Nubian Message, April 27, 2016

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM | wednesday, april 25, 2016

HONORING Black excellence

wednesday, april 25, 2016 | 2

Farewell Jillian Wow fam, Time flies. I can’t believe it’s really the end of the semester and the end of my time at NC State. As I reflect on the past few years, I only have one regret: that I didn’t join the Nubian sooner.

Wednesday night’s in that office became my favorite place on campus. I hope this publication has been as influential for you all as it has been for me. Not only is the Nubian Message a source of news on-campus that might not be covered elsewhere, it is a voice for our community and a way for us, all of us to express ourselves.

We tried to make it a point this semester to do more “Your Voice” segments to better incorporate the community into the paper. We asked for more letters to the editor because we want to hear what everyone has to say. We can’t be the sentinel of the African-American community without hearing all of your voices.

The Nubian Message was where I found myself and my family on campus. We have all put in so much hard work and pulled so many all-nighters to produce a great looking publication and I cannot fully express my gratitude and appreciation for my entire Nubian fam. Thanks for a great semester!

Love you all,

3 EBONY HARLEM AWARDS AACC honors black excellence.

3 TRIO SENIOR CELEBRATION Student Support Series honors seniors.

4 BLACK EXCELLENCE Celebrating the class of 2016.

5 NUBIAN MESSAGE SENIORS Parting advice from soon-to-be grads.

6 HAVE YAHEARD? NC State students make interactive apps.

Jillian Smith

welcome Stephanie Hey Pack, I hope that everyone has had a wonderful school year. I am Stephanie Tate and I will be serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the Nubian Message for the 2016-2017 school year. I will be working alongside Anahzsa Jones who will be our Managing Editor. I consider it an honor to be a part of a staff that is so close knit and dedicated.

Since 1992 the Nubian Message has been the voice of the African American community and I hope we can continue to be. We do not intend to change anyone’s worldview but we do intend to encourage critical thinking and ignite productive conversations.

This issue we’ve chosen to honor the black excellence on our campus. Black excellence is not monolithic, it comes in a variety of forms. Our black excellence is what got us to NC State, has kept us at NC State and is definitely newsworthy.

I hope that this issue will allow you to acknowledge the excellence that exists within our community. Next year come back better than ever and we here at the Nubian promise to do the same.

Stay blessed and black, Stephanie Tate

THISISSUE

7 WHERE IS AASAC GOING?

Leaders reflect on past, future of group.

8 Q&A WITH OUTGOING SBP

Khari Cyrus reflects on year of leadership.

The Sentinel of the African -American Community at N.C. State Since 1992.

Editor-in-Chief Jillian Smith

Managing Editor Stephanie Tate

Only with the permission of our elders do we proudly produce each edition of the Nubian Message.

Dr. Yosef ben-Yochannan: Dr. John Henrik Clark: Dr. Leonard Jeffries: The Black Panther Party: Mumia A. Jamal: Geronimo Pratt: Tony Williamson: Dr. Lawrence Clark: Dr. Augustus McIver Witherspoon: Dr. Wandra P. Hill: Mr. Kyran Anderson: Dr. Lathan Turner: Dr. M. Iyailu Moses: Dokta Toni Thorpe and all those who accompany us as we are STILL on the journey to true consciousness.

news

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EBONY HARLEM AWARDS HONOR EXCELLENCE nYNA NICKELSON CORRESPONDENT The African American Cultural Center, which has been celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, will host the annual Ebony Harlem Awards Sunday, May 1. Because of the big milestone the award ceremony’s theme this year will be “25 Proverbs for 25 years”.

This year the African American Cultural Center and the AYA Ambassadors partnered with the office of Multicultural Student Affairs to host the Ebony Harlem Awards, which recognizes extraordinary African-Americans who excel in a particular field, have a penchant for community-based activism that lifts up the African-American community and are actively engaged in the centers.

“Ebony Harlem was conceptualized

by the creators of the African American Cultural Center Dr. Augustus Witherspoon and Dr. [Lawrence] Clark wanted to make sure that African-American students in particular understood the value of using their brilliance to build their community and to promote the mission of the African American Cultural Center,” says “Mama” Toni Thorpe, the program coordinator for the African American Cultural Center.

