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Atty. Benjamin Crump to talk bail, police reform

In News, News & Events by KHarrington

  SALISBURY – Famed civil rights attorney and recent NAACP Image Award recipient Attorney Benjamin Crump is coming to the campus of Livingstone College for a panel discussion on national bail reform and over policing. Crump  is hosting the Equal Justice Now one-day event, the first of its kind to be held in the state of North Carolina, and only the third one in the country. Equal Justice Now (EJN) is a nonprofit social welfare organization that advocates against false arrest, unreasonable detention, and wrongful conviction and incarceration. Its mission is to eradicate suppression, to address over policing, police reform and criminal reform, and to end systemic racism. The panel discussion will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, in Varick Auditorium, located on the campus of Livingstone College at 701 W. Monroe Street, Salisbury. The first 90 minutes will be dedicated to bail reform and the second half to police reform. Moderators for the event will be Eric Kowalczyk, a veteran of the Baltimore Police Department, crisis communications specialist, author and minister; and Bakari Sellers, an attorney, former S.C. state representative and political commentator. Confirmed panelists to date include: Mecklenburg County Sheriff Gary McFadden; Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather; James Buie, retired Gaston County police chief and author of “From the Ground Up: How to Refine American Policing Now”; Gemale Black, Salisbury-Rowan NAACP president; Latarcia Barnes, chair, Livingstone College, Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology; JaPharil Jones, president of Black Lives Matter 757 (Virginia); Melanie Reid, …

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Dr. Dean to debut stage play in Charlotte

In News, News & Events by KHarrington

SALISBURY – Livingstone College’s own, Dr. Curtis Dean, will debut a stage play he scripted at the Knight Theater in uptown Charlotte in March featuring some of R&B’s iconic voices. The new stage play, “Background Check,” will be presented for one day only, Sunday, March 26, at 3 p.m., starring Tony Terry, dubbed the Prince of R&B; Grammy-award nominated Sunshine Anderson; and BET’s Sunday Best winner Y’Anna Crawley. The play also stars former member of R&B’s Blackstreet, J-Stylz, and producers “KQ” and Ryan Davis. “Background Check,” presented by Kenny Quiller and Cole Dean Productions, dives into the popularity of social media and its effect on the dating scene today as high school friends reunite to plan and celebrate their 20-year class reunion. It will explore the questions: Can friends be lovers? And how well do you know your roommate, co-worker, friend, lover, family or partner? Dean and producer and director Jermaine “J Cole” Coleman Sr. combine comedy, drama, music and pop culture all into one power-packed stage play. Dean said it took about three months to write the script. The cast has been rehearing since October of last year. “We’re proud of Dr. Dean, his artistic craft, and his debut production at such an esteemed venue in uptown Charlotte,” said Livingstone President Dr. Anthony J. Davis. “Dr. Dean is a reflection of the caliber of talent that we have on our campus among our faculty, staff and students. His success demonstrates our multi-dimensional levels of excellency and relevancy collectively as …

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Renarde Earl is new VP of public safety

In News, News & Events by KHarrington

SALISBURY – Dr. Anthony J. Davis, the 13th president of Livingstone College, has named Renarde D. Earl as vice president of public safety and chief of police for the college. Earl, a criminal justice major and graduate of N.C. Central University in Durham, has an extensive career in law enforcement, particularly at the higher education level. He most recently retired from Fayetteville State University as associate vice chancellor for police/public safety and chief of police, where he served for four years. Prior to that, Earl was chief/director of campus police and public safety at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem for nearly 15 years. He has also served as a police sergeant at Wake Forest University Police Department in Winston-Salem and as a police officer for the City of Winston-Salem. Among his education and leadership training, he has completed the civilian response to active shooter events instructor course; the valor executive leadership matchbook virtual training; leadership for the law enforcement executive; and is a graduate of Leadership Winston-Salem and the West Point Leadership Program. Earl is a member of the American Society for Industrial Security; a former member of the N.C. Association of Chiefs of Police; and a former member of the National Association of Campus Safety Administrators; among a slew of other credentials. “I am excited about joining Livingstone College as the new VP of Public Safety and Chief of Police,” Earl said. “I look forward to working with the entire campus community to create an environment where all …

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President panelist on Wells Fargo HBCU program

In News, News & Events by KHarrington

CHARLOTTE – Livingstone President Dr. Anthony J. Davis will serve as one of three panelists on Tuesday, Feb. 21, for Wells Fargo’s Black History Month Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Panel Discussion. Davis will join Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, and Rep. Carla Cunningham of the 106th District of North Carolina, House of Representatives, on the panel. The intent of the panel discussion is to invite listeners to learn how HBCUs are empowering the next generation of leaders and igniting opportunities for companies such as Wells Fargo to partner with HBCUs to advance a more diverse talent pipeline and equitable society. Davis is the 13th president of Livingstone College, the first alumnus in 25 years to lead the institution, having graduated magna cum laude in 2001. Prior to becoming president on Oct. 1, 2022, Davis served as senior vice president/chief operating officer for Livingstone. In that role, he was responsible for supervising and providing leadership for the entire fundraising enterprise. He also managed the day-to-day operations with the responsibility of providing strategic oversight in key areas on campus to create synergy that promotes economic growth, revenue generation and sustainability. Dr. Davis is a foster care survivor who emancipated himself from the foster care system at age 17 and joined the United States Air Force. He attended The Fundraising School of Indiana University – Bloomington’s Center of Philanthropy (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis); earned his master’s degree in philanthropy and development from St. Mary’s …

