Delaware
HBCU Week awards high school students on-site college scholarships in Delaware
WILMINGTON, Delaware (WPVI) — Before 9 a.m. on Friday, traffic was jammed and so was the parking lot of the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Delaware.
It was all because of the excitement and thousands of people attending the HBCU Week College Fair.
“The line’s been wrapped around the building since about 8:45 this morning,” said HBCU Week Foundation Founder and CEO Ashley Christopher.
HBCU Week returned to Wilmington on Sunday with a full week of activities. Christopher founded HBCU Week in 2017 with support from Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. Each year the event has grown.
This year, about 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities from across the country set up booths at the college fair. Many of them offered on-site admissions and scholarships.
It’s the type of joy Christopher couldn’t have imagined when she founded HBCU Week six years ago with just a couple hundred students seeking more information on HBCUs.
“Last year we had about 7,000 kids at the fieldhouse. This year, it’s trending to be even more than that,” she said.
Last year, thousands of students also attended HBCU Week at Disney Resorts in Orlando. The growing attendance at the college fair matches the growing interest in HBCUs.
“Our enrollment increased 15% this year,” said Gregory Benjamin, assistant director of admissions at Cheyney University, the nation’s first HBCU.
“This is not a second-tier option,” said Christopher, who is a double-HBCU alum. “The best and the brightest are graduating from HBCUs every year.”
The education is matched by the experience, which students say makes them feel right at home.
“It’s a good community! Everyone knows each other, everyone’s there for each other,” said Arden McKoy, a high school senior, as she stood in line for the Delaware State University booth.
“It’s one of my number one choices,” she said of the school as she nervously waited for a quick interview and review of her transcript and test scores.
Minutes later, McKoy was awarded a full four-year scholarship to Delaware State University, inciting cheers from the crowd which included her mother.
It’s how HBCU week earned its slogan: “The week that changes lives.”
“You can walk out of here with hope for your future,” said Christopher.
HBCU Week continues with a block party and a battle of the bands this weekend in Wilmington. Then they’ll head to Atlanta for another HBCU Week starting October 5.
You can get more information on HBCU Week and ongoing scholarship opportunities here.
Delaware
What to know ahead of post-holiday travel this weekend as new storm system moves in
Weather hazards slow post-holiday travel across the US
The Midwest, South and Northwest may see post-holiday travel slowdowns due to severe weather.
If you’re planning any holiday travel this weekend, make sure to factor in some extra time.
A new storm system loaded with moisture rolling up from the Gulf of Mexico is expected to bring heavy rain and potential flooding along the I-95 corridor, according to AccuWeather. Similar weather is predicted across the Southeast and Midwest.
The warm air will bring thunderstorms across most of Delaware between Friday and Sunday night, with the heaviest rain predicted to fall between Sunday afternoon and evening.
AccuWeather said poor visibility and possible flooding could lead to “substantial” travel delays. Meteorologists recommend shifting travel times to before or after the storm.
Also, temperatures will rise over the weekend, with highs in the 50s or above.
Delaware
Ex-NFL star DeSean Jackson finalizing deal to become head coach at Delaware State
Former Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson is reportedly closing in on an agreement to become the next head coach at Delaware State University.
Jackson, 38, had an on-campus interview, and the school and ex-NFL wideout are expected to “come together” soon,” ESPN reported Thursday.
It was also reported that coaching at a historically black college or university (HBCU) was a “dream” for Jackson.
Jackson spent 15 years in the NFL with the Eagles, Washington, Rams, Raiders and Ravens, with his last season coming in 2022.
The three-time Pro Bowler does have coaching experience, serving as an assistant coach at Woodrow Wilson High School in his hometown of Long Beach, Calif. this year.
He is now getting close to taking over the football program at the HBCU that had just one win in 2024 and one win in 2023 after going 5-6 in 2022.
Now, the school will see if some of Jackson’s experience can rub off on the program.
Jackson finished his NFL career with 641 catches, 11,263 yards and 66 total touchdowns.
That came after a memorable college career at Cal, where he recorded 2,423 yards and 23 total touchdowns, earning All-American nods in 2006 and 2007.
The news about Jackson’s hiring came just days after former Eagles QB Michael Vick — and Jackson’s former teammate — was hired by Norfolk State to be its next coach.
If Jackson’s deal goes through, he will run into a Vick-led Norfolk State next season in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play.
Vick said during a press conference that the new job would allow him to “serve young men in my community.”
“I understand the value of a HBCU,” Vick said at a press conference earlier this week. “The fact that it is in my hometown makes it even better.
“And so, it’s a great admiration for HBCUs, the NFL has numerous partnerships with HBCUs, so I think it shows that people care, you know, you’ve got these big time Division I programs where they’ve got all these amazing things, bells and whistles, money, and they tend to forget about the HBCUs and the schools that have the same type of prominence, and so, to start here, it wasn’t even by design.”
Delaware
Delaware County Opioid Settlement Task Force Needs Volunteer Members
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Delaware County is looking for residents to sit on its Delaware County Opioid Settlement Task Force.
Sought are passionate and dedicated residents to serve on the task force.
Members help provide recommendations for immediate and long-term programs, work alongside community leaders, experts, and advocates, and ensure funds are used effectively, transparently, and for maximum impact.
“This is your chance to play a vital role in shaping how settlement funds are used to combat the opioid crisis in our community,”the county said.
Residents interested in serving on the task force can apply online here.
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