This month's newsletter is all about Celebrating International Women's Month. In this edition, we discuss the challenges some women face while also highlighting their ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness. In the month of March, we saw how "women empower women" and wanted to share with you the strength and leadership of women right here on campus! Love what you see? Tag us on social media and let us know how you feel about this month's edition. |
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The Fall and Summer 2021 Application Portal is Open! |
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The Fall 2021 Online Application Portal is open! With over 2,000-bed spaces available for incoming and current Rattlers, do not wait to apply.
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Are you taking classes this Summer? The Summer 2021 Application Portal is open to incoming freshman and returning students. Apply online or via email through the Housing Portal.
Assignments are made on a first come first serve basis. Come enjoy some Tallahassee sunshine on the Highest of Seven Hills.
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Apply to Rattlers RISE by April 1 |
We are excited to launch our new resident experience program in Fall 2021. Rattlers RISE is open to rising sophomore and newly admitted transfer students. Students will have mentorship and leadership opportunities and training to obtain internships.
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to apply.
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FAMU Students To Benefit From $40,000 Conn's HomePlus...
Alum and Conn's executive Michael Luckett, II, Office of Housing Director Jennifer Wilder, and William Hudson, Jr., vice president for Student Affairs, at Polkinghorne Village after the furniture delivery. Florida A&M University (FAMU) ...
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www.famunews.com
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Conn's HomePlus Announces Scholarship for Texas Southern ...
Dr. William E. Hudson, Jr., Vice President of Student Affairs, Florida A&M University; and Michael Luckett, Executive Director, Logistics & IT Management, Conn's HomePlus. Conn's HomePlus - specialty retailer of furniture, mattresses, home...
Read more
www.furninfo.com
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Don’t forget to be detailed and even capture photos. It will better help the Maintenance Team meet your needs.
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Phylicia Wright: Shades of Kings and Queens |
Written by Delores Battle, Digital Marketing Intern |
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“What is so pretty about me?”
That is the question Phylicia Wright, a Palmetto South Resident Assistant, would often ask her mother. As a child, she would wonder whether her dark skin made her more or less beautiful than her lighter-skinned friends and family. A young girl, innocent to the effects of colorism, Wright had no idea how divided the community had become due to various shades of Black.
Wright launched an event titled “Shades of King and Queen” that discussed the different effects colorism has had on Florida A&M University students.
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Other panelists in the discussion included Jordan Lyons, Miss Freshman Attendant Brooke Hawkins, and Ar’Monie Mack.
Colorism is the prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a darker skin tone within an ethnic group. This is a product of racism that holds lighter skin tones in higher esteem than darker skin tones. Colorism is more strongly used to criticize black women.
“I never really worried about the color of my skin until I got around a lot of Black people at an HBCU,” Wright said. “Then, I realized a lot of students actually prefer hanging around lighter-skinned people rather than darker-skinned people.”
Noting the history of slavery in America, Wright mentioned how this division of color within African Americans started when masters preferred lighter-skinned Black people as house slaves and darker-skinned people as field slaves.
Today, that divide among colors is still evident with strong stereotypes or stigmas surrounding lighter-skinned and darker-skinned women.
“There’s a stigma that dark-skinned girls are meaner and more aggressive,,and it definitely hurts,” Wright said. “I was just built to be a strong woman.”
The media has played an essential role in society’s perception of beauty. Several rappers and artists idolize the “red-boned” or “exotic” skin type rather than accepting all shades as beauty. Some of these stereotypes have influenced women to lighten their skin tone or wear makeup several shades lighter.
Colorism has now made its way into HBCU culture, affecting students’ dating habits, friend groups, and even acceptance into organizations. More often, we see students being rejected or accepted into clubs and organizations as long as they fit the “look.”
Wright discussed how colorism had encouraged the stereotype that darker is less beautiful, less intelligent, and less desirable. For young girls, this affects their perception of beauty well into adulthood.
“Overcoming colorism is going to take generations,” Wright said. “For me, it starts at home. Of course, people will have preferences, but you can’t let those preferences dictate how you treat someone else. So, parents have to raise their children with that respect of different colors.”
Wright hopes students begin to recognize the effects colorism has on FAMU’s culture, especially for women, and continue to have conversations to unify the Black community.
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Mariah Wiggs is Leveling Up |
Written by Maya Williams, Digital Marketing Intern |
Resident Assistants (RA) hold critical positions in any residence hall. Their efforts are to enhance the resident's living experience and help residents build relationships. After holding her position for two years, she has had the privilege to impact the two incoming classes after her. Mariah Wiggs is no stranger to responsibility. Wiggs initially started working as an RA in Polkinghorne Village East in 2019.
"I have had the opportunity to lead and guide the Freshman class of 2023 and 2024 while building meaningful relationships with the residents," Wiggs said.
As the new academic year is approaching, Wiggs mentors new RAs. One of Mariah'sWigg’s residents is YuKwon Toney, a first-year scholar majoring in broadcast journalism and an incoming RA. Mariah guides new RAs into their new positions by giving insight into the position.
"Mariah has told me that being an RA comes with hard work," Toney said.
The Office of University Housing recently required current RAs to take a competency test to advance as a Senior Resident Assistant (SRA) for the upcoming academic school year. Over 60 RAs applied for the position, and Mariah was the only one to score a perfect score.
The current Resident Director of Polkinghorne Village East, Traveon Cooper, is looking forward to seeing Mariah in her new role. Cooper has known Wiggs for over three years and has seen her grow from Orientation leader to a Resident Assistant RA to now an SRA.
"I am excited to work with Mariah as an SRA next year! I know in the position she will have the opportunity to grow even more professionally and as a person," Cooper said.
