University’s strong presence in Chicago connects aspiring aviation professionals with airlines, federal agencies and aerospace leaders
CHICAGO (Aug. 17, 2026) — Hampton University students strengthened their professional networks and explored career pathways across the aviation and aerospace industries during the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals’ 50th Annual Conference, held Aug. 12-14 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The milestone conference brought together more than 3,000 aviation and aerospace professionals, students, industry leaders, recruiters and educators. Hampton students engaged directly with representatives from major airlines, federal agencies, airports and aerospace organizations, building relationships that can support their transition from the classroom to careers in a rapidly evolving industry.
Hampton’s participation reflects the University’s longstanding commitment to aviation education and its continued focus on preparing students for careers in flight education, air traffic control, aviation management, airport operations and uncrewed aircraft systems.
“OBAP’s 50th anniversary represents both the progress that has been made in expanding access to aviation careers and the important work that remains ahead,” said Dr. Joyce Shirazi, dean of Hampton University’s School of Engineering, Architecture and Aviation. “Our students belong in the rooms where the future of aviation and aerospace is being discussed and shaped. Experiences like this allow them to connect their Hampton education with the people, organizations and opportunities that will help define their careers. We are preparing them not simply to enter this industry, but to contribute to it with knowledge, discipline and leadership.”
United Airlines, which is based in Chicago, sponsored six Hampton students to attend the conference. During the week, Hampton students also joined other United-sponsored students for a private event at the newly opened Obama Presidential Center, extending an experience centered on professional development, networking and leadership.
The conference provided Hampton students with access to professionals representing a broad range of aviation and aerospace careers, including pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers, aircraft maintenance professionals, airport professionals and aviation managers. That exposure aligns with Hampton’s emphasis on connecting rigorous academic preparation with career readiness and workforce needs.
For Hampton, the gathering also underscored the importance of ensuring that talented students have access to the relationships, mentorship and professional experiences necessary to pursue careers throughout aviation and aerospace.
Founded in 1976, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the education, development and advancement of minorities in aviation and aerospace careers. OBAP supports students and professionals through scholarships, mentorship, professional development, youth aviation programs, flight training opportunities and partnerships with airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration, universities, airports and other aviation organizations.
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
Veteran law enforcement executive brings more than two decades of experience as Hampton expands its focus on public safety, technology, data and community-centered policing
HAMPTON, Va. — Hampton University has appointed Alfred S. Chandler Jr. as chief of police, bringing an experienced law enforcement executive to the University as it strengthens the role of public safety in supporting student success, institutional growth and a rapidly changing campus environment.
Chandler brings more than 24 years of law enforcement experience and most recently served as chief of police for the City of Suffolk, Virginia. At Suffolk, he led nearly 200 sworn officers and 56 civilian employees and managed a $29 million budget.
As chief in Suffolk, Chandler expanded body-worn camera deployment, implemented de-escalation and use-of-force training, established a mental health initiative and developed the department’s first dedicated training facility. His work also included strengthening accountability systems and expanding community engagement through initiatives including “Coffee with a Cop” and the department’s first chief-led digital communications platform.
Chandler holds a Master of Science in criminal justice from Saint Leo University and has completed executive and professional development programs through the FBI National Academy, the West Point Leadership Course and the 111th Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives.
His appointment follows 15 years of service by former Hampton University Police Chief David Glover and marks a new chapter in the University’s approach to campus safety.
Building on 15 Years of Service
Hampton University recognizes Glover for 15 years of leadership and service to the University community. His tenure provided continuity and institutional knowledge through a period of significant change in higher education and public safety.
Chandler’s appointment builds upon that foundation while positioning Hampton for the demands of the next era.
“Chief Glover served Hampton University with dedication for 15 years, and we are grateful for the commitment he brought to protecting our students and our community,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams ‘83.
“As Hampton advances, our approach to public safety must advance with us. Chief Chandler understands that safety is fundamental to student success and that modern policing requires leadership, trust, sound data, strong relationships and the responsible use of technology. His experience leading a complex municipal police department will help us strengthen that mission while remaining grounded in the values that have guided Hampton since 1868.”
From the Ranks to the Chief’s Office
Chandler’s career provides him with experience across nearly every level of law enforcement leadership.
During his tenure with the Suffolk Police Department, he served as a police officer, detective and master police officer before advancing through supervisory and command positions as sergeant, lieutenant, captain and deputy chief. His assignments included criminal investigations, SWAT operations, crisis negotiation, search and rescue, school resource officers, violent crimes, special investigations and executive leadership. He ultimately served as Suffolk’s chief law enforcement officer, with responsibilities spanning public safety, homeland security and emergency management.
A New Chapter in a Continuing Commitment
As Chandler returns to the chief’s office, he will lead a Hampton University Police Department whose mission is closely connected to the University’s academic enterprise and residential community.
His charge will include strengthening relationships with students, faculty and staff; investing in officer training and development; examining opportunities to use data and technology responsibly; enhancing preparedness and accountability; and building partnerships across Hampton and the surrounding community.
For Hampton University, the next era of campus safety will be defined not simply by enforcement, but by readiness, intelligence, trust and service.
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
Marketing major Azraa Morgan ’29 connects Hampton University’s agricultural heritage with a new generation’s fight against food insecurity.
HAMPTON, Va. – When Azraa Morgan ’29 planted her first strawberry at Metro Atlanta Urban Farm this summer, nothing happened.
At least, not immediately.
For six weeks, the Hampton University marketing major tended the plant and waited. Then, finally, it bloomed.
For Morgan, a rising sophomore from Detroit, the small breakthrough offered a lesson much larger than the fruit itself.
“That strawberry taught me patience. It taught me discipline,” Morgan said. “It taught me that if you keep showing up every day, eventually you’ll see the fruit of your work.”
That lesson has come to define Morgan’s summer at Metro Atlanta Urban Farm, where she has harvested crops, packed fresh produce, and helped distribute food to more than 250 families each week. But her experience also represents something larger: a Hampton student carrying forward the University’s historic connection to agriculture while exploring how marketing, business and community engagement can help address food insecurity in America’s cities.