Each year candidates are nominated for several categories such as, art, photography, music, literature, leadership and academics. This year the center has added a category for faculty and staff. Each nominee must be in good academic standing and must receive at

least two nominations to be added to a ballot of nominees.

Students votes’ are tallied and winners are announced at the event.

Each winner will receive a plaque with a Sankofa bird, the Adinkra symbol of the African American Cultural Center and a literal representation of one of the African proverbs, referenced in this year’s theme: “It is not taboo to to go back and fetch that which you have forgotten.”

“We have a collection of 25 proverbs that the community came up with that symbolize the center, they represent our culture ” says the AYA Ambassador president Kinesha Harris.

The night will not only include the award ceremony but also dancing.

“It will be lit,” said Mama Thorpe.

“Ebony Harlem is important because we may not always [be] recognized on the university level, we may not be on the website, you may not scroll through and see us but we are here. ” says Harris.

Jordan Anderson the vice president of Aya Ambassador added, “Ebony Harlem is acknowledging what we see everyday. We know what we are doing but it’s a time to get a greater appreciation from the outside community.”

In the end, Ebony Harlem is about promoting Afrocentricity and excel-

lence. Kinesha Harris said it best: “If we don’t support ourselves, who will support us?”

student support services celebrates seniors ANAHZSA JONES CORRESPONDENT

On April 22, forty people gathered in Talley for the TRIO SSS Programs End of Year Celebration. The crowd was comprised of parents, faculty, and of course, the TRIO scholars.

The purpose of the TRIO programs is to encourage students who will be first in their immediate family to receive a degree from a four year university, financially under resourced, received a Pell Grant, and/ or registered with student disability services.

Courtney Simpson, the program director for the TRIO Student Support Services program, said “Our goal is to make sure our students are academically successful, return each year and continue in their chosen major, and make sure our

students are graduating in less than six years…It’s to make sure these students are provided with academic, personal, career, and financial literacy type of support.”

At the event, TRIO recognized their twenty-eight graduating seniors and gave awards to those students who they feel have gone above and beyond in their commitment to the program. “These are the students who really embody what it means to be TRIO and I have no problem knowing that these students will sell our program because they have really benefitted from the program,” said Simpson.

Ashley Walker, a senior in zoology and environmental science and valedictorian in both the College of Sciences and the College of

Natural Resources was asked to be the student speaker for the event.

In her speech she made a point to encourage students to “Overcome your fears, take a step into the dark, and shine.”

Maya Hart, senior in psychology, TRIO ambassador and recipient of the Senior Achiever Award said, “[TRIO] has helped me in ways I didn’t even know I needed...Trio is in my heart, and that’s why I try to do all I can for it.” Hart will be working with NC State College Advising Corps and one day hopes to open her own social work private practice, using the personal and professional skills she has learned by being part of TRIO. Shaquilla Hamlett, junior in animal science and also a TRIO ambas-

sador and recipient of the Rising Achiever Award “I wanted to have a support system...and the passion and the dedication that they gave to their students filled me with encouragement.”

TRIO was honored to have Dr. Valerie K Fields, founder of V.K. Fields & Co., share her experiences and advice with their guests. Fields called TRIO an inspiring program to be a part of, and expressed her pride in the students she saw gathered at the event. “I think we all need to hear that; ‘we are proud of you’...and the world is waiting for leaders like you,” said Fields.

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features

black excellence: Here is just a sampling of the black excellence on our campus. While there are so many others who illustrate black excellence we chose to honor those who will be leaving us shortly. The Ebony Harlem Awards on May 1st will showcase more of the greatness in our comunnity.

Breanna Powell, social work

Marcus Zeigler, textile technology

If you could tell your “freshman self ” something what would it be and why? If I could tell Freshman Bre anything, it would be to eliminate the idea that everyone has your best interest at heart because they don’t.

If you could have an overall message for an undergraduate student, what would it be? Be patient with yourself and enjoy the process.

Because at the end of the day, the only person who needs to be satisfied with what you do is YOU. Please provide any future plans that you have I will be returning back to NC State in August to begin the Masters of Social Work program.

If you can describe your NC State experience in one word, what would it be?

