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Providing access to opportunities opens new doors for students to realize their potential pathways. Learning goes well beyond the classroom for Cheyney students. Many find themselves and their passions through the co-curricular and career-building activities available right on campus.

As for Valedictorian Curtis Stockley IV and Salutatorian Jazmin Walker, these opportunities transformed their learning experience and set them on a path to success.

First-Generation Student, Role Model

Prior to his father’s passing when Stockley was 12, his father encouraged him to change his family’s lives for the better. This motivation instilled a drive in him early on, making it his mission to become a first-generation college student and a role model for his younger siblings and cousins.

Fast forward several years, Stockley will graduate as Valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA with a degree in Social Relations and a concentration in American Political Studies. His undergraduate degree is just the beginning of his educational journey. He will attend the graduate school of his choice to pursue a career in human resource management.

“I believe my purpose is to act as a beacon of hope to the youth who come after me. I want to show them they are more than their environment and that their fate is determined by their aspirations and work ethic in the face of hardships,” said Stockley.

While attending Cheyney, he was the President of the Student Government Association and President of the Delta Pi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was named the 2022-2023 Mister Blue & White for the Royal Court and was also involved in multiple clubs and organizations, including The Collegiate 100, The Barbershop, The S.E.T. Mentorship Program, The CU Honors Academy, and Social Media Committee.

In addition to furthering his degree and building a career, he plans to keep his sights on entering the world of politics some day with the hopes of changing communities for the better.

Forever Cheyneymade

As a 4.0 GPA Keystone Honors Academy Scholar who will graduate as Salutatorian with a major in Communications and minor in Psychology, Walker credits Cheyney with her holistic development in transforming her into an exceptional student and an amazing person. Most recently, she was nominated for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education 2023 Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence, an award granted to seniors who exhibit excellence in their pursuit of knowledge.

Along with her academic success, she participated in the Life Science and Technology Hub internship program and worked in a marketing role with one of the university’s strategic partners, Sure-BioChem Laboratories, LLC, a microbiological and chemical testing lab.

“I would not be the person I am today if it was not for Cheyney,” said Walker. “I live by the quote ‘Nothing is impossible’. The word itself says, ‘I’m possible,’ and Cheyney has contributed to the reason that this quote is such an inspirational one to live by.”

In addition, she served as a TRiO Scholar, an executive board member of the Student Government Association, a member of the 4.0 Club, and President of the CU Honors Academy Unity Committee. She was also a member of the Women’s Basketball team.

She plans to pursue a master’s degree in communications which she intends to pivot into a career in the media and productions career field.

 

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Every year Dr. Marietta Dantonio-Madsen, Cheyney University’s Professor of Art and Chairperson of the Department of Humanities, leads an annual healing arts project to give students an opportunity to experience new perspectives on societal issues by expressing their creativity. This year, Dr. Madsen and 32 students took the difficult, impactful journey to tell the stories of gun violence victims through their family members portraying the lives lost through art.

On May 8, 2023, a 21-foot banner was unveiled at Marcus Foster Auditorium presenting the 44 painted canvasses that memorialized victims of gun violence. The exhibit is entitled, “Healing Arts Anti-Gun Violence: The Power of Love.” Students, faculty, alumni, media, and the families of the victims joined at an opening reception that featured live music by the Pan-African All Stars African Drumming group.

Dr. Madsen opened the event with remarks, and other speakers included President Aaron A. Walton, Zarinah Lomax of Apologues, several student artists, and several mothers of the victims, who shared their personal stories. Every family received their own print of canvas created in memory of their loved one.

Dr. Madsen partnered with Apologues, a nonprofit that focuses on assisting individuals to heal, empower, and advocate against violence, to help guide the project and connect students with victims’ families. The students, many who were non-art majors, shared individual experiences with someone who was killed by gun violence.