Agriculture has been part of Hampton’s identity since its earliest years. Founded in 1868 as Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, the institution educated generations of students through a model that connected learning, agriculture, skilled work and service. Agricultural instruction helped prepare students not only to cultivate land, but also to build livelihoods, strengthen communities, and create greater economic independence.
More than a century and a half later, Morgan sees an opportunity for a new generation of Hampton students to interpret that legacy for the challenges of their time.
“Agriculture is already part of who we are,” Morgan said. “Reconnecting with those agricultural roots is one of the best ways we can honor our history while serving today’s communities.”
Detroit Planted the Seed
Morgan’s interest in food access began long before she arrived at Hampton.
Growing up in Detroit, she noticed an imbalance that became increasingly difficult to ignore. In her neighborhood, fast-food restaurants and convenience stores were abundant, while stores offering affordable fresh fruits and vegetables could be much harder to find.
Travel outside the city into nearby suburbs, she recalled, and the landscape could change dramatically, with grocery stores, farmers markets and health food stores offering choices that were not as readily available in some Detroit neighborhoods.
“For so many families, unhealthy food wasn’t necessarily a choice,” Morgan said. “It was what was available, what was affordable and what was close to home.”
But Detroit showed Morgan something else.
Across the city, residents were converting vacant lots into gardens. Community farms were producing food. Neighbors were creating solutions for other neighbors.
“Detroit didn’t just show me the problem. Detroit also showed me the solution,” Morgan said. “Urban farming isn’t just about agriculture. It’s about dignity. It’s about ownership. It’s about a community deciding that even if no one else invests in us, we’re still going to invest in ourselves.”
That experience planted the foundation for an ambition Morgan hopes to pursue after college. One day, she wants to return to Detroit and establish a grocery store that provides fresh, nutritious and affordable food to families in her community.
Hampton helped her begin thinking about how to turn that ambition into a plan.
From a Hampton Classroom to an Atlanta Farm
During Morgan’s first year at Hampton, an English course pushed her to examine Detroit’s food-access challenges from a different perspective.
Her professor, Dr. Jocelyn Amevuvor, challenged students to move beyond identifying problems and begin developing solutions. For her final project, Morgan focused on food access in Detroit, examining what a sustainable response would require, including funding, partnerships and long-term community support.
The assignment changed the way she thought about her own responsibility.
“For the first time, I realized I can do something about it,” Morgan said.
When the semester ended, she did not want the project to remain an academic exercise. She began searching for an organization already doing the work and discovered Metro Atlanta Urban Farm.
“It wasn’t just an internship,” Morgan said. “It was an opportunity to turn the ideas that had been growing in my mind into real experience serving families, learning urban agriculture and understanding what it truly takes to create lasting change in a community.”
At the farm, Morgan quickly discovered that urban agriculture involves much more than planting and harvesting.
Each week, she helped prepare food boxes for more than 250 families. She learned about cultivation and food distribution while gaining exposure to the communications and nonprofit marketing required to sustain a community-focused agricultural organization.
“Before this internship, I thought urban farming was mostly about growing food,” Morgan said. “I left realizing it was never just about tomatoes, peppers or cucumbers. It was about people.”
Where Agriculture and Marketing Meet
That realization has particular significance for Morgan as a marketing major.
Modern agriculture depends on scientists, growers and agricultural specialists, but getting food, information and resources into communities also requires business strategy, communications, fundraising, partnerships and consumer education.
For Morgan, marketing is not separate from the mission of urban agriculture. It can help sustain it.
Marketing can help a nonprofit explain its impact to donors. It can help farmers connect with consumers. It can educate families about available resources, strengthen community partnerships and turn public awareness into participation.
Morgan’s internship demonstrates why the future of agriculture will require expertise from well beyond traditional agricultural disciplines.
Dr. Ziette Hayes, dean of Hampton University’s James T. George School of Business, said Morgan’s experience illustrates the breadth of opportunities available to business students.
“Azraa’s experience demonstrates that marketing is ultimately about understanding people and connecting them with ideas, resources and opportunities,” Hayes said. “Agriculture may begin with what we grow, but creating sustainable impact requires people who understand communities, organizations and markets. Experiences like this are an example of how our students create ‘options, not issues’ on their journey to a business degree.”
Hampton’s Agricultural Legacy Continues Through Research
Morgan’s work also connects with a broader continuum of agricultural inquiry at Hampton.
The University’s agricultural roots date to its founding era, when agricultural education was integrated into the preparation of students for lives of work, leadership and service. Over time, Hampton offered study in areas including botany and horticulture and operated greenhouse facilities that supported the study of plant life.
Today, that legacy is expressed through scientific research addressing contemporary agricultural challenges.
Dr. Noufal Lakhssassi, a plant geneticist and professor in Hampton’s Department of Biological Sciences, studies soybean genetics and plant resistance to agricultural pests.
Soybeans are deeply embedded in the global economy. They are used in food, animal feed, cooking oils, consumer products and renewable fuels. Threats to soybean production can therefore ripple through farms, food systems and supply chains.
In a 2025 study published in Communications Biology, Lakhssassi and collaborators identified two novel genes associated with soybean resistance to soybean cyst nematode, a destructive agricultural pest.
The research points toward new possibilities for developing more resilient soybean varieties and illustrates how agricultural discovery can have consequences far beyond a laboratory.
For Lakhssassi, Morgan’s experience represents another dimension of that work.
“Science provides insights to develop stronger and more resilient crops, however, the primary goal of agriculture is to nourish people, ,” Lakhssassi said. “Azraa’s efforts directly engage the community in this mission. Urban farms can serve as hubs where research, education, nutrition, and community service converge. This link between innovation and the community is crucial for the future of agriculture.”
Planting Something That Lasts
Morgan is already thinking about bringing what she learned in Atlanta back to Hampton.
One of her goals is to establish a Farm Club at the University, creating an opportunity for students across disciplines to participate in agriculture, food education and community service.
She envisions biology students working alongside marketing majors, engineers alongside nursing students, and future educators and entrepreneurs contributing their own expertise.
“Agriculture isn’t just for agriculture majors,” Morgan said. “Food affects every community, which means every student has something to contribute.”
