Education

Southern University and the Pursuit of Black Excellence

NEW ORLEANS DATA NEWS WEEKLY — Southern University and A&M College System holds the distinction as being the only Historically Black University System in America.

Published

7 years ago

February 7, 2019

Oakland Post

By Edwin Buggage, Editor

Southern University’s has more than 130 years of Excellence in Higher Education. From its beginning to the present day it is at the forefront of educational institutions in the State of Louisiana, their faculty, students, and alumni have positively impacted society at every level.

It continues to produce graduates that are leaders in many fields of endeavor and lighting the road to freedom, justice and equality.

Southern University and A&M College System also holds the distinction as being the only Historically Black University System in America.

When accounting for all the five campuses throughout Louisiana that includes, Southern University, Baton Rouge; Southern University, New Orleans; Southern University Law Center; Southern University, Shreveport; and the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, total enrollment exceeds more than 15,000 students coming from 46 states and from at least 40 foreign countries.

Southern University A&M (Baton Rouge) The Early Years and the Continuing the Spirit of Black Excellence

What began as a dream more than 136 years ago is today a living legacy of determination, commitment, and success. The Southern University and A&M College System is the only Historically Black University System in the United States.

Southern University and A&M College (often referred to as Southern University, Southern, SUBR or SU) is a public Historically Black College University (HBCU) in the Scotlandville area of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The campus encompasses 512 acres, with an agricultural experimental station on an additional 372-acre site, five miles north of the main campus.

The university is the largest HBCU in Louisiana. The history of Southern University is one steeped in a race of people striving for equality and a chance to live with human dignity, full equality and access to opportunities that an education would afford them after the end of the Civil War during the Reconstruction Period. This tradition continues to this day.

An example of this living spirit is Bill Tucker, who serves as a member of the Southern University System Foundation, Board of Directors where he chairs its Investment Committee. He is a member of the University Club, a charter member of the 1880 Society, and a life member of the Southern University Alumni Federation.

In addition, he is a graduate of Southern University who is a venture capitalist who believes the early investment in his potential at an HBCU planted the seeds to him being successful. Being raised by his mother after the untimely death of his father before his third birthday. Today he invests his time and resources to help young people get a quality education.

“HBCU’s continue to be important and if it were not for Southern University providing me with the opportunity for an education, I don’t know what my life would have been like. Today kids have many more opportunities and access to education, but there are still those who are like Bill Tucker who arrived at Southern in 1969 looking for an opportunity for a better life and Southern provided that for me with a supportive staff, faculty and administration.”

Freedom and a Matter of Color: A History of Southern University Law Center (Baton Rouge)

On December 16, 1946, in response to a lawsuit by an African-American resident seeking to attend law school at a state institution, the Louisiana State Board of Education took “positive steps to establish a Law School for Negroes at Southern University to be in operation for the 1947-1948 session.”

Plans for the law school were approved by the State Board of Education at its January 10, 1947, meeting. On June 14, 1947, the Board of Liquidation of State Debt appropriated $40,000 for the operation of the school. The Southern University Law School was officially opened in September 1947 to provide legal education for African-American students.

Southern University Law Center graduates, beginning with the Legendary Civil Rights Attorney, Political Leader, and Educator Jesse N. Stone, Jr., Alvin Basile Jones, Leroy White, Ellyson Fredrick Dyson, and Alex Louis Pitcher of the Class of 1950, have spread across the state and nation as trailblazers in the legal profession, securing equal rights for others. To date, the Law Center has more than 2,500 graduates and has one of the nation’s most racially diverse law schools’ background.

The mission and tradition of the Law Center continues to provide access and opportunity to a diverse group of students from under-represented racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups to obtain a high-quality legal education with special emphasis on the Louisiana Civil Law. Additionally, their mission is to train a cadre of lawyers equipped with the skills necessary for the practice of law and for positions of leadership in society.

Expanding its Vison and Mission: SU Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Baton Rouge)

Founded in 2001 in Baton Rouge, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center’s, mission is to conduct basic and applied research, disseminate information to Louisiana residents and to help them address their scientific, technical, social, economic and cultural needs.

The Ag Center encompasses the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, the Center for Small Farm Research, the Cooperative Extension Program, the SU Livestock Show and its state-of-the-art arena, and a 385-acre Agricultural Research Facility.

Giving Educational Opportunities to All: SUSLA (Shreveport) Boasts Being the only HBCU in Louisiana

Founded in Shreveport in 1964 SUSLA is an institute which it’s mission ranges from community workforce training or preparing students for four-year schools. With its diverse approach to preparing and educating its students to leading the way to educational and professional success. Southern University at Shreveport in its over 50 years is committed to ensuring they leave an indelible footprint in our community and beyond.

