1 Issue

12 April 2018

Black, Brown & College Bound Summit

A select group of faculty and students represented the Black American

Council (BAC) and Cuyahoga Community College at the 12th annual Black, Brown

& College Bound Summit On March 24-28, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. Faculty

members in attendance were: Dr. Lemuel Stewart (Associate Professor, Counseling,

Psychological Services, West), Dr. Terry A. Webb (Assistant Dean, Counseling,

Psychological Services, Metro) and Mr. Johnie Reed (Assistant Professor, Business,

Westshore). Students in attendance were: Winchell Grant (West), Kevin Jones

(East), Joshua Otis (Metro), and Jordan Otis (Metro).

The group presented on the topic of Reducing Equity Issues Among

Minority Male Students. The presentation outlined the development of the BAC, how

it has evolved into a college-wide department, and provided data to highlight the

impact the BAC has on retention and graduation rates of our students and BAC

programs. The presentation showcased the Mentoring Program, Minority Male

Leadership Academy and Black Scholars Academy, which are programs that

address the needs of our young men. The high point of the presentation was the

question and answer panel discussion with the students. The presentation was well

received and we have received several messages commending us on the work we are

doing in the BAC. We have been invited to return to the conference next year.

The students were able to meet several influential people and participated in

all of the conference sessions. The student group will present their experiences in

group dialog sessions at each campus to encourage other students to get involved.

We look forward to attending the conference next year!

Black American Council News

Black American Council Officers

2017-2018

President:

Dr. Phyllis Dukes-Hopson

Vice President:

Dr. Lemuel Stewart III

Secretary:

Toni Pickens

Program Manager:

Jacques O. Smith, Sr.

Administrative Assistants:

Mary Wade, Chimene Jones

Representatives-At-Large

Metro: Dr. Sonja Siler

East: Tiffany Murrell

West: Dr. Felisa Eafford

Westshore: Johnie Reed

District: Dr. JaNice Marshall

Mentoring Program:

Dr. Terry A. Webb, Warren Glen

Frances M. Franklin Scholarship and Protégé Luncheon:

Dr. Cynthia Martin, Cicely Campbell

Marketing and Membership:

Barbara Winston

Newsletter:

Dr. Terry A. Webb, Tisha Hardy

Scholarship Award:

Ralonda Ellis-Hill

Enrollment Management:

Dr. Muriel Robinson

Diversity:

Shari Brazile

International Study Abroad:

Vincent Briley

Fundraising:

Jeanette Bell, Marcia Leftridge, Nichelle Knox

Social:

Erika Bell, Mikki Hardwick-Lett

Sunshine:

Victoria Clark

Alumni:

John Wilkes

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Message from the President

As the summer semester approaches, members of the Black American

Council (BAC) will continue mentoring our students and planning engaging

activities focused on student success and completion that provide opportunities

for students to progress academically, personally, and professionally.

We have worked with over 300 students this year, including 70+ BAC

students graduating this Spring/Summer term. Many of our students have GPA’s

exceeding 3.0, and they are involved in many activities both within the college

and in the community. Twenty-one of our students are Mandel Scholars, and they

are doing quite well in their programs.

Our faculty and staff continue to reach both academic and professional

gains throughout the year, and are actively involved in a number of important

committees around the campus that support the College’s strategic plan;

particularly as it applies to Equity and Inclusive Excellence. The Council has big

plans for next year, as we welcome in new officers and plan an active agenda for

the year 2018-2019.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your commitment to the

BAC. It has been a pleasure working with such talented and committed

individuals, and I look forward to next year’s agenda. Have a safe and blessed

summer.

Phyllis Dukes-Hopson, Ph.D.

President, Black American Council

Counselor/Professor

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Commitment and Community Outreach

Over the spring semester, we had a series of events, the first of which was entitled “Can You Hear Me

Now: Establishing Healthy Connections and Positive Communication Between Men and Women”. The

presentation was facilitated by Tonisha Pickens, Dr. Christopher Hawkins, Warren Glen and Arelia Dalton.

The lively discussion projected a lot of enthusiasm and participation from male and female students.

