Black Academia This Week Vol 13

Once again it’s Friday, and that means it’s time for another volume of Black Academia This Week. As always Black Academia This Week is an opportunity to share what is happening in the Black community in academic spaces. If you would like to watch the video version, you can do that as well by going to @blkgradstudent My hopes are that you enjoy this edition and will share this with those you think might be interested. Once again thank you for reading and enjoy this week’s 3 topics.

1: 100 Years from the First Black Woman to Attain a Ph.D.

In 1921 on June 14th, Georgina Simpson was the first Black woman to attain her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. A day later, Sadie T.M. Alexander, the second Black woman graduated with a Ph.D. and then June 22nd Eva B. Dykes graduated with her Ph.D. as well. We are now at the 100 year mark from these women who blazed a path forward for the next generation, and it is a good time to reflect on their lived experience. Before she was Dr. Simpson, her first year on campus she was forced out of the dorms and had to live off campus. While the secretary at the time Sophonisba Breckinridge, decided that Simpson would be able to stay, she was overruled by the President at the time Harry Judson. Even without being able to stay on campus Simpson prevailed, pushing through to attain her degree. After attaining her degree, she went back to Washington D.C where she decided to teach. Dr. Simpson not only wanted to be a trailblazer but she also wanted to give back. For this reason it lead her to teach, and to help give back to the academic community that helped her become the woman she was. The woman who became the first Black Woman with a Ph.D.

For more information on her historic achievement, take a look at the following article: 100 years ago, Georgiana Simpson made history as the first Black woman to graduate with a Ph.D. | University of Chicago News (uchicago.edu)

2: LAUSD Parents Prefer Distance Learning

Though there were many stories of parents missing their kids being back for in-person classes, Black parents in LAUSD did not agree. A survey was sent out by Speak Up via Facebook ads targeting parents of LAUSD students. The survey showed that 43% of Black parents were concerned with bullying, racism, and low academic standards as a factor which is why they were keeping their children at home to learn. While there is about a 4.5% margin of error, the percentage of Black parents who feel this way is significant. This opinion might have been attributed by parents being working from home and being able to watch their children’s learning experience. Also an additional factor that may have attributed to the behaviors is that 27% of Black parents saw their child’s behavior improve with distance learning. Combining both of these factors is leading overall to a level of distrust in LAUSD. While LAUSD is going to be utilizing some of their budget for climate coaches, and support staff for the upcoming year, it will be interesting to see if they will be able to gain the trust of the Black community after this period.

For more information about the Speak Up Survey, take a look at the following article: Black parents see less bullying, racism with online learning – The San Diego Union-Tribune (sandiegouniontribune.com)

3: Megan the Stallion offers full-ride

Various people say or at least try to say they have Meg the Stallion knees, but do you have Meg the Stallion dollars? If not here is a chance to have a little bit. Megan the Stallion is trying to fund a student’s academic career. While the scholarship will be to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment at Long Island University, it is still any student’s dream opportunity. Megan, who is studying at Texas Southern University currently, truly values education which is part of her desire to give back.

For more information, you can see the Good Morning America (GMA) story here: Megan Thee Stallion offers full-ride scholarship opportunity to 1 lucky student – ABC News (go.com)