This past Friday evening at Thunderbolt Academy where Principle Abdul Payne oversees the school. The Positive Vibes Community Group and The Cumberland County Black Union put on a HBCU seminar called "Cookies & Conversation" to inspire the youth and their families to start looking to Historic Black Colleges as a potential avenue for their higher education. People from the community also came together and baked and donated cookies for the event. One of the motivating factors of this event was to ride the momentum of Coach Dion Sanders aka Coach Prime of Jackson State and the new infused energy he has created around HBCUs.
There was a panel put together of very powerful individuals from the community who are teachers, mentors and activist. Each person spoke about how they felt about HBCUs and why our kids should look to pursue a broad selection of HBCUs across the country.
"Community Panel"
(Left: Abdul Payne, Samuel Hull, Carol Seabrook-Greene, Terrance Hickman Middle: Jim Thomas Right: Mike Morton, Nicole Kinsey, Kristen Figueroa, Angel Bunton-Miller, Kimberly Carty)
Musical Guest Hip-Hop Artist Japhia Life of Philadelphia
Hip-Hop Artist Japhia Life came all the way from Philadelphia to Millville to bless the families in attendance with his amazing lyrical gifts. He reminded the youth to pursue their dreams even if they have to go an unconventional way. Please research and stream his music, you will definitely blessed by it.
"Special Surprise Guest"
The Special Surprise Guest was Head Men's Basketball Coach Corey Lowery of the HBCU Lincoln University. He was able to address the youth via zoom about the importance of education, behavior and more. Coach let the inspiring athletes know what they needed to do so they can one day be recruited to play college ball. Positive Vibes is going to take about 25 youth attend a Lincoln U game once the season starts.
The people in attendance also got to hear about the importance of Black finance, economic empowerment (Terrance Hickman), and The Black Males Point of View of being a teacher (Jim Thomas)
Pictured Is The Two Honorees and The Hostess
Samuel Hull (Left) Carol Seabrook-Green (Middle) Tracey Wells-Huggins (Right)
One of the main things both organizations wanted to implement was to pay respect to two individuals who have been very instrumental locally in creating modern Black History and trail blazing the HBCU knowledge in South Jersey. Receiving the "Community Pillar Award" was Samuel Hull Black History Bowl (Left) Carol Seabrook-Green HBCU Tours (Middle)
Tracey Wells-Huggins did an awesome job hosting. She kept the crowd engaged with trivia, Q&A, and history lessons. Both organizations would really like to thank Principle Abdul Payne for opening the building for the event and all his hospitality.
#Cookies & Conversations
#Positive Vibes
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