2025 SUMMER ISSUE
NORMAN OLIVER
ENTREPRENEUR. PHILANTHROPIST. SERVANT LEADER.
embracing Black Excellence THE POWER OF PURPOSE
Post-doctoral Opportunity: Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program at the LU-RRTC on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities PROJECT OVERVIEW: The Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program at the Langston University (historically Black college/university [HBCU]) Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building represents a collaborative effort between the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston ([ICI] Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving Institution [AANAPISI]), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University ([NCA&T] HBCU), South Carolina State University ([SCSU] HBCU), Jackson State University ([JSU] HBCU), and the Kessler Foundation. The Project implements a Peer-to-Peer Multiple Mentor Model to help post-doctoral Fellows navigate institutional context and cross-fertilize their independent research project and research grant proposal through exchanges with a primary mentor and a scientific panel of mentors comprised of content experts, multicultural specialists, methodologists, and statisticians. The ARRT Program works in concert with the LU-RRTC drawing upon the center’s extensive minority-serving institution research capacity building expertise, collaborative networks, resources, and interventions (e.g., methodology and grant writing web-based trainings, communities of practice, strategic planning, sponsored programs office and institutional review board technical assistance and consultation), offers courses, webinars, and implements peer mentoring as an innovative strategy to holistically address the Fellows’ research skill building needs . INVITATION TO APPLY: We invite individuals who have earned a doctorate from a minority-serving institution (i.e., HBCU, Hispanic serving institution, Tribal college/- university, AANAPIAI) or predominantly White institution (PWI) and current doctoral candidates (must graduate before beginning fellowship) at minority-serving institutions or PWIs interested in employment research to apply to participate in the post-doctoral fellowship. Minority-serving institution based faculty members who have earned doctorates are also eligible to apply (i.e., 80% research supplements through subcontract for such faculty in residence at their employing minority-serving institution are optional). We strongly encourage individuals with disabilities to apply. We are particularly interested in recruiting candidates who have a strong desire to obtain an academic faculty position or research position at a minority-serving institution upon completion of the fellowship program. PARTICIPATION INCENTIVES: • Salary and benefits package- Annual salary with full health benefits • Peer-to-Peer multiple research mentorship opportunity with scientific panel mentors • Financial research agenda start-up package- i.e., study participant honorariums/fellow research travel • Peer reviewed publications • Present research findings at national and/or international rehabilitation related conferences CONTACT: If you have any questions regarding the Langston University Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Program (LU-ARRT), please contact Dr. Corey L. Moore, Principal Investigator/Training Director at (405) 530-7531 or email: capacitybuildingrrtc@langston.edu.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities The MISSION of the Langston University RRTC is to empower minority-serving institutions/minority entities (e.g., historically Black colleges/universities [HBCUs], Hispanic-serving institutions [HSIs], Tribal colleges/universities [TCUs], and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving Institution (ANNAPISIs]) to improve their disability and rehabilitation research capacity and infrastructure by conducting a programmatic line of research examining experiences and outcomes of persons with disabilities from traditionally underserved racial and ethnic populations and communities and capacity-building efforts. LU-RRTC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The LU-RRTC serves as a national resource center for minority-serving institutions/minority entities seeking to develop their research infrastructure (RI), and to enhance their capacity to engage in disability and rehabilitation research. To this end, the RRTC initiates dissemination, training and technical assistance (TA) activities to develop strong RIs for the conduct of research, preparation, submission, and management of NIDILRR funded research grant projects. TA services are provided as a part of LU-RRTC interventions for research project participants and to minority entities/minority-serving institutions around the country. The quality, intensity, and duration of TA vary by system and the readiness of TA recipients. Minority-serving Institution TA Areas- • Faculty Scholar Role & Function Balance Consultation (e.g., teaching/service/research balance) • Sponsored Programs Office Operations Consultation • Research Infrastructure Strategic Planning • Institutional Review Board (IRB) Operation Consultation • NIDILRR Research Proposal Development Mentorship • NIDILRR Research Project Management Consultation • Manuscript for Peer Reviewed Publication Development Mentorship • NIDILRR Request for Comment (RFC) or Request for Proposal (RFP) Interpretation Consultation • NIDILRR Expert Panel Application Development Consultation • Data Management and Analysis Software and Related Technology Support Consultation State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (SVRA) TA Areas- • SVRA Policy Consultation to Improve Outcomes for Persons from Traditionally Underserved Communities • SVRA Rehabilitation Practitioner Consultation or Training to Improve Outcomes for Persons from Traditionally Underserved Communities LU-RRTC PEER-TO-PEER MENTOR RESEARCH TEAM ACADEMY The LU-RRTC Peer-to-Peer Mentor Research Team Academy represents a collaborative effort between Langston University and the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston (AANAPISI), South Carolina State University (HBCU), Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, Jackson State University (HBCU), Delaware Nation Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Cherokee Nation Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Kessler Foundation, and Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). The Academy mentors Fellows to conduct research that addresses the rehabilitation needs of persons with disabilities from traditionally underserved racial and ethnic backgrounds and communities. Ultimately, the program builds Fellows’ scholarly self-efficacy and research skills by providing them with state-of-the-science knowledge of scientifically valid measurement strategies and methodologies, and direct hands-on experience in the conduct of research and grant proposal development. CONTACT: If you have any questions regarding the (LU-RRTC), please contact Dr. Corey L. Moore, Principal Investigator at (405) 530-7531 or email: capacitybuildingrrtc@langston.edu.
