she feared returning by voters in November requir- discrimination efforts are more likely to have high Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who sat blood pressure than whites. day or someone teed her off to the pain and trauma from behind him on the House dais ing photo identification to needed. or one of her boyfriends did her past. vote. And Cooper picked a Cooper also praised legisla- In Washington D.C., a place and is a potential gubernato- filled with public health ex- something to her, I was “I was so afraid of going to rial rival next year, the politi- Democrat on the state tors for the recovery legisla- abused pretty bad.” a dark place from my child- Supreme Court to become the tion approved following perts and policymakers, the cal environment is likely to HIV prevalence rate is the Her father was around only hood. I know my triggers,” turn more noxious as the two- next chief justice, passing Florence, which caused well intermittently. She later Spriggs said. over the longest-serving jus- over $10 billion in damage highest in the nation, exceed- year session continues. ing the World Health Organi- learned the reason for his dis- She took action, signing her- While Berger emphasized tice, a Republican. and killed dozens of resi- appearances: prison. Looking self up for both inpatient and Rather than unveiling new dents. He also highlighted zation definition of a voters still kept Republicans generalized epidemic. for love and craving protec- outpatient mental health care, in power within the legislative programs or proposals, heroism, pointing in the tion from her mother, she which helped her with her Cooper preferred to hit on gallery to Trooper Nicholas African-Americans represent branch because they support a staggering 75 percent of all turned to her godbrother, a healing process. She attended “conservative principles of previous ideas, including his Stoneroad, who kept working caring guardian whom she HIV support groups, where proposal to create tuition-free even when his own home was HIV cases in D.C. low taxes, reasonable spend- HIV in Washington, D.C., is later married. she was the only woman ing and common-sense regu- community college, fight felled by trees and flooded, Three months into their among gay men. drilling off the North Carolina destroying almost everything a regional epidemic and lations,” he acknowledged the crosses the jurisdictional bor- marriage, beatings began. The Spriggs counts herself for- new dynamics. coast and rejuvenate small he owned. first was in the middle of the tunate. She knows that many towns. While some got ap- “I’m proud to report that the der into Prince George’s “Republicans are going to County, Maryland. The night. She woke suddenly. others have fewer resources, have to work across the aisle, plause from Democratic leg- state of our state is deter- Her ex-husband was still more responsibilities, and a islators only, others, like mined,” Cooper said. sprawling suburbs of Prince but so are Democrats,” Berger George’s County are well asleep but sat up as if he were lack of accessible and cultur- said. expanding rural broadband awake and punched her in the ally appropriate care. access, received bipartisan known for their ranking as Bike-friendly cities should be designed for everyone By Anne Lusk But urban cycling invest- New York, and Boston have inequality in U.S. cities. Sur- borhoods by investing in gro- between parked cars and traf- THE CONVERSATION ments tend to focus on the found that the majority of bi- veys show that the fastest cery stores, schools, health fic. Cycle tracks – bike lanes needs of wealthy riders and cyclists were nonwhite. growth in cycling rates since clinics, community centers, li- separated from traffic by Designing for bikes has be- neglect lower-income resi- Thanks to recent invest- 2001 has occurred among braries and affordable hous- curbs, lines of posts or rows come a hallmark of forward- dents and people of color. ments, New Yorkers can ride Hispanic, African-American ing. But when it comes to of parked cars – are more looking modern cities This happens even though an almost continuous stretch and Asian-American riders. bicycle infrastructure, they common in affluent neighbor- worldwide. Bike-friendly city the majority of Americans of protected bike lanes, green- But minority neighborhoods often add only the easiest and hoods. ratings abound, and advo- who bike to work live in ways and bridges for 25 miles have fewer bike facilities, and least safe elements, such as Compared with white cates promote cycling as a households that earn less through four boroughs of the riders there face higher risk of painting sharrows – stencils wealthier neighborhoods, way to reduce problems rang- than $10,000 yearly, and city. Bike equity is a powerful accidents and crashes. of bikes and double chevrons more bicyclists in ethnic-mi- ing from air pollution to traf- studies in lower-income tool for increasing access to Many U.S. cities have im- – or bike lane markings, and Please see fic deaths. neighborhoods in Brooklyn, transportation and reducing proved marginalized neigh- placing them next to curbs or BIKE/3A 3A NEWS/The Triangle Tribune Sunday, March 3, 2019 Superintendent Johnson SE Raleigh pioneers outlines new education honored in black history priorities at private event program By Greg Childress was being spent. The Wallace “It was a bunch of informa- THE POLICY WATCH Foundation reportedly paid tion that we’ve heard before.” Continued from page 1A RALEIGH – State Superinten- for the event. In an interview Rep. Graig Meyer, D-Orange, Central CAC who has organ- dent of Public Instruction following the event, Johnson said he wants to find some bi- ized the celebration for Mark Johnson on Tuesday re- said a price tag for his priori- partisan ways to work on ed- decades. “They’ve built up leased a lengthy list of educa- ties titled #NC2030 would ucational improvements. “I the area so much, it has tion priorities he contends come within a week. think it has to be proposals taken away the culture and will ensure North Carolina’s “We’re going to have a more that are bigger than a website character of the community. public schools are the best for detailed legislative summary and a dashboard,” Meyer said, Here, because we talk about teachers and students by with the actual dollar figures referring to two new initia- the past, we bring culture 2030. that we’re going to be pre- tives Johnson announced and character together, and The list of priorities in- senting to the General Assem- Tuesday. we try to recognize all of it. cludes pay increases for bly,” Johnson said. “This will One of Johnson’s new initia- “It’s community,” she said. teachers (at least 5 percent be our legislative push for this tives is the North Carolina “That’s all we have now.” Other honorees: pay raises this year), the elim- summer.” Leadership Dashboard, an on- ination of high-stakes testing, As part of his priorities, line tool that will help school • Charles T. Norwood the recruitment of the best Johnson pledged to improve leaders with staffing. The American Legion, Post 157, and brightest teachers and the state’s controversial Read dashboard is being built with named for the Raleigh native more flexibility for school dis- to Achieve program through support from The Wallace who grew up off Lane Street tricts, among others. state-led efforts that focus on Foundation. It will be who became the first African- “We know that all of the in- professional, coaching and launched in time for the 2019- American killed in World War gredients exist in North Car- enhanced summer reading 20 school year. I. olina for us to be the best programs. A study by re- The second initiative is • Richard B. Harrison Li- place to learn and the best searchers at N.C. State Univer- “Teach NC,” which is a public- brary, founded by Mollie place to teach,” Johnson said. sity last fall found that Read private teacher appreciation Huston Lee, the first black li- While educators are the “most to Achieve has done little to campaign to improve the brarian in Raleigh. Originally important ingredient,” John- boost early childhood literacy image of the teaching profes- located on East Hargett Street son said the state needs inno- rates, despite a $150 million sion. “Teach NC” is a collabo- in the Delany Building, the li- vation and leadership from tab. ration among the Department brary opened in 1935 with a Raleigh and throughout North Johnson said the success of of Public Instruction, BEST NC, collection of 890 books. Carolina to “unlock all the po- the initiatives he’s proposed