As we celebrate Black History Month, I wanted to pause and bask in the achievements, resilience, and brilliance of our ancestors. Their legacy is not just history—it is instruction. Recently, many have shared reactions to a racist post from #47 depicting the Obamas as apes. I won’t pretend to be surprised. That kind of imagery has a long, ugly history in this country—one meant to dehumanize, distract, and diminish. As a Christian, Scripture calls me to pray for our leaders—an

By Bettye Thomas-Gilkey Courtesy Photo-Ward Beard Ward “Skillz” Beard is a graduate of the Historically Black College, Alabama A & M University, located in Normal, Alabama, near Huntsville. He decided as a high school student to attend a Black college and knew this was the school for him when participating on the Annual Lansing Black College Tour by Fred Porter and Amel Eiland.They visited several colleges, but he was drawn to Alabama A &M because of the beautiful campus and

JANEECE FREEMAN, a young lady who was able to follow her dream, became an actor, educator, mentor, and director who grew up in Lansing,...

Yanice always had a desire to attend an HBCU even as an undergraduate student at Eastern Michigan University

Courtesy Photo-Randa Darwood I am a proud alumna of The Virginia State University, a university that has been building a better world since 1882. HBCU’s like VSU are still very relevant and very important. HBCU’s have acted as a safe space for Black students to grow, learn and express themselves. As one of VSU’s founders Alfred W. Harris stated, “I want a place where all may go and drink from the fountain of knowledge”. I chose VSU as my home because that’s exactly how I fe

Courtesy Photo-Deana Newman Deana’s college career initially began at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and although she enjoyed the opportunity, she experienced great difficulty in being so far from Chicago. It was her first time being away from home and Deana’s mother passed away within months of her high school graduation. At the depth of despair, she went to visit friends who attended Kentucky State University and found solace in the beautiful campus there. “

Courtesy Photo: Ralph Riddle Jr. graduate of HBCU Fisk University Ralph Riddle Jr. chose Fisk University because of its rich history that boasted of many great African Americans attendees. “I readily identified with its powerful legacy that resonated during the time I graduated high which was at the peak of the civil rights/social justice movement. It was important for me to position myself amidst what I considered some of the strongest minds and advocates for social change a

Courtesy Photo-Brian T. Jackson and daughter Brielle Jackson All three of Brian’s early educational experiences were predominately white. He graduated high school from Sexton in 2003 and began college at Western Michigan University. Jackson eventually earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and completed graduate work at Indiana State University where he participated in Varsity Football and Track/ Field as an Academic All- Conference athlete. When it came time for professional

Lansing Community College is set to kick-off an exciting month of activities in recognition of Black History Month with a Jazz, Hip-Hop...

I believe it was radio personality Tom Joyner who coined the phrase “Black History is 24:7”, meaning it should be celebrated every day of...