2 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
SC State Achieves Prestigious R2 Carnegie Classification for High Research Activity and Doctoral Excellence • Recognized for its national and global research impact, SC State is now South Carolina’s only R2 Research/Doctoral University. • Joins Clemson, USC, and MUSC as a Carnegie-classified research institution. • Showcases SC State’s commitment to high research activity and significant research investment. • Highlights the University’s Centers of Research Excellence and expanding doctoral degree programs.
Discover SC State’s cutting-edge research and global impact at: www.scsu.edu/research
SC State University 300 College St., NE Orangeburg, SC 29115 www.scsu.edu
3 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
editor’s
Message
WELCOME TO THE 2025 SUMMER ISSUE OF HBCU TIMES MAGAZINE! With great pride, we present the Summer 2025 edition of HBCU Times Magazine, a powerful testament to the enduring brilliance, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership that define our HBCUs. This issue’s theme, “The Power of Purpose: Embracing Black Excellence” , echoes through every story, profile, and accomplishment featured in these pages. We honor Norman Oliver , an entrepreneur and servant leader whose unwavering commitment to his community reminds us that giving back is one of the highest forms of purpose. We salute Dr. Karrie G. Dixon , a dynamic force in higher education who is reshaping the future of North Carolina Central University with heart, grit, and vision. We take great pride in celebrating Dr. Lester McCorn , whose transformative leadership at Paine College is steeped in the spirit of legacy and service. His journey from adversity to academic leadership is nothing short of inspiring, a story that embodies the sacred mission of HBCUs to elevate and empower. This issue also challenges us to protect what we’ve built. From Dr. Marybeth Gasman’s critical call to defend DEI programs to Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis’s urgent plea to preserve Black history, these voices remind us that the fight for equity and representation is far from over. We champion achievements like Howard University’s R1 research status, and we lift up women like Christina Wildy , who is transforming mental health advocacy in law enforcement. We honor legacy and vision through Dr. Ronnie Hopkins’ leadership at Voorhees and his work continuing the mission of Elizabeth Evelyn Wright-Menafee. This issue is more than a magazine, it is a celebration of who we are, a declaration of what we stand for, and a reminder that the purpose driving our institutions is powerful, enduring, and sacred.
DR. BRIDGET HOLLIS STATEN
4 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
C N ORMAN O LIVER OWNER
BUILDING AFFODAB LE H O M E S
1213 B Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 302-655-8250 Fax 302-655-8249 Email STORMINS@AOL.COM
5 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
52
Dr. Roslyn Artis is the President and CEO of Benedict College. She is also a proud graduate of West Virginia State University.
Ashleigh Fields is a Howard University graduate and a freelance writer for the HBCU Times Magazine.
Brandi Kellam is a two- time Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist and documentary film director. Kellam’s work has been featured by MSNBC, NBC News, CBS News, ProPublica, The Chronicle of Higher Education, ESSENCE, and more.
Dr. Emmanuel Lalande is Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success and Special
Zerline Hughes Spruill writes about social justice and issues impacting the Black diaspora. Her work has been featured in publications such as the Los Angeles Times, Ebony Magazine, and the Boston Globe.
Ericka Blount Danois is an award-winning journalist, author, screenwriter, producer, and professor.
Assistant to the President for Transformational Initiatives at Voorhees University.
Dr. Harry Williams is the President & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund(TMCF), the largest organization exclusively representing the Black College community.
Dr. Marybeth Gasman is the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in Education & a Distinguished Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University.
Rob Knox , a Temple University adjunct and Lincoln University Athletics Hall of Famer, is an award- winning communicator whose work has appeared in SLAM, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Post, and Diverse Issues In Higher Education.
Dr. Dub C. Taylor is a freelance writer for the
HBCU Times Magazine. He is also an experienced Higher Education consultant and a proud graduate of Stillman College.
6 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
52
What’s inside
NORMAN OLIVER ENTREPRENEUR. PHILANTHROPIST. SERVANT LEADER.