The second event entitled “Black Male Leadership Series” was created by Dean Vincent Briley,

Assistant Dean of Access and Completion. The series included three separate presentations. The first

presentation, Understanding and Overcoming Depression in Black Men: A Discussion, was facilitated by Dr.

Christopher Hawkins, Associate Professor, Counseling. The event was held in the Mandel Theatre Lobby and

although in an open space, students who attended were willing to candidly discuss their experiences and

thoughts about their own mental health, as well as that of their family members and members of their own

communities. The event was a timely one in that the discussions spoke to the demand for us to begin

addressing this need among our students. Each of the participants was given a plethora of local and national

resources which included resources within Tri-C and beyond. They were given complete website information

as well as local and national emergency phone numbers if they found they needed help after Tri-C hours.

The second presentation in the series was entitled “Negus in Paris and Beyond”. This topic was

presented by Dr. Christopher Green and focused on the history of international travel among black men and

how their global experience helped to shape their lives. Also, as part of this presentation, a group of Cleveland

Heights high schools students were able to discuss their experiences with their recent travels to Europe and

Africa.

The final presentation in the series which was also presented by Dr. Green was entitled “Onward and

Upward: Engaging Career Exploration and Training Resources in Northeast Ohio”. In celebration of the 55th

anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, this presentation explored the local resources

and organizations which are focused on improving the employment and career training outcomes for Northeast

Ohio residents. Information from the Ohio Means Jobs Cleveland and Cuyahoga County chapters as well as

information from other local and statewide agencies that provide vital employment and training opportunities

for youth and adults was given to the participants.

The last event was our BAC Meet and Greet which was held in early April. The event was facilitated

by Warren Glen, and as part of the event Tiffany Murrell from TRIO gave an excellent and very informative

presentation on scholarships both within Tri-C and beyond. Not only did she provide excellent information,

she spoke of her own experience and how she was able to secure over $30,000 in free tuition.

The Meet and Greet event shared information about the new upcoming BAC Online, which allows

BAC members and students to connect with one another electronically and provide useful and valuable

information. As part of BAC Online, students can provide feedback to the BAC regarding their needs,

concerns and information that they want to share as well increase our ability to share information with one

another. Finally, as part of the Meet and Greet our Counseling Dean at the Eastern campus, Ms. Kate Vodicka,

discussed the Counseling department’s full range of services and the importance of meeting with a counselor

to develop a meaningful academic plan.

Christopher Hawkins, Ph.D., LPCC-S, CCJS

Counselor/Associate Professor

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OUTSTANDING MENTEE

Zoe Day

Mentor: Cicely Campbell

Zoe Day is a Mandel Scholar pursuing

an Associate of Arts degree with plans to

transfer to Cleveland State University to

pursue her bachelors in Social Work.

Ms. Day chose this academic path

because of her dream to become a

veterans counselor. Various members of

Zoe’s family have served in the military,

and Zoe aspires to help this population

due to her personal experience of the

trials, tribulations, and sacrifices that military families endure. Zoe herself, moved

to Ohio with her mom after living on a military base in Alaska. Ms. Day has a

strong desire to work with families and children to help them reach their potential.

Zoe is a bright and bubbly sophomore. She currently holds a 3.33 GPA, volunteers

at her local library as part of the library committee. and is employed part-time. She

is also a great and compassionate friend with a big heart for the community and

wants everyone to be in a position to succeed.

There is no limit to what Zoe can accomplish as she utilizes the skills she develops

through her education to become a valuable resource, not only to the field of social

work, but to the Northeast Ohio community as well.

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Winchell Grant

Mentor: Lemuel Stewart, MSSA, Psy.D.

Winchell has been very active with the Black

American Council over the past two years,

and is an active member of the Minority

Male Leadership Academy (MMLA). He has

participated in the Barbershop Talks, Mentee

Reception, Vision Board Event and several

other activities. Most recently, Winchell was

selected to travel to the Black, Brown &

College Bound conference in Tampa, Florida

to be a part of the BAC presentation as a

student panelist.

