HBCUs HERE and NOW: A New Talk Show for HBCU Leaders
HBCUs have a long legacy of incubating the leaders of tomorrow. In a new talk show on WeHBSeeUTV, HBCUs HERE and NOW will highlight the ongoing successes of HBCU leaders with the goal of educating aspiring leaders. The show will begin broadcasting in March 2024.
The talk show emerged through a partnership between Dr. Erin Lynch, President of Quality Education for Minorities Network (QEM), and Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, founder of Greatness Gurus – both of whom have been leaders on HBCU campuses themselves.
In our interview with Dr. Crumpton-Young, she credits visionary Dr. Lynch, "(Her) passion around minority-serving institutions and diverse issues in these spaces led to the creation of an entire TV network."
After a conversation about showcasing the outstanding artificial intelligence, robotics, and cancer research happening at HBCUs on WeHBSeeUTV, Dr. Lynch and Dr. Crumpton-Young agreed that highlighting HBCU leaders could also benefit the HBCU community.
Dr. Crumpton-Young's extensive leadership background, scholarship, and experience as an educator make her the ideal talk show host.
"We're making sure that the leaders featured get an opportunity to share information on their leadership styles. We want them to share proven practices that are successful as well as suggestions for individuals who may aspire to be presidents," Dr. Crumpton-Young explained.
Not only do HBCU leaders have to believe in the mission of these impactful institutions, they must also be resilient, responsive, innovative, and comfortable acting as disruptors.
One of the upcoming episodes will feature Dr. Anthony Jenkins, President of Coppin State University. In his work at Coppin, he remodeled the university library's first floor and created the Eagle Achievement Center, a one-stop shop for students to work on their academic and career goals. This "academic haven" allows for students to study independently or in groups, receive supplemental instruction and tutoring, and obtain support at the career center.
Dr. Crumpton-Young explained, "The most important thing a university can do in addition to preparing students academically is to help place them in the career of their dreams. That completes the education cycle." She applauds Dr. Jenkins' visionary work to address the evolving needs of students in the twenty-first century.
HBCUs HERE and NOW also aims to inspire leaders think critically about their decisions, "We've been very transparent to discuss pitfalls that leaders should avoid. In the leadership literature, there's data on the common mistakes leaders make," Dr. Crumpton-Young explains.
Dr. Crumpton-Young is excited to launch HBCUs HERE and NOW and in closing shared that they hope to enlighten leaders through new information about best practices and innovative ideas, elevate leaders by increasing their leadership acumen, and empower leaders to implement new practices on their campuses.
Tune in to WeHBSeeUTV in late March to learn about the breadth of accomplishments and stellar leadership happening at our HBCUs.