CHRISTINA WILDY BREAKING BARRIERS, BUILDING LEGACY
Resisting the Attacks on HBCU Programs and Funding in the Age of DEI Restrictions 10 Howard University Earns R1 Status 12
40
Rajah Caruth: Success, Against All Odds
42
Fifty Years, One Legacy: Jacqie McWilliams-Parker and the Heart of CIAA Women’s Basketball
14
The Erasure of Black History: Why Our Institutions Must Preserve Heritage
44
From Transactions to Transformation
22
Voorhees University: Advancing Elizabeth Wright-Menafee’s Vision for Educational Access and Opportunity
Power Alumni Features
26
46
DR. JASMINE CHANELLE STREETER, DVM DR. SIOBAHN DAY GRADY CARMALEITA WILLIS LYGHT
The Talented 10th President of Voorhees University: Dr. Ronnie Hopkins
28
May 2025 Graduates
53
TMCF Advances HBCU Capacity Building
VICTORIA CAMILLE JORDAN ARIANNA SLACK KHALIL LYNES GABRIELLE EDMONDS-ANDREWS CARTER F. SMITH BRIASIA TYUS LIETENANT SHAE SHERMAN
30
Trailblazing with Vision, Heart and Grit: Dr. Karrie G. Dixon
34
Paine College, Preparing for Transformation: Dr. Lester McCorn
7 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
A
Lo
8 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
credits
Editor and Co-CEO Co-CEO
Layout and Design Editor
Dr. David Staten Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten
Mia Draper
Associate Editors
Amori Washington LaToya Ransom Octavia Robinson
Antonio Fuondjing Thurgood Marshall College Fund Terrell Maxwell of Maxwell Photography Benedict College Bowie State University Florida A&M University Grambling State University Howard University Jackson State University North Carolina A&T State University North Carolina Central Voorhees University Winston-Salem State University
Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis Ashleigh Fields Brandi Kellam Dr. Emmanuel Lalande Zerline Spruill
Ericka Blount Danois Dr. Marybeth Gasman Dr. Dub Taylor Dr. Harry Williams Dr. Jasmine Shanelle Streeter
Paine College Rolondo Davis Xavier University-Louisiana Ortega Missouri
Dr. Siobhan Day Grady Carmaleita Willis Lyght Rob Knox
All other photos were provided by the authors and interviewees.
Estervina Rogers Roderick Rogers Paula Lyles Dr. Antoinette Hollis Dr. Corey Phillips Dr. Carlton Watson
connect with us
Web Instagram Twitter Facebook
www.thehbcutimes.com hbcutimes_
Advertising Manager
Dr. David Staten
HBCU_Times HBCU Times
Publisher Logo Design
Post and Courier Mia Draper
INSPIRED BY: ETHEL STATEN AND JORDAN STATEN
Models
Airielle Brooks
9 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
RESISTING THE ATTACKS ON HBCU PROGRAMS AND FUNDING IN THE AGE OF DEI RESTRICTIONS
BY DR. MARYBETH GASMAN
1 0 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
H i storically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a critical and outsized role in advancing education, equity, and economic mobility for African Americans and many others. These vital institutions have built the Black middle class. However, Donald Trump’s recent executive order “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and state-based legislative actions restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) (e.g., legislation in Florida, Texas, Alabama, etc.) could challenge these institutions and their educational offerings. To counter these challenges, HBCUs can pursue several strategies: advocacy, strengthened networks, diversified funding, and expansion of their initiatives. Direct legal and policy advocacy is essential. Partnering with civil rights organizations, such as the NAACP, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and the Urban League, will enable HBCUs to challenge restrictive executive orders and advocate for supportive policies at both state and federal levels. These coalitions can also launch public education campaigns to demonstrate the negative consequences of anti-DEI measures and emphasize the
broad societal benefits of equity- driven initiatives. Policymakers and the general public must understand what is at stake, and HBCUs must direct the narrative about their worth and efforts. HBCUs should also clearly articulate their core mission of serving Black students and reaffirm their unwavering commitment to student success. By strategically framing programs as student success initiatives, leadership development, or workforce readiness efforts, HBCUs can align their work with broader educational goals while maintaining their focus on equity. In essence, they can continue to do the work they have always done. Expanding and strengthening networks is essential. Collaborating with other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), higher education associations like the American Council on Education, and corporate partners will help amplify HBCUs’ collective voice and enhance their ability to counter challenges. These collaborations will establish a unified front against harmful policies and facilitate resource sharing, which is essential given recent funding cuts to higher education.
Diversifying funding streams will be crucial for long-term sustainability. HBCUs will benefit from cultivating relationships with additional corporate sponsors, particularly in technology and workforce development. Moreover, they must engage a broader range of philanthropic organizations committed to racial equity. This outreach has the potential to generate scholarships, research funding, and support for student services. HBCUs must also mobilize alumni in many ways, including supporting their alma maters and educating those in their local communities about the power of HBCUs. Alumni networks can also advocate for HBCU funding and policies that protect DEI efforts in higher education, nonprofit organizations, and corporations. Storytelling has always been vital to the success and sustainability of HBCUs. To raise awareness about their significance, HBCUs can encourage students to share their experiences through social media, opinion pieces, and advocacy campaigns. Additionally, by highlighting the success stories of graduates and emphasizing the economic and social impact with empirical data, HBCUs can help shape – or re-shape – public narratives and
secure greater support. HBCUs might also consider producing social media campaigns and establishing partnerships with local, regional, and national news outlets to convey the importance of continued investment in HBCUs. Data-driven research is essential. HBCUs can continue to produce compelling research on racial disparities, economic mobility, and the impact of various policies. This research offers concrete, evidence-based arguments in favor of equity-driven education. By using a multi-faceted approach, legal advocacy, coalition-building, financial diversification, strategic reframing, and public engagement, HBCUs can continue to resist and thrive. They have always been pillars of resilience. Through methodical action, HBCUs can safeguard their mission and ensure they remain spaces of empowerment and opportunity for African American students and so many others. Marybeth Gasman is the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair and a Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University.
