From HU2U

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become a major buzzword in the workplace. It intends to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the office, but how to make it successful depends on several factors. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 56% say having DEI in the workplace is a good thing. But to make sure a workplace DEI program makes people feel diverse, equal, and included takes a lot more than just checking off some boxes. Our guest today is Dr. Stephanie R. Leonard. She is an Assistant Professor of Management in the School of Business at Howard University. Her research focuses on diversity and inclusion phenomena such as organizational rationales for diversity, antecedents for inclusive climates, race-based trauma implications for workplaces, and micro-generational differences. In addition to academia, she has experience working in Human Resources.In this episode, Dr. Leonard and host Monica Lewis cover the importance and benefits of DEI, exploring both surface-level and deep-level diversity dimensions, and the moral and business cases for DEI. Dr. Leonard provides insights into the challenges and strategies for implementing DEI programs, highlighting the necessity of an inclusive environment for leveraging the full benefits of diversity. We’ll also touch on common obstacles, the current adolescent phase of incorporating DEI into the workplace, and practical advice for individuals and organizations to advocate for and foster DEI. From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How can a workplace still offer a DEI friendly environment, even if the actual number of diverse individuals is low?15:20: Why should we care about diversity and inclusion if there aren't too many diverse employees here? For me, we still need to celebrate deep-level diversity. These are the dimensions that we cannot see: our differences in personalities, our differences in values, and our different religions. And celebrate what you can celebrate. For instance, if there is a flexible work schedule program that's working well because women are allowed to, there's childcare or things like that. Celebrate that because it's going well. And I also think it's important to plan for the arrival of your diverse employees. You may not have them now, but you still have to plan for them to come.Treating DEI as an investment in the workplace36:51: That's how you have to treat diversity and inclusion: this is an investment. If we fail, we're going to assess what went wrong, and we're going to get back on the saddle and try it again until we get it right. And that's what you do when it's important to you, when it's at the core of your vision for the company.Neglecting diversity crisis management can lead to a downfall of an organization 19:32: Diversity crisis management: people don't know how to handle a diversity crisis. We know how to handle all kinds of crises, but when it comes to diversity crises, it takes companies weeks to come back and present to the public what is going to be done. And it's just unacceptable. And so all of those things will lead to a downfall and a failure for the organization.Guest Profile:Stephanie Leonard | Howard Profiles

In this final chapter of our mini-series on AI, we venture beyond campus to spotlight Howard alumni making waves in both big tech and entrepreneurship through the power of AI. Despite the persistent Black wealth gap and underrepresentation of Black professionals in technology, Howard's tech and entrepreneurship ecosystem is fostering a new generation of leaders.Host Dr. Kweli Zukeri delves into the transformative potential for young people in the tech world. We’ll hear success stories from several Howard alumni currently working in big tech and entrepreneurship, how the innovative education and curriculum support at Howard prepared them for these industries, as well as how the Afrotech Conference is creating more opportunities for Black technologists and entrepreneurs.From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Why now is the best time to be within the technology industry27:03: [Sam Altman] I think this is probably the greatest time, at least since the internet, to be graduating, to be a young person. If you're interested in entering the technology industry, this is a very special opportunity that probably won't come along again for a while. You all got very, very lucky. It's at the birth of a new industry and a time of tremendous change when young people have the most advantage and the most opportunity. There's a reason that I think young people drive a lot of the technological revolutions. You all are way more familiar with AI tools than people older than you. You bring a new set of fresh perspectives. What can be created now? What just wasn't possible before this?HBCUs where culture is created15:09: [Erin Horne McKinney] I think one of the great things about being at an HBCU is that we are the culture creators. Right at ours, there's no such thing as failure—there are learning experiences, right? And those are the things that make you grow. People are coming to us for the culture, for the experience. But one of the things you get as a minor, no matter which HBCU you go to, is that you get that grit. That hustle, learning to overcome obstacles, learning that when somebody says no to you, it’s not really no; it means you need to become a better problem solver, right? So, learning how to problem solve.On turning academic knowledge into practical skills36:29: [Antonio McMichael] I think you get a lot of foundation from the classes that you're taking that will teach you the what and the how, the academic side of things. But you have to be able to take the academic side and turn it into something practical, like actually building things.Guest Profiles and Show Links:Kweli Zukeri | Howard ProfilesKweli Zukeri | LinkedInkweli.zukeri@howard.eduCoded Bias State of Tech Diversity: The Black Tech Ecosystem | NAACPAfroTechAFROTECH™️ ConferenceBlavity IncSimone Tyler | LinkedInErin Horne McKinney | Howard ProfilesERIN (Ear-in) HORNE MCKINNEY, M.A. | LinkedInPNC National Center for EntrepreneurshipBlack Commerce ConferenceHBCU Startup Scholars - PNC National Center for EntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurship Education Innovation GrantLegand Burge | Howard ProfilesLegand Burge | LinkedInAlgorithmic Justice LeagueHoward West: A First Step in Creating More Opportunities for African-American EngineersDr. Grant WarnerRiana Battick | LinkedInSam AltmanOpen AIAntonio McMichael | LinkedInCoretta Martin | LinkedInIEP&Me