Winchell is involved at Tri-C as a student ambassador at the Western Campus,

and he volunteers in his neighborhood mentoring young children and trying to

steer them on a path to college.

Winchell has a 3.16 GPA and is completing an Associate of Arts degree and an

Associate of Applied Business in Graphic Design. Winchell will graduate

summer semester 2018, and he plans to continue his education by transferring to

Cleveland State University or Ohio State University to major in Graphic Design.

Winchell has overcome many obstacles in his life to get to where he is today.

Winchell is an example of a student that engages as a mentee and utilizes the

resources available to him to help him reach his goals.

OUTSTANDING MENTEE

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OUTSTANDING MENTEE

Kevin M. Jones Jr.

Mentor: Christopher Hawkins, Ph.D.

Kevin Jones is dedicated to his studies,

the college, the community, and the

mission of the Black American Council.

Kevin earned a 4.0 GPA semester and

has on overall GPA of 3.38. He balances

his school and work responsibilities

along with the need to give back to his

community and to his fellow students.

Kevin is an active participant in all

things BAC and participates in

opportunities to learn and give in many

ways. Kevin shows his appreciation for

the opportunities that he is being afforded through BAC and the college at large by

mentoring other Tri-C students and young people he meets beyond Tri-C. He

currently participates in the Peace and Conflict Studies Program, and has obtained

a Sustained Dialogue certification. Kevin is also a member of the Mandel Scholars

Program, and is seeking to take advantage of a study abroad opportunity this

summer in Costa Rica.

Kevin’s career goal is to become an Intellectual Properties Attorney. After

obtaining his Associates of Arts degree from Cuyahoga Community College,

Kevin plans to transfer to Cleveland State University and enter the Cleveland-

Marshall College of Law.

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OUTSTANDING MENTEE

Calvin Thomas

Mentor: Terry A. Webb, Ed.D.

Calvin Thomas has progressed significantly,

both socially and academically. He is truly

becoming a leader at the campus among

African American males. Calvin is currently

the President of the Black American

Council’s Black Scholars Academy (BSA) of

the Metropolitan campus. He is always

available to assist and help to mold incoming

students.

Calvin has a passion to help his BSA

brothers develop into the best that they can

become. He has helped to organize innovative and creative initiatives for the

Black Scholars Academy, including a can goods drive for the campus food pantry,

and a Valentine’s Day benefit to raise money for the BAC book fund.

Calvin has a promising future building upon his great leadership skills while

maintaining a 3.4 grade point average as a STEM major.

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OUTSTANDING MENTEE

Noreen Thomas

Mentor: Phyllis Dukes-Hopson, Ph.D.

Noreen “Noni” Thomas is currently a sophomore

at Tri-C, majoring in business management, with a

3.4 GPA, who has accomplished many milestones

during her first two years. She is a member of the

Mandel Scholars Academy, the Scholars and

Honors Student Committee, secretary of Phi Theta

Kappa (PTK), East Chapter, and was recently

appointed Northeast District Representative for

the PTK Ohio Region Leadership. Noreen has

been nominated through PTK to attend the

International Scholar Laureate Program to study

abroad in either Austria or China. She also received a stipend from the Creative

Arts Academy for a summer internship through the Cleveland Foundation to

participate in a job shadowing opportunity.

Noreen has been very active in campus activities, and has served as moderator for

several Tri-C events. She was the first student to serve as a moderator for the

Pathway to Leadership event, “Women Who Rock”, highlighting our female

administrators at Tri-C. Noreen was acknowledged at the Dean’s Award Ceremony

in April for making the dean’s list twice, and she received the Distinguished

Leader Certificate.

Noni is active in the community, and volunteers at the Museum of Contemporary

Art. She is a chapter Young Women’s Division Leader in the Buddhist

Organization, and she volunteers her time leading a performing arts group for the

organization.

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Outstanding Scholastic Achievement: Dean’s List

Mohamed Ag Almahamoud Tamika Dixson Shacarra Merriweather Shilpa Shrestha

Naleta Andrews John Draper Angelac Miller Sharonda R. Smith

Kimberly Armbruster Ajhasia Dumas Sean Michael Morgan Taylor Smith

Anaya Ashford Blessing Emereonye Abigail Mosley Kelvin Spates Jr.