and Teach.org, with support Now, The Lee Collection of tential we have across the would be measured by from the Belk Foundation, the more than 8,000 volumes is state.” whether there are increases Bill and Melinda Gates Foun- a treasure for researchers of every year in: dation, and Coastal Credit African-American history. Johnson unveiled his prior- LORI WIGGINS ities during an invitation-only • four-year-olds engaged in Union. • First Church of God Min- high-quality kindergarten Mark Jewell, president of istries began as tent meet- Smokey Hollow, once a vibrant community of homes event held at the Raleigh Con- and businesses, was bulldozed during urban renewal in vention Center. The event was readiness programs, the N.C. Association of Educa- ings for prayer and Bible attended by more than 700 • fourth-graders reading on tors, said Johnson’s an- study by South Carolina na- the 1960s. people. grade level, nouncement was short on tives Mary Jane Steward and The superintendent faced • students who, after grad- specifics. “There were a lot of Sadie Kennedy. Over the were razed in order to sell were on any lists,” said Win- criticism from some public uation, are on track to their topics discussed but really no years and church leadership, land to developers. The area ters, the great-niece of the schools advocates who said chosen, fulfilling career, specifics or a plan to reinvest it has become known for out- is now under development late John Winters Sr., a pio- such a major announcement • recruits to education pro- in education and make us a reach and grown as a com- around Peace, West, Harring- neer black developer, and should be made in a public fessions and educators re- leader in the Southeast,” Jew- munity resource. ton and Johnson streets, in- local and state politician. venue. Many of them took to maining in N.C. public ell said. • St. Paul African Methodist cluding the city’s first Publix “Thank you for being the Twitter on Tuesday to com- schools. Kim Mackey, a Wake County Episcopal Church, the first grocery store, as well as backbone to our neighbor- plain about the event. “Not NaShonda Cooke, a Wake social studies teacher, said independent black congrega- shops, restaurants, resi- hoods and to our city.” cool to have an important County public schools she has questions about how tion in Raleigh and the city’s dences and offices spaces. State and city leaders also public education announce- teacher, left the event disap- the superintendent’s priori- oldest African-American Such changes solidify the took part in the celebration, ment at a private event,” pointed. Cooke said the su- ties will affect her students church, is listed on the Na- reason celebrations of the weighing in on how history wrote @LeAnna_Delph. “How perintendent’s priorities who are sophomores and her tional Register of Historic community’s history remain still impacts issues pertinent many teachers were invited? didn’t address the “real son who is in first grade and Places and is a Raleigh His- vigilant in recognition of to CACs across the city – How many had input into things” such as a lack of will graduate in 2030. toric Landmark. those who built and have from income and economic your stunt?” teacher assistants, trauma in “Talk about personalizing • Mr. and Mrs. Theodore helped sustain the city, said equality to affordable hous- Others wanted to know who the classroom, and too few education with technology in- and Kattie Clifton. Married 64 Shelley Winters, the first ing. was paying for the event after social workers and nurses in stead of people has me con- years, the couple raised their black to serve as chairperson Congressman David Price Johnson noted on the invita- schools. “It was a bunch of cerned.” family on Jones Street and of the Raleigh CAC in its 40- said understanding history tion that no taxpayer money hollow promises,” Cooke said. became a mainstay of the year history. fuels progress as long as in- community. “As Raleigh continues to tentional efforts are made to- • Smokey Hollow, named grow and change, we must ward equality and fairness, for its proximity to the rail- also take moments to ac- without discrimination. North Carolina’s death road, was the site of major knowledge the communities “You can’t leave it to urban renewal in the 1960s and people that have helped chance,” he said. penalty should be abolished when homes and businesses sustain our city before we By Antionette Kerr N.C. NEWS SERVICE CHARLOTTE – Criminal jus- tice experts in North Carolina are calling the death penalty part of a "sordid history" of racial terror. A brief filed in a North Car- olina case by the nonprofit Promise of Justice Initiative argues that capital punish- ment now is used so rarely that it should be considered "cruel or unusual" under the ACLU state Constitution. A new poll found that when N.C. voters considered a NCDOT TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING Charlotte-based attorney range of alternatives to the death penalty, only 25 per- Henderson Hill, executive di- FOR THE EAST DURHAM RAIL SAFETY PROJECT cent favored the death penalty. rector of the 8th Amendment DURHAM COUNTY Project, helped file the brief, representing others who hope the facts of the case are so Hill says death penalty op- to get the death penalty abol- egregious, so terrible, that we ponents also found that race TIP PROJECT NO. P-5706 ished. "Judges, prosecutors, believe it's appropriate for the and geography play a role in law enforcement have a community to make the deci- capital cases. "So, we think The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting regarding the unique take, especially the sion in the case through the that these other sister states disparities that exist in the ad- jury process." provide a good model for the East Durham Rail Safety Project which proposes approximately 2.4 miles of railroad ministration of the death The brief was filed in the North Carolina Supreme improvements and the construction of new bridges carrying Glover Road and Ellis penalty," Hill said. "They've case of Rayford Burke, a North Court to reconsider the death Road over the North Carolina Railroad. The project also proposes the closure of the Carolina man who is challeng- penalty in light of these devel- had to preside over those tri- Wrenn Road railroad crossing. als, they've investigated the ing his death sentence under opments, and in light of our cases, and they are in a the state's Racial Justice Act. greater information about unique position to see just Burke alleges that prosecutors how the death penalty actu- The meeting will be held on March 14 at the Hamner Conference Center- Dog- how arbitrary the imposition illegally excluded African- ally operates," he said. wood Room located at 15 T.W. Alexander Drive in Durham from 5 - 7 p.m. The of the death penalty is." Americans from his jury, The brief also asserts that The brief was filed with the leading to a death sentence by North Carolina largely has public may attend at any time during the meeting hours. American Civil Liberties an all-white jury for the mur- abandoned the death penalty. Union Capital Punishment der of police informant Tim- No one has been executed in At the meeting there will be maps of the proposed plans as well as project team mem- Project and the 8th Amend- othy Morrison. the state since 2006. bers who will be available to answer questions and receive feedback Please note ment Project as counsel. Other state supreme courts, And, in a poll of over 500 Wake County District Attor- including in Washington and voters across the state, 70 there will be no formal presentation. The opportunity to submit written comments ney Lorrin Freeman has de- Delaware, recently have de- percent believe it is likely that will be provided at the meeting or may be done via phone, email, or mail by March fended the death penalty, clared their death penalty an innocent person has been 28. All comments received will be taken into consideration as the project progresses. laws unconstitutional. executed in North Carolina. saying, "There are times when As information becomes available, it may be viewed at the NCDOT Public Meeting Webpage: https://www.ncdot.gov/news/public-meetings/. Bike-friendly cities should be For additional information please contact Senior Rail Project Development Engineer designed for everyone Undrea Major at (919) 707-4726 or [email protected] or Consultant Project Man- ager Ryan White, P.E. at (919) 865-7374 or [email protected]. Continued from page 2A nority neighborhoods receive tickets for unlawful riding or are involved in collisions. With ac- cess to properly marked cycle tracks, they would have less reason to ride on the sidewalk or NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabil- against traffic on the street, and would be less likely to be hit by cars. ities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone re- Studies have shown that awareness of criminal activity along bike routes can deter cyclists, quiring special services should contact Lauren Putnam at [email protected] or and this is an important concern in low-income and minority neighborhoods. In a study in (919) 707-6072 as early as possible, so that arrangements can be made. Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood, African-American and Hispanic bicyclists were more con- cerned than white cyclists that their bikes could be stolen. Some carried bikes up three flights of stairs to store them inside their homes. Persons who speak do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or Decisions about public rights-of-way should not be based on how many car owners or how understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meet- few bicyclists show up at public meetings. City officials should create networks of wide, sten- ciled, red-painted, surface-lighted, barrier-protected, bicycle-exclusive cycle tracks in lower- ing by calling 1-800-481-6494. income, ethnic-minority neighborhoods along main streets. This would help residents get to work affordably, quickly and safely, and improve public health and quality of life in commu- Aquellas personas no hablan inglés, o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender nities where these benefits are most needed. inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación si los solicitan antes de la reunión

llamando al 1-800-481-6494. triangletribune.com SUNDAY MARCH 3, 2019 PAGE A4 ANNOUNCEMENTS HOME IMPROV. SATELLITE TV/MISC.

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Read the paper online! triangletribune.com 5A RELIGIONThe Triangle Tribune Sunday, March 3, 2019 AROUND THE TRIANGLE RALEIGH Northgate Lot, 1720 Guess bacco and the African Ameri- BALL Road. Register at www.duke- can Experience” is March 9, 2 Poe Masquerade Ball is crc5k.org. p.m., Duke Homestead site, March 2, 7-10 p.m., Media 2828 Duke Homestead Rd. Two, 112 S. Blount St. Pro- ADVOCACY ceeds benefit Alice Aycock Adolescent Health Advo- CHAPEL HILL Poe Center. Visit poemasquer- cacy Day is March 13, 9 a.m. HEALTH adeball.splashthat.com. to 12:30 p.m., NC Museum of A health screening for sen- History, 5 E. Edenton St. Visit iors is March 7, 10 a.m. to JOBS www.shiftnc.org/. noon, Seymour Center, 2551 Teenagers interested in Homestead Road. summer jobs with city of DURHAM Raleigh must fill out online NCCU EXHIBIT application at • N.C. Central Theater Dept. Durham Orange Quilters raleighnc.gov/jobs. Inter- will present “A Need Fulfilled” Guild will host a Pop-Up Quilt views will be conducted 3:30- March 1-3, Farrison-Newton Show and Sale March 8 in 5:30 p.m.: Communications Bldg. Visit downtown and March 9 at • March 5, Halifax Commu- www.neverstopprod.com. Chapel Hill Library. nity Center • March 7, Biltmore Hills PARTY SCREENING Community Center A Reader’s Party is March 3, A documentary screening of 2 p.m., South Regional Li- “Strange Fruit,” starring Billie WOMEN brary, 4505 S. Alston Ave. Holiday is March 10, 4 p.m., International Women’s Day Stone Center. RSVP to will be celebrated March 8-10, RECEPTION https://unc.live/2Ih6IB0. NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue A reception to honor Pam Ridge Rd. Visit ncartmu- Silberman of the NC Justice HILLSBOROUGH seum.org. Center is March 7, American HEALTH Tobacco Camus, 320 Black- A health screening for sen- COURTESY FUNDRAISER well, Suite 101. iors is March 5, 10 a.m. to DeAndre Bramlett, left, shows off his birthday cake. Annual Duke CRUSH Col- noon, Passmore Center, 103 orectal Cancer 5K Run/Walk is PANEL Meadowlands Drive. ‘Spiritual parents’ throw March 9, 8 a.m., The Shops at A panel discussion on “To- surprise party for man who burglarized their church W orship riefs By Sybil C. Mitchell downstairs alarm had been there and the phone rings B SPECIAL TO THE NEW disabled, but the thieves had again. TRI-STATE DEFENDER no idea about the one up- “Hello, this is Pastor Henry. stairs. A television news crew How may I help you?” Two weeks ago, 24-year-old was already on the scene. “My name is DeAndre Bram- DeAndre Bramlett felt hope- Bramlett’s face was every- lett.” less and alone. He had no job, where, plastered all over the “OK. Make me know who no prospects and no money late news broadcast. So many you are.” to take care of his son, Kamy- flashing blue lights and video “I’m the guy that was caught ron, only a year old. cameras. in your church. I just want to Last week he turned 25. He and the other culprits apologize and ask your for- And, in all his 25 years, Bram- were taken to a holding area. giveness. And I want to do lett had never had a birthday “There was so much over- everything in my power to cake. That all changed when crowding because of the gov- help repair the damage that his new, spiritual parents, ernment shutdown; there was was done.” Pastors Henry and Lorre no place to put us,” Bramlett Lavender was stunned into Lavender, threw him a sur- said. “So we sat all night in the silence. Bramlett promised to holding area. They let me come to church. Lavender prise party. And his new “God RALEIGH make some calls. I called my tells him, “If I don’t hear from 2019 Faith Summit on starting March 13. Call (910) family” was there — clapping MILLENNIUM REVIVAL and cheering. Considering girlfriend and my mother. you in a few weeks, I am going Racism & Child Poverty is 671-3274. that Bramlett had recently That’s how I found out I was to reach out to you. 6638 Old Wake Forest Rd. March 7, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. broken into the congrega- all over the news. They al- Jesus taught forgiveness, TCP Magazine will cele- Register by Feb. 28 at EU- Send your church news to: tion’s new church home, the ready knew where I was.” and “we have the ministry of brate its 15th anniversary ARofNC.org/FaithSummit. The Triangle Tribune, 115 scene was pretty remarkable. Pre-trial processing noted reconciliation,” Lavender said. and founder Peggy Tatum Market Street, Suite 360-G, Bramlett didn’t wake up that that his record was pretty “This is not an ordinary on March 9 at 4 p.m. The ELIZABETHTOWN Durham, NC 27701; e-mail day with the intent of burglar- clean, and he was released the church. We are a family public is invited. BALDWIN BRANCH [email protected]; next day with a court appear- church. We are the village. Mr. 4047 NC 242 Hwy or fax 688-2740. Deadline: izing a church. But, by night- DURHAM ance set for Feb. 18. “I’m Bramlett promised to come, A Diabetes Prevention Pro- Tuesday by noon. fall, there he was. Breaking UNION BAPTIST into the building only days going to do my best to be and he did just that. He gram will begin every before the Living Life in Vic- down there with him in brought his family, too, and 904 N. Roxboro St. Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. tory congregation was sched- court,” Pastor Henry Lavender here we are.” uled to move. said. He understands the Lavender worked in Shelby He was with some other power he wields in standing County Corrections for 10 guys. They were there to steal up for Bramlett in court. The years, and has held other law the copper wiring. It sells well victim begging mercy for the enforcement posts over the BOOK in the scrap metal market — offender. course of his career. He un- no questions asked. A win- Bramlett was released. And derstands that young men dow was already open, and all when he got online, he saw need guidance. he had to do was walk in. The that the news report about the “I appreciate DeAndre be- Author gives new other guys had busted up the burglary was still up. This was cause he broke a cycle in his walls — large holes in the dry- his home, his neighborhood. life,” Lavender said. “Now, he wall so they could just walk He knew Lavender had seen has his own son to raise. The right through. The tools were the report by now. And so, the cycle is broken. Jesus makes perspective on Africa right there. Bramlett saw remorseful, unlikely thief it possible for DeAndre to live Stuck in Africa: A Novel them. His role would be sim- called the church. He left mes- free. His son can be free. The travels, Aicha loses her pass- will be the most “steaming By Aicha Kouyate Kaba ple. All he had to do was carry sage after message on the an- logo of our