TSU
Texas Southern University has named Mr. Brian Simmons as the new Director of The Ocean of Soul Marching Band and an instructor in the Music Department. He will step into this new role on Monday, July 5th, 2021. “It is an honor to join the TSU Family. Texas Southern has always been a respected rival of mine. I am excited to work with a program with so much history both in the band and HBCU world,’” said Brian Simmons. “I look to honor the rich history and traditions of the “Ocean of Soul” while incorporating new and innovative ideas. Fans and alumni can expect to see what the band is known for as we rise to the next level. Ultimately, it will be the same Ocean, just a new wave!” The TSU band was founded in 1945 by Mr. Allen E. Norton. The Ocean of Soul, affectionately known as the 9th Wonder of the World, was founded by Mr. Benjamin J. Butler II in 1969. The Ocean of Soul has performed at numerous high-profile events, including Super Bowl XXXVIII, the 2013 NBA All-Star Game Pregame Concert, and the 2018 NCAA Final Four. Most recently, the Ocean was featured in the 2021 Netflix series High on the Hog. Notable parade performances include the 2014 NFL Hall of Fame Induction Parade, the 2017 Houston Astros World Series Victory Parade, the HEB Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Krewe of Endymion Mardi Gras Parade. In addition, the Ocean has performed with celebrities, award shows, movie premieres, and several musical performances for various NBA, MLB, and NFL teams. You can always catch the Ocean on select TSU televised home football and basketball games during the school year. The band consists of more than 200 students majoring in different disciplines, all of whom rehearse and perform as part of a year-round program. Mr. Simmons will be the 5th Director of The Ocean of Soul and succeeds Dr. Darryl Singleton. “The College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences welcomes Mr. Simmons to TSU, to the Ocean of Soul, and to the Music Department. I would like to thank all members of the search committee for moving us to this point,” Needha Boutte-Queen, Dean College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences. “We are thrilled that Mr. Simmons accepted this opportunity to lead the historic Ocean into the future. His talents are widely known and will help propel the Ocean of Soul to new heights.” A native of New Orleans, LA, Mr. Simmons earned a Bachelor of Music and Master of Educational Leadership from Southern University. He also serves as an adjudicator and clinician to middle and high school bands nationwide. In addition, Mr. Simmons is an exceptional euphonium and trombone player. He is also a prolific arranger and educator respected throughout the country. He has received many awards and critical acclaim for his performances and arrangements. Mr. Simmons was appointed Director of Bands and Director of Fine Arts at the Louisiana Leadership Institute (LLI) by Louisiana Senator Cleo Fields. In January 2021, Simmons led LLI as they were selected to participate in the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Mr. Simmons was inducted into the Southern University Alumni Federation: 40 Under 40. He has also participated in the HBCU National Band Directors Consortium, Music Educators National Conference, and Louisiana Music Educators Association. He is a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
The Texas Southern University Board of Regents unanimously selected Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young as TSU’s 13th president following today’s vote of confirmation. Dr. Crumpton-Young will assume her role at TSU on July 1. “Dr. Crumpton-Young is the leader TSU needs to usher in a new era of greatness. Her vision for TSU will shift our graduates forward on the path toward even greater academic excellence,” said Albert H. Myres, Sr., chairman of TSU’s Board of Regents. Dr. Crumpton-Young – an established senior administrator, executive and tireless advocate for students – was chosen as the sole finalist following a nationwide search. She will succeed Kenneth Huewitt, who served as TSU’s interim president since April 2020. “The Board of Regents wishes to thank Ken Huewitt for his outstanding service to the University. Ken was asked to step up during a critical and difficult time at TSU. His steady presence and leadership helped us navigate the pandemic, reaccreditation and the legislative session. We look forward to Ken co-chairing our Presidential Transition Team with Regent Stephanie Nellons-Paige,” Chairman Myres said. After the vote, Dr. Crumpton-Young said, “This is a very special time, and I’m reminded of something that my late mother said to me frequently as a child—’You were born to serve.’ As president of TSU, I am fully committed to working tirelessly with our regents, students, faculty, staff, alumni, elected officials and industry partners. Together, we will transform lives by providing an outstanding educational experience.” Dr. Crumpton-Young has a distinguished career in higher education, including her most recent post as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. A native of Texas, Dr. Crumpton-Young’s academic career includes teaching and senior leadership posts at Tennessee State University, University of Central Florida, Texas A&M University and Mississippi State University. She served as program director in the Education and Human Resource Directorate of the National Science Foundation and received the U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) from President Barack Obama in 2010. Dr. Crumpton-Young ushered in an new era at Morgan State University after instituting her three core principles: –Innovation – engineering strong, forward-looking academic pathways that give students every critical tool needed to excel. –Disruption – interrupting the status quo to engage and uplift the university and the community at large. –Transformation – increasing the velocity of learning and attainment with a focus on elevating the thirst for knowledge. Her leadership at Morgan State led to an increase in cutting-edge research, scholarship and creative activity. She initiated new hiring strategies to diversify faculty, introduced and broadened participation in high-demand academic fields and led initiatives to obtain seven-figure transformative gifts to support student and faculty success, and increased diversity, equity and inclusion. Dr. Crumpton-Young earned a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and a doctorate degree in industrial engineering from Texas A&M University, and a Master of Business Administration from Tennessee State University. She holds the distinction of being the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in engineering.
