Students Encourage Justice at the Capitol

Georgia’s State capitol overflowed with thousands of people gathered to acknowledge the lost of 17 year old, Trayvon Martin, on Monday evening.

The Florida resident was shot dead by George Zimmerman after he identified him as a suspicious person walking through his Sandford, CA neighborhood. Trayvon was only carrying a bag of Skittles and a can of Arizona Ice tea, that he recently purchased from a neighborhood convenience store, when gunned by Zimmerman.

College students, community leaders, activists, and other participants rallied to demand action from lawmakers and voice their concerns.  Some people were focused on the repeal of the “Stand Your Ground” Law, while others attended to fight for justice for Martin.

Spelman College’s Student Government Association President, Taylor Allen said, “Petitions demanding justice for Martin have erupted, allegations of racism call for more scrutiny into how local police handled the investigation. But the real issue that we are faced with is focusing our attention on the preventative measures that can directly influence the way people think and act so that Trayvon’s death is not in vain.”

Thousands that attended the rally brought more than just their spirit of change with them to the capitol. Many participants carried a can of Arizona Ice Tea, a pack of Skittles, or properly wore hoodies to show how they were indeed just like Trayvon Martin.

Above: Radio personality, Ryam Cameron,
speaking at Trayvon Martin Rally. 

A constant phrase used by many of the speakers was “I AM TRAYVON MARTIN.”  V103’s afternoon drive host, Ryan Cameron wore a grey hoodie to symbolize this as he spoke at the rally. “We are all Trayvon Martin,” he said, “We should never feel as if what we wear dictates who we are. I wear my hoodie because I never thought I would see the day were wearing a hoodie profiled me as a threat to someone else. My hoodie is for the fight for justice.”

Students from Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Morris Brown, Georgia Tech and other schools around the city demonstrated the impact that students can have on any movement. Graduate MBA student at Clark Atlanta University, Tamiya Jackson felt as if the “I AM TRAYVON” rally showed the passion the current generation has to wrestle cases such as this one. Jackson said, “I felt the rally gave the people a chance to voice their opinions. This generation is known to be apathetic- myopic- only caring about our own world. Lazy even, not like 'they use to be'. However, this student led rally with thousands of student supporters showed that if given a chance we will show you what we care about. I believe that this case opened a lot of young people's eyes and lit a spark within many communities.”

The students of the Atlanta University Center have planned to bind together and build a network of student activists that are willing to continue the fight for justice not only for Trayvon but for anyone.

Media Studies Impact for Spring 2012

As I registered for this class in the Fall of 2011, I was unsure of the impact it would have on shaping my career post graduation.  I have been able to improve my writing skills, learn dynamics of other areas of communication, and discover techniques that can strengthen my public relations management skills.

          During the first panel discussion, I realized that this class would require me to act as a young professional in and outside of the classroom. Dr. Ramona Houston shared with the class the expectations of an intern and said, “An intern’s objective is to develop a craft, gain experience, and expand his/her network.” I then evaluated my previous experiences as an intern and wished that I had the guidance from some of the professionals on the panel prior to me interning. However, I have used her guidance to help me throughout this course and my senior year.

          During the Media Studies course I have been able to develop a craft in other areas of communication. For the midterm project, I was able to tap into my executive producing skills by creating the script and given necessary input on the overall layout and vision of midterm project. In addition, this course has encouraged me to learn more about graphic design, video editing, and more. However, one reflection that I have in regards to developing my craft would be that I was able to learn more about public relations. There is of course a major focus on journalism, which is a great foundation for any communications major, however, it would have been very beneficial if I could have learned more within my concentration. I was able to use my public relations management skills with the project interviews, pitching media and more.

          Overall, I have enjoyed the experience in this course. As a senior entering the work force this summer, I can benefit greatly from the consistent writing opportunities from this class. If I could change some elements of the course, I would add more professors to train us on different areas of mass media arts. It would have been more beneficial if more workshops were implemented into the course. This course requires you to use integrated communications; therefore, these skills should be continuously taught throughout the course. The excitement that I felt the first day I walked into the class was one of my driving forces to continue to do my best in the class. I know that I could have done more to benefit my experience in the course but I am very appreciative of the opportunity.