For Morgan, such an organization could do more than grow fruits and vegetables. It could create another bridge between Hampton’s history and its future.
It could also give students a tangible way to practice one of the lessons she says Hampton has reinforced throughout her education: leadership is measured by what one leaves behind for others.
“My goal has always been to leave Hampton University better than I found it,” Morgan said. “The beautiful thing is that Hampton has already done that for me.”
More than 150 years after agriculture became part of Hampton’s educational foundation, Morgan is helping reimagine what that legacy can mean for a new generation.
The tools may have changed. The fields may now include vacant city lots and urban farms. The students may study marketing, biology, engineering or business.
But the purpose remains rooted in service.
“We can be the generation that plants the seed, keeps showing up and leaves every place better than we found it,” Morgan said. “The greatest legacy you can leave is the lives you help change.”
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
University recognized among the nation’s top five private HBCUs in Forbes’ first-ever HBCU college ratings
HAMPTON, Va. (Aug. 3, 2026) — Hampton University’s longstanding commitment to preparing graduates for leadership, professional success and meaningful careers has earned national recognition as the University was named one of the top five private Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Forbes’ inaugural HBCU college ratings, which highlight institutions that best position students for success after graduation. The rankings were published Aug. 1 by Forbes.
The inaugural list, Top HBCUs: 20 Historically Black Colleges & Universities That Set Grads Up for Success, evaluates HBCUs based on measures tied to student outcomes, career readiness and long-term success, recognizing institutions that continue to deliver exceptional value while preparing graduates to lead across industries and communities.
For Hampton University, the recognition reflects a 157-year legacy of academic excellence and a continued focus on equipping students with the knowledge, experiences and leadership skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy. Through nationally recognized academic programs, undergraduate research opportunities, internships, global engagement and strong alumni networks, Hampton graduates continue to distinguish themselves in business, science, healthcare, engineering, education, government, the arts and entrepreneurship.
“This recognition affirms what generations of Hampton students, alumni and supporters have always known; that Hampton is prepared and is the standard of excellence,” said President Darrell K. Williams ‘83. “Being recognized among the nation’s top private HBCUs by Forbes reflects the extraordinary work of our faculty and staff, the determination and talent of our students, and the enduring strength of an institution dedicated to preparing world-ready leaders of character and consequence who make meaningful contributions around the globe. We remain focused on ensuring every Hampton student leaves this institution prepared to lead with purpose, compete with confidence and serve with distinction.”
The recognition comes as Hampton University continues to expand its national profile through investments in research, STEM education, health sciences, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and workforce development while maintaining its historic mission of educating leaders committed to excellence and service.
Hampton has also added several new degree programs including bachelor’s degrees in dance, African American studies, mechanical engineering, and more. Several master’s programs have also been added to the university’s offerings including marine and environmental science, engineering entrepreneurship, systems engineering, and more.
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
First Black Male Dean to Lead One of the Nation’s Oldest HBCU Nursing Programs and Virginia’s Oldest Nursing School, Brings Representation to the Field During Black Nurses Week
Hampton, Va. — Hampton University has appointed Dr. Michael L. Jones ‘20, an accomplished nurse leader, researcher, educator, and Hampton alumnus, as dean of the Hampton University School of Nursing. Dr. Jones makes history as the first Black man to serve as dean of the School of Nursing in its distinguished history. This week also marks Black Nurses Week from July 26 to August 1.
Leading with Legacy and Learning
Founded in 1891, the Hampton University School of Nursing is one of the oldest nursing programs among Historically Black Colleges and Universities and is recognized as the oldest continuously operating nursing program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more than 130 years, the school has prepared generations of nurses who have transformed healthcare, advanced health equity, and served communities across the nation.
A native of Leake County, Mississippi, Dr. Jones returns to Hampton University after a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in nursing leadership, academic administration, research, and national healthcare advocacy. Most recently, he served as the inaugural Associate Dean for Engagement and Professional Development and Clinical Associate Professor at the East Carolina University College of Nursing in Greenville, North Carolina, where he led strategic initiatives focused on faculty development, student success, and cultivating an inclusive academic culture.
“Dr. Jones represents the very best of Hampton University,” said President Darrell K. Williams ‘83. “He is a scholar, servant leader, and innovator whose career has been dedicated to improving health outcomes and expanding opportunities for underserved communities. As an alumnus who has already made history within our institution, he understands the significance of Hampton’s nursing legacy and is uniquely positioned to lead the School of Nursing into its next era of excellence.”
A nationally recognized leader in professional nursing governance, higher education policy, and scholarly publishing, Dr. Jones maintains an extensive national leadership footprint. He currently serves as Managing Editor for The Nurses Magazine, Co-Chair of the Nurses’ Health Study 3 (NHS3) Advisory Board, Vice President and Executive Director of the Network of Black Male Nurse Leaders, and Assistant Editor for the Journal of the Association of Black Nursing Faculty (ABNF). Additionally, he serves as a peer reviewer for prestigious scholarly publications, including Nursing Outlook and the Journal of Professional Nursing. A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), he actively contributes to the Academy’s national governance as an elected member of the Fellow Selection Committee.
Dr. Jones also holds prominent national leadership roles within the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). He is the Immediate Past Chair of the Access, Connection, and Engagement Leadership Network (ACELN) and Immediate Past Co-Chair of the national AACN Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) Symposium. Furthermore, Dr. Jones serves on the National Advisory Committee for the ANA/SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), where he serves on the selection committee and mentors current graduate fellows.
His extensive research governance and public policy service includes work with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), where he previously served as Chair of the Advisory Panel on Clinical Trials and continues as a Merit Reviewer. He was appointed by the Mississippi Supreme Court as a Commissioner for the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission, where he chaired the Medical-Legal Partnerships Subcommittee. Nationally, he has contributed as an author to the 2nd and 5th editions of the American Nurses Association (ANA) Nursing Administration: Scope and Standards of Practice. Across North Carolina, he served as Lead Faculty and Editor for the University of North Carolina System Office Open Educational Resources (OER) Population Health in Nursing initiative.
