HOMECOMING FAMU STYLE

HOMECOMING FAMU STYLE

There is nothing that compares
to a HBCU Homecoming. It is
more than just a football game;
it is a family gathering, soul food
extravaganza, community fellowship,
youth inspiration for the excitement
of college, Battle of the Bands
showdown and in some ways a
spiritual experience
covering generations of families.
The beginning of Homecoming starts well before the game;
it is a weeklong celebration capitulation. Surrendering to
the rich beat of continuous music, the enjoyment of food
ranging from traditional Bar B Que to cultural dishes of
African, Caribbean meals and down home Southern cuisines.

This year’s FAMU Homecoming was no different than pasts,
a sea of orange and green with Alumni from all parts of this
great county displaying the characteristic pride of Rattlers
who successfully graduated from this historic HBCU of
Tallahassee, Florida. Current students participating in week
long events from fraternity and sorority step/stomp shows to
the inclusion of cultural events.

Attending with my son who is a sophomore at FAMU I
witnessed the pride in the eyes that were in attendance.
The smiles that showed fond memories and the holding of
hands of our seasoned seniors dressed from head to toe with
orange and green attire. This is the power, excitement and
spirit of Homecoming at FAMU.

Highlighted this year the Alumni band and cheerleaders
entertained the thousands in attendance with “Ole Skool”
style dance moves, musical scores and “Drop It Like Its Hot”
grooves that brought standing ovations and wild cheers from
the crowd. This was just to warm up the crowd for the
internationally acclaimed FAMU Rattler Band to perform.

Accompanying the band the Alumni cheerleaders both male
and female and outstanding Flag Team performed with
professionalism and style. Tumblers performed flips, twirls,
cartwheels and gymnastic feats that defied not only gravity,
but age. The saying “Old Skool is the New Skool” is an
understatement to the artistic and talented moves, grooves
and swagger of Alumni that did it in the past and can still can
“Drop It Like Its Hot” and pull it back up again without
missing a beat.

The fierceness of the Rattlers definitely had an effect on
the weather. Forecasted to rain, the clouds dared not drop
heavy precipitation to rainout this Homecoming for fear of
the Rattlers legendary bite, and I’m sure there were many
prayers that made a big difference as well.

What should not be overlooked was the HBCU respect and
fellowship that is found at HBCU Homecomings. No matter
what school or the competition, HBCU’s always show respect
that is given and respect that is accepted. This is what
creates treasured memories for graduates of HBCU’s across
this country. They create traditions that generations follow
in attendance, that motivate families to send their children
to HBCU’s to receive a quality and culturally empowering
education.

I’m a graduate of South Carolina State University and my
son is a student at Florida A&M University, by fiancée’s son
Daryl is a graduate of FAMU and now working on his Master's
at FAMU.

When time comes for my daughter to attend college she
too will attend an HBCU for the quality education that it
provides and “real world” education that prepares it’s graduates
not only to compete on national and international levels,
but to be successful in life and look back to help others up
the ladders of career successes.

The football game was awesome, entertaining and electrifying,
but Homecoming is more than a game it is a feeling, a tradition
and if a person goes away without a spiritual connection of
some kind they have missed the bonding and fellowshipping.
This fellowship will be with those in attendance for years if
not a lifetime and grows each year families come back to
experience a Homecoming.

More pictures at: http://photobucket.com/famuhomecoming

William Jackson, M.Ed.
FAMU Homecoming 2011

Diabetical In My Body

Psalms 86:7 (NIV) “When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.”As I listen to my Pastor and church
choir sing, “Down In My Soul” I reflect on the challenges
that this new onset of diabetes is taking me on. The survival
rate of what I have been through as a Black man over 45
years of age is statistically low.

First surviving a PE (pulmonary embolism) or blood clot
that traveled from my leg to my lung in December 2006, the
doctors said I should have died, now in 2011 having survived
a blood sugar level over 700 for several weeks. The doctors
said I should either be in a diabetic coma or dead.
I survive because I believe God still has a purpose for me.
Just as He has a purpose for all of us. The challenges that
life throws at a person can either break you, cause you to
go into depression, make you suicidal or just cause a person
to lose their mind.

My determination to these physical circumstances is to
continue too, and increase my praise and worship to God.
I refuse to give into physical challenges of my body and
continue even more to allow God to use me as a testimony
and example to his Kingdom.

The statement “everything happens for a reason” is
almost equal to, “what does not kill you makes you stronger.”
I grow stronger in the knowledge that I’m doing good
works in my community and diabetes just increases my
resolve and determination to be more involved in my
community and church. I cannot waste time nor will
I blame God, curse the devil, look at possible
generational heredity imperfections from my parents
for diabetes, blood clots or hypertension (high blood
pressure); all I can do is pull Jesus closer to my heart
and cry, “lead me to do the works you would have me to do.”
More of my brothers (of all races and cultures) need to
say these words and mean them.

Learning about diabetes now is like a crash course in
biology, chemistry, and psychology, it just goes to show
circumstance and situations in physicality can teach you
to appreciate life and how delicate it can be.
My Pastor (Timothy Cole, Sr.) is preaching that God says
“He (God) is the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.” In
reply to that I say God is the God of William Derek Jackson
and I will praise his name within my heart and publically
voice His name where God’s name needs to be heard.

As men experience physical challenges that try to keep
them distracted from doing the job of fathers and men,
we need to be more involved with our families, communities
and churches. Fighting off that which keeps us from doing
“Good Works” in our homes, communities, schools and churches.