1 1 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
HOWARD UNIVERSITY EARNS R1 STATUS
BY ERICKA BLOUNT
A s a grieving ninth grader in her hometown of Akron, Ohio, Howard University professor Dr. Yanick Rice Lamb, wondered why her stepfather died so young from lung cancer at just 42 years old. He, like many community members, had worked in Akron’s prosperous rubber and tire industry which at its peak produced nearly half of the world’s rubber tires. She found it curious that African Americans had higher rates of cancer and often worked in the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs at the factory. The idea that the rubber companies were at fault haunted her for years.
the personal to the need to tell a wider audience.
Meanwhile in Howard’s Department of Electrical
Lamb and Kim are two of thousands of scholars at Howard University who have helped to buoy Howard to R1 Carnegie Research Activity Classification (ACE), considered to be the highest research level in the United States. Howard is the only historically Black college or university to earn this designation. Out of 4,000 institutions in the U.S. only 187 have this distinction. Dr. Bruce Jones A. Jones, a Howard professor and senior vice president for research, says that research is the third highest generator of revenue for Howard.
Engineering and Computer Science, Dr. Charles Kim was creating a device that can detect brownouts in cities before they happen. The Brownout Detector has been licensed to a data science company. The invention has been implemented and the first city to buy into it is San Diego, along with the help of a corporate partner. The invention is generating revenue – thousands of dollars a year— that goes to Kim as the inventor, Howard, and their corporate partner. This is Howard’s first commercialized invention in the university’s history.
“My sister and I wrote down the names of everyone we knew who had cancer, respiratory problems and autoimmune conditions,” said Dr. Lamb, an award-winning journalist, “We filled a few pages of a stenographer’s notebook.” Lamb started her research journey from that grim finding, writing a three-part series which won the Thomas L. Stokes Award for Best Energy and Environmental Reporting. She is now completing the story for a national audience with Harper Collins book publisher.
There was a singular moment when her questioning moved from
There have been bumps along the way. Howard earned R1 status
1 2 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
in 1987 but lost it in 2000.
those that were focused on publications. For those that were more focused on publications, faculty were encouraged to understand that what they were publishing could also lead to grant funding. Jones had to figure out how this portfolio of around $50 million would break down by faculty and discipline, which would help to inform where there were potential areas of growth. From Jones’ own research he understood that the focus needed to be on promoting and advancing the 14 colleges. “That’s where the faculty hold their appointments, that’s where students go to get their learning, that’s the link to the provost’s office, academic affairs, the Deans of the colleges, so we need to set up our vision to serve the colleges,” Jones realized. Jones’s team began to work systematically with the Associate Deans and the faculty about
tech transfer, innovation and a focus on funding, proposals and government compliance. Then Jones began working with the deans and faculty around building up the portfolios of the colleges. Howard President Ben Vinson, who has invested heavily in research since he became president in 2023, said that on average in a single year R1 institutions spend at least $50 million on research and development and produce at least 70 research doctorates and that Howard exceeded the criteria in both categories to earn R1 status back in Feb. 2025. Under Jones’ leadership Howard research has grown from a $50 million portfolio in 2018 to approximately $120 million by 2022. In 2022 Howard University became the first HBCU in research to cross the $100 million mark. The portfolio is varied from research at the Howard University Center – the only cancer center at an HBCU, Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard has expanded and is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive repository of books, documents and ephemera on the global Black experience.
In collaboration with Georgetown University, Howard researchers are working on treatments on diseases like Alzheimer’s that disproportionately impact Black patients. Jones focused on the promotion of the work of faculty researchers as a key component to bringing in investors. April is research month at Howard and departments, like the Cathy Hughes School of Communications are showcasing their work with screenings, presentations, manuscripts, audio productions and works-in- progress. Jones sees investing in bringing in top-notch faculty and retaining them as a priority in continuing research success, along with garnering state-of -the-art facilities and continuing to expand partnerships with federal and private philanthropy and with other HBCUS as a prime or sub- contractor for a grant or contract. “We have always had people reaching out to us. Howard is a Rolls Royce brand Jones said proudly,” R1 status just takes us into the stratosphere.”
Jones was hired in 2018 to help Howard create the infrastructure it needed to not only earn R1 Status again, but to make sure that it was maintained. Jones first pivotal step was to establish an office of research for the institution. “There were faculty pursuing grants but there was no office of research to galvanize the potential that Howard had around research, development and accomplishment, because there was no office,” said Jones. To fix that basic need Jones then dug into researching the data in Howard’s portfolio for the last 10-15 years. He found that it had remained stagnant in that time hovering around $50 million for 15 years in a row. During that time there was plenty of research happening; it was just that the same faculty were submitting the same proposals, so the needle wasn’t moving. He divided the data by discipline and dug into what research was being done in the 14 colleges at Howard.
building up their research portfolios in the colleges.
