Foster Middle School students celebrated "the history, healing and hope" of black people Friday with an awards ceremony for eighth-grade Black History Month essay winners and a program honoring the people who have inspired them the most – their past principals.

The essay contest is an annual event sponsored by the Omega Psi Phi fraternity to celebrate achievement.

Essay winners received cash prizes of $100, $75 and $50.  more >>

Step dancing is about rhythm, and Deja Ellis of Moore Traditional School says she's got plenty of that.

"I was born with it. It's in my blood. It strengthens me," said Deja, a 16-year-old junior who hopes to become a professional choreographer someday.

She was among more than 100 middle school and high school students from Kentucky and Southern Indiana who danced, stomped and clapped their way through 10-minute routines in the gym at Central High School Magnet Career Academy last night in front of more than 1,500 spectators.   more >>

 

Young, hardworking students received well-deserved recognition Saturday afternoon – and good advice to go along with it.

The students were honored during the annual Finer Womanhood program presented by the Theta Mu Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church.

The sorority presented each student with a "Power of a Dream" award for their academic achievement and service to the community. The keynote speaker was the Rev. John Thompson of Galilee Baptist Church.    more >>

The Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity with Sigma Gamma Rho and the NAACP Troy University Chapter will sponsor the 3rd Annual Black History Month Commemorative Silent March at 6 p.m. February 28.

Luis Escalante, Phi Beta Sigma representative, said the public is invited and encouraged to participate in the Silent March, which will pay tribute to those who fought and struggled for civil rights.   more >>

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word neophyte comes from the Greek word "neophytos," which means newly planted, or newly converted.

But for those of us who are in a fraternity or sorority, the word neophyte takes on a completely different meaning, especially for those who are in a multi-cultural (i.e. historically black, Latin, or Asian) Greek organization.

A neophyte celebration, probate show or yard show are all pretty much the same thing.  more >>

Three Troy University organizations have combined ideas and manpower to assist Rwanda genocide survivors.

The recently chartered Troy Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Phi Beta Sigma and Sigma Gamma Rho fraternities will host an Art Auction and Rwanda Genocide Survivors Aid Drive at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25 at the Troy University Arboretum.
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Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. has taken office as the General President of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity founded for African Americans.

Matthews, who previously served as the fraternity's Executive Director, will serve a four-year term. Additionally, during his tenure, the fraternity will move into its second century, with a broad centennial observance planned for the 100th anniversary in 2006.   more >>

Students can stay fit this spring.

Delta Sigma Theta, a National Pan-Hellenic Council sorority, is offering Deltaerobics today at 8:30 p.m. in Gullickson Hall, Room 1029B.

Paulette Nixon, Delta Sigma Theta president, said the sorority is hosting the class to get people out during the winter and be aware of their personal health.

"People just don't seem to want to get out with the weather like it is, so we are trying to educate everyone to stay fit and healthy," she said.

This is the third time Delta Sigma Theta has offered Deltaerobics, and Nixon said they plan on having it again in March.  more >>

 

When educators and politicians argue for giving more African Americans the chance to thrive at top universities, they see people like UC Berkeley fourth-year student Obi Amajoyi as a perfect example of what they have in mind.

He's a biology major who has emerged as a peer leader and athlete. He recruits high school students and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. But while Amajoyi was born in the United States, his parents are from Africa. He considers himself both African American and Nigerian.   more >>

Congrats ­– to Barbara A. McKinzie, CPA, comptroller for the Chicago Housing Authority, the third largest public housing system in the U.S., and president-elect of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, on being named to the board of directors of Africare, the oldest and largest African American organization specializing in African aid.

McKinzie, who's gained national recognition for restoring financial credibility to governmental agencies through her financial savvy, will serve a three-year term, says Julius Coles, president of the Washington, DC-based Africare.  more >>