It’s time to change the narrative. On an Instagram post Friday night, Shaqir O’Neal, son of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, announced his decision to play college basketball at Texas Southern University next season. The post contained a drawing of the young O’Neal in a TSU basketball jersey. In an interview with the sports network, Overtime, the 3-star high school shooting guard said that his decision to attend an HBCU was to “change the narrative” surrounding historically Black universities. O’Neal hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father and make it to the NBA. “You can expect a lot of buckets,” he said in the interview. According to CBS sports, the six-foot-six shooting guard is ranked 275th in the nation. The youngest O’Neal will be playing the next basketball season along with his brother, Shareef O’Neal, who plays for Louisiana State University. Way to go!
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner marched to the polls with the students of Texas Southern University Tuesday for the first day of early voting. Just one look at the video and photos, it is safe to say that TSU “SHOWED UP AND SHOWED OUT!” Turner challenged all of the colleges in the Houston area to get out and early vote. The mayor discussed the importance of voting. “Our students are the future of this country and their voices must be heard,” Turner said. “This is the most important election of our time and you simply cannot sit it out and expect to be heard.” Our coaching staff and players took part in the TSU’s March to the Polls! Thank you @KenHuewittTSU @SylvesterTurner @JacksonLeeTX18 @paulwallbaby and the Floyd family, for encouraging everyone to vote!@TexasSouthern @TXSOTigers @CoachJohnnyJ12 // #GoTigers 🐅🏀💯 pic.twitter.com/VZ9XmSC7Th — Texas Southern Basketball (@TSUMensHoops) October 13, 2020 The TSU Tigers are currently in second place for the “Mayor’s College Early Vote Challenge.” Rice University has taken the lead and the University of Houston is not far behind TSU as they dropped to 3rd place. “Yesterday, #HarrisCounty had over 100,000 voters cast their ballots for the second day of Early Voting. After the closing of the polls, @RiceUniversity is still in the lead of the Mayor’s College Early Vote Challenge. @UHouston is not far behind @TexasSouthern,” the mayor tweeted. Yesterday, #HarrisCounty had over 100,000 voters casted their ballots for the second day of Early Voting. After the closing of the polls, @RiceUniversity is still in the lead of the Mayor’s College Early Vote Challenge. @UHouston is not far behind @TexasSouthern. pic.twitter.com/sdK00mGmzR — Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) October 15, 2020
HOUSTON – A Texas Southern University alumna has released a book aiming to remove the negative imagery surrounding African children. Honeymoon Aljabri, an independent Tanzanian American filmmaker, wrote “Amani Wanders in Serengeti,” which follows the “Dora the Explorer” type of journey of a young girl who gets lost in the wild. “Amani is a little curious African girl who goes to the Serengeti with her parents. During her adventures, she gets lost in the jungle, where she ends up meeting new friends,” Aljabri said. Published by Fulton Books, “Amani Wanders in Serengeti” is a delightful story, filled with illustrations and colors, that teaches children the value of kindness and being a good child.” Aljabri also wanted to instill pride in African children, encouraging them to embrace their heritage, as well as expose other races and ethnic groups to the beauty of the continent. “I want the African kids to look at the pictures and feel they can have anything they desire. There are too many stereotypes about African children as having big stomachs and mucus in their eyes,” Aljabri said. “I want them to know they can reach their dreams and be whatever they want to be, while letting their imaginations fly.” Aljabari is publishing a series of Amani’s adventures as she takes us on journeys in Madasgar, Zanzibar and other places in Africa. “I want to connect African diaspora kids, helping them to learn more about each other and the historic and cultural blessings each place has,” Aljabri explained. Aljabri graduated from TSU in 2017 with a Bachelor Degree in Radio, TV and film. After studying at other