Complete, because I have done everything I wanted to do and accomplished alot. I feel like I have nothing left to give to the school or the community but laughs and a good time If you could have an overall message for an undergraduate student, what would it be?

I would say get involved and figure out who you are. Because everyone is not meant to be greek but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference.

Kiarra Hicks, sports management

Jasmine Cannon, women and gender studies

When you arrived to NC State, what were the goals and expectations that you had for yourself?

I wanted to succeed academically, socially, and spiritually. I wanted to allow myself to step out of my comfort zone and try new things If you could have an overall message for an undergraduate student, what would it be?

Grades are not everything or the only thing.

Do not allow the urge to be a perfectionist to make you physically and mentally sick. It’s all about the experiences. Please treasure every single day on campus and don’t allow the stress of college to overpower you.

When you arrived to NC State, what were the goals and expectations that you had for yourself? I honestly just wanted to get acclimated to campus. I had no idea what my potential was.

What is one of your favorite memories at NC State? Pan-Afrikan Week 2015 If you could give the incoming freshmen a piece of advice, what would it be and why? The same advice I would give to my freshman self: Get involved; Meet new people; Learn about yourself; Be brave.

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features

As so many seniors prepare to graduate , the nubian wants to honor them and their many accomplishments nubian message seniors

Clockwise from top left: Benyame Assefa, Threa Almontaser, Chris Hart-Williams, Chauncey Bowden, QuiAnne’ Holmes, Jillian Smith, Nyna Nickelson.

Jillian Smith, communication- media

How are you an illustration of black excellence? I am an illustration of black excellence because I strive to educate and connect with people everyday in the best way I know how to: by writing.. I am so proud of the work the Nubian has done this year. I think we have facilitated some important discussions and gotten people engaged in reading.

Any parting words for the black community and/or NC State? Keep reading, keep educating yourself and keep educating others around you. Action won’t come without organization. Organization won’t come without education.

Chauncey Bowden, philosophy of law

How has working for the Nubian Message helped you?

Honestly, being around all of the staff has been the most enriching; we really are a family. Any parting words for the black community and/or NC State? I’m technically a part of the class 2016 and half, so you have me for one semester. But to the black community at State, your presence here matters, and always remember that you are a force to be reckoned with.

Benyame Assefa, English- film studies How has working for the Nubian Message helped you?

The Nubian Message gave me the one thing I never re-

ally found since transferring to NC State; a place that felt like home. It’s truly been a blessing to meet such amazingly different individuals.

Any parting words for the black community and/or NC State?

Worry less about the Talley Party or the next greek function and make it to a town hall meeting.

Nyna Nickelson, English- creative writing

How are you an illustration of black excellence? I think I illustrate black excellence by focusing on the strength of my ancestors and using it to fuel me to do and be better.

Any parting words for the black community and/or NC State? It’s never too late to get involved! Also hit up the African American Cultural Center! It’s a great place and is full of wonderful people who love and cherish our community.

Threa Almontaser, English- creative writing

How are you an illustration of black excellence? Because I don’t allow myself to be undermined by others.

Any parting words for the black community and/or NC State? Get involved! Start a new project, meet others in your community who share the same beliefs.

Chris Hart-Williams, political science

How are you an illustration of black excellence?

By being my best self in this world despite any and all challenges.I’d like to note that black excellence is not limited to degree earners.

Any parting words for the black community and/or NC State?

I promise if you get involved in some meaningful way and get to know your peers you can’t go wrong. Also surround yourself with goal seekers, their energy is contagious, those days when things aren’t going your way their company will motivate you.

QuiAnne’ Holmes, psychology & foreign languages and literatures

Why are you an illustration of black excellence? Wow, I never thought of myself as black excellence. However, I believe I am an illustration of black excellence because I continue to stride for the doors that need someone to open them.

Any parting words for the Black Community and/or NC State? For the black community, I hope that you know that your voice is only as strong as the silence that still lingers. Therefore everyone needs to use their voice and their light! Most of all thank you for helping me be proud to be who I am in my own skin.

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features

New app made by NC state engineers allows students to debate, rate Jillian smtih editor-in-chief Everyone likes to argue. Whether it’s about which colors a dress is or which candidate should be president, young people, especially on a college campus, love debates.