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Men’s track places second

In News by KHarrington

For the first time since 2004, the Men’s Indoor Track Team placed second and was only two track points away from first place in the indoor CIAA Championship, said Coach Justin Davis. WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina – The Livingstone track and field program wrapped up the Indoor season at the CIAA Indoor Championships, highlighted by the men’s team finishing second and David Bradford being named the Championship MVP for running events. Final Results  “I’m very proud of these ladies for going out and always competing hard. We were light in a lot of areas which sometimes makes it tough to reach that top spot but we look to keep improving our rankings each year.,” said head coach Justin Davis. On the women’s side, Lydia Chapple finished third in the 60-meters with a time of 7:71 and eighth in the 200-meters with a time of 25.80. Chapple collected seven points toward the women’s team score. Charity Collins took sixth in the pentathlon with 2610 points, earning three points for Livingstone. “Our placing does not speak for the efforts that these ladies put forth. Congratulations to the top teams and congrats to all our individual ladies. We are looking forward to our Outdoor season,” said head coach Davis. On the men’s side, Tyler Wagner took third in the 60-meters with a time of 6.96. Wagner finished fifth in the men’s 200-meters with a time of 22.90, collecting a total of 10 points between his events. Keilan Strader finished second in the 200-meters with a time of 22.47. Strader took third in the 400 meters …

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A black history fact not often told

In News by KHarrington

Did you know Solomon Carter Fuller, born in Monrovia, Liberia, and a graduate of Livingstone College, was the first black psychiatrist in the United States and had a pivotal role in discovering Alzheimer’s Disease? Click link below to read more about this little known black history fact in an article published by Boston University Today: Why the Story of Solomon Carter Fuller Matters to BU—and for Black History Month | BU Today | Boston University

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Students rally at HBCU Day in Raleigh

In News by KHarrington

Livingstone College students Lafayette Thompson, Charlie Collins and Jaden Edwards were among those addressing N.C. lawmakers at the HBCU Advocacy Day in Raleigh on Feb. 15. Click link below to read full article. HBCU students talk to NC lawmakers – EducationNC (ednc.org)

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President secures $7M for campus upgrades

In Dr. Jenkins, News, News & Events by KHarrington

SALISBURY – Livingstone College made a major announcement at its Founder’s Day program Friday that will contribute millions of dollars into refurbishing the campus residence halls. “In my first 120 days, I have secured capital investment to the tune of $4 million that we will use to begin refurbishing our student residence halls,” said Livingstone President Dr. Anthony J. Davis before a full audience. “Wait a minute, that’s not all,” Davis said, adding that he has found an additional $3 million in the college’s budget to go toward the project, for a grand total of $7 million. Davis received a standing ovation for the announcement. “The least we can do is make students comfortable while they are on their journey,” Davis said. “We will begin construction in May. I’m paying it forward because my students deserve it.” In addition to this announcement, Davis also said Mondale Robinson, a 2011 graduate of Livingstone College and the mayor of Enfield, has pledged $60,000 per year over the next 10 years. And, Dr. Laticia Godette, owner of Ottendorf Laboratories, presented the college with a check for $50,000, as part of an ongoing pledge. Challenging infrastructure has plagued the 144-year-old historic black college with students sometimes venting their frustrations on social media. Davis referenced a social media comment from an individual who said the college “should have closed a long time ago.” “Initially I was bothered,” he said. “But I realized that of all that was said, that was most factual. This institution should …

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Biden’s health official to visit campus

In Main Alumni Post, News, News & Events by KHarrington

SALISBURY – A member of the Biden Administration whose work is dedicated to bridging racial gaps in healthcare and within the COVID-19 crisis will visit Livingstone College next week. Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, appointed by President Biden to chair the Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, will visit the historic black college on Feb. 8. There will be a brief program at the college’s new F. George Shipman Science Annex, where STEM students will participate in scientific demonstrations during her tour of the facility. Livingstone’s science program will also unveil a new instrument at the program that no other HBCU in North Carolina its size can boast. “It is an honor to have one of the nation’s leading public health experts on the campus of Livingstone College, especially during the month that we celebrate the contributions of African Americans,” said Livingstone President Dr. Anthony J. Davis. “Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith is among those highly regarded in her field, coupling her passion for medicine with her commitment to social equity. Consistent with the population we serve, Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith’s insight will significantly impact our students and the greater Rowan Salisbury community.” The Health Equity Task Force is part of the government’s efforts to identify and eliminate health and social disparities that cause disproportionately higher rates of exposure, illness, hospitalization and death related to COVID-19, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. Nunez-Smith was there when the first COVID-19 patient arrived at Yale New Haven Hospital at …