Houston area colleges, she decided to attend Texas’ largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) because it felt more like home. “I wanted to tell ‘our story’ and TSU was the closest to my culture. I believe if we do not tell our own story, then someone else is going to tell it, and possibly not the right way,” Aljabri said. “Dr. B was really nice, but very tough, and I learned a lot from her. Now when I look at Black films, I look at them from a different perspective. I know if I had gone to a different school, I would have seen things differently.” Aljabri’s films include Forgotten Hero (short film) 2012; Daddy’s Wedding (drama) 2015; Perfectly Oblivious (comedy drama) 2019 and Sechelela (drama) 2020. Aljabri has received numerous awards for her work, including Zanzibar International Film festival (Best Director-2015 ); Houston Community College Movie Award (Best Director – 2012); and World Fest International Film Festival (Gold Remi award -2017, and was nominated for African Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (Best Film East Africa- 2016) Her children’s book, “Amani Wanders in Serengeti” can be found at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play or Barnes & Noble.
The Southwestern Athletic Conference has announced the postponement of all scheduled fall contests along with SWAC championships due to continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The fall sports impacted include men’s and women’s cross country, football, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. The conference has started the process of formalizing plans to conduct a competitive schedule for the fall sports during the 2021 spring semester. “The safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, fans and faculty/staff are our top priority,” said Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Kevin Granger. “The decision by the conference provides more time for the department and our external sources to closely monitor and fine-tune the ongoing circumstances surrounding COVID-19 as we all know it changes daily. This also allows us an opportunity to ensure our student-athletes and staff are placed in the best position possible medically and physically when they return to campus.” Specifically, in the sport of football the plan includes a seven-game conference schedule beginning with an eight-week training period in January 2021. Each member institution will play a total of six conference games (four divisional/two non-divisional) with the option to play one non-conference game. Additional details regarding scheduling for women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country along with the Cricket Wireless SWAC Football Championship game will be released at a later date. Fall sports teams and student-athletes will have the opportunity to attend classes and practices in preparation for a spring 2021 competitive schedule upon return to campus. Student-athletes will have the ability to participate in conditioning, strength training and practices in all sports provided all required local, state, and federal health and safety guidelines are met. There have been no final decisions made regarding competitive schedules for the league’s winter sports at this time. The SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors felt this action was necessary out of growing concern for the health, safety and well-being both mentally and physically of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, team staff, campus faculty, fans and supporters. The continued increase of COVID-19 cases across many portions of the league’s geographic footprint and Southern regions of the country played a significant role in the council’s decision, along with data that suggests African-American communities have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SWAC shares in the disappointment that will undoubtedly be felt by student-athletes, fans, and supporters impacted by the postponement of fall sports competition. The league will continue to review appropriate measures to ensure the health, safety and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, administrators and the local community which continues to be the primary responsibility of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and its member institutions.
