Announcing the 2014-2015 Frazier Thompson Scholars

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The Black Alumni of Notre Dame, honoring the memory of our first graduate, Mr. Frazier Thompson ’47, began awarding $2,500 towards the student accounts of two undergraduate students in 1999. Since then, the financial commitment of alumni has generated revenue to permit the awarding of up to $5,000 per recipient for the 2012-2013 academic year. The goal of this scholarship has been to reduce the financial burden of seniors who have consistently demonstrated academic excellence, all the while contributing to the greater African American and Notre Dame communities.  This year, the esteemed recipients are as follows.

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Delvin Anes of Waterbury, CT — Majoring in Accounting & Japanese

Alexaundria Barnes of Miami, FL — Majoring in Pre-Professional/Political Science

Christopher Brown of Stone Mountain, GA — Majoring in Political Science

Micah Burbanks-Ivey of San Jancito, CA — Majoring in Political Science and Economics

Deandra Cadet of Orange, NJ — Majoring in Political Science with a Minor in Peace Studies

Olivia Furman of Louisville, KY — Majoring in Africana Studies & ESS

Madelynn Green of Milwaukee, WI — Majoring in Political Science with a Minor in International Development Studies

Sabine Mosal of St. Johns, FL — Majoring in Science & Business with a Minor in International Development Studies

Lucy Negash of Vienna, VA — Majoring in Sociology with Minors in Journalism, Ethics, & Democracy and Business/Economics

Andre Smith of Davie, FL — Majoring in Science/ Pre-Professional

Wyatt Smith of New Orleans, LA — Majoring in Sociology & Pre-Med

Additionally, the 2014-2015 MBA graduate recipient will be Marj Betubiza, an undergraduate from UNC Chapel Hill.

Congratulations to all!

Who are Our Black Leaders?

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During the 2014 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner at Notre Dame, one of the discussion topics addressed the presences of Black Leaders. Much to the dismay of administrators of color, the students responded, “There are no black leaders.” We were in shock and appalled. Then we wondered what point of reference the students were basing their perspective.

Generationally, we automatically began asking how they could not consider the impact of Dr. King’s work on the racial and economic fronts. The latter is what led to his untimely death.  Yes, we thought they were clueless.  Then we began contemplating who in their lifetime would they look up to or aspire to be like.  We immediately thought of President Barack Obama.  Did he not fit the description of a black leader?  Although many entertainers are philanthropic, are their professional personas such that young people would want to immolate them?  In most cases not, so who are the black innovators and leaders.
That began the new MSPS campaign to highlight living entrepreneurs, activists and others making a difference.

Our charge became to educate the community and our Facebook and tweeter followers on people, who are having a significant impact on society.  Kudos, to our student intern, Steven Waller, who coordinated this project.  He researched people, who are under the radar to highlight. As the year progresses, we will continue this effort.

Thank you to those who have commended this project and shared or retweeted the information.

Have a Safe and Warm Spring Break.

What is Black History Month

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Black History Month

 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Jackie Robinson. When the term ‘Black History Month’ comes to mind, these are a few of the names that most people think of. Growing up in the Deep South, Black History Month meant celebrating the people who most publicly advocated for civil rights and championed equality (i.e. the “Big Names” in African American History). But what about the African American pioneers that no one knows about? Or the modern day African American heroes that go unrecognized? For example, how many people know that Dr. Bernard Harris, Jr. was the first African American to walk on the moon? Or that Azie Taylor Morton was the first and only African American to hold the position of Treasurer of the United States of America? These are the types of African American heroes that fall through the cracks and are not properly recognized when February rolls around. Sure we say that Black History Month honors all African American achievements, but how many of these achievements do we really know about? I mean no disrespect to the household names such as King and Parks. They did a great service to African Americans and deserve to be held in the highest esteem. However, there are so many more African American achievers that are not being honored at all. So, for this Black History Month, I challenge you to research one little known African American hero, past or present, per day. You’ll be amazed at how much African Americans have done and you will come to deeper understanding and appreciation of Black History Month.

 

-Steven Waller

Class of 2016