In this 2nd episode of our AI series, Dr. Kweli Zukeri dives deep into the transformative work happening within the Howard community to make the AI revolution inclusive, accessible, and impactful for Black communities and beyond.Join us as we highlight groundbreaking projects going on right here, like the creation of an audio database of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) to revolutionize voice assistive technologies, the diversification of healthcare data to address disparities and the training of the next generation of Black data scientists. Plus, we’ll discuss an innovative speech therapy app designed with inclusivity in mind.This episode unpacks Howard’s commitment to tackling AI bias and building inclusive ecosystems—efforts that reflect the proud HBCU legacy of using cutting-edge knowledge to uplift Black communities and drive progress for society at large.From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On changing the narrative around AAVE19:06: [Kweli Zukeri]: Speech is self-expression. So, being able to speak in one's own dialect of vernacular matters deeply. Reflective of the Black American experience itself, its structure has roots in the languages of West Africa and to survive despite American society's pressures to subdue it. Hence, the so-called code-switching phenomenon most Black professionals feel they must abide by to this day. Racist pressure to brush it aside or keep it in the margins can impact their own feelings and relationship to it, perhaps, subconsciously swaying us to consider it lesser than, which is a form of internalized racism. That's why I'm so excited by the Elevate Black Voices project.One's self-expression influences how effectively people get work done23:48: [David Green]: Your ability to have your natural speech accepted and responded to allows a certain freedom in what you're able to think about and what you're able to articulate. You're not searching for certain words, you're not searching for certain ideas, and you're not trying to put on a performance of a certain kind of voice that you would think would get a better response.On creating a safe space for Black English05:04: [Washington]: We want to create a safe space in celebration of Black English, celebrating all the different dialects, the Southern, the different kinds of ways that Black people speak, so that you don't have to code-switch or pretend to be someone else.Guest Profiles and Show Links:Kweli Zukeri | Howard ProfilesKweli Zukeri | LinkedInkweli.zukeri@howard.eduAnnouncing Howard University's Groundbreaking AI InitiativeGENERATIVE AI | Howard University Provost's OfficeAbout | Howard University PresidentManning Marable The Center for Applied Data Science and AnalyticsAmy Yeboah Quarkume, Ph.D. | LinkedInAmy Quarkume | Howard ProfilesCORES Future LabCognitive and Neurodiversity AI (CoNA) Lab at Morgan State UniversityGabriella Waters | LinkedInGloria Washington | Howard ProfilesGloria Washington | LinkedInHoward AAVE Project | YouTubeInstitute for Human-Centered AISabrina Bramwell, grad studentElevate Black Voices, project supported by Google David Green | Howard Profiles1st year writing program at HowardMLA-CCCC Joint Task Force on Writing and AIConference on College Composition and CommunicationLegand Burge | Howard ProfilesLegand Burge | LinkedInAIM-AHEADMeharry Medical CollegeHNRS 020: The Tech Reparations and Responsibility: Algorithmic Data Bias and Ethics course for Honors Students | Howard UniversityWorlds of Hello app

You've probably noticed how discussions about AI, particularly Generative AI, have been everywhere since the start of 2023. It's called a disruptive technology since it's rapidly and thoroughly changing how humans operate in every digital space, which of course has implications beyond just the digital world. This 1st episode of our 3 part mini-series, The GenAI Revolution: Navigating the Potential & Peril for Howard University & Our Communities, hosted by Dr. Kweli Zukeri delves into the rapid rise and pervasive influence of Generative AI. Perspectives on AI's influence vary: some see it as a boon to creativity and productivity, while others fear job displacement and intellectual exploitation.Join us to hear from Howard University, HBCU, and tech leaders in discussion about how AI works and why it’s biased, as well as the root causes of these biases, which stem from the data and algorithms that power it. We dig into how AI biases can shape our world and what we can do to challenge and change them.From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Overcoming fear and seizing opportunities with AI24:40: [Coretta Martin] Innovation is a part of life. And for people to embrace artificial intelligence, I think that there's a lot of fear right now that it's a robot, someone's going to lose their job. And, mind you, if you work in customer service or in office space, there are some studies that say there might be some impact on jobs, but there's really going to be more of an impact on the increased amount of jobs and the increased amount of opportunities. Socrates was worried about writing. Other people were worried about radio. Some people were worried about the printing press and no one being able to memorize things anymore. In 2005, when I was at Howard, they were worried about email. AI is just the next thing. It's here. It's great. There are so many uses. Get into it. Like, be into it and really figure out how you can use it in your life or how you can be a part of the movement of building it.On technology’s potential23:52: [Sam Altman] I think critical thinking, creativity, the ability to figure out what other people want, and the ability to have new ideas—in some sense, that'll be the most valuable skills of the future. [25:12] If you think of a world where every one of us has a whole company worth of AI assistants that are doing tasks for us to help us express our vision, make things for other people, and make these new things in the world, the most important thing then will be the quality of the ideas, the curation of the ideas, because AI can generate lots of great ideas, but you still need a human there to say this is the thing other people want. And also, humans, I think, really care about the human behind something.How AI gives us back our time18:18: [Amy Quarkume] Time is a great gift. It's a great gift you cannot give back, right? So, the idea that I can do something and not spend so much time gives me more time to do something else. So, as we talk about our communities, many times I would be great if I rested. I would be great if I had an assistant. I would be great if I just had time to myself. So, AI creates that.Guest Profiles and Show Links:Kweli Zukeri | Howard ProfilesKweli Zukeri | LinkedIn Kweli Zukeri EmailGabriella Waters | LinkedInCognitive and Neurodiversity AI (CoNA) Lab at Morgan State UniversityAntonio McMichael | LinkedInAmy Yeboah Quarkume, Ph.D. | LinkedInAmy Quarkume | Howard ProfilesSimone Tyler | LinkedInAfroTechBlavity IncCoretta Martin | LinkedInIEP&MeSam AltmanOpen AIGloria Washington | Howard ProfilesGloria Washington | LinkedInSafiya Umoja NobleAlgorithms of Oppression by Safiya Umoja NobleSafiya Umoja Noble | UCLASafiya Noble, Ph.D. | LinkedInAnthony Wutoh | Leadership of the Office of the Provost & Chief Academic OfficerPresident Ben Vinson III, PhD | Howard University PresidentAnna Makanju | LinkedIn

