Transformative Investment in Clark Atlanta University

At Clark Atlanta University (CAU), MacKenzie Scott’s $38 million donation is the largest private gift in the university’s history, bringing her total contributions to an unprecedented $53 million following a $15 million gift in 2020. The unrestricted funds will enhance academic programs, expand student success initiatives, and strengthen the university’s ability to ensure that financial barriers do not impede access to education.

“The magnitude of Ms. Scott’s generosity significantly enhances our capacity to expand the student success initiatives and support infrastructure already underway, preparing students to thrive on the global stage for generations to come,” said Dr. George T. French Jr., president of Clark Atlanta University. “Her continued support underscores her commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and her trust in our mission to foster academic excellence and innovation.”

Founded through the 1988 merger of Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869), CAU remains a cornerstone of the city’s academic and cultural landscape, blending a legacy of social justice, innovation, and leadership that continues to shape Black excellence in the heart of Atlanta.

A Historic Gift to Spelman College

Spelman College, one of the nation’s most distinguished HBCUs, also received a $38 million unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott, her second major donation to the college in five years. This contribution builds on her 2020 gift of $20 million, bringing her total giving to $58 million—a powerful show of confidence in Spelman’s leadership and mission.

Spelman Interim President Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, C’84, described the donation as transformative: “We are profoundly grateful to MacKenzie Scott for this incredibly generous and unrestricted $38 million gift to Spelman College. The flexibility of this gift allows us to move more swiftly to strengthen the student experience, modernize our technology infrastructure, and expand financial opportunity for scholars who call Spelman home.”

The funds will target two key strategic priorities—expanding scholarships and modernizing the college’s technology infrastructure. These initiatives will enhance Spelman’s ability to prepare its scholars for a digital future while maintaining its tradition of academic excellence and social impact.

MacKenzie Scott giving spree continues

Together, these Atlanta-based investments highlight MacKenzie Scott’s deep and sustained support for HBCUs that have served as engines of opportunity for generations. Her latest gifts come as part of a broader philanthropic movement that has funneled hundreds of millions into Black colleges across the country, including Morgan State, Virginia State, Alcorn State, and Howard University.

By directing $76 million to Clark Atlanta and Spelman, MacKenzie Scott reinforces Atlanta’s historic role as a capital of Black education and empowerment—helping to ensure that both institutions continue to produce global leaders, innovators, and change-makers for decades to come.

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Clark Atlanta looking to keep momentum

Clark Atlanta (1-1) enters the matchup after a gritty 17-12 home win over Florida Memorial. The victory marked steady progress for head coach Teddy Keaton’s squad. Quarterback Zy McDonald has emerged as a dual threat, throwing for 382 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 110 yards and two scores. Receivers Armone Harris and David Martin have provided consistency, while the defense has forced turnovers in back-to-back games.

Keaton emphasized that his team’s more methodical approach doesn’t mean they’ve lost their edge.

“I want to be clear on something — we can score at will still,” he said on his coaches show with HBCU Gameday. “But it’s a conscious decision now to make sure we control and play football that complements our defense.”

Fort Valley State Ready to Rebound

Fort Valley State (0-1) arrives hungry after a 27-17 loss to West Alabama. Despite the defeat, the Wildcats flashed big-play potential. Saadiq Teel ripped off a 58-yard run, while Demetri Simmons added a rushing touchdown. Defensive back Daymon Polite turned heads with an 80-yard blocked field goal return for a score. Linebacker Jayden Walker paced the defense with 12 tackles as FVSU limited West Alabama’s passing attack to under 140 yards.

National Stage Despite Uncertainty

The primetime spotlight raises the stakes. ESPN2 upgraded the broadcast from ESPN+, with Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker handling the call. Keaton welcomed the exposure, noting how much it means for the program and HBCUs at large.

Prior to the events of Thursday, fans were expected to bring energy to Panther Stadium. Keaton praised their resilience after weather delays last week. 

“Our fans were there for an hour and 45-minute delay, and when the rain stopped, they all poured back into the stadium ready to go again,” he said.

HBCU Gameday will continue to monitor the situation as game time nears. 

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Still, Keaton insists the Panthers’ shift toward a more methodical approach hasn’t dulled their explosiveness. 

“I want to be clear on something — we can score at will still,” Keaton said on his coaches show on HBCU Gameday. “But it’s a conscious decision now to make sure we control and play football that complements our defense.”

Fort Valley State (0-1), meanwhile, is coming off a 27-17 loss to West Alabama in Birmingham. Despite the defeat, the Wildcats displayed flashes of explosiveness. Quarterback duo Jaique Hart and Saadiq Teel combined for 77 passing yards, while Teel added a 58-yard run. Running back Demetri Simmons also found the end zone, and defensive back Daymon Polite returned a blocked field goal 80 yards for a touchdown. The Wildcats’ defense, led by Jayden Walker’s 12 tackles, recorded six tackles for loss and kept UWA’s passing attack under 140 yards.

ESPN bringing top HBCU broadcast duo

Thursday’s primetime game also comes with a marquee broadcast team.

“They lifted the game from ESPN+ to ESPN2, and we got the SWAC callers coming down — Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker are going to be broadcasting the game,” Keaton noted. “So it’s on a big stage, and I think everybody’s going to be ready.”

Keaton also praised the energy of CAU’s student body, which endured rain and lightning delays in the Florida Memorial game. “Our fans were there for an hour and 45-minute delay, and when the rain stopped, they all poured back into the stadium ready to go again,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the support we’re getting from our students and alumni.”

Kickoff is set for Thursday at Panther Stadium, and with ESPN cameras rolling, the clash promises to be one of the early highlights of the HBCU football season.

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Early Strike by Clark Atlanta

After the game kicked off an hour and 45 minutes late due to weather, Clark Atlanta set the tone in the first quarter when McDonald broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run with 4:50 remaining. Carlos Lopez added the extra point to give the Panthers a 7–0 lead.

Florida Memorial answered in the second quarter with a grinding 12-play, 62-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown from Nygel Osborne. The Lions missed the extra point, leaving CAU ahead 7–6.

Just before halftime, the Panthers’ two-minute offense came alive. McDonald guided the team 68 yards in five plays, setting up Lopez for a 31-yard field goal that pushed the lead to 10–6 at the break.

Panthers Find the Big Play in the Second Half

The highlight of the game came early in the third quarter. On the first play of a drive, McDonald connected with Ronnie West on a 37-yard touchdown strike, extending Clark Atlanta’s lead to 17–6.

That cushion proved vital as Florida Memorial mounted a late push. With 6:40 left in the fourth, Fernando Jeanty punched in a 6-yard score to close the gap to 17–12. However, the Panthers’ defense held firm in the final minutes to secure the win.

Offensive Leaders

Clark Atlanta (CAU)

• QB Zy McDonald: 11-of-15 passing, 148 yards, 1 TD; 2 carries, 54 rushing yards, 1 TD
• WR Ronnie West: 4 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
• WR David Martin: 1 catch, 61 yards
• RB Armone Harris: 1 rush for 22 yards; 6 receptions for 37 yards

Florida Memorial (FMU)

• RB Fernando Jeanty: 11 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD
• RB Nygel Osborne: 12 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD
• QB David Buggs: 5-of-12 passing, 39 yards, 1 INT

By the Numbers

• Total Offense: CAU 256 yards (148 passing, 108 rushing) | FMU 141 yards (39 passing, 102 rushing)
• Yards per Play: CAU 6.6 | FMU 3.1
• Third Down Conversions: CAU 3-of-9 | FMU 4-of-13
• Turnovers: FMU 1 (interception) | CAU 0

Final Thoughts

Clark Atlanta showcased balance on offense, with McDonald emerging as a true dual-threat leader. The defense bent at times but didn’t break, keeping Florida Memorial out of the end zone until late in the game.

For Florida Memorial, the run game showed promise behind Jeanty and Osborne, but struggles in the passing attack limited their ability to keep pace.

The Panthers move forward with confidence, while the Lions leave with lessons learned after a gritty effort on the road.

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But which HBCUs best prepare students for long-term career success? That’s the question LinkedIn set out to answer with its 2025 Top Colleges list, which ranks institutions based on the career outcomes of alumni.

How the Rankings Were Determined

LinkedIn’s methodology focuses on real-world alumni outcomes. The platform evaluated its massive Economic Graph, tracking how graduates fare after leaving campus. Key factors included:

• Employment success: How quickly graduates land full-time roles.
• Career progression: How often alumni advance into senior or leadership positions.
• Long-term outcomes: Patterns of sustained career growth across industries.

This approach shifts the conversation from prestige or admissions selectivity to what matters most—whether students thrive professionally after graduation.

The Top 10 HBCUs in the U.S. (2025)

1. Howard University

Known as “The Mecca,” Howard consistently produces leaders in politics, business, arts, and sciences. Its location in Washington, D.C., provides unmatched opportunities for internships and careers in government, law, and media.

2. Morehouse College

The only all-male HBCU, Morehouse has a historic legacy of cultivating Black male leadership. Its alumni network stretches from civil rights icons to Fortune 500 executives.

3. Spelman College

As the nation’s top-ranked HBCU for women, Spelman continues to empower its graduates in STEM, the arts, and leadership roles. Its strong academic reputation and sisterhood network open doors worldwide.

4. North Carolina A&T State University

The largest HBCU in the nation, NC A&T is a powerhouse in engineering, agriculture, and business. Its graduates are highly sought after in corporate America and government alike.

5. Hampton University

Nicknamed “The Standard of Excellence,” Hampton blends tradition with innovation, preparing alumni for careers in healthcare, education, and media.

6. Tuskegee University

With deep roots in STEM and agriculture, Tuskegee continues to push boundaries in research and professional training, producing trailblazers in engineering, science, and the military.

7. Florida A&M University (FAMU)

FAMU’s School of Business and Industry is a standout pipeline for Black talent into Fortune 500 companies. Alumni span industries from finance to entertainment.

8. Clark Atlanta University

Located in the heart of Atlanta, CAU thrives on combining business, arts, and social sciences. Its strong alumni network fuels opportunities in one of America’s fastest-growing cities.

9. Xavier University of Louisiana

Renowned for sending more Black graduates to medical school than any other university, Xavier excels in the sciences and health professions.

10. Morgan State University

As Maryland’s premier urban research university, Morgan produces leaders across engineering, business, and urban planning—helping to shape cities of the future.

Why These Rankings Matter

HBCUs don’t just provide education—they create pathways to leadership, equity, and community advancement. LinkedIn’s rankings highlight how these schools are not only preserving tradition but also adapting to a changing economy, ensuring their graduates remain competitive in a global workforce.

For students and families considering college choices, these results affirm what alumni have long known: an HBCU education pays off—not only in cultural pride but also in career success.

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For the 2025-2026 season, Clark Atlanta University unveiled a stunning new basketball court that blends school pride with a bold, modern look. At the heart of the design is a large black-stained hardwood section. A subtle, light-gray outline of the Atlanta skyline stretches the length of the floor, instantly connecting the program to the city.

The iconic Panther logo dominates center court, with “Panthers” in bold lettering above it. The keys feature a natural wood tone, framed by sharp red borders. Inside each lane, the “SIAC” conference logo stands out. Bright red boundary lines tie the floor to the surrounding red-and-black bleachers. Above the skyline, the phrase “One Make One” appears in elegant script, adding a personal and motivational touch.

Epps Gymnasium has been a fortress for Clark Atlanta. Over the last two seasons, the men’s team posted a 21-5 home record. Meanwhile, the women’s squad has gone 28-10 at home in the past three years. Those numbers, paired with the new court’s striking aesthetics, create a powerful home-court presence.

With its sleek design, deep school spirit, and clear nod to Atlanta pride, the new court is more than a playing surface—it’s a statement piece for Clark Atlanta basketball.

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Harris, one of the top free agent transfers in the portal, received offers from multiple FCS HBCUs. Schools like Jackson State, Alabama A&M, and Alabama State were all trying to land Harris before his commitment to JCSU and his ultimate return to Clark Atlanta. His decision reverses one of the more notable offseason commitments in Division II football.

A Record-Breaking Season

Harris made an immediate impact during his first year with the Panthers. In just one season, he set school records in receptions (75), receiving yards (1,004), and touchdowns (14), leading CAU to an SIAC Championship Game appearance in head coach Teddy Keaton’s first year. His breakout performance established him as one of the premier receivers in HBCU football and a major threat in the passing game.

JCSU’s Loss, CAU’s Gain

Johnson C. Smith had slated Harris to pair with Brevin Caldwell, one of the top wide receivers in HBCU football. Forming what could have been one of the most explosive duos in Division II. The Golden Bulls looked forward to adding Harris’ speed, size, and playmaking ability to their aerial attack, but his departure shifted those plans.

Even without Harris, JCSU’s wide receiver room remains stacked with talent. Led by Caldwell, the Golden Bulls’ receiving core has a supporting cast capable of making big plays. The Golden Bulls are still expected to field one of the CIAA’s most dangerous passing attacks in 2025. However, the loss of Harris does change the offensive outlook.

HBCU Football’s Transfer Movement

Harris’ return highlights the fluidity of the modern transfer market in HBCU football. As top players seek the right fit, high-profile moves like this are becoming more common—even after public commitments.

With the 2025 season fast approaching, Armone Harris is expected to step back into a featured role for the Panthers. This would give Clark Atlanta University one of the most dynamic receiving threats in Division II football and reshape the SIAC title picture.

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It’s more than a gear upgrade. It’s a statement about the value of HBCU athletes and their safety on the field.

NFL-HBCU Partnership

“We are proud to support the football programs at these historical institutions through this grant,” said Chris Millman, AMB Sports and Entertainment Senior Vice President of Community Engagement and Sports Philanthropy. “Player health and safety is paramount for athletes at all levels of football.”

Millman highlighted that helmet technology has made huge strides in the last five years. A fact that hasn’t always translated into equitable access across all collegiate programs. This partnership aims to level the playing field.

The impact is massive for HBCU programs like Morehouse and Clark Atlanta, both rich in history but often operating with limited resources.

“Morehouse Athletics is grateful for this opportunity,” said Harold Ellis, Director of Athletics at Morehouse College. “The new football helmets will elevate player health and safety and provide our Maroon Tigers with the highest level of protection as they compete in the 2025 football season.”

Across town, Clark Atlanta head coach Teddy Keaton sees the helmets as part of a much bigger win.

More than Equipment

“This is more than just new equipment; it’s an investment in the future and safety of our student-athletes,” Keaton said. “These helmets represent progress, purpose, and the power of partnership.”

For the Blank Foundation — launched by Home Depot co-founder and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank — this move aligns with a broader youth development, equity, and community support mission. Since its founding in 1995, the organization has granted over $1.5 billion to causes ranging from mental health and environmental advocacy to veterans support and educational equity.

But for the young men suiting up for Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University, the message is clear: you matter, and your safety matters.

These new helmets are more than just equipment in a sport where the hits are hard and the margins are thin. They’re a show of belief in HBCU athletes and the futures they’re building both on and off the field.

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A Risky Romance: Werm and Nikki’s Storyline

Introduced as a fresh face in Big Meech and Tee’s Detroit circle, Werm (played by Dijon S. Means) quickly drew attention for his calculated street presence and unpredictable loyalty. But it wasn’t until he locked eyes with Nikki (played by Laila D. Pruitt), the youngest Flenory sibling, that his character took a surprising turn. As Nikki begins to seek independence and push boundaries, her growing interest in Werm adds emotional and narrative weight to the season.

Their chemistry is undeniable, drawing fans into a love story that feels both sweet and dangerous. Viewers have flooded social media with reactions to the couple’s evolution—from playful flirtations to secret glances and finally a romantic bond that puts both of them at personal and familial risk.

Adding another layer of realism, the storyline touches on Nikki’s real-life connection to HBCU culture. In the show, her boyfriend has left Detroit for college at Clark Atlanta University, creating a long-distance challenge that mirrors the emotional tug-of-war between teenage love and new beginnings.

From Campus to Camera: Real-Life HBCU Influence

What makes this on-screen relationship even more meaningful is the off-screen connection both actors have to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Dijon S. Means is a 2020 graduate of Winston-Salem State University and a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. His portrayal of Werm—a young man drawn into the drug trade to support his family and fund his education—echoes a story far too familiar in underserved communities. Means’ own educational journey at an HBCU has helped ground his performance in authenticity and emotional nuance.