Jones first created an office of research website consisting of new departments, including research development, sponsored research to monitor grants,
There were colleges that were prolific in gaining grants and
1 3 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
THE ERASURE OF BLACK HISTORY:
WHY OUR INSTITUTIONS MUST PRESERVE BLACK HERITAGE
BY DR. ROSLYN CLARK ARTIS
R ecently, I had an occasion to visit Charleston, South Carolina. While there, I ventured past the birth home of civil rights icon, and Benedict College graduate, Septima Pointsette Clark. I was stunned to find that while the historic marker remains on the lawn, the home has been repurposed into a sorority house. To say that I was shocked and yes, offended, would be an understatement. This “use case” is, at best, a disregard of Mrs. Clark’s legacy and at worst an erasure of South Carolina’s Black history. Septima Poinsette Clark, affectionately referred to as “Mother of the Movement” by
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement. She dedicated her life to Black education, literacy, and voter empowerment. The U.S. Mint has recognized her contributions by including her on the face of a coin for the series entitled “American Innovation,” in 2021. Yet rather than honoring her legacy with a museum or a historical center, the institution chose to repurpose her birthplace for a predominantly white sorority. While I can certainly appreciate the critical need for additional housing on a growing college campus, this “use” amounts to a fundamental failure to acknowledge, protect, respect, and preserve Black heritage in
meaningful and appropriate ways.
of the Civil Rights Movement, reducing figures like Septima Clark to footnotes while uplifting narratives that make majority audiences comfortable. In recent years, book bans, legal challenges to an AP African American History Course, attacks on Critical Race Theory and most recently, the removal of any reference to slavery or DEI from public school curricula, has made manifest what we have already known – Black History is not welcomed or appreciated in mainstream America. The decision to convert Clark’s home into a sorority house is emblematic of our times. While the home’s repurposing may be
While it may appear that I am criticizing the College of Charleston, I want to be clear that I am not. Perhaps the preservation of our history is not their responsibility. The College’s decision exposes the crucial question of who controls historical narratives, whose legacies are deemed worthy of preservation, and why Black people must take primary responsibility for safeguarding their history. Majority institutions have long played a role in minimizing, and/ or outright erasing Black history. Schools teach a sanitized version
1 4 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
a matter of practical use rather than erasure, the reality is that the college had an opportunity to create a space that educated students and the broader public about Clark’s contributions. Instead, they chose to prioritize an organization that has historically excluded Black women, further underscoring their disregard for Black legacy. Simply stated, when Black people are not in control of their own historical preservation, their stories are often rewritten or erased. The case of Septima Clark’s home is not just about one building, it is about the broader pattern of historical amnesia that continues to erase
Black contributions to society. If institutions like the College of Charleston truly valued Black history, they would ensure that sites like Clark’s home were preserved with the dignity and respect they deserve. The failure to preserve Black history is not just a symbolic issue, it has real-world consequences. When Black children grow up without access to their own history, they are denied the knowledge of their ancestor’s resilience, strength, and achievements. This erasure also fuels a false narrative that Black people have contributed little to American society, reinforcing systemic racism and white
supremacy.
of these legacies. This means demanding accountability from institutions, advocating for the preservation of Black historical sites, and creating independent spaces where Black history can be taught and honored. It is our responsibility to continue the fight for historical preservation, ensuring that figures like Septima Poinsette Clark, are not forgotten, but rightfully remembered as the revolutionary change agents they were! For more information about Septima Poinsette Clark, please visit the Benedict College Welcome Center where there is an installation on the legacy of Septima P. Clark.
Moreover, the disregard for Black historical spaces contributes to the ongoing displacement and marginalization of Black communities. Gentrification frequently results in the destruction of Black cultural landmarks, while historical sites significant to Black history are left to deteriorate due to lack of investment. Septima Clark’s birth home is a stark reminder that the responsibility of safeguarding Black heritage must remain in the hands of Black communities, scholars, and activists who understand the importance
1 5 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
1 6 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
SCAN HERE TO VISIT THEHBCUTIMES.COM
1 7 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
FEATURE STORY
1 8 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
BREAKING BARRIERS, BUILDING LEGACY: CHRISTINA WILDY’S MISSION TO SERVE AND EMPOWER BY ASHLEIGH FIELDS
C hristina Wildy empowers law enforcement professionals across the globe every day, serving not only as a licensed mental health professional but as a purpose-driven change agent in one of the most high-pressure professions. A proud double HBCU graduate, Wildy earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Benedict College and a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from South Carolina State University. She leverages both degrees as a licensed professional counselor
supervisor and certified employee assistance professional, ensuring the highest quality of care and leadership in her field. “Growing up, I attended predominantly white institutions. I rarely had educators who looked like me or could relate to my experience,” she reflected. “Attending an HBCU was life- changing. It gave me a deep sense of belonging and a community that poured into me in ways I had never experienced before,” shared the 25-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Incorporated.
rooted in her personal story.