church has the port and connection to her hot controversial book of the the copper outside. swering machine. Jewish symbol in it. That is on family back in the U.S. She is year,” as she uses it to call out Only, once inside, things It was Sunday, and, like purpose. It means Israel shall Kaba moved to the United left stranded in Africa and Trump’s derogatory remarks took a different turn. The po- most pastors, Lavender waits live. We do have victory when States from Guinea at a young must find her way back home that were made about African lice showed up while the rob- till Monday to check any mes- we forgive and love one an- age, and, through the culture to America. countries. bery was still in progress. The sages that had been left. He’s other.” shock, bullying and harass- During her stay in Guinea, “Stuck in Africa showcases ments she faced, she also en- Aicha’s life is changed and the real beauty and truth countered the negative views shaped through a series of about the continent,” Kaba the American media has on events. She also finds out just said. “It's a book that unites Africa to be wrong. Her novel how wrong the American everyone together to take a GOP candidate in disputed will open media’s portrayal of Africa is. closer look within themselves the eyes of “I used a lot of what I have and examine the world a bit everyone learned during my trip to more closely, and how we can US House race not running in con- Guinea and just how different make it a better place.” fronting life really is in Africa to what Kaba will donate 10 percent the claims, is shown by America's of book proceeds to the Kouy- again in 9th congressional beliefs and media,” Kaba said. “It's an in- ate Kaba Foundation. She derogatory spiring story that uncovers started the foundation to sup- comments the raw truth about Africa and ply children in Guinea with THE ASSOCIATED PRESS tify. He cited health problems ing range seeking comment U.S. Presi- America.” vital school and medical sup- RALEIGH — The Republican caused by a blood infection on Tuesday. dent Don- Kaba wrote Stuck in Africa plies. candidate whose apparent that required hospitalization Only one other GOP candi- ald Trump to highlight the importance of ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kaba victory in a North Carolina and led to two strokes. He date — former state Sen. made of self-identity, race, women, ed- is an advocate of progressive congressional race was also said he agreed that a new Tommy Tucker of Union the continent. ucation and what it means to movements and has voiced thrown out because of suspi- election should be called. County — has publicly ex- Stuck in Africa tells the story be a leader of a community. her opinions in her writing. cions of ballot fraud an- The elections board ordered pressed interest in running of Aicha, an adventurous She hopes it will inspire those She spent five years writing nounced Tuesday he will not a new contest after evidence for the seat. Former Gov. Pat young woman who takes a who read it and encourage and perfecting her debut run in the newly ordered do- that a Harris operative may McCrory said Monday he trip to her ancestral mother- them to make a difference. novel. over election, saying he needs have illegally collected mail-in wouldn’t seek the seat. land of Guinea. Through her Kaba says Stuck in Africa surgery late next month. ballots. A date for the new McCready has been assem- In a statement, Mark Harris election has not been an- bling a new campaign staff BUSINESS BRIEFS said he’s skipping the upcom- nounced. and raising money to run On Tuesday, Harris encour- again in the district that MARKETING OPEN HOUSE ference on March 13 at the ing re-do election in North High Five Conference, Wendell Falls will hold its Raleigh Convention Center. Carolina’s 9th congressional aged his supporters to rally stretches from Charlotte around Stony Rushing, a com- through several counties to hosted by the Triangle Chap- spring open house March 9, Register at district for health reasons. He ter of the American Marketing noon to 5 p.m., Wendell Falls, www.eventbrite.com. did not mention the alleged missioner in Union County. the east along the South Car- The local official from the olina border. His campaign fi- Association, will be held 320 Vintage Point Lane. ballot fraud scandal. March 4-5 in downtown RALEIGH CHAMBER Harris led Democrat Dan Charlotte suburbs would nance report showed “stand firm on so many of the McCready raised $487,000 Raleigh. Visit www.highfive- FORUM Black Business Momentum McCready by just 905 votes conference.com. The Black Business Forum Seminar Series will host a after November’s election, but issues that concern us, in- during the final five weeks of cluding the issue of life, our 2018. His campaign sent out will hold its next meeting “How to Find Customers the outcome was never certi- JOB FAIR March 12, 6-7:30 p.m., M&F Through Partnerships and fied. State election officials national security and religious a campaign fundraising plea freedom,” Harris said. late Thursday, citing the state Wake County Hospitality Corporate Auditorium, 2634 Collaboration” on March 19, grew concerned about reports will host a job fair March 5, 10 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. 6-8 p.m., Garner Town Hall, that an operative working for Rushing, a firing range elections board’s decision. owner and licensed gun seller, a.m. to 3 p.m., Raleigh Con- Visit www.gdbcc.org. 900 Seventh Ave., second Harris was illegally tampering vention Center, 500 S. Salis- floor. Register at with absentee ballots. has been a county commis- Associated Press writers sioner off and on for more Gary D. Robertson and bury St. Visit WOMEN’S CONFERENCE www.ncsbc.net/workshop. Harris last week stopped a wakecountyhospitalityjob- The Women’s Business Cen- state elections board hearing than eight years, first taking Jonathan Drew contributed to office in 2002. He didn’t re- this report. fair.com. ter of N.C. will host its Moving Send business briefs to into ballot fraud by declaring Forward With Purpose Con- [email protected]. he couldn’t continue to tes- turn a phone call to his shoot-

Visit us online triangletribune.com 49ers WWW.TRIANGLETRIBUNE.COM alumnus The Triangle excited to TRIBUNE help Sports SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019 – PAGE 6A Browns By Herb White THE CHARLOTTE POST Larry Ogunjobi likes home- coming. HBCU FOOTBALL The Charlotte 49ers alum- nus and Cleveland Browns de- fensive tackle was back on campus to greet fans and check out the football pro- gram. He was the guest of honor at a Charlotte baseball game and signed autographs for fans. Hampton’s Six “It’s good to be back,” said Ogunjobi, who grew up in Greensboro. “It’s good to see honored with the coaches get around; good energy in the people who went through the process [of building 49ers football]. I got courageous to see a lot of old faces and a lot of new faces. It was a good turnout, not only at the base- award ball game, but at the signing [session]. It was really good By Jim Heath energy.” HAMPTON SPORTS INFORMATION Ogunjobi, the first 49er HAMPTON, Va. – After a summer of work drafted by an NFL team, is to get back on the basketball court following creating his own energy in COURTESY a stroke in late June, Hampton women’s bas- Cleveland, where the Browns ketball coach David Six will be making a trip took a leap toward NFL rele- The North Carolina A&T State football team was honored recently at the Governor’s Man- to the Final Four this season – for some hard- vance in 2018 after going win- sion for winning its second consecutive Celebration Bowl and black college national ware. less the prior season. While championship. Six was announced this week as the U.S. the emergence of rookie quar- Basketball Writers Association’s 2019 Pat terback and the promotion of Summitt Most Courageous Award recipient. defensive coordinator Gregg He will receive his award at a luncheon on Williams to head coach gener- April 5 in Tampa, Florida, prior to the na- ated fanfare in a 7-8-1 season, tional semifinals. winning returned hope to one “It’s an extreme honor to congratulate of the league’s most passion- coach Six on his 2019 Pat Summit Most ate fan bases. Courageous Award,” Hampton President “Even when we went William R. Harvey said. “After his health through that 0-16 season, we scare this summer, to see him on the side- still had fans who were sup- lines leading the Lady Pirates is a blessing, porting every game, still be- and Hampton nation couldn’t be happier lieving,” Ogunjobi said. with him and congratulate him on this