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Dr. Jennifer Wilder: A Role Model for Women in Leadership |
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Written by Delores Battle, Digital Marketing Intern |
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In the words of James Brown, "this is a man's world."
Men have long since dominated women in the workforce. It is common for men to hold high positions of power, lead departments and make executive decisions. Men make up a majority in the workforce, leaving women as the minority. But here, at FAMU Office of University Housing (OUH), the roles are reversed.
Housing is staffed mainly by strong black women under the Director of University Housing's leadership, Dr. Jennifer Wilder. With over 30 years of experience in
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student affairs and student life, she comes equipped with the necessary skills to lead OUH. To her staff, she symbolizes achievement and dedication.
Her rise to leadership has not been an easy path. As a woman coming into leadership with new ideas, others were not always receptive.
"The challenges I have faced included having my voice heard," Dr. Wilder said. "My knowledge of facilities and construction has been underestimated."
Despite her difficulties, she has developed strong relationships and earned the respect of her staff. Shawn Odom, the Associate Director for University Housing, believes being in a female-dominated department has given him the opportunity for growth, especially under the direction of Dr. Wilder.
"Working under the Wilder Administration has been a great professional development for my career as a student affairs professional," Odom said. "As a female leader, Dr. Wilder is very knowledgeable about residence life and student affairs. It shows with her decision making and overall goal to change the perception of University Housing."
While working under the leadership of Dr. Wilder, Odom has had the chance to see how different forms of leadership affect the department as a whole. His past experiences under a dominant male leadership showed him a lack of follow-through and execution. Under the leadership of women, he has seen how important it is to be detail-oriented and intentional.
Other staff members admire Dr. Wilder's trust in her staff and the ability to delegate.
"[Dr. Wilder] gives her staff the autonomy to do their jobs and Is very accepting of recommendations," said Herbert Johnson, Assistant Director of Student Learning and Success. "She is very easy to talk to and provides great perspective and advice."
Dr. Wilder recognizes the difficulty young women have with commanding respect, especially when holding a high-power position.
"I encourage female residents to be their authentic selves, to be the best they can be, each of us unique, and to find their voice to follow their dreams," Dr. Wilder said. "One of my favorite quotes is: 'When women support each other, incredible things happen.'"
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In Loving Memory of Ms. Annie King |
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Florida A&M University (FAMU) Office of University Housing is honoring the life and legacy of Ms. Annie Lee Street King, 70. Known as Ms. King, "Grandma" or "Auntie" to many of the residents in University Housing, Ms. King, worked for the department for over six years. King transitioned Sat. March 13 in Tallahassee, Florida.
"Her positive attitude and loving spirit will be missed throughout the halls of our facilities but will live on forever in the hearts of our students, faculty, and staff members," said Dr. Jennifer Wilder, Director of FAMU Office of University Housing.
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She leaves to cherish her precious memories her children: Chiquita King-Brooks, MacKenzie King; grandson: Timothy Mark Brooks, II; one brother, Reverend Matthew (Rita) Carter; niece: Minister Cecelia Lee (Monte) Wright; "Special Goddaughter," Jream Remy; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.
Funeral services for Ms. King were held at 11 AM on Saturday, March 27 at Bethel Baptist Church with burial in Oakland Cemetery.
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Having trouble with your connecting your devices? |
Wondering how to report any issues with technology or connecting your devices?
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Bunmi Ikunika: Out of Many, We Are One |
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Written by Delores Battle, Digital Marketing Intern |
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“Out of many, we are one.”
That is a true belief for Pharmacy student, Bunmi Ikunika. Born in Broward County, Florida, Ikunika saw a melting pot of different Caribbean, Indian, Asian, African and American cultures. Living in such a diverse community with people from all different countries, customs and cultures, it made her a strong advocate for cultural diversity.
Ikunika’s parents were both born in Nigeria before moving to the United States to settle down. In her home,
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Ikunika experiences a blend of traditional Nigerian culture while also exploring and learning about Black American culture.
“Being here in America, you don’t really see firsthand your African culture unless you go there and experience it,” Ikunika said. “So, I just try and learn the little things every day.”
Nigeria is located in West Africa and has over 1000 different ethnic groups with its own languages, dialects, and practices. Traditional Nigerian dress' attire includes brightly colored robes and scarves and food have a range of flavorful spices and herbs. The predominant religions are Islam and Christianity.
“Being a Black woman in America first, it is important to know your Black American culture and the history of how we got to where we are now. As I get older, I start to learn more about the various subcultures in America, and more about my black history and identity in America,” Ikunika said.
For example, there are Afro-Hispanic and Hispanic cultures in Florida, or French and Creole cultures in Louisiana, and Gullah Geeche in South Carolina.
One way Ikunika tries to learn about the different cultures is through social media. With COVID-19 limiting international travel, Ikunika gets to learn about other culturally diverse people online.
“Right now, social media is bringing people together from other continents and around the world,” Ikunika said. “I like to watch people who vlog from other countries and see people who travel vlog for months at a time.”
Ikunika recognizes how important it is for people to be knowledgeable of the diversity around them and be accepting of cultural differences. Within her own culture, she sees how similar and different it is to Black American culture. She finds a common ground where she pulls beliefs from both cultures and forms her own identity within the two.
“Being at FAMU, there are different subcultures within black culture and our experience. Being accepting to different cultures and customs helps black people come together with a common ground.”
In Bunmi’s opinion, Black excellence is the unification of Black people making achievements and accomplishments together. FAMU a melting pot of students from over 80 different countries. So take the initiative to learn about the diverse backgrounds of people within our community and outside of our own customs and cultures.
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Think you have a voice that needs to be heard or just a cool story idea? Submit your pitch to housingmarketing@famu.edu for your chance to be featured in next month’s edition. |
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