Academic Team gains support from Clark Atlanta University Community

The Clark Atlanta Honda All-Star Team made the Sweet Sixteen in the 2012 Honda National Championship but with more university involvement the team can be the 2013 tournament winners.

Over thirty students, student organizations, and other members of the CAU family attended a reception and informational on Friday, April 13^th in the Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center to establish how they could Get in the G.A.M.E. with Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC). The G.A.M.E. is a campaign that will encourage the entire university to Give Academic teams More Energy.

For the past 23 years Honda has promoted leadership, diversity, and academic excellence through the HCASC tournament. This annual competition brings 48 teams from top Historically Black Colleges and Universities for the only HBCU National Championship of its kind. Over 6 million dollars and over $300,000 in annual grants have been awarded to participating institutions.  Additionally, over 75,000 students have been impacted by this tournament. This year’s national tournament was held on April 1 and 2 in Torrance, CA. It tested students’ knowledge on history, science, literature, religion, arts, social science, and popular culture.

Alumni member of CAU’s HCASC team and 2009-2010 team captain, A. Philanda Moore said, “The competition teaches you dedication, consistency, and team work. I have been able to have fun learning and competing but the ultimate goal is to make friends for life from the competition."

2011-2012 CAU HCASC Team (L to R): Sequana Johnson, Ayanna Smith,
Jazmyne Preston, Dorian-Grace Longshore, Ammari Koonce,
Gwendolyn Morgan (Coach),
Benjamin Armstrong (Assistant Coach),
 Jessica Bloxom, Khadeidra Billingsley,
Ariel Cobb (Captain),
and Alma Vinyard (Assistant Coach).

Student organizations such as Campus Activities Board, CAU’s Chapter of NAACP, the Atlanta University Center’s Royal Court, and others attended the reception to not only honor the academic team but to find out how their organization could assist in the success of the team for 2012-2013.  For years, the HCASC team has acquired much of its support from student organizations and programs like Student Government Association and the Honors Program.  First attendant to Miss NAACP 2012-2013, Brianna Williams said, “The mission of NAACP is to pursue political, social, and educational equality among all races. This event has encouraged me and my organization to discover ways to motivate students to get involved with HCASC and further the mission of NAACP.”

This year Clark Atlanta’s HCASC team was one of three all female teams at the national tournament. The team went 4-1 in round robin play with its only loss being to Morgan State, who then progressed to the 2012 National Champions. During the Sweet Sixteen playoffs CAU lost to Alabama State University. The team consisted of a senior, Ariel Cobb; sophomore, Khadeidra N. Billngsley; and freshmen, Jazmyne L. Preston; and Ayanna Nicole Smith. The team’s coach Gwendolyn Morgan has served in this position for the last twenty-two years.  In addition, Clark Atlanta University’s President, Dr. Carlton E. Brown, attended the 2012 National Championship Tournament. At the reception, he charged the Clark Atlanta family to find more innovative ways to get involved with the team in order to contribute to its success.

At the reception, the team spoke of the confidence and excitement it has for the 2013 tournament. Next year, the team looks forward to another shot to compete for the national champions of the HCASC tournament which is a title Clark Atlanta has not claimed since 2000.

About Me

Growing up my family instilled in me the importance of education and being a mentor to others. Having a grandmother, who was an educator in secondary and higher education for over thirty years, provided a framework for my family and me to naturally be educators. However, being an educator appeared to be a career for everyone in my family expect me. My gift was not the ability to educate others but being a vessel for those who were unable to fully communicate for themselves. Interestingly, I would not grasp this gift until my senior year in high school.

