Education
Tanya McDowell : Mother Gets 12 Years For “Stealing” Son’s Education
A homeless mother plead guilty to first-degree larceny and conspiracy, after she fraudulently enrolled her son in a school district.
Prosecutor’s say Connecticut mother, Tanya McDowell, stole money from tax payers by putting her son in the wrong school.
Tanya McDowell entered her plea on Wednesday in Norwalk Superior Court under the Alford Doctrine, meaning she doesn’t admit guilt but concedes the state has enough evidence to convict her.
McDowell’s 12-year-sentence also includes four counts of drug possession and sale charges she plead guilty to.
McDowell was homeless at the time she was charged with felony larceny. Prosecutors allege she used her baby-sitter’s address to send her son to school, rather than the district of Bridgeport where her last home was.
The case drew national attention, with support from civil rights group. Despite the support of the NAACP, the defense was unable to get the case dismissed.
The Hearst Connecticut Media Group reports her lawyer says she insists she’s not guilty. Lawyer Darnell Crosland says people “shouldn’t be arrested for stealing a free education.”
Culture
‘A Different World’ cast set to reunite for 10-City HBCU tour
The tour will kick off Feb. 29 in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by stops in Washington DC, Montgomery, Alabama and more.
In celebration of the sitcom’s 35+ year legacy, the cast of ‘A Different World’ will reunite for a national 10-city tour across HBCUs, reports PEOPLE.
A Different World HBCU tour
Darryl M. Bell (Ronald ‘Ron’ Johnson), Charnele Brown (Kimberly ‘Kim’ Reese), Jasmine Guy (Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Cleophus Wayne), Dawnn Lewis (Jaleesa Vinson Taylor), Cree Summer (Winifred ‘Freddie’ Brooks), Glynn Turman (Col. Bradford ‘Brad’ Taylor) and Sinbad (Walter Oakes) will participate on the tour.
The tour will feature panels and other events and will also be joined by producers Debbie Allen and Susan Fales.
Dates
The HBCU tour will kick off Feb. 29 in Georgia at Atlanta University Center, which include Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse College.
Other locations include Washington, D.C. (hosted by Howard University) and Montgomery, Ala. (hosted by Alabama State University and Tuskegee University). Both will be in April but no date has been released yet.
More dates will be announced soon.
Education
Spelman College receives $100 million donation, the highest in the college’s history
Spelman College has received its largest donation of $100 million from businesswoman and philanthropist Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston, the chairman of Greenleaf Trust.
Spelman College has received its largest donation of $100 million from businesswoman and philanthropist Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston, the chairman of Greenleaf Trust.
$100 million donation for Spelman is a blessing
The $100 million comes as the nation’s oldest historically Black college for women celebrates 100 years since its official name change from Spelman Baptist Seminary in Sept. 1924.
The college says the gift will help retain the best and brightest students by eliminating financial barriers during the admission process.
“We are invigorated and inspired by this incredible act of generosity,” said Dr. Helene Gayle, president of Spelman College during an interview on CBS Mornings.
“This gift is a critical step in our school’s mission to eliminate financial barriers to starting and finishing a Spelman education. We can’t thank Ronda Stryker enough for her selflessness and support as both a trustee and friend. There’s no doubt that Spelman College is better because of her.”
Spelman is Top ranked
Spelman College has been ranked as the #1 Historically Black College and / or University by U.S. News for 17 consecutive years.
The college has a variety of degree/major offerings but they produce the most graduates who pursue a PhD in science, technology, engineering or math, according to The National Science Foundation.
About Ronda Stryker
Ronda Stryker is an American billionaire heiress and granddaughter of Homer Stryker, an orthopedic surgeon and founder of Stryker Corporation.
Education
Maryland principal accused of making racist and antisemitic comments
A Maryland principal is in hot water over an audio recording that has been making rounds on social media containing racist and antisemitic comments.
A Maryland principal is in hot water over an audio recording that has been making rounds on social media containing racist and antisemitic comments.
Maryland principal accused of making racist comments
In it, a person purported to be Pikesville’s High School principal, can be heard making disparaging comments about the test scores of African American students.
The person on the recording then makes an offensive comment about an African American staff member at the school and members of the Pikesville Jewish community.
Is the audio real?
There is an investigation into the validity of the recording. Some officials believe the audio is fake and is A.I. constructed. Baltimore County schools said they are taking the matter seriously.
Statement from school district
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski issued a statement in response.
“Hate, discrimination, and prejudice have no place in our community — especially in our schools. The statements being circulated are abhorrent, and my administration is providing our full support to BCPS as they conduct as they conduct a thorough investigation. Following the conclusion of this investigation, I know swift action will be taken to hold those involved accountable.”
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Andrea B Meyers
July 23, 2012 at 8:57 pm
a mother. homeless trying to help her son get the best….
homeless.
i’d like to see how many even can FEEL how hard it would be..to live day in/out …easy?
and stigma?
my GOD…when will we learn to see people as people..and not clones of ..’ourselves’…or those who feel somehow “superior” …
i hope her son gets a great education…
BUT
i also hope this will wake others up.
she loves her son.
what was her life?
many become homeless
oh it is sooo easy to put them down-say-
‘wash up-get a job..washing floors…or whatever’
even that..
you think it is so easy?
no no and no again–not all-or not even many homeless are homeless in the first place due to mental illness (a whole other issue)
but whether drugs come before or during homelessness…hard to say…
but i am sure people don’t jump out and look for this as a life.
please: feel beyond your own life. hard..not hard..whatever
it is not ANOTHERS life
and many issues can bring on
….
…many
..
issues.
Andrea B Meyers
July 23, 2012 at 11:42 pm
to Tanya McDowell:
i hold strong hope that your son gets his education.
..and i wish it was where you had hoped for.
but…let this take north of you to higher and a better life
than most people have.
your love for your son…
and all else added to this disgrace..
i really believe will be noticed by MANY
regardless-
you stood ..you love
you stand..
you love
never forget that.
Andrea B Meyers
July 24, 2012 at 11:52 am
is there no way to delete the below comments??
i got caught up in the homelessness issue…and..
ask please…can these comments be deleted?
JustMe
July 25, 2012 at 12:40 am
Hi Andrea, it is a shame that they used her as an example for wanting her son to have a quality education while she was facing a life storm. Society is senseless and heartless for doing this to her. I pray that her jail stay is short lived. Lets continue to pray for Tanya, she doesn’t deserve this treatment.
Andrea B Meyers
July 26, 2012 at 12:15 am
thank you for replying.—yes….i agree 100% and more…let’s continue to pray for tanya-…and if we maybe can do more…-?
also..not sure where or what is going on with her son. –they also broke them apart 🙁
i also hope this story will stay alive and very open and out there.
no WAY should she be ..isn’t it prison? ..need to re-look? –wonder why the red in the writing changed,,?
regardless…12 years??? -do they even CARE??? -this is going to mess her up more. —she loves her son. –yes–troubles…and the holding up the store (?) –still..again..until one knows what it is like to be in …homeless and etcetcetc situations…–i mean..i wonder how much they asked her about her past…besides all the …NEGATIVE.
sorry to go on.