De'jah Baker Nia Forbes Asajile Mwaipyana Shaniqua Swain

Falita Barnes Jocelyn Foster Ashley Newton Porscha Swain

Cherelda Bell Michael Garret Ta'Leeyah O'Neal Francia Sweeney

Tre'Vion Beverly Chaka Gningue Jimmy Popoola Ariyon Sweet

Rashon Blake Christina Graham Adekunle Popoola Jasmine Terry

Angela Brazil Winchell Grant Oluwatosin Popoola Noreen Thomas

Russell Brower II Brian Hall Sasha Proctor Stephanie Tisder

LaRhonda Burton Raina Hayes Jamil Rahman Stephen Twum Barimah

Antonio Carey Raziya Hernton Tyrone Rand Rachelle White

La'Shanna Clack Ashley Hetman Christian Ratcliffe Alex Wight

Brandon Cole Niyonkuru Ines Alan Robinson Cache Wilcox

Michael Coles Kevin Jones Erica Rodriquez Michael Wilkins

Shayvell Conner Josue Kabongo Kebin Sam-Yellowe Camilya Williams

Nia Darby Basma Kadous Erica Savage Charles Williams

Natasha Davis Mununga Kipata Daysean Scott Towanna Wilson

Zoe Day Jasmine Massey Melendez Selena Teara Young-Foster

Aissatou Diop Melinda Mercado Hezekiah Sherman

Want to know how to turn emotional turmoil and unresolved trauma into a testimony? Ask Mrs. Tierra

Banks. Tierra was once a broken daughter who was bound by emotional wounds and a lack of maternal

support. She finally reached her wits end, decided enough was enough, and started taking the steps to

free herself.

Tierra first enrolled in Tri-C’s Women in Transition Program in 2015. She successfully matriculated into

the college with the help of the Black American Council mentorship program.

During her time at Tri-C, Tierra has been the recipient of several scholarships including the Tri-C

presidential scholarship, Frances M. Franklin Memorial Fund scholarship, College Now Adult Learner scholarship, and a

previous recipient of the WIT Scholarship. She is a Phi Theta Kappa member with a 3.9 GPA and will graduate from Tri-

C with her Associates of Arts in the summer of 2018.

Tierra is community oriented and has a passion to see change in the families around her. Birthed from her own

dysfunctional relationship with her mom, Tierra founded Mended Inc. in 2017 with a mission to mend broken mother

daughter relationships. The tagline for Mended Inc. is “Healing Daughters, Empowering Moms”. In September 2017, her

nonprofit hosted its first conference, “Heal the Woman, Heal the Nation”.

In addition to being an exceptional student and business owner, Tierra is married to a supportive husband, and she is the

loving mother of two children.

Tierra will transfer to CSU in the fall to obtain her bachelors in social work and plans to continue to earn her masters in

social work as well. She believes it is her personal mission to help people become whole and earning her degrees will give

her the educational knowledge to help other people, and build tenacity within herself to remain committed to her life goals.

Mentee Success Story

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On Saturday, April 28, 2018, the Black American Council hosted the 28th year celebration of the Frances M.

Franklin Scholarship and Protégé Luncheon. Our theme this year “Still I Rise” was taken from the famous

poem by Maya Angelou, and used to symbolize the commitment of our students to rise above the obstacles that

may be placed in their paths to achieve academic excellence and college completion.

Frances M. Franklin Scholarship & Protégé Luncheon

A panel discussion focused on achieving goals was moderated by the Master of Ceremonies, Leon Bibb,

award winning journalist and host of Kaleidoscope, WEWS-TV. Panelists included two up and coming young

leaders in our community: Ralph F. Murphy II, Ed.D., CEO at Maven Scholar Consulting LLC, and Keniece

Gray, International Second Vice President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

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Photo

Frances M. Franklin Scholarship & Protégé Luncheon

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Students & Staff from BAC

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The process of creating a vision board can rebuild an individual’s self-confidence and self-

assurance. The Eastern Campus Minority Women’s Leadership Initiative (MWLI) had a great time

hosting the Vision Board Experience on March 22nd 2018.

