Welcome to InsideTSU, the weekly newsletter of Texas Southern University!
Fill H&PE on Feb. 12; Basketball takes national stage
#MaroonOut event includes Alumni Day, Lil' Keke performance, giveaways and more
H&PE Arena will be a sea of maroon on Saturday, February 12, when TSU basketball - and the university as a whole - gains the national stage. NBA TV is broadcasting both the women's and men's games, at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively, versus Grambling State. Both the men's and women's teams are in the thick of the race for the SWAC title.

The university is offering free parking for attendees, as well as complimentary admission for TSU faculty, staff and students.

Lil' Keke will perform at halftime of the men's game. A limited number of free maroon, TSU-branded t-shirts will be distributed at the game, along with other special giveaways. An "Advance Your Shot" scholarship contest will be held during breaks in the games, giving selected students the opportunity to earn additional funding for their education.
"Maroon Out Day is about more than just a basketball game," said Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, TSU president. "This is an opportunity for Tiger Nation to represent this great university and show the strength of TSU's spirit to the world. We are honored to represent HBCUs on NBA TV."

Faculty, staff and student should present their TSU ID badge for complimentary admission. For more information about tickets, visit www.tsusports.com.
TSU's first-ever Black History Month Convocation set for Feb. 23
Houston, TSU pioneer Rev. William Lawson to be honored
Texas Southern University will honor Reverend William Lawson, a community trailblazer who helped transform Third Ward, during its first-ever Black History Month Convocation on Wednesday, February 23, at 11:45 a.m. in Sawyer Auditorium. All TSU faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend this special ceremony, which will include special musical performances by the TSU Concert Chorale and University Band, oratorical performance by the TSU Debate Team, and a Convocation Address by Rev. Lawson's three daughters - Roxanne, Cheryl and Melanie. Lawson served as the director of the Baptist Student Union and a professor of Bible at Texas Southern University from 1960-70.

President Lesia Crumpton-Young will provide opening remarks and introduction of speakers.

For a full list of Black History Month events, click here.
President meets with Rep. Terry Wilson in advance of 23rd legislative session

Rep. Terry Wilson visited TSU last week to meet with President Crumpton-Young, tour campus facilities, speak with political science students, and learn the university's needs in advance of the upcoming 2023 legislative session. 

Rep. Wilson, whose district includes a portion of Central Texas north of Austin, is a member of the appropriations committee and is chairman of the higher education subcommittee. Rep. Wilson was instrumental in helping TSU secure the $95.2M tuition revenue bond allocation in October 2021.
TSU, George Washington University partner for immersive program in nation's capital
The online Executive Master of Public Administration program (eMPA) at Texas Southern University and the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) at the George Washington University in Washington, DC., have partnered to develop a new and engaging experience for eMPA students.

Amid the pandemic, the eMPA study abroad program was paused. According to the eMPA program director, Dr. Michael O. Adams, "The study abroad program enhanced the academic experience of our students and we were committed to pivoting to ensure that they could still benefit from immersive experiences beyond the online classroom. Our nation’s capital is the linchpin for both local and international politics and GSPM’s commitment to diversity and experience in training practitioners made it an excellent partner for this effort.”

From March 20-25, 2022, the inaugural group will travel to Washington, DC. The itinerary will include meetings, panels, and guest speaker events with former members of Congress, current Capitol Hill staffers, and nongovernmental organizations organized by GSPM. Topics covered will include climate change, political campaigns, and foreign policy. In addition to these activities, students will have the opportunity to take part in cultural activities that highlight the historical contributions of African-Americans in the District and students will attend a special reception and networking event that will feature the president of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and Congressional Black Caucus staff.

For more questions about the eMPA Program or the eMPA-GSPM partnership, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams at michael.adams@tsu.edu or 713.313..
The Vibe Houston Sessions event - Feb. 11 early Valentine's 'treat'
The Vibe Sessions, similar to NPR's Tiny Desk performances, will debut on Friday, Feburary 11, at 8 p.m. with a special appearance by J. Howell. The Vibe Sessions consist of cutting edge, breakthrough, inspirational and innovative music from breaking and established artists consistent with The Vibe's urban alternative format, core values and messaging.

J. Howell is a deeply impassioned R&B vocalist specializing in nocturnal and atmospheric R&B ballads. The Memphis-based artist has been actively recording since the mid-2010s, when he began uploading songs such as "Put Me on Luv." In 2019, he independently issued his biggest project yet, the nine-track “RedRoom,” which features hits “Something about Ya” and “Talk!” His latest album “Honest” is set for release in March 2022.

The Vibe Sessions performance series provides an opportunity for captivating performances, sound bites and clips which may go viral and draw more national attention to TSU, KTSU, and The Vibe's 24 hour music stream and mobile app. To accommodate the needs and music consumption trends of Millennials and Gen Z's, The Vibe Room performances will be made available on YouTube.

