PR2015 Mar 6
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jill Swindle, 205.391.5823
jswindle@sheltonstate.edu
Deputy Director for the White House Initiative on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities to visit Shelton State
Tuscaloosa, AL – Dr. Ivory A. Toldson, Deputy Director for the White House Initiative on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), will visit Shelton State Community
College on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 and Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Joining Dr. Toldson will
be Morgan Curry, Jeraun Pogue, and Justin Wells - three local college students currently serving
as HBCU All-Stars.
In addition to serving as Deputy Director for the Initiative, Dr. Toldson is an associate professor
at Howard University, senior research analyst for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation,
and editor-in-chief of "The Journal of Negro Education." He is the author of "The Breaking
Barriers Series," which analyzes academic success indicators from national surveys that together
give voice to more than 10,000 black male pupils from schools across the country. In addition,
he is the co-editor of the book, “Black Male Teachers: Diversifying the Nation’s Teacher
Workforce” and the author of the novel, “Black Sheep.” Through his consulting firm, CREATE,
LLC, he routinely works with schools to increase their capacity to promote academic success
among black students.
HBCU All-Stars serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on HBCUs by providing
outreach and communication with their fellow students about the value of education and the
Initiative as a networking resource. They have participated in regional events and web chats
with Dr. Toldson and other Initiative staff, and have engaged with other scholars to showcase
individual and collective talent across the HBCU community.
“Building a foundation for our students goes far beyond the classroom experience,” said Shelton
State Community College President, Dr. Andrea Mayfield. “By meeting with Dr. Toldson and
the HBCU All-Stars, our students have an opportunity to not only engage with current and future
leaders, but to also be inspired by their accomplishments.”
The West Alabama community is invited to join Dr. Toldson and the HBCU All-Stars for a firsthand
account of the White House Initiative and its educational benefits. “Community Meet and
Greet” sessions will be held on the C.A. Fredd Campus on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
and on the Martin Campus on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at 7:30 a.m. All are invited and
admission is free.