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COMMENTARY: We Lived It: Why a Different World Still Matters Today — an Ode to HBCUs

WESTSIDE GAZETTE — The television show *A Different World* offered an early portrayal of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), depicting Black excellence, growth, struggle, and purpose. The author recounts how the show prepared them for their experience at Florida A&M University from 1997 to 2002, where they found a sense of belonging and community.
The post COMMENTARY: We Lived It: Why a Different World Still Matters Today — an Ode to HBCUs appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 months ago

July 31, 2026

Oakland Post

Ain’t That A VHIT

Some shows you watch. Others shape you.

A Different World did both. It gave us one of our first real glimpses into life at an HBCU, where Black excellence, growth, struggle, and purpose all coexisted. It wasn’t just entertainment; it was a vision. It showed us that college wasn’t just possible; it was ours.

As the theme song reminded us, “I know my parents love me… stand behind me, come what may,” grounding us in the importance of family and a sense of foundation as we stepped into new chapters of life.

That vision became real for me in the summer of 1997 when I arrived at Florida A&M University. Though I was nervous, being away from home for the first time, I quickly found myself at home on The Highest of Seven Hills. From 1997 to 2002, I didn’t just attend FAMU… I lived what A Different World had been preparing me for.

It was a place for everybody. For those who walked across the stage Magna or Summa Cum Laude, and for those who fought through challenges and still made it by the grace of God, earning that degree designation: “Thank Ya Lawdy.” No matter the path, the destination meant something.

It was also where family was built. Some found lifelong partners, while others created bonds through “play cousins” and friendships that became real family. And no matter how much time passes, every reconnection brings that feeling…

Homecoming.

Those experiences shaped me, late-night conversations, professors who poured into you, and moments that challenged you to grow. That wasn’t television anymore. That was life.

Today, I carry that same spirit forward.

I share it with my children, my nieces and nephews, and the young people I mentor, or even those I simply connect with for the culture. I’m not just telling them about college; I’m sharing what it feels like to be in a space that affirms who you are.

Because too many of our young people haven’t seen that vision.

They see highlights, but not the depth. They don’t always see that HBCUs are more than institutions; they are environments that build confidence, culture, and community.

And in this day and age, that truth matters even more.

HBCUs continue to stand as pillars of access, opportunity, and cultural identity at a time when they are facing unprecedented and, at times, unfair political and systemic pressures. Challenges around funding, policy decisions, and shifting educational priorities make it critical that we not only remember their value but actively protect and sustain them. These institutions have always done more with less, yet continue to produce leaders, innovators, and changemakers who shape our communities and our country.

So, we must reintroduce and uphold that “Different World.”

Parents, have the conversation.
Students, look deeper.
Alumni, tell your stories, invest, and stay connected.

Because as the song reminds us, “It’s a different world from where you come from,” and for many of us, it became exactly where we found ourselves.

This is more than a memory.

It is a world our ancestors built and a place where dreams and realities are made.

The post “We Lived It: Why A Different World Still Matters Today — An Ode to HBCUs” appeared first on The Westside Gazette.

Based on reporting by Westside Gazette.

The post COMMENTARY: We Lived It: Why a Different World Still Matters Today — an Ode to HBCUs appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

By Jana Lang Propel Youth Reporter

Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.

Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).

Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.

According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”

Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.

EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”

Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.

An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”

The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.

The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”

The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”

Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.

Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.

Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.

The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts

Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ

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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts

Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY

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