Learning from the experiences of diabetes many men do
not share their experiences to be a blessing to others.
Not to bring self pity or notoriety to themselves, but to
teach others how to prevent ill health and improve
their health as they mature.
My journey through diabetes will be a testimony to God
and a knowledge experience for myself and others. I hope
to share my triumphs with others to prevent others
from falling victim to this physical and emotional
challenge. I survived a blood sugar level of above 600
to 700, survived loosing over 20 pounds in several
weeks, dehydration, waning vision, physical instability
and memory loss.

Lessons learned; Knowledge gained; Spirit rededicated.

I ask those that are reading this or viewing my Youtude
video if you experience some or all of these symptoms
to get medical attention soon. Your survival and your
family’s peace and happiness may depend on your proactive
energies to check your physical well being.

Watch your diet, consistently exercise, take time for
yourself to mentally relax and refocus on what is
important in life. As my grandmother of over 90 years
old taught me that, “Nothing beats peace for mind, body
and soul.”So my mind is on peace, my body is growing
healthy and my soul has a better relationship with Jesus.

Video on Black Bloggers Connect
Diabolical In Me

Jacksonville Goes to College Week

Jacksonville Goes to College Week
October 9 – 15, 2011

Creating a multicultural mindset of attending
college does not start in middle or high school, but
manifest itself at the primary and elementary levels.
Statistics show that two thirds of current and future
jobs will require a college degree, at the minimum
a Bachelors.

The U.S. Department of Labor finds that 62 percent
of all U.S. jobs now require two-year or four-year
degrees. Careers are being created resulting from
the integration of technology, growing each year
as the speed and intelligence of microprocessors
grows. How can a person compete with just a high
school diploma when there is a major talent shift
from low-skill jobs to more complex knowledge jobs
across the country? Even governmental sentiments
are geared to improved education,
“America needs to provide a complete and competitive
education for every child from cradle through career”
Higginbottom, H. Director of Domestic Policy.

Throughout America’s history each succeeding
generation is better educated and better prepared
for future careers than the previous generation
(www.acteonline.org/). When looking at the
educational paradigm shift, high schools working
in preparing students for high tech, knowledge
management careers. Because of the changes in
falling manual labor jobs, dwindling careers
where labor was once performed in the fields and
factories affect the skill level and knowledge
level of workers. There is a great discussion
on the direction of college attendance and the
change in curriculums that are College Prep, the
elimination of vocational education in high
schools and the closing of Skill Centers.

The direction in educational circles is guided
by business, industry, medicine, science and
incorporation of Knowledge Management skills
whether technical, medical, educational,
research and even Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM ) are guiding learning in
public and higher educational circles.

KM (knowledge management) comes from acquiring,
managing and sharing information. Students are
learning how to acquire, interpret, and apply
knowledge to higher order thinking skills. This
is common place in higher education where research
based learning is performed. While teaching
Educational Technology (Edu Tec 250) at Edward Waters
College I integrate project and knowledge management
in my curriculum to empower students and guide them
to learn how to manage information, work collaboratively
and share resources. If students do not learn these
skills as they progress from elementary, middle and
high school they will be challenged in higher education
with the amount of information that is necessary to be
processed and applied in productivity.

Educational research shows that much of students work
is invisible (mental processing) and sometimes
a challenge to measure with traditional assessment tools
because processing goes on inside students heads and on
multiple levels of comprehension, awareness and processing.
If you have students that do not have a foundation of
previous (older) knowledge it is harder to process and
apply new knowledge. "Knowledge workers are going to be
the primary force in careers and how businesses are
successful” (Allan Alter 2005, cioinsight.com/).

Public school educators are learning from higher educators (college/university) the importance of (KM) in growing
careers that teaching students to manage data, interpret
information, and analyze statistics. Business leaders are
learning that their informational infrastructure will be
managed by people who have been prepared in high schools
and higher educational institutions.

Allan Alter has stated, "They (knowledge managers) are
the key source of growth in most organizations.”
In relevancy to this DCPS has shown its commitment to
guiding students to higher education stating, “Duval County
Public Schools serves approximately 125,000 students. The
school district is committed to providing high quality
educational opportunities that will inspire all students
to acquire and use the knowledge and skills needed to
succeed in a global economy, and culturally diverse world
(DCPS web site).

This is something that cannot be developed rapidly in
higher education, it has to be nurtured as students progress
from primary school to high school. Look at the development
of Apple, Microsoft, Google, and even Facebook. All started
by young entrepreneurs that embraced knowledge management
and development. There are options for students who do not
have the aspiration or aptitude for college and their needs
should be met as well to be successful and contributory to
society.

Schools districts should not turn a deaf ear, nor
ignore students who do not want to attend college, their
educational preparation is just as vital to society.
Elementary schools such as Andrew Robinson Elementary with
the theme “College Preparation” as a guide; classrooms
display college/university banners, teacher talk about
their educational experiences in college, guest speakers
are invited to talk to students (Jacksonville Giants,
Jacksonville Jaguars) and mentors/role models
(Dr. Johnny Gaffney, City Council) are sought to
inspire the desire to work to graduation from high
school and onward to college.

This week of October 9th to October 15th designed
to engage families, communities, school staff, and
students in activities that promote college admission
and success. Educators, politicians, law enforcement,
parents, clergy, and community stakeholders must work
together to empower students with the academic as well
as strong social disciplines to attend higher and
vocational education becoming successful graduates.

It takes a village to raise leaders nurturing success
in all our children.

Jacksonville National College Fair
Sat, October 15
Prime Osborn Convention Center, 9 am. to 1 pm.,
Admissions is FREE, parking is $5.
Students in grades 8-12 are encouraged to attend
with their families and bring pens to fill out
admission forms.