HU NAACP hosts Voter Empowerment Rally

Da’Quan Love '14 speaks at the HU NAACP Voter Empowerment Rally

HU NAACP President Austin Hutchinson ‘13, Author, Motivational Speaker Kemba Smith, and HU NAACP Member Da’Quan Love ‘14

Students signed up to become registered voters

HU NAACP hosts Voter Empowerment Rally

The Hampton University NAACP hosted a voter empowerment rally to help motivate students to register to vote and be active in the Nov. 6 election, that pits President Barack Obama against Governor Mitt Romney. The Sept. 13 rally was in the HU Student Center and included spoken word, voter registration information, and an address by author and motivational speaker Kemba Smith.

HU NAACP member Da’Quan Love ‘14, who hosted the event, said it was an opportunity to encourage students to use their vote as their voice.

“A lot of folk think that young people are apathetic, but in 2008 we made a difference at the polls,” said Love, who is also state president of the Virginia NAACP Youth and College Division. “The NAAP is non partisan; we have no political affiliation. People died so we could vote today. We’re trying to make voting exciting, the cool thing.”

The group has other events planned prior to Election Day, including voter registration in the Student Center during 12 p.m. -2 p.m.  hours and debate watch parties. HU Senior Austin Hutchinson, is the president of the HU NAACP chapter.

“If we don't vote, someone will vote for us, and it won’t necessarily be in our best interest,” Hutchinson said. “As young, minority college students, they’re threatening to take away grants and things we need. Activism will not skip our generation. We have to promote this.”

To find out more about the HU NAACP follow the group @HamptonNAACP. Also, text VAYCD to 6227 to get updates about the Virginia NAACP Youth and College Division.

Leha Byrd

HU Professors Host Book Signing Events

Author Wayne Dawkins

Wayne Dawkins - “City Son: Andrew W. Cooper’s Impact on Modern-Day Brooklyn”
Wayne Dawkins, assistant professor of Journalism at the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, has authored the first biography of an unforgettable African-American journalist and activist, Andrew W. Cooper. The biography, titled “City Son: Andrew W. Cooper’s Impact on Modern-Day Brooklyn,” possesses sound facts and tantalizing tid-bits. University Press of Mississippi published City Son on July 1.

A dialogue with Dawkins and book signing will take place in the William R. and Norma B. Harvey Library Atrium Meeting Room, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.

“City Son: Andrew W. Cooper’s Impact on Modern-Day Brooklyn” is now available at amazon.com.

Shonda Buchanan participating in a VA Beach Pow Wow, 2010.

Shonda Buchanan - “Who’s Afraid of Black Indians?”
Hampton University Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing Shonda Buchanan has authored an award worthy book titled, “Who’s Afraid of Black Indians?” The book is a beautiful collection of poetry that peeks into one American family's cultural window.

A book release party will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Sept. 23. Taking place in The Hampton University Museum’s Native American Gallery, the gathering will feature poetry reading and traditional Native American songs accompanied by Eastern Sky Intertribal drumming.

For more information about “Who’s Afraid of Black Indians?”  and the author or to purchase the book please visit www.shondabuchanan.com.

Former Miss HU adds Miss National Sweetheart crown to her winnings

Desiree Williams is crowned Miss National Sweetheart 2012

Former Miss HU adds Miss National Sweetheart crown to her winnings

Hampton University Graduate Student and Miss Virginia First Runner Up Desiree Williams was crowned Miss National Sweetheart 2012 on Sept. 2. Forty ladies competed in the pageant, which consisted of first runner-ups from the Miss America state pageants.

Williams has a glowing track record in pageantry.

She was Miss Hampton University 2010-2011 and was crowned Miss Peninsula in November of last year. Also in 2011, Williams was featured in Ebony magazine as one of 10 Historically Black College or University (HBCU) Campus Queens. In June, she was first runner up in the Miss Virginia pageant. She will hold the National Sweetheart title for a year.

“My (National Sweetheart) competitors were, without a doubt, among the most talented women in the nation,” Williams said. “Any one of those girls could have been one point or one vote away from representing their state at the Miss America Pageant in January, so I was completely shocked and honored to have won.”

The future holds more opportunities for Williams, academically and socially.

At HU, Williams is in the second year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She earned her undergraduate degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from HU in 2011.

And there’s more pageantry, too.

“I will be competing in a Miss Virginia local pageant either late this year or early next year in order to qualify for the Miss Virginia Pageant next June,” Williams said. “Of course my goal at that pageant is to be successful enough to represent Virginia at the Miss America Pageant.”

Leha Byrd