Meanwhile, Laila D. Pruitt, who plays Nikki, is currently enrolled at the illustrious Howard University. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Pruitt brings not only talent but lived experience as a young woman balancing education, ambition, and identity—all of which inform Nikki’s transformation from little sister to young adult seeking her own way.

Their real-life affiliations with Black Greek-letter organizations and commitment to education aren’t just fun facts—they’re part of what makes this pairing so resonant for audiences who see themselves in these stories.

The Cultural Echo of HBCU Representation

The presence of Means and Pruitt on BMF is more than a casting win; it’s a win for HBCU visibility in mainstream media. As Hollywood slowly embraces broader, more inclusive narratives, showcasing talented actors with roots in HBCUs ensures that Black excellence—especially the kind cultivated on historic campuses like WSSU and Howard—is no longer sidelined.

By weaving real-world experience into fictional roles, these two young stars are redefining what it means to portray authentic Black stories. For fans of BMF, Werm and Nikki may be just a subplot—but for HBCU communities and aspiring actors alike, they represent the future

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The sequel follows Deborah Wayne, the daughter of fan-favorite couple Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne, as she begins her own journey navigating HBCU life. Tony Award winner Maleah Joi Moon will take on the lead role, bringing Deborah’s story to life with brilliance, beauty, and Black girl magic.

Unlike most Netflix shows that skip the pilot phase, this one is getting a traditional comedy pilot. Insiders say this doesn’t mark a shift in Netflix’s usual game plan—it’s simply a smart move to fine-tune the show’s tone, chemistry, and comedic vibe before locking in a full series. For a series with this much cultural weight, getting it right matters.

Fans know “A Different World” isn’t just a TV show—it’s a cultural staple that shaped how HBCUs were represented on screen. It celebrated Black excellence, college life, and community in a way that still resonates today. Now, with a new generation stepping onto the yard, the sequel is ready to keep that legacy alive for today’s audience.

Keep it locked—this HBCU story is just getting started, look for your favorite Clark Atlanta backdrops when the pilot hits Netflix.

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What makes this game even more electric? It’s more than just football. The Week Zero Classic is a multi-day cultural celebration that includes celebrity flag football, live concerts, food festivals, and esports tournaments. And at the heart of it all is one of the most intriguing matchups of the 2025 season: an emerging HBCU contender versus one of Division II’s most decorated programs.

Clark Atlanta’s Climb

Just two years ago, Clark Atlanta University football was struggling, finishing the 21023 season winless at 0-10. But the hiring of head coach Teddy Keaton changed everything.

Keaton, a proven program builder with previous stops at Stillman and Allen University, wasted no time flipping the culture. In 2024, Clark Atlanta shocked the conference with a 7–3-1 record and a trip to the SIAC Championship Game—their first in over a decade.

The engine behind the Panthers’ resurgence? Quarterback David Wright, who threw for 3,271 yards and 31 touchdowns. Wright was named SIAC Offensive Player of the Year, and Keaton took home Coach of the Year honors.

Now, the Panthers are no longer just a feel-good story. They’re a legit contender—and their Week Zero test might be their biggest yet.

The Valdosta State Standard

Valdosta State is the gold standard of DII football. With four national championships (2004, 2007, 2012, 2018) and countless Gulf South titles, the Blazers have dominated the division for over two decades.

But 2025 marks a new chapter. Former head coach Tremaine Jackson—a rising star in coaching circles—recently accepted the head job at FCS HBCU Prairie View A&M, creating a ripple effect through the program. While Valdosta remains loaded with talent, the departure opens the door for challengers—and Clark Atlanta aims to kick it in.

This game is also the first of two back to back marquee matchups for Valdosta against rising HBCU powers. The Blazers will face Johnson C. Smith University the following week in Charlotte. Games that could help close the gap between PWI dominance and HBCU resurgence in DII football.

More Than a Game

The Week Zero Labor Day Classic is the ultimate fusion of culture, competition, and community.

• Celebrity Flag Football Game featuring top athletes, entertainers, and influencers
• BBQ Festival hosted by Thyron Mathews, with 150 vendors bringing their best
• DJ Spinoff and TUF Music Festival, where music meets nightlife
• Ultimate Fan Zone & Esports Dome—a 4,000-seat interactive fan experience
• Autograph sessions, alumni mixers, and comedy legends like Nephew Tommy and Bill Bellamy

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“It all depends on who that kid is and how much value he’s created for himself as an individual,” Keaton said when asked if he lets players return after entering the portal. “There’s a lot of coaches that have that philosophy to say that their best player got in the portal and they’ll say, ‘Well, I’m not going to let him come back.’ But that’s not the way of the world no more.”

Keaton, whose HBCU squad went from multiple losing seasons to a 7–3 record, emphasized honest conversations and player development over ego.

“It’s all about the conversation that happens before the conversation,” he said. “A lot of coaches don’t have exit interviews, meetings with their kids. Can you win with that kid? Can that kid help me keep my job?”

The longtime HBCU coach stressed that it’s not just about talent—it’s about fit, academics, and mindset. “First of all, did he create value for himself wherever he was at?” Keaton said of transfers. “Can he do the academics that is stressed at Clark Atlanta University? Third, is he a good fit?”

Keaton also took aim at what he calls “barbershop talk”—the false narratives surrounding former D1 players dropping down to HBCU programs.

“And then we don’t think about the mindset of a kid when he drops from a ranks of Alabama or Florida or these places and nobody else in that Power Five/ Group of five anywhere else see any value for him. And now he’s talking…He’s still in that portal and he thinking about, okay, now I’m at D2.

“What is his mindset?A lot of them don’t come in with that mindset,” he said. “When they come down, they expect to not really work. I’m banking off what I’ve already did somewhere else… but you find out when you come to D2 that there’s a lot of football players.”

He wrapped the conversation by stressing what makes the HBCU experience unique. “We suffer from that at Division II, because if he fails, it’s never going to be his fault. We all, as coaches, try to take it on our shoulders.”

Watch the full episode on YouTube to hear more of Coach Keaton’s unfiltered insights into HBCU football and the transfer era.

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“We are ready to go,” said Clark Atlanta University President George French Jr., in an interview with WSB-TV.

Bulldozers are already on site, preparing the ground for the $12 million project, which is designed to support the university’s rapidly growing student population. Interest in the university has skyrocketed, with 48,000 applicants competing for just 1,200 spots in the incoming class.

“Those 48,000 students had an average—those admitted—GPA of 3.71. Hence, we had to have student services like this for them,” French said.

The new 48,000-square-foot Student Success Center will house academic advisors, tutors, and programs aimed at helping students thrive. It will offer support with study skills and guidance on how to navigate college life—ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed from day one.

French emphasized that the HBCU is focused on maintaining both the quality and quantity of its student body, and this project is a major step in that direction.

“It’s been over 20 years since we had construction on the campus. We’re super, super excited,” he said.

The new Student Success Center is expected to open in fall 2026.

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McDonald served as the backup to Jackson State signal callers JaCobian Morgan and Cam’Ron McCoy in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He came to JSU after playing one game at Louisiana in the 2022 season and earned a redshirt in the 2021 campaign.

In two seasons at JSU, McDonald threw for 324 yards on 25 completed passes for five touchdowns while completing 68% of his passes. He also rushed for 266 yards on 33 carries while averaging 8.1 yards per carry.McDonald took center stage in the biggest game in HBCU football as he had 75 passing yards, 95 rushing yards, and 2

touchdowns after coming off the bench late in the first half of the SWAC Championship game. McDonald tied the game late in the second quarter and was named the Offensive MVP.

The 6-foot, 185-pound dual-threat quarterback tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, “Let’s do it ??@teddyk95.”

He joins a Clark Atlanta University football program that lost to Miles College 53-25 in the 2024 SIAC championship game. Panthers football coach Teddy Keaton, who enters his second season leading CAU, is no stranger to dual-threat signal callers. Last season, David Wright III, the Panthers’ dual-threat quarterback who followed Keaton to CAU from Allen University, played a crucial part in the program’s appearance in the SIAC title game.

With Wright no longer at CAU, Keaton hopes that Zy McDonald can become a solid option and the next great dual-threat signal caller to continue elevating the Panthers’ program. CAU’s 7-3-1 finish in 2024 marked the best record for the Panthers in recent history.

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This move solidifies the BCIC as a unique postseason showcase for teams that frequently dominate their conferences but may not get at-large bids to the NCAA Division II Tournament. While the CIAA and SIAC champions receive automatic bids, other top-tier teams are often left out of the postseason picture.

The tournament will be played in Charlotte at the Bojangles Coliseum. It will start off with Clark Atlanta (23-7) against Virginia Union (21-7) in the women’s bracket at 12 PM. The 2 PM game will featured Claflin (18-10) vs. Central State (17-14) in men’s competition. Thursday night action tips off with the Johnson C. Smith women (7-18) vs. rival Livingstone College (11-16). The nightcap will see JCSU (14-12) take on Virginia Union (15-15) on the men’s side.

With this new focus, the BCIC aims to elevate the profile of Division II HBCU basketball, giving student-athletes and fans a true postseason experience. As the tournament tips off in Charlotte, North Carolina, it will serve as a reminder that HBCU basketball excellence extends beyond Division I.

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SIAC coaches and sports information directors voted on the players selected for each team as well as the league’s Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Coach of the Year.

Miles College guard Alvin Miles was named the SIAC Player of the Year while Golden Bears head coach Fred Watson earned Coach of the Year honors. Fort Valley State forward Hassane Diallo earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, Lane guard Elijah Greer Dawson received Newcomer of the Year, Edward Waters forward Myles Hosten notched Freshman of the Year honors while Morehouse guard Cedric Taylor III earned Elite 16 honors.

Miles, a native of Memphis, Tenn., was one of the SIAC’s top 10 scorers this season, averaging 15.9 points per game (10th in the conference). He became the first player in program to earn the league’s top player award since Avery Brown accomplished the feat in 2020. Miles was the only SIAC player this season to score 400 points, grab 100 rebounds and notch 100 assists. He finished with double-figure production in 22 of the Golden Bears’ 26 contests while recording seven games of 20 or more points.

Diallo registered 177 rebounds with 120 coming on the defensive side of the ball in 28 games this season. He also finished second in the league in blocked shots (42) while registering 22 steals and averaging 10.5 points per contest.

Dawson averaged 16.8 points while shooting 44.4% from the field, dishing 3.0 assists and connecting on 76.9% from the free throw line per game in 18 contests this season. Beyond his scoring, Dawson averaged 4.1 rebounds per game while tallying a total of 39 steals and six blocks on defense.

Hosten averaged 8.0 points while shooting 38.8% from the floor and notched 4.8 rebounds in 13 games this season.

Watson registered his third Coach of the Year honors at Miles and the ninth of his career. He led Miles to a SIAC-best 23-3 mark that includes a 19-1 record in conference play and a perfect 12-0 mark at home, the Golden Bears best record inside Knox-Windham Gymnasium in program history.

Player of the Year

Alvin Miles

Defensive Player of the Year

Hassane Diallo

Newcomer of the Year

Elijah Greer Dawson

Freshman of the Year

Coach of the Year

Myles Hosten

The complete listing of the SIAC all-conference selections and individual awards winners can be found below.

All-SIAC First Team

• Shakur Poteat, Albany State
• Alvin Miles, Miles
• Walter Peggs, Jr., Miles
• Cedric Taylor III, Morehouse
• Lavar Miller Jr., Kentucky State

All-SIAC Second Team

• Kevin Sesberry, Tuskegee
• Jalen Williams, Clark Atlanta
• Prince Davies III, Edward Waters
• Kusamae Draper, Tuskegee
• Blaise Wallace, Albany State

All-SIAC Third Team

• Steven Lyles, Spring Hill
• Shemani Fuller, Clark Atlanta
• Corey Trotter, Miles
• Aziel Blackwell, Kentucky State
• Khalil Genwright, LeMoyne-Owen

All-SIAC Freshman Team

• Myles Hosten, Edward Waters
• Rocco Lamuno, Spring Hill
• Abdoul Sacko, LeMoyne-Owen
• Brandon Peters, Morehouse
• Christian Gary, Albany State

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“CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY is the choice…. As a father I am forever indebted to the love and #DaddyDaughter love that is real….,” Tyrese wrote. “Through it all my daughter ON HER OWN has decided that CLARK ATLANTA.

Ironically, Tyrese was recently in Atlanta observing HBCU culture. Back in August he showed up at the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at the start of the season as Florida A&M took on Norfolk State. He was there to promote his movie ‘1992.’

While outside the stadium, Tyrese posted a video on Instagram of him watching the Florida A&M Marching 100 march past him into Center Parc Stadium before the game. He sat in his car, admiring the band as they moved past him. 

“They don’t even know I’m right here. They’re the stars,” Tyrese remarked into the camera. “They’re in college. They’re breaking generational curses in their families. They are the stars. 

“FAMU – I’m so inspired right now.”

He found his way into the stadium and on the field a few hours later, waving to the 22,000-plus fans in the stadium. When he walked to the sidelines he was greeted by members of the Norfolk State Spartan Legion Band, who put on an impromptu performance with him prior to taking the field for halftime. Tyrese briefly joined in while filming from his phone.

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In their previous meeting, Miles ran away with a 49-28 victory, relying on their bruising rushing attack and opportunistic defense. However, Clark Atlanta has grown since that game and enters the championship brimming with confidence, particularly after a strong close to the season, including a pivotal win over Tuskegee.

Keys to Victory

Clark Atlanta:

1. Unleash the Air Attack: Quarterback David Wright III is the catalyst for Clark Atlanta’s offense, leading one of the top passing attacks among HBCUs at 293.6 yards per game. Connecting with playmakers like Armone Harris and Jamal Jones will be critical against a Miles secondary that has tallied 17 interceptions this season.
2. Contain the Rushing Game: Miles thrives on the ground, averaging 173.4 rushing yards per game behind Javonta Leatherwood and Jonero Scott. Clark Atlanta’s defense must rise to the occasion, particularly in the trenches, to prevent another runaway game.
3. Play With Urgency: Clark Atlanta has been dynamic late in games, but starting fast is essential. Establishing rhythm early and avoiding turnovers will be crucial in silencing the Miles home crowd.

Miles College:

1. Control the Tempo With the Run Game: Miles, one of the most physical HBCU programs, will look to dictate the pace by leaning on their rushing attack. Leatherwood’s explosiveness and Scott’s consistency make them a nightmare to defend.
2. Disrupt the Passing Game: Clark Atlanta’s aerial prowess is their biggest weapon, but Miles’ defensive front has racked up 36 sacks this season. Applying pressure on Wright III will force mistakes and limit big plays.
3. Seize the Moment: This game offers Miles the chance to cement themselves as one of the premier HBCU programs in the SIAC. Playing clean, mistake-free football will be key to completing their championship quest.

The Stakes

This game is more than a title bout—it’s a celebration of HBCU football excellence. Miles is chasing their second SIAC title in three years, while Clark Atlanta looks to add to create a legacy and reassert their presence in the HBCU football landscape. With both teams representing the pride of their institutions and the broader HBCU community, expect a passionate, hard-fought game that will come down to execution and heart.

Prediction: Miles College’s physicality and balanced attack make them the favorites, but if Clark Atlanta can play their best game of the season, this could become an instant HBCU classic.

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Clark Atlanta’s win alone was a huge step, but the decisive factor came from Albany State’s triumph over Fort Valley State. Albany State narrowly defeated Fort Valley 20-15 in the Fountain City Classic, a victory that indirectly propelled Clark Atlanta into the championship due to the Panthers holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over Fort Valley State. In this matchup, Albany State showcased solid defense, holding Fort Valley State to just 68 rushing yards and forcing three interceptions.

Albany State’s crucial win over Fort Valley provided Clark Atlanta the final push they needed to advance, as Fort Valley’s loss eliminated it from title contention.

With this victory, Clark Atlanta University sets its sights on Miles College for the SIAC Championship, scheduled for November 16 at Sloan-Alumni Stadium. The Panthers, riding high on the momentum from their rivalry win and Albany State’s tiebreaker assistance, are now one game away from claiming the SIAC title.

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In a conversation with Sly the Sports Guy on HBCU Gameday, head coach Teddy Keaton reflected on the significance of the victory, calling it “a culture win” for the program. 