Throughout the 30-year history of Alternative Spring Break (ASB), Howard University students have demonstrated that community service does not have to be exclusively for your own community.  When was the last time you've offered help to someone in need? Did you do it without thinking about what you might get in return?If so, you already know a thing or two about how Howard University students spend their spring break.  Traveling to different locations all over the country, Rankin Chapel's Alternative Spring Break participants commit their week-long break to serving others.The yearly event seeks to involve students in meaningful service projects to develop the next generation of servant leaders. And in this episode oh HU2U, we let Autumn Coleman take over as host, our student correspondent for University Communications. By traveling and serving various communities across the United States, Howard students embrace the university's motto of Truth in Service. This year's theme, 'A Legacy of Paying It Forward, 30 Years of Service,' continues to celebrate those decades of impactful work. The episode features personal stories from students and organizers, including student site coordinators like Alina Britt and staff advisors like Deborah Boatwright, showcasing the program's planning, challenges, and rewards.From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:What drives Britt to do the ASB?Alena Britt [02:23]: There were a lot of times where I was like, okay, I'm drained because it would either be during finals or midterms, and it would be a lot, but at the end of the day, I remember my purpose. I remember why. And I just kept going with that. [02:48] I had a vision for how I wanted this to go. And I want to keep in mind that it's also spring break, and I want to keep in mind that this is also a service trip. I was like, okay, people like music; people like instruments. Let's do this. So with all these ideas in mind, it's just like, whatever I want to do, we can do it.Living out ASB’s mission truth and serviceMelvin McLawhorn [08:12]: I wanted to create a capstone before I go out into the real world, per se, just to give back to my community. I could have spent any of my time, especially my break, maybe out partying or something, but truth and service have always been instilled in me, so I couldn't find a better way to spend my time.Howard students making a difference with Ignite ChicagoEmily Summers [06:16]: Last year, you all came and helped us keep our space beautiful for our clients. We did a talking circle about college experience, and it helped expose some of our clients who were thinking about college, or still in high school, to the benefits and the kind of scope of experience that they could have in college. And today, you are helping us beautify our wonderful neighborhood of Bronzeville, which is so important because we know that if you look around and the community you're in feels cared for, you feel like you want to care for it and you want to care for yourself.Guest Profile:Howard University Alternative Spring Break | Andrew Rankin Memorial ChapelAutumn Coleman | The Dig at Howard UniversityAutumn Coleman | LinkedInAlena Britt | LinkedInDeborah Boatwright | Howard ProfilesMecca Moore | LinkedInIgnite PromiseEmily Summers | LinkedInHoward SandiferChicago West Community Music CenterMelvin McLawhorn | LinkedIn

According to the CDC, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, and 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are completely preventable.  There are a lot of reasons why Black women are at higher risk, including access to quality health care, pre-existing health issues, structural racism, and implicit bias.Black maternal health is a serious public health crisis worldwide. What can we do to reduce this number and what are the experts doing right now to fight it? Today’s host Amber D. Dodd, Howard Magazine’s associate editor, digs into these troubling statistics in today's episode, with 2 esteemed guests from the Howard University College of Medicine. Dr. Shari Lawson specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Howard University Hospital and is a faculty member at the College of Medicine. Victoria Revelle is a program manager for the women's health and OBGYN department at the College of Medicine at Howard University.Listen as these women discuss the systemic issues contributing to Black women's significantly higher maternal mortality rates, such as structural racism, access to quality healthcare, and implicit bias. Additionally, Shari and Victoria emphasize the importance of advocacy, trusted support systems, and exploring various birthing options.From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Why are self-advocacy & partner support crucial for pregnancy? 18:23: [Amber] What should expectant parents and mothers do to ensure that they're being heard when they don't feel right?18:93: [Victoria Revelle] Yes, I would definitely say advocacy is important. Being able to speak up and advocate for yourself. In addition, I would say having a trusted partner is crucial. So having someone that you can call on and say, "Hey, I've already spoken up. I don't know if I'm being heard," or perhaps maybe you could advocate as well on my behalf to make sure that I'm receiving the rightful care that I know is due unto me as well.On educating patients and families on critical warning signs during pregnancy10:39: [Shari Lawson] So, I do think it's really important that patients and their family members or loved ones are educated about the warning signs of something that could be worse. So for them to know, well, if I have a headache, could I have preeclampsia? But they may not necessarily even know to call it that. So I think that that's part of our role as physicians and as community members to make sure that people are aware of what the urgent warning signs are.The need to fix broken systems, not black women19:42: [[Victoria Revelle] I do want to mention that language is so crucial and is so important. And so, as we think about finding more solutions, I think it's important that we remember that when we're defining this problem, Black women are not broken. The systems that Black women are in, such as where they eat, learn, work, play, and pray, are broken. So, when we're thinking about how we define this, I want to be clear that we're saying this is a Black maternal healthcare crisis. And so, the care that is being received by Black women is something that surely, as a society, we can work on and improve.Guest Profile:Dr. Shari Lawson, MD | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Washington, D.C.Shari Lawson | LinkedInAlliance For Innovation On Maternal Health

According to the National Golf Association, 4.1 million African Americans played golf in the United States in 2021, a significant increase from the 2.6 million who played golf in 2011.  Despite this growth, Black golfers remain an anomaly in the sport, with figures such as Tiger Woods and more recently, Cameron Champ serving as those exceptions that only prove the rule. However, the creation and development of collegiate golf programs at more HBCUs could prove a unique pipeline for increased representation at the professional level, and Howard’s golf programs are at the forefront of this movement.  Howard's players are winners of the HBCU National Championships, the PGA Tour Works Collegiate Championship, and most recently, the 2024 Northeast Conference Golf Championship. A lifelong player and 12-year coach, Sam is now the Director of Golf at Howard. Coach Sam Puryear has overseen the program for 4 years now and has his eyes set on even more success.  Today’s host Larry J. Sanders sits down with Coach Samuel Puryear to discuss the growth of African American participation in golf. The discussion highlights the importance of mentorship, the social and economic barriers in golf, and how the sport's networking opportunities can benefit careers beyond professional playing. From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Building equity for young golfers at Howard09:11: [Larry] So, discuss the impact of the program on the university from your perspective and on the golf landscape as a whole. 09:18: [Samuel] Well, that's actually the reason that I chose to take the position here at Howard. Because, number one, I wanted to be able to be a conduit with young Brown people and give them a chance, because of my experience in the mainstream golf world, coaching it, PWIs and seeing the best that golf has to offer. I wanted to show these young people what golf could look like if they did their part. So, I accepted this position with the expectation that I was going to build a program that would expose them to competing in some of the best programs, the best players, travel the country, use some of the best equipment, and give them opportunities where they would be able to compete once they graduated college. So, for me, this is just a continuation or an extension of what I've been dreaming and working on my whole life. And that, to me, is what made Howard such a great fit.There are a lot of opportunities to grow in golf 13:19: Golf is the one game where if we continue to push more of us in it, we'll have more opportunity to expand upon and teach and allow people to understand the other side, which is some of the stuff we've been trying to do.Why race didn’t held Samuel from playing golf08:11: The race was there, but I just refused to let it stop my dreams. You have the guy throw you the keys and say, "Hey boy, go get my car; I'm in Space 45." I would laugh and say, "Oh, that's great. But when he gets your car, tell him to get mine; I'm in Space 46." You learn to laugh about it, because if you don't laugh, you cry.Guest Profile:Sam Puryear - Women's Golf Coach - Howard University AthleticsSam Puryear | LinkedIn

ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions for American youth. Addressing the diagnosis is no easy feat, and there is no one size fits all solution. But an ADHD diagnosis for Black children can be compounded with unique challenges, such as stigmatization, which can negatively impact how others at school and within their communities treat them. In the 2nd part of this 2-part series, host, Howard alum, and developmental psychologist Dr. Kweli Zukeri continues his conversation on ADHD with guest Dr. Mercedes Ebanks. Dr. Ebanks is a double Howard alum and Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at the Howard School of Education. She is also a Behavioral Therapist and the Co-Founder and Parent Coordinator of the Mecca Group, LLC. This episode will delve into the complexities of an ADHD diagnosis in Black American children. We’ll hear about the importance of understanding the cultural and environmental factors that contribute to ADHD symptoms and the potential misinterpretations of these behaviors in educational settings, and the broader societal issues contributing to ADHD symptoms, such as excessive screen time and the lack of representation among Black medical professionals. The conversation also emphasizes the role of parents, teachers, and mental health professionals in recognizing ADHD's potential and developing strength-based approaches to support children. From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How can parents of children with ADHD help them overcome challenges, leverage strengths, and reach their full potential?29:16: [Kweli Zukeri] What advice do you have for parents whose children have ADHD? How can they help their children mitigate the challenges and limitations while simultaneously enhancing the strengths and potential that accompany it?29:31: [Dr. Mercedes Ebanks] It's helping your children to be self-reflective and to identify their feelings, being either overwhelmed or overstimulated. Helping them to monitor that. Also, it's really basic communication. I think helping children communicate how they're feeling is important. I think that's the first. Talking to them about their feelings or what their experience is like with the inattention—is it affecting them in the classroom, or are they using it for good, “good.” So I think it's very important to help their children understand what is going on. Awareness is key.41:03: What is considered a disorder doesn't have to stop you. We can excel at anything.ADHD has no switch off and switch on button05:10: A child with ADHD has it at school and at home. So, their behaviors are very different at home than in school. It may not be ADHD, but you also need to ask the questions: what is being asked at home and what is being asked at school? There's more to it to truly understand because, are they being asked to focus at home, or is it quiet at home? Perhaps the child is needing to watch TV because the mother or father has to work or has other, you know, responsibilities, and can't give the child the individual attention that is needed.The power of words for people with ADHD22:48: Helping children understand and be very aware of their body, their senses, and their abilities, I think, are very important. And to teach children how to communicate that. If that's communicating through motion and physical activity, through dance, or through sports, however, they need to communicate. It could be through art. It certainly is a way to communicate their talent. And this is all it is. It is a gift that was given to them that needs to just be honed.Show Links:Dr. Edward HallowellScattered Minds - Dr. Gabor MatéBeing Black with ADHD | Howard MagazineMedical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present by Harriet A. WashingtonDr. Keisha MackThe Journal of Negro Education | JSTORHancock (2008) - IMDbBlack Panther (2018) - IMDbCHADDADHD Black Professionals Alliance - IngerShaye'55th NAACP Image Awards' Honors Poet Amanda Gorman With The Chairman’s Award Presented by Unilever | News | BETGuest Profile:Mercedes Ebanks | Howard ProfilesMercedes E. Ebanks, PhD - The MECCA Group, LLCLinkedIn | Dr. Mercedes EbanksThe MECCA GroupInstagram | The MECCA GroupThe MECCA Group, LLC | LinkedInFacebook | The MECCA GroupThe Mecca Group - YouTube

ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions for American youth.  Addressing the diagnosis is no easy feat, and there is no one size fits all solution.  An ADHD diagnosis for Black children can be compounded with unique challenges, such as stigmatization, which can negatively impact how others at school and within their communities treat them. On today's episode, which is part 1 of a 2-part series, Dr. Mercedes Ebanks joins host, Howard alum, and developmental psychologist Dr. Kweli Zukeri to explore this situation. They will also discuss the potential that lies within changing the ADHD narrative and approach from one of deficit to superpower and how parents and teachers can help their children and students with ADHD both utilize it as a strength and manage its problematic aspects.Dr. Mercedes Ebanks is a double Howard alum and Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at the Howard School of Education. She is also a Behavioral Therapist and the Co-Founder and Parent Coordinator of the Mecca Group, LLC. From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How can a workplace still offer a DEI friendly environment, even if the number of diverse individuals is low?27:19: Any disorder is critical to treat. And from it really comes awareness, truly helping families understand what their children are experiencing, and then how it impacts the family. Because for a parent to bring their child in for an evaluation or for therapy because they're impulsive, and they're making bad decisions and they keep getting in trouble in school, it's difficult for parents to admit that to themselves. That's difficult to ask for help, because they're expected as a parent, as you said earlier, it's the toughest job to do because we're trying to get it right, and we can't always get it right. So, to get that assistance is why we, at The MECCA Group, are here to be able to provide that assistance.There’s no one-formula-fits-all for treating ADHD29:57: I think the best treatment plan for each child is an individual one. It's not a one-formula-fits-all approach. You have to look at the lifestyle the family has, in terms of what their beliefs are.Education is key to understanding what ADHD really means 28:58: When you look at social media and what has been discussed in the news and mass media about ADHD, a lot of it is pushed towards medication. Parents, however, don't want to look at medication as the first-step way of treatment. That's what they're scared of: having their children look like zombies under this medication and how that's going to help them. So, education is really key to helping parents understand what ADHD means.Show Links:Dr. Edward HallowellScattered Minds - Dr. Gabor MatéGuest Profile:Mercedes Ebanks | Howard ProfilesMercedes E. Ebanks, PhD - The MECCA Group, LLCLinkedIn | Dr. Mercedes EbanksThe MECCA GroupInstagram | The MECCA GroupThe MECCA Group, LLC | LinkedInFacebook | The MECCA GroupThe Mecca Group - YouTube

