NORFOLK, VA — To know Sierra Jenkins was to know that while she was graceful, she was also not afraid to stand up for herself and others. Jenkins, a reporter for The Virginian-Pilot, was one of three lives claimed by Chicho’s Pizza Backstage shooting in downtown Norfolk on March 19. She was 25 years old. … Continue reading
Category Archives: Featured
Sonja Stills, trailblazer in the making
NORFOLK, VA — Sonja Stills made history as the first female commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I. Before working for the conference, Stills received her bachelor’s degree in human services counseling from Old Dominion University and her master’s degree in counseling from Hampton University. She … Continue reading
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett talks future of vaccine research
NORFOLK, VA — Students, faculty, and staff came to the Brown Memorial Hall Theater as Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett spoke as the keynote speaker of the RISE 2022 Conference. Dr. Corbett, who is one of the leading scientists responsible for developing the Moderna mRNA vaccine, sat down with Dr. Felicia Mebane, Interim Executive Director for the … Continue reading
Faculty strike uncovers financial missteps at Howard University
WASHINGTON, DC — Howard University made headlines once again as teaching staff and adjunct faculty threatened to walk off of the job on the grounds of inadequate pay and other unfair labor practices. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500 represents over 150 non-tenure-track professors and 200 adjunct faculty. They are “among the lowest-paid … Continue reading
Hampton University opens its doors to Ukraine students
HAMPTON, VA — Last month, Hampton University announced that they would assist students affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In a press release, the local Historical Black College/University (HBCU) stated, “In a humanitarian effort to help those college students and families affected by the current conflict in Ukraine, Hampton President Dr. William R. Harvey … Continue reading
Spartan Echo News: Vol. 66, Issue 13
The Spartan Echo is back in business, with a digital twist. Click the photo to view the full issue! (For better quality, view from a computer). If embed content doesn’t work please, click here. Continue reading
Q&A: Kaylah Moseley-Pressley, author of “Ain’t Nobody But You”
NORFOLK, VA — The award-winning novelist and author of “Moby Dick,” Herman Melville once said, “To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.” The quote resonates with more upcoming authors like Kaylah Moseley-Pressley (KP), a senior at Norfolk State University. Moseley-Pressley wrote her first book, “Ain’t Nobody But You,” on January 24. … Continue reading
Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston appointed to White House board of advisors on HBCUs
NORFOLK, VA — President Joe Biden appointed Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, president of Norfolk State University, to serve on the White House Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). “I am honored to serve on President Biden’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” Dr. Adams-Gaston said. “I appreciate the confidence … Continue reading
WNSB moves (back) to J. Hugo Madison Hall
NORFOLK, VA — In 1980, Drs. Stanley Tickton and Wilbert Edgerton signed onto the WNSB 91.1 FM frequency for the first time in Madison Hall at Norfolk State University. Their legacy lives on over 40 years later, and the station is coming back home. From the moment of conception, Madison Hall was the perfect location … Continue reading
Men’s Tennis Team Clinches Northern Division Title, North No. 1 Seed in Upcoming MEAC Tournament
The Norfolk State University men’s tennis team clinched this year’s MEAC Northern Division title on the road at Morgan State University in Baltimore. By virtue of going 3-0 this year in the division, including wins over Howard and Coppin State, the Spartans won their first regular-season title — just the second ever — in the … Continue reading
Spartans take a swing at the “Big Dance”
by Juwan Saunders With an impressive season, it’s not hard to see how the Spartans made their campaign for March Madness. After going 17-8 during the regular season, the Norfolk State men’s basketball team was selected into the 2021 March Madness bid. The Spartans entered the college basketball playoffs as a No. 16 seed. The … Continue reading
Joe Bryant leads NSU to the MEAC tournament final with career-high performance
On Thursday night, the Spartans dominated their quarterfinal MEAC matchup versus North Carolina Central. After holding the Eagles scoreless for six minutes and reaching a 17-0 lead to start the first period, NSU maintained their lead over NCCU for the remainder of the game; clinching an 87-58 victory at Scope Arena. Last night’s win guarantees … Continue reading
Norfolk State baseball captain faces pandemic challenges head-on
by Alsander Womack In March of 2020, the NCAA spring sports world for many conferences, divisions, and athletes drastically changed. On Mar.12, the MEAC announced that the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments and all spring sports are canceled due to COVID-19. Here is my story about how my junior baseball season’s loss impacted my life … Continue reading
Andra Day is a shining light in Lee Daniels’ biopic “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”
by Siera Jones Legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday became an early spark to the Civil Rights movement, and a target of persecution by the American government due to her haunting protest song “Strange Fruit,” which tells of a lynching in the South. Despite her sentence to a year and a day in prison, Holiday proved … Continue reading
Governor Northam announces $524 Million in new funding for Virginia Rent Relief Program
~ Federal stimulus funds available to help landlords and tenants impacted by COVID-19 pandemic ~ ARLINGTON—Governor Ralph Northam today announced $524 million in new federal funding to help keep Virginia families in their homes amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP) is funded through the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program included … Continue reading