“What we’ve been trying to prove all year is to change the culture,” Keaton explained. “Change the way they think, believe in themselves, do the things they need to do. And that’s what it takes to build a good team.”

Keaton acknowledged the weight Tuskegee’s legacy carries in HBCU football, noting that “Tuskegee week” is almost a tradition of intensity and respect at some SIAC schools. Keaton should know. While he’s in his first season at Clark Atlanta, he’s also been head coach at two other SIAC football programs — Stillman College and Allen University.

“At one school, we’d say, ‘no class, no sleep—it’s Tuskegee week.’ That’s how much respect that brand has earned.”

But this time, Keaton wanted his players to approach the game differently,.

“I wanted my kids to know we can stand toe-to-toe with them.” This shift in mindset was key, he believes, to CAU’s ability to finally overcome Tuskegee’s dominance. 

With the emotional win over Tuskegee behind it, CAU now prepares for another big game against their cross-street rival, Morehouse College, hoping to close out the regular season with a seventh victory. Despite Morehouse’s challenging season, Keaton warned against underestimating them. 

“In rival games, you gotta throw all the record books out the door,” he told Sly. “You’ve got to have your team ready to play football.”

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ATLANTA — Entering week ten of the football season, there is a lot left to be determined about who will compete in the 2024 SIAC Football Championship presented by Cricket. Matchups, contenders, pathways and possible outcomes are detailed below.

WEEK 10 SIAC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

MILES COLLEGE
Miles (7-2, 7-0 SIAC) secured the No. 1 seed with its win over Morehouse last week. The game against Tuskegee will not affect Miles’ position in the standings.

• Miles holds the common opponent tiebreaker over Fort Valley State after defeating Clark Atlanta in week 7. Clark Atlanta defeated Fort Valley State in the season opener.

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Fort Valley State (6-3, 6-1 SIAC) controls its own destiny in week 10. The Wildcats will be the No. 2 seed if they defeat Albany State. Fort Valley State will be eliminated from contention with a loss because Albany State will hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
Clark Atlanta (6-2-1, 5-2 SIAC) will need to win against Morehouse and Fort Valley State lose for an SIAC Football Championship berth. 

• The scenario will leave Clark Atlanta, Fort Valley State and Albany State with 6-2 SIAC records. 
• Clark Atlanta holds the head-to-head over Fort Valley State.
• Clark Atlanta will have a higher combined SIAC opponent win percentage than Albany State.

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY
Albany State (5-4, 5-2 SIAC) will need to win against Fort Valley State, a Tuskegee loss and a Clark Atlanta loss. 

The Golden Rams will also have the potential to play in the championship if they win against Fort Valley State, Clark Atlanta loses, Tuskegee wins and Allen wins. 

• This scenario will create a combined SIAC opponent win percentage tie with Tuskegee. 
• The team ranked highest in the regional rankings will receive the No. 2 seed spot. 
• If neither team is ranked in the region, a draw by lot will occur.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
Tuskegee (5-4, 5-2 SIAC) will need to win against Miles, a Fort Valley State loss, a Clark Atlanta loss and an Allen loss.

• In this scenario, Tuskegee will have the higher combined SIAC opponent win percentage over Albany State.

If Tuskegee beats Miles, Fort Valley State loses, Clark Atlanta loses and Edward Waters loses, the Golden Bears will also have the potential to play in the championship.

• This scenario will create a combined SIAC opponent win percentage tie with Albany State.
•  The team ranked highest in the regional rankings will receive the No. 2 seed spot. 
• If neither team is ranked in the region, a draw by lot will occur.

SIAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS 
**As of 11/3/24

Savannah State, Kentucky State, Benedict, Lane, Edward Waters, Morehouse, Allen, and Central State have all been eliminated from championship contention. 

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Wright showcased incredible resilience and poise, completing 30 of 49 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns. This performance was critical in overcoming a significant deficit early in the game. Despite facing relentless pressure from the Bethune-Cookman defense, including four sacks, Wright’s ability to lead the offense to multiple scoring drives displayed his leadership and skill.

Clark Atlanta fought back from a 21-point deficit in the first quarter, with Wright connecting on key passes, including a game-winning 55-yard field goal drive in the final moments. Wright’s ability to remain composed in a high-stakes HBCU football matchup highlights his potential as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the HBCU football scene this season.

Here are four key plays by David Wright III that helped Clark Atlanta University (CAU) secure a 38-37 victory over Bethune-Cookman:

1. First Quarter – 11-Yard Touchdown Pass: With CAU trailing 21-0, Wright threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to David Martin with 2:24 left in the first quarter. This put CAU on the board and gave the team much-needed momentum after a slow start.
2. Third Quarter – 28-Yard Touchdown Pass: Early in the third quarter, Wright connected with Armone Harris for a 28-yard touchdown. This came after a 98-yard drive, which helped CAU reduce the deficit to 34-21.
3. Third Quarter – 27-Yard Touchdown Pass: Shortly after the previous score, Wright threw another touchdown, this time a 27-yard pass to Harris, capping a 99-yard drive. This touchdown brought CAU within striking distance at 34-28.
4. Final Drive – Game-Winning Field Goal Setup: In the final moments of the game, Wright orchestrated a crucial 61-yard drive, setting up a game-winning 55-yard field goal by Leonardo Cabrera as time expired. His accurate passes and decision-making under pressure sealed the comeback win.

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First Quarter – Bethune-Cookman Dominates Early

Bethune-Cookman opened the game in explosive fashion. Quarterback Cam Ransom connected with Courtney Reese for a 29-yard touchdown to cap off a 71-yard drive, giving BCU a 7-0 lead with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter. Just two minutes later, Ransom added to the lead with a 7-yard rushing touchdown, making it 14-0 after a short 7-yard drive set up by a CAU turnover.

The Wildcats kept rolling, as Ransom found Darnell Deas for a 70-yard touchdown pass with 4:25 left in the first quarter, pushing the score to 21-0. Clark Atlanta finally responded with a touchdown of their own when David Wright III connected with David Martin for an 11-yard score, cutting the deficit to 21-7.However, BCU wasn’t done. Ransom threw his third touchdown of the quarter, this time a 54-yard bomb to Kobe Stewart with just five seconds left in the period, extending the lead to 28-7.

Second Quarter – Clark Atlanta Begins to Fight Back

BCU added to their lead early in the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal from Cade Hechter, pushing the Wildcats’ advantage to 31-7.

Clark Atlanta responded with a sustained drive, marching 89 yards in 15 plays. Wide receiver Armone Harris threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Delancey Tolliver, narrowing the gap to 31-14 with 1:47 left in the half. But BCU quickly drove down the field, setting up another Hechter field goal, this one from 27 yards, as time expired to give the Wildcats a 34-14 lead at halftime.

Third Quarter – The Panthers Mount a Comeback

The second half saw Clark Atlanta begin their dramatic comeback. Early in the third quarter, Wright III led the Panthers on a 98-yard drive, culminating in a 28-yard touchdown pass to Harris, making the score 34-21. On their next possession, Wright III engineered another long drive, this time covering 99 yards, and connected with Harris again for a 27-yard touchdown. Suddenly, the Panthers were within six points, 34-28.

Bethune-Cookman briefly halted Clark Atlanta’s momentum with a 37-yard field goal by Hechter late in the third quarter, extending their lead to 37-28.

Fourth Quarter – Clark Atlanta Seals the Win

With just over four minutes remaining in the game, Clark Atlanta completed their comeback against their Division I opponent from the SWAC. Wright III delivered his fourth touchdown pass of the night, a 7-yard strike to Harris, capping off a 62-yard drive to pull the Panthers within two points at 37-35.

Bethune-Cookman tried to run out the clock, but CAU’s defense stepped up, forcing a punt and giving their offense one last chance with just over a minute left. Wright III led the Panthers down the field, setting up Cabrera for a 55-yard field goal attempt as time expired. Cabrera drilled the kick, delivering an improbable 38-37 victory for Clark Atlanta.

Key Players:

• David Wright III (CAU): 4 passing touchdowns, including three to Armone Harris.
• Armone Harris (CAU): 3 receiving touchdowns, crucial in the comeback effort.
• Cam Ransom (BCU): 4 total touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing).
• Leonardo Cabrera (CAU): Game-winning 55-yard field goal as time expired.

This win marks a significant moment for Clark Atlanta, showing incredible resilience to overcome a 21-point deficit and stun Bethune-Cookman in a game that will be remembered for Cabrera’s last-second heroics and extraordinary play from David Wright III. Bethune-Cookman is now 0-4 with SWAC play set to begin next week versus Alabama State.

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FORT VALLEY, Ga. — After a long-awaited return to the field, Quarterback David Wright threw for commanding seven touchdowns and 423 yards to trounce Fort Valley State 45-42 in the season opener on Saturday afternoon. The win marks the first victory for Clark Atlanta over Fort Valley State since 2018. 

The Wildcats mounted an early 14-0 lead over the Panthers after two muffed punts started Fort Valley in plus territory on back-to-back drives. With three minutes left to play in the first quarter Allen transfer quarterback David Wright found fellow Lane College transfer Virgil Young for a 22-yard dart to put the Panthers on the board (14-6). 

As the first quarter expired, Wright threw a 59-yard bomb to Jamal Jones for his second touchdown of the day to bring Clark Atlanta within one point (14-13). Fort Valley responded with a 7-yard touchdown pass, extending their advantage to 21-13 at the 9:28 mark in the second frame.

Wright continued his offensive clinic as he found Armone Harris for a 34-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter, narrowing Fort Valley’s lead back to one point 21-20. Clark Atlanta took their first lead of the day with 54 seconds left in the first half when Wright found Young for their second touchdown connection on a 10-yard toss.

Fort Valley’s Brandon Marshal opened the second half with a 2-yard scamper for a touchdown to put the Wildcats back in front. The Panthers responded less than four minutes later with another Armone Harris touchdown from David Wright. Clark Atlanta boasted a 32-28 lead heading into the final frame. 

With 10:23 left in regulation, Ronnie West caught a 3-yard pass to mount a 10-point lead over FVSU (38-28). Dahlil WIlkins caught his second interception of the day to give the Panthers the ball back to set up Armone Harris’ third touchdown with 10:06 left to play (45-28).

Fort Valley scored two touchdowns in the final nine minutes but the comeback effort wasn’t enough as Clark Atlanta escaped with a 45-42 victory. The win marks Clark Atlanta’s first victory since the 2022 season. 

David Wright led the way with 423 yards and seven touchdowns on the day. Wright went 23-31 in completions with zero interceptions. Jamal Jones registered seven catches for 136 yards and one touchdown, followed by Armone Harris with 7 catches for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Virgil Young caught four passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns, and Ronnie West caught four passes for 65 yards and one touchdown in his return to the field.

On the defensive end, Dahlil Wilkins pulled down two interceptions in his CAU debut while FVSU transfer Solomon Mosley led the Panthers in tackles with seven on the day.

The Panthers look to continue their streak next weekend as they return home for the first time this season to host the Allen University Yellow Jackets at 2 p.m. inside Panther Stadium. 

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ESPN’s signature morning debate show First Take with featured commentator and executive producer Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim announced three live shows on-site at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) this fall.  

The scheduled locations are Howard University on Sept. 20, Tennessee State University on Oct. 11, and Clark Atlanta University at Morehouse College on Nov. 8. All shows will air on Fridays. 

Sept. 20 at Howard University (Washington, D.C.)
Howard University, one of the most famous HBCU programs in the country, will face Hampton University the following day in the fourth annual “Battle for the Real HU” game. 

Oct. 11 at Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tenn.)
The First Take team will be joined by former NFL star and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George, who has been the Tennessee State head football coach since 2021.  

Nov. 8 at Clark Atlanta at Morehouse College (Atlanta, Ga.)
Historic Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University make up one of the world’s oldest and largest associations of HBCUs. On this weekend, rivals Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta will face each other at B.T. Harvey Stadium in Atlanta. 

First Take has a history of visiting HBCUs or in support of HBCU week since 2019. The show has traveled to Winston-Salem State University (2023) and home to alum, Smith; Savannah State University (2023) and home to alum, Shannon Sharpe; and to Florida A&M with comedian Kevin Hart and movie producer Will Packer (2021). 

The show also celebrated HBCU Week at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in 2022 and at 76ers Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Del. in 2019. 

First Take airs weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on ESPN.  

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Fraternal twins Darnell and Darren Stephen will line up on opposite sides of the HBCU football gridiron when Fort Valley State and Clark Atlanta kick off their football seasons on Saturday at Wildcat Stadium, marking the twins’ final season as SIAC rivals.

Darnell, a cornerback for Fort Valley State, and Darren, a wide receiver for Clark Atlanta, were inseparable until they committed to play football at separate HBCU institutions.

The twins’ mother, Nicole Stephens, a banker and South Carolina State alumna, recalls the earlier years when their competitive spirits began to shine. “I always kept them very busy, whether it was football, track, basketball, wrestling, or even robotics, chess, and sign language club,” Nicole said. “I wanted them to be well-rounded, and anything they put their hands on, they’ve always tried to master it. Football just came naturally for them.”

The twins’ path to HBCU football began in middle school and intensified in high school, where they played alongside their older brother, Nicholas. The trio, often called the “Stephens Clan” by their high school coach, shared an unbreakable bond on and off the field.

Their father, Darrell Stephens, Ed.D, a Marine veteran and middle school principal, emphasized the importance of the brotherhood. “They always pushed one another to be better,” Darrell said. “That was great because they had their own motivation built between the three of them.”

“Nick was a workaholic when he played football,” Darren stated. “Even now, my teammates will ask me why I work out the way I do, and I always credit that to him because he was doing more than me when he played.”

“Our dad always emphasized a ‘no fear’ tactic, prioritizing confidence in what you do and the work you’ve put in, on the field and in life,” Darnell explained. Darren echoed this sentiment, adding, “He also prioritized the importance of speaking up and being a leader. That has definitely stayed with me as an athlete and as a student.”

As Darnell and Darren transitioned from high school to college, they embarked on separate journeys, each selecting an HBCU aligned with their personal goals and values. Darnell found home at Fort Valley State, where the welcoming atmosphere and campus community sealed the deal on his first visit.

Darren’s decision to attend Clark Atlanta came only a few days before National Signing Day. With the opportunity to attend Albany State still on the table, the wide receiver resonated with CAU’s rich culture and opportunities for growth on the field.

“We didn’t have a specific plan to stay together or go separate ways,” Darnell stated. “We just wanted to find the right fit for each of us.”

Darren believes the separation has allowed them to grow as individuals and student-athletes. “When we came in as freshmen, we had certain things instilled in us: what we needed to do, the work ethic, and the grind,” Stephens explained. “We both had our own individual goals and knew what we wanted to accomplish. It has been great seeing it all happen over time.”

Their mother, Nicole, admits she never imagined her sons would play against each other. “Seeing them play each other, that first time at Clark Atlanta, I was so proud and wanted both teams to win,” Stephens said. “They’ve always practiced together, worked out together, and to see them play against each other was just a memory that I will never forget.”

Clark Atlanta is looking for their first win against Fort Valley State since 2018. Despite the contest’s history, Darren remains confident, viewing the game as a fresh opportunity for the Panthers. “We haven’t reached our full potential yet,” Stephens said. “This year will be different.”

Darnell, too, is ready for the challenge. “It’s always exciting to play against my brother, but this year, I’m focused on taking my game to the next level.”

The Stephens family will be in attendance on Saturday, donning custom attire featuring both schools. The twin’s mother expressed her feelings on the game, saying, “It’s a win-win for me. I just want to see both of them play their best and enjoy the moment.”

The stakes are higher than ever for the Stephens twins this season. Darnell is aiming to increase his stats and secure all-conference and All-America honors. He sees this season as a culmination of years of hard work. “Our first season with Coach Gibbs, we went 8-2, and the second season we went 7-3, so we’ve been getting close to that mark of being SIAC champions,” Darnell said. “I think this year is about being complete in everything that we do and being focused in everything we do, so we can win a championship.”

Darren, also with the championship game in his sights, is equally determined. “Winning is everything,” said the CAU wide receiver. “If we win, everything else will follow.”

