NSU Celebrates Founders Day
During a time when it was believed that many African Americans’ prospects were limited, there were those who knew that a future offering great possibilities was achievable. And so, Norfolk State University was established in the midst of the Great Depression, opening its doors on September 18, 1935. It became a vessel for new and exciting opportunities for the region’s youth.
Named the Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University at its founding, Norfolk State was the last historically black institution established in the Commonwealth of Virginia. By 1969, Norfolk State began its transformation into a vibrant, independent college and in 1979, it obtained university status. As the University celebrates its founding with a week of events, Norfolk State remains a source of inspiration for those who aspire to fulfill their dreams of attaining a college education and earning a degree.
Read all about Norfolk State at www.nsu.edu/founders-day
Women Who Lead Holds Inaugural Event
On Saturday, September 9, the Inaugural Women Who Lead Opening Retreat for Black BRAND was held in Virginia Beach, VA. Women Who Lead is a partnership between Black BRAND, Norfolk State University and Truist Bank. The bank contributed $250,000 to the women’s professional accelerator program.
The program will help women who are capable but are often left behind when it comes to advancement because they can’t get their foot in the door, or they come up against a ceiling that keeps them from achieving. It is the visionary idea of Blair Durham, co-founder of Black BRAND, a nonprofit that serves as the Black Chamber of Commerce for the Hampton Roads and Dan River areas.
Pictured (left to right): Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, NSU President; Dr. Sandra Williamson-Ashe, Keynote Speaker and Mentor; and Blair Durham, Co-Founder, President, Black BRAND, Hampton Roads’ Regional Black Chamber of Commerce.
Constitution Day Observance
Norfolk State University will hold its Constitution Day observance on Tuesday, September 19, at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 138 A and B. The keynote speaker is Del. Marcia Price, who represents the 95th District (Newport News and Hampton) in the Virginia House of Delegates.
The modern Constitution Day went into effect September 17, 2005, and requires educational institutions that receive federal funds to hold an educational program about the U.S. Constitution. The goal is to promote a better understanding of one of our nation’s fundamental documents.
NSU Students Compete in National Competition
Four Norfolk State University students participated in the Ally + Thurgood Marshall College Fund Moguls in the Making competition in Charlotte, N.C. from Sept. 6-10. This entrepreneurial competition was created to foster opportunities for young leaders from our nation’s publicly and privately supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This is the first year NSU has competed in the competition’s five-year history.
Nina Collymore, Narenzo Fleors, Myles Parks-Tiller and Niya Thompson competed to be a part of this opportunity, beating out 500 other students across the country. As part of the competition, they spent the week in Charlotte interacting with CEOs, C-suite executives and local business leaders from all fields.
“My team, though we come from very diverse backgrounds, showed me that the eagerness to learn and good work ethic can be applied anywhere. I am so grateful for this experience and the revelations it has given me,” says team leader Nina Collymore.
Although they did not place at the competition, these young scholars and future leaders were able to gain essential knowledge and represented NSU exceptionally.
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