In 2015, Kendrick Lamar's album To Pimp a Butterfly came at a crucial moment for Black America.  After protesters took to the streets to voice their concerns about police brutality and white supremacy, Lamar's hit single, “All Right,” became a Black Lives Matter anthem.  Black music's role as a mouthpiece for the people is no surprise.Sam Cooke's “A Change Is Gonna Come” captured a tumultuous turning point of the civil rights movement, as did Nina Simone's resonating anger with “Mississippi Got Damn.” But Black musicians have had their hand in galvanizing recent civic participation, such as Georgia's rapper's community attempt at electing Stacey Abrams as Georgia's first Black governor in 2020.Just a few months away from the 2024 presidential election, we’re kicking off season 2 of From HU2U with Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. He is a Howard University alumnus, as well as the CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, a national organization committed to civic engagement in communities of color, particularly vulnerable citizens of injustice. Today’s host Amber D. Dodd, is Howard Magazine’s associate editor. She sits down with Reverand Yearwood to chat about his early years being a part of the civic engagement of Howard University's campus culture, breaking down the silos within social justice movements, how the Hip Hop Caucus was birthed out of the climate justice movement, and how Black people's place in American society reflects music's political influence.From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Hip Hop Caucus as an instrument to encourage people to vote29:11: People don't want to just keep voting for people who ain't doing what they need to do. And so we need to let people know that, okay, well, maybe you're not voting for that person, but don't sit this thing out, though. Because then you still have an impact on the local level, on the state level. And then people count that. And so they look at it, when they go back after the election, they'll go back and count who voted. And then, based upon that, there's power that's created by how many people vote. So even if you don't feel you're turned on by your local mayor, you're not turned on by your governor, you're not turned on by the president, you still got to make sure that your voting has to be counted in some aspect. And so our job is to make sure that people get out to vote.Empowering the next generation's leaders21:00: I'm so proud that now this new generation of leaders at the Hip Hop Caucus has a hell of a task on their hands because they now have to figure out how creation is a new demonstration. And they now have to figure out how storytelling and communications, along with advocacy, go together to educate a community that's never heard about something that is killing them every single day.Music as a roadmap to liberation36:56: I do think there's a need to get back to understanding our history, that our history is created literally in this country, like many things, because of policy that is used to destroy us. And we somehow use our music, like we did, to escape from enslavement. When somebody sang 'Down by the Riverside,' it had nothing to do with Jesus. It was a road map to freedom. And so for artists that are listening now, we still need road maps to freedom. Now, more than ever. It may not be 'Down by the Riverside,' but we still need things to be planted in our music, in our poetry, in our art that'll help us to escape to freedom.Guest Profile:Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President and CEO of Hip Hop CaucusHip Hop Caucusthe album HOME - Think 100%Underwater Projects: Official Trailer and Upcoming Screenings - Hip Hop CaucusAin't Your Mama's Heat WaveRespect My VoteNot Like Us - Kendrick LamarEuphoria - Kendrick LamarThe Coolest Show podcast

From HU2U is Howard's official podcast, illuminating experiences that help tell the university's story, and we're back for season 2.  This season, you’ll hear from Dr. Kweli Zukeri, and a handful of other university hosts as we explore a wide range of topics, including the difficulties and even the potential strengths of ADHD for Black children, why Black golfers remain an anomaly and what's being done to change that, as well as celebrate 30 years of Howard's Alternative Spring Break program.We'll explore the benefits of utilizing Gen AI, as some savvy alum entrepreneurs are doing, as well as discuss some of the major AI issues you've heard about, like why Gen AI contains bias, how that impacts us, and some potential solutions university researchers are working on right now.New episodes drop starting June 18th and every other Tuesday through October!From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.

How you get a mortgage, what type of health insurance you qualify for, or what school your child gets into is based on how data statistics are interpreted. But the people behind those numbers matter just as much as the numbers themselves.In the past five years, the field of data science skyrocketed in the United States from 1,700 jobs in 2016, to more than 10,000 jobs in 2021. But black scientists, scholars, and researchers make up only 3% of the professionals who interpret data and analytics. Today, we sit down with Dr. William Southerland. He is a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, principal investigator of the HU Research Centers for Minorities Institute's program, as well as the interim director of the new Center of Applied Data Science and Analytics at Howard. Dr. Southerland and host Frank Tramble chat about the biases we all carry, where data and analytics are used in everyday life, the new Center for Applied Science and Analytics at Howard, and how we can fix all this by changing the demographics of data scientists. From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The importance of the data awareness[19:14] Data impacts everyone. People from all disciplines and all backgrounds are impacted by data, but not everyone is aware of that. And if you're not aware of it, then you can't take advantage of it…whether you are aware of it or not. You are a consumer of data, and if you're not aware of it, then the data you consume is being constructed for you by somebody else.Equipping the community with data science exposure[17:32] Data science is everywhere. It affects everybody. So we want to be proactive in making sure that we equip the Howard undergraduate community and undergraduate communities, HBCUs around the country, to do some data science exposure. Data and their inherent biases[05:24] A lot of the bias that winds up in algorithms they're not necessarily there intentionally. It's almost like an inadvertent inclusion. The way I look at it sometimes is that in order to build algorithms, there are two components of information that goes in. One aspect goes in by active inclusion, and that's the technical specifications. And then the other, inclusion, is based on passive.Show Links:HU Research Centers for Minorities InstituteCenter of Applied Data Science and Analytics at HowardVirtual Applied Data Science Training Institute (VADSTI)Guest Profile:Dr. William SoutherlandPublications