Now, there’s an app that you can use to bring your debate to a wider audience.

Yaheard is a competitive arguing app designed by five NC State students that allows other users to rate the argument and determine a winner.

“You basically make a statement, people can agree or disagree, and also they have the option to argue with you,” said Robert Dates, a 2015 NC State graduate now and a CEO/developer of Yaheard, LLC. “That is a one-on-one argument that’s displayed to everyone, but no one knows who the opposing person in the argument is until it’s finished,” In this sense, the app allows for a level of anonymity until the argument is actually over. “That reveal, when you figure out who you’re arguing with,” is Dates’ favorite part of the app, he said.

“Early on it was just us five on the app so you knew, but now as the app is growing you just don’t know who you’re arguing with so it’s interesting,” said Dates.

The idea for the app came from CEO and developer Josh Puente, a senior studying electrical engineering. While watching the ESPN show First Take, a show where hosts debate issues in sports, Puente got the idea to bring arguments like these to your cell phone.

“He drew out everything and called us all together one night and we all met up.

He told us the idea and we all thought it was genius so we just ran with it,” said Marcus Spruill, director of communications, software consultant and a senior

Yaheard founders Jeremiah Ufot, Josh Puente, Marcus Spurill, DomiNick Downing and Robert Dates, all NC State students or graduates, post for a photo. Contributed.

studying business administration.

Spruill, along with CMO DomiNick Downing, a junior studying social work handle the promotional and marketing

side of the app’s business. They can often be spotted on campus, handing out fliers, hanging signs and talking to people about the features of the app.

“When you say it’s an app and when you say it was created by a couple of NC State students, they want to know more about it,” Spruill said.

Creating this app was no short process, taking about 15 months from start to finish according to Dates. They were working on this venture in the midst of school, internships and full-time jobs, so the process was somewhat lengthened by that. The other issue that slowed them down was code bugs.

“When you’re writing the code you think it’s going to run perfect and then, no, you just encounter these major obstacles, these bugs and you don’t know what it is and then you have to start the whole process of debugging,” said Dates.

The guys also had to go through the process of becoming an LLC, a limited liability corporation. They had to submit legal documents and become a legitimate business before they could register their app with the Apple store.

“It got rejected, what, three times?”

Spruill said. “But we just kept at it,” Dates finished.

After making a series of changes, the app was finally accepted. They have even put out an update, Yaheard 2.2, with even more new improvements.

Since its March 8 release, the app has garnered 1,600 downloads and about 1,300 active users, according to Jeremiah Ufot, software engineer and a senior studying agricultural and environmental technology.

No one knows how far the app will go, but the group of guys illustrate the amazing potential of the NC State community.

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features

NEW APP HELPS YOU PLAN A NIGHT OUT threa almontaser staff writer NC State now has an app that lets users plan their entire night out before the night even begins.

Through Sharefish, a subscribed user is able to have all the bar specials displayed, über integration, as well as the male to female ratio and the number of people in the bar at that time. This can help each person find the right scene that suits them for the night, along with the lowest prices available, age demographics, and news feed.

The Apple app came to life after one average day where Stevie Thompson Jr., a junior studying business administration, called Paul “Traemani” Hawkins, a sophomore studying engineering, and told him that he had a new opportunity for an app to work on. They had worked on two different apps in the past, so this was not unusual. He then told Hawkins

that the idea was Sharefish, and that it wasn’t exactly his idea. Hawkins met with Oliver Walsh for an interview which started the development of the app.

Thompson Jr. says, “We all have a strong passion for entrepreneurship and creating new and innovative technology and we are willing to do anything it takes to take ShareFish to the top! Our ultimate goal is to bring people together and to improve the way you can plan your night.”

Currently, the founders of this app, which include Thompson Jr., Hawkins and Oliver Walsh a junior studying electrical engineering, Bryan Patrick Rishe a junior studying computer engineering, John Malatras, a sophomore studying electrical engineering, and have 1000 users and around 20 bars in Raleigh.

It continues to grow each day.

Sharefish will soon evolve with new updates that will include features such as “fishbowls.”