pres- “Then, when you see those tigious award.” fans witness the turnaround, Added Six: “For all that Pat Summitt has start to see us winning games, done for women’s basketball, to be associ- start to see us really compete, ated with an award that has her name is I feel like it brings even more amazing. life to the city.” Summitt, the legendary Hall of Fame Ten- Ogunjobi, a third-round nessee women's coach, had the award pick in 2017, became an an- named after her in 2012 in the wake of her chor in the Brown’s defensive battle against Alzheimer's. Summitt, the first scheme in his second season, women's coach to surpass 1,000 victories, tallying a career-high 50 tack- ultimately succumbed to the disease in June les (31 solo), 5.5 sacks and a 2016. forced fumble. He played In the midst of his 10th season at Hamp- more downs, which boosted COURTESY ton, Six’s summer consisted more of work in his confidence and translated rehabilitation than recruiting. Driving his into productivity. The differ- Jerry Mack’s name had popped up on several coaching vacancy lists. Now, he’s been wife to an appointment at Johns Hopkins ence? promoted at Rice University. Hospital in late June, he felt some discomfort “Just being able to see and heaviness in his right arm. Upon arriv- things a lot faster, under- ing for the appointment, he fell in the park- standing the game, just being ing lot. comfortable and playing Jerry Mack promoted A doctor found him and got him inside, more” than as a rookie, he where he eventually made his way to the said. “I went from 300-and- emergency room. As he sat to have his vitals something snaps my rookie taken, he fell again. It was then determined year to the most as a D-tackle that he was having a stroke. in the NFL with like 930. It’s at Rice University As he told the Daily Press’ Dave Johnson in always good when you get to By Bonitta Best years I have known him, he son, still has his hat in the a story about him after winning his 200th ca- play more, of course, but you reer game in late November, hitting that also have an opportunity to [email protected] has demonstrated great ring. leadership and dedication to Edward Waters College milestone was extra special. help your team.” In the “in case you missed “Two hundred meant so much more be- Playing at the professional the men who have played coach Greg Ruffin and it” file, former North Car- for him." Southern offensive coordi- cause of all I’ve been through,” Six said. “I level requires changes in atti- olina Central coach Jerry don’t want to say me — my family, my team, tude different from the col- Mack’s offense produced nator Chennis Berry are also Mack has been promoted to three wide receivers, where finalists. a lot of people. They’ve all been supportive lege game. In the NFL, football associate head coach at Rice from the very beginning, especially when is a job, not something to be each caught 40 receptions Ruffin is in his first season University. for 500 receiving yards, the at EWC. He assistant you don’t know ‘can this guy still do this managed between classes and Mack left NCCU to become job?’ homework. first time in 10 seasons that coached at Tuskegee, Jack- the Owls offensive coordina- had happened. son State and Texas South- “Everything was greatly appreciated. Be- “The biggest thing is the tor/wide receivers coach. cause you know now that could be taken lifestyle,” he said. “You have ern. "Jerry is a perfect fit to be SSU names finalists As offensive coordinator, away from you.” a different time commitment. our associate head coach be- He attacked “boot-camp” rehab with a vigor A lot of guys come into the Savannah State, which is Berry led an explosive cause of his own experi- moving back down to Divi- Jaguars offense that scored and was released into a rehab facility on July league [and] they don’t know ences as a successful head 4. At the end of the month, he went to live what to do with all that free sion II, recently named the 28 points or more seven coach as well as sharing my three finalists for its head times during the season. with his daughter before coming back to the time. Sometimes you’ve got vision for the kind of pro- area a few weeks later. guys who don’t use it wisely, football coaching position. Athletics Director Opio gram we are building here at Interim head coach Shawn Mashariki told savannah- Six was on the bench for the opening game but I find it very beneficial. Rice," head coach Mike at Florida Atlantic, and now has his Lady Pi- You’ve got to maximize your Quinn, who led the Tigers to now.com that a decision will Bloomgren said. "Over the a 2-8 record this past sea- be made “in early March.” rates sitting among the league leaders head- time, you’ve got to take care ing into the final weeks of the Big South of your body, take care of lit- regular season. tle minute details. You’ve got to study your film, you’ve got to analyze your opponent, you’ve got to break down COLLEGE CORNER things. At the end of the day, this is your job. You’ve got only 16 guaranteed opportu- Shaw men last Triangle HBCU standing nities to go out and do what you want to do, so you’ve go There were many special mo- NCCU won’t equal its confer- to maximize your time.” ments at the CIAA Tournament ence record of seven (7-9) from Ogunjobi also recognizes but none more so than the per- last season. his unique place in 49ers foot- formance of CIAA Offensive NCCU couldn’t close out its ball history, and makes a Player of the Year Shareka Mc- home schedule with a third point of mentoring current Neill of Virginia Union. straight win. Instead the team players. He’s been in touch McNeill tied the women’s tour- lost to South Carolina State, 72- with guard Nate Davis, who, ney record for most points with 60, Monday night. Senior guard like Ogunjobi, is participating 59 in a win over Livingstone. Mc- Caira Benton scored a season- in the NFL Combine, a major Neill joins former North Carolina high 19 points. audition before April’s draft. Central star Cassie King who Ogunjobi, who reached out to broke the record in 2005. St. Augustine’s (3-23) professionals like Carolina Virginia Union is the No. 1 The Falcons hung tough with Panthers defensive tackle seed in the Atlantic Region. Vir- Lincoln (Pa.), but the Lions Kawann Short leading up to ginia State men are No. 3. Con- proved too tough down the the 2017 draft, wants to be a tinue to follow the tourney on stretch. SAU lost 63-52 Tuesday conduit for future 49ers. our Twitter page at TriTribune. to end their season. St. Aug’s women’s basketball team has the highest team GPA again. “It’s always good to lay that Senior Kelsee Arnold gave it foundation, but at the end of WOMEN her all, scoring 20 points, in- the day, you want guys to N.C. Central (8-20 overall, 5-10 cluding 6 of 10 from 3-point continue to rise up and con- MEAC) range. But Arnold didn’t get 58 last December. The Bears son after defeating the Bulldogs tinue to do better because The Eagles are one win away much help from the usual sus- have won a total of 13 games 72-62. Junior Randy Miller Jr. when you’re the first, you from tying their win total of last pects. over the past two seasons. Shaw scored a game-high 16 points. don’t have a blueprint,” season with one regular-season center Macy Keen led the team Like the women, NCCU is off till Ogunjobi said. You have to be game remaining. It won’t be Shaw (7-21) with 16 points, 12 rebounds and its rematch at N.C. A&T. the blueprint, you have to easy to get that ninth win as that The Bears ended their season two blocks. teach guys the way, you have last game is at North Carolina Monday night with a 78-55 loss St. Augustine’s vs. Shaw MEN to set the example. That’s A&T on March 7. The Aggies are to Elizabeth City State. The Shaw men’s basketball team what I am for Charlotte right undefeated in MEAC play and Vikings swept Shaw for the sea- N.C. Central (15-14, 10-5) gave President Paulette Dillard a now.” have clinched the division title. son after defeating the team 86- The Eagles won 10 home games for the third straight sea- Please see SHAW/7A 7A SPORTS/The Triangle Tribune Sunday, March 3, 2019 Shaw men are last Triangle NBA, union forward talks on ending ‘one-and-done’ HBCU team left in tourney By Tim Reynolds Wednesday night. Golden State’s DeMarcus Continued from page 6A THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Williamson was diagnosed Cousins, who played at Ken- Thursday with a Grade 1, or tucky, told reporters Thurs- very happy birthday present. MIAMI — The NBA and its minor, sprain of his right day that knowing what he The Bears rallied from eight points down