The Sessions include live recordings, acoustic-style jam sessions, intimate audiences, up close and personal performances, combined with artist storytelling and explanations of lyrical content and their creative processes.

Tune in to the J. Howell session by visiting The Vibe Houston's YouTube page.
TSU doctoral student publishes article on revitalization efforts in Houston's Northside area
Juan Antonio Sorto, a doctoral student in the Urban Planning and Environmental Justice degree program, recently published an article on List23.com about community revitalization efforts in the Houston community of Northside in the aftermath of an unsolved crime. The community has created safe spaces for children and families. Sorto's photography was also published with the article.
TSU receives funding for new e-sports lab and scholarships
 
Texas Southern University was chosen as a recipient of the Verizon Foundation/Cxmmunity sponsorship, totaling $95,000 to assist with funding a new e-sports lab on campus. Kevin Granger, vice president of intercollegiate athletics, spearheaded the efforts to obtain the donation/sponsorship for the university.
 
Through the collaborative efforts of Granger and Iisha Voltz, director of campus recreation, the lab will be developed on the first floor of the Campus Recreation Center and will be directly managed by the Campus Recreation department. The lab will be used for e-sports team practices, competitions and other STEM-related activities.
 
In addition to the lab funding, Cxmmunity/Verizon is offering five (5) scholarships totaling $20,000 each to eligible female students majoring in a STEM-related field and has interest in the gaming industry. All potential applicants must apply using the application link and meet the criteria located in the application. 
School of Communication, KPRC collaborate for Black History Month journalism project
Texas Southern University is partnering with local NBC's KPRC 2 throughout February for a celebration of Houston Black history. Students from the School of Communication and members of @KTSU_2 “The Voice” online team are providing content for the @kprc2 Instagram account and the station’s other digital platforms.

Today, the students published an in-depth profile of Napoleon Johnson (pictured), a pioneer who was not only the fourth African American broadcast journalist in Houston, but also spent 10 years at TSU (his alma mater) as a journalism professor before retiring in 2020. Johnson's story appears on the click2houston website.

Posts and articles have been researched and produced exclusively by TSU students under the supervision of their School of Communication professors and the KPRC 2 digital team. The student journalists’ content will be published throughout February 2022 on click2houston.com/blackhistory.
TSU alumni, faculty profiled in Houston Police Department documentary
As we celebrate Black History Month, the Houston Police Department’s Afro-American Police Officers League (AAPOL) documentary that features School of Public Affairs (SOPA) alumni Jaime Byrd-Grant (an HPD officer and daughter of James Byrd) and new AAPOL president Brand Love, as well as SOPA adjunct faculty Eric Carr (executive director of AAPOL) and Chief C.O. Bradford, who served as Houston Police chief from 1997-2004.
Watch the segment here.
Law student featured in national SCOTUS article
As U.S. President Joe Biden weighs his options in selecting a Supreme Court justice nominee - most likely the first African American woman to serve on the nation's highest bench, one of TSU's third-year law students from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Markicia Horton, was interviewed regarding her thoughts on the significance of the moment - and what it means for her. The Associated Press article has been published nationally, giving Horton and TMSL significant visibility.
Fox26 profiles TSU, HBCUs for Black History Month
As we celebrate Black History Month, TSU itself was celebrated when local Fox26 featured Tiger Nation during its Black History Month 30-minute special broadcast on Friday, Feb. 4.

Anchor Isiah Carey interviewed President Crumpton-Young along with SGA president D'Angelo Colter and third-year TMSL student Ashley Lewis. Each weighed in on the importance and historical significance of HBCUs. Read the article and watch the segment here.
TSU alumna named editor of The Aurora magazine
TSU alumna and staff member Richelle N. Jones, J.D., has been named the Centennial Editor of The Aurora Magazine of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. Jones serves as the director of student support services and assessment in the Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. A native of Brazoria, TX, she is a three-time graduate from Texas Southern University and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 2005, a Master of Public Administration degree in 2007, and a Juris Doctor in 2012 from TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Breakfast Klub owner, TSU alum earns national recognitions
Congratulations to TSU alum and founder/owner of the world-famous Breakfast Klub restaurant in Houston, Marcus Davis. His restaurant was named to two impressive lists:
  • Yelp's list of "Ones to Watch" of Black-owned businesses in the nation. HIs is one of just 15 Black-owned restaurants on the list - and one of just three in Texas.
  • MSN's list of top restaurants to eat in Houston.

Davis, a TSU '96 graduate, has served as president of the TSU National Alumni Association and is a generous supporter of the university and the community.
70th annual TSU Relays set for March
Classic event takes place March 18-19 on TSU campus
The month of March and the TSU Relays go hand in hand, and this year's 70th edition of the iconic track and field event will not disappoint. TSU Athletics just released details about the upcoming classic, which will take place on Friday, March 18, and Saturday, March 19, at Alexander Durley Field.

Read more from TSU Athletics.
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