Malcolm

The untold story of how Howard University came to be known as 'The Mecca'

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 6, 2023

In a 2019 article, The New York Times tried to find the origins of the use of the term for Howard when U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, one of the school’s most well-known alumnae, was still a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate.

Key Points: 
  • In a 2019 article, The New York Times tried to find the origins of the use of the term for Howard when U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, one of the school’s most well-known alumnae, was still a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate.
  • It seemed intriguing to me as a longtime admirer of Malcolm X – and also as one who made the pilgrimage to the original Mecca in Saudi Arabia, as Malcolm famously did in 1964.
  • Still, as a veteran education writer with an extensive history of covering historically Black colleges and universities – including Howard – I decided to dig deeper.

A new era

    • This was – contrary to what The New York Times said about the term emerging after the death of Malcolm X in 1965 – nearly 15 years before he was even born.
    • My finding comes at a time when Howard, located in Washington, D.C., is entering a new era.
    • R-1 is a classification level reserved for universities that grant doctoral degrees and also have “very high research activity.”

Going way back

    • Its founders envisioned Howard as a school for educating and training Black physicians, teachers and ministers from the nearly 4 million newly freed slaves.
    • There, I did a simple search for the term “Mecca” and got more than 400 results, including the one from 1909.

The meaning of ‘The Mecca’

    • It is most often meant to preserve Howard’s reputation as a beacon of Black thought.
    • That first reference from February 1909 came in an article written by J.A.
    • Mitchell, a student who referred to Howard as a potential Mecca for young Black students.
    • A few years later, in a 1913 edition of the Howard University Journal, an article stated:
      “Howard is a strategic institution.

A different Mecca?

    • Anyone familiar with the culture at Howard knows there’s a long-standing rivalry between Howard University and Hampton University, located in Hampton, Virginia, over which school is ‶the real HU.” My research shows there might have once been a debate over which school is “The Mecca” as well.
    • When Booker T. Washington arrived at Hampton in 1872 – five years after Howard University was founded in 1867 – Hampton, Virginia, was known as the “Mecca of the ambitious colored youth of the dismantled South,” according to a 1910 Howard manuscript titled “A Ride with Booker T. Washington.” Hampton isn’t the only U.S. city to be known as a Black Mecca.
    • As noted in a 1925 edition of “The Crisis” – the NAACP magazine founded in 1910 by W.E.B.
    • DuBois – Washington, D.C., was “regarded as the Mecca of the American Negro, for here he is under the wing of the eagle and can’t be made the victim of hostile legislation or rules.” Around the same time, Alain Locke, who taught English and philosophy at Howard in the early 1910s and started the school’s philosophy department, proclaimed Harlem as the “Mecca of the new Negro.” Locke is also known as the “dean of the Harlem Renaissance.” The point is this idea of a Black Mecca was constantly shifting and continues to shift to this day.

The Mecca of the future

    • Despite archival records that show Howard was called The Mecca as early as 1909, other details have yet to be discovered.
    • Perhaps under the leadership of President Vinson, a champion of digital scholarship, Howard students and scholars can continue to research how Howard came to be known as The Mecca.

40 Tons and Good Green Bring Level Up Career Conference to Chicago on Monday, June 19 in Celebration of Juneteenth National Holiday

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Presented by Good Green, the 40 Tons Level Up Career Conference is an innovative employment resource that promotes social justice and brings together employers who encourage equitable hiring practices with diverse job seekers.

Key Points: 
  • Presented by Good Green, the 40 Tons Level Up Career Conference is an innovative employment resource that promotes social justice and brings together employers who encourage equitable hiring practices with diverse job seekers.
  • “We’re excited to host the Level Up Conference in Chicago on Juneteenth, an important day of liberation for Black people.
  • Good Green works with organizations nationwide, like 40 Tons, to create more employment and expungement opportunities for individuals facing past cannabis convictions.
  • “We are proud to partner with 40 Tons to bring the Level Up Career Conference to Chicago,” said Jai Kensey, director of social impact at Green Thumb.

40 Tons and Good Green Bring Level Up Career Conference to Chicago on Monday, June 19 in Celebration of Juneteenth National Holiday

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 12, 2023

CHICAGO, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- 40 Tons, an African-American and woman-owned social impact organization committed to restorative justice and equitable access to career opportunities, and presenting sponsor Good Green today announced their plans to host the sixth 40 Tons Level Up Career Conference & Business Expo, Presented by Good Green in Chicago on Monday, June 19, Juneteenth, at the Malcolm X College Conference Center, 1900 W. Jackson, Chicago. The event is free and open to the public.

Key Points: 
  • "We're excited to host the Level Up Conference in Chicago on Juneteenth, an important day of liberation for Black people.
  • Good Green works with organizations nationwide, like 40 Tons, to create more employment and expungement opportunities for system-impacted individuals.
  • "We are proud to partner with 40 Tons to bring the Level Up Career Conference to Chicago," said Jai Kensey, director of social impact at Green Thumb.
  • "Good Green's goal is to create opportunity in Black and Brown communities, and this career conference aligns directly with that mission.

Special Olympics Florida Athlete Joins Media Reporting on the Big Game

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 14, 2023

CLERMONT, Fla., Feb. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Special Olympics Florida athlete Malcom Harris-Gowdie lived out his dream last week, working as a broadcaster at Super Bowl Media Row in Phoenix.

Key Points: 
  • CLERMONT, Fla., Feb. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Special Olympics Florida athlete Malcom Harris-Gowdie lived out his dream last week, working as a broadcaster at Super Bowl Media Row in Phoenix.
  • The experience culminated Sunday, when Harris-Gowdie spent the day working in the media tent outside the big game.
  • I will never forget this time in my life!”
    Harris-Gowdie, a St. Lucie County athlete, has been part of Special Olympics Florida for more than 15 years.
  • FanSided and its parent company, Minute Media, are official global partners of Special Olympics and work with Special Olympics’ programs to help end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities and further inclusivity in sports.

The Market at Malcolm Yards Introduces Innovative Food Hall Experience Powered by GoTab

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 27, 2022

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GoTab, a leading restaurant commerce platform (RCP), today announced its partnership with The Market at Malcolm Yards, the landmark 19,000 square foot Minneapolis-based food and beverage hall, to introduce an innovative, new ordering and payment experience for guests while driving sales and efficiencies for its unique array of vendors. Located in the historic Prospect Park neighborhood, The Market anchors the greater mixed-use Malcolm Yards development, a vibrant live, work and entertainment community center adjacent to the University of Minnesota's East Bank Campus.

Key Points: 
  • Leveraging GoTab Pass, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, The Market at Malcolm Yards is reshaping the food hall guest experience to make it faster, easier and more seamless for guests to order and pay from multiple vendors all on one tab.
  • Further supporting The Market at Malcolm Yards' digital-first experience, GoTab has also integrated with a self-serve beverage technology company, PourMyBeer .
  • Together, GoTab and PourMyBeer are empowering The Market at Malcolm Yards to increase speed of service, operational efficiencies, order size and guest satisfaction.
  • "The traditional approach to operating a food hall is outdated," said Tim McLaughlin, CEO and Co-Founder at GoTab.

Branded Legacy, Inc.’s Spikes CBDX Opens New Retail Account

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 7, 2022

President of Branded Legacy, Brandon White, has tapped into his professional network to identify qualified professionals to grow sales in three distinct markets.

Key Points: 
  • President of Branded Legacy, Brandon White, has tapped into his professional network to identify qualified professionals to grow sales in three distinct markets.
  • Spikes CBDX opens new retail account, Happy Buds, a Black Owned CBD, Health and Wellness store located at 225 Malcom X Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11221.
  • This opens the door for new and innovative products as an alternative to the ready to drink beverages.
  • About Spikes CBDX:Spikes CBDX is a line of CBD products designed to assist athletes perform better, recover faster, and avoid injuries.

CASETiFY Invites Fans to Join the Tune Squad with New "Space Jam: A New Legacy" Collection

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 18, 2021

"Fans looking to join the Tune Squad can sign up for priority access to shop the limited-edition collection by visiting www.casetify.com/space-jam ahead of its launch on Aug 31.

Key Points: 
  • "Fans looking to join the Tune Squad can sign up for priority access to shop the limited-edition collection by visiting www.casetify.com/space-jam ahead of its launch on Aug 31.
  • Fans can shop the winning lineup online and in-store, with accessories shipping worldwide.
  • To learn more about the collection and its availability online and in select CASETiFY Studio locations, please visit www.casetify.com/space-jam .
  • For updates on products and future CASETiFY Co-Lab launches, follow @CASETiFY on Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter .

INHFA Announces the Appointment of Malcolm Hoenlein as a New Board Member

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 30, 2021

Washington, DC, July 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Israel Nature and Heritage Foundation of America (INHFA) announced today the appointment of Malcom Hoenlein to the board of directors.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, DC, July 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Israel Nature and Heritage Foundation of America (INHFA) announced today the appointment of Malcom Hoenlein to the board of directors.
  • "It is a great honor to announce the appointment of Malcolm Hoenlein to the board of INHFA, said Matan Sivek, INHFAs Executive Director.
  • Malcolm Hoenlein brings to INHFA decades of active involvement and management of large organizations advocating for Jewish causes.
  • We feel extremely privileged and honored to have Malcolm join the INHFA board, said Taly Dery, INHFA Board President.

BEN Expands Executive Team With Key Senior Hire For Its Product Placement Business

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 18, 2021

In her new role, Malcolm-Thornton will be focused on driving new business for BENs product placement division, as well as providing leadership to the companys growing sales team globally.

Key Points: 
  • In her new role, Malcolm-Thornton will be focused on driving new business for BENs product placement division, as well as providing leadership to the companys growing sales team globally.
  • Malcolm-Thornton joins BEN following a record-breaking year across its product placement, influencer marketing, and AI businesses.
  • Prior to joining BEN, she held senior sales leadership positions at The Walt Disney Company, Cond Nast, and most recently Quibi.
  • Were thrilled to have Pauline join our growing team at BEN, said Ricky Ray Butler, CEO of BEN.

Carnegie Endowment Announces The Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 19, 2020

Beirut, Oct. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace announced today the renaming of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut to honor Malcolm H. Kerr, the late American scholar of the Middle East and former president of the American University of Beirut.

Key Points: 
  • Beirut, Oct. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace announced today the renaming of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut to honor Malcolm H. Kerr, the late American scholar of the Middle East and former president of the American University of Beirut.
  • Henceforth, the center will be known as the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.
  • Renaming the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut to honor Malcolm Kerr is deeply fitting, said Carnegie President William J. Burns.
  • The Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center will carry on his legacy continuing to provide a public space for the next generation of Arabs to debate, discuss, and write their own future.