It also holds the distinction as the only HBCU Comprehensive Community College in Louisiana, SUSLA serves an ever-growing population of full-time and part-time students. At SUSLA, they offer a high-quality education and opportunities for our students which in turn contributes to the vibrancy of our local, state, national and global economic community.

SUNO Continuing to Build Bridges of Opportunity

SUNO has been a jewel to the New Orleans Community educating and producing city leaders in many fields of endeavor. Located on a 17-acre site located in Historic Pontchartrain Park, a sub-division of primarily African-American single-family residences in Eastern New Orleans.

Wesley Bishop knows this campus well, once as a student where he was Student Body President and today where he serves as Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs; a post he has held for over two-decades.

Speaking of the history and importance of Southern University at New Orleans he says, “As the only Public, Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in the City of New Orleans, Southern University at New Orleans provides an awesome education in a small-class, nurturing environment. While it’s primary focus is to provide access to traditional students in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area, it has long educated non-traditional, working adults.”

SUNO continues to be important to New Orleans in so many ways explain Bishop, “Simply put, if there weren’t an institution like SUNO, we would need to build one today. It provides quality educational opportunities to both traditional college aged students and recently that the majority of African- Americans who have bachelor’s degrees in New Orleans earned their degrees at SUNO. Think about it – your teachers and superintendents, business people, police officers and chiefs, first responders, social workers, college chancellors, lawyers, judges and law school deans – all got their start at 6400 Press Drive.

HBCU’s and the Pursuit of Black Excellence

HBCU’s are beacons of light that lead to the road of freedom, justice and equality for African-Americans. They are sacred institutions that must be preserved.

HBCU’s continue to shape the pursuit of Black Excellence. A fact not lost on Bishop, “My experience as a student at Southern University at New Orleans embodied me with the belief that nothing was beyond my grasp and that all dreams could be achieved. It shaped my belief in Black Excellence by exposing me to HBCU faculty and graduates who had excelled in every field of endeavor. That experience let me know that it was possible for me to succeed as well and now I am passing that on to the next generation of students.”

This article originally appeared in the New Orleans Data News Weekly.

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How Is AI Affecting California? The State Wants You to Share Your Story

The program marks the first time the state has opened the platform to all Californians. State officials said the effort is designed to give residents a direct role in discussions about how AI should be regulated and used as the technology rapidly expands across industries.

Published

1 week ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced May 7 that California is expanding its Engaged California digital democracy initiative statewide, inviting residents to help shape future state policies on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on jobs and the economy.

“We’ve got to be clear-eyed about this moment: AI is moving fast, bringing enormous opportunity, but also real risks,” Newsom said in a statement. “Californians deserve a seat at the table as we shape what’s to come.”

The initiative will roll out in two phases. Beginning immediately, Californians can sign up online to share how AI is affecting their work and communities and provide ideas for possible government action. Later this summer, a smaller group reflecting the state’s workforce demographics will participate in live discussions focused on developing policy recommendations.

State officials said the goal is to identify areas of agreement among Californians and provide policymakers with public feedback as the state develops future AI regulations and workforce strategies.

Engaged California is modeled after digital democracy programs used in Taiwan and is intended to encourage structured public discussion rather than social media-style debate. Officials described the effort as a form of “deliberative democracy” aimed at helping residents engage directly in state decision-making.

“The more Californians are engaged in the democratic process, the better able we’ll be to confront the challenges we face together,” said Nick Maduros, California Secretary of Government Operations, in a statement.

The statewide launch builds on two earlier pilot programs. One pilot gathered public input following the Los Angeles firestorms to help guide recovery efforts, while another collected ideas from state employees about improving government operations.

California has positioned itself as a national leader in AI policy and development. Since 2023, the Newsom administration has introduced initiatives focused on responsible AI use in government, cybersecurity protections, workforce training and regulations targeting risks such as deepfakes and AI-generated robocalls.

The state has also partnered with companies in Silicon Valley — including NVIDIA, Google, Adobe, IBM and Microsoft — to expand AI education and workforce training programs across California schools and universities.

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Advice

Book Review: Books for College-Bound Students

The kind of workday your Grandpa had is probably over, and you can’t count on toiling at the same place for 40 years for a pension and a gold watch. You already know that, and these books will help you decide your next step. You’ll learn what kind of worker you are, what’s stopping you from finding a job or occupation you’ll love, how to determine the purpose you envision for your future, and how to get where you need to be.

Published

1 week ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Book covers. Photo courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Authors: Various, Copyright: c.2026, Publishers: Various, SRP: $21.00 – $29.00, Page Counts: Various

The videos and news reports were inspiring.

In them, a hesitant prospective college student became a happy, new college-bound student with the click of a key. They were accepted into the college of their dreams – so how can you get the same feeling next spring, when you’re the one with the highest of hopes?