“This project was an incredibly emotional and spiritual journey that centered around loss, trauma and healing,” said Dr. Madsen. “Our students forged life-long relationships with the families, which was an unexpected result.”

The course began in September 2022, when the parents of the victims came to Cheyney to meet with the students to learn about their children and how their devastating loss impacted them. The students gave the parents a survey and used the answers to spark ideas and themes for the paintings. Additionally, students could not pass the course unless they issued their own statement on how expressing a loss from violence impacted them and how they now look at life.

Jamilah Phillips, a senior who participated in the in the project, said the words of Maya Angelou were an inspiration throughout the project, “As soon as healing takes place, go out and heal somebody else.”

“This quote stuck with me throughout my entire project,” said Phillips. “My experience with the Anti-Gun Violence Project was life changing. I’m truly blessed to have been able to experience this new platform and I hope we have more projects in collaboration to come.”

The class collaborated on what medium to use to express the families’ stories and decided on using a heart as the shape on fabric canvas. They all drew hearts on canvas to tell each victim’s story. There were many discussions on violence in the world.

“Students agreed that violence doesn’t discriminate,” said Dr. Madsen. “If there isn’t love within communities and society, people can resort to violence.”

The discussions helped the class determine what background would work best for the paintings. They all believed violence doesn’t discriminate, so they chose to use all shades of human skin for the backgrounds of the paintings. Dr. Madsen had to teach students how to create their skin color shade which created a whole new level of design.

Each parent wrote a message to their slain children and these statements are displayed on every canvas panel and on the back of the prints the parents received. Students added symbols and imagery somewhere in their painting to embody the victims. The project grew to include paintings that addressed the issue of gun-violence and how it impacts communities. Dr. Madsen enlisted the help of faculty and alumni to help the students finish the paintings.

“Despite loss and pain, these families persevere and despite how they see it that is the true definition of strength and a survivor which is shown intertwined through each piece of this art,” said Zarinah Lomax, executive director, Apologues.

The individual stories of victims and artwork can be viewed here.

Meade’s national bipartisan organization has provided a path for three million people to receive full or partial clearances for eligible conviction records

CHEYNEY, PA – Leader, advocate, and organizer, Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) — which advances policy to clear all eligible arrest and conviction records across the United States — will give this year’s commencement address at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

“Sheena takes her passion and skills to advocate for those who need it most. Her experience and ability to achieve ongoing success represent the leadership characteristics we teach our students every day,” said Cheyney University President Aaron A. Walton. “In what can be a divisive environment, she brings together elected leaders and decision-makers to address critical issues related to justice.”

Under Meade’s leadership, CSI has helped pass legislation that provided a path for three million people to receive a full or partial record clearance. Last month, CSI received a landmark financial commitment through The Audacious Project to support the organization’s strategy to unlock opportunities for up to 14 million people across the U.S. to invest in second chances. She describes her efforts as being a walking barrier breaker and one of the country’s leading experts on legal system reform.

“Across the country there are 30 million people today who are eligible for expungement,” said Meade. “But the process is costly. It’s confusing. It’s complex. Think about all the second chances you’ve gotten in life. Whether it’s from your teachers, your parents, your loved ones, your community, and even our children — and how that felt. There is power in second chances and a clean slate.”

Prior to becoming CEO of CSI, Meade helped found the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition while also working as a senior advisor to the Second Chances Amendment 4 Florida Campaign. During the statewide, grassroots effort to return voting rights to people experiencing felony disenfranchisement, Meade mobilized thousands of impacted families and supporters to get to the polls, trained hundreds of activists to engage within their communities on the issue of criminal justice, and brought together hundreds of faith congregations to support Amendment 4 efforts.

Meade is regularly featured in national media as a premier voice for criminal justice reform. Her work has involved the likes of Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, John Legend, and Roc Nation. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Public Welfare Foundation and sits on the boards of the Policing Project at NYU School of Law, Live Free USA, and the Florida Coalition on Black Civic Engagement.