late in the second half to defeat its archrival players are continuing to knee. Williamson, a fresh- knows now makes him ques- St. Augustine’s 62-55 Wednesday night at Bojangles Coliseum. Shaw advances to its first move forward on plans to man, is widely expected to be tion why players need to play semifinal in Joel Hopkins’ second tenure as head coach, and will face the winner of John- eliminate the “one-and-done” in the NBA next season and college basketball — espe- son C. Smith and Virginia Union on Friday at Spectrum Arena. rule in college basketball, forgo his final three seasons cially if they’re NBA-ready. Junior Amir Hinton was held to just five points in the first half, but rebounded to score something that the sides of collegiate eligibility. “I don’t understand the 21 in the second half to lead the Shaw rally. But it was sophomore forward Alex Owen’s have been working toward Neither the league nor the point of it,” Cousins said work on the boards that kept the Bears from being even further behind. Owens grabbed for months. players’ union has hidden about the ‘one-and-done’ 16 rebounds and scored 10 points when Shaw needed them most. The league has sent a pro- the fact that both sides want rule. “What’s the difference “The big guy came up big for us tonight with hitting the glass,” coach Joel Hopkins posal to the National Basket- the current system changed. between 18 and 19 and 17 said. “Those 16 rebounds were big for us.” ball Players Association on NBA Commissioner Adam and 18? You’re immature, lowering the minimum age Silver said last July that it you’re young, you’re igno- for entering the NBA draft was time to revert back to the rant to life in general. So from 19 to 18, and the union SWAC policy that will allow players what’s really the difference? discussed the contents at a to go into the league right out You’ve still got a lot of grow- meeting in the Bahamas ear- of high school, something ing to do as a man.” lier this week, a person with SWAC starting to attract top that will have to be collec- The one-and-done rule has knowledge of the matter told tively bargained with the been in place since the 2006 The Associated Press. The players. draft. Silver, who was once a person spoke to the AP on The NBPA has had previous proponent of raising the football student-athletes condition of anonymity be- talks with the NBA on the draft minimum age to 20 be- cause neither side released SWAC.ORG Power Five, Group of Five past decade, every institu- idea, which is likely to be in fore changing his mind, said the proposal publicly. and FCS leagues. tion within the SWAC has place by the 2022 draft. “I last year that he believes the BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With USA Today Sports first re- “I think it’s clearly evident made upgrades in some form think it’s a good idea,” league and the players “can storied traditions, rich lega- ported the proposal being what we are seeing is a re- or fashion to its home play- Boston’s Jayson Tatum, who create a better system.” cies and some of the biggest sent. markable resurgence in the ing facility. went to the NBA after one The G League also intro- names to ever play the game, The proposal changed status level and exposure Prairie View A&M and Ala- season at Duke, said at All- duced a plan last year to it’s safe to say that the foot- hands before All-Star week- that playing at an HBCU and, bama State recently built new Star weekend. “If you’re good begin offering “select con- ball history of the Southwest- end and long before Duke more specifically, a SWAC in- stadiums, while league coun- enough to come out of high tracts” worth $125,000 to ern Athletic Conference is star Zion Williamson, quite stitution can offer today’s terparts Grambling State, school, I feel like you should elite prospects who are not truly remarkable and un- possibly the No. 1 pick in this generation of student-ath- Southern and Arkansas-Pine be able to. But I don’t make yet eligible for the NBA. matched at the FCS level. year’s draft, got hurt Eddie Robinson, Walter letes,” SWAC Commissioner Bluff installed new state-of- those decisions.” Payton, Jerry Rice, Doug Charles McClelland said. the art playing surfaces. Ala- Williams, Deacon Jones, “The positive exposure and bama A&M, Jackson State, Robert Brazille, Steve McNair, impact from the partner- Mississippi Valley State and Aeneas Williams and Michael ships forged between the Alcorn State have also added Strahan are a few of the leg- SWAC, MEAC and the Cele- upgrades to its home stadi- endary names of the game bration Bowl has, without a ums while Texas Southern that also just so happened to doubt, raised the overall began playing its games at a attend SWAC member insti- level of visibility and profiles professional venue (BBVA tutions. of our leagues, institutions Compass Stadium) in the For decades, the SWAC has and football programs. That heart of downtown Houston. produced some of the best exposure has helped us start “The current level of talent and most talented athletes to attract some of the best and competition that can be the game of football has to collegiate student-athletes, witnessed amongst the pro- offer as clearly evident by not only on the FCS level but grams in the SWAC has the the names of former SWAC it’s also assisted our respec- state of college football col- products listed in the Pro and tive member institutions in lectively in our league at a College Football Halls of attracting recruits that tradi- very high level,” McClelland Fame. tionally might have only said. “It is our focus as a con- With 2019 Signing Day of- looked at attending ference to continue to take ficially in the books, it ap- colleges and universities at the necessary steps needed pears that the days of the the Football Bowl Subdivision in order to raise the bar each SWAC attracting some of the level.” year so that our member in- Enhancements made to stitutions can continue to top recruits in the nation is COURTESY playing facilities have also bring in the best and bright- alive and well with several Howard President Wayne A.I. Frederick, second from right, is a sickle cell survivor. highly touted two-star and played a significant role in est student-athletes from three-star recruits choosing the recruiting and signing of around the country.” SWAC institutions over some of the top student-ath- letes in the country. In the Howard president runs to raise MEAC NEWS sickle cell awareness and funds By Roscoe Nance do certain things to bring Even at an early age, Fred- awareness to the country in erick was determined not to MEAC SPORTS terms of the lives of those allow his condition to hold Howard University Presi- who are living with sickle cell him back. He says his grand- dent Wayne A. I. Frederick is and also to bring some hope mother tells the story of him a man on the run. that there is a cure on the overhearing a conversation In that regard, Frederick is horizon.” she was having with one of not unlike other college pres- Frederick was born in her friends about his illness idents, who must maintain a Trinidad and Tobago in when he was 3. He later ap- hectic pace to keep up with 1971, a year after that coun- proached her about what was the demands and expecta- try instituted mandatory wrong with him and wanted tions that came with being testing for sickle cell. Even to know how he could get the leader of an institution of though he has lived with the better. During that conversa- high learning. disease his entire life, he has tion, he was going to become But, unlike other college not spoken about it a lot pub- a doctor. presidents, Frederick is liter- licly until now. He chose run- Frederick, a triple graduate ally running to raise aware- ning 5K races as a means of of Howard – and he com- ness about sickle cell, a speaking up in his personal pleted his surgical residency disease that disproportion- fight against sickle cell be- training at Howard Univer- ately afflicts African-Ameri- cause stamina and develop- sity Hospital – says enrolling cans, and to raise money ing physical fitness have at the university in 1989 help find a cure. He was di- always been a challenge for opened a new world to him. agnosed with sickle cell at him. He discovered a student sup- birth and has launched the The campaign will culmi- port group and, for the first Run to Cure Sickle Cell cam- nate with the Howard Univer- time, met others who were paign, which is aimed at in- sity Hospital Center for Sickle afflicted with sickle cell. He creasing awareness and Cell Disease’s 13th annual learned what triggered the ill- raising funds for