Dr. Jones previously served as the Richards Endowed Graduate Nursing Chair, assistant professor of nursing, and research development coordinator at Brenau University’s Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing in Norcross, Georgia. Throughout his career, he has focused on reducing health disparities, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing equitable healthcare delivery. His commitment to population health was further exemplified during his tenure as Chief Community Health Officer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he established statewide access-to-care strategies and emergency department diversion initiatives.
Dr. Jones’ connection to Hampton University is both historic and deeply personal. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from Hampton, becoming the first African American male to graduate from the University’s Ph.D. in Nursing program and the first African American male to earn a Ph.D. in Nursing from a Historically Black College or University.
“Hampton University shaped me not only as a scholar, but as a servant leader,” said Dr. Jones. “Returning to lead this extraordinary school is both an honor and a responsibility. The School of Nursing has long been a beacon for preparing compassionate, highly skilled nurse leaders. Together with our faculty, students, alumni, and healthcare partners, we will build on this storied legacy to elevate academic excellence, expand innovative research, and empower the next generation of nursing professionals.”
Dr. Jones completed his undergraduate nursing education at Meridian Community College and the University of Mississippi Medical Center after beginning his collegiate studies at East Central Community College.
His appointment comes at a pivotal time for nursing education as healthcare systems nationwide face growing workforce shortages and increasing demand for diverse nurse leaders prepared to address complex public health challenges. Under Dr. Jones’ leadership, Hampton University’s School of Nursing will continue its longstanding commitment to preparing nurses who lead with clinical excellence, compassion, innovation, and a commitment to health equity.
Outside of his professional work, Dr. Jones is the proud father of two children, Mikayla (20) and Dylan (18), who reside in Byram, Mississippi. He enjoys gardening, collecting African art, and is an active member of the Eta Eta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Dr. Jones will also be inducted into the inaugural cohort of Fellows of the American Association for Men in Nursing (FAAMN) this October.
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
Summer series highlights Hampton University’s expanding international footprint through leadership, scholarship and global engagement
HAMPTON, Va. — As Hampton University reflects on a summer defined by international engagement, President Darrell K. Williams’ visit to the University of Greenwich in London this past July stands as a powerful example of the University’s growing global reach and commitment to preparing students for leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.
The visit, held in conjunction with the fifth UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (BBEC), reinforced Hampton’s strategic focus on international collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship and workforce development. President Williams delivered the conference keynote before joining University of Greenwich leadership for discussions centered on student mobility, inclusive excellence, research collaboration and the future of higher education.
The engagement forms part of The Hampton Cup ‘26, a summer series highlighting how Hampton University’s campus leaders, faculty, researchers and students are extending the University’s influence across the globe through scholarship, partnership and service.
“This summer has demonstrated that Hampton University’s impact extends well beyond our campus,” said President Darrell K. Williams. “Whether through academic partnerships, research collaborations, entrepreneurship or student experiences abroad, we are building relationships that create new opportunities for our students and strengthen Hampton’s role as a global institution.”
Hosted under the theme Innovation, Technology and Doing Business Globally, the UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference brought together leaders from business, higher education, finance and technology to examine emerging opportunities in the global economy. President Williams became the first president of a Historically Black College or University to partner with the conference, underscoring Hampton University’s continued leadership in advancing international conversations around education, entrepreneurship and innovation.
During his visit to the University of Greenwich, President Williams met with Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Professor Jane Harrington and university leaders to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration. Discussions focused on expanding international student experiences, strengthening institutional partnerships and sharing best practices related to access, inclusion and student success.
“My visit to London, specifically to the University of Greenwich, reaffirmed that the future of higher education is global, collaborative and grounded in trust,” Williams said. “As conversations around artificial intelligence, innovation and workforce development continue to evolve, Hampton University is uniquely positioned to prepare leaders who combine technological fluency with the character, cultural intelligence and ethical leadership the world demands.
“The relationships we strengthened in the United Kingdom reflect our commitment to expanding opportunities for our students, growing international partnerships and ensuring Hampton graduates are prepared not only to compete in the global economy but to help shape it. Our goal remains clear: to build world-ready leaders of character and consequence.”
The London engagement reflects Hampton University’s broader strategy to expand meaningful international partnerships that enhance academic excellence, research opportunities and career readiness. Throughout the summer, members of the Hampton community have represented the University across multiple countries through conferences, research initiatives, educational exchanges and strategic collaborations that reinforce Hampton’s mission of developing leaders equipped to address global challenges.
As The Hampton Cup ‘26 summer series concludes, these international engagements collectively illustrate a defining characteristic of today’s Hampton University: an institution deeply rooted in its historic legacy while actively shaping its future through global partnerships that benefit students, faculty and communities around the world.
“Global engagement is no longer an enhancement to higher education—it is essential,” Williams said. “Every partnership we build expands opportunities for our students to learn, lead and serve on an international stage while reinforcing Hampton University’s role as a trusted partner in addressing the challenges and opportunities of our shared future.”
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
Prestigious undergraduate research fellowship continues Hampton University’s growing presence in Harvard’s HBCU research initiative
HAMPTON, Va. – Hampton University student Abdul-Majeed Hamidu ‘28 was selected as a member of the second cohort of the prestigious Du Bois Scholars Program at Harvard University this summer, a highly competitive summer undergraduate research initiative that connects exceptional students from research-intensive historically Black colleges and universities with Harvard faculty mentors.
The Du Bois Scholars Program, part of the Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village, is supported by the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative and Harvard College. The program provides students from R1, R2, and research-focused HBCUs with immersive research experiences, faculty mentorship, and professional development designed to strengthen the next generation of scholars, innovators, and leaders.
Hamidu joins 34 students from colleges and universities across the nation selected for this year’s cohort. Throughout the summer, fellows collaborate directly with Harvard faculty, engage in original research, strengthen their analytical and presentation skills, and participate in leadership development opportunities that prepare them for graduate study and research careers. At the conclusion of the program, each scholar presents their research findings before faculty mentors, peers, family members, and university leaders.
“This remarkable achievement reflects Abdul-Majeed’s academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to advancing knowledge through research,” said Dr. Joyce Shirazi, Dean of the Hampton University School of Engineering, Architecture and Aviation. “His selection to the Du Bois Scholars Program demonstrates the caliber of students Hampton University produces and reinforces our commitment to preparing world-ready leaders of character and consequence. Experiences like this empower our students to engage alongside some of the world’s leading researchers while expanding the skills, perspectives, and confidence they will carry into graduate education, industry, and beyond.”