Their father takes immense pride in seeing his sons compete at the HBCU level and has provided them with crucial advice ahead of kickoff. “The only thing left to do now is leave it on the field and be able to walk away from this saying, I did my best, I gave my best and I have no regrets,” he explained. “This is their time to leave it all on the field.”

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“To see 46,000 applications for essentially 1,200 seats is nothing less than phenomenal,” said CAU President Dr. George French.

Not only is the incoming class large – it is also accomplished. 

“The average GPA of incoming students is 3.71. Five years ago it was 2.8,” French indicated. “The brand is strong. Our retention and graduation rates are increasing. That’s what these numbers are indicators of.”

Overall enrollment for the HBCU is now around 4,200, according to the report. 

About Clark Atlanta University

Clark Atlanta University (CAU), founded in 1988 by the consolidation of Clark College (1869) and Atlanta University (1865), is a historically Black university (HBCU) located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is part of the Atlanta University Center Consortium, the world’s largest association of historically Black colleges and universities. CAU offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across various disciplines, with a strong emphasis on research, innovation, and leadership.

CAU boasts a distinguished roster of alumni, including civil rights leader Ralph David Abernathy and Emmy Award-winning actress Kenya Barris. These accomplished graduates reflect the university’s legacy of producing influential leaders in various fields, from social activism to entertainment.

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The Arthur Blank Family Foundation has announced a $6.5 million gift. This generous grant underscores the foundation’s ongoing support for HBCUs and their vital role in fostering educational and athletic excellence.

The funding will be distributed across four institutions: Albany State University in Albany, Georgia; Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta; Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama; and Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia. These enhancements will provide top-tier facilities that support the development of student-athletes and strengthen the athletic programs at each school.

All four of the institutions compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, made up of Division II programs from South Carolina to Alabama. 

Albany State University has used the grant to convert its natural grass football and soccer field at Albany State University Coliseum to blue turf, offering a modernized playing surface. Clark Atlanta University, located in the heart of Atlanta, replaced the aging turf at Panther Stadium, enhancing the home field for its football team with a red surface. In Alabama, Miles College will convert the natural grass at its practice facility to turf, allowing for better training conditions. Savannah State University is replacing the turf at Ted Wright Stadium, ensuring its football and soccer teams compete on a state-of-the-art field.

The Atlanta Falcons, whose owner Arthur M. Blank has long been a supporter of HBCUs, have expressed pride in the foundation’s commitment to these institutions. This investment is expected to have a lasting impact, not only on the athletic programs but also on the broader campus communities.

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“This is rat poison,” Keaton typed. “Don’t believe the hype. How do CAU rank in creating great practice habits and great effort. Are we focused all 2 hours of practice. Are focused in the meeting room. That will tell our true rankings.”

Keaton’s Clark Atlanta squad was ranked fourth among Division II/NAIA HBCU football programs in the nation heading into the season. That’s a pretty high ranking – especially for a program that lost every single one of the ten games it played last season.

Teddy Keaton has built a solid reputation in HBCU football through his extensive coaching career, particularly within the SIAC. Keaton began his coaching journey at Stillman College as a graduate assistant in 1999, where he helped relaunch the program. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to various programs, including a transformative role at Allen University. At Allen, he took the fledgling program from concept to a 7-3 season in just five years, showcasing his ability to build successful teams from the ground up.

Keaton was hired as the head coach at Clark Atlanta University following the 2022 season, marking a new chapter in his career. He quickly made an impact by bringing in key transfers from his former team at Allen, including SIAC Offensive Player of the Year David Wright. This move demonstrated Keaton’s strong recruiting abilities and his influence on players, setting high expectations for Clark Atlanta’s future under his leadership, no matter how he feels about being ranked so high. 

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On its heels is Albany State University, located in Albany, Georgia. Its turf is dark blue and will debut this season as well.

Nicknamed “The Inferno,” Eastern Washington’s red turf was installed in 2010. It’s the first red-colored football field at any level of competition. Clark Atlanta is now the second.

Livingstone College, an HBCU located in Salisbury, NC, debuted its light blue turf prior to the 2022 college football season. It was the first fully-colored turf among all HBCUs.

Here are a few other college football programs with colored turf:

Known as “The Blue,” Boise State’s turf is perhaps the most famous non-green field in college football. The blue turf was first installed in 1986 and has since become synonymous with the Broncos’ football program.

Central Arkansas has a unique alternating purple and gray striped turf. Installed in 2011, this field alternates between the two colors every five yards.

Lindenwood University, located in Missouri, installed black turf in 2012, making it one of the few schools with a black playing surface.

The University of New Haven in Connecticut has a blue turf similar to Boise State, installed in 2009.

Endicott College in Massachusetts also features a blue turf field, adding to the growing list of non-green surfaces in college football.

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We pick up the conversation after Black has been welcomed to the show and answers the first question of the day.

Transcript Follows

Daniel Black:

Man, I’m flying high these days. Everything’s great. The residue from the speech has been a dream come true. Of course, I had no idea that the speech would hit like this, would hit this hard, but it’s been just glorious. It’s been wonderful. And I think the greatest thing is the pride in HBCU students. The way in which the speech really ignited a kind of joy and celebration for folks who have attended historically Black colleges and universities, and that’s been worth it all.

Tolly Carr:

That thing hit, Doc, right off the top.

Daniel Black:

Yes, sir.

Tolly Carr:

If it was a track meet, this was the 400-meter dash. It wasn’t the 800, it wasn’t the 1,600.

Daniel Black:

Yes, sir.

Tolly Carr:

You don’t get a chance to warm up-

Daniel Black:

That’s right.

Tolly Carr:

… get a pace lap and then turn it on.

Daniel Black:

That’s right.

Tolly Carr:

From the first step to the last step-

Daniel Black:

Yes, sir.

Tolly Carr:

… it was full throttle. Your heart is beating. It’s emotional all the way through.

Daniel Black:

Yes, sir.

Tolly Carr:

Was that your intent?

Daniel Black:

It was, because so much was at stake, brother, at this. So much was at stake. I’m a sitting faculty member. I am currently a faculty member at Clark Atlanta. And from what I know, faculty members are never asked to be the commencement speaker. That just never happens, really anywhere. Not just Clark, anywhere. And when the president of Clark Atlanta University, Dr. French, asked me, of course I was overwhelmed. I was elated. But I said, “This has got to be good. It’s got to be right.” Because, again, so much at stake, I knew he was taking a chance. I’m not a celebrity. Certainly, I wasn’t then.

And I said, “I got to give this my best shot.” And so in the weeks prior to delivering the speech, I went over it every now and then, I read it through my mind as I’m jogging, or whatever. And every now and then I tweak it a little. But the truth of the matter is it all came to me one day all in just one sitting. I turned on my computer and it flooded just like I gave it to you. I do public speaking all the time, so that’s not new. I just wanted this to really be special. And quite frankly, I was talking to the students. I was talking to the students, I was talking to folks who went to Clark. This was a very much in home, at home address. And once I started, I said, “I got to hit hard and finish.”

Because on graduation day, no one wants to hear a long speech. Kids are ready to go. “Give me my degree. I’m ready to go.” And so, initially I was trying to do five minutes, literally. I said, “I want to hit it and sit down.” And then when I realized all the things I wanted to do, I wanted to connect them to the legacy of Clark. I wanted them to help them be proud of what it meant to be a CAU graduate. But I also wanted to make sure they understood that somebody had paid for them, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. So when I put it all together, it was about 12, 13 minutes. And then the morning of the speech I just got up and I said, “Okay, God, here we go. Here we go.”

Tolly Carr:

You were the underdog that weekend.

Daniel Black:

Oh, for sure.

Tolly Carr:

In the AUC, it was President Biden.

Daniel Black:

That’s right.

Tolly Carr:

All right. We had some Hollywood over, it spelled [inaudible 00:04:18]-

Daniel Black:

Angela Bassett was over there. Again, you see how much was at stake. I mean, literally everything was at stake here. I said, “God, this is either going to really exalt me or this going to be a disaster, and I refuse for this to be a disaster.”

Tolly Carr:

Was it all written out or was it bullet points?

Daniel Black:

No, it was all written out. Because, again, so much was at stake. I couldn’t get up there and freeze and lose words. I said, “I need this to go like…” And of course, I did a little ad-libbing in a few places, but 95% of it is on the page. Yeah.

Tolly Carr:

Because it felt like it came from your soul, and not from the-

Daniel Black:

Oh, absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

It went from your soul to the paper, to the people.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah.

Tolly Carr:

First, the Black Sheep reference off the top, where did that come from? And if you’re not of our age or ilk or a hip hop aficionado. Here they come, y’all. Here they come.

Daniel Black:

And what’s funny is, I didn’t get that from Black Sheep.

Tolly Carr:

Oh, you didn’t?

Daniel Black:

I did not.

Tolly Carr:

I thought that was straight Black Sheep.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely not. That was just in my own head.

Tolly Carr:

Because that’s what triggered me

Daniel Black:

Someone else mentioned Black Sheep, and I was like, “Who’s Black Sheep? What were they from?” I know now.

Tolly Carr:

That’s what I thought looked. That’s what it felt like.

Daniel Black:

No, absolutely not. Absolutely not.

Tolly Carr:

I’m glad I asked, I just assumed.

Daniel Black:

No.

Tolly Carr:

Because the other hip hop references, I was like, all right, he started with some Kendrick

Daniel Black:

No. The irony of it, then I went and listened to Black Sheep and I was like, “Oh, my gosh. How funny is that?” So crazy. Crazy.

Tolly Carr:

Have you felt the weight in a good way of your words? Or, I know you have. What has that weight felt like from the reception of what you had to say

Daniel Black:

Absolutely, I have felt the weight. It’s been enormously heavy and enormously exhilarating. I just never believed as a writer that this moment would come, that this kind of recognition would come. The phone calls, brother, the emails.

Tolly Carr:

How long did it take before you felt it? How long did it take after the speech before you realized, oh, something is different here?

Daniel Black:

10 minutes. Literally. No. No. Literally. Before I left the graduation my phone had probably maybe 280 text messages. And I was like, I didn’t even know you could get that many in a day. And it probably took me three hours just to walk to my car after the graduation exercise. In no exaggeration, literally. People stopping me, crying, wanting to hug me, wanting to take pictures, all this. And I’m like, “I think something happened here.” This was before it just kind of blew up. I got home about four o’clock. Graduation started at eight. When I got home, my phone was just blowing off the… It was insane. It was something insane. And I said, “What is going on here?” And a friend of mine called me and said, “Black, you better look at Facebook.” And it was like 70,000. Then an hour later, 90,000. I was like, “Whoa, this is crazy.” And of course, now it’s a half million. And it has just been something remarkable. And again, I’ve gotten calls from some of the most powerful people in America. In this nation, literally.

Tolly Carr:

Which one has impressed you the most so far? Or just stood out in your mind like, oh my God, this person has reached out?

Daniel Black:

Probably Senator Warnock.

Tolly Carr:

Wow.

Daniel Black:

Yeah. Because he was so moved and he was so appreciative, and he was so expressive of what he thought was the power of the speech and how it moved him. And I love him. I think he’s awesome. And he was just saying very much what you said, get ready. Because this is something that not just CAU, that Black America has needed for so long. And I think the thing that’s probably moved me most is the number of Black children, especially high school students in America who have texted me or written me and said, “I never considered a Black college until now.” That really moves me.

Tolly Carr:

I felt like your speech encapsulated the Black experience no matter where-

Daniel Black:

Absolutely. Yes, sir.

Tolly Carr:

… you are on that spectrum.

Daniel Black:

Yes, sir.

Tolly Carr:

That had to be intentional on your part.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely. That was incredibly intentional. Because, yes, I’m talking to Clark, but I wanted to talk really to any Black student anywhere, whoever went to a Black college. Because Black colleges share a history. We share a legacy. And what I’m very clear about is part of that history, part of that legacy is Black people, Black professors, Black parents, Black grandmothers, grandfathers, et cetera, sacrificing for the possibility that we would exchange chains for knowledge. Black schools are in this tradition of educating people who America didn’t want. I think that’s extremely important to understand. Black schools were and are training Black kids that America did not want. And in many instances still doesn’t want. And so we’re making room for those folks who, in many instances, the rest of America throws away. And we do this transformative work.

I’ve been at Clark now 30 something years. We do this transformative work. We make sacrifices. Unheard of sacrifices. I really cannot tell you the sacrifices that Black college professors make for Black kids to graduate. We pay tuitions to the very school where we’re working. We buy books and hand them to kids. If the book is the only reason that you can’t take this class, I got you. We buy the book and hand it. We take kids to lunch. We keep kids over Christmas breaks for six weeks at a time because they’re from California and I don’t have enough money to go to California and back. I paid all my money in the tuition. Fine, come on. We do that. And I mean quite literally I’ve done that more times than I could ever possibly count. And then on graduation day, that’s why we’re screaming and hollering.

Tolly Carr:

I often describe what we do at HBCU Game Day as mission work. Because you have a mission, and there are going to be obstacles. And sometimes the obstacles come from the people that you want to be or expect to be on your own team.

Daniel Black:

It’s true. It’s true.

Tolly Carr:

And you have to power through that and look past that.

Daniel Black:

It’s true. Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

What rejuvenates you for 30 plus years to be able to go through the obstacles, to be able to go through the things that are just like, it doesn’t have to be this way? It should be a little easier, but you still go.

Daniel Black:

When a student passes the bar who was in my freshman English class, and wrote poorly then, that motivates me. And they always, always call and tell it. Or send you a letter and say, “Hey, Dr. Black, I’m in Scotland now. I have 10 students with me from a high school. I’m teaching in Connecticut, and I’m teaching them lift every voice and sing on the bus.” That kind of thing. Just like, it was worth it. Yes. Or, in fact, a student wrote me maybe two or three months ago now who said he was at the door of no return in Ghana, at Cape something in Ghana. And he said, “I’m reading to my students your book, The Coming, as I’m looking out over the water.” Oh, I had chills all over me. And he said, “You might have thought I wasn’t paying attention, but I was.” See that, it’s like, okay, let’s keep going. It’s going to work.

Tolly Carr:

I was an adjunct professor at Winston-Salem State for about 10 years. And the feeling when your students go above and beyond-

Daniel Black:

Oh, my God.

Tolly Carr:

… even things that you have done.

Daniel Black:

Oh, my God.

Tolly Carr:

And you can look to them sometimes for expertise or knowledge, and you can connect with them.

Daniel Black:

For sure. For sure.

Tolly Carr:

Especially the ones that you thought-

Daniel Black:

The knuckleheads.

Tolly Carr:

Yes.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely. Absolutely. Sure.

Tolly Carr:

I won’t name names. There’s this girl that… I didn’t see it, but she did it.

Daniel Black:

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. It happens. It happens. Because in many instances we’re also taking chances. There are kids who come who are not academically prepared, but they’re smart people. And see, that’s the difference that an HBCU makes. In many instances, an HBCU accepts the application of a child who we know if this child metaphorically will settle into this earth, we’re going to get a tree. We’re going to get a tree here. We’re going to get a tree out of this kid. If they’ll just settle into the earth, it’s going to… Even if they don’t believe it, we see it.

Tolly Carr:

Because the soil matters.

Daniel Black:

That’s right. That’s right. The sunshine matters. We know the excellence of the soil, because that’s who we are. We got that. If you get here, we got it. It’s going to happen. What I think happens in America is a lot of kids get rejected from school because the GPA, their standardized test scores are not good. I get it. All right. But the standardized test score does not tell you the quality of the seed. I think that’s very important to understand. It does tell you the history of it. It tells you what the child hasn’t done, it doesn’t tell you what the child could do. And so the gamble at HBCU is we’re saying, just give me the seed. And the metaphor for me works because from the time we got here, brother, we’ve been the planters. We know seed. We know good seed, we know bad seed. We also know good soil, we know bad. We were the farmers, so we know how to bring forth magic from a seed, and that’s what I think we do.

Tolly Carr:

My grandparents were sharecroppers, and they often tell the stories when they were alive. How them other folks messed up the land? You got to rotate the crops.

Daniel Black:

You got to rotate them crops. Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

You got to throw in soybeans when you-

Daniel Black:

Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

You cannot maximize-

Daniel Black:

You cannot.

Tolly Carr:

… cotton every year.

Daniel Black:

That’s right.

Tolly Carr:

You’re going to mess up the soil.