These fishbowls will enable people to add their own parties into the app. From

there, it’s as easy as inviting people into your gathering, or fishbowl among other things. These updates are currently in the works and will be released throughout the summer. There is also an android version that they plan to release in the future.

The group’s biggest difficulty has been finding ways to fund themselves so that they can keep the equity in house.

Thankfully, Walsh and his parents, along with a few grants, have been able to fund them thus far, until they can start up a constant revenue. They are currently figuring out a way to enable themselves to work full time on Sharefish this summer “in order to continue developing it into something amazing,” says Hawkins.

Find out more at www.sharefishapp. com.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR AASAC? keilah Davis correspondent The Afrikan American Student Advisory Council (AASAC) serves as the umbrella organization for African American student organizations and as a liaison to university administration.

Johnia Murray a sophomore studying psychology has been elected to be the 2016-2017 chair, with Bria Swann, a junior studying nutrition science as the AASAC vice chair elect.

AASAC also focuses on the academic, professional, and leadership development of student leaders. This year, AASAC tackled various issues, including mental health. They brought in representatives from Student Health Services and each of the AASAC organizations were trained in suicide

prevention.

Breanna Powell, a senior studying social work and the current AASAC chair, said, “We wanted to put a focus on mental health and I do think we accomplished that goal.”

Additionally, AASAC has class representatives who work closely with the executive board as liaisons for their respective classes. This year, class representatives were much more involved and had more defined roles than previous years.

“The class representatives actually got to see what it’s like to be on the [executive] board,” said Swann.

While the organization has improved in many areas, current leaders

still faced some challenges. AASAC lost its advisor at the beginning of the academic year. Additionally, Powell noticed that significant apathy restricted AASAC’s effectiveness. “You can’t receive support from people that feel apathetic towards [our] purpose,” said Murray.

Murray and Swann have big goals for AASAC next year. They hope to create a culture that promotes a collective “give-and-take” relationship between AASAC and its member organizations.

“AASAC serves a great purpose here on campus. The fact that many [organization] leaders don’t see that [purpose] any more is very problematic,” said Powell.

The new AASAC executive board would also like to encourage more collaboration among their organizations beyond the usual fraternity and sorority partnerships.

Their final major goal for next year is an increased campus presence. Both Murray and Swann want to see AASAC reaching its full potential.

“All organizations need to be ready to be fully engaged this upcoming year,” said Swann. “We’re going to work really hard to bring back the full purpose of AASAC.”

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features

Q&A with now-former sbp Khari Cyrus Stephanie tate MANAGING EDITOR What was your biggest accomplishment as SBP? I’d say my biggest accomplishment was actually being a voice for the students. It’s one thing to hear the conversation and relay it to administration and leave it at that. But it’s something entirely different to be a part of those conversations. I’m glad I’ve been able to feel the pulse of the student body on issues, and then make sure the chancellor and other leaders of the university know how the student body feels, and more importantly, why they feel that way.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced as SBP? I thought I’d be able to come in on day one and get started on the initiatives I

campaigned on and only focus on those select things.

But that’s not at all what the position entails. You can be focusing on planning a Blackout for a basketball game, and then get a call about a student death on campus. Just like that, your entire focus shifts and you have to put some things on the back burner. The biggest challenge was trying to accomplish the goals I set out to accomplish,

while also addressing very real and very important problems that no one ever imagined would happen.

What do you hope to see from the next SBP and VP? I hope to see them find their passions and act on them. It’s easy to get caught up in tradition but your best work comes out when you focus on something you truly care about. Ultimately, I hope to get on facebook at some random time next year and read an article from the Technician or Nubian and think “Wow, Paul and Brayndon are really doing big things down there.”

What’s next for you as an individual?

I’m actually heading off to law school next year. I’ll be up in Philly at the

University of Pennsylvania. I was born in Goldsboro, NC and Raleigh always seemed like the big city, so I have no idea how I’m going to handle Philadelphia. I’m really looking forward to seeing how I can create change from a new vantage point.

What do you hope to see for NC State as a whole in the future?

I want to be able to come back in 10 or 15 years and think, “Wow, I wish I were a student here today instead of back in 2016.” I’m graduating as a proud alumni who will promote NC State until I run out of breath and I really hope that NC State continues to generate alumni with similar feelings.