“Being able to address the Cheyney University community is an honor,” noted Meade. “My family has deep personal ties to this institution, and I am humbled at the opportunity to share my story in the hopes of inspiring this year’s graduating class as they go out into the world. Existing and thriving as a young Black person in today’s society is no easy feat and if I can, by example, motivate even one student to turn any pain they may have experienced into purpose, then I will be forever grateful.”

She is the proud mother of five children, and is half of one of America’s most dynamic power couples. Her husband, Desmond, shares her passion for criminal justice reform and voting rights. His organization was recently nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Along with Meade’s commencement address, the ceremony will include several speakers and award recipients, including Ryan Boyer, Chairman of the Cheyney University Council of Trustees; honorary degree recipient Kelvin Jeremiah, CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and Valedictorian Curtis Stockley IV, who majored in Social Relations with a concentration in American Political Studies with a 4.0 GPA.

“Commencement recognizes the successes of those who inspire and those who embrace our history and progress,” said President Walton. “Cheyney’s successful transformation is making a positive impact for everyone we have helped set on a path to achieving success.”

The commencement ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 10 a.m., at The Quad.

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About Cheyney – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.

The National Society for Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) recently named Kadiyatu Mayah, junior HRTM minor to the 2023-2024 National Executive Board as the National Public

Relations Director. She will lead and curate content for the 107 university chapters across the nation. Additionally, she will be responsible for writing press releases, selecting and organizing content for collateral material such as the INFORMER Newsletter, brochures, calendar of events, etc., as well as coordinating NSMH participation in industry trade shows, and creating content for media promotion.

Founded in 1989, NSMH aims to educate, encourage, and empower minority students interested in pursuing hospitality careers. With well over 107 chapters nationwide, the organization is committed to providing resources, tools, and information to assist students in their endeavors to succeed in the hospitality industry and work closely with industry partners in developing diverse, inclusive, and supportive environments.

“As a Liberian American while being raised in Upper Darby, PA, I’ve learned to be as creative as I can, always stay true to myself and to walk into every room with purpose,” said Mayah. She asserts that she has always had a passion for connecting with people through meaningful conversation and realized that her love for this industry grew as she attended events and connected with people from various backgrounds and spaces within the hospitality industry. There is a quote from Maya Angelou that Kadiyatu lives by, which also exemplifies the essence of the hospitality industry: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” As a result of her positive experiences with the HRTM program, Kadiyatu’s hope is to positively impact the perception of current and new students alike regarding what the hospitality industry entails. It is her hope to effectively showcase the benefits of joining the HRTM program and, by extension, a prestigious organization like NSMH. “It is also my intention to graciously serve as a dedicated team member of the national board,” said Mayah.

“We are so proud of Kadiyatu,” said Krystal Peters, Program Coordinator, Professor of the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Program and NSMH advisor. “Not only has she represented herself as a stellar hospitality scholar, but she has represented Cheyney University masterfully on a national stage.”

This prestigious appointment comes by way of an election process that took place early last week, and features hospitality and tourism students around the country who display exemplary leadership, academic achievement, awareness of the NSMH’s mission, vision and a commitment to service.

 

Students from the Cheyney University’s Hospitality Entrepreneurship Class (HRM 320) attended the Small Business Expo on March 29^th at the Wanamaker Building in Philadelphia.

The Cheyney contingency comprised of freshman Zamira Robinson, sophomores Briana Archer and Shadir King, juniors Hugh Booth, N’Lijah Bryant, and Abson Francois, and senior Philip Daynuah with Professor Krystal Peters.

The Small Business Expo is Philadelphia’s BIGGEST business networking & educational event for Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs, averaging 15,000 people hailing from all over the world. Students attended workshops led by industry experts such as: Building Foundations for Business Credit, How Small Businesses (Unintentionally) Poison Their Best Relationships, Building Foundations for Business Credit and From Dream to Profit: Creating the Custom Sales Strategy You Need.

