FVSU Blog

I got a lesson in “be ye also ready” this week. I had to attend a luncheon on behalf of the president (next time, I’ll know to ask exactly what that means). Upon arrival at the event, organizers darted here, there. Guests hit the buffet line. A woman motioned me to the head table & almost whisked me up there. I stood still. My feet didn’t move. An alarm sounded. “Does that mean I have to speak”? No response needed. I had options: have a meltdown or handle my business. I quickly backed out of the door, snatched paper out of my bag, motioned for a pen & wrote. Impromptu speaking isn’t my favorite thing. What is? Words on paper. I survived the remarks, smiled, gestured, joked, even veered off script. Got good ‘reviews’. Next time, I’ll ask the right questions, but it won’t matter much. It’s a good idea to be ready. It’s a state of mind.

- Vicki Oldham is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Fort Valley State University.

If you’re between 18 - 35, then you know Derek Watkins aka Fonzworth Bentley. The 20-something pr specialist in my office eagerly volunteered to write the advancer and recap of Bentley’s FVSU visit. Her eyes lit up. I was curious to know why. And when the buzz began after posts hit Facebook, Twitter and every other site we sent it, I searched for answers.

Today, I understand why Fonzworth’s campus appearance caused a stir and drew the largest crowd of students ever at a midweek evening program.

He is the epitomy of what it means to possess “swag” (in appearance, intellect and spiritually). The MTV reality show host of From G’s to Gents is the author of an etiquette book, Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manner, Confidence and Style to Get Ahead. Sporting a charcoal grey suit tailored to fit every tendon, Fonzworth commanded the stage giving his take on education, individuality and success, sprinkled with stories about the transition from restaurant maitre ‘d to pop icon recognized by GQ magazine as the “first gentleman of hip hop”.

“Be the CEO of your purpose,” the Morehouse graduate said, as students took copious notes, then he listed 3 keys to success: Manners (his Atlanta southern charm opened many doors). Confidence. Style (he said clothing is a language that says much about us before words are uttered). I like his gospel.

After the talk and q & a, students lined up for a book signing. The guest speaker didn’t rush to leave. He lingered, probing students about their career plans, offering advice. I like this guy.

The next day, just before a lecture in Mississippi, Fonzworth sent a message to 15,000 followers on Twitter about the FVSU visit (that’s advertising FVSU could never afford. I really, really like this guy). “I’d like to humbly thank the students, staff of the THE FVSU. U guys were awesome. So many of u showed up! Keep yo man in prayer!!!” This guy bridges the high fashion and hip hop gap with class and swag. I like him…no, I love him for that.

Vicki Oldham is the Director of the Office of Marketing and Communicaitons at Fort Valley State University.

BET ushered in Black History Month with an extraordinary awards show, the 3^rd Annual BET Honors.  Each year, the network targeting African-Americans highlights the phenomenal achievements of five individuals in the categories of media, service, entrepreneurship, entertainment and education.  Leaders are presented achievement awards and musical tributes by the most talented performers of our time. Here’s a recap of last night’s event:

Dana Owens, better known as Queen Latifah, the multi-faceted recording artist, model and actress, was honored first for her contributions in the world of media.  Patty Labelle and Jazmine Sullivan paid tribute to the queen singing the classic songs “Unforgettable”, “Rock Steady” and “If Only You Knew “.

Dr. Keith Black, chairman of the neurosurgery department and director of the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute at the Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, received the service award for   contributions to medicine and tumor research.  Take 6 and the legendary Stevie Wonder honored Black with a musical tribute.

Sean “Diddy” Combs received this year’s entrepreneurship award. Now I’m definitely not a Diddy lover, but you have to respect the man’s business savvy. As his friend and business partner Andre Harrell pointed out, Diddy   provides more than 300 young African-Americans with good paying, respectable jobs . Diddy, worth more than $350 million has created a nice empire that consists of a record label, television show, clothing lines, cologne and so much more. Diddy’s long time friend Mary J. Blige  serenaded him with a medley of her hit singles, many of which topped the charts because of him.

The icon that is Whitney Houston was looking as good as ever when she stepped on stage to accept the entertainment honor. For the past decade, Whitney’s talent has been overshadowed by drug addiction, bizarre behavior and a tumultuous relationship with R&B singer Bobby Brown.  Trials and tribulations aside, the audience adores Houston; and her favorite voice, Kim Burrell let her know it with an electrically charged rendition of “I believe in you and me”. As soon as Whitney heard Kim’s name she jumped out of her seat and walked up to the stage, to share a personal moment with her long-time friend. This was definitely the funniest part of the evening because I thought Whitney had caught the Holy Ghost! She was in tears, flailing her arms around and shouting throughout the entire performance. I thought the show would go downhill from there, but Jennifer Hudson came to the stage and wowed the crowd when she sung Whitney’s chart-topping single “I will always love you”. The “dream girl” is the ONLY person I’ve heard do that song justice besides “The Voice” herself.  Whitney began to tear up again as Jennifer belted out the familiar tune, making it apparent that the two divas share mutual respect and admiration for one another.

Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, the president of Brown University was honored for her role as an exemplary leader in the world of academia. Simmons is the first woman president of Brown University and the first black president of an Ivy League institution.

One of my favorite soul sisters, India.Arie paid homage to Simmons with a musical tribute before teaming up with her idol, the legendary, Stevie Wonder and the handsome young crooner, Trey Songz.  Later in the show, the dynamic duo brought humor to the evening with friendly banter and impromptu performance of Stevie’s classic, “That Girl” and Trey’s current hit-single “Invented Sex”. The crowd was shocked to hear 59-year-old, Stevie singing the lyrics “when I get you to the crib, upstairs to the bed, girl you gon’ think I invented….”

It’s beautiful to see BET celebrate African American pioneers from various fields and show appreciation for the courage, tenacity and resilience of our people. We are what extraordinary looks like.

(BET typically rebroadcasts the show.  You don’t want to miss this one)

- Tauheedah Shukriyyah Asad is the public relations specialist in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Fort Valley State University

Joseph Lowery is a fiery speaker.  This week, the Civil Rights leader was honored with a Hall of Fame award at the Georgia Trend “100 Most Influential Georgians” luncheon at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta.  He was almost a no show, but the host kept hinting that Lowery was on the way. I wasn’t about to leave.  The MC stalled toward the program’s end and was about to conclude and dismiss guests. But then Lowery arrived in a wheel chair.
 
He grasped the microphone and the atmosphere in the room changed with his first word.  Nobody moved. It was quiet, except for the slight hum of the air handler. In a raspy, worn voice Lowery made us laugh. He explained that his late entry was due to an unscheduled doctor’s appointment caused by shortness of breath.  Then, he made our hearts cry by sharing a dream about the children of Haiti.
 
He described waking up the day after the dream and reading in the New York Times the story about a 14 year old named Daphne Joseph. On the day of the quake, the girl ran to the marketplace in search of her mother who sold beauty products in a place called, Tete Boeuf. Daphne arrived in time to see her mom’s body tossed into a heap on the back of a truck with other dead bodies.
 
The mood in the room changed instantly.  The emotions that swelled within me cannot be described.  I wanted to hold my head in my hands and sob aloud.  Lowery’s message to us, “remember the children. They lost their parents, teachers, schools, hospitals and worst of all, their bearings. They walk around empty-eyed,” he said. Then the preacher made a pledge to give a sum of money.  An impromptu fundraiser began right then and there. Lowery’s few words were so rich, so deep, so heartfelt.  Nobody commanded the audience’s attention as he did - not the lawmakers, the Governor’s cabinet or the corporate executives. Of all the words spoken that day, for me, Lowery’s will be remembered most for their meaning and spirit.  He travels in circles of the rich, powerful and famous, the larger world, but he remains a country preacher, a caregiver of souls. Lowery walks with God in the light of His love is what I sense.

Like many Americans, I was eager to tune into yesterday’s State of the Union address to hear President Obama speak. The broadcasting of any major social or political event is a big to-do with my circle of friends, who consist mostly of recent graduates, young professionals and journalists.

My friends and I are scattered across the nation, but during special occasions such as this, we all sit anxiously in front of our televisions and send comments back and forth via facebook and twitter. I encourage everyone to try this with their network of friends and relatives; it makes the program A LOT more interesting.

Unfortunately, I missed President Obama’s speech on the networks. But when I woke up the next morning and read all the mixed reviews and critiques from my friends, I had to view it on YouTube.

Here are my thoughts after watching the internet broadcast.

Some Barack Obama supporters are disenchanted now that he’s in office. I’ve heard people argue that he is not attacking the issues the way he said he would during the election. Some Democratics feel he’s trying too hard to please Republicans (which he NEVER will), and some people are starting to believe he’s “all talk”. To be perfectly honest, I can understand where they’re coming from, but I think the issue is deeper than that.

As I watched the address I saw before me a man who is doing his best to fix as much as he can in a relatively short amount of time. I saw a man who is trying to “play the game” in order to get things accomplished in a flawed system.  I sincerely believe our president has good intentions, but in the same breathe I don’t think he fully knew what he was getting himself into.  Is he qualified for this position? I believe so. Is he doing a better job than his predecessor? Definitely. Does he have a full grasp on the pressing issues? Yes.

People need to remember that this is his first year in office.  He has a lot on his plate. He has to get acclimated to how Washington politics work, be strategic and understand how things operate behind closed doors.

I applaud President Obama’s address and his leadership methods for several reasons: First, because he has examined the issues of healthcare, credit, education and unemployment from several angles. He is both realistic and optimistic in his approach. Secondly, President Obama knows that he can’t magically solve every problem with the power he has, so he charges his constituents with the task of educating themselves and taking personal responsibility in their everyday lives.  Finally, his constant attempt to strengthen the morals of U.S. citizens and build a better America during these trying times is truly admirable.

Tauheedah Shukriyyah Asad is the public relations specialist in the Office of Marketing and Communications