Today, Wildy leads as the Deputy Program Administrator overseeing a contract that provides a global Federal Law Enforcement Employee Assistance Program, shepherding critical clinical operations that support the wellbeing of law enforcement and other support personnel around the world. Her mission: to help others find the stability and support they need to thrive, professionally and personally.
“I faced major obstacles early on, being a woman, being Black, and coming from a modest background. I had to carve my own path,” she said. “Losing my mother as a teenager taught me that failure simply wasn’t an option. I’ve always had a loving, supportive family, but I never wanted to feel like a burden. Success became my only choice.”
That resilience has carried her through challenges and
Her drive, however, is deeply
1 9 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
“WHEN THE MIND ISN’T WELL, THE BODY ISN’T EITHER— THEY ARE DEEPLY INTERCONNECTED. SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH ISN’T ABOUT IDENTIFYING WEAKNESS. IT’S ABOUT CULTIVATING STRENGTH AND BUILDING TRUST. ” - CHRISTINA WILDY
2 0 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
positioned her as a powerful force in law enforcement, military behavioral health and mental health advocacy. “My HBCU experience instilled in me the value of lifelong learning. Every new certification, every professional milestone is more than a personal win, it’s a chance to open doors for others like me,” she explained. “This journey is about more than my own success. It’s about paving the way for others, disrupting norms, and making space for people who’ve historically been excluded.” Wildy’s expertise is so widely respected that she was tapped by the governor of North Carolina to serve as a military behavioral health subject matter expert, an opportunity that underscores the national impact of her work. “Gaining leadership buy-in is critical,” she said. “Too often, leaders still see those seeking mental health support as weak or unfit. That stigma discourages people from speaking up, and it’s something we must work tirelessly to dismantle.”
leadership and resilient workforces.
that begins with service. Her favorite quote guides her journey: “If serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.” She brings an energetic, empathetic approach to her work, always emphasizing confidentiality, communication, and trust. “Confidentiality is everything. People need to know they’re safe when seeking help. That’s how we build trust,” she said. “We also need to create systems where feedback is welcomed and protected.” The statistics are staggering: law enforcement officers experience depression at nearly twice the rate of the general population, yet only 12% report it. For Wildy, that’s unacceptable. “There’s still a deep culture of silence in law enforcement and military spaces. Seeking help is seen as weakness. Some fear they’ll lose their badge, their weapon, or their security clearance,” she noted. “We have to change that narrative.” Her vision for change includes crafting workplace policies that prioritize mental wellness for those on the front lines.
“If you want a resilient workforce, you must build from the ground up, with the everyday worker in mind. These are the people on the front lines every single day,” she said. At the heart of her work is a desire to leave a legacy, one that inspires her daughter and future generations to dream boldly. “My greatest hope is that my daughter and my family can be proud of the legacy I’m building. I want little brown girls to see that they can do anything they set their minds to,” Wildy shared. “It’s so important for underrepresented youth to see role models who look like them— and who prove that their dreams are valid and attainable.” Currently, only 11% of professional counselors in the U.S. identify as Black. Wildy is determined to help shift that number through visibility, leadership, and action. “Ultimately, I want my journey to show that anything is possible with grit and grace. I want my life’s work to speak volumes, about innovation, compassion, and empowerment. I want future generations to know that they can chase their dreams fearlessly.”
“When the mind isn’t well, the body isn’t either, they are deeply interconnected,” Wildy added. “Supporting mental health isn’t about identifying weakness. It’s about cultivating strength and building trust.” Outside of her federal work, Wildy is the founder and CEO of Innovative Solutions Consulting & Counseling Group, which offers tailored wellness and forensic counseling services for diverse communities. She also owns Mother Trucker Transport & Logistics, a company dedicated to meeting essential operational needs in construction and transportation. Despite her success, Wildy remains committed to growth. She’s actively pursuing certifications as a National Emergency Responder & Public Safety Professional and a Forensic Evaluator, continuing to sharpen her skill set and expand her impact. In each of her roles, Wildy strives to shift the culture, fostering meaningful relationships, challenging outdated narratives, and championing leadership
She emphasizes that mental wellness is central to effective
2 1 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
VOORHEES UNIVERSITY: ADVANCING ELIZABETH EVELYN WRIGHT-MENAFEE’S VISION FOR EDUCATIONAL ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY
BY DR. EMMANUEL LALANDE
A t a time when educational priorities, the life and work of Elizabeth Evelyn Wright-Menafee, the founder of Voorhees University, remind us of the power of education as a catalyst for change. In 1897, Wright-Menafee, a 23-year-old Black woman, established Voorhees in Denmark, access and opportunities are at the forefront of national
South Carolina, a rural community where access to education was scarce. Her vision, rooted in resilience and innovation, was to create an institution that would empower generations of Black students to succeed despite systemic barriers.