Students and expo participants were also given free access to Small Business University. This is a series of 1 hour content rich webinars curated by the Small Business Expo and led by industry experts that give participants the opportunity to learn business-critical skills and strategies and feature a Q & A session at the end. These webinars cover a variety of topics such as:

• Sales & Marketing
• Finance Management
• SEO Strategies
• Social Media Marketing
• Business Planning & Growth
• Legal Tips & Pitfalls to Avoid
• Human Resources guidance
• Employee Incentives
• and many more!

Shadir King, said “When telling my friends about the trip I told them how good it felt be in a room full of business owners like me. We all have different goods and services to offer the world and it’s great to network and get our business out there. The connections I made will have next-level benefits. The most interesting part of my day was learning about credit building and grants that are out there to help small businesses like mine flourish.”

Much like the Small Business Expo, the Hospitality Entrepreneurship class encourages students to ignite their entrepreneurial spirit through real-world experiences. The course culminates with an Entrepreneurship Expo to be held during the last week of classes in Marcus Foster. Each student will present their business idea in a trade show fashion to their peers and the campus community. They will also receive feedback from the entrepreneurial experts who will be judging their presentations.

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The NBA’s All-Star Game weekend came and went in February, but for Cheyney University of Pennsylvania senior Nathan Rosario, the memories, and connections, may last a lifetime. Sitting a few rows from the court during the NBA-HBCU Classic game, Rosario, a business administration major and guard for the men’s basketball team, quickly turned his attention from the court to who was behind him.

“There were representatives from different corporate companies sitting behind us and they were talking about professional opportunities they have available,” said Rosario. “We provided our academic backgrounds and majors and now we’re looking at interviews.”

Men’s basketball head coach Terrell Stokes connected with professional contacts to score a chance to attend the festivities in Salt Lake City for him and four of his players, including Rosario. When they started talking to the corporate professionals also in attendance, Stokes knew the trip was a success.

“And they started having conversations with them, ‘What university are you from?’” Stokes said. “And the students would answer them ‘We’re Cheyney University, we’re an HBCU.’

“The conversation went into, ‘What year are you? What are you studying? Are you a senior? Are you graduating? We have opportunities for internships, we want to follow up with you.’”

Networking at the star-studded event gave exposure to Rosario and his teammates, sophomores Nathan Pettus, who flew on a plane for the first time as part of the trip, Kian Nixon, and Jabril Baxter, that they never had before. It’s all part of Coach Stokes’ plan to prioritize academics and help create a career path.

“I know they’ll adapt on the court,” he said. “But the opportunities to prepare for the business world, how to have a meeting, how to dress for a meeting, how to write a resume, how to speak to a professional, what language to use; these are the things that we teach in the program. The CEOs were so impressed with the students. These are principles I teach daily in the program.”

Rosario followed up with those he met and is waiting to see how those opportunities progress. It was a chance for him and his teammates to act as professionals but also to enjoy the weekend as lovers of basketball.

“My two favorite interactions were with [Utah Jazz guard] Collin Sexton because we got to talk to him about more personal things,” Rosario said. “But also just meeting Charles Barkley, that is always an honor. It was a great experience overall.”

Stokes is in his second year as head coach of a revitalized men’s basketball program that is working toward playing a full season of games and readmission to NCAA Division II competition.

“The program is ascending. We played 28 games this past season, including a lot of high-level Division II schools with great athletes,” said Stokes.

But more important than any on-court victory is the commitment to the classroom that Stokes requires.

“The team GPA is 3.3, that’s what I’m proudest about,” he said. “Nathan is a great example of that. He’s graduating with a 4.0.

Stokes continued, “We have multiple students who are doing well in the classroom. The men’s basketball program is more than basketball, way more than basketball. We always speak life, the future and what you want to do with your endeavors.”

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