This year’s Du Bois Scholars Program also expands its research partnerships through the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and the Harvard Business School Program for Research in Markets and Organizations, creating new opportunities for fellows to collaborate with internationally recognized faculty in astronomy, astrophysics, economics, business, and organizational research.
“The Du Bois Scholars Program advances one of the Initiative’s three strategic priorities—deepening our partnerships with HBCUs,” said Sara Bleich, Vice Provost for Special Projects at Harvard University and leader of the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative. “The program’s impact occurs in the relationships built between its fellows and Harvard faculty—collaborations that drive transformative research. We’re thrilled to welcome our second cohort of fellows, including seven returning fellows, to Harvard this summer.”
Led by Shahara C. Jackson, Director of HBCU Initiatives for the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative, the Du Bois Scholars Program is designed to cultivate a network of student researchers through faculty mentorship, collaborative scholarship, and professional development. Fellows strengthen their leadership, presentation, critical thinking, and research skills while building lasting relationships with peers and faculty mentors from across disciplines.
Hamidu’s selection continues Hampton University’s growing representation in the prestigious program. During the inaugural cohort, Hampton students A’Nyah Williams ‘26 and Nyla Cross ‘26 were selected as Du Bois Scholars. Williams conducted research under the mentorship of Bianca Baldridge at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, while Cross worked with Theo Tyson at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
As Hampton University continues expanding undergraduate research opportunities and global academic partnerships, Hamidu’s selection reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to creating transformational learning experiences that prepare students to make meaningful contributions in research, innovation, and discovery around the world.
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
(Hampton, VA) – For Hampton University student Camille Johnson ‘27, a trip to New York City became the culmination of years of hard work, creativity, and a commitment to telling stories that matter.
Johnson, a student in Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, recently received a prestigious Gracie Award, one of the nation’s highest honors recognizing outstanding achievements by women in media. Presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, the Gracie Awards celebrate journalists, producers, writers, directors, and emerging storytellers whose work advances excellence across television, radio, digital media, and journalism.
The recognition places Johnson among an elite group of professionals and rising voices shaping the future of media.
Her accomplishment also reflects a broader culture of excellence taking root within Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School, where students are gaining national recognition while building careers long before graduation. Through mentorship from faculty, experiential learning opportunities, professional networking, and industry partnerships, the school continues to prepare graduates to compete on the national stage.
“This recognition is a testament to Camille’s talent, work ethic, and willingness to challenge herself creatively,” said Julia Wilson, dean of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. “At Hampton, we strive to create an environment where students don’t simply learn journalism and communication. They practice it, refine it, and graduateprepared to lead the industry. Camille represents exactly the kind of excellence we seek to cultivate.”
Johnson’s journey to the Gracie Awards was made possible through a growing network of Hampton alumni dedicated to opening doors for future Pirates. Hampton University alumna and Board of Trustees member Rashida Jones ‘02, ‘24 collaborated with the Dean’s Office to encourage students within the Scripps Howard School to submit their work for consideration and helped connect them to the opportunity.
At the Gracie Awards ceremony in New York, Jones hosted a table that included Johnson and several other Hampton students who have already launched careers with leading media organizations throughout New York, demonstrating the strength of Hampton’s alumni network and its commitment to creating pathways into the communications profession.
The experience offered students more than national recognition. It provided direct access to accomplished media leaders, industry professionals, and fellow storytellers whose work is influencing journalism and entertainment across the country.
President Darrell K. Williams ‘83 said Johnson’s achievement reflects Hampton University’s long-standing tradition of preparing graduates who lead with excellence and purpose.
“Camille’s accomplishment is a proud moment for Hampton University and another example of what is possible when talent is paired with opportunity,” Williams said. “Our students continue to demonstrate that they belong in every room where important stories are told and decisions are made. We are committed to building world-ready leaders that are empowered to compete, lead, and make meaningful contributions across the communications industry.”
Johnson’s national honor arrives at a time when the Scripps Howard School continues expanding opportunities for aspiring journalists, strategic communicators , content creators, and digital media professionals. Students regularly produce multimedia projects, gain hands-on newsroom experience, participate in internships with national organizations and international organizations, and receive mentorship from faculty and alumni whose careers span every corner of the communications field.
This fall, Johnson will continue building on that momentum after being selected as one of only two student workers chosen to serve in the Dean’s Office, where she will support initiatives that strengthen the school’s academic programs and student experiences.
Her Gracie Award represents more than anindividual achievement. It reflects the growing influence of Hampton University’s next generation of communicators, whose voices are already making an impact on newsrooms, public relations agencies, and media organizations across the country.
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
As Hampton University’s global summer of discovery unfolds, Dr. Mengistu Shukare is advancing cancer research in Japan while building world-ready leaders of character and consequence in the lab.
(Hampton, VA) – If there were a World Cup for research, Hampton University would have a team competing on the international stage.
This summer, Hampton faculty are taking their scholarship across continents, building partnerships that expand the University’s global footprint while creating new opportunities for students and scientific discovery. Among them is Dr. Mengistu Shukare, assistant professor of biochemistry in Hampton University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, whose research has taken him to Kyoto, Japan—one of the world’s leading hubs for stem cell science.
His journey is part of Hampton University’s growing international research enterprise, demonstrating how faculty expertise developed on campus is contributing to scientific discoveries with global implications.
Shukare was awarded a prestigious Invitational Research Fellowship through the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), one of Japan’s premier organizations dedicated to advancing international scientific collaboration. The fellowship supports leading researchers from around the world as they partner with Japan’s top research institutions to address some of society’s most pressing challenges.
At Kyoto University’s Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Shukare is conducting research in the laboratory of internationally recognized stem cell scientist Dr. Kenji Osafune, deputy director of the center. CiRA is renowned for pioneering work involving induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs, which have transformed the possibilities of regenerative medicine and disease modeling.
Together, they are exploring one of medicine’s most difficult questions: how pancreatic cancer begins.