Howard Stomp Out Sickle Cell 5K ness and how to hydrate University’s Sickle Cell Dis- run/walk in September. himself to avoid having a cri- ease Center. Completing just one 5K run sis. Frederick has pledged to represents a victory for Fred- “Coming to Howard run one 5K race per month in erick, whose life has been af- changed my life and the tra- 2019. He participated in a 5K fected negatively by sickle jectory of my disease as Sickle Cell Awareness run cell for as long as he can re- well,” he said. “I gleaned during last weekend’s MEAC member. He recalls being from (those he met) how to Track & Field Championships hospitalized three to four cope with the affliction. I also as part of his campaign. times a year when he was got close to some who ended COURTESY “My struggle with the ill- growing up. up passing. That was a stark N.C. A&T women’s and men’s track teams made program history with their third ness has been a great oppor- He was an avid sports fan reality as well. All of that was straight MEAC championships. tunity in terms of developing as a child, and soccer was his very insightful in term of my endurance and that chal- first love. He played the sport bringing me along. lenge,” he said. “It has been but not competitively be- “I owe a lot to Howard Uni- NC A&T women, men a source of inspiration as I cause of his condition. He versity and the Sickle Cell meet young people across also enjoyed running and Center as well. It changed my the country who have sickle being outdoors, but he didn’t perspective and changed the cell and who look at my life have the stamina required to way that I saw my disease, sweep MEAC track titles story with a very positive and participate competitively in and it gave me a way to not any sport. Later, when he only work with my disease MEAC SPORTS She also took gold in the 60- honors after winning three uplifting attitude. I certainly was a surgical trainee, he but to work in a way to over- meter hurdles with a MEAC- gold medals – two of which felt I had a responsibility, LANDOVER, Md. — North sometimes worked 100 come my disease.” record 8.07 – on top of came on the final day. given the responsibility, Carolina A&T State women are hours a week, which would finishing second in the 60m In addition to his 5,000- given the blessings I have once again the talk of the had in terms of my health to lead to a crisis. MEAC following their third dash. meter title, Kimtai won the consecutive indoor track & Loren James gave A&T its mile run before turning in a field title last weekend at the first title of the day in winning 1:53.42 to take the 800 me- Prince George’s Sports & the shot put, and Sun-Sara ters. Learning Complex. Williams took gold in the 400 Rodney Rowe had a pair of The Aggies racked up 174 meters. The Aggies also took titles for the Aggies: 60 me- points to claim the crown, gold in the women’s 4x400- ters and 200 meters. Michael while second-place Florida meter relay. Dickson also got in on the act, A&M tallied 118.5 points. Bethune-Cookman’s Monae running a 7.88 to take gold in With the team title, A&T be- Nichols was named outstand- the men’s 60m hurdles. The comes the first MEAC pro- ing field performer. Aggies also set a MEAC cham- gram ever to sweep the Florida A&M’s Jazmyn Den- pionship record in winning women’s and women’s indoor nis broke the MEAC record in the 4x400-meter relay, cap- titles three seasons in a row. the pole vault to take the gold ping off the afternoon with a Duane Ross was again medal. Bhrandi Crenshaw of 3:10.05. Lasheon Strozier named the meet’s outstand- North Carolina Central took gave the Aggies a victory in ing coach. gold in the triple jump. the men’s triple jump, leaping Senior Kayla White, who On the men’s side, A&T set 49 feet, 2.5 inches. came into the meet as the a meet-record 191 points, 50 N.C. A&T’s Aaron Wilkerson, world leader in the 200 me- points more than second- and Bethune-Cookman’s Jere- ters, backed that up by win- place Bethune-Cookman. miah Peters and JaiQuan ning the event with a time of Freshman Regan Kimtai took Evans were each named out- 23.53. home outstanding runner standing field performers. 8A FOCUS/The Triangle Tribune Sunday, March 3, 2019 Girl Talk: Providing girls with a mother figure By Arianna Swain THE DURHAM VOICE DURHAM – Rictrice McKiver flipped through her notes as she talked about Girl Talk, her newly created program for teen girls. The program is to bring teen girls together to give them a chance to discuss subjects they may not feel comfortable doing at home and to provide the girls with a sister or mother figure that may be missing in their every- day lives. The girls are given the opportunity to come and learn about sex education, re- sume career building and healthy relationships. McKiver grew up in Wash- ington, D.C. She moved to North Carolina in 2007 to at- SAMANTHA PERRY tend North Carolina Central Audrey Muhammad shows off her two published books at Durham Tech Community University. College. “As a teenager growing up in the inner-city, it was always peer pressure. I was around people who didn’t have struc- Durham Tech instructor ture at home,” McKiver said. “I ended up becoming a teen mother at 15. I want to be able inspires students to pursue to be or provide that mother or sister figure for these girls so they have someone to turn to.” lives of purpose and joy The program is designed to By Samantha Perry then you’re on a slave ship,” loves Korean culture and has run nine weeks and starts Muhammad said. “You make an interest in computer sci- with a module on hygiene. THE DURHAM VOICE it to the ghetto or to the plan- ence. She is also the junior ed- The second week will address DURHAM – The first day of tation — that history is lim- itor and a model for peer pressure and relation- classes normally begins with ited. If that’s all you think Muhammad’s magazine, ships. The third is focused on introductions. Students share about yourself, it kind of re- Virtue Today. career and resume building so their names, hometowns and stricts how far you think you Virtue is a magazine that the girls can take the lessons favorite movies or books. can go.” aims to show women as learned into their future en- But when Audrey Muham- In her writing, Muhammad strong, modest and beautiful, deavors. ARIANNA SWAIN mad begins her first class decided to focus on empow- Muhammad said. The articles McKiver is looking for spon- each semester, she shares ering black children and black cover everything from fash- sors for the program so she Rictrice McKiver, 30, founder of Girl Talk, hopes to have something interesting about women who often see them- ion to family advice. Muham- can afford to take the girls more girls sign up so they can continue the program. herself before asking her stu- selves misrepresented in both mad began Virtue in out. She is also looking for dents to do the same. “I have popular culture and history California 15 years ago. some business owners who “Although music was a their own skin, give them a a magazine and I love to books. She was inspired to “I wanted my daughter to be will visit different events for good way for me to handle vocal outlet and the tools to write,” Muhammad tells write “Rhymes of the Times: able to see positive images of the girls and teach them their the everyday stresses of life, conquer whatever obstacles them. “And I’m here to say Black Nursery Rhymes” when women and not everyone trade or provide services. it could not teach me the lay in their way in the future. that you can fill your life with she was reminiscing about scantily clad,” she said. “I see Young women volunteers for things I lacked from not hav- “This program is free. All of joy. You can fill your life with childhood songs with her now, even the power of young these teens are welcomed. ing a female figure during the our programs here at Holton things that you love to do.” brother. It surprised them men seeing women dressed Lyric Salters, 23, a recent most crucial period of my are free. We’ve had people in Muhammad is an instructor that they were able to recite in a modest, beautiful way, NCCU graduate with a crimi- life,” she said. the past tell us how some of of “College Transfer Success,” them long after they last that it forces them to look nal justice degree, under- Salters said she feels lucky the programs were expensive, a course at Durham Technical heard them. up.” stands what teen girls go because she did have family so now they are free and we Community College that Parents often begin reciting Muhammad also released a through. “I was raised by my support. She said Girl Talk will want to