February 9, 2013 - February 9, 2013, www.afro.com
Volume 121 No. 27
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The Afro-American
FEBRUARY 9, 2013 - FEBRUARY 15, 2013
Protesters Demand Parity for Maryland HBCUs By Teria Rogers AFRO Staff Writer Sidney Sheppard sat on a brick wall in front of the Maryland Statehouse in Annapolis wearing a knitted Bowie State University
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cap. He had graduated from Bowie State with a degree in education in 1947, but came out in the colors of his alma mater on Feb. 4 to protest what he characterized as unfairness on behalf of state lawmakers toward students at Maryland’s four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). “Maryland has denied black folks ever since we got our freedom and they’re still doing it,” said Sheppard, 89. Sheppard was among more than 200 people who showed up at the state capitol Feb. 4 for a rally to support parity in funding for Maryland’s historically black colleges and universities. As temperatures hovered in the 30s, students and alumni from Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State
University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, stood alongside Black Greek organizations, HBCU administrators, leaders from the NAACP and legislators to demand equity in college funding. The rally was called to show support for the historic $2.3 billion lawsuit the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education filed in 2006 against the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The case seeks equity in funding for Maryland’s black colleges which have been historically underfunded, organizers said. The lawsuit was argued last year and a decision is expected this year. State legislators said equitable funding for Continued on A3
Morgan State Board Removes Chairman AFRO Staff
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In the latest episode in a twisting drama involving Morgan State University’s leadership, members of the board of regents on Feb. 5 ousted their chairman, officials said. Though he will remain on the board of regents, Dallas R. Evans, who has headed the board for 13 years and has served on the panel for more than 20, will no longer serve as its leader. The decision to remove Evans, which was made on a 9-5 vote, came during a regularly scheduled meeting at the northeast campus. He is expected to serve out his term on the board which runs through 2015. “Morgan State University and the Board
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of Regents want to express appreciation to Chairman Dallas Evans for his many years of service as chairman as well as his willingness to continue to serve on the Board of Regents,” the board said in a statement released by the university on Feb. 5. “The Board has decided to proceed in a new direction and looks forward to working collaboratively in the best interest of the University.” Martin R. Resnick, vice-chair of the board and founder of Martin’s Catering, will serve as interim chair. Some faculty members saw the move as the latest incident in a battle between Evans and university President David Wilson. The board
Black Love: Secrets to Success In honor of Valentine’s Day, the AFRO spotlights famous African-American couples’ secrets to marital bliss.
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Rev. Dobson’s Life is Much More Than a Memory By AFRO Staff Anyone who has heard the late Rev. Vernon Dobson talk about the “Is-ness” of God or witnessed his sounding the alarm for justice for the community is convinced of his love for people and how that love motivated his life’s work. That was the tone sounded at the Feb. 2 service held to honor his memory at St. Mark’s Institutional Baptist Church, founded by his father, the Rev. Spencer Dobson. The overflow audience was treated to a lesson in Black history by the mere combination of speakers. There were those that remembered Rev. Dobson’s involvement in establishing the Maryland Food Bank. There were those who remarked about his involvement on every level of civil empowerment through Continued on A6
Photo by J..D. Howard
BORN A SLAVE. DIED A HERO.
Where’s the best place to honor Harriet Tubman 100 years after her passing? Her homeland on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Join in special events March 8-10. HARRIET TUBMAN CENTENNIAL 2013 Join the journey. Walk in the footsteps of a hero.
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