Daniel Black:

That’s right. You’re going to drain the soil. Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

There’s so many connections through the generations. I want to go back to your speech. I would imagine at some point… If I were you, I would’ve felt like I was having an out of body experience. I would’ve felt like I was looking at myself talking, looking at the crowd’s reaction and thinking, “What is happening here? This is something different.”

Daniel Black:

Well, again, I have to admit, I’m a public speaker, so I do this very, very, very often. Churches, conventions, et cetera. I’m speaking somewhere practically every week somewhere, so I do this often. The truth of the matter is, when I gave the speech I really didn’t even realize the reaction at all until I later went back and watched the video. Because I’m so zoned at the moment, I’m very much concerned about things like rhythm, pace. Do I have the right rhythm here? Is my cadence correct in terms of delivery? Those are the things I’m very much concerned about. I did hear applause. I did not remember the roaring, the way I heard it when I went back to the video. I was like, “Oh my God, these people are screaming.”

Tolly Carr:

Off top. Off top.

Daniel Black:

I did not remember it that way. I just didn’t, because again, I was so zoned. I didn’t even remember my president saying a word, but he was up a couple of times. And so when I went back and watched it, I was like, “Oh my God, what in the world happened here?”

Tolly Carr:

All right, I’m going to make a comparison. And historical comparisons are hard because history has so much runway after the event has happened.

Daniel Black:

Sure. Sure.

Tolly Carr:

I listened to the speech again today on the way here, I put it on Bluetooth in the car. The one thing it made me think about, “I had a dream” speech in this regard. About the last 10 seconds, if you go back and listen. When your speech is over, the instant conversation that I could hear in the background from the camera of people already discussing-

Daniel Black:

See, I didn’t hear any of that.

Tolly Carr:

… and talking about your speech in the moment it was over, made me think about… It reminded me of the rumblings when Martin left the podium.

Daniel Black:

Yes, yes. Oh, yes.

Tolly Carr:

And I was like, this is even a bigger moment now that I put that perspective to it.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely. Oh, absolutely. And I heard none of that. Of course, I heard none of that. And there were many, many folks in the audience when we processed out, and I was walking by parents and people and faculty and students. People were like, “Dr. Black, oh my God, you have no idea.” And that’s the first time I heard people’s laden response. And I was looking, and some people were weeping. And I was like, “What the hell?” I didn’t have it. You know what I mean? I just didn’t get it. But again, when I went back and saw the video, I was like, “I think I really said something here.” And then by the time everybody had processed out and the ceremony ended, it was really the way parents swarmed me when I first got it. I was like, “Oh my God, what happened here?” And the way my phone and my social media blew up was something I have never experienced in my life.

Tolly Carr:

Okay, people want gems from you in the future. How can they connect with you on social media?

Daniel Black:

Yes. I’m at Instagram and Facebook, those are the main ones. Just Daniel Black. If you put in Daniel Black, you’ll find me. And I have a new website that I would direct folks to. That’s DanielOBlack.com.

Tolly Carr:

Because you have several books.

Daniel Black:

I do. I do. And I’ve got a new one coming out in a minute. I have several books. I’m a writer, which is really why I’m often speaking publicly. Because 80% of the time I’m reading from a book, analyzing it. I do book clubs two or three times a week, so I got a lot of irons in the fire. And so this has just ignited the flame.

Tolly Carr:

Oh, my God. Well, irony is not the right word. The interesting part. Our photographer, Vaughn Wilson, shout out to Vaughn. He was there because his niece was graduating from Clark Atlanta.

Daniel Black:

I was wondering how Game Day got this. I was like-

Tolly Carr:

His niece was there. And so Vaughn, he came up from Tallahassee, Florida. He covers FAMU for us. He just always brings his camera. If he’s going to be at an event, he’s like, “Let me just record.” He was not there to record you at all.

Daniel Black:

That’s so insane.

Tolly Carr:

Of course he wasn’t. He’s put a post on Facebook that said, “The voice speaks to Black people everywhere.”

Daniel Black:

Wow.

Tolly Carr:

The voice came to him and said, “Set up the camera on a wide shot. Keep working on the story you’re working on, but just make sure you record.”

Daniel Black:

That’s so insane.

Tolly Carr:

And he said, within the first 30 seconds he knew to go back to the camera to make sure the audio was right, to make sure everything was in focus. Because 30 seconds in he knew something was happening. And he sent us a message even before your speech was over and told the staff, “Guys, get ready. I just heard the best commencement speech I’ve ever heard in my life.” And I was thinking at the moment, oh, okay, all right. You’re there. You’re in the moment. It feels good.

Daniel Black:

Right.

Tolly Carr:

But when I heard it and the reaction, we’re almost half a million views.

Daniel Black:

That’s crazy. And that’s just on this platform.

Tolly Carr:

And outside of us just being there. Yes. That’s just us.

Daniel Black:

That’s right. That’s right. It’s just so remarkable. And again, I think the thing that brings me the greatest, greatest, greatest joy is the unbelievable pride this has ignited in alumni all over this country who have degrees from Black colleges. I think Black colleges in so many ways have not gotten our due. I think we’ve been under celebrated. I think in so many ways we’ve been gypped off in terms of recognition. And, quite frankly, financial support. But I do think this speech really helps to turn that tide and to heal that gap. And I’m really happy about that.

Tolly Carr:

I love boldness. I love boldness with a purpose. In your speech, you called Clark Atlanta the home of the Holy Ghost.

Daniel Black:

Yes.

Tolly Carr:

And during your speech you said, “The Holy Ghost said hell yeah.”

Daniel Black:

Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

A lot of people love that. A few people had to clutch their pearls.

Daniel Black:

Sure. Sure.

Tolly Carr:

Where does that boldness come from?

Daniel Black:

Well, see, my PhD is in Africana American studies. And one of the things that I’m trying to get Black people to do is to reconsider who has the authority to speak for God. See, we’ve spent the last 450 years believing that we are God’s audience, but not God’s mouthpiece. Somebody else always gets to be the speaker, right? Historically, we’ve even used texts like the Bible, et cetera. But anytime I ask my students, they freeze. I’m not mad at the Bible, but who wrote that? And who had the authority to write it? And why do we lend our obedience and our obeisance unto these folks and to that text? Why? First of all, do you think God wrote that? A human being wrote that. Which is perfectly fine, no problem. And it doesn’t mean it’s not holy. It is holy. No problem.

But that means then that I could write another one. And who gets to determine… God really said, “Slaves obey your masters.”? God said that? Not the God I serve. No, sir. No, ma’am. Because if that’s true, Nat Turner was wrong. If that’s true, Harriet was wrong. No, sir. Absolutely not. Absolutely not. Absolutely not. And so, in many ways, I’m trying to get Black folks paradigmatically to reconsider our sources of knowledge. For us to reorient ourselves in terms of how we understand God, how we understand the divine, et cetera. And I absolutely believe that when I think of myself and think of my life, and when I think of Black life in America, many people meant our destruction. And I absolutely believe the Holy Ghost said, “Hell no.” Absolutely. “You can’t have these people. You can’t have this son of mine. You can’t have this daughter of mine.”

Absolutely not. I do not agree. And I think people were trying so hard to destroy Black people, I think that the Holy Ghost has been adamant about it. And the truth of the matter is Black people have been talking about the Holy Ghost for many years. And there’s a distinction between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit. I won’t get into all of that at this moment. But the reason I’m saying that this way is because in many ways, Black people govern and Black people embody the Holy Ghost. When we go to church, we’re looking for the Holy Ghost. We want the Holy Ghost to be present.

Tolly Carr:

I told you, that voice speaks too.

Daniel Black:

Yeah, absolutely. And people call it that voice, that thing with me. And the reason it remains unnamed is because in so many instances it’s really unidentified. Cognitively, it is not within the English lexicon, if you will, to really be able to name and speak this thing. But Black people are clear about it, and we know when it shows up and we like it, and we know our expressions. We have all kinds of things. Like, baby, we had church today, we had church. We all know what that means. We went in, we know what all of this… If you’re Black, you know what this means. And so I absolutely took the authority to speak for the Holy Ghost. Absolutely. Because as a Black man in America it’s my inheritance and my lineage and I can. And I’m trying to teach Black children, make sure that when you hear God, it sounds like you.

Tolly Carr:

I’m not going to tell you anything that you don’t know. And probably many of members of our audience out there. But when you talk about who wrote the Bible, I remember one day when I was young, it tells you right in the beginning, in the preface before you get to Genesis.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

It tells you who wrote it.

Daniel Black:

It really does.

Tolly Carr:

It tells you who edited it.

Daniel Black:

It translated, absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

It tells you what they left out.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely. And it tells you the year they did it. Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

So when you say it’s from God to man, uncut to you, there has been some addition and subtraction.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely, man. Absolutely. Absolutely. And because of that, I’m not mad at that. But what that does mean is you cannot give authority of this book solely unto God. That’s a dangerous thing for people to do.

Tolly Carr:

Right. And watch our world, something can happen in front of a group of people and 30 minutes later there’s five different stories about what happened.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

And two days later, there’s a million stories about what actually happened.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

So, context is king.

Daniel Black:

Oh, yeah. I agree. I agree. Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

There is so much we could talk about. You don’t have a lot of time because you are in demand. We can sit here for five hours and not repeat the same thing. But I got two questions for you.

Daniel Black:

Yes, sir.

Tolly Carr:

One, we’ll have a little fun here. This was such a movie, right? This moment was like a movie. I don’t even know if that’s cool to say still. It used to be maybe three months ago. If this movie had a soundtrack, what songs would be in the soundtrack of this moment that you had?

Daniel Black:

What songs would be in the soundtrack? Wow, what a great question.

Tolly Carr:

They Not Like Us, would be there, because you had such a strong reference. Inspired. Songs inspired by.

Daniel Black:

Yes, yes, yes. What songs would be in this soundtrack? I’d answer it this way. I’m not sure I know the specific songs that’d be in the soundtrack, but it’d have to be a little gospel, have to be a little blues. It’s got to be some hip hop. A little minute of jazz I’d throw in there, for sure. In other words, I think if I can risk humility here, I think that the speech really, really bespeaks the Black musical tradition in America, from the field hollers to the quartet movement to the gospel choir movement, again, to jazz, to blues, hip hop, et cetera. I think it spans all of that. And if I had my way, I would probably include something from every genre as a background for this speech.

Tolly Carr:

Well, for people watching online, this might be a fun moment in the comments for them to put some songs that they think were

Daniel Black:

Absolutely

Tolly Carr:

Some songs that they think belong to the soundtrack-

Daniel Black:

Listen, I’m open for suggestions.

Tolly Carr:

… soundtrack of this moment. The final question. The next time you give a speech, the bar is pretty damn high.

Daniel Black:

The bar is high. Because the question everybody’s been asking is, “Who will be the commencement speaker next year?” And I tell them, “I don’t know, but I’ll certainly be clapping for somebody.” It is high. And the thing I’ve resolved for myself is I’m not going to try to duplicate or to match that speech, I’m going to simply write other speeches and say other things and let them do whatever God will have them do. Because just as the Holy Ghost ushered in this speech and the energy and the reaction, the Holy Ghost is consistent. So the Holy Ghost will do it again. And I’m anxious and I’m excited to see how the Holy Ghost does it when and where.

Tolly Carr:

You have felt the energy, you have felt the weight, you have felt the importance of what you had to say.

Daniel Black:

Absolutely.

Tolly Carr:

What do you hope, if at all, that this will lead to, that this will change, that this will impact?

Daniel Black:

Sure. I hope it will triple admissions applications to HBCUs. Triple. That’s my prayer, that it will triple admissions applications to HBCUs. The other thing is that I hope it will absolutely positively cause people all over this nation to donate financially to HBCUs, because HBCUs need the resources. And with more resources, we can do greater kinds of things for a greater number of students. So many of our students leave HBCUs saddled with debt. If we could reduce the debt that so many of our students have to carry once they leave HBCUs, I feel like the future of Black kids and the future financial success of Black kids could be more assured. Because even when Black kids leave and get good jobs and do what open businesses, et cetera, they have to give half of it back for 25 years. So if we could solve that dilemma or at least get a chunk of that dilemma erased, I feel like it would really make a difference.

Tolly Carr:

He is the man. He put it down for the culture. He has kicked off the HBCU summer. Say what you will, all the accolades apply. Dr. Daniel Black.

Daniel Black:

Hey, thank you.

Tolly Carr:

Clark Atlanta University.

Daniel Black:

Appreciate you.

Tolly Carr:

Author, motivator, the greatest commencement speech-

Daniel Black:

Thanks, y’all.

Tolly Carr:

… you have ever heard. Thank you so much for hanging out with us here. A very special moment here at HBCU Game Day.

The post Daniel Black reacts to his viral HBCU speech appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

The speech that moved America

“Here, they come, y’all. Here, they come. Here, they come, y’all. Here, they come. Here, they come, y’all. Here, they come. Doctors, lawyers, writers, business owners, teachers, healers, rapper, preacher. Here they come, y’all. Here they come. Psychologists and sociologists and anthropologists and ethnomusicologists and paleontologists. Here they come, y’all. Here they come. Anesthesiologists and cosmetologists. Dermatologists and embryologists, ontologists, epidemiologists, ophthalmologists, radiologists, blackologists. Here they come, y’all. Here they come. Computer scientists, mechanical engineers, nurses, architects, radio, television, film producers. Economists, accountants, marketing executives, chemists, business analysts. Here they come, y’all. Here, they come. Musicians, mathematicians, astronauts, philosophers, pharmacists, dentists, historians, speech therapists, HR specialists, painters, dancers, actors, janitors, street sweepers, post office workers, plumbers, electricians, paramedics, bakers, construction workers, hairdressers, insurance agents, librarians, veterinarians, humanitarians. Here they come, y’all. Here they come.

The dream of the slave, the hope of the angel, the promise of the ancestors, the answers to grandmama’s prayers, the guarantees of granddaddy’s work. Here they come, y’all. Here they come. The cure to cancer is sitting right here. The antidote for sickle cell anemia is sitting right here. The great negotiator of war and peace is sitting right here. The next generation of black billionaires is sitting right here. Here they come, y’all. Here they come. Listen, Clark Atlanta University, home of the Holy Ghost. Come on somebody.

Now, this is how you know the Holy Ghost live here because some of y’all sitting here. See some of y’all sitting here, people doubted you. But here you are anyway. Somebody said, “No way.” But the Holy Ghost said, “Hell yeah.” See, because some of y’all, the ends didn’t meet. The money didn’t add up. You had to retake a class. You got discouraged. You almost dropped out. You got frustrated. You almost let it go, but the Holy Ghost said, “Hell yeah.” For some of you, you buried somebody you love. You lost more than your heart could take. You cried in the midnight hours. You told God, “I can’t do this no more.” The Holy Ghost said, “Hell yeah.”

Some of you worked 20, sometimes 30 hours a week trying to keep your phone on, a few groceries in the fridge. You actually sent mommy and daddy a little money. It got heavy sometimes. You almost quit. You said, “I’m done. I just can’t do it no more.” The Holy Ghost said “Hell yeah.” For some of you, you gave your heart to someone else and they didn’t respect it. They took you as a plaything and they toyed with your emotions. They thought they were special, but really you were the gift. Still, you were the one hurt and devastated in the end. They thought you were down for the count, but baby, they sitting here looking at you now saying, “Ain’t no way.” The Holy Ghost said, “Hell yeah.”

See, listen y’all, anywhere you go where the Holy Ghost resides, there will be magic. There will be promise, there will be possibilities, and the Holy Ghost has come today to tell you that you didn’t pay all this money to doubt yourself. You didn’t pay all this money to wonder if you’re good enough. You didn’t pay all this money to be unsure of your beauty. You didn’t pay all this money to wonder whether or not you going to get a job. You didn’t pay all this money to sit on the sidelines and clap. No ma’am. No sir.

Listen, if Harriet Tubman ran to freedom you can run to your destiny. Martin Luther King didn’t march for you to get a degree and chill. Bayard Rustin didn’t organize so you could clap for him. Black folks didn’t pick cotton so you could look cute in a black robe. Shirley Chisholm didn’t run for president so you could run away from adversity. Nat Turner didn’t lead a rebellion so you can be afraid of your own voice. James Baldwin didn’t write beautifully so you can be afraid of his words. George T. French, George Tenacious French didn’t come to CAU because he had nowhere else to go.