As a kid, we all make mistakes. For some reason, the consequences can be life-changing, for better or for worse. For Dr. Stanley Andrisse, his mistakes led him to three felony convictions where he faced a 20-year prison sentence.It was his father's battle with diabetes and his own intellectual curiosity that took him from one cell to another. The study of human cells. Specifically, endocrinology the study of hormones. Dr. Stanley Andrisse is an endocrinologist, scientist, and professor at the Howard University College of Medicine. He joins host Frank Tramble today to chat about his incredible life pivot, dealing with grief and human emotion in prison, the power and privilege of being a Black doctor, and education as a form of therapy. From HU2U Podcast is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Nurturing compassionate medical leaders[14:37] We need to understand that at Howard, we should be doing all that we can to educate, train, and support people who have been impacted by the system. So, I'm constantly sharing with my students the idea of, you can't just focus on being a medical doctor because you're too much to the world. You have to understand the history of what happened to us in this country and in the world.Breaking free from the prison within[08:28] Although my body was physically locked in this prison cell, my mind was freely roaming around the human cell. And, you know, as you opened up with that, it allowed me to free myself from thinking of me as this career criminal. So that was the beginning of the change.From incarceration to education[21:36] The traumas of incarceration lead you to believe that you can't bring value to this world, that you can't bring value to yourself, and that your self-worth is diminished. And education helps repair some of those things and those beliefs. So it was this therapeutic healing thing.Advice on moving in the right direction[24:56] Frank Tramble: So for the student who may be listening, or the parent that may be listening of a young individual who may be going down the wrong path and may face, you know, as the tale say of the face of two paths in the woods, what do you want to tell them about what can help inspire them to move in the right direction?[27:11] Dr. Stanley Andrisse: I would tell them, "It's never too late to do good." I would ask them to understand what that truly means. I would ask them to have patience and compassion. So, although your child may be making poor decisions at this moment, have that faith, that patience, and that belief that they have as human beings. You know, we are not static creatures. We are dynamic, and we are constantly changing.Show Links:Michelle Alexander - The New Jim CrowGuest Profile:From Prison Cells to Ph.D. Dr. Stanley Andrisse LinkedInFrom Prison Cells to Ph.D.: It is Never Too Late to Do Good bookFrom Prison Cells to Ph.D. InstagramFrom Prison Cells to Ph.D. YouTubeFrom Prison Cells to Ph.D. LinkedInFrom Prison Cells to Ph.D. TwitterFrom Prison Cells to Ph.D. Facebook

In America, 1.2 million adults identify as black and LGBTQ+. But for many, discrimination is even harder than their white counterparts for their intersectional identities. Here at Howard University, efforts to support LGBTQ+ students have resulted in the formation of the  Intercultural Affairs and LGBTQ+ Resource Center. But what else can we be doing as a community and a campus to support those who identify as black and queer?Joining us to discuss this deeper is Jose Cadiz, the Director of Development in Institutional Giving at Howard University.  Jose sits down with host Frank Tramble to discuss why these types of resources are necessary for students as well as staff, offers some guidance on using and learning people’s pronouns, where we could be driving more support on campus, and preparing students to head into the workplace and bring these values with them. From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On having the important obligation to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ community[05:01] I think with becoming an HBCU administrator, I had an obligation and a duty to the people of color, the black LGBTQ+ bison here, alums and current students, and our future students as well, students that are coming that identify in the LGBTQ+ community. It's really important to have this sense of belonging, first and foremost, for the LGBTQ+ community because we create so much of a narrative.Working together to address mental health issues[10:56] What we do to cultivate that is reach out, be a good collaborator, and continue to make sure that our students are seeking these services and feel welcome. A lot of it is just creating a space where students, specifically LGBTQ+ students, feel that someone is there. And they see them.Preparing students to think critically when it comes to choosing their career[18:45] When I speak to my students about their career plans and what they're looking for in a job, they always mention, "I want to see myself in that culture." They don't say money. They don't say geographic location. They say, "Can I be happy there with all of my identities? And that's a true testament to how we prepare our students and create this space for students to think critically and to think long-term when it comes to what happiness looks like.Show Links:Historic Pride Night at Howard University Celebrates Diversity, InclusionLGBTQ+ Support at HowardDr. Wayne FrederickBison Celebrate 7th Annual Lavender ReceptionGuest Profile:Jose Cadiz LinkedInMeet Jose Cadiz: Assistant Director of Office of Intercultural Affairs

Every year, 19,000 children and teens are killed or wounded due to gun violence, and approximately 3 million are exposed to gun violence. In many cases, these guns were found within the home, meaning the deaths were highly preventable. Even if a child survives being shot, the mental scarring stays with them for years, possibly even life. In America, 4.6 million children live in a house that has a gun that is loaded and unlocked. How do we keep them safe?Today we sit down with Kayla Austin, a rising junior at Howard University, gun violence activist from the Chicago area, and creator of My Guns Been Moved, a gun safety device that provides a way for gun owners to monitor their weapons 24/7.Kayla and host Frank Tramble discuss how she came up with this device, preventing in home  and accidental shootings, growing up hearing about gun violence, and the support she’s recieved from the Howard community and beyond. HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:What does success look like for My Guns Been Moved?[13:12] Success for My Guns Been Move looks like every American that has a firearm having our device in the home; that is the ultimate goal. As I mentioned, adding to this national conversation of what gun safety looks like, the goal is to partner with parent-teacher organizations and other organizations who are doing gun violence prevention work. On the rising number of gun violence[04:19] When I started my research, gun violence was a leading cause of death for black children and teens. And now it's a leading cause of death for children everywhere around the country.Safeguarding lives through open conversations about gun safety[15:47] The message I would send to parent firearm owners is to store your weapons safely and also start having those conversations with your children about what gun safety looks like. I think parents always want to be role model, so I think it's important to be a role model when it comes to safely storing your firearms, like showing your child what it looks like to be a responsible gun owner. It's extremely important having conversations about what a gun is, what the intention for it is, and how you store it safely. I think that those types of conversations are really important to have with your children.Show Links:My Guns Been MovedHadiya PendletonBlack AmbitionGuest Profile:Kayla Austin on My Guns Been MovedKayla InstagramTeen Vogue's 21 Under 21 2022: The Revolutionary Youth You Need to Know