In high school I was afforded the opportunity to mentor young ladies in local schools and within my church. My compassion and investment within them allowed me to be a voice and advocate for these young ladies. Reaching my junior year of high school, I believed that my career path was psychology. However, the thought of majoring in communication did not occur until I volunteered with various events in the City of Mobile that catered to displaying the beauty, history, and creativity of my home town. Every other weekend I signed up to volunteer at events because of the publicity and creativity placed into these events. Soon I learned that these events were planned under the direction of the communication’s office for the City of Mobile. After doing research, I understood the responsibilities and dynamics of this department. They were responsible for communicating with the public certain ideas, events, and thoughts regarding the City of Mobile. I soon understood that these tasks were a part of a career called public relations.

Since the I beginning of my undergraduate career in Fall 2008, I have been determined to leave an impact in each activity that I take part in. As the current Student Government Association Undergraduate President, I believe my impact will be long term and extends beyond the community of the university. Through different campaigns and initiatives, the Student Government has shown the power and voice when students come together to accomplish a goal. Having two internships within the industry of educational public relations, I found myself interest being redirected to being an educator. Eventually, I fell in love with the thought of helping to change the state of education through public relations. Now I can fully grasp why I have been so invested in the state of education and how I could help to improve education for the future until now.

Celine Dixon’s quote "I'm not in competition with anyone but myself. My goal is to beat my last performance" summarizes my passion for wanting to be chosen as a student in Jacque Reid’s Internship Project class. This class will provide opportunities for me to increase my performance and drive in order to learn how I can be a greater voice for education. Each year I set a goal. The year 2012 presents me with an opportunity to emerge everything I have learned thus far into to a position where I can continue to help others and take ownership of my gifts and capabilities. .

My post graduate goal is to join Teach for America so that I can be a dream supporter for those who have lost sight of their goal because of circumstances and influence of environment. Students in low-income areas are a part of a community where a great achievement gap is present and dreams are often deferred rather than accomplished. Joining Teach for America gives me the opportunity to invest in providing an excellent, interactive, and life changing education for students who need it the most. I have asked myself, “Where do I fit in this revolution for education equity?” The answer to that is right in the middle. I was granted the chance to attend schools in nice areas, parents with college degrees, and teachers who left a major impact in and outside of the classroom. Therefore, I find myself in the middle of this revolution for education equity because what kind of leader would I be if I did not help to mold and guide the future leaders in areas that are often overlooked.

Meet Destinee Danielle Richardson

“The same people you pass going up will be the same people you pass going down,” speaks volume to the personality of Destinee Danielle Richardson. She explains that one should treat others with respect and dignity at all times. This third year Mass Media Arts major, is a native from Jonesboro, GA and is the youngest of four children. Destinee dedicates her success in life to the continuous support from her mother and father.

When Destinee graduates from Clark Atlanta University in May 2013, Destinee will be achieving a goal that only one other member of her extended family has accomplished. She knew Clark Atlanta would be her place of higher education since her junior year in high school. Destinee says, “Clark Atlanta gives me everything I need. It is a prestigious Historically Black Institution in the heart of Atlanta that is still close to home.” This quiet Scorpio has a bodacious passion for jazz music. Interestingly, one can find Destinee as a bass player in CAU’s Jazz Orchestra. Even though she has the goal to one day own a fashion magazine created for African American women, she uses music as her outlet and will forever use it as her meditation through life.

Destinee expresses that her name has a greater meaning than most know. Her dad named her Destinee because of his desire to have another daughter. In addition to this meaning, Destinee says, “My name reminds me that there is something great destined in my future.” In the near future, Ms. Richardson wants to write for CAU’s Panther Newspaper. Despite her long term goal to start her own fashion magazine, she believes it’s essential for African American journalists to have a strong ability to collect and deliver newsworthy issues. The twenty-one year old, future journalist credits her undergrad growth to having to be more outgoing in the industry.

Mel Webb, a junior music major, says, “When Destinee really puts her mind to something she shows great commitment. For example, when she wanted to play the bass in the orchestra band she practiced over and over again in order to play at her best. I have always appreciated her friendship and courage.” Her unexpected talents and determination add to her charisma that cannot go unnoticed. Destinee Danielle Richardson’s individuality, passion, and achievements show that her future is indeed promising.