University continues to build on her transformative legacy, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to high-quality education, economic mobility, and leadership opportunities. Programs such as the Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation (EPI Center) train the next generation of educators and
leaders, expanding pathways for communities in the education workforce. As we reflect on Black History Month and Women’s History Month, Wright-Menafee’s story remains an inspiring example of how one person’s vision can create lasting change. Her legacy reminds us of the ongoing work
Today, led by its 10th President, Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, Voorhees
2 2 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
required to expand access to education, strengthen HBCUs, and support future generations of students and educators. Barriers in Rural South Carolina Voorhees University’s location in Denmark, South Carolina, a historically under-resourced rural area, makes its mission even more critical. Wright-Menafee founded the institution to expand educational opportunities for students who were historically denied access to schooling. Today, that same commitment continues, as Voorhees serves a region where economic and educational disparities persist.
impacting digital learning opportunities.
rural and urban areas, ensuring that students regardless of geography, have access to well- trained teachers. By providing pathways to teacher certification, mentorship, and professional development, Voorhees is actively addressing teacher shortages and expanding educational opportunities across the region. Wright-Menafee’s Vision and Today’s Educational Priorities During Wright-Menafee’s time, Black educators were at the forefront of advancing education in underserved communities, often facing resistance to their efforts. Schools were burned down, teachers were threatened, and access to learning was tightly controlled.
evolved, the mission remains the same, ensuring that education remains a pathway to economic mobility and social progress. HBCUs like Voorhees continue to be key drivers of workforce development, innovation, and leadership, aligning with the administration’s focus on: • Strengthening HBCUs through federal and state investments and expanded research opportunities. • Expanding access to teacher training programs, particularly in STEM, healthcare, and education fields. • Supporting workforce development initiatives that create economic mobility for communities.
• Funding inequities that make sustaining programs more difficult. • Lower college enrollment rates due to financial hardships in surrounding communities. Yet, despite these obstacles, Voorhees remains a pillar of empowerment, equipping students with the education, leadership training, and workforce skills necessary to uplift their communities. The EPI Center at Voorhees University is a prime example of this impact. The program prepares educators to serve in high-need schools, both in
Rural HBCUs like Voorhees face unique challenges, including:
• Limited broadband access,
Today, while the barriers have
2 3 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
The EPI Center at Voorhees University is directly contributing to these efforts by: • Expanding access to quality teacher training programs, especially in rural and high-need areas. • Providing mentorship and professional development to empower future educators. These initiatives align with the national push to invest in HBCUs, support rural education, and create equitable learning environments for all students. Women Leading the Way in Education As we recognize Women’s History, it is essential to highlight the leadership and contributions of women in education, a legacy
that began with trailblazers like Wright-Menafee and continues today. From Mary McLeod Bethune to Dr. Ruth Simmons, women have played an integral role in shaping higher education and ensuring that HBCUs remain strong institutions of learning, leadership, and community development. Today, women lead several HBCUs and hold senior leadership roles in education policy and advocacy. Why Wright-Menafee’s Legacy Still Matters Elizabeth Evelyn Wright- Menafee’s story is more than history, it is a blueprint for educational transformation. As the nation continues working to strengthen educational access,
invest in HBCUs, and create pathways for economic mobility, her vision serves as a reminder of what is possible when we commit to educational excellence and opportunity for all.
education remains a powerful force for social mobility, economic advancement, and community empowerment.
Dr. Emmanuel Lalande is Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success and Special Assistant to the President for Transformational Initiatives at Voorhees University.
To continue this work, we must:
• Support and sustain HBCUs, ensuring they receive the resources they need to thrive.
• Expand access to high-quality teacher training programs.
• Invest in educators and institutions that empower students and strengthen communities. Voorhees University under the leadership of Dr. Ronnie Hopkins continues to embody Wright- Menafee’s dream, ensuring that
2 4 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
2 5 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
THE TALENTED 10TH PRESIDENT OF VOORHEES UNIVERSITY: DR. RONNIE HOPKINS
BY ZERLINE SPRUILL
shortly after starting the industrial school. She didn’t live to share legacy the way Mary McLeod Bethune did, but we are so unique in that we are the first HBCU founded by an African American woman. Part of Voorhees’ secret sauce is that we use her vision and mission where she said, ‘I am going to build a school so these individuals can grow up to have amazing careers.’ We are connecting to her spirit and her vision.”