provide a service for helps students plan for their these rhymes to their children book with her husband, dad with the help of my be a great program to provide the community,” McKiver professional and academic fu- at a very young age, and Polymin, titled, “How to Set grandparents and my aunt,” young ladies with an outlet said. tures. She has also written a many people carry their Worthy Goals: An Inspira- she said. “I feel like not having and someone to show them The program is hosted children’s book, created her words and themes with them tional Guide to Achieving Suc- my mom in my life the way I the ropes. every second and fourth own magazine and published throughout their lives. How- cess.” Through her variety of needed her to be may have “Young women need this Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. The guides for personal success. ever, black children may not interests, Muhammad hopes limited me from learning cer- program to become properly session runs from Jan. 8 to While many college stu- be able to relate to “Mary Had to inspire students to never tain things that a woman educated on what healthy re- May 21 for ages 13 to 17. Stu- dents are preoccupied with a Little Lamb” or classics such settle for a job they don’t helps you with in life.” lationships look like. It also dents can register at Holton how they will perform on as “Goldilocks and the Three enjoy. While some colleges When she was going helps them learn and value Career Center, at Durham their next test, Muhammad Bears,” Muhammad said. But focus on creating obedient through challenging times their worth,” Salters said. ” I Parks and Recreation centers points out that it is just as im- they can relate to inspirational employees, she hopes to help and had no one to talk to, she feel this will prevent genera- or online at portant to take this time to black leaders such as Barack Durham Tech students feel said she turned to her music tional habits from becoming a https://www.dprplaymore.or discover passions, peace and Obama and Martin Luther inspired to be more. and poetry, writing songs to repetitive cycle.” g/344/Registration-Instruc- well-being. “I love sharing that King Jr., who is celebrated in “The students here are very release her unspoken feel- The goal for Girl Talk is for tions. message with students,” she the rhyme “Martin Had a Little respectful,” she said. “They’re ings. participants to be confident in said. “That you’re not limited. Dream.” wonderful and eager to learn. You’re here to discover what Muhammad began writing They have a rich history, you enjoy doing.” these rhymes for her daugh- Durham has a rich history. HBCU NEWS As a high school teacher in ter, Hasana, when she was Durham Tech has fabulous Toledo, Ohio, Muhammad younger. Now, at 16 years old, instructors, a fabulous com- discovered that students did- Hasana has developed per- munity and a wonderful pres- n’t enjoy learning about sonal confidence and an ap- ident that focuses on how to African-American history. preciation for other cultures. better serve our students.” “One day you were in Africa, She is learning Chinese, Durham resident chosen for black media incubator STAFF REPORTS Durham resident Katina Parker has been selected by Black Public Media for the third round and largest class of its innovative 360 Incuba- tor+, a talent development program designed to identify and pipeline quality black content. COURTESY As a fellow of the program, Left to right: Shawn Pressley, Malcolm Brown, Christopher Graves, team captain De- Parker is one of eight broad- andria Harper and Shavonna Corprew. cast and web and two virtual reality teams vying for up to N.C. CENTRAL ment undefeated, also beat- and geospatial sciences major $150,000 in funding for their The NCCU Honda Campus ing Winston-Salem State, Sa- from Mebane; Paul McAllister, projects. All-Star Challenge team has vannah State and Shaw y in a senior history major from Black Public Media is the na- qualified to participate in the the round-robin competition, Akron, Ohio; Sabina Morgan, tion’s only nonprofit dedi- 30th Annual Honda Campus and Benedict College in the a junior pharmaceutical sci- cated solely to funding and All-Star Challenge. semifinals. The qualification ences major from Accra, developing media content The tournament will take tournament win earned the Ghana; Mya Reeves, a junior about the black experience. place in Torrance, California, team an automatic bid to marketing major from High The 360 Incubator+ offers a April 13-17. enter the national champi- Point; and Travis Williams, a holistic, comprehensive ap- Founded in 1989, the onship tournament. sophomore mathematics proach to honing the skills of COURTESY Honda Campus All-Star Chal- Returning members from major from Stockbridge, experienced producers and York City on April 11. black church. The film follows lenge is the oldest academic the 2017-18 varsity team are Georgia. filmmakers, and their proj- At the pitchBLACK forum, eight families struggling to competition between stu- Deandria Harper, a junior Five first-year students have ects. After completing a boot Parker will be center stage in reconcile the religious bigotry dents at HBCUs. Honda has physics major from Durham; joined the team, including camp in the historic Hudson front of a diverse audience of they learned from the pulpit sponsored the program since Shawn Pressley, a senior psy- Jazmyne Abney, a political Valley, New York, last month funders, distributors and in- with the immense love they its inception. chology major from Char- science major from Charlotte; and participating in intensive dustry leaders, battling to nab have for their lesbian, gay, bi, The challenge is open to all lotte; and Shavonna Corprew, Jacob Boggs, a chemistry incubator workshops in New top honors and be one of up queer and trans loved ones. A four-year, degree-granting a junior history major from major from Burlington; Cedric York City on topics like grant to three projects to be Love Supreme will be accom- HBCUs in the continental U.S. Apex; will be joined by the Burden, a biology major from writing, budgeting, reel creat- awarded a licensing agree- panied by an impact cam- More than 125,000 students newest member Malcolm Fulton, Maryland; and ing, licenses and more, the ment ranging from $50,000 to paign that networks have participated in the com- Brown, a junior finance major Kennedy Lofton, a pharma- teams have returned to their $150,000. The two virtual re- resources, trainings and re- petition, where schools vie to from Tacoma, Washington. ceutical sciences major from home bases to work on their ality teams will compete to treats for welcoming black qualify for the annual national Harper serves as team cap- Winston-Salem. proposals, sample reels and win funding for community churches. championship tournament. tain. Heather Leonard, a sopho- pitches under the guidance of engagement campaigns for The 360 Incubator+ is NCCU’s team has qualified for The team members hone more hospitality and tourism their mentors. their films. Winners will be funded by the Corporation for 26 previous tournaments. their skills through practice major from Burlington has Incubator mentors include announced at an awards cer- Public Broadcasting, NCCU participated in one of challenges by additional team also joined the team, which is Kimson Albert, Joe Brewster, emony on April 12. MacArthur Foundation, the seven National Qualification members who are vying for a coached by Clayton Mack Jr. Rachel Falcon, Sonia Gonza- Parker’s project, chosen by NEA, the New York State Tournaments held across the spot on the varsity team. and Christopher Graves. Mack lez-Martinez, Sabrina Schmidt a panel of industry experts, is Council on the Arts and New county on Feb. 9, where the Those participants are Maya also serves as NCCU’s HCASC Gordon, Chris Hastings, “A Love Supreme: Black, York City Department of Cul- team won its fourth regional Clinton, a sophomore physics campus coordinator. For Byron Hurt, Michael Premo, Queer and Christian in the tural Affairs. qualifier in six years, defeat- major from Durham; Miranda more information on the Yoruba Richen and Michèle South,” a broadcast program For more information on ing Spelman College in the Clinton, a sophomore history Challenge, visit Stephenson. Fellows are and long-overdue heart-to- BPM, visit www.blackpublic- final round, 540 to 445. major from Durham; Isabel https://www.hcasc.com. preparing for BPM’s pitch- heart between black LGBTQ media.org. NCCU finished the tourna- Gutierrez, a sophomore earth BLACK competition in New people, their families and the