Let me tell you something.The faculty, we don’t teach here because we have nowhere else to teach. We teach here because black excellence is our hobby. It’s our daily bread. It’s our living water. It’s our reason for waking up in the morning. We teach here because every day we come to work, we see God.

We see God chilling on the promenade. We see God shuffling in Greek paraphernalia. We see God rushing to hand in a paper. We see God shouting to a homie across the way. We see God slinging back braids to the right and the left like she knows who the hell she is. We see God strutting out a Carl and Mary Ware with the freshest fade in the AUC and sneakers so white, they glow in the dark. We see God with locs, wigs, weaves, extensions in every shade conceivable. One day, God is caramel mocha. Another day, God is peanut butter brown. Another day, God is burnt russet. Another day, God is deep, dark chocolate. Another day, God is golden honey brown. Another day, God is shiny black onyx. Another day, God is chestnut. Another day, God is beige. Another day, God is bronze. Another day, God is coffee with cream. Another day, God is mahogany fine. Another day, God is copper bisque. Another day, God is sweet cinnamon. But every day, God is black at CAU. Showing us how to find a way, our Maker.

Don’t y’all know that 400 years ago they thought they had destroyed us. Some folks actually thought they owned us. They scattered us around the world thinking they had destroyed us, but we kept on coming because that’s what we do. We are people coming, people. See, we are the seeds of Africa. We are hope manifested.

But see, the dumbest thing these folks did in the world was to scatter seeds because if you scatter seeds, what these seeds are going to do is bloom and blossom. See, folks keep putting stumbling blocks in our way without knowing that we turned stumbling blocks into stepping stones and we rise higher every time. These folks didn’t know who the hell they brought here. They didn’t know who they enslaved. They thought they brought Negroes to America. They didn’t know that they brought healers and weavers and cooks and farmers and spiritualists and inspirers and teachers and philosophers and psychologists and drummers they didn’t know. They brought dancers and poets and fashion divas and writers and athletes and singers and entrepreneurs and painters and sculptors. They thought that because we were naked, they had stripped Africa from us. What they didn’t know is Africa ain’t on you, Africa is in you.

Listen, you’re in the lineage of the great musician, Fletcher Henderson, who graduated from this fabulous university in 1920. You are in the lineage of Mary Frances Early and Marva Collins, creator of the world-renowned Westside Preparatory School in Chicago. You’re in the lineage of brilliant minds like Kenny Leon and Kenya Barris. You’re in the lineage of genius entrepreneurs like Pinky Cole and Harry Pace. “Who is Harry Pace?” you asked. He was the founder of Black Swan Records, the first black-owned record label of the Harlem Renaissance. He graduated valedictorian from Atlanta University in 1903. He was only 19 years old. Baby, that’s black genius. That’s the legacy of Clark Atlanta University, and you’re also in the lineage of one by the name of Dr. Daniel Black, who at 18 entered Clark College in 1984 and graduated four years later magna cum laude. I said magna cum laude.

Dr. Black went on to earn degrees from Oxford University, Temple University. He is the author of several books, namely “They Tell Me of A Home”, “Perfect Peace”, “The Coming”, “Don’t Cry for Me”, “Black on Black”. And soon to be released, a new black Bible called “The Good Book.”

See, you got to know where you come from. You got to know who you with. You got to know who you’ve been taught by. You got to know who you rubbing shoulders with. Don’t waste your time comparing yourself to other people when God is your guide and God is your hope.

I wrote a little something I’m going to share with you. There are other schools around, but they not like us. Good schools, great schools, but they not like us. This is CAU the proud, the few, the place where excellence debuts. They’re not like us. You say you need a degree. Well, we confer three, the bachelors, the masters, and the PhD. If you want some knowledge, don’t just go to a college. Get to CAU where ignorance is taboo. It’s truly divine when two institutions combine and become home to the divine nine. But don’t be confused. We step and party till we mute. They’re not like us. Your job is to lift us high far, far into the sky. This ain’t no trick. We got to do better than Drake and Kendrick. We standing on business. This the home of the Holy Ghost, the last and the foremost, the east and the west coast. God’s mighty guidepost. The potato and the rump roast, the coffee and the black toast. If you need heaven in your view, you got to get yourself to CAU.

These people don’t know you. They don’t think you’re going to be a lawyer, but you are. They don’t think you’re going to get into med school, but you are. They don’t know that you’re going to teach in public schools and change the way black children see themselves, but you are. They don’t know that you’re going to open a new business no one has ever heard of, but you are. They think that just because you came from a school, they ain’t never heard of that you ain’t the one. But baby, listen, most folks can’t tell you where Jesus went to school, but they show know his name. Just like they bout to know yours, and the Holy Ghost ain’t going to let you lose.

So when people doubt you, graduates, get up and dance. When people laugh at you, graduates, get up and dance. When people don’t believe in you, graduates, get up and dance. When people think they got over on you, dance. Ain’t no telling what you going to be. When ain’t no money on your debit card, dance. When you got to collect money to buy a little gas, dance. When you got to wash your draws by hand, get up and dance. When it looks like all hope is gone, dance, baby dance. Because that’s when the Holy Ghost is setting you up, getting you ready. Ready. Getting the world ready to receive a black Savior this time. You want to boss up your life. All you got to do is get in with me.

And remember one thing, there are other schools around, but they not like us.”

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In a video posted to TikTok, the singer is seated at a piano during a concert on Friday night at her Las Vegas residency. She takes a break during her set to acknowledge what she calls her stepdaughter, Reonna, and congratulates her on graduating from Clark Atlanta University.

“I love you, darling! Congratulations!,” Adele says to the crowd. “She’s the first family member that’s graduated college. How amazing is that?”

Reonna is the daughter of sports agent Rich Paul whom Adele has been in a relationship with since 2021. Paul’s clients include Lebron James, whom he grew up with. It’s unclear if the couple is officially married.

“They’re all in Atlanta and they’re celebrating her,” she said to tremendous applause. “I love you, baby!”

Adele tells all at Vegas

Throughout her career Adele has received twelve Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, 16 Grammy Awards, 18 Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards for songwriter of the year.

Adele was full of information for the Las Vegas crowd this weekend. She told the crowd she’d like to have a baby girl when her residency is completed. She also detailed the health struggle she went through when she had to delay her concert dates between March and April. Adele says she was on voice rest for over five weeks, having to remain totally silent to get her voice back.

The 35th Clark Atlanta University Commencement Convocation was held on Saturday, May 18, at 8:00 AM. Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College are three HBCU institutions that make up the Atlanta University Center.

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Clark Atlanta University pulls out all stops for graduation

CAU’s graduation ceremony was as elaborate as any in America, HBCU or otherwise.  Panther Stadium was transformed with a full stage, sound, lighting, and hundreds of yards of red carpet for all participating in the ceremony to walk upon.  The full-fledged media production included multiple cameras, two big LED screens, a giant jib camera, and a drone injected into the video elements.

The marching in of the administration, faculty, alumni, and graduates was as prestigious a ceremony as they come.  Walking behind banners of the various colleges and schools of CAU, the entrance of all participants was fit for royalty.  The weather predictions revealed a high possibility of rain, but the event was blessed not to see a single drop.

Kyle Anderson was the first college graduate on either side of his family.  On May 18^th, he attained his B.S. in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University.  In the same class was Nyeja Warner, who attained her second HBCU degree while gracing the stage to accept her Master’s in Business Administration.  While both walked across the same stage within minutes of each other, their journeys could not have been more different.

Anderson’s tenure was groundbreaking in his lineage

Anderson hails from Trenton, New Jersey.  His mother, Kellie Baker, said he was destined to migrate to CAU.  “He has always been conscious of who he was and though he does not come from a family of college graduates, he was focused early on going to an HBCU.  He wanted that culture.  He only applied to HBCUs and chose Clark Atlanta.” Baker said.

Anderson’s uncanny understanding of what his graduation means was on full display at a graduation party reminiscent of a family reunion.  Nearly a hundred family and friends traveled from New Jersey, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, and other areas converged to celebrate the milestone graduation.

The importance of his graduation was not lost on him.  “I understand the magnitude.  To see my family and friends all come together just to celebrate me and what I have accomplished these last 22 years has been amazing.  These last two days have been amazing,” Anderson said.

Family members gave tributes to Anderson at the celebration, including his estranged father.  His grandmother, Linda Baker, spoke of the family pride brought about by the graduation.  “You are the first member of our family to graduate college.  You have indeed broken a generational curse,” she said.

Warner was expected to attend college from birth

Warner hails from Atlanta, Georgia.  However, when it came time for college she chose to go South to Florida A&M University.  While at FAMU, she attained her B.S. in Public Relations in 2017.  With two parents that had attended Howard University, it was expected that she keep the family tradition going.

Warner is ecstatic to be able to claim two HBCUs as her alma mater.  “My parents went to Howard University and I was intent on going there.  I was accepted at Howard and the finances were just not adding up.  My father encouraged me to apply to FAMU.  I was accepted immediately and before I knew it, I was in orientation.  I had a great opportunity at FAMU,” Warner said.

In college, she would expand her horizons.  She was a member of the FAMU cheerleader squad.  Warner was a part of the FAMU team that won the final MEAC Cheerleading Conference championship in 2016.  While in school, she also participated in a campus dance team called the Diamond Dancers. She also interned in FAMU Athletics and was a star intern.  She would escalate to one of the student leaders in the department and would often manage other interns for the sports information department.

After graduating from fellow HBCU Florida A&M University, Warner interned at the National Football League Players Association, the union for the NFL.  It was a 10-month internship in Washington, D.C.  It expanded her desire to work in the sports field.  That internship is a coveted one and one of the hardest in the country to attain.  

“When I was selecting a graduate school, I looked at schools that had sports and entertainment as part of their MBA programs.  The program at CAU fit perfectly to what I was looking for and I am so glad I chose to be a Panther,” Warner said.

Her pension for being involved moved her to intern in the athletic department at CAU.  She gravitated to sports information and when she arrived, CAU was without a director for the department.  Warner would step in the role of graduate assistant for athletics and hold down many of the roles of the sports information director until CAU was able to fill the role.  Her experience in the area happened to be just right for the situation and bridge the gap for CAU.

Two different paths garner the same results

Two graduates who walked across the stage on the same day, have stories as different as the edges of the galaxy.  What is the common thread is their desire to be among people who look like them and understand their struggles. All the while elevating their intelligence.  This is the essence of why HBCUs are important, though those who have no understanding question this very notion.

“I‘ve always said I wanted all of my secondary education from HBCU institutions because those are the places made specifically for us.  They mold us and prepare us differently.  We don’t have to feel out of place in preparation for being in the real world,” Warner concluded.

“It was amazing to be around your class of young black people and inspire each other that we can do anything.  We can spark a change in this world and it’s right there for us to conquer,” Anderson said.

Black delivers stellar commencement address

So many times at college commencements, the audience is ready to get past the address and get to the handing out of degrees.  That was not the case Saturday.  Daniel Black, Ph.D. lit up the arena with an offering that was part sermon, part motivational speaking, part affirmation, part hip-hop acknowledgment, but full HBCU.

From the moment Clark Atlanta President Dr. George French introduced Black as a speaker, in the words of Drake it went “0 to 100 real quick.”

“Here they come y’all, here they come!  Here they come y’all, here they come!  Here they come y’all, here they come!  Doctors, lawyers, writers, business owners, teachers, healers, rappers, preachers… Here they come y’all, here they come!”

Black’s opening brought thunderous applause as he continued to name the fields of possibility for the new CAU graduates.  There wasn’t a dull moment in his oration.  Standing ovations, shouts of joy, shouts for the Lord, and shouts of affirmation littered the speech.  It was as electric a delivery of a commencement address as possible.

The goal of a commencement address is to give the graduates some words of advice and encouragement as they move forward.  Black knocked it out of the park.  He did everything from injecting the ancestral relevance of their graduation to comparing them to being better thank Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s diss feud to injecting some Bossman Dlow into his vernacular.  He even worked in the most popular rap lyrics from the No.1 song in the country saying “There are other schools around, but they not like us.”

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DAVIE, Fla. — In a hard-fought battle between the Florida Southern Mocs and the Clark Atlanta Panthers, the Panthers (25-6, 16-5 SIAC) fell short 80-72 in their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2016. Despite the loss, Clark Atlanta achieved a remarkable feat after finishing last season 8-20 and improving to 25-6 to finish the 2024 campaign. 

Chris Martin led all scorers with a game-high 19 points, followed by Jalen Williams with 16 points on an efficient 6-9 shooting from the field, 2-4 from three-point range, and a perfect 2-2 from the foul line. Xavier Griffith added 11 points of his own to round out the Panthers in double figures. 

Chris Martin and Jalen NeSmith scored the game’s first points, giving the Panthers an early 4-0 lead over the Mocs. Florida Southern responded with a 9-3 run to take a 9-7 lead over the Panthers just four minutes into the game. 

Florida Southern mounted a six-point lead, but the Panthers battled back to get within two (19-17) after Jalen Williams knocked down a three at the 11:23 mark in the first half. The Panthers regained the lead after Dez’Mond Perkins and Kharye Cayne combined for five points to put CAU ahead 28-27 with six minutes to play until halftime. FSC held CAU to just seven points down the stretch to hold an eight-point advantage (43-35) at the intermission. 

The Mocs opened the second half with a 10-0 run, putting the Panthers in a 14-point hole with 17:27 left to play in regulation. Undeterred, Clark Atlanta battled back to take a 61-59 lead after Williams drained his second three-pointer of the day at the 9:21 mark. FSC responded with a 6-1 run to regain the lead (65-63) less than four minutes later. 

“Whenever we are faced with adversity, we never bend or fold. We’ve been through a lot this season, including games where we’re up 13 at the half or down 13 at the half. When we turn it up defensively, our high-powered offense always kicks in.” said head coach Alfred Jordan about his team erasing a 14-point deficit in the second half. 

Florida Southern outscored Clark Atlanta 15-9 in the final six minutes to take down the Panthers 80-72 in the opening round of the NCAA DII South Region Tournament. 

“I always like to show my team gratitude, especially my upperclassmen who unfortunately played their last game tonight, but my message to my underclassmen was to remember this feeling because we’ll be back here next year. Clark Atlanta will be here every year going forward,” said Coach Jordan. 

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Savannah State, who is the host school for the SIAC Tournament, ran out to a 34-21 halftime lead, staying a step ahead of the Panthers for the first 20 minutes. SSU shot a blistering 70 percent from the three point line in the first half to fuel the surge. The usual stingy Clark Atlanta defense was gathering its sea legs as the host Tigers bombed away early.

But in the second half the No. 1 seed showed up in force. SIAC player of the year Chris Martin poured in 28 points to fuel the comeback but he wasn’t available to close the game out. Martin fouled out with 4:36 remaining with SSU leading 51-50.

The Tigers went ahead 53-52 with 2:54 remaining with a pair of free throws from Ajay Plain. From that point on CAU missed three jump shots and turned the ball over once until the possession of the game.

Coming out of a timeout Andrew Stewart hit a short floating jump shot with six seconds remaining to retake the lead at 54-53. Stewart finished with 9 points, no other CAU player besides Martin scored in double figures. Qua King missed what could have been the game winner, on a very good look, as time expired for Savannah State. Clark Atlanta will face the winner of Friday’s Tuskegee versus Benedict game in Saturday’s semifinal.

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Joining David Wright at Clark Atlanta will be offensive lineman Eli Shareef. The Hampton, Georgia product was named All-SIAC as a freshman last season for Allen.

Wright will also have one of his top targets from last season in Atlanta. Armone Harris caught 41 passes for 677 yards and five touchdowns.

Denzell Moore, Jaheim Borden and DeAndre Pridgett will all join the defensive line at CAU.

CAU also brought in former Jackson State defensive back Adryan Haye.

Allen University went 7-3 last season under Keaton. Clark Atlanta University finished 0-10 on the season. 

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CAU was led in scoring by Xavier Griffith with a season-high 20 points in less than 20 minutes of play. Jalen Williams and Andrew Stewart each chipped in 11 points to round out the three players in double figures. 

Kharye Cayne pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds in the win. 

The Panthers shot 36.1 percent from the field from the field and 64.3% from the charity stripe. Clark Atlanta also won the rebounding battle 42-41 over Fort Valley. A full play-by-play of the game currently isn’t available. 