Using advanced stem cell technologies, Shukare is studying how induced pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into pancreatic progenitor cells to recreate the earliest stages of pancreatic cancer development. Understanding those initial cellular changes could help scientists identify new pathways for earlier detection and more effective treatments.
“This opportunity allows me to better understand the earliest stages of pancreatic cancer using novel technologies and innovative research models,” said Shukare. “Our laboratory studies how cancer cells obtain and use energy, with the goal of identifying their metabolic weaknesses. To defeat an opponent, it is often more effective to target its weakness than its strength. That is the approach my laboratory is taking as we work toward developing more effective strategies to combat this devastating disease.”
The work in Kyoto builds directly upon research already underway at Hampton University and the Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute, where Shukare’s laboratory investigates cancer metabolism, proton therapy and the complex communication between tumors and surrounding tissues.
His team’s long-term objective is to uncover the metabolic vulnerabilities that fuel cancer growth while identifying approaches that improve therapeutic response and address cancer-related metabolic complications.
Earlier this year, Shukare and his research team presented preliminary findings on fatty-acid metabolism in cancer during the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026, further highlighting Hampton University’s growing contributions to biomedical research.
For the School of Science, the fellowship represents more than an international appointment—it reflects Hampton University’s expanding influence within the global scientific community.
“Dr. Shukare’s selection for this prestigious fellowship is a testament to the caliber of scholarship taking place within Hampton University’s School of Science,” said Dr. Taviare Hawkins, dean of the School of Science. “His work exemplifies our commitment to conducting research that addresses significant global health challenges while creating meaningful learning opportunities for our students. The knowledge, partnerships and innovative techniques he brings back to Hampton will strengthen our research enterprise and further prepare our students to become leaders in biomedical science.”
Beyond advancing cancer research, the fellowship establishes a lasting bridge between Hampton University and one of the world’s leading research institutions. The collaboration opens new possibilities for scientific exchange, future partnerships and expanded research opportunities for Hampton students.
Upon returning to campus, Shukare plans to integrate the advanced stem cell methodologies and laboratory techniques he learned in Japan into both his research program and student training.
By combining stem cell-derived cancer models with metabolic research and radiation science, he hopes to develop more clinically relevant systems for studying cancer progression and therapeutic response while exposing Hampton students to emerging technologies shaping the future of biomedical science.
As Hampton University’s faculty continue building partnerships around the globe, every international collaboration reinforces the University’s mission to prepare students for leadership while advancing knowledge that benefits communities far beyond campus.
This summer, the Hampton Cup stretches from the shores of the Chesapeake Bay to the laboratories of Kyoto.
And wherever Hampton scholars go, they carry out the University’s commitment to building world-ready leaders of character and consequence with them.
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
Richmond, VA. (July 14, 2026) The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) announces the launch of the VFIC Presidential Scholars Program, a new statewide initiative designed to develop the next generation of values-based leaders across Virginia’s independent colleges and universities. In its inaugural year, the program recognizes one exceptional rising second-year student from each of the 17 VFIC member institutions. Selected by their college or university presidents, these scholars exemplify outstanding leadership, a commitment to service, and a passion for strengthening their communities.
“The VFIC Presidential Scholars Program reflects our belief that leadership grounded in ethics, service, and responsibility is essential to the future of the Commonwealth,” said Locke Ogens, VFIC President.
With generous funding provided by Bonnie and Wick Moorman, each Presidential Scholar will receive a comprehensive package of financial support and leadership opportunities, including:
A $10,000 annual scholarship for up to three years
Mentorship provided by their college or university president.
Participation in leadership development seminars including statewide networking opportunities with business, government, and non-profit leaders, including VFIC trustees.
A fully funded experiential learning opportunity, such as study abroad, an internship, or a research project
Through this cohort-based experience, scholars will connect with peers from across Virginia, build leadership skills, and prepare to lead with integrity in their chosen professions and communities.
The VFIC plans to expand the Presidential Scholars Program annually, adding a new cohort each year until three cohorts are active at the same time. Over time, the program will create a robust statewide network of alumni—graduates equipped to make meaningful contributions across industries and communities throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.
The inaugural cohort (2026–2029) reflects the remarkable diversity of talent across Virginia’s independent colleges and universities, with scholars pursuing a wide range of academic disciplines and representing communities from across the Commonwealth.
2026-2029 VFIC Presidential Scholars Cohort:
Batten University – Eleanor VanDuyne
Bridgewater College – Juli Ramos
Emory & Henry University – Rachel Sexton
Hampden-Sydney College – Kayne Wooten
Hampton University – Kernice Smith
Hollins University – Kelly O’Brien
Mary Baldwin University – Bibian Mejia
Marymount University – Isabel Fierro
Randolph College – Michelle Collins
Randolph-Macon College – Ashleigh Flores
Roanoke College – Shane Stevens
Shenandoah University – Dillon Mauzy
Sweet Briar College – Jocelyn Flannery
University of Lynchburg – Michael Pellican
University of Richmond – Luke Schroeder
Virginia Union University – Samirah Spates
Washington and Lee University – Sophie Csatlos
About the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges
Established in 1952, the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) advances the distinctive values and strengths of Virginia’s leading independent colleges and universities. VFIC represents a consortium of seventeen institutions committed to providing an exceptional education in highly personalized learning environments.
VFIC’s mission is to ensure that academically qualified students—many of whom are first-generation college students—can attend an independent college regardless of financial circumstances. Through strategic fundraising, partnerships, and student-centered programs, VFIC has provided more than $183 million in support to its member institutions and their students since its founding.
The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges supports the programs and students of the following seventeen independent colleges and universities in the Commonwealth: Batten University, Bridgewater College, Emory & Henry University, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampton University, Hollins University, Mary Baldwin University, Marymount University, Randolph College, Randolph-Macon College, Roanoke College, Shenandoah University, Sweet Briar College, University of Lynchburg, University of Richmond, Virginia Union University, and Washington and Lee University.
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the nation is asking difficult questions about its founding ideals. Whose stories have been told? Whose sacrifices have been celebrated? And whose contributions remain incomplete in the American narrative?