Have you ever wondered why there aren't more black women in C-suite positions among black students? In higher education, women are more likely than men to earn degrees. Black women get 64.1% of bachelor degrees, 71.5% of master's degrees, and 65.9% of doctoral medical and dental degrees. Yet a recent McKinsey study found that only 1.6% of vice presidents in corporate America are black women. Why is this happening? Dr. Denise Streeter is a professor of finance in the Howard University School of Business and joins us to explore these statistics. She is HU bred, having earned a degree in accounting from Howard, as well as degrees in economics and finance from other institutions. Dr. Streeter has also taught courses to students of all ages, in various formats, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and on three continents. She joins host Frank Tramble to talk about why these numbers don’t shock her, starting businesses vs working in the traditional corporate system, building support systems for black women in and out of corporate roles, and finding inspiration on her path. HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Is it better for black women to start their own businesses or work in corporate America?[05:01] The good news is that we have choices, so we can start our own businesses. And the beauty of it is that women are doing that. So we don't have to necessarily be dependent on the system if you want to hire us, but if we want to get into the system, we have to play it their way.Overcoming obstacles with confidence[03:18] We really have so many obstacles. We have to make sure we are overcoming, that we want to be the best at what we apply for. And sometimes, those job descriptions are tainted to keep those of us who won't do it out, but we have to build that confidence. And that's really your encouragement to motivate, help, and assist is important.On having passion for work[10:56] Find your passion in the place that you're going to work so that you know you're there to make deals, to bring in more clients, or whatever your thing is, because that's where you're going to be able to succeed.Amplifying women's voices in the workplace over the years[14:54] Women are more aware of who they are, so they're speaking up, and we're starting to join them together. So that we can be more supportive and they can know what it is that should not happen in the workplace. Guest Profile:Denise Streeter | Howard ProfilesDenise W. Streeter, Ph.D., CPADenise Streeter LinkedIn

More than 5 million African-Americans are reported having a mental illness. That's nearly 17.3% of the total Black US population. Black teens are among the highest rising rate of mental illness right now, especially coming right outta the pandemic. So how can we help this next generation amongst all this turmoil? Well, our guest is a passionate expert in helping youth of color take care of themselves.Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble is a Howard alum and founder of the AAKOMA Project, a nonprofit for the mental health of the youth and the youth adults of color. Host Frank Tramble and Alfiee sit down and talk about why her work focuses on teens & young people, mental health before and after the pandemic, the challenges of managing social media intake, and changing cultural stigmas around mental health. HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On creating a safe space for mental health for young people[03:46] I want to always make sure that every young person I encounter feels seen, heard, and valued. That's my thing because in my home, I felt all of that. Outside of my home, not so much. And many young people struggle with that. So I always wanted to be like a soft landing for young people, so that’s why I focused on young folks.Dr. Alfiee's vision is for authentic self-expression and well-being of young people through AAKOMA[17:53] The message that I have for young people through the AAKOMA project is that we envision a world where every young person has the opportunity to live. Unapologetically and authentically as the best version of themselves.The interplay of adult self-care and empowering young minds[05:41] I feel like for the adults and caregivers in young people's lives, it's important for us to create the space and, more than anything, let young people know that who you are exactly as you are is beautiful. It's important and can only be enhanced if we support and take care of your mental health. But we can't do that if we don't take care of our own. So, it's important for us to acknowledge that there is an interplay between how parents and caregivers show up with our young people.Dr. Alfiee's vision is for authentic self-expression and well-being of young people through AAKOMA[17:53] The message that I have for young people through the AAKOMA project is that we envision a world where every young person has the opportunity to live. Unapologetically and authentically as the best version of themselves.Show Links:AAKOMA ProjectPursuing Equity and Mental Health ActRing the Alarm ReportRevelations: Uncovering Truths about the Mental Health of Youth of ColorSound it Out Guest Profile:Dr. Alfiee Breland-NobleDr Alfiee Breland-Noble LinkedInDr. Alfiee InstagramDr. Alfiee Twitter

When faced with federal cut backs and potential lack of funding in education, the fine arts always seem to be the first discipline on the chopping block. So what are we missing when it comes to the full value of the fine arts? And why especially, does it seem like black artists always have to fight for recognition? We’ll dig into it today with Dean Phylicia Rashad.Phylicia Rashad is the Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. An accomplished actor and stage director, Rashad became a household name when she portrayed Claire Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” a character whose enduring appeal has earned her numerous honors and awards for over two decades. She continues to dazzle on screen and on stage with an extensive career in theatre as well. Rashad has served as guest lecturer and adjunct faculty member, conducting master’s-level classes at many colleges, universities and arts organizations at Howard University among many others.She sits down with host Frank Tramble to discuss how Black Culture and fine arts are intrinsically tied together, art as an inspiration for change, reflects on the prominent roles and moments in her storied career, and how the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts will continue to change the world around us.HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On choosing to pursue greatness despite the lack of recognition[02:02] A hundred years from now, nobody will remember who won a Grammy this year but a well-written song will still be sung. A beautiful poem will be remembered and have its effect. A great play will expound on themes that could still resonate a hundred years from now. And a film, a really good film will inspire youth to dream higher and higher and higher. It's the work that counts.Art is life itself[11:29] In museums, we see works of art that depict a starry night. We see works that depict workers in the field. We see works that depict birds in flight, but it's because art is life itself. So, like breathing, we take it for granted.Why do people miss the full value of fine arts?[10:22] People miss the value of it because we live in it all the time and take it for granted. Nature's the greatest artist of all when we look at a landscape and its changing colors within a season. We take it for granted because it happens every year when we perceive a sunrise. Even though the sunrise is different every single day, how many of us really take the time to breathe and take that in to observe those colors? The brilliance of them that is happening is why, naturally, we live in art. Our bodies are works of art.On playing a role that made a huge impact[21:35] A young man made his way through a crowd. He was from Germany, to tell me, "Before your show, we had nothing growing up in Germany," he said, "we had nothing." When your show came, we had everything.Show Links:Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine ArtsBisa ButlerDominique MorisseauEsther in August Wilson's “Gem of the Ocean”Genesis: The African American Experience in Art, The Ronald W. and Patricia Turner Walters CollectionGive | Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine ArtsCathy Hughes School Of CommunicationsLogan Coles InceptionA Mercy by Toni Morrison“This Little Light of Mine”John Biggers QuiltingRevelations by Alvin AileyGuest Profile:Phylicia Rashad Profile at Howard University

Gun violence in the US has reached a point where it is a public health issue. 36,000 Americans die from firearm-related events. Each year, tens of thousands are injured. The medical community calls it a biopsychosocial disease. We understand the risk factors and therefore can identify how to control and prevent it. So what more can we be doing to battle this ever-urgent issue? Dr. Roger Mitchell joins us to discuss today, he is chair of the Department of Pathology at Howard University.Roger and host Frank Tramble sit down and talk about Dr. Mitchell’s career path, using disease modeling to address gun violence, who the audience for this research is, and his advice for emerging pathologists.From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Violence is a complex problem that demands diverse solution[06:25] One of the misconceptions about violence is that it's only homicidal; the majority of gun violence is now over 56% of gun violence is suicide, and by bringing in suicides into the conversation of violence, that decreases the other wisdom of violence because the individuals that are most impacted by suicidal violence are older white men. The individuals that are impacted by homicidal violence are younger black men. But if you look at violence across both spectrums, then it's everybody's issue that has different solutions.Why understanding disease helps us understand violence[05:16] There is both an environmental and a biological component to each disease process. And so if you understand that about violence, then you can understand it as preventable.Viewing violence as a public health problem[12:58] When you call violence a public health problem, then you can bring all of those resources to bear within the toolkit. If it's just a criminal justice problem, you're just dealing with law enforcement and the criminal legal system. But as a public health problem, you can bring all the community to solve this problem.Advice to all emerging pathologists[17:48] It is an opportunity for you to be a physician-scientist, to understand and be close to the basic science, and look at tissue and see how tissue causes, what diseases are seen in tissue, and how tissue shows itself up to cause disease. But it's also an opportunity for you to be involved in the clinical care of your patient as well. So I encourage anyone who's interested in pathology to think about it and look at it deeply, because it's a great field to go into.Show Links:Gun Violence Prevention Task Force at HowardCenters of Excellence at HowardThe Price of Freedom: A Son's Journey Paperback by Dr. Roger Mitchell Death in Custody: How America Ignores the Truth and What We Can Do about It by Dr. Roger MitchellGuest Profile:Dr. Roger Mitchell’s Twitter

In 2020, there were about 6 million Afro-Latine adults in the United States. That's 2% of the US adult population and 12% of all adult Latine population. Yet, while Afro-Latine have a very strong sense of culture and identity, the African-American community and the Latin community often don't know how to make sense of it.As a result, Afro-Latine sometimes feel excluded and discriminated against. How can we make these communities feel more included and create that sense of belonging?Joining us to discuss are Natalie Muñoz, a recent Howard doctoral graduate who focuses on Afro-Latine identity, and OBrien Rosario, a student in the Bachelor of Arts to Juris Doctor program (BAJD). Obrian is also the president of the ¡Changó! Howard University's Afro-Latin Student Association and Spanish Speaking Society. Natalie and Obrian chat with host Frank Tramble about defining different experiences under the Latinx/e community, identity and mental health and steps Howard can take to ensure Latinx/e students have a real sense of belonging on campus. From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The black diaspora doesn't fit into any boxes[05:55] Natalie Muñoz: There are all these kinds of boxes that people try to put us in to tell us whether we fit into being able to identify or not, whether it's phenotypic features or hair features. But the reality is that the black diaspora is just so diverse that we don't fit into any box.How can you be supportive to the Afro-Latina community?[16:04] Obrian Rosario: My focus is always on community, and when we're in community with one another, we are able to learn about one another and more fully respect one another. And so look for community, whether that's joining a book club and reading about Afro-Latina identity, whether that's even throwing on an Afro-Latina Spotify playlist and immersing yourself in the culture. I think that's really what will break down the barriers, and we'll bring about that indifference. At ¡Changó!, we seek to create immersive experiences. So, every programming and everything that we did was literally bringing people into our culture—whether that is through eating the food with us, listening to the music with us, or digesting the literature with us—and so, find an Afro-Latina person and getting community.The importance of having a channel to talk about mental health and identity[14:45] Natalie Muñoz: That connection between identity and mental health is so important, and I don't think it's talked about enough. And the research is just showing, like allowing students to be their authentic selves, to really have pride in their ethnic-racial identity, can serve as a protective barrier for racism and also improve your self-esteem—the knowledge of self. Now is the best time to build solidarity [23:35] Natalie Muñoz: There's no better time than now for black people from the diaspora to start building solidarity. And there's also no better place to do it than an HBCU. I think they're right there. They're doing what they can, and I think if we did a little bit more, we could see so much more improvement in terms of relations between Afro-Latinos and African-Americans, but also being able to advocate each other in a time where we needed it more than ever.Show Links:¡Changó!African Students’ AssociationHaitian Students AssociationCaribbean Students AssociationLos Hermanos RestaurantAll About Love - bell hooksGuest Profile:Natalie Muñoz LinkedInNatalie MuñozObrian Rosario LinkedIn