UP NEXT

Clark Atlanta returns to action on Monday, February 5 as they head to Albany State for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff. 
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Shemani Fuller was able to pull down a season-high and game-high 13 rebounds to lead CAU on the boards. Elijah Stewart chipped in 19 points on 50% shooting from the field (5-of-10) and from three-point range (2-of-4) while also shooting an impressive 7-of-10 (70%) from the charity stripe. Andrew Stewart also landed in double figures with 11 points and six rebounds in the win.

“Defense was the key! That team tonight was the team that started the year off 6-0. If we continue to guard like we did tonight, we will have an amazing 2nd half of the season,” CAU head coach  Alfred Jordan said after the win. 

Despite holding on to win, Clark Atlanta University found itself facing a 20-8 deficit just eight minutes into Saturday’s contest. Undeterred, the Panthers fought back, using a 17-6 run to cut the margin down to one point at the 6:46 mark in the first half. Less than two minutes later, Chris Martin laid in a score to even the score at 31 apiece with 4:19 remaining in the first half.

Silas Mason closed out the first half with a made jumper to send the Panthers into the intermission with a 45-41 lead over the eighth-ranked Tigers. Clark Atlanta shot an outstanding 50% (16-of-32) from the field in the first half.

Andrew and Elijah Stewart combined for CAU’s nine points early in the second half to keep the Panthers on top of the Tigers 53-43 at the 17:05 mark in the second half. The Tigers, however, would not go down without a fight after they climbed back to even the score at 56-all with 12:06 left to play in regulation. Both teams continued to trade baskets until Clark Atlanta began to pull away with a nine-point edge (70-61) with just under six minutes left to play. 

Elijah Stewart sunk a free throw to put the Panthers ahead by two (82-80) with 18 seconds left to play before Benedict’s Asanti Price knocked down a crucial jumper with eight seconds left to send the game into overtime, 82-82. 

The Panthers shot 40% (2-of-5) from the field and 50% (1-of-2) from downtown in overtime to outlast the Tigers 88-84 and secure their first win over a top-10 team in the nation.

UP NEXT

The Clark Atlanta Panthers look to win their fourth straight game as they play host to Allen University on Monday, January 15 inside Epps Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.

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Former Allen University head coach Teddy Keaton has been named the next head coach at Clark Atlanta University.

Keaton will fill the role vacated when CAU fired SIAC football legend Willie Slater back in August. 

“We are thrilled to have Coach Teddy Keaton join Clark Atlanta University as the new head coach of the Panthers football program,” said President George T. French, Jr., Ph.D. “His experience and success in the SIAC make him an ideal fit for our university. We are confident that Coach Keaton’s leadership will take the Panthers to new heights. We are excited for the future of our football program under his guidance.”

No stranger to the SIAC, Keaton has spent the bulk of his career at start-up/fledgling programs in the league. He began his career at Stillman College as a graduate assistant in 1999 as the program was relaunched. He spent five years there before jumping to the professional ranks in arena leagues. After spending a couple of years at Webber International, an NAIA program, Keaton was named head coach at his alma mater.

Keaton led Stillman to a 7-4 record and a tie for the SIAC West Division in his inaugural season. He would go on to record three consecutive winning seasons at Stillman to start his tenure. His teams went 27-26 overall as the program was eventually shut down and the school moved its athletic affiliation to NAIA.

Keaton would spend two seasons as running backs coach at Miles College before being hired as head coach at Allen University as the school planned to restart football. 

He arrived at Allen on Jan. 8, 2018 with no home field and no practice field as the program started in the NAIA with the goal of moving up to Division II. Despite those challenges, the program increased its win totals in each season, winning two games in 2018, three in 2019 and four in 2021 as the program joined the SIAC as a provisional member. 

The program fell to 2-8 in 2022 but bounced back in a major way in 2023. Allen went 7-3 in 2023, including a 35-27 win over CAU. 

To say Clark Atlanta University football has struggled is an understatement. It has not recorded a winning record since 2008 when it went 6-5. CAU has not won an SIAC title since 1991 when it shared with four other programs, including Morehouse College.

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Jackson State leads the SWAC with nearly 30k. That’s an impressive number, but it is a significant drop from its 2022 number. Norfolk State got a slight bump as it led the MEAC. North Carolina A&T got another sellout it’s first season in the CAA.

Here are the numbers of attendance at each HBCU homecoming game. All numbers were taken from official box scores from each school’s athletic website.

MEAC

Norfolk State-24,976

South Carolina State-22,269

North Carolina Central-13,626

Howard-7,684

Delaware State-6,300

Morgan State-Canceled

SWAC

Jackson State-30,947

Alabama A&M-26,391

Florida A&M-22,338

Southern-21,492

Alcorn State-21,012

Alabama State-17,995

Prairie View A&M-14,224

Arkansas-Pine Bluff-13,469

Bethune-Cookman-9,458

Mississippi Valley State-8,752

Grambling State-8,657

Texas Southern-6,352

CAA

North Carolina A&T-21,500

Hampton-13,811

CIAA

Winston-Salem State-8,200

Virginia Union-5,250

Shaw-5,022

Livingstone – 4,501

Bowie State-4,395

St. Augustine’s-3,719

Fayetteville State-3,680

Elizabeth City State-3,579

Johnson C. Smith-3,452

Virginia State-3,409

Lincoln (PA)-2,117

Bluefield State-N/A

SIAC

Tuskegee-31,726

Clark Atlanta-19,597

Savannah State-12,723

Fort Valley State-12,113

Morehouse-10,213

Benedict-8,589

Albany State-8,371

Kentucky State-2,898

Edward Waters-2,472

Lane-1,753

Allen-905

Central State-N/A

Miles-N/A

Other

Tennessee State-13,975

West Virginia State-3,954

Lincoln (MO)-3,333

Virginia University-Lynchburg-1,753

Florida Memorial-1,200

Langston-N/A

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“I obviously worked at a big legacy media company. But I’ve also done a lot of work at various points with smaller, what used to be called, new media operations. There’s a different energy that comes when you’re in a new media place,” Jones said.

This comes months after ESPN decided not to renew his contract along with many others. But he did retain the name of his podcast, related intellectual property, and his RSS feed.

“So for people who are subscribed to this show already, it will be right there where it would have been otherwise if I had stayed (at ESPN),” Bomani Jones said. “That, for me, is the most attractive thing about making this move. At the end of the deal, I was able to keep the RSS feed.”

His podcast will air live on the WSE YouTube channel three times a week. Jones’ transition is just one example of how volitale the sports media world can be.

“The economic fate of people in sports media is getting dicier and dicier by the day,” Jones told FOS. “I think the ESPN layoffs were the beginning of it in a lot of ways. Seeing what happened [with] the New York Times shutting down their sports department and they moved those people to other desks, but at some point they’re probably going to deem those people to be surplus, and they’re not going to be there anymore.

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“We appreciate coach Slater for his dedication and contributions to CAU’s football program,” said the release. “There is no doubt that Coach Slater has had a tremendous impact on our institution, and we are grateful to him for his support and hard work during his tenure.”

Willie Slater came to Clark Atlanta University prior to the 2022 season after a long tenure at Tuskegee University, where he served as director of athletics and head football coach. He led Tuskegee to a 123-47 record during his tenure from 2006 through 2021 as his teams claimed five black college national championships during that time.

Tuskegee won at least eight games in 10 on his first 11 seasons at the helm, and won in the NCAA playoffs three seasons. The program went 13-18 his final three seasons as he held the role of both AD and head football coach.

CAU has not named an interim head coach. It has not recorded a winning record since 2008 when it went 6-5. CAU has not won an SIAC title since 1991 when it shared with four other programs, including Morehouse College.

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For what it’s worth, “The Right Time with Bomani Jones” was one of the network’s most successful podcasts.

This is the second time in 2023 that Jones has had one of his outlets set on the shelf. His HBO show “Game Theory with Bomani Jones” was canceled earlier this year after 16 episodes starting in 2022.

Jones’ ESPN career has seen many transitions. Originally a writer, Jones was a frequent contributor on “Around The Horn” and eventually a co-star with Dan Le Batard on “Highly Questionable.”

History shows that while he may no longer be under contract with ESPN, Jones will almost certainly land on his feet and continue to build his personal brand.

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Leading the way for the Rams on the scoring front was Jaylon Gibson, who put up 25 points and 11 rebounds while blocking two shots on the win. The former NC State big man helped his new squad outscore their SIAC foe 48-16 in the paint and get eight second-chance points on eight offensive rebounds.

Despite coming in with just one win through the first month of the season, WSSU head coach Cleo Hill said he thought Clark Atlanta was better than its record – but his team took some convincing.

“They played Tuskegee really, really tough and took them to overtime and I figured we would take them lightly. And then we did,” Hill said frankly after the game. “And I give them credit, they came out the first half and they they played tough, They played hard, and we had no answer for their guards. We had zero answers for that. And I think at halftime, I think we did a little bit better.”

Justin Longstreet led CAU with 20 points on 7-for-15 shooting in the loss.

WSSU guards Samage Teel and Issac Parson were a problem for CAU all night. The redshirt sophomores both had big nights, with Teel scoring 22 points on 6-for-9 shooting while Parson scored 17 on 6-for-8 shooting, hitting both of his 3-point attempts.

“It feels good to keep having the success that we’re having,” Parson said after the game. “You know we’re just putting in the work every day, just listening to Coach Hill, Coach Beck and Coach Wilson, following instructions.”

Winston-Salem State’s home streak will be tested again this week as three CIAA teams from the Northern Division will be in town on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday – including nationally ranked Virginia Union. VUU handed WSSU three of its seven losses during the 2021-2022 season. The crowds will likely be a bit lighter as most students are headed home for the holidays.

Hill, who is 58-33 at WSSU, is hoping that the local community can make up for the difference as the Rams prepare of the pre-holiday home stretch.

“We haven’t lost a game (at home) since pre-pandemic,” Hill said. “So I think the community and the student body, I think they do a great job and we hope they all come out for the next three games.”

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“This is a big stage opportunity and play on ESPN and Chris Paul – you know one of the greatest point guards to play the game –  to give HBCU schools an opportunity to play on a big stage. Our goal is to go out and win the tournament,” VUU head coach Jay Butler said. “(Winston-Salem State head coach) Cleo Hill and I, we talk all the time and we pushed for the winner to continue to defend the crown.”

VUU won 23 games during the 2021-2022 season comes into the event 2-0 with wins over Shippensburg and Millersville over the weekend. Its’ opponent for the opener is Clark Atlanta of the SIAC. It enters the game 0-2 under first-year head coach Alfred Jordan.

“I’m looking forward to that type of challenge, especially as a first year head coach to go up against such a veteran that has been doing a very good job over there at Virginia Union,” Jordan said just prior to the start of the season. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the team reacts and I’m also looking to see how well I do as a coach, accepting the challenge to play the juggernaut.”

The VUU-Clark Atlanta matchup is set to take place at 4 P.M. 

The other matchup will see Johnson C. Smith of the CIAA take on Xavier Louisiana, the lone NAIA school in the field. 

JCSU started the season taking on the top team in the country as it played North Carolina in an exhibition. It is currently 1-1 on the season. XULA comes into the game 3-0, including a 72-60 win over LeMoyne-Owen, a D2 HBCU in the same league as Clark Atlanta. That matchup will take place at 6:30 PM on Tuesday.

Chris Paul HBCU event gives D2s an extra boost

Both Jordan and Butler acknowledged that playing on this platform is huge for their programs, which rarely get such opportunities as HBCUs playing Division II basketball. 

“Our goal is to go out and keep winning because it’s a first class event, just to get the opportunity to go out there and showcase our talent and put Virginia Union on the map. Let America see Virginia Union is is a strong academic school, a very talented athletic program, football doing well.

Jordan said he anticipates this tournament helping his program with recruiting. 

“It’s very hard sometimes to compete with schools that you know are going to get games on ESPN Plus, and you’re scrambling every game to send out a link for family and friends just to watch games,” he said. “So for our teams to get the chance to finally participate on a national scale shows the world the power of HBCUs and also the hidden gems at HBCUs.”

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With two weeks left in the football regular season of the two NCAA Div. II HBCU conferences — the SIAC and CIAA —  contenders have been separated from pretenders. 

Leaders in both leagues’ divisional races can clinch division titles and championship game berths with wins this week. But it won’t be easy. Each will face a stiff challenge.

Here’s the HBCU Football rundown.

HBCU Football Rundown: SIAC East

Undefeated and nationally-ranked Benedict (8-0, 5-0 SIAC E) can clinch the SIAC East Division title and a berth in the Nov. 12 SIAC championship game with a win Saturday. The Tigers of second-year head coach Chennis Berry play at home at 2 p.m. in Columbia, S. C. vs. Clark Atlanta (3-5, 2-4 E). 

The winner of the East Division title will host this season’s Nov. 12 SIAC Championship Game.

Berry has led the surprising Tigers to a No. 15 ranking in both the NCAA Div. II d2football.com and AFCA Coaches polls.

Bendict- Clark Atlanta match up

Taking out Clark Atlanta and veteran head coach Willie Slater in his first year leading the Panthers will not be easy. In 15 years before taking over the Panthers’ program, Slater led Tuskegee to seven SIAC titles and five West Division crowns. He will have CAU ready to play spoiler.

Benedict is led by left-handed quarterback Eric Phoenix, who has passed for 1,054 yards and nine touchdowns with just one interception. Phoenix leads the league with a 63.3 completion percentage (93 of 147). His complement at running back is freshman Zaire Scotland who has rushed for 538 yards and six TDs. The Benedict offense is second in scoring in the SIAC at 29.1 points per game.

Clark Atlanta is coming off a 41-21 loss last week to Fort Valley State. In its last win, 21-12 on Oct. 15 over Savannah State, CAU broke a five-game losing streak to the Tigers. QB Shariff Brown threw for 123 yards and one score and Daquan Kincey ran for 172 yards and one touchdown.

Fort Valley State (7-1) and Albany State (6-2) both have 4-1 records in the conference and only stay alive if they win and Benedict loses. ASU is hosting winless Morehouse (2 p.m.) while FVSU is at Savannah State (3-5, 2-4 E) (6 p.m.).

Benedict, who has wins over FVSU and Albany State, can lose to Clark Atlanta and take the division title with a win next week at home over Allen.

HBCU Football undown: Showdown in the SIAC West

In the SIAC West, Tuskegee (6-2) is atop the division with an unblemished 5-0 league mark. After a shaky 0-2 start, Tuskegee is on a six-game winning streak.

The Golden Tigers have a 1 p.m. showdown at second-place Kentucky State (4-4, 4-1 W), the only other team still alive for the division title. A Tuskegee win clinches the division title.

The Golden Tigers are in their first year under head coach Reginald Ruffin. The former Miles head coach led the Golden Bears to four SIAC titles and five championship game appearances in nine years.

KSU, obscure after an 0-4 start, has run off four straight wins under new interim head coach Paul Hamilton. A win by the Thorobreds puts them in the driver’s seat for the division title.

KSU closes next week (Nov. 5) on the road at Central State. Tuskegee closes the regular season next week at home vs. Miles.

The Tuskegee vs. Kentucky State match up

Kentucky State is averaging an SIAC-best 216.4 rushing yards per game. They are last in SIAC passing at 66.1 yards per game.

The ground attack is led by rugged 6-2, 245-pound senior running back Christian Coneway who has rushed for 513 yards (64.1 yards per game), averaging 5.5 yards per carry with seven rushing touchdowns.

In last week’s 35-7 win over Miles, KSU rushed the ball 53 times for 327 yards. KSU junior quarterback Jaylen Myers threw just one pass, completing it for 18 yards. The Breds have rushed for over 200 yards in each of their four straight wins. Tuskegee is giving up 185.0 rushing yards per game.

Expect KSU to pound the Golden Tigers on the ground.

During its five-game win streak, junior quarterback Bryson Williams and senior running back Taurean Taylor have been stellar for Tuskegee.

Taylor (684 yards, 92 carries, 7.4 yards per carry, 97.7 ypg. 6 TDs) is second in SIAC rushing to FVSU’s Emanuel Wilson. He has had two 200-yard rushing efforts during the win streak — 234 rushing yards and four TDs in a 49-34 win over Central State and 218 yards yards and a TD vs. Clark Atlanta.

