Black Coaches to Watch in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament Rod Strickland, a former NBA player and New York City basketball icon, is leading Long Island University to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012. Strickland, who took over as head coach in 2022, emphasized his goal of elevating the program’s culture and competitiveness. “Raise the bar, change the environment and help the culture develop and grow,” he said. “I’m not in a rush. Our time is coming. This is just the beginning.” His efforts have paid off, as the LIU Sharks secured a 24-10 record, finishing first in the Northeast Conference (NEC) regular season. Strickland’s journey to coaching included roles as a director of basketball operations at Memphis and Kentucky, and an assistant at South Florida. Despite early struggles, he has now led LIU to back-to-back winning seasons and earned NEC Coach of the Year honors. Speedy Claxton, another former NBA player and Hofstra alum, is guiding his alma mater to its first NCAA tournament in 23 years. Claxton, who played for Hofstra in the 2000 NCAA tournament, took over as head coach in 2021 and has led the program to four seasons with at least 20 wins. “I know the incredible history of Hofstra’s men’s basketball program,” he said. “I have lived it. I have experienced it. I am ready to lead it.” Hofstra’s 24-10 record and third-place finish in the Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) have secured an automatic bid to the tournament. Claxton’s coaching career includes stints as an assistant at Hofstra and a championship run with the San Antonio Spurs as a player. Kenny Blakeney, the head coach at Howard University, is making his third NCAA tournament appearance with the school.#howard_university #hofstra #long_island_university #rod_strickland #kenny_blakeney
Howard University Hosts Black Press Week 2026 to Celebrate 200 Years of Black-Owned Media Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center hosted journalists, publishers, students, and industry leaders for Black Press Week 2026, a five-day event marking the 200th anniversary of the Black press in the United States. The convening, held March 16-20, centered on the theme “Truth, Trust, and Technology: Approaching 200 Years of the Black Press in a Transforming Information Age.” The event highlighted the historical role of Black-owned media while addressing contemporary challenges such as artificial intelligence, credibility, and community accountability. It coincided with the March 16, 1827 anniversary of Freedom’s Journal, the first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the U.S. The week opened with a reception featuring the Howard University Community Choir, whose Gospel performances underscored the cultural and spiritual significance of the Black press. On March 18, the State of the Black Press address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Chavis emphasized that the Black press is “a moral and historical record,” not merely a media enterprise, and stressed its role in advancing freedom, justice, and self-determination. He praised the longstanding partnership between Howard University and the Black press, noting the institution’s role in preserving and advancing Black media history. Scholar Dr. Benjamin Talton, professor of history and executive director of Moorland-Spingarn, expanded on the legacy of the Black press during the event.#howard_university #moorland_spingarn_research_center #black_press_week_2026 #national_newspaper_publishers_association #the_hilltop
Charlotte Scholar at Howard University Debt-Free Through UNC FUND A young scholar from Charlotte is making headlines for her achievements as she pursues a path to becoming a doctor without accumulating student debt. A junior at Howard University, she has been awarded a scholarship from the United Negro College Fund, which is enabling her to attend the historically Black institution without financial burden. This opportunity allows her to focus entirely on her studies and prepare for a career in medicine, a field that requires both academic excellence and personal dedication. Her journey reflects the impact of educational support systems designed to uplift underrepresented students. The scholarship, part of the UNC FUND initiative, highlights how targeted financial aid can remove barriers to higher education. For someone with roots in Charlotte, a city known for its contributions to Black excellence, this milestone underscores the importance of community investment in shaping future leaders. Beyond her academic pursuits, the scholar has also been invited to speak at the Mayor’s Masked Ball, a prestigious event that celebrates leadership, innovation, and cultural achievements. Her selection to address an audience of influential figures signals recognition of her potential to contribute meaningfully to society. The event, which coincides with her academic progress, serves as a platform to spotlight the intersection of education, opportunity, and Black achievement. Her story is emblematic of a broader narrative about the power of mentorship and financial assistance in fostering success. By eliminating the burden of student loans, the scholarship allows her to channel her energy into excelling in her field.#howard_university #united_negro_college_fund #charlotte #mayor_masked_ball #scholar
Howard University Student from Charlotte Credits UNCF Scholarship with Debt-Free Path to Medicine Camryn Bailey, a junior at Howard University in Washington, D.C., is sharing how scholarships from the United Negro College Fund have allowed her to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor without accumulating debt. A Charlotte native who graduated from Charlotte Christian School, Bailey chose to attend a historically Black college after her mother’s positive experience at an HBCU shaped her decision. She is a recipient of the United Negro College Fund and the local UNCF Kieth and Serena Cockrell Scholar program. Bailey emphasized that the scholarships have eliminated financial stress for both her and her family. “It’s definitely taken the financial burden off my shoulders and my parents’ shoulders as well,” she said. “I’ve been able to focus on my academics. I’ve actually gotten two scholarships from UNCF—they’ve just been a big help.” She added that she has not paid any out-of-pocket expenses for her education. “I’m coming out debt-free; I haven’t put a penny toward my education,” she said. Bailey will speak at the 12th Annual Charlotte Mayor’s Masked Ball, a fundraiser held on March 21 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The event supports students attending HBCUs, and the UNCF has helped more than half a million students earn college degrees. “I’m so excited to talk about how UNCF has made such a contribution to my education,” she said. “I definitely just want to speak to that and encourage everyone to donate if they can.” Her long-term goal is to become a doctor and open a clinic for patients who cannot afford healthcare. Bailey said volunteering in hospitals and shadowing relatives in the medical field inspired her to pursue this path.#howard_university #camryn_bailey #united_negro_college_fund #charlotte_mayor_s_masked_ball #charlotte_convention_center