friend. “Both Ronnie and I were raised Pentecostal, so when we were having a conversation about what the choir line would have to do, Ronnie being Ronnie–who has a lovely vocabulary–asked, ‘would we be doing anything risque?’ Half the room looked around like who is this young man using this word, ‘risque?’ His professional career has been devoted to molding Black scholars on numerous Black campuses. When Hopkins joined Voorhees’ faculty in 2017, he was actually in the middle of completing 14 years at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, where he served as Dean of the Freshman Institute and an English professor. He also spent several years at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina and Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. Hopkins was fully immersed in the culture of HBCU academia and proved his readiness for Voorhees to serve as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, accreditation liaison and as a tenured Professor of English. He was named interim president in January 2021 and by June took
Committed to HBCU Life
An HBCU native son, Hopkins received his first degree at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), before earning three post graduate degrees from Michigan State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As it goes with HBCUs, the friendships he made as early as freshman year have become long-term familial and business relationships. “We practically had all our classes together because we were English majors and we did choir line together,” said Dr. Linda Leek, Provost and Professor of Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvania and long-time
W ith a student population of 500 scholars, Voorhees University may seem small, but this training ground for Black excellence has a large footprint and not just in Denmark, South Carolina where the campus sits. Voorhees University is the first HBCU founded by a woman, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, in 1897. According to Voorhees University President Dr. Ronnie
Hopkins, many are just learning about Voorhees University and confuse this historic milestone with Bethune-Cookman University which was founded in Daytona Beach, Florida, by Mary McLeoud Bethune seven years later in 1904. “The reason people haven’t heard about Voorhees is because our foundress passed away at age 35,” said Hopkins. “She fell ill
2 6 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
the helm as Voorhees University’s 10th president.
meet the unique needs of South Carolina’s communities.”
“He has always had a love for HBCUs,” said Leek. “Throughout his career, he’s been at several and he could have made many choices with other options. He stayed at HBCUs because that’s where his heart is.”
Balancing his love for research, culture, and the performing arts, Hopkins still finds time to help others. Dr. Tina Marshall- Bradley, who helped start Voorhees’ master’s program, said while she and Hopkins were faculty members at Norfolk State University, they hoped to work with people who are incarcerated to prepare them for post- secondary education in advance of their release. “Although that project never came through to fruition, we continued the work of empowering individuals in the community when we met again at Benedict College in Columbia, SC,” said Marshall-Bradley, an education consultant. “I used his book on educated Black males several times in classes in my education courses. The information was well received and the content is still very, very relevant to connect with a lot of the work that I’ve been doing in effective education in underrepresented communities.” Hopkins also founded Possible Worlds Foundation, an international nonprofit organization that provides education, empowerment and support to young people in Nepal, Thailand and Canada affected by poverty and abuse. “I founded Possible Worlds Foundation as an homage to my pastor,” he said. “Empowerment looks like embracing individuals who sometimes are the outcasts, the underclass, the overlooked. My pastor challenged us to get out of those pews and get out of the church. He said, “Church is what should be in you when you leave this campus.”
A Well-traveled Leader Equals Well-traveled Students
This year, Hopkins was named one of the Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2025 by the HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF), recognizing “exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to higher education.” While Hopkins has received many accolades in academia and sports, he is most proud of being conferred Doctor of Humane Letters (LLD) Honoris Causa in May 2016 from Saint Monica University in Buea, Cameroon, one of the only English-speaking universities in the country. “This was the pinnacle of my career,” he said. “It was as if I was transplanted from Voorhees to Saint Monica. It was almost like I was at home speaking to my own family. It was culturally different and amazing to see the African drums. It is something I will never forget.”
world and to engage faculty,” said Hopkins, who works with college and high school faculty in tandem with the Fulbright Scholar program to facilitate international exchange. “The international stage is a wonderful stage and a very embracing stage to share research, and to exchange ideation about improving campus and curricula.” In addition to taking his research abroad, Hopkins is committed to exposing students to global experiences. He says one to two percent of HBCU students in their matriculation ever have an international global experience. “What’s problematic with that is if you ask industries what qualities or experiences they prefer, they say they want to have globally exposed students,” said Hopkins. “It’s very rare that I ever travel without bringing students. It’s important that they have international exposure and engagement. To see our students engage in service-learning projects and experiential learning projects, tutoring, working beside other students from the U.S. and students from other countries, it’s been amazing. I am just touched by the engagement that will be
with them for the rest of their lives.”
Research, Revamping and Giving Back
Hopkins has been laying the groundwork for Voorhees students to be true scholars, having announced the university’s first doctoral program, the Doctor of Education in Leadership. He also rebranded the school from Voorhees College to Voorhees University during the school’s 125th anniversary in 2022 and unveiled the statue of the school founder. Last December, the South Carolina Department of Education established the Voorhees University Charter Institute of Learning as a duly established Charter School Authorizer, one of three institutions in South Carolina and the only HBCU. “I’m so excited to be able to nurture students and support them all the way through college and their next level of excellence,” said Hopkins. “We’d like to support and be tremendously represented in that area. By partnering with local charter schools, we aim to cultivate academic excellence and provide tailored solutions that
Preparing Global Education Leaders
His travels, prompted by his research, allows him to visit the motherland often including Liberia, South Africa and 15 trips to Ghana. Hopkins is also an African drumming and dance teacher and the former leader of African dance troupe, Ngoma. He also helped develop African dance troupes on college campuses. “I’m most focused on Africa but I’ve also been to China and some other areas to share research with colleagues around the
2 7 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64Powered by FlippingBook