In the five-game streak, Williams has thrown for 790 yards and seven TDs with just two interceptions.

HBCU Football Rundown: CIAA North

Virginia Union (8-0, 6-0 N), under head coach Dr. Alvin Parker, is undefeated and ranked 11th nationally in the d2football.com poll and tenth in the AFCA Div. II Coaches poll. The Panthers are also on top of the CIAA North Division race as they host Chowan (5-3, 5-1 N) Saturday in a showdown at VUU’s Hovey Field (1 p.m.).

Chowan is the only other team with a shot at the division title. A VUU win clinches the North Division title and a spot in the Nov. 12 CIAA Championship Game in Salem, Virginia. Chowan is in the driver’s seat for the division title with a win. CU closes next week hosting Elizabeth City State while VUU closes at Virginia State.

The Virginia Union vs. Chowan match up

Chowan, under second-year head coach Mark Hall, has come from literally nowhere to challenge VUU.

After a series of close wins and losses in a 3-3 start, the team has pulled off close, down-to-the-wire wins over Lincoln, Pa. (16-14 on Oc. 8), Virginia State (45-43 on Oct. 15) and three-time defending CIAA North and conference champion Bowie State (21-15 last week, Oct. 22). It isn’t an HBCU football program, but it could play for the championship of the oldest HBCU football conference if it keeps winning.

Junior quarterback Rashad McKee has sparked Chowan in its last three wins. He came off the bench to lead his team to a late field goal that was the difference in the win over Lincoln. Rashad ran for 139 yards and a touchdown and led the team to a game-winning touchdown vs. VSU. He then passed for 270 yards and all three Chowan scores of 73, 11 and 61 yards in its upset of Bowie State last week.

The Byers effect

VUU has been led all season by CIAA, Div. II and HBCU football rushing leader, sophomore Jada Byers. If you throw out his 98-yard effort in a 77-0 blowout of Virginia-Lynchburg to open the season, the 5-9, 180-pound dynamo’s average would be 208.4 yards per game.

As it is, he has topped 100 yards in every game since with one 300-yard game (319 in an early season win over No. 3 Valdosta tate), two with over 200 yards (205 vs. Elizabeth City State and 277 vs. Bowie State) and 199- and 187-yard efforts (vs. Livingstone and Lincoln Pa.). His lowest output since has been 114 yards in 12 carries in a blowout win vs. Saint Augustine’s.

In total, he has amassed 1,604 rushing yards on 215 carries. He is averaging 7.3 yards per carry and 195.0 rushing yards per game. He is tied for the lead nationally with 18 rushing touchdowns.

HBCU Football Rundown: CIAA South

In the CIAA South, Fayetteville State (6-2, 5-1 S) can clinch its fifth straight division title and Nov. 12 Championship Game berth with a win at home over Shaw (3-5, 3-3 S). 

Shaw and Winston-Salem State (2-6, 2-3 W) are still alive for the division title but would both have to beat FSU — Shaw this week and WSSU next week — to have a chance. WSSU hosts J. C. Smith Saturday (1 p.m.). WSSU closes at home on Nov. 5 vs. FSU while Shaw plays at Saint Augustine’s.

The FSU vs. Shaw match up

Going into the 2022 season, most thought Shaw would be the greatest challenge to Fayetteville State’s South Division supremacy. Turns out, that’s certainly one of the scenarios in play.

The Bears, in their fifth-season under head coach Adrian Jones, have see-sawed back and forth all season. They lost their first two games, won two straight and then lost three in a row. Last week they beat Livingtone 28-14 to stay in contention in the South. Their biggest win was handing Bowie State its first loss in 18 CIAA games, 17-14 on Sept. 17.

Junior running back Andre Brandon Jr. (5-10, 182) ran 49 times for 306 yards in last week’s win over Livingstone. He more than doubled the total output in his previous five games and is now third in CIAA rushing stats with 479 yards (87.7 yards per game.). Expect Coach Jones to feature Brandon vs. FSU.

The Broncos and sixth-year head coach Richard Hayes Jr. are closing the season with redshirt freshman Caden Davis and true freshman Demari Daniels taking most of the snaps at quarterback. Senior starting QB Khari Lane got in for a handful of snaps vs. J. C. Smith (a 21-13 FSU win last week) and played sparingly the previous week in a win over Livingstone. He sat out the Oct. 8 win over St. Augustine’s. His last start was Sept. 29 in a 13-10 win over Chowan.

SIAC and CIAA games for this week

SIAC

Thursday, October 27

Edward Waters 22, Miles 16

Saturday, October 29

Kentucky State vs  Tuskegee in Frankfort, KY – ESPN+ 1p 

Lane vs. Central State in Jackson, TN 2p 

Benedict vs. Clark Atlanta in Columbia, SC 2p

Albany State vs. Morehouse in Albany, GA – ESPN+ 2p

Savannah State vs. Fort Valley State in Macon, GA 6p

CIAA

Saturday, October 29

Elizabeth City State vs. Bowie State in Eliz. City, NC 1p

Lincoln (PA) vs. Virginia State in Lincoln University, PA 1p

Saint Augustine’s vs. Livingstone in Raleigh, NC 1p

Virginia Union vs. Chowan in Richmond, VA – HBCUGO 1p

Winston-Salem State vs. J. C. Smith in W-S, NC – AspireTV 1p

Fayetteville State vs. Shaw in Fayetteville, NC 4p

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“We are and have been sustained by the consistent outpouring of love and support through this journey in developing strength, acceptance and peace,” said Tony’s wife, Tina Brown. “We ask that you join us in that spirit as we prepare to celebrate Tony’s life. Our biggest thank you to our village of family and friends, near and far, old and new. Your love is immeasurable. Thanks to the Lustgarten Foundation and PanCan. Keep striving for the cures. Many, many thanks to our NBRA and NBA family whose generosity is unmatched. And a very special thank you to the Emory/Bridgeway Hospice Unit. Your compassion and care went above and beyond. We are forever grateful!”

“Tony Brown was one of the most accomplished referees in the NBA and an inspiration to his colleagues,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “After his pancreatic cancer diagnosis early last year, Tony fought courageously through countless rounds of treatment to return to work this past season at the NBA Replay Cénter, demonstrating the dedication, determination and passion that made him such a highly respected official for 20 years. The entire NBA family mourns Tony’s passing and we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Tina; their children, Bailey, Basile and Baylen; and his fellow referees.”

Brown officiated 1,110 regular-season games and 35 playoff games in 20 seasons as an NBA staff official. He made his debut as an NBA Finals referee during the 2019-20 season. A graduate of Clark Atlanta University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Brown was a member of the crew that officiated the 2021 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta, which honored HBCUs.

In lieu of flowers, the Brown family encourages donations to the Tony and Tina Brown Basketball Program Endowment at Clark Atlanta University.

For more information, please visit https://secure.givelively.org/donate/clark-atlanta-university-ine/tony-brown-basketball-

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That likely overshadowed the fact that the conference has not named a replacement for longtime Commissioner Greg Moore, who announced in late May that he was stepping down after nearly 14 years leading the conference.

Nonetheless, the day went smoothly. Associate Commissioner for Communications Tyler Williams deftly handled the proceedings. Seven new head men were among the coaches that made their way to the stage in downtown Atlanta to be interviewed by host James Verett after sitting down with the various media outlets in attendance.

That’s new men at the helm of more than half the 13 SIAC programs. Of the current head coaches, Morehouse head coach Richard Freeman, in his 11th season leading the Maroon Tigers, now has the longest tenure at one school.

A brand new crop in the West

In an interesting twist, four of the five West Division programs have new faces at the helm. Two of them have moved from one conference program to another. Three in all are getting their second head coaching assignment in the league. All three come with conference championship credentials.

The shake-up of sideline mentors had little bearing however on who the head coaches and sports information directors voted to win division titles (watch here). Albany State in the East and Miles in the West are picked to repeat.

Here are profiles of the new coaches. Let’s begin with those that have SIAC titles.

Willie Slater: From Tuskegee to Clark Atlanta

Willie Slater, the new coach at Clark Atlanta, spent the last 15 years as the head man at Tuskegee. He also spent the last five years as Tuskegee’s athletics director.

“I enjoy working,” said Slater of his 44-year career as a coach. “I guess I could have retired and all that. But I enjoy working and enjoy working with young men. I’m excited about the opportunity.”

Slater posted a sterling record of 110-29 (.791) with six seasons of double-digit wins and another four nine-win seasons in his first 12 seasons at Tuskegee. He had only one losing campaign in those dozen years. That stretch included seven SIAC titles and nine West Division titles.

But over the last three seasons, his Golden Tigers were just 13-18, never finishing above .500. Maybe, the double duties of coach and AD caught up to him. He’ll only have to focus on coaching the Panthers.

Slater, who said he has been calling plays since the 10th grade, said he won’t be calling plays for the Panthers. “Well, they embarrassed me at Tuskegee. They said I’m old and my play-calling skills are old and all that stuff. So, rather than have any controversy, Coach (Richard) Moncrief is our offensive coordinator.”

CAU finished 2-8 overall and 0-6 in the SIAC last season under head coach Tim Bowens. They open on Sat., Sept. 3 at new conference member Edward Waters.

Reginald Ruffin: Taking on the double duties at Tuskegee

The double-dip of head football coach and AD at Tuskegee has now been taken on by former Miles head coach Reginald Ruffin. He also served in both capacities for the Golden Bears. Ruffin has said he will spend just one year in both jobs before surrendering the coaching duties.

Ruffin had two stints as an assistant at Tuskegee under Rick Comegy ((2002-2003) and Slater (2006-2010) before becoming head coach at Miles in 2011. He spent the last 11 years leading a resurgence for the Golden Bears challenging and often overcoming Slater and Tuskegee in the SIAC’s West Division. He won the last three West titles, six overall, and corralled four conference championships leading Miles.

“For me it’s a blessing,” Ruffin said of returning to Tuskegee. “Because the three winningest top coaches in the history of Tuskegee — Cleve Abbott, Rick Comegy and Willie Slater, — I was fortunate to coach under two of them. That’s a blessing for me that propelled me in my career as a coach because of what I leaned from those guys.”

Tuskegee and Ruffin, coming off a 3-8 record in Slater’s last season, open against Fort Valley State in Montgomery, Alabama on Sun., Sept. 4 at the first annual Red Tails Classic.

Kevin Porter: From Fort Valley State to Central State

New Central State head coach Kevin Porter was last in the league in 2019 completing the last leg of a four-year stint (2016-19) leading Fort Valley State. Porter guided the Wildcats to the SIAC title in his inaugural season, 2016.

The Marauders, who changed coaches from Bobby Rome to interim head coach George Ragsdale during the 2021 season, are coming off a 1-9 campaign. Porter will make his CSU coaching debut on Sunday Sept. 4 against Winston Salem State at the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic in Canton, Ohio. The game will be televised on the NFL Network.

“The opportunity to play on national television at the Hall of Fame game is impetus for the football team and the program to get out there and start on the right foot and do a great job of representing the university,” said Porter during a sit-down interview with this reporter at the SIAC Media Day. “The University obviously has tremendous tradition as far as the football program goes and I want to make sure our kids understand that tradition, where that comes from and what we’re planning.”

The Marauders won three NAIA Division II national championships from 1990-95, and were runner-up in 1983 while competing in NCAA Division II.

The first timers: Sam Shade at Miles

Stepping into the formidable shoes of Ruffin at Miles is Sam Shade, who grew up in Birmingham before playing at Alabama and in the NFL. He has been a state championship high school coach in Alabama and has also coached on the collegiate and NFL levels.

“I grew up ten minutes away from Miles College,” Shade said from the stage at SIAC Media Day Tuesday. “In fact, my father lives eight minutes away. I’ve got two sisters that graduated from Miles and a nephew that actually played at Miles. I actually played coach Ruffin. I’m very familiar with the program and I’m very excited about the opportunity.”

Miles was 6-4 overall, winning the West with a 4-2 record before falling to Albany State in the championship game, 31-0. Shade debuts at Alabama State on Sat., Sept. 3.

Aaron Kelton at Savannah State

Savannah State made a run at the SIAC East title under Shawn Quinn last season finishing 8-2 overall, 5-1 in league play. Quinn left to become linebackers coach at Virginia Tech.

Aaron Kelton, a Boston native, takes over at Savannah State from Howard where he was the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. He also served as interim head coach at Howard in 2019.

“The city of Savannah, the university, its rich history, the great climate and to be able to play in a conference like the SIAC is what really attracted me,” said Kelton of his coming to SSU. “We’re at the end of a transition period in the program. We’ve lost guys to graduation and all those different kinds of things. So we’re excited, and a little anxious to see what we can do.”

SSU opens at Southeastern University on Sat., Sept. 3.

Shawn Gibbs at Fort Valley State

Shawn Gibbs comes to Fort Valley State after working the last 19 years as running backs at NC Central, Grambling and NC A&T. He also was assistant head coach and running backs coach under Rod Broadway and Sam Washington at N. C. A&T. But he’s quite familiar with the SIAC.

“Well, I’m a third-generation black college product, so I’m familiar with HBCUs in general,” Gibbs said. So, I’ve known about the SIAC forever. I know it’s tradition-filled. I know it has a lot great coaches, a lot of great players and a lot of history.”

“The thing about coach Broadway is that you have to be accountable. That’s as a coach, an assistant coach and the players. Do your job and do your job well. That’s what coach Broadway preached and that’s what coach Washington preached. That’s my motivation.”

That experience will be critical as he takes over a Wildcats’ program that finished 5-5, 3-3 in the SIAC last season under Maurice Flowers.

Ramon Johnson at Kentucky State?

Apparently taking on some degree of head coach/athletics director’s duties is Kentucky State’s Ramon Johnson. Johnson, who just completed his first year as AD, introduced himself as the interim AD and acting head coach. Interestingly, he brought KSU offensive coordinator Paul Hamilton to join him on stage to talk about the team.

After back-to-back seven-win seasons, Charlies Jackson left Kentucky State to become assistant head coach and defensive backs coach at Air Force. The Thorobreds were 7-4 overall while finishing second in the West at 4-2 in the SIAC.

“What we wanted to do is to provide some consistency for our student athletes and our athletic program,” said Johnson on stage at Wednesday’s SIAC Media Day. “Coach Hamilton has been very instrumental in helping me navigate those waters making sure that we’re able to retain a great number of our student/athletes from last season.”

Johnson was non-committal about whether he will be on the sidelines when the Thorobreds open at Fort Valley State on Sunday, Sept. 11. “Well, at this particular point what I can say is that Kentucky State will continue to move in a positive direction.”

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What started in 1985 as Nike’s original team shoe, initially named the “College Color High.” The Dunk sneaker was first a mash-up of other Nike sneakers — including the Air Force 1 from 1982 and Air Jordan 1, which debuted just months before it.

The first “Be true to you school” Nike Dunk Highs were released in the colorways of some of the top college basketball schools of the era.

Made for the then Nike-sponsored schools of University of Michigan, University of Kentucky, University of Iowa, Georgetown, Syracuse, St. John’s and UNLV. One additional Georgetown-edition Nike Terminator was later released to round out the eight classic Dunk models.

Since their release in 1985, the Dunk has gone from basketball shoe to high fashion, while establishing a cult following around the globe. Creating “sneaker holy grail” collaborations with the Wu-Tang Clan, Virgil Abloh’s “off-white”, Stussy, and the Diamond Supply Co.

Now it appears there’s an HBCU in the Nike Dunk mix as leaked images of a Clark Atlanta x Nike Dunk Low have hit the internet.

Michael Le of Sneakernews.com describes the the CAU x Nike Dunk Low as a “full-fledged love letter to the school itself.”

Not only is the shoe made in the schools red, black and grey colorway, the Clark Atlanta motto – “FIND A WAY OR MAKE ONE” – is repeated all over the laces, while the Panthers’ logo is stitched on both the tongue and outsole as well as embedded within the insole.

The history of CAU is featured prominently on the shoe as well. “Clark College” is written on the backside of the tongue and the heel has “1988” embroidered across the tab, both of which reference the year Clark College merged with Atlanta University to form Clark Atlanta University.

While there is no release date yet, nicekicks.com says they are “expected to drop later this year.” So for now, we’ll have to settle for these leaked images until the Nike HBCU collaboration makes its way on the yard.

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