Howard University Men’s Basketball Advances to NCAA Tournament First Four Howard University’s men’s basketball team has been matched against No. 16 seed UMBC in the NCAA Tournament’s First Four, as revealed during the Selection Sunday show on CBS. The game, set for March 17 at 6:40 p.m. ET, will air on truTV and marks the first time the two teams will meet in the tournament. This will be their fourth overall matchup, with UMBC securing a 95-77 victory in a previous contest on November 25, 2024. UMBC, the America East Regular Season and Tournament champions, earned its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2018 through its conference automatic bid. The Retrievers advanced to the conference tournament final by defeating Vermont, 74-59, and three players—Jah’Likai King (First Team All-Conference), DJ Armstrong Jr. (Second Team), and Ace Valentine (Second Team)—were honored for their contributions. Caden Diggs was named Sixth Man of the Year, and head coach Jim Ferry received Coach of the Year recognition. Howard’s path to the tournament included a decisive 70-63 win over No. 3 North Carolina Central in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament final, held in Norfolk, Virginia. This victory marked the program’s sixth conference tournament title in history and its fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Bison are led by MEAC Player of the Year Bryce Harris, a graduate student guard from Brentwood, New York, and Defensive Player of the Year Cedric Taylor III, a senior from Atlanta. Head coach Kenneth Blakeney, entering his seventh season at Howard, has guided the team to its most successful campaign in recent years. The Bison’s success in the MEAC and their NCAA Tournament berth highlight the program’s growing competitiveness in collegiate basketball.#howard_university #umbc #jahlkai_king #dj_armstrong_jr #ace_valentine
Prepare your brackets! DC-area teams seeded in the NCAA men’s, women’s tournaments The NCAA men’s and women’s tournament brackets have been released, with several teams from the D.C. region set to compete for national championships. The brackets highlight the return of multiple local programs to the postseason, including Howard, UMBC, Maryland, and Virginia Tech. Howard University’s men’s basketball team is making its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, earning a spot in the First Four against UMBC. The Bison, who won the MEAC Tournament, will face the Retrievers in Dayton, Ohio, with the winner advancing to face No. 1 seed Michigan. Howard’s coach, Kenny Blakeney, expressed pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “We have earned it.” The Bison enter the tournament with an 23-10 record and an eight-game winning streak. UMBC, the America East champion, brings a 24-8 record and a 12-game winning streak into the matchup. Virginia, seeded No. 3 in the Midwest bracket, will face No. 14 seed Wright State in Philadelphia. The Cavaliers, who finished second in the ACC, are making their 16th NCAA Tournament appearance. VCU, the Rams, will also compete in the South bracket, taking on North Carolina in their first-round game. The Atlantic 10 champions have reached the tournament for the 21st time in program history. In the women’s tournament, Maryland returns for the 16th straight season, earning a No. 5 seed. The Terrapins, led by head coach Brenda Frese, will face Murray State in the first round at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Howard’s women’s team, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022, is seeded No. 14 and will face Ohio State in Columbus on March 21. Virginia Tech, seeded No. 9 in the Fort Worth region, will take on Oregon, while West Virginia, the No. 4 seed, will challenge Miami (Ohio).#howard_university #umbc #dc_area #ncaa_men #ncaa_women
How Seven Korean Students in 1896 Recorded The First Arirang, And Inspired BTS The animated trailer for BTS's upcoming "Arirang" project has sparked renewed interest in a historical moment that connects the group to a group of Korean students who recorded the folk song over a century ago. The trailer, which opens with a scene set in 1896, depicts seven young men gathering around a phonograph as the melody of Arirang plays. The narrative then transitions to their journey across the Pacific Ocean, their recording of the song in Washington, D.C., and a modern-day performance by BTS under purple lights—a color symbolic of the group’s fanbase. This visual bridge between past and present highlights the enduring cultural significance of Arirang, a song that has evolved from a historical recording to a global phenomenon. The story of the 1896 students is rooted in a lesser-known chapter of Korean history. According to historical records, six young men—Im Byung Goo, Lee Bum Su, Kim Hun Sik, Ahn Jung Sik, Eyo Byung Hyun, and an unidentified student—fled Japan in the spring of 1896 after allegedly stealing money from a Korean bank. They sought refuge in Washington, D.C., where they were eventually housed at Howard University. The university’s Executive Committee provided free accommodation in Clark Hall, while the Korean envoy to the U.S., Suh Kwang Bum, covered the cost of furniture. This support came at a critical time, as the students had run out of funds after leaving Japan and found themselves stranded in Canada. Howard University, founded in 1867 to educate formerly enslaved African Americans, became an unlikely but vital sanctuary for the students. Racial barriers in the U.S.#bts #arirang #howard_university #alice_c_fletcher #library_of_congress
