Education
Walter Fortson : Former Crack Cocaine Dealer Turned Honors Student Receives Prestigious Scholarship
When Walter Fortson was arrested in 2007 for dealing crack cocaine, he believed a police officer who told him “your life is over.”
When Walter Fortson was arrested in 2007 for dealing crack cocaine, he believed a police officer who told him “your life is over.”
Five years later, he is an honors student at Rutgers University, and learned this week that he won a $30,000 Truman Scholarship, the only New Jersey undergraduate to receive the prestigious recognition. The national award for graduate school costs is given to outstanding students pursuing careers in government or public affairs.
From drug dealer to honor student at Rutgers
When Walter Fortson was arrested in 2007 for dealing crack cocaine, he believed a police officer who told him “your life is over.”
Five years later, he is an honors student at Rutgers University, and learned this week that he won a $30,000 Truman Scholarship, the only New Jersey undergraduate to receive the prestigious recognition. The national award for graduate school costs is given to outstanding students pursuing careers in government or public affairs.
The officer told me, ‘You know your life is over, right?’ I took him at his word,” Fortson said on Friday.
After taking a plea deal, he was sentenced to up to five years in prison with the possibility of parole after 26 months.
“I knew that I had to bear the weight of being a felon and I thought that was something I would never be able to shed,” he said.
Walter Fortson enrolled at Rutgers University
While Fortson was at Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility, he was introduced to Donald Roden, a Rutgers history professor who in 2005 started the program to help felons enroll as students and through which Fortson and 35 other students are currently enrolled.
“He impressed me immediately by his determination and his brilliance,” Roden said of Fortson.
At Rutgers, where he is studying exercise physiology, Fortson helped create and is now the president of the Mountainview Student Organization, through which student volunteers from Princeton University and Rutgers tutor at state correctional facilities.
Prison and particularly the frequent strip searches, Fortson said, “is something I would not wish on my worst enemy.” Walter Fortson said he accepts that he broke the law and had to be punished.
But he said he also felt lucky to get the chance to rehabilitate himself once he was out on parole, and now wants to help other young people in prison find the same opportunities.
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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