You can start by reading these great books and sharing them with your family…

You probably already know that getting into the college of your choice is not something you do last-minute. In “The People’s Guide to College Applications: A Week-by-Week Approach to Writing, Connecting, and Getting in” (Prometheus Books, $ 21.95), Jill Constantino takes you through each step, but not in a frantic way. There’s no pressure here, just easy-to-grasp, makes-sense methods to apply for the college you want. There are reminders here, things you can’t forget and things you can, hints on asking for referrals and writing essays, and plenty of reminders to take a deep breath. Bonus: it’s also a book for parents, who may feel just as much pressure as their child does.

Okay, but let’s say that you’re an adult, a parent who’s sweating those college applications, classes, and the FAFSA for yourself, ugh! Then you’ll want to read “Student Parent: The Fight for Families, the Cost of Poverty, and the Power of College” by Nicole Lynn Lewis (Beacon Press, $26.97). an urgent call meant for nontraditional students who are also Black, Latinx, gay, Moms, or Dads.

Inside this book, you’ll find stats and stories that may already sound familiar, tales of not enough money, not enough support, not enough arms or sleep or resources. If you’re looking for a book of advice, this isn’t it, though. It’s more of a resource that you’ll want to take to your guidance counselor or any local politician.

Alright, but what if you’ve decided that college can wait? Is that okay? Look for “The Mission Generation: Reclaim Your Purpose, Rewrite Success, Rebuild Our Future” by Arun Gupta and Thomas J. Fewer (Wiley, $29.00) because – guess what? – you have many options for your future.

The kind of workday your Grandpa had is probably over, and you can’t count on toiling at the same place for 40 years for a pension and a gold watch. You already know that, and this book will help you decide your next step. You’ll learn what kind of worker you are, what’s stopping you from finding a job or occupation you’ll love, how to determine the purpose you envision for your future, and how to get where you need to be. This book isn’t just for high schoolers, but for anyone ages 16 and beyond who’s feeling restless, ready for change, or who’s thinking about some kind of purposeful retirement.

And if these aren’t the college-based or not-college-bound books you need, then be sure to ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for help on ideas, how-to’s, test prep books, or study guides. They’ll have books for you, and maybe a little inspiration, too.

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Arts and Culture

Against All Odds: Mary Jackson’s Journey to NASA Engineer

Jackson’s life took a significant turn when she was offered the opportunity to work in a wind tunnel, a facility used to test the effects of air moving over aircraft structures. It was here that her passion for engineering truly took flight. However, there was a challenge: to become an engineer, she needed to take advanced courses that were only offered at a segregated high school.

Published

1 week ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Mary Jackson. Public domain.

By Tamara Shiloh

When we talk about breaking barriers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the name Mary Jackson deserves a place at the top of the list.

Jackson was born in 1921 in Hampton, Virginia, a place that would later become central to her groundbreaking work. From an early age, she showed a strong aptitude for math and science—subjects that, at the time, were not widely encouraged for African American women. But Jackson was not one to be limited by expectations. She earned degrees in mathematics and physical science from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), setting the foundation for a career that would change history.

Before joining NASA, Jackson worked as a teacher and later as a research mathematician at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the agency that eventually became NASA. Like many African American women of her time, she began her career as a “human computer,” performing complex calculations by hand. It was in this environment that she worked alongside brilliant minds like Katherine Johnson, forming part of a powerful group of African American women whose calculations helped launch America into space.

Jackson did something truly remarkable. She petitioned the city of Hampton for permission to attend those classes. She didn’t accept “no” as an answer. And she won.

In 1958, Jackson became NASA’s first African American female engineer.

But Jackson’s impact didn’t stop there.

Later in her career, she chose to step away from her engineering position—not because she couldn’t continue, but because she wanted to make a difference. She moved into roles focused on equal opportunity, working to ensure that women and minorities had access to the same opportunities she fought so hard to get.

Jackson’s story gained wider recognition through the book and film Hidden Figures, which highlighted the contributions of African American women at NASA. But long before the spotlight found her, Jackson was doing the work—quietly, persistently, and brilliantly.

Jackson retired from Langley in 1985. Among her many honors were an Apollo Group Achievement Award and being named Langley’s Volunteer of the Year in 1976. She served as the chair of one of the center’s annual United Way campaigns and a member of the National Technical Association (the oldest African American technical organization in the United States).

She and her husband Levi had an open-door policy for young Langley recruits trying to gain their footing in a new town and a new career. A 1976 Langley Researcher profile might have done the best job capturing Mary’s spirit and character, calling her a “gentlelady, wife and mother, humanitarian and scientist.”

For Jackson, science and service went hand in hand.

She died on Feb. 11, 2005, at age 83, at a convalescent home in Hampton, Virginia.