The women of MWLI and the Black American Council (BAC) members joined together with

the participants to create images that represented a vision they had for themselves. As the

participants searched magazines for pictures and positive affirmations, they discussed the

importance of selecting the “right photos” for their vision board that would in turn bring about

positive energy to what they desired in life. Conversations were shared between students and staff

and all had a great time discussing their future educational and career plans.

Minority Women’s Leadership Initiative (MWLI)

Eastern Campus

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Mentoring Chair

I want to personally THANK everyone who took time out of their lives to mentor.

Mentoring is nearly as old as the concept of family. Mentoring is learning by observing and

listening. Listening not just with your ears but also with your eyes and your heart. It is sharing

bits and pieces of you to let those you mentor know that the struggle is real. The demonstration

of you being there for the student, or just listening even though you may not understand. It is

the uniting of two people in a manner that is mutually beneficial for those involved.

Mentors are merchants of hope. Nearly all people who are successful have had direct or

indirect mentoring. Direct mentoring is a human interface, connecting with a person to

accomplish prescribed goals. Whereas indirect mentoring is reading of the life of someone

who overcame great odds to do extraordinary things. Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman,

W.E.B. DuBois are just a few, we all know through history. Some may know Carol Mosley

Braun, an indirect mentor being the first African American woman to be elected to the United

States Senate in 1992. Imagine how reading about the struggles and victories of Dr. Joseph

Malone, Dr. Phyllis Dukes-Hopson, Robert Patterson, Dr. Debbie Abbot, Robert Banks Sr.,

Carol Mosely Braun, Dr. Francis M. Franklin, former President, Barack Obama and First Lady,

Michelle Obama could enlighten and inspire brilliant minds to excel.

As mentors, you play a vital role in instilling hope in individuals who may be

disparaged and confused. Your interactions with your mentees have helped cultivate the next

generation of scholars, entrepreneurs, politicians, teachers, chefs and loving parents. Your

mentoring interactions propagate hope to those that society has potentially cast aside. Being a

merchant of hope has opened doors to the hearts and minds of so many people that now they

feel there is nothing they cannot do. Continue to keep hope alive and be merchants of hope. It

is because of your demonstrated care and concern that we have outstanding mentees and

scholarship recipients and civic minded scholars!

You are the reason that BAC is synonymous with VICTORY! Now Go and MENTOR!

Thank you.

Dr. Terry A. Webb, LPC, NCC

Mentoring Co-Chair

Founder Black Scholars Academy

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As we approach the end of spring semester, with commencement just a few

weeks away, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the members of

the Black American Council for the hard work and dedication you provided our

students this academic year. The work of BAC is critical in not only meeting the

academic and personal needs of our students, but in reinforcing the foundation

and importance of equity as we work collaboratively to ensure all of our students

succeed. All of the initiatives BAC offers make a positive and direct impact on

the students you serve. As we all celebrate with our BAC graduates this spring, I

also want to express my sincere thanks to all who volunteer as members of BAC

to provide our students with the resources, encouragement, and support they need

to succeed at Tri-C and beyond. I am grateful for your dedication, both to the

College and to our students.

Thank You from Provost Karen Miller

Karen Miller, Ph.D.

Provost/EVP

Access, Learning and Success

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Mentoring Trip

Sandusky, OH, Cedar Point, June 2018

BAC Employee Alumni Luncheon

June 29, 2018

PROMOTIONS

Dr. Terry A. Webb, LPC, NCC

Assistant Dean of Counseling, Psychological & ACCESS Services

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Kim Johnson, Ed.D. Transfer Specialist, East Campus

Shunda Ware

Associate Dean of Business, Mathematics & Technology

Chimene Jones

Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling, with an Executive Leadership Cognate

Tisha Hardy, MBA

Student eCommunications Specialist, Access & Completion

Terry A. Webb, Ed.D., LPC, NCC

Assistant Dean, Counseling and Psychological Services

NEWSLETTER

STAFF 2017-2018