In the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death and the resulting national outcry for systemic policing reforms, Texas Southern University’s Center for Justice Research (CJR) has formed a National Police Reform Advisory Group. The expert-laden advisory group will help chart the national response for the sustainable improvement of police-community relations. “We have an opportunity to be at the forefront in the shift in American policing,” said Dr. Howard Henderson, founding director of CJR, which formed in 2018 as a nonpartisan research center devoted to data-driven solutions for an equitable criminal justice system. “Out of the unprecedented support for change, we have found a lack of solution-oriented approaches to police-community relations. As such, the creation of the National Police Reform Advisory Group brings together nationally-recognized experts with prior police and criminal justice field experience.” Henderson said members of the advisory group have experience in police training at the international, federal, state and local levels. The group will ultimately help shape the future of police reform by: –Assisting with the strategic research and program approach to police reform–Serving as technical advisors on police reform efforts, research protocols and policy developments–Providing advice to police administrators, mayors, and other government officials on research and development sponsored and/or conducted in the name of police reform. hrough the Center for Justice Research, the advisory group will provide evidence-supported recommendations of the existing police reform recommendations and put forth any necessary additions. The group will advise on the initial police reform policy and practice needs assessment and the continued activity of the national and local police reform movement. The group’s overall objectives and the suggested path forward will be agreed to by its members, ultimately benefiting from the collective knowledge, skills and abilities of its credentialed members. For updates on status of Police Reform Advisory Group, visit https://centerforjusticeresearch.org/advisory-group/. Quotes from National Police Reform Advisory Group members: “As our elected officials and criminal justice leaders begin the tough work on criminal justice policy reform to address the historic and perpetual, unjust and unfair treatment of communities of color, it is imperative that they be provided with sound advice grounded in research evidence and lived experiences,” said Paul Elam, Ph.D., chief strategy officer with MPHI. “Many of our policy efforts have failed because we have not placed the people who are most impacted at the center of conversations which seek to find solutions to problems affecting them. This advisory group will be comprised of doctorally prepared, national experts who have years of experience working in communities where structural racism has negatively impacted the life outcomes of many black and brown residents. The advisory group will use a culturally responsive and racial equity lens emphasizes that emphasizes the powerful impact of inter-institutional dynamics, institutional dynamics, institutional resources inequities and historical legacies on racial inequalities in our current criminal justice system.” “Because of the continued tumult between the police and the community, a think tank (research group) that examines policing from the perspective of the community, particularly communities of color, is essential to get at the root cause of the problem,” said Lorenzo M. Boyd, Ph.D., assistant provost for diversity and inclusion and director of the Center for Advanced Policing, University of New Haven and former president of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. “This multidisciplinary, multi-perspective approach will address not just the outcomes from police community relations, but we will delve into the underlying problems to address and view police training from a proactive, community-based lens.” “The Advisory Group has been established to serve as an assemblage of intellectuals to facilitate the orchestration of policy changes in police and criminal justice reform,” said Ronald Craig, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice and criminology at Tennessee State University. “Further the group is solution orientated in the implementation of change in this unprecedented time in American history.” “This advisory group is a response to a legacy of police violence that has heightened the current pain in the Black community. As such, we must continue to work diligently to challenge anti-Black racism in all forms so that George Floyd’s death and the countless others won’t be in vain,” said David Baker, Ph.D., interim chair of the Administration of Justice department at Texas Southern University. “This country has reached a boiling point with many of its police departments and their relationship with the community, particularly the African American community,” said K.B. Turner, Ph.D., department chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Memphis. “Indeed, this country is close to its nadir in the history of American policing. It is (past) time for a reexamination and evaluation of American policing. This includes personnel, police procedures and practices, equipment, and utility of that equipment. This advisory group brings its passion and collective experience to serve as change agents in providing reform to ensure constitutional policing and accountability. The issues that have become so salient in recent weeks demands that this advisory group provide effective leadership at a time where it is missing, but sorely needed.” “It is vital that the voices of those with lived experience have a seat at the table from start to finish,” said Bahiyyah M. Muhammad, Ph.D., assistant professor and Inside Out program administrator with the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Howard University. “Far too often are the voices and actions of the directly impacted heard from the sidelines. This approach is far from acceptable. As the world has come together during this time of grief, swift and democratic action is needed. It is often said, ‘those who are closest to the problem are closest to the solution.’ We are committed to making this a reality. With racist and outdated theories that perpetuate white supremacy, there is only one way forward. That being, through the leadership of Black scholars who have lived experience, community respect and a track record of renown scholarship and service to their own. This will be the only way to advance the movement beyond the hashtag #Blacklivesmatter soundbite that currently dominates
Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, a legend, educational icon, and sage to innumerable students at Texas Southern University, passed away on Saturday, June 6, following a brief illness at age 100. Dr. Freeman celebrated his centennial birthday this past June at TSU. Dr. Freeman was an esteemed debate coach, faculty member, orator and minister at Mount Horem Baptist Church in Houston. He was a revered educator and leader of the award-winning Debate Team at Texas Southern University since his arrival in 1949. Under his leadership, TSU debaters have garnered multiple national and international titles during its existence. “This is, most definitely, a sad day at Texas Southern University,” said TSU Interim President, Kenneth Huewitt. “Dr. Freeman exemplified all that is good about our university. His commitment, first and foremost, to his students, across eight decades of service, is what stands out in my mind as one of his greatest legacies. He offered all that he could in the pursuit of excellence. He expected the best from his students and colleagues, and he knew how to bring it out in everyone around him. Like the stars in the sky, the number of lives he influenced is beyond measure.” Dr. Freeman instructed such iconic national and global figures as Representative Barbara Jordan and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and advised Academy Award winner Denzel Washington in the 2007 movie, The Great Debaters. When Washington was preparing for his role as a debate coach he needed the help of a master in this specialty. After a search for what he called the “best debate coach in the world,” he selected Dr. Freeman to provide that help. With the insights and guidance of Dr. Freeman, Washington and his creative team produced an exhilarating movie masterpiece. The Great Debaters, which earned a Golden Globe “Best Picture” nomination, shone a bright spotlight on the accomplishments of debate teams at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In 2009, the TSU Board of Regents named the new Honors College after Dr. Freeman, helping to ensure that his legacy would forever inspire scholars at TSU to become leaders in the nation and the world. Prior to his arrival at TSU, Dr. Freeman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA; a Bachelor of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, MA; and a Doctor of Philosophy from the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, IL. He engaged in post-doctoral studies in 1963 at the University of Vienna in Austria, and pursued inter-institutional studies in 1973 at the Universities of Liberia, Lagos, and Ghana, and at Fourah Bay College in West Africa. Dr. Freeman received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, both before and after his “retirement” from TSU in 2013. Most recently, in 2018 he was the inaugural recipient of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s History Makers Awards–Living Legend. The award pays tribute to outstanding individuals committed to making a difference in Houston through volunteerism, mentorship, advocacy and civic engagement. The same year, the TSU Debate Team received a proclamation from Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Councilman Dwight Boykins in honor of its win at the inaugural HBCU National Speech and Debate Championship Tournament earlier that year. Mayor Turner declared June 19, 2018, as Texas Southern University Debate Team Day. In 2017, Dr. Freeman received the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) highest honor in Washington DC. He was presented with The Phoenix Award and recognized for his profound influence on our nation as a legendary educator and prolific scholar. His long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life for African-American students was the basis of the award. Dr. Freeman held numerous academic and administrative positions at TSU, in addition to his ongoing role as professor and debate coach. In 1966-1968, he was an assistant to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; 1968-1973, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and 1973, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He directed TSU’s Weekend College, 1973-1980; the TSU Model Cities Training Center, 1970-1973; and the Potential Unlimited, HUD Youth Involvement Project, 1972-1974. He also served as head of the Philosophy Department from 1949-1959. Other non-TSU academic posts he held locally included a lecturer in the Religion Department at Rice University, 1972-1994; and an adjunct professor of speech at Houston Community College, 1980-1997. Dr. Freeman’s talents as a spiritual guide are respected in the higher education community and the community at large. For almost 70 years, he served as minister of Mt. Horem Baptist Church in Houston, where he provided spiritual guidance since 1951. He served as a professor at Virginia Union University, where he taught Practical Theology; a Stahley Christian Scholar Lecturer at St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, VA; minister of Pleasant St. Baptist Church, Westerly, RI; and associate minister of Monumental Baptist Church, Chicago, IL. In 2001, a Houston Mayor’s Proclamation gave recognition to Mt. Horem’s Silver Anniversary and to Freeman’s outstanding civic leadership. Dr. Freeman was recognized internationally for his oratorical skills. He was the keynote speaker for many educational, social, religious, and civic occasions throughout the Houston area and beyond. Dr. Freeman was born in Richmond, Virginia, to Louis and Louise E. Freeman. He is survived by his wife Clarice, who will turn 100 later this year. Together, they raised three children – Thomas F. Jr., Carter, and Carlotta, and have several grandchildren. “My father’s life ended peacefully,” said Dr. Carlotta Freeman, daughter of Dr. Thomas F. Freeman. “Our family prefers to focus on the life he lived. We will announce the arrangements shortly.” Dr. Freeman received many awards during his career, including the Doctor of Humane Letters from Eastern Massachusetts University (1980 and 2000); American Performance Theatre Award (1992); Houston Urban League, Margaret Ross Barnett Leadership Award (1992); TSU’s International Recognition Award (1992); Martin Luther King Drum Major Award (1995); Educator of the Year Award presented by the Black Caucus of the Texas Legislature (1995); Houston Trail Blaze for the Negro Heritage Foundation (2000);
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