Hampton, Va. (July 8, 2026) – At the Hampton University Museum, those questions find powerful answers in Picturing Freedom: Harriet Tubman and the Combahee River Raid, an exhibition that challenges visitors to reconsider one of the nation’s most iconic figures, Harriet Tubman, while introducing them to hundreds of people whose lives forever changed because of her courage.
The exhibition arrives at a defining moment. Across the country, America 250 invites communities to reflect on the nation’s past and imagine its future. In the Commonwealth, the Virginia 250 initiative explores the theme of “Navigating Freedom,” recognizing that the pursuit of liberty has never followed a straight path.
Few stories embody that journey more completely than Harriet Tubman’s leadership during the Combahee River Raid and the generations of families who emerged from that act of liberation.
Curated by Dr. Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, director of the Hampton University Museum, and inspired by Dr. Edda L. Fields-Black’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book ‘COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War,’ the exhibition is both a work of scholarship and an act of remembrance. Through paintings, sculpture, basket weaving, quilts, photography, archival materials and immersive video installations, visitors experience not only one of the Civil War’s most remarkable military operations but also the humanity behind one of America’s greatest heroes.
The Woman Called ‘Moses’
History has often remembered Harriet Tubman as a symbol.
The fearless conductor. The abolitionist. The freedom fighter. The legend.
Yet symbols can become distant. Over time, they lose the complexity that makes them human.
This exhibition restores that complexity.
Visitors encounter Tubman as a military strategist navigating unfamiliar waters under the constant threat of Confederate torpedoes, guns, and torches. They see a woman making impossible decisions under extraordinary circumstances. They understand that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act despite it.
Aside from her military expeditions, this exhibition also focuses on Harriet the individual, the matriarch, the nurse, the wife, the daughter, and the many titles she wore beyond being a Union spy.
“People think of Harriet Tubman almost as a myth, a legendary figure,” said Thaxton-Ward.
“But I want people to see that she was a daughter. She was a sister. She was a mother to her stepdaughter. The first people she tried to free were her own family members. Through this exhibition, we see the whole woman.”
For generations, Tubman’s role in the Combahee River Raid remained largely absent from mainstream accounts of the Civil War, despite her leadership in an operation that resulted in the liberation of more than 750 enslaved men, women and children. She would spend much of her life fighting for recognition of her military service.
“I worked in Beaufort County for three and a half years, so I knew Harriet Tubman had been there, but I really didn’t know why,” said Thaxton-Ward.
“When I was asked to curate this exhibition and was given Dr. Edda Fields-Black’s book, it became a whole new history lesson. I finally understood why she was in Beaufort and Charleston. It allowed me to connect all the dots and really see how powerful a woman she was.”
Paying Overdue Respects to History
The exhibition asks visitors to confront that history while considering another question.
What happens when we remember the hero but forget the people whose lives she transformed?
That is where Picturing Freedom breaks new ground.
Rather than ending the story on the banks of the Combahee River, the exhibition follows the lives that began again that night.
Drawing upon Dr. Fields-Black’s groundbreaking research, and the photography and documentation of New York based photographer, J Henry Fair visitors meet descendants of those liberated during the raid. Photographs, oral histories and recorded interviews reveal how one night in June 1863 echoes across generations. The exhibition transforms historical numbers into living families whose stories continue today.
The exhibition reminds visitors that emancipation was not the end of a story. It was the beginning of thousands of new ones.
“The goal was never to create a history book on the walls. We wanted to create an exhibition that would bring history to life,” Thaxton-Ward reflected.
When asked about the significance of South Carolina’s Low Country and the semblance of this region being a hotbed of rebellion, from Denmark Vesey’s planned raid in 1822 at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, an alleged plot to cause a major slave revolt, to the Combahee River Raid, Thaxton-Ward had this to say.
“Due to the heat and the conditions on the Sea Islands, many slave owners could not stand to be on the plantations for long. I think this was why many of the enslaved men and women were able to maintain much of their African culture and felt emboldened to take their freedom into their own hands as they had a degree of independence that other enslaved people did not have in the south.”
This exhibition showcases the will and determination of these freedom seekers and the legacy their descendants are looking to preserve.
Finding a Home for The Stories of Hundreds of Freedmen
The Hampton University Museum, the oldest African American museum in the United States, has long understood that history lives not only in documents but also in creativity, craftsmanship and cultural memory. Each piece of art in this exhibition reflects that philosophy.
Paintings imagine moments no photographer captured.
Sculptures give physical form to resilience.
Quilts preserve family histories stitched together over generations.
Sea Island basket weaving connects visitors to traditions that survived enslavement and continue to flourish today.
“My background in African American material culture told me immediately that we had to include sweetgrass baskets, bulrush baskets, the mortar and pestle and objects that help tell the story of the rice culture. Every object helps visitors understand the place where this history happened,” explained Thaxton-Ward.
Video installations introduce audiences to Gullah Geechee voices, including cultural historian and Hampton University graduate Ron Daise ‘78, whose work has helped preserve the language, traditions and history of the Sea Islands. Their stories reveal how culture itself became an instrument of survival, carrying memory across centuries.
The exhibition also showcases the work of Hampton University alumnus Kevin Pullen ‘77, whose artistic practice demonstrates how Hampton graduates continue to shape conversations about history, identity and social justice through visual art. His work reinforces the University’s enduring commitment to preparing artists whose creative voices engage both scholarship and society.
Environmental photos by activist and photographer J. Henry Fair of the Carolina gold rice and the sinking islands that make up South Carolina’s Low Country remind onlookers to reflect on the social injustices facing Gullah Geechee communities. His work also sheds a light on climate change, rising sea levels, and other factors that disturb coastal waterways.
Together, these works create something that neither history books nor traditional art exhibitions can accomplish alone.
They allow visitors to feel history.
That synthesis of scholarship and artistic expression reflects the vision of Dr. Thaxton-Ward, whose career has been dedicated to preserving African American art as an essential record of American history.
Hampton University’s Role in America’s Story
There may be no institution better suited to tell this story than Hampton University.
Founded in 1868, only five years after the Combahee River Raid, Hampton was established to educate newly emancipated African Americans and Native Americans during Reconstruction. The University itself stands as evidence that freedom required more than liberation. It required education, opportunity and institutions committed to preserving both.
“I wanted to bring this exhibition here for America 250. Our theme is ‘Navigating Freedom,’ and Harriet Tubman was part of navigating freedom. Hampton University was part of navigating freedom,” Thaxton-Ward regarded.
“If we look at the broader African American story, we have been navigating freedom for a long time, and Harriet Tubman absolutely deserves to be recognized as one of those people.”
For more than 150 years, the Hampton University Museum has safeguarded the artistic and cultural legacy of African Americans, ensuring that stories overlooked elsewhere would remain visible for future generations.
That mission resonates deeply as America continues to commemorate its semiquincentennial. America 250 is not simply an opportunity to honor the nation’s founding. It is an invitation to tell a fuller story of how the United States has continually struggled to live up to its founding ideals.
Navigating Freedom, Pushing Forward
Virginia’s “Navigating Freedom” theme recognizes that liberty has always been contested, pursued and redefined by ordinary people whose courage reshaped the nation.
Harriet Tubman was one of those people. So were the hundreds who followed her into uncertain freedom along the Combahee River. So are their descendants, whose lives remind us that history does not end when a battle is won. It continues in every generation that inherits history’s triumphs and its unfinished work.
At Hampton University Museum, visitors discover that history expands beyond remembering famous names. It is about restoring forgotten lives. It is about honoring communities whose resilience shaped the nation. It is about recognizing that freedom is measured not only by those who fought for it but by those who carried it forward.
As America reflects on 250 years of its history, Picturing Freedom: Harriet Tubman and the Combahee River Raid offers more a complete understanding of the American story.
One that finally gives Harriet Tubman the humanity she deserves while ensuring that the families she helped free are remembered alongside her.
In doing so, the Hampton University Museum invites every visitor to navigate freedom not as an abstract ideal, but as a living legacy that continues to define who we are and who we aspire to become.
By Mahogany Waldon,
Director of University Communications
About Hampton University
Hampton University is a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution recognized for pioneering work in atmospheric science, cancer research, and cybersecurity. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton remains a leading engine of innovation and workforce development.
Founded in 1868, Hampton serves a diverse community of scholars from 44 states and 32 territories. The university is committed to academic excellence, global citizenship, and preparing students to lead with purpose and integrity. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu
A giant of Black journalism, education, and truth-telling, dies at 93.
Hampton, Va. (June 30, 2026) — Hampton University mourns the passing of Tony Brown, Dean Emeritus of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, who passed away on June 17, 2026, at the age of 93. A pioneering broadcaster, educator, author, and civil rights advocate, Brown’s groundbreaking work transformed American media and elevated Black voices for more than four decades.
Best known as the longtime host and executive producer of Tony Brown’s Journal, Brown built one of the most influential careers in American broadcasting history while remaining deeply committed to education and the advancement of historically Black colleges and universities. He served as the inaugural dean of Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications from 2004 to 2009, helping shape the next generation of journalists and communicators.
A Foundation Built on Educations and Service
Born William Anthony Brown in Charleston, West Virginia, Brown was a proud graduate of Garnet High School, an all-Black institution that helped shape his lifelong commitment to education, leadership, and service. Excelling in English, drama, and athletics, he demonstrated early talents that would define his future, including performing scenes from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar on Charleston radio shortly before his graduation in 1951.
Following military service in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, Brown attended Wayne State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology in 1959 and a master’s degree in psychiatric social work in 1961. His early work as a social worker deepened his understanding of communities and social inequities, experiences that later informed his groundbreaking work in journalism. He was also a devoted member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., embracing a tradition of scholarship, leadership, and civic engagement.
Brown began his journalism career in 1962 as a drama critic for the Detroit Courier, quickly rising to editor. By 1968, he transitioned into public television at WTVS in Detroit, producing Colored People’s Time, one of the nation’s first television programs created specifically for Black audiences, as well as the community-focused program Free Play.
A Voice for Civil Rights and Economic Empowerment
Activism remained central to Brown’s life’s work. Dubbed “Television’s Civil Rights Crusader” by Black Enterprise, he organized a 1963 civil rights march in Detroit featuring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that drew an estimated 500,000 participants and is believed to have included one of the earliest public deliveries of King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
Brown also founded Black College Day in 1980 to encourage students to attend historically Black colleges and universities, an observance now recognized nationally by Congress. Through the Council for the Economic Development of Black Americans and his “Buy Freedom” initiative, he championed economic empowerment and support for Black-owned businesses.
Shaping Future Journalists at Hampton University
In 2004, Brown joined Hampton University as the inaugural dean of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, serving until 2009. His leadership helped elevate the school’s national reputation and strengthened opportunities for aspiring journalists and media professionals.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, Hampton University inducted Brown into the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications Hall of Fame in 2012.
“Tony Brown was a giant in American journalism whose unwavering pursuit of truth and commitment to excellence inspired generations,” said President Darrell K. Williams ’83. “His leadership helped strengthen Hampton University’s legacy of producing communicators who use their gifts in service to society.”
Current Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications Dean Julia A. Wilson reflected on Brown’s enduring influence on the school and the profession.
“Tony Brown was more than an award-winning journalist; he was a visionary who expanded the role of journalism as a force for education, empowerment, and social progress,” said Dean Wilson. “Through his groundbreaking work in the media, he challenged generations to think critically, pursue truth with courage, and tell stories that elevated the Black experience with dignity and excellence. His extraordinary legacy will continue to inspire our students, faculty, and journalists to use the power of journalism and communication to inform, uplift, and create meaningful change.”
Brown’s remarkable legacy spans broadcasting, higher education, civil rights advocacy, and economic empowerment. He will be remembered for his enduring principles of self-help, diversity through excellence, and his timeless service to others.
About Hampton University
Hampton University is a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution recognized for pioneering work in atmospheric science, cancer research, and cybersecurity. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton remains a leading engine of innovation and workforce development.
Founded in 1868, Hampton serves a diverse community of scholars from 44 states and 32 territories. The university is committed to academic excellence, global citizenship, and preparing students to lead with purpose and integrity. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu
