Sylvia Obell ’12 is living her dream as a journalist at one of the top U.S. news outlets, BuzzFeed. She is an entertainment reporter and the host and producer of her very own show, “Hella Opinions.” It is an online show that discusses unapologetically black culture, politics and entertainment. The show features influential voices on black Twitter and airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on Twitter.  With Obell’s infectious personality and intriguing opinions, she is loved by many on her Twitter account that has over 22,000 followers. She has no problem being an influential voice on social media and Hella Opinions is right up her alley as a thriving digital media journalist.  “If…

Since 2015, the Aggie Gentz Foundation has given out 98 textbook scholarships and has raised over $100,000 to benefit students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The foundation was started by North Carolina A&T alumni and was designed with an emphasis on recruiting alumni to invest back into the university and its students. Now in its third year, the foundation has established a fully-funded endowment of $50,000 to impact the lives of more students.  Unlike the textbook scholarships that are offered bi-annually and range from $600-700, the Aggie Gentz Foundation Endowment is unrestricted and not limited to tuition, books, housing, and other financial obligations. The scholarship will be…

Omar Kinnebrew ’07 has always loved the notion of “when you look good, you feel good,” and he truly believes that people are received well when they feel confident in their appearance. The Atlanta-based business owner of Bespokuture, LLC, now in his third year of business, is seeing exponential growth in his company due to his hard work and commitment to style.  “Growing up, my dad was always present in my life and he was a dope dresser and a Kappa man who always had style,” said Kinnebrew. “I looked up to him and I always admired other black men who took care of their appearance.”  When Kinnebrew decided to attend…

Every four years, Andre Johnson ‘97 provides an opportunity of a lifetime for high school students interested in pursuing a career in architectural engineering. His firm, Andre Johnson Architect, offers two students a scholarship to participate in a program that allows them to shadow professionals in the company for their senior year in high school and a paid summer internship over a span of four years while they are enrolled in college. At the end of the program, students have a potential opportunity to gain full employment with the firm.  “I decided to start the scholarship program at my company because I wanted to increase diversity in the field of architecture,”…

The North Carolina A&T State University Alumni Association, Inc. provides the opportunity annually for incoming freshmen to receive full financial assistance that includes tuition, room and board and books through the National Alumni Scholarship Program. The scholarship awards the best and brightest students who exemplify the excellence of Aggie Pride. The National Alumni Scholarship has afforded students like Kamaria Bush and Delanee-Alexis Coley the opportunity to experience and thrive in higher education without the financial burden. Kamaria BushKamaria Bush is a senior biology and pre-medical student and a native of Chicago, Illinois. Since receiving her acceptance into the program, Bush has become the president of Thrive Women’s Empowerment Organization, a…

Women’s History month was declared as the month of March in 1987 by the United States Congress. The month is dedicated to the study, observance, celebration and commemoration of the contributions of women to American history, culture, and society. Since early graduates like Frances T. Grimes, the first female graduate in 1901, and Sophia M. Parker, the first female department head in 1897, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is no stranger to trailblazing women who have been catalysts for change and beacons of achievement. Sandra D. HughesSandra Hughes ‘69 earned her bachelor’s degree in English education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She went on to…

On Feb. 2, 1960, Sandy Royster ’64, who at the time was the Freshmen Class treasurer, was sitting in his biology class when Franklin McCain shared with him what happened on the day before. He had shared with his classmates that himself, Ezell Blair, Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), Joseph McNeil and David Richmond walked downtown and “sat – in” at the whites–only lunch counter at Woolworth’s. The four had refused to leave when denied service and stayed until the store closed. “I remember Franklin saying, ‘if we can’t sit at their lunch counter, then we want to occupy every seat at the counter,’ he then proceeded to ask other students to…

This article is based on the experiences of Mr. Pollard Stanford ’61 in honor of his brothers Lorenzo ’61 and Carl Stanford ‘ 63. In the late 1950s and 60s, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University athletics were at an all-time high of winning championships for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).  It was a very familiar euphoric feeling that Aggies feel today with the university’s current athletic success. For the Stanford brothers, Pollard ‘61, Lorenzo ‘61 and Carl ’63, they were a powerful dynamic to Aggie football, being the first three siblings to play a collegiate sport at the same time in the CIAA in 1960.  “Today when…

  H.J. Russell & Company (Russell), one of the largest minority-owned real estate development and construction services firms in the United States, announces the promotion of Curtis Wilson ’91 from Director of Program Management/Project Controls to the Vice President of Transportation & Infrastructure within the Program Management Division. In his new role, Wilson will lead and direct the program management of transportation and infrastructure-related projects, helping to achieve strategic goals, ensuring program strategies are developed, and documenting and implementing projects in full compliance with owners’ expectations and Russell’s overall objectives, using all of the attributes of ‘The Russell Way’ including on time and within budget. “As a company, we benefit…

On behalf of the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Alumni Association, Inc., we would like to wish Mrs. Julia S. Brooks a Happy 95th Birthday, and Mrs. Sallie Pendergraft a Happy 100th Birthday.   Mrs. Julia S. Brooks is well-known for her service and commitment in the North Carolina A&T State University Alumni Association, Inc. and becoming the first female national president in 1969. She was born in Pender County, North Carolina on November 15, 1918, and she is the 12th of 14 children born to Henry and Rena Shiver. She obtained her bachelor’